Four more members of the Western Togoland Restoration Front and Homeland Study Group who were seeking to secede Volta Region from Ghana have been jailed 17 years by the High Court in Accra. In addition to the custodial sentence, the four have been fined a total of GHc26,400. This was after they were found guilty for charges including belonging to a prohibited organization before Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzu. The convicts are Michael Koku Kwabla Amwetonu Gohey alias Togbe Yesu Adudzie, Nene Kwaku Agblorm II alias Joshua Tawiah Agblorm, Dzreke Mawuena Adreke Mawena Abednego and WOI Emmanuel Hayford Afedo. The convicts are to serve their respective sentences in hard labour. 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 European Union hit Apple with a massive $2 billion fine after finding that the tech giant unfairly favored its own music streaming service over rivals such as Spotify. The company banned app developers from 'fully informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services outside of the app,' said the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive arm and top antitrust enforcer. That is illegal under EU antitrust rules. Apple behaved this way for almost a decade, which meant many users paid 'significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions,' the commission said. The fine follows a long-running investigation triggered by a complaint from Spotify five years ago. In response to the fine, Apple released a statement alleging that the commission had failed to find 'any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast.' 'While we respect the European Commission, the facts simply dont support this decision,' the statement continued. Apple has promised to appeal the ruling. The statement goes on to remark that Spotify pays Apple 'nothing for the services that have helped to make them one of the most recognizable brands in the world.' 'Were proud to play a key role supporting Spotifys success as we have for developers of all sizes,' the statement remarked. At a press conference Monday, Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission executive vice president, accused Apple of 'abusing' its position. 'For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store. From now on, Apple will have to allow music streaming developers to communicate freely with their own users.' '[The fine] reflects both Apples financial power and the harm that Apples conduct inflicted on millions of European users,' Vestager said. 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 Commmuications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has described the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, as someone who will go down as a great leader for his patience to make the right decisions. Commenting on the ongoing impass on the passage of the Anti-LGBTQ+bill, Richard Ahiagbah mentioned that, it is important to find a balance to maintain cohesion in society as far as the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+bill is concerned. The director of communications of the NPP wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) page, "finding the delicate balance to maintian cohesion in society, especially on a fundamental issue such as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, is an art that distinguishes great leaders from ordinary ones. H.E Akufo-Addo will go down as a great leader who hastened slowly to get it right once". The Parliament of Ghana passed the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill after going through series of amendments for three years. The passage of the bill has raised mixed feelings amongst the general public. Meanwhile, the President is yet to receive a draft of the bill which he is expected to sign, however, the President, through Eugene Arhin, the director of commmunications at the Presidency, has stated that, the President will wait for the decision of the supreme court before he decides on what to do with the bill. In the press release, extracts of the presser reads, "I think it will serve little purpose to go, at this stage, into the details of the origin of this proposed law, which is yet to reach my desk. But suffice it to say, that I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation." Richard Ahiagbah, however, underscored the need to exercise restraint as the President makes an informed decision which will promote a balanced cohesion in Ghana. Source: Kobina Darlington/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 United Kingdom(UK) Branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ( NPP UK Branch) has reaffirmed its unflinching support for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP as the party gears up for victory in the 2024 General Elections. At a unity party of the NPP held at the Dominion Centre in Wood Green, London last Saturday, March 2, 2024, there was a show of overwhelming support for Dr Bawumia's quest to break the eight for the NPP. In an extraordinary display of unity and resolve, the NPP UK Branch, under the leadership of Mr Kingsley Adumattah Agyapong (Wofa K) in collaboration with the UK for DMB, hosted a memorable unity party at the Dominion Center in Wood Green in London, on Saturday 2nd of March, 2024. The event, meticulously organised to rally support for Dr Bawumia, saw a remarkable turnout of members both from within and outside the NPP UK community. Speeches from the speakers at the event including Dr Alolo Mutaka from the Office of the Vice President and a lead on fundraising for the Bawumia campaign team, Ms Abigail Laryea, Deputy CEO of NEIP, Mr Kwabena Frimpong- NPP Deputy Director of Protocol, Mr Antwi Okyere Darko-Chairman of Strategic Group B, Lawyer Bennard-YEF Chairman and Mr. Alex Appiah Mensah- NPP UK 1st Vice Chairman, had one theme -UNITY FOR Dr Mahamudu Bawumia," the NPP UK Branch Communications Directorate remarked after the event. After a fiercely fought NPP presidential primary election which saw Dr Bawumia emerge as Victor, there has been surprisingly a united front in support of Dr Bawumia's leadership of the party as flagbearer. Speakers at the event reiterated their support for Dr Bawumia going into the 2024 General Elections. 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 Professor John Gatsi, Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, has criticised the position of President Akufo-Addo to defer assenting to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill after a Supreme Court ruling on the matter. President Akufo-Addo, in his initial remarks following the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill by Parliament, noted that Ghanaians hold hands while awaiting the decision from the Supreme Court before any action is taken. But Prof. Gatsi, speaking on TV3s Ghana Tonight programme on March 4, questioned the basis of the Presidents assertion because the bill is yet to become law, adding, When E-levy [Electronic Transaction Service Levy] was sent to court, the President still went ahead to sign the E-levy bill into law. What is so significant or strange about this bill that the bill has not even matured into law and some people are seeking some explanation to be provided by the Supreme Court about this bill? he quizzed. According to Prof. Gatsi, the country is not yet at the point of Supreme Court interpretation, stating, We dont have a law so to speak, because technically we have not completed the process. He also maintained that all the happenings following the passage of the bill are to ensure that the bill does not receive presidential assent to become law. He stressed that there is a heavy dose of lobbying activity going on against the signing of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. It sounds like there is a heavy dose of lobbying activities going on [in] these last minutes of the process. We knew that the constituents of the world that are not happy with the stand of Ghana on LGBTQ were very clear. All attempts were made to stop the process in parliament that didnt happen, he said, adding that the international community, having seen the signs of a unanimous decision to pass the bill in parliament, has occasioned the upscale of lobbying activities across the board. Western powers using Finance Ministry to lobby Akufo-Addo not to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill Prof. John Gatsi And now they are using our own finance ministry to blackmail Ghanaians to support the President not to sign the bill, Prof. Gatsi added. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry has urged President Akufo-Addo not to assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The Ministry, in a statement, emphasised that Ghana could lose over US$3.8 billion in World Bank financing should the bill be enacted into law. Some of the areas the Finance Ministry feared World Bank financing could be cut include the US$300 million First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation. Another US$300 million on-going negotiation for the Second Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation, and another US$250 million for the Ghana Financial Stability Fund. Also, the finance ministry feared the disbursement of US$2.1 billion for on-going projects and another US$900 million worth of projects would cease when the bill becomes law. Source: 3news.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 National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously endorsed the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Running Mate to John Dramani Mahama. Following the endorsement of the Council of Elders, the learned Professor is expected to be outdoored as the NDC running mate soon Ex-President Mahama, in a tweet shortly after the endorsement, said, Naana Jane is God-fearing, a distinguished scholar, a conscientious public servant and a role model. This is the second time the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and Minister of Education will be partnering former President Mahama on the ticket of the NDC for a major election in 2024. Before her selection, several names were floated as potential running mates which included Julius Debrah, former Chief of Staff; Dr Kwabena Duffour, former Finance Minister and Governor of Bank of Ghana; Mr Kwame Awuah Darko, former Chief Executive of Tema Oil Refinery and BOST, Kojo Bonsu, former Mayor of Kumasi; Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, the NDC Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey Constituency. The former President submitted name of his preferred running-mate to the National Executive Committee and the Council of Elders of the party for scrutiny. The party through its General Secretary, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, in an earlier statement, indicated that the NEC and the Council of Elders of the party were preparing to deliberate on Mr Mahamas choice for running mate. In addition, the former President Mahama is expected to make an official announcement of his running-mate to the public on March 7, 2024. Source: GNA 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 Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, Moses Foh-Amoaning has expressed surprise over why gospel artistes in the country are not publicly supporting the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. He has criticised the gospel artistes for not writing songs in support of the fight against the activities of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in the country. The Parliament of Ghana on February 28 unanimously passed the anti-LGBTQ+ bill after it had gone through nearly three years of deliberation. The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill aims at criminalising the activities of the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana. It imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+. Mr Foh-Amoaning, who was speaking in an interview on Onua FMs Testimony Hour show on March 3, wondered why gospel musicians have failed to compose songs to help demand the barring LGBTQ+ activities by President Akufo-Addo. I am really surprised that upon all the gospel artists we have in Ghana, none of them has been inspired by God to write a song to speak against the activities of LGBTQ+. We have top notch artistes like Joe Mettle, Dianna Antwi Hamilton and the rest, yet it hasnt appeared to them to sing a song or a line in their songs to support the LGBTQ+ fight, the veteran journalist and lawyer bewailed. He quizzed why these same artistes are able to write songs concerning things happening in the country, yet they are mute over LGBTQ+. Mr Foh-Amoaning urged the gospel fraternity to speak up to get President Akufo-Addo to assent to bill into law. Source: 3news.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 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A group of marine biologists specializing in shark ecology, genetics and fisheries have challenged the findings from a recent study suggesting that South Africa's white shark population has not decreased, but simply redistributed eastwards to flee predation from orcas. In September 2023 the article titled "Decline or shifting distribution? A first regional trend assessment for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in South Africa" was published in the open access journal Ecological Indicators. This was followed by two articles in the popular mediaone in Nature titled "Orcas blamed for missing great white sharks" and another in The Conversation Africa titled "South Africa's great white sharks are changing locationsthey need to be monitored for beach safety and conservation." In a rebuttal article published in the same journal recently, titled "Uncertainty remains for white sharks in South Africa, as population stability and redistribution cannot be concluded by Bowlby et al. (2023)", the group of concerned marine biologists highlight several issues with the methods and inferences made in the study mentioned above, and argue that the data, as currently analyzed and interpreted, cannot support the claims made about population stability, nor redistribution, of South Africa's white sharks. Dr. Enrico Gennari, director of the Oceans Research Institute and lead author, says they felt obliged to raise these concerns given what it means for management, "If the white shark population is stable, there is no need for concern. However, if the declines in white shark sightings seen in former hotspots are actually representative of the population, then conservation action is urgently needed." Firstly, regarding the claim that South Africa's white shark population has migrated eastwards, they raise two objections. The first objection has to do with the presentation of the two datasets in the 2023 study, and that one cannot infer that an increase in the number of shark sightings in one spot, in this case, Algoa Bay, is directly comparable to a reduction in shark sightings in another spot, such as False Bay. "Putting it simply, a decrease of let's say 80% from 100 individuals at location A cannot be the same as a 80% increase from 10 individuals at location B," they write. A significant increase in shark sightings in one spot could be due to a variety of reasons, including improved technologies such as the use of aerial drones. A 2022 study, for example, identified a 357% spike in the use of aerial drones in South African recreational fishery since 2016. Other potential factors that could have contributed to an increase in the number of white sharks in Algoa Bay include the establishment of Marine Protected Areas around Algoa Bay in 2004 and the completion of a new port in 2006. Recently, in the Western Cape, the number of shark sightings has declined to fewer than 10 per year. "If the entire population was indeed regionally stable and those observed simply moved from East to West, one would have expected the number of white sharks in Algoa Bay to be tenfold higher," they write. Secondly, with regard to the claim that the supposed white shark redistribution eastward was driven by shark-eating orcas, they point out that the onset of white shark declines in False Bay (2012/13), Gansbaai (2013/14) and Mossel Bay (2015) predates the first appearance of those orcas in False Bay and in Gansbaai in 2015, and in Mossel Bay only in 2017. In other words, the alleged cause cannot appear two years later than its effect. "While we agree that orcas have likely influenced white shark numbers and behaviors, and at least temporarily displaced many from their historical aggregation sites, the data as currently presented do not suggest that orcas are the primary driver of the declines in white shark observed in the Western Cape," they write in the article. Dr. Sara Andreotti, a marine biologist in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University and one of the co-authors, says they are worried about the effect of the narrative on conservation efforts, "There is no evidence of the hundreds of white sharks counted in False Bay, Gansbaai, and Mossel Bay ten years ago to be aggregating now somewhere else along the South African coastline." "Our concern is that unsupported claims of population stability could jeopardize conservation actions urgently needed for white sharks," she warns. The group of concerned marine biologists urges authorities such as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to take a precautionary approach in light of the declines in white shark sightings from their historical hotspots, the consequent negative impact on South Africa's ecotourism economy, the reduction in sightings of large mature white sharks, both in the Western and Eastern Cape, the very low genetic diversity of this population, the historical and current unsustainable levels of white shark deaths from the lethal shark control program of the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, and the newly exposed white shark deaths by a coastal shark longline fishery in South Africa. "Our paper highlights the importance of robust, transparent scientific inquiry in guiding conservation efforts while taking a precautionary approach. It also serves as a critical checkpoint, urging us to re-evaluate and reinforce our commitment to preserving South Africa's white shark population given the critical role these apex predators play in marine ecosystems and in the economy of South Africa," they conclude. More information: Enrico Gennari et al, "Uncertainty remains for white sharks in South Africa, as population stability and redistribution cannot be concluded by Bowlby et al. (2023): "Decline or shifting distribution? a first regional trend assessment for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in South Africa", Ecological Indicators (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111810 Provided by Stellenbosch University 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Seemingly overnight, a yoga studio replaces a barbershop, a coffee cafe takes over a small grocery, and a multi-story apartment building looms where older single-family homes once stood. Such signs of gentrification can be jarring to longtime city residents. They know that by the time these physical upgrades have happened, it could be too late for local policymakers to protect them from soaring rents and shifts in who can afford to live in the neighborhood. Yet despite being highly visible, gentrification and its consequences have been difficult to measure or study at scale, says Jackelyn Hwang, assistant professor of sociology at Stanford University's School of Humanities and Sciences. Researchers have had to rely on demographic data from either the U.S. Census, captured once a decade, or the American Community Survey (ACS), which happens every five years and isn't very precise. In addition, the data from these sources is aggregated by census tract rather than building by building. "It's not sufficiently fine-grained," Hwang says. Now, Hwang, a Stanford HAI affiliate, and graduate student Tianyuan Huang describe training a model to recognize the visual cues of gentrificationtypically new construction or renovationsin Google Street View images for entire cities. In recent work the team showed that about 74% of the time the model predicted gentrification in the same places where gentrification had been previously found in studies of census and ACS demographic data. In addition, the model found early signals of gentrification in neighboring census blocks previously labeled as non-gentrifying. "Detecting change at the image level really complements the demographic changes we've seen in other data that's not as granular," Hwang says. In the long run, more granularity around where gentrification is happening will allow cities to target anti-displacement remedies more precisely, Hwang says. For example, better information could prompt cities to pass rent protections or just-cause eviction rules, target affordable housing development or rent subsidies, or place caps on property tax increases for low-income long-term residents. "Being able to measure patterns of reinvestment in places that are gentrifying as well as disinvestment in places that don't gentrify can help us think about allocating resources in ways that would better help vulnerable communities," Hwang says. The gentrification research challenge Gentrification, defined as the socio-economic upgrading of previously low-income urban spaces, is poorly understood. For example, though population displacement is considered one of the most significant consequences of gentrification, quantitative research finds that gentrification and displacement are unrelated, Hwang says. The challenge is this: If gentrification is causing displacement, then neighborhoods that don't gentrify would experience less displacement, which isn't the case, she says. "What we see is that most evictions and other forced moves are taking place in the non-gentrifying low-income neighborhoods that don't receive investment." But high mobility rates among low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods that don't gentrify might still be a result of upward rent pressures caused by gentrification nearby, Hwang says. "Prices go up everywhere to a different extent, so even if higher income people aren't moving into these neighborhoods, landlords may still be reacting to price increases across the city." To get a better handle on these dynamics, there's a need for more granular data. The gentrification detection model To address that problem, Hwang and Huang and their colleagues turned to Google Street View, a data set of street-level images covering all of the major and minor cities in the United States and across the world. First created in 2007, Google Street View is updated every one to three years. Moreover, the data is not aggregated: It includes images of each stretch of road, each building, and each empty lot. For their training dataset, the researchers pulled construction permits to identify where construction was planned, and extracted data on business upscaling (laundry to coffee shop; grocery to high-end restaurant) from a national business directory. After confirming these positive examples of gentrification by manually looking at paired before/after images in the Google Street View image dataset, they trained a model to recognize building upgrades. The model used a "self-attention mechanism" to make sure the gentrification signal wouldn't get lost in the crowd. "Like a human, when shown a bunch of images it tries to focus on the meaningful ones," Huang says. In this case, the attention layer looks first for buildings and then looks closer to see if there were improvements to the building from one point in time to the next. It then assigns greater weight to the images that draw its attention. One challenge of the work was defining an appropriate way to validate the model. There is no ground truth measure of gentrification (indeed, that's the problem here), but the team decided to compare the model to prior attempts to label census tracts as gentrifying or non-gentrifying using demographic data from the U.S. Census and the ACS. In a pilot study using pairs of images (from 2007 through 2022) from the full Google Street View data set for three cities (Oakland, Denver, and Seattle), the model labeled the same gentrifying or non-gentrifying census tracts as the prior work 74% of the time. Interestingly, the model identified a significant number of what could be false positivescensus tracts the model labeled as gentrifying that had been labeled non-gentrifying in the past. These could have been errors by the model, but when the researchers looked at paired images in those census tracts, they found what looked like gentrificationnew apartment buildings and neighborhood upgrades. The conclusion: Because the model leveraged granular street-level imagery, it seemed to be spotting early signs of gentrification that previous studies had missed. The team's gentrification model was published in IEEE Big Data in late 2022, but a year later the team simplified the model to be a predictor of construction (rather than gentrification) and used time-series images rather than a single pair of images to help the system distinguish between temporary changes (seasons, shadows, camera angle) and real ones. As a construction predictor, the model was 90% accurate. Moreover, the model's construction predictions were highly correlated with both population growth and income growth, suggesting a clear tie to gentrification. "If there are new apartments, the neighborhood population grows very fast, and that's a change that can be quite visible," Huang says. The datasets are public and the new work is posted on the arXiv preprint server, but it has been accepted for publication by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). Together, the two papers suggest a promising future for the use of Google Street View images to understand urban change. Next, Hwang is working on another Google Street View project to study how changes to the built environment impact individuals' health and community well-being. Meanwhile, Huang is using Google Street View to spot not only building improvements but also building demolition and decline in communities after extreme climate events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. "The goal," Huang says, "is to see if those places are being rebuilt or if people have abandoned them." By having larger-scale data, the researchers can look at variation across different disasters in different places rather than just one disaster site at a time. "This should help us to better understand which communities are benefiting from reinvestment and which are not, as well as who is benefiting and who is not," Hwang says. More information: Tianyuan Huang et al, CityPulse: Fine-Grained Assessment of Urban Change with Street View Time Series, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2401.01107 Tianyuan Huang et al, Detecting Neighborhood Gentrification at Scale via Street-level Visual Data, 2022 IEEE International Conference on Big Data (Big Data) (2023). DOI: 10.1109/BigData55660.2022.10020341 Journal information: arXiv 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: Finds from Vaakunakyla, including wartime bullet casings, high-end porcelain and a childs doll. Credit: authors Archaeologists have excavated the former working-class neighborhood of Vaakunakyla near Oulu, west-central Finland and interviewed its previous inhabitants, revealing the rich heritage of this marginalized community. Vaakunakyla was initially established by German troops stationed in Finland during the Second World War and was abandoned once they retreated from Finland between 194445. Finns left homeless as a result of the conflict moved into the barracks in the late 1940s, forming a community that existed largely outside of the emerging Finnish welfare state. As a result, the neighborhood was labeled as "criminal and restless," leading to the marginalization of Vaakunakyla's populace and the eventual demolition of the settlement against the residents' wishes during the late 1980s. "The outside perception of what might be referred to as 'bad' neighborhoods can be markedly different from the ways the communities see themselves," says lead author of the research Dr. Oula Seitsonen. "Archaeology can offer a tool to investigate the realities of life in such places." To investigate Vaakunakyla from the point of view of its residents, Dr. Seitsonen and a team of researchers from the University of Oulu excavated at Vaakunakyla and spoke with former inhabitants of the community to collect their memories. Their results are published in the journal Antiquity. 3D model of the foundation of a German barrack turned into family housing in the post-war years. Credit: Oula Seitsonen "Archaeologies of 20th-century working-class communities and conflicts have been little-studied in Finland, and the Vaakunakyla project combines these both," states Dr. Seitsonen. "Material heritage of the Vaakunakyla area was practically unknown before our research, and by studying a former Nazi military camp turned into a Finnish working-class neighborhood we can probe various neglected societal themes." Remains of buildings uncovered at the site highlight the efforts made by residents to improve the facilities at Vaakunakyla. Barracks were refurbished as family housing, and one was even transformed into a sauna. Furthermore, material culture such as waste uncovered from rubbish pits reveals a higher standard of living than previously believed, with some households owning high-end porcelain sets. The discovery of toys, children's medication and dummies suggests that children at Vaakunakyla also enjoyed a good quality of life. In this way, the project gives a glimpse into the often-silenced lives of women and children in the past. Interviews with former residents returned a generally positive view of the community, with many stating that life in Vaakunakyla was "good enough." Importantly, this means that the poor reputation of Vaakunakyla is largely unfounded and highlights the value of archaeological research in giving a voice to marginalized communities. "Both the finds and the collected oral histories give a different and more nuanced picture of the Vaakunakyla community than the popular image of the area as a restless and criminal slum-like shantytown," says Dr. Seitsonen. "We hope that this can have a healing aspect when the pent-up feelings are brought to the surface and discussed in public." More information: Oula Seitsonen et al, Contemporary archaeological perspectives on intersectional inequality in a welfare state in twentieth-century Finland, Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.10 Journal information: Antiquity Provided by Antiquity 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: Pixabay from Pexels Three US astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut arrived Tuesday at the International Space Station for a six-month mission on board the orbiting laboratory. During their stay, in which they are rotating in to replace departing crew, some 200 scientific experiments are scheduled to be carried out. The quartet blasted off from Florida late Sunday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The capsule docked with the ISS and its hatch was opened at 3:50 am Tuesday US eastern time (0850 GMT), with the smiling new arrivals hugging their colleagues as they entered, a live feed of the docking showed. This is the eighth standard ISS crew rotation mission performed by SpaceX for the US space agency NASA, reflected in the mission name: Crew-8. American Michael Barratt is the only Crew-8 astronaut to have already visited the space station. The ISS stay is the first for Americans Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps, and Russian Alexander Grebenkin. They join seven crew already on board the ISS. After a transition period of a few days, the four members of Crew-7from Denmark, Japan, Russia and the United Stateswill return to Earth aboard another SpaceX capsule. NASA and Russian space corporation Roscosmos, which jointly operate the ISS, have established an astronaut exchange program, each taking turns to send crew members to the outpost. The program has been maintained despite deep tensions over the war in Ukraine, and the ISS is now one of the few areas of cooperation between Washington and Moscow. 2024 AFP 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: Light curves of TOI-1135 for the eight sectors of TESS. Credit: Diaz et al., 2024. An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a new exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star. The newfound alien world, designated TOI-1135 b is young, hot and comparable in size to Saturn. The discovery was detailed in a paper published February 27 on the pre-print server arXiv. To date, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has identified nearly 7,100 candidate exoplanets (TESS Objects of Interest, or TOI), of which 420 have been confirmed so far. Since its launch in April 2018, TESS, with its array of wide-field cameras, is conducting a survey of about 200,000 of the brightest stars near the sun with the aim of searching for transiting exoplanets, including giant extrasolar worlds. A group of astronomers led by Manuel Mallorquin Diaz of the University of La Laguna, Spain, has now confirmed another TOI monitored by TESS. They identified a transit signal in the light curve of TOI-1135 (also known as HIP 62908 or TIC 154872375)a young solar-type star of spectral type G0 at a distance of some 371 light years. The planetary nature of this signal was confirmed by follow-up photometry and spectroscopy. "This paper introduces the discovery and mass characterization of a close giant gas planet orbiting the young solar-type star TOI-1135," the researchers wrote. TOI-1135 b has a radius of about 0.8 Jupiter radii and its mass is approximately 0.062 Jupiter masses, which yields a density at a level of 0.16 g/cm3. The planet orbits its host every 8.02 days, at a distance of 0.082 AU from it. The equilibrium temperature of TOI-1135 b is estimated to be around 9501,200 K. Therefore, the obtained results indicate that TOI-1135 b is an inflated exoplanet, similar in size to Saturn, however less massive than the solar system's two biggest gaseous giants. The planet has an extended atmosphere, most probably due to strong stellar radiation. The astronomers assume that TOI-1135 b may be in the process of losing its atmosphere by photoevaporation. They noted that the planet has a high mass-loss rate of about 39 Earth masses per one billion years, so it will eventually lose most of its atmosphere in a few hundred million years. "Giant planets with masses less than Saturn are susceptible to losing all or most of their atmosphere in their early stages if they receive enough radiation from a host star, which might be the case of TOI-1135 b," the authors of the paper explained. The parent star, TOI-1135, is slightly larger and more massive than the sun, while its luminosity is at a level of 1.7 solar luminosities. The star is estimated to be between 125 million and 1 billion years old, and its effective temperature is approximately 6,122 K. More information: Mallorquin et al, TOI-1135 b: A young hot Saturn-size planet orbiting a solar-type star, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2402.17448 Journal information: arXiv 2024 Science X Network 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: Electric current flows through the porphyrin ribbon with the lowest possible resistance. Credit: Edmund Leary The conductance of classical electric components typically decays with increasing length. In general, this is also the same behavior found at the nanoscale with 1D molecular wires. Now, researchers have demonstrated that, once more, things are different in the nanoworld (i.e. there is plenty of room at the bottom). Researchers at IMDEA Nanociencia and Oxford University have measured the conductance of porphyrin nanoribbons, obtaining extraordinary conductance propertiesnear perfect transmissionwhen the molecular energy level is in resonance with the electrode Fermi level. The work has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The search for long molecular wires that can transport charge efficiently drives the field of molecular electronics. The problem since the beginning, however, has been that the conductance of molecular wires typically decays significantly with their length. The reason behind this is an often strong mismatch between the energy of the transporting molecular orbitals and the electrode Fermi level (the highest occupied electronic state of a metal, where electron transport takes place). This mismatch means that electrons must tunnel through the molecular states, which results in an exponential decrease in the conductance as the length of the molecular wire is increased. This is typically assessed by building longer and longer compounds (i.e. adding successive units to an oligomer chain) and observing how the conductance changes. As -conjugated molecular compounds (i.e. compounds with alternating single-double or single-triple bonds) become longer, the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) narrows, which should favor conductance. In reality, the greater distance the electrons must tunnel wins out, and the conductance quickly becomes vanishingly small. The result is that molecules longer than about 34 nanometers normally become too resistive for single-molecule measurements. The inefficiency with which molecular junctions transport charge is a major factor hindering the development of electronic circuits based on molecules. In their latest work, researchers jointly led by Dr. Edmund Leary aimed to create long, conductive, molecular junctions with low contact resistance to the electrodes. They selected porphyrin oligomerspolymer chains comprising a small number of repeat unitsas the best candidates for molecular wires because of their stability at room temperature, rigidity and the fact they can be fused into tapes analogous to graphene nanoribbons. Furthermore, porphyrins are biological molecules, ubiquitous in nature (blood, plant leaves, enzymes, etc.). An intriguing feature of porphyrins is that their properties strongly depend not only on the structure and length of the molecule, but on the way individual rings are connected. They can become either very resistive or very conductive wires depending on the bonds between neighboring rings, even though they are essentially composed of the same kind of atoms. Dr. Leary and his team studied chains of porphyrin rings triply-fused along the length of the wire, which were designed and synthesized by the team at Oxford University led by Prof. Harry Anderson. These bonds allow highly efficient delocalization of electrons, a key feature for increasing the conductance of a molecule. They have extremely small HOMOLUMO energy gaps, less than 1 eV for the longest compounds. In their experiments, the researchers in the Leary group "fished" the molecules with the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under ambient conditions. In this method, known as the STM breakjunction technique, the molecules are deposited onto a gold surface and a voltage is applied between the STM's tip and the surface. Using this "fishing" approach they catch single molecules and form and break on the order of hundredsthousands of molecular junctions. The researchers measured the conductance as the electrodes are separated with a molecule wire in-between, which allowed them to be sure they have trapped just a single molecule. They also measured the length of the molecular junctions, providing a good check that they were really measuring the end-to-end properties of the wires. Chemical structure of the longest porphyrin nanoribbon measured with eight repeat units. Credit: Edmund Leary, J. Am. Chem. Soc. To their amazement, the conductance of the longest compound (> 7nm) was almost identical to the shortest compound, the monomer, which measures little more than 1 nm in length. This is only possible in the quantum regime, and shows that the HOMOLUMO gap reduction compensates for the length increase even at such large distances. However, measurements showed that electron transport is still a tunneling process at low-bias, and the conductance was still 1001,000 times lower than theoretically possible. Things started getting very interesting when the researchers applied a varying bias voltage to the junctions. In some of the junctions, impressively they found a maximum conductance at zero-bias, which decreased towards larger voltages. This is the reverse of the typical behavior. Equally amazingly, the conductance in these junctions was much higher than previously observed and, in a significant number of junctions, reached the theoretical conductance limit of 77.5 S, which is also known as 1 G 0 , the largest conductance possible through a single quantum channel. To put this into context, this is the typical conductance of individual atoms such as gold or silver. Ballistic electron transport is known in metallic carbon nanotubes, and has also been claimed for very small molecules. The key aspect here is that this is the first time ballistic conductance has been observed at low-bias in long (> 7 nm) atomically-precise molecules with known atomic contacts connecting the wire to the electrodes. The measurements were done in air, and at room temperature. This is a true milestone for the field. Among the possible mechanisms that could cause a maximum in conductance at zero-bias, Kondo is an obvious candidate. This was, however, immediately ruled-out as it is a purely low temperature process, occurring at few degrees Kelvin. At room temperature the only explanation for their results was perfect energy level alignment and ballistic conductance. The trick to making the molecules conduct in this impressive manner involves changing the number of electrons on the molecule, converting them from neutral to charged molecules (doping). This happens when a sweeping bias voltage is applied to molecular junctions. If a high-enough bias is reached, the molecular levels are brought into resonance with the metallic electrodes. This means that the molecular levels (either HOMO or LUMO) have the same energy as the electrons at the Fermi level in one of the electrodes. In this resonant regime, electrons freely travel through the molecular wire, but occasionally one may become localized on the molecule. When this happens, a remarkable effect appears. Rather than the charge dissipating back onto the electrodes when the bias voltage is lowered back to zero, it frequently remains on the molecule for long periods, at least as long as the lifetime of the molecular junction. Crucially, this changes the alignment of the molecular levels due to the charge imbalance on the molecule. This is the key aspect of the entire process. What the researchers believe is that the HOMO or the LUMO shift such that when the bias is brought back to zero, instead of having the original energy mismatch, a molecular energy level now aligns perfectly with the metallic Fermi level. This explains the low-bias ballistic conductance. The most exciting moment for Edmund was to see the conductance peak at zero voltage. "We were expecting to see high conductances at high voltages, but not values at or around G 0 at zero bias" Edmund explains. "In fact, we were a little disappointed with the initial low-bias results, which showed that despite the ultra-narrow HOMOLUMO gaps, electron transport is still suppressed for the neutral molecules. We knew we were on to something, however, when we started sweeping the bias voltage and started observing charged molecular junctions with ultra-high conductances. When we looked in detail at the data and found the conductance peaking at zero-bias, we realized that this was very good evidence for ballistic electron transport." The results show how molecules can behave like metal chains and conduct electricity at the theoretical limit, opening the exciting possibility of moving beyond 10 nm in single-molecule conductance experiments. More information: Jie-Ren Deng et al, Ballistic Conductance through Porphyrin Nanoribbons, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07734 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: Biologist Elizabeth Carlen, standing in the back of a truck bed, distributes supplies to members of her squirrel trapping team at Tyson Research Center, Washington Universitys environmental field station. Carlen is studying how Eastern gray squirrels are adapting to the urban environment in St. Louis. Credit: Joe Angeles/Washington University When biologist Elizabeth Carlen pulled up in her 2007 Subaru for her first look around St. Louis, she was already checking for the squirrels. Arriving as a newcomer from New York City, Carlen had scrolled through maps and lists of recent sightings in a digital application called iNaturalist. This app is a popular tool for reporting and sharing sightings of animals and plants. People often start using apps like iNaturalist and eBird when they get interested in a contributory science project (also sometimes called a citizen science project). Armed with cellphones equipped with cameras and GPS, app-wielding volunteers can submit geolocated data that iNaturalist then translates into user-friendly maps. Collectively, these observations have provided scientists and community members greater insight into the biodiversity of their local environment and helped scientists understand trends in climate change, adaptation and species distribution. But right away, Carlen ran into problems with the iNaturalist data in St. Louis. "According to the app, Eastern gray squirrels tended to be mostly spotted in the south part of the city," said Carlen, a postdoctoral fellow with the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in St. Louis. "That seemed weird to me, especially because the trees, or canopy cover, tended to be pretty even across the city. "I wondered what was going on. Were there really no squirrels in the northern part of the city?" Carlen said. A cursory drive through a few parks and back alleys north of Delmar Boulevard told her otherwise: squirrels galore. Carlen took to X, formerly Twitter, for advice. "Squirrels are abundant in the northern part of the city, but there are no recorded observations," she mused. Carlen asked if others had experienced similar issues with iNaturalist data in their own backyards. Many people responded, voicing their concerns and affirming Carlen's experience. The maps on iNaturalist seemed clear, but they did not reflect the way squirrels were actually distributed across St. Louis. Instead, Carlen was looking at biased data. Previous research has highlighted biases in data reported to contributory science platforms, but little work has articulated how these biases arise. Carlen reached out to the scientists who responded to her Twitter post to brainstorm some ideas. They put together a framework that illustrates how social and ecological factors combine to create bias in contributory data. In a new paper published in People and Nature, Carlen and her co-authors shared this framework and offered some recommendations to help address the problems. The scientists described four kinds of "filters" that can bias the reported species pool in contributory science projects: Participation filter. Participation reflects who is reporting the data, including where those people are located and the areas they have access to. This filter also may reflect whether individuals in a community are aware of an effort to collect data, or if they have the means and motivation to collect it. Detectability filter. An animal's biology and behavior can impact whether people record it. For example, people are less likely to report sightings of owls or other nocturnal species. Sampling filter. People might be more willing to report animals they see when they are recreating (i.e. hanging out in a park), but not what they see while they're commuting. Preference filter. People tend to ignore or filter out pests, nuisance species and uncharismatic or "boring" species. ("There's not a lot of people photographing rats and putting them on iNaturalistor pigeons, for that matter," Carlen said.) In the paper, Carlen and her team applied their framework to data recorded in St. Louis as a case study. They showed that eBird and iNaturalist observations are concentrated in the southern part of the city, where more white people live. Uneven participation in St. Louis is likely a consequence of variables, such as race, income, and/or contemporary politics, which differ between northern and southern parts of the city, the authors wrote. The other filters of detectability, sampling and preference also likely influence species reporting in St. Louis. Biased and unrepresentative data is not just a problem for urban ecologists, even if they are the ones who are most likely to notice it, Carlen said. City planners, environmental consultants and local nonprofits all sometimes use contributory science data in their work. "We need to be very conscious about how we're using this data and how we're interpreting where animals are," Carlen said. Carlen shared several recommendations for researchers and institutions that want to improve contributory science efforts and help reduce bias. Basic steps include considering cultural relevance when designing a project, conducting proactive outreach with diverse stakeholders and translating project materials into multiple languages. Data and conclusions drawn from contributory projects should be made publicly available, communicated in accessible formats and made relevant to participants and community members. "It's important that we work with communities to understand what their needs areand then build a better partnership," Carlen said. "We can't just show residents the app and tell them that they need to use it, because that ignores the underlying problem that our society is still segregated and not everyone has the resources to participate. "We need to build relationships with the community and understand what they want to know about the wildlife in their neighborhood," Carlen said. "Then we can design projects that address those questions, provide resources and actively empower community members to contribute to data collection." More information: Elizabeth J. Carlen et al, A framework for contextualizing socialecological biases in contributory science data, People and Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10592 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: Overview map of participating countries and their participants. Credit: Climate Intervention Webapp Climate interventions do not lead to more climate action among Dutch, but they do raise awareness about climate change. That can be derived from the Climate Intervention Webapp, a database that has mapped the most effective strategies for promoting climate beliefs and actions for more than 60 countries. The dataset underlying the Climate Intervention Webapp can be safely called a mega-study. An international team of nearly 250 researchers, with Madalina Vlasceanu and Kimberly Doell of New York University in the lead, surveyed 59,440 respondents from 63 countries about what they thought about certain views, policies and actions on climate change. The team also examined when respondents themselves were willing to contribute to climate change awareness and action. The result is an online database that shows which climate interventions are most effective in each country. Jaroslaw Kantorowicz, assistant professor at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs and the Leiden researcher involved in the project, collected the data for Poland. "We surveyed more than 2,000 respondents with a Polish team. In doing so, we were one of the biggest contributing team to the project. We found that this population was especially sensitive to the "system justification intervention," an intervention that emphasized the ways in which climate change threatened respondents' personal lives. The intervention made Poles want to take climate action themselves." Effectiveness in the Netherlands In addition to Poland, the Netherlands was also part of the study. A total of about 2,000 Dutch respondents were surveyed, reflecting the entire Dutch population in terms of gender and age. What emerged? The most effective climate intervention in terms of changing Dutch people's climate beliefs is the so-called "dynamic social norm," or the message that other Dutch people and people around the world have started adapting in response to climate change. Kantorowicz says, "The information that more and more people around them are concerned about climate change and are taking environmentally friendly actions caused respondents to also become more concerned and self-conscious. The social norm changed, causing them to adapt their climate beliefs." However, the extent to which the Dutch were willing to change their actual behavior was disappointing, according to Kantorowicz. "Actually, none of the climate interventions proved really effective. In fact, some climate interventions even reduced people's willingness to make an effort for the environment. So there is still a big battle to be fought there, in the Netherlands but also in many other countries surveyed in this study that showed similar ineffectiveness of climate interventions." There is no such thing as a universally effective climate intervention A total of 11 different climate interventions were tested in the mega-study, with different types of messages. For example, one climate intervention used negative rhetoric"climate change is a very serious threat to humanity's survival"and another highlighted past successful actions against climate change. Also, in one climate intervention, respondents were urged to reflect on their own climate actions in a letter to someone living in the year 2055. One thing is clear: no climate intervention is universally effective in changing climate beliefs and making people willing to actively fight climate change themselves. Kantorowicz says, "Where you live, age, gender and other sociodemographic characteristics have a lot of influence on the effectiveness of a climate intervention, this study shows. It is important that policymakers take this into account." 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A study of more than 5,000 Salmonella bacteria isolated over 15 years from dairy cattle samples in the Northeast reveals a significant increase in resistance to the antimicrobial medications ampicillin, florfenicol and ceftiofur. Analyzing data derived from bovine samples submitted to Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Center between 2007 and 2021, researchers also found that two Salmonella serotypes, or varieties, called Dublin and Montevideo, significantly increased over time. Dublin is a serotype that tends to be resistant to multiple antimicrobials. "Salmonella Dublin has really emerged in New York over the past decade, and it is almost always multidrug resistant," said Kevin Cummings, professor in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health and one of the lead authors of the paper. "A key take-home message is that the trend in antimicrobial resistance is driven by the sharp rise in Salmonella Dublin over time." Maya Craig, a doctoral student who works in the Cummings lab, analyzed the data and was first author of the paper, published in the journal Zoonoses Public Health. There are more than 2,600 serotypes of Salmonella; of those, approximately 10 are responsible for most Salmonella illnesses in humans. Salmonella Dublin is an important serotype to track because it typically leads to more severe illness in humans, with a greater risk of hospitalization and death, Cummings said. Salmonella Dublin is also host-adapted to cattle, and can cause severe outbreaks with high mortality. "Once a cow is infected, they can be long-term carriers and shed the bacteria for life," Cummings said. "When people get infected, we can assume the infection originated from cattle." Cummings is working to better understand how to manage Salmonella Dublin and minimize its spread among cattle. "It would be very advantageous if we could diagnose it more effectively and determine the factors that promote introduction into dairy herds and subsequent transmission within and among farms," he said. In addition, Cummings' laboratory is contributing to a university-wide project to promote antimicrobial stewardship more broadly. The Cornell Center for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education was established last year to unite experts in epidemiology, microbiology, sociology and other fields to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. In the United States, antimicrobial-resistant pathogens lead to more than 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths in humans each year. "Antimicrobials have saved the world since they were developed in the 1930s," said Craig Altier, professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and a member of the new center. "People used to die of the most mundane injuries because they would become infected. But now we have this problem where the microbes have become resistant to the antimicrobial agents we have developed." Cornell is a perfect institution to address this problem, Altier said, because of the interdisciplinary nature of the university. "Antimicrobial resistance involves both human and veterinary medicine," he said. "You need basic scientists to learn how the bacteria live and survive, and what is the best way to attack them. You need engineers to come up with new diagnostic tools. And you need communication experts who can explain this problem to the public." Antimicrobial resistance is a "One Health" issuean approach that balances the health of people, animals and the environment. Said Altier, "We have to attack it from a multidisciplinary perspective." More information: Maya J. Craig et al, Serotype and antimicrobial resistance trends among bovine Salmonella isolates from samples submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in central New York, 20072021, Zoonoses and Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1111/zph.13108 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: A NetLight. Credit: Fishtek Marine Lights on fishing nets could help save the Mediterranean's threatened sea turtles, new research shows. The work is published in the journal Fisheries Research. Every year an estimated 40,000 green and loggerhead turtles are killed after being accidently caught in fishing nets (known as "bycatch") throughout the Mediterranean. Now researchers from the University of Exeter and Society for Protection of Turtles (SPOT), working with fishermen in Cyprus, have shown that illuminating nets using a device called a NetLight can significantly reduce the number of turtles getting caught through bycatch. NetLight, which was developed by conservation engineers Fishtek Marine, is a small, long lasting, banana-shaped light powered by two AA batteries, that is easily attached to the ropes on fishing nets to alert turtles to the danger. The trials with Cypriot fishermen have shown that using NetLights reduced the number of sea turtles being trapped by 42%. "Around Cyprus, over 2,800 sea turtles die in nets every year," said Robin Snape, a Researcher at Bluedot Associates and Associate Researcher at the University of Exeter's Centre for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall. "Our trials with local fishermen and NetLight have shown that this can be significantly reduced." He added, "Our work has also revealed that NetLights can reduce the bycatch of other threatened species, especially rays, whose numbers fell by 53% when the lights were used. This device has real potential in marine conservation." Pete Kibel, co-founder and director of Devon-based Fishtek Marine, added, "These trials have been very encouraging and show that NetLight has an important role in helping protect sea turtles. This is also good news for the local fishermen in Cyprus, as bycatch of turtles can damage their nets and reduce their ability to make a living from fishing." Professor Brendan Godley, who leads the Exeter Marine research group, noted, "Working with partners like Fishtek Marine allows us to combine Exeter's expertise in marine research with their brilliant engineering, to address major challenges such as bycatch." More information: Robin T.E. Snape et al, Flashing NetLights reduce bycatch in small-scale fisheries of the Eastern Mediterranean, Fisheries Research (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2023.106919 Journal information: Fisheries Research 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: A winking Athena shown at her nest site during a previous year. Credit: Photo Bill J. Boyd, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center A new feathered face has just popped up in front of the live cameras hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bird Cams project. Athena, a great horned owl, is poised to become the next international avian superstar. For a dozen years she's been nesting just feet away from streams of visitors at the 284-acre Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, part of the University of Texas. Now, she's doing it before a global audience. "Our pan-tilt-zoom camera is tucked into the existing architecture, about 20 feet away from the nest site," said Charles Eldermire, the Cornell Lab's Bird Cams project leader. "In addition to the usual daytime views, the camera also has an infrared light that the birds can't see but which makes it possible for us to see them at night when a lot of the action takes place." Some of that nighttime action will include bringing in prey. Great horned owls are prodigious hunters, sometimes called "flying tigers" or "tigers of the night." They're also very adaptable, as Athena's chosen nest site demonstrates. Two owlets from a previous year. Credit: Photo Bill J. Boyd, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Like the lab's other live cams, this one has its own web page, social media stream, highlight clips, and information about the species. For example, great horned owls usually produce one or two eggs but don't build a nest themselves. They take over other the nests of other birds, use a tree cavity, or choose another location that offers protection. Fuzzy chicks will be at the nest site for about six weeks before moving to nearby trees. "Watching Athena raise owlets each year has been such an amazing experience that we decided to share it with people who can't visit in person," said Lee Clippard, executive director of the Wildflower Center. "This new camera will help us share a part of the Wildflower Center with a much wider audience and expand the conversation about the benefits of using native plants." "Every year, more and more people tune in to the cams," Eldermire said. "In just the past few years viewers watched for the equivalent of 2,000 years. That's a lot of people watching for a lot of time and it speaks to the human desire to have a connection with nature." 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: Fossil of Khinjaria acuta skull. Credit: University of Bath Paleontologists have discovered a strange new species of marine lizard with dagger-like teeth that lived near the end of the age of dinosaurs. Their findings, published in Cretaceous Research, show a dramatically different ocean ecosystem to what we see today, with numerous giant top predators eating large prey, unlike modern ecosystems where a few apex predatorssuch as great white sharks, orca and leopard sealsdominate. Khinjaria acuta was a member of the family Mosasauridae, or mosasaurs. Mosasaurs weren't dinosaurs, but giant marine lizards, relatives of today's Komodo dragons and anacondas, which ruled the oceans 66 million years ago, during the era of Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. Khinjaria had powerful jaws and long, dagger-like teeth to seize prey, giving it a nightmarish appearance. It was part of an extraordinarily diverse fauna of predators that inhabited the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco, just before the dinosaurs went extinct. The study is based on a skull and parts of the skeleton collected from a phosphate mine southeast of Casablanca. The study involved researchers from the University of Bath in the UK, the Marrakech Museum of Natural History, the Museum National d' Histoire Naturelle (NMNH) in Paris (France), Southern Methodist University in Texas (U.S.), and the University of the Basque Country (Bilbao). "What's remarkable here is the sheer diversity of top predators," said Dr. Nick Longrich of the Department of Life Sciences and the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, who led the study. "We have multiple species growing larger than a great white shark, and they're top predators, but they all have different teeth, suggesting they're hunting in different ways." "Some mosasaurs had teeth to pierce prey, others to cut, tear, or crush. Now we have Khinjaria, with a short face full of huge, dagger-shaped teeth. This is one of the most diverse marine faunas seen anywhere, at any time in history, and it existed just before the marine reptiles and the dinosaurs went extinct." Morocco's diverse marine reptiles lived just before an asteroid struck the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Dust and fine particles shot into the high atmosphere and blocked out the sun for months, causing darkness and cooling, which drove most of the planet's species to extinction. Khinjaria acuta skull reconstruction. Credit: Dr. Nick Longrich Dinosaurs were wiped out on land, and a handful of surviving species of mammals, birds, and lizards diversified to take their place. Meanwhile, the same happened in the oceans. Mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and giant sea turtles disappeared, along with entire families of fish. This opened the way for whales and seals, and fish like swordfish and tuna appeared. However, the ecosystem that evolved after the impact was different. "There seems to have been a huge change in the ecosystem structure in the past 66 million years," said Longrich. "This incredible diversity of top predators in the Late Cretaceous is unusual, and we don't see that in modern marine communities." Modern marine food chains have just a few large apex predators, animals like orcas, white sharks, and leopard seals. The Cretaceous had a whole host of top predators. Dr. Longrich said, "It's not just that we're getting rid of the old actors and recasting new ones into the same roles. The story has changed dramatically." "Modern ecosystems have predators like baleen whales and dolphins that eat small prey, and not many things eating large prey. The Cretaceous has a huge number of marine reptile species that take large prey. Whether there's something about marine reptiles that caused the ecosystem to be different, or the prey, or perhaps the environment, we don't know. But this was an incredibly dangerous time to be a fish, a sea turtle, or even a marine reptile." Professor Nathalie Bardet, from the NMNH, said, "The Phosphates of Morocco deposit in a shallow and warm epicontinental sea, under a system of upwellings; these zones are caused by currents of deep, cold, nutrient-rich waters rising towards the surface, providing food for large numbers of sea creatures and, as a result, supporting a lot of predators. This is probably one of the explanations for this extraordinary paleo biodiversity observed in Morocco at the end of the Cretaceous." "The phosphates of Morocco immerse us in the Upper Cretaceous seas during the latest geological times of the dinosaurs' age. No deposit has provided so many fossils and so many species from this period," said Professor NE. Jalil of NMNH. "After the' titan of the seas," Thalassotitan, the 'saw-toothed' mosasaur Xenodens, the 'star-toothed' mosasaur, Stelladens, and many others, now there is Khinjaria, a new mosasaur with dagger-like teeth. "The elongation of the posterior part of the skull, which accommodated the jaw musculature, suggests a terrible biting force." Dr. Longrich has explained the research in more detail in his blog: Yet another terrifying predatory mosasaur from Morocco More information: Nicholas R. Longrich et al, A bizarre new plioplatecarpine mosasaurid from the Maastrichtian of Morocco, Cretaceous Research (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105870 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: Hanoi topped air monitoring website IQAir's table of the world's most polluted cities on Tuesday. Vietnamese capital Hanoi was blanketed by a thick haze of pollution on Tuesday that obscured high-rise buildings and left the city's nearly nine million people breathing toxic air. The city topped air monitoring website IQAir's table of the world's most polluted cities early Tuesday afternoon. Levels of PM2.5 pollutantscancer-causing microparticles small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungswere classified as "very unhealthy" and hit more than 24 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline. In recent years Hanoi has frequently been listed among the world's most polluted cities, due in part to widespread construction and emissions from the huge number of motorbikes and cars that crisscross the capital every day. Carbon emissions from coal plants to the north and agricultural burning exacerbate the problem. "I have had to wear a mask whenever I've gone out over the last few days as the air quality has been so bad," said office worker Nguyen Minh Huong. "It's hard to breathe. I sneeze all the time, so I have had to limit my time outside," Huong told AFP. Last month dozens of flights were affected when high humidity caused thick fog to envelop Hanoi, producing a spike in air pollution and causing visibility to plummet. Weather forecasters have issued regular warnings of thick haze, especially in northeastern mountainous areas of Vietnam. The latest World Bank report on air pollution says 40 percent of people in Hanoi are exposed to concentrations nearly five times greater than WHO guidelines. The WHO says that a number of serious health conditions are linked to air pollution exposure, including strokes, heart disease and lung cancer. 2024 AFP 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: Wikipedia logo. Since it was created in 2001, Wikipedia has become a key element of the modern public sphere, which has revolutionized the way we create and share information. However, it has defects when it comes to its decentralization and flexibility, especially regarding inclusion and diversity. Some gender biases that stand out are shown in its content and its editorial participation. It has a low percentage of women's biographies and an unequal representation in editing. Also, there are gaps in the gender representation regarding its content, biases in editing and participation, as well as imbalances in readership. These are the main conclusions of a study published in the journal El Profesional de la Informacion, which has undergone a bibliographic analysis of Wikipedia from 2007 to 2022. The study was carried out by Nuria Ferran and Juan Jose Bote, lecturers at the Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media of the University of Barcelona, And Julia Minguillon, lecturer of Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). The study is part of the Women and Wikipedia: Analysis of the Gender Gap in the Co-Production of Knowledge in the Wikipedias of Spain (W&W) project. Nuria Ferran, principal researcher of the project, says there are three lines of work in the literature that have studied the phenomenon for fifteen years and that explains this gender gap on Wikipedia. "We called one of the lines 'women's problem,' in which the stereotypical characteristics of women are blamed when it comes to participating in the public sphere. "The other line is 'the mirror effect,' in which Wikipedia is blamed for the gap, as it simply reflects the existing bias in society due to its principle of encouraging all content in external information funds. And finally, with the position we identify with in our project, there is the systemic problem line, identified by Heather Ford and Judith Wajcman, in which they blame the original community, rooted in the encyclopedic and open culture, which may hide an exclusionary practice." The descriptive analysis of the study examines the authorship of the articles, the involved academic disciplines, the institutional affiliations and the location of the research staff involved in the studies. It also analyzes the approach of the articles, and analyzes chronologically the production of the documents. The content analysis of the articles reveals academic findings in three main areas: gender bias in content, in edition and contribution, and in the number of readers. The article provides a detailed view of the gender gap on Wikipedia and it stresses the importance of addressing this problem to guarantee a more equal and diverse platform. It presents strategies to address this issue, with special emphasis on improving the visibility of women editors, promoting constructive comments and a more inclusive community. Ferran believes that "the solution is found by approaching the phenomenon as a systemic problem. Therefore, we need to bring long-term strategic solutions. We need to diversify contributions and admit that the hierarchical collaborative model on Wikipedia reinforces the dominant voices, leaving out the non-dominant ones. "If Wikipedia does not change its culture of knowledge of co-production, women and other minority groups will remain on the margin. Therefore, the aim is not only to reduce the bias by increasing content on women, but also making Wikipedia a more robust, reliable and transparent platform to co-produce knowledge. This holistic approach is essential for a lasting change." More information: Nuria Ferran-Ferrer et al, Wikipedia gender gap: a scoping review, El Profesional de la informacion (2023). DOI: 10.3145/epi.2023.nov.17 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: Venezuela's government has announced plans to 'save' the La Corona glacier which experts say is already gone. A small patch of ice among bare rock is all that remains of Venezuela's last glacier, which the government hopes to restore to its former glory using a geothermal blanket. Experts say that would be too little too late. While glacier melt is a global phenomenon blamed on climate change, Venezuela is the first country in the Andes mountain rangewhich stretches all the way to Chile in the southto lose all its glaciers. Venezuela has lost five in total, adding up to some 1,000 hectares of ice, in the last century or so. "In Venezuela there are no more glaciers," Julio Cesar Centeno, a university professor and advisor to the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), told AFP. "What we have is a piece of ice that is 0.4 percent of its original size." Centeno and other experts are convinced the loss of La Corona glacier on Humboldt peak, some 4,900 meters (more than 16,000 feet) above sea level, is irreversible. But the government announced a plan in December to slow and even reverse the thaw by covering the area with a thermal mesh made of polypropylene plastic warding off the Sun's rays. The cover was delivered to Humboldt peak by helicopter in 35 separate pieces, each measuring 2.75 meters by 80 meters, in December, but the government has not said whether it has already been unrolled. The most optimistic estimates give the remaining ice cover four to five years. Similar covers are used in European countries, mainly to protect ski slopes in warmer weather. "It allows us to maintain the temperature of the area and prevent the entire glacier from melting," said Jehyson Guzman, governor of the western state of Merida that used to be home to Venezuela's glaciers. Nothing left to save But scientists of the University of Los Andes (ULA) are skeptical. They say La Corona ceased to be a glacier since shrinking to just two hectares of the 450 hectares it used to cover. Scientists use a guideline of 10 hectares as the minimum size of a glacier. Before La Corona, Venezuela also lost its glaciers on the peaks of El Leon, La Concha, El Toro and Bolivar. "It is an illusory thing, a hallucination, it is completely absurd," said Centeno of the government's plan. He and a team of other scientists will ask Venezuela's supreme court to scrap the project, which they say could have other, negative, impacts as the plastic blanket degrades over time. "These micro plastics are practically invisible, they end up in the soil and from there they go to crops, lagoons, into the air, so people will end up eating and breathing that," he said. The last remnants of La Corona are to be found on Humboldt peak some 4,900 meters above sea level. Enrique La Marca, zoologist and ecologist, fears the cover could harm rare species of mosses and lichens, even hummingbirds that call the rocky environment home. "That life will die because it will not have the necessary oxygen," he said. An ice remnant The most optimistic estimates give the remaining ice-cover "four to five years" before disappearing completely, said La Marca, who researches the impacts of glacier melt due to climate change. Some calculations point to a mere two years. "It's an ice remnant," not a glacier, added physicist Alejandra Melfo, a ULA expert on the topic. Forestry engineer and mountaineer Susana Rodriguez said the disappearance of La Corona will also affect Venezuelan tourism, as many people who used to climb the Humboldt peak did so on the ice. "Now everything is rock, and what remains is so deteriorated that it is risky to step on it. There are cracks," said Rodriguez, who has accompanied several outings on the glacier. 2024 AFP 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain On Feb. 25, United States Air Force member Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.. The 25-year-old, who was in uniform, live-streamed what he called his "extreme act of protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people." His startling and fatal act quickly went viral on social media while the public, and his friends and family have struggled to make sense of Bushnell's painful sacrifice. How can we begin to make sense of such an extreme act? And, will his actions have any impact on public opinion? While undeniably remarkable, Bushnell's actions begin to make a little more sense when seen in broader context. Self-immolation, the act of setting oneself on fire, can be seen as an extreme form of a modern repertoire of protest that is both common and familiar, not just in the U.S. but in many parts of the globe. For example, in my research with front-line women workers in Pakistan, I found self-immolation was part of a broader set of attention-grabbing tools women used in an effort to attract both attention and allies for what they saw as an otherwise lost cause. I call this broad set of publicity seeking efforts "spectacular agency," a set of stunning dramas people stage to publicize abuse, critique injustice, censure abusers and protect the vulnerable. Spectacular agency Spectacular agency, including extreme forms like self-immolation, is not new. Many people from the 1960s generation will be familiar with the photograph of Thich Quang Duc, the Buddhist monk who self-immolated to protest the South Vietnamese government's persecution of Buddhists. His unthinkable gesture brought international attention to the plight of Buddhists in South Vietnam. Now, since the advent of globalized broadcast media, such actions can quickly gain attention across the globe. Indeed, with the wider availability of social media and the possibility of going viral, such protests have become more common than you would think. Not all spectacular actions include the extreme act of self-immolation, but many examples exist within its realm. They have included the use of hashtags like #metoo, the circulation of leaked videos, the practice of hunger strikes, the use of inflammatory posters, the burning of effigies (for example when U.S. protestors burnt their draft cards in 1965) and also attempted self-immolation. And as I found in Pakistan, this also includes the organization of dharnas (sit-ins). Sit-ins have also been recently used as a protest technique to call for a ceasefire in Gaza at Toronto's Union Station and in Washington, D.C. in October. While such acts may generate attention, this kind of agency is often costly, requiring the protesters involved to make considerable personal investments of time, money, comfort, privacy, dignity and even life. Yet, despite the costs, the outcomes of spectacular agency are frequently uncertain. This is because spectacular agency requires recruiting others, such as audiences, who need to buy into a message, an idea or a point of view. But no matter how carefully they stage their dramatic contention, protesters have limited control over the way their vivid efforts will be read and interpreted by others. Emma Sulkowicz, walks across the stage at Columbia College, 2015, with her mattress as audience members cheered and clapped. Two years later, the accused was cleared of any wrongdoing in a settled lawsuit. How audiences interpret protests When the public sees spectacular acts, they may focus on the symbols protesters use, such as military uniforms, that may be both symbolically loaded and multivocal. People invest a lot of meaning into military uniforms and they may read their use in many different ways depending on their different points of view. While symbols like uniforms can be arresting, their use may not always produce the interpretation the protester desired. Instead, the use of a loaded symbol may be taken by spectators as sacrilegious, and their use, therefore, can lead audiences to question the protester's sanity. The meanings audiences draw from spectacular performance, moreover, often interact with broader currents of inequality in society. An actor's race, gender or age can be important factors that determine whether they have the authority, in an audience's eyes, to use a particular symbol or to spectacularly tell a story that is important to them. Women engaging in spectacular agency to draw attention to sexual assault, like the Columbia student who carried a mattress around campus to draw attention to sexual abuse, may find audiences either blame the victim or refuse to believe her account. Selflessly fighting for a better future In Pakistan, women front-line workers' spectacular actions also brought mixed results. When I say front-line workers, I mean people who provide face-to-face service to citizens. One airline attendant took to social media in an effort to protest against the ageism and sexism of some passengers and found supportive and allies among other social media users. But other women workers were not so fortunate. Pakistani Lady Health Workers, who traveled from city to city across Pakistan engaging in long running spectacular efforts to grab attention for their poor working conditions, succeeded in getting the Pakistani Supreme Court's attention and intervention. However, the women then had to confront a slowly moving bureaucratic administration that found ways to delay or limit the women's gains. Some of these women said the reforms they had worked so hard for would not benefit them directly. They were on the verge of retirement and were told by their bosses that their hard-won gains in wages and pensions would not apply to them. Yet, most of these women said they did not regret having made the effort. Speaking about her own inability to reap the rewards of spectacular agency, Nuzhat, a front-line health worker said, "It doesn't matter. The next generation will get it. One person grows a tree so that the next generation can sit in its shadeWhat is important is that you plant it." Spectacular agency is costly, requiring the surrender of money, time, comfort and also, at times privacy and dignity. Therefore, people who engage in it, often see it as an altruistic sacrifice made in the name of others. Rehana, a health worker said, "I don't feel sad that I derived little benefit from that effortI feel that you should do whatever you can do. Whatever we can do for the next generation, we do it. You can't control the outcome, but you can say, "O Allah, I have fulfilled my obligations. I spared no effort to create a better world for the next people who will take my place. Now it's up to them and you.'" This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain After a year of deadly wildfires around the globe, the world is burning again from Texas to Australiaand in some regions, the blazes are igniting early. Canada's Alberta province said last month that wildfire season had already begun, well before the typical March start. On the other side of the planet, South Australia instituted outdoor fire bans in mid-October, weeks ahead of when it normally does. While late-winter fires aren't unusual in the Texas Panhandle, the current blaze is the worst in the state's history. In the rest of Texas, where winter conflagrations are rare, the summer wildfire season is starting earlier and getting longer. Behind the many culprits of forest and brush firesfrom land management to downed power linesis the shadow of climate change. Global warming is contributing to hot, dry conditions at times of the year that historically were rainier. That's complicating government efforts to prevent the blazes and intensifying pressure on electric utilities to shore up their systems. "Climate is connected to fire in many waysmost obviously through extreme weather conditionsbut climate also influences ignitions, fuel, moisture and the growth of vegetation," said Hamish Clarke, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne's Flare Wildfire Research Group. "In many cases it's going to make things much, much worse." The fire scorching homes and ranches across the Texas Panhandle started after a dry spell that lasted a few weeks, allowing the grass to dry out. On Feb. 26, high winds swept through the area as temperatures soared. Nearby Amarillo posted a record high of 82F (28C) for the date. "Climate change certainly played a role in the amount of heat and dryness," said John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist and a professor at Texas A&M University. Across Texas, the weather will stay sunny, dry and breezy through the rest of the week, said Frank Pereira, a senior branch forecaster at the U.S. Weather Prediction Center. While not enough to trigger a red flag fire warning, dry and windy conditions can make fire fighting more difficult. Later in the week, there is a chance of showers that may help with the Smokehouse Creek fire and other blazes in the Texas Panhandle. Across the Panhandle and the rest of the southern Great Plains, there are two fire seasons: One comes at the end of winter into early spring and the other during the summer months, said Todd Lindley, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma. "We are seeing an increase in our summer fire season," Lindley said. "Summers have been trending hotter in the last couple of decades and that has had a corresponding increase in summer fire activity, especially in Texas and Oklahoma." This year, El Nino is amplifying the impact of a hotter climate. The weather pattern, a warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, usually brings rainier conditions to Texas and the rest of the U.S. South. But this year, unusually, some storms have tracked north through Colorado, leaving hot, arid air across the Southwest and supercharging winds, said Ryan Truchelut, president of commercial forecaster WeatherTiger LLC. To the north in Canada, El Nino has worried forecasters for months because the phenomenon leads to more storms crossing the U.S. rather than further north, cutting off large swaths of western Canada from snow. At least 72% of the country was in drought this winter, according to the North American Drought Monitor. A year ago, Canada's wildfire season began early and morphed into its worst ever, blanketing the U.S. in smoke that turned the skies over New York City an apocalyptic orange. Some of those blazes never went out. As of January, a record number of "zombie fires" remained burning in the ground and under snow, with about 100 fires in British Columbia, according to Premier David Eby. "We're literally standing up an army of firefighters in British Columbia," Eby told reporters on Feb. 23, citing 1,000 applicants for the forest fire service, agreements to lease aircraft and helicopters and discussions with the military. "We're just profoundly worried about the situation we face." Brett L'Esperance is chief executive officer of Dauntless Air, a private fleet of single-engine air tankers that fly across North America dumping water on wildfires. His crews went to Canada last year, but also fought fires in Louisiana and North Carolina, places that haven't needed air tankers before. Across the continent, "fire season is starting much earlier than it did before and it ends later," he said. Thousands of miles away in Australia, El Nino tends to dry out large swaths of land, leading to more fires. Three years of wetter conditions accelerated vegetation growth before a record 2023 arid spell increased the flammability of that fuelraising risks through a bushfire season that typically peaks in southern areas between December and February. Authorities in parts of Victoria state last month warned of the worst conditions since the so-called Black Summer fires of 2019 to 2020, which killed 33 people. Thousands of residents were evacuated last week near the regional city of Ballarat as blazes spread across at least 22,000 hectares (54,363 acres) of land and destroyed homes. The fire threat is expected to linger through the southern hemisphere fall season, with heightened risks in parts of central and western Australia, according to AFAC, the national council for fire and emergency services. "Obviously there are so many different actions we can take to prepare for and to mitigate bushfire risk, but to me it's a real no-brainer: Let's not put more heat into the system," the University of Melbourne's Clarke said. "We need to be taking strong climate change action." 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In Colorado, people flock to the Rocky Mountains when the summer heat gets unbearable. Animals seek shelter too when temperatures become extreme, and forests serve as critical sanctuaries for small tree-dwelling animals like lizards. In a new study published March 5 in the journal Nature Climate Change, scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder and Tel Aviv University in Israel revealed that deforestation combined with climate change could negatively impact 84% of North America's lizards by the end of the century. Nearly one in five could face population decline. Unlike mammals that can maintain their body temperatures in a variety of wayssweating when it gets too hot and relying on warm fur when it gets too coldcold-blooded animals like lizards have limited strategies to thermoregulate. Tree-climbing lizards move around tree trunks to bask in the sun for warmth. When the ground gets too hot, they climb higher or move into the shade. "What's really interesting about lizards is that they just need to be able to move a short distance around the tree trunk to get to a very different climate and habitat environment," said Keith Musselman, an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and CU Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. "These microhabitats are particularly important when we think about how we modify our natural environment and make conservation decisions." Using computer simulations, the team showed that global warming can actually benefit lizards living in colder regions or at higher latitudes in North America. Warmer weather increases the animals' activity time, meaning they have more time to look for food or mates during the day. However, deforestation would largely reverse these positive effects by reducing opportunities for shade in hotter climates that help them cool down. The team simulated lizard models for different climate regions across North America. They found that tree loss could decrease lizards' activity time by an average of 34% by the end of the century. Without trees, the animals would have to hide under rocks or in caves to avoid overheating. The impact would be especially prominent for species that already live in warmer regions, where future summers will become too warm for activity on the ground. The team estimated that deforestation would accelerate population declines for 18% of lizards in North America. "Our work provides new insights into the mechanisms by which deforestation may cause population declines in the face of climate change," said Ofir Levy, a zoologist and Musselman's collaborator at Tel Aviv University. "The decline in lizards can lead to a cascading effect as they are an important part of almost every ecological system." Despite international pledges to halt deforestation, tree clearing continues to happen globally. From 2001 to 2022, about 459 million hectares, or 12%, of global tree cover disappeared. "Deforestation is a worldwide problem, and our conclusions can help decision-makers on other continents in designing conservation and habitat restoration programs that consider climate change," said Omer Zlotnick, the paper's first author and a Ph.D. student at Tel Aviv University. Lizard populations are already at risk because of climate change. In one study, scientists estimated that 54% of lizard populations in Mexico would go extinct by 2080 because of their inability to adapt to the rapidly warming planet. Deforestation would further exacerbate the threat by taking away these animals' refuges. "Here in the Rocky Mountains, elevation provides an escape for animals that can travel longer distances, including us humans. On those summer days when it hits 100 degrees, many of us will go into the mountains. But small animals like lizards can't travel far. They heavily depend on the refuge provided by the local landscape, including tree trunks," said Musselman. "The study highlighted the importance of understanding which elements in the environment can serve as refuges for other organisms on this planet." More information: Omer Zlotnick et al, Deforestation poses deleterious effects to tree-climbing species under climate change, Nature Climate Change (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-01939-x 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: The regular cycle of freezing and thawing of Antarctic sea ice, keeps our planet functioning, regulating global climate and sea-level rise. Credit: Wendy Pyper Data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have revealed another summer of exceptionally low sea-ice extent around Antarctica. Sea-ice extent around the frozen continent was measured at 1.99 million square kilometers, with scientists suggesting a "regime shift" could be underway. It's the third year in a row Antarctic sea-ice extent has dropped below the long-term summer average of 24 million square kilometers, since satellite records began in 1979. February 2023 holds the record for the lowest summer sea-ice extent over the past 46 years, of 1.77 million square kilometers36% less than average. Winter sea-ice extent has also been declining. In September 2023, it dipped to a new record low of 16.96 million square kilometers, compared to the usual 1920 million square kilometers. The NSIDC said that the trend in summer sea-ice extent is a reduction of 4,700 square kilometers per year, or 1.7% per decade, relative to the 1981 to 2010 average. This reduction is not statistically significant due to volatile year-to-year changes in Antarctic sea ice over the last two decadesin stark contrast to the Arctic, where the decline is continuous and larger in magnitude. However, sea-ice scientist Dr. Petra Heil, from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's Australian Antarctic Division, said if Antarctic sea ice continues to decline, it will have global consequences. "The decline in Antarctic sea ice directly impacts the local climate and ecosystems but also affects climate and ecosystems processes around the world, with repercussions for our lifestyle and economic interests," she said. "Our Antarctic marine and field research, as well as remote-sensing analysis over more than 30 years, has been invaluable to our understanding of sea-ice change and its far-reaching impacts, but we need to intensify our research to obtain critical observations now, given the rate of change has accelerated severely." The current decline, which has been underway since 2016, comes after more than 30 years of a small, steady gain in Antarctic sea ice. This included a record winter high in 2012 and another in 2014. Then in the spring of 2016, Antarctic sea ice fell to a (then) record low, and has been below average for most years since. Research points to ocean warming as playing a key role in the deficit of sea ice around Antarctica since then. Scientists say Antarctic sea ice may have been pushed to new state of diminished coverage (similar to that in the Arctic), from which it may not recover. Antarctic sea ice has been described as the beating heart of the planet, as it expands in winter and contracts in summer. This regular cycle of freezing and thawing keeps our planet functioning, regulating global climate and sea-level rise. Sea ice also provides habitat for krill and other small marine creatures that are food for whales, penguins, seals and fish. These smaller marine organisms also perform important ecosystem functions, such as extracting carbon from the atmosphere. The Australian Antarctic Program has a range of long-term observing and other research activities to understand the nature and impacts of sea-ice change. These include remote-sensing and physical "on-ice" measurements within the sea-ice zone. The data collected from this work will help validate and calibrate satellite observations of sea ice, and improve satellite-derived products. These allow scientists to scale up more localized measurements, and provide an Antarctic-wide picture of the sea-ice environment. Physical sea-ice measurements also help build an accurate picture of how ocean, ice and atmospheric processes contribute to sea-ice changes, and provide baseline data to ensure satellite-derived products, forecasts and model predictions are accurate. "Given Antarctica's global reach, if we want to understand the risks to Australia from climate tipping points, we need to improve our knowledge of processes and change in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean," Dr. Heil said. Provided by Australian Antarctic Program 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: Where lumpy skin disease has been reported over the last five years in South-East Asia, as at February 19 this year, using data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Credit: The University of Queensland Australian authorities are on high alert amid the spread of lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffalo across South-East Asia. While Australia remains free of the disease, the virus is likely to breach our borders at some stage. Detection of the disease in Australia's livestock industries would lead to restrictions on cattle, meat and dairy exports, with serious consequences for the economy. The federal government has a plan to detect and respond to an outbreak. But we need to go one betterto predict where the disease is likely to appear and how it might spread. Our team is developing a model we hope will provide this vital information. It will help Australia prepare and respond not just to the current threat, but to any future biosecurity breach. What is lumpy skin disease? Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease that affects cattle and buffalo, not humans. The incubation period is up to 28 days. First reported in Zambia in 1929, the disease has spread across Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia. It reached Indonesia in 2022. Early symptoms include fever and increased tear production. Lumps then appear on the skin and can cover the entire body, gradually hardening as the disease develops. Sometimes the lumps slough off, leaving holes on the skin that are susceptible to infections. Typically only 1-5% of cattle die from the disease, but those that recover may not return to full health. Milk production is reduced in cows. Meat yield from infected cattle is likely to be reduced, although it does not contain lumps and is safe to eat. Temporary or permanent infertility in both cows and bulls can also develop during the first month of infection. The virus is mainly spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes, stable flies and ticks. Higher temperature and increased rainfall can increase insect populations and activity, and have triggered outbreaks of disease overseas. The disease can also be transmitted by close contact between cattle, such as exposure to body fluids. A testing time with Indonesia and Malaysia In July last year, Indonesian authorities claimed 13 cows from Australia had tested positive days after arrival. At the time, Australian authorities demonstrated that the nation was free of the disease. Nonetheless, trade between Indonesia and four of Australia's cattle export holding yards was suspended immediately. Then Malaysia went further and stopped accepting any Australian live cattle and buffalo. Malaysia and Indonesia each lifted their restrictions in early September, after more than 1,000 cattle were tested across Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Australian government also agreed to boost surveillance and biosecurity measures, including testing on farms and disinfecting departing export vessels. Since the lifting of restrictions, the Indonesian government has reportedly rejected Australian cattle with skin blemishesin some cases, this comprised up to 30% of cattle in a shipment. How could lumpy skin disease enter Australia? The Australian government has introduced strict biosecurity measures at international ports to minimize the risk of infected animals entering the country. These include disinfection and disinsection (spraying to remove insects) of vessels and cargo. However, there's a high risk of infected insects entering Australia through international ports or by traveling across the sea to northern Australia. Some infected flying insects may be able to cover long distances, aided by strong winds. Another possible mode of entry for infected insects is through illegal fishers landing on the Australian coast. What can be done to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease? In countries where lumpy skin disease is common, live vaccines have been used to control the disease. However, this is not practical in disease-free countries such as Australia, because vaccinated animals cannot be distinguished from infected animals. This means Australia could not be confirmed free of disease, leading to international trade restrictions. The Australian government secured a supply of lumpy skin disease vaccines in October. These are being securely stored overseas in case of an outbreak. The vaccines will also be available to neighboring Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. Preventing the spread of lumpy skin disease requires early detection of the disease, isolation of potentially infected animals and restrictions around their movement. Once initial diagnosis is confirmed, culling of infected animals and insect control would likely follow. What can be done to prepare Australia? Australia has a veterinary emergency response plan to enact if the disease enters the country. The federal government has also boosted surveillance and begun offering training for veterinarians, industry and government staff on how to prevent and control the spread of the disease. However, innovative models are needed to assess the likely introduction and spread of the disease in Australia. Our team is developing a framework to carry out such modeling. Our model will include data describing the current status of reports of the disease outside of Australia, Australia's landscape and climate, distribution and movement of cattle, and local insect populations. These models will produce maps that can be used to identify areas in Australia more suitable to receiving the disease, such as areas with favorable environmental conditions for the survival of imported infected insects. These maps will inform decisions around surveillance and response plans, and help farmers prepare for a potential outbreak of the disease. Maintaining a high level of preparedness and awareness of the disease among cattle producers, farmers, veterinarians and other relevant individuals is paramount if we are to maintain our disease-free status as an international exporter. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Images of newsworthy events that appear on news websites and on social media have the same level of credibility in the public's view, regardless of whether they were captured by a professional photojournalist or an amateur photographer, according to new research led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Brian McDermott, senior journalism lecturer at UMass Amherst, found that photos gathered by established mainstream news outlets do not have any special monopoly on credibility in the eyes of the public. The study appears in the journal Social Media + Society. McDermott and co-authors Tara Marie Mortensen and Robert A. Wertz of the University of South Carolina documented that professionally authored images and images by amateur photographers were assessed in a survey with nearly identical levels of credibility, both on news websites and on Instagram. This was true even though respondents rated professional images higher in terms of authority and visual composition. "People notice when a picture is professional, but they don't seem to care," McDermott, a former photojournalist, says. "News consumers assign the same level of credibility to an amateur image used by a news organization as they do to a professional image captured by a journalist." McDermott and his co-authors tested the credibility perceptions of photographs using an online survey of nearly 4,500 adults across the United States. Participants were shown pairs of images of three high-profile news eventsone set taken by photojournalists and the other by amateursdisplayed on both a professional news website and in an Instagram feed. The three news events represented were a protest over the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the California "Dixie" wildfire in 2021. While respondents judged the photos captured by journalists as more professional, all six images were viewed as equally credible. Whether the images were presented on a news website or on social media made no discernible difference. The results show that news consumers have no issue with news outlets incorporating visuals gathered by "citizen journalists" into their reporting. "News organizations would be smart to embrace more amateur imagery, with the vitally important caveat that the images are verified and vetted using the traditional principles of newsgathering," McDermott says. Where does that leave professional photojournalists with many media outlets looking to cut editorial staff to reduce costs? McDermott argues an increased reliance on amateur photography makes the role of professional visual journalists even more important, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes better at generating images. "Who else is actually trying to show the world as it is? Nobody else has that mission. AI only has the mission the user gives it," he says. As academics continue to study the ways mis- and disinformation enter conversations on social media, Ethan Zuckerman suggested in a 2021 paper that they step back and observe the issue as part of a complete media "ecosystem"one which includes the relationships between both user-generated social media and professionally-created news media. More information: Brian McDermott et al, Measuring the Effect of Presentational Context and Image Authorship on the Credibility Perceptions of Newsworthy Images, Social Media + Society (2024). DOI: 10.1177/20563051241229656 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: Wild Przewalski horses are an endangered breed. Prague zoo said Tuesday it would transport eight endangered wild horses to a Kazakhstan steppe in June in a joint project with the Tierpark Berlin zoo. The zoos are planning to take at least 40 Przewalski's horses to roam free in the Altyn Dala (Golden Steppe) area in central Kazakhstan in the next five years. In June, Czech army planes will transport three stallions and five mares to Arkalyk in central Kazakhstan, with Prague zoo and Tierpark Berlin sending four horses each. "On June 3, two planes will take off, one from Prague and the other from Berlin, to take the horses to Arkalyk with stopovers in Istanbul and Baku," Prague zoo director Miroslav Bobek told reporters. The 6,000-kilometer (3,750-mile) flight is expected to take 15 hours, said Czech army general Jaroslav Falta. Provided by different zoos in Europe, the horses will then be driven from Arkalyk to the Alibi reintroduction center in Altyn Dala on trucks. Przewalski's horses have narrowly avoided extinction thanks to breeding programs at zoos worldwide. Prague Zoo, which has bred the species since 1932 and keeps the world genealogy book for the endangered species tracking all new births, launched a project to reintroduce the animals to Mongolia in 2011. It transported 34 horses on Czech army planes there between 2011 and 2019, before the pandemic halted the project co-funded by zoos from across the globe. "This project is vital for increasing the number of Przewalski's horses in the wild," European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) chairman Endre Papp told reporters in Prague. "What makes these reintroductions so valuable is not only the transport of the animals, but also the exchange of knowledge and expertise gained over the years," he added. First documented by Russian scientist Nikolai Przhevalsky in 1881, the species was nearly extinct in the 1960s and is still listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The current global population exceeds 2,000 animals, with about half living in the wild in Mongolia, China and elsewhere. Prague zoo is currently also planning a wild horse reintroduction project in eastern Mongolia. 2024 AFP 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: Worms collected in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, as seen under a microscope. Credit: Sophia Tintori The 1986 disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant transformed the surrounding area into the most radioactive landscape on Earth. Humans were evacuated, but many plants and animals continue to live in the region, despite the high levels of radiation that persist nearly four decades later. A new study appearing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by researchers at New York University finds that exposure to chronic radiation from Chornobyl has not damaged the genomes of microscopic worms living there todaywhich doesn't mean that the region is safe, the scientists caution, but suggests that these worms are exceptionally resilient. In recent years, researchers have found that some animals living in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zonethe region in northern Ukraine within an 18.6-mile radius of the power plantare physically and genetically different from their counterparts elsewhere, raising questions about the impact of chronic radiation on DNA. "Chornobyl was a tragedy of incomprehensible scale, but we still don't have a great grasp on the effects of the disaster on local populations," said Sophia Tintori, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Biology at NYU and the first author of the study. "Did the sudden environmental shift select for species, or even individuals within a species, that are naturally more resistant to ionizing radiation?" To dig into this, Tintori and her colleagues turned to nematodes, tiny worms with simple genomes and rapid reproduction, which makes them particularly useful for understanding basic biological phenomena. "These worms live everywhere, and they live quickly, so they go through dozens of generations of evolution while a typical vertebrate is still putting on its shoes," said Matthew Rockman, a professor of biology at NYU and the study's senior author. "I had seen footage of the exclusion zone and was surprised by how lush and overgrown it lookedI'd never thought of it as teeming with life," added Tintori. "If I want to find worms that are particularly tolerant to radiation exposure, this is a landscape that might have already selected for that." Sophia Tintori, postdoctoral researcher in NYU Department of Biology (left), and Matthew Rockman, NYU professor of biology (right) in Chronobyl to collect worms. Credit: Maxim Ivanenko NYU researcher Sophia Tintori in the Chornobyl exclusion zone wearing personal protective equipment to safeguard against radioactive dust and debris. Credit: Matthew Rockman The worms of Chornobyl In collaboration with scientists in Ukraine and U.S. colleaguesincluding biologist Timothy Mousseau of the University of South Carolina, who studies the effects of radiation from the Chornobyl and Fukushima disastersTintori and Rockman visited the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in 2019 to see if chronic radiation has had a detectable impact on the region's worms. With Geiger counters in hand to measure local levels of radiation and personal protective gear to guard against radioactive dust, they gathered worms from samples of soil, rotting fruit, and other organic material. Worms were collected from locations throughout the zone with different amounts of radiation, ranging from low levels on par with New York City (negligibly radioactive) to high-radiation sites on par with outer space (dangerous for humans, but of unclear if it would be dangerous to worms). After collecting samples in the field, the team brought them to Mousseau's field lab in a former residential home in Chornobyl, where they separated hundreds of nematodes from the soil or fruit. From there, they headed to a Kyiv hotel, whereusing travel microscopesthey isolated and established cultures from each worm. Back in the lab at NYU, the researchers continued studying the wormspart of which involved freezing them. "We can cryopreserve worms, and then thaw them for study later. That means that we can stop evolution from happening in the lab, something impossible with most other animal models, and very valuable when we want to compare animals that have experienced different evolutionary histories," said Rockman. They focused their analyses on 15 worms of a nematode species called Oscheius tipulae, which has been used in genetic and evolutionary studies. They sequenced the genomes of the 15 O. tipulae worms from Chornobyl and compared them with the genomes of five O. tipulae from other parts of the world. NYU researcher Sophia Tintori in the field lab in Chornobyl. Credit: Matthew Rockman NYU researcher Sophia Tintori measures the radiation in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, where the researchers gathered worms from organic matter including rotting fruit. Credit: Matthew Rockman Different DNAbut not due to radiation The researchers were surprised to find that using several different analyses, they could not detect a signature of radiation damage on the genomes of the worms from Chornobyl. "This doesn't mean that Chornobyl is safeit more likely means that nematodes are really resilient animals and can withstand extreme conditions," noted Tintori. "We also don't know how long each of the worms we collected was in the Zone, so we can't be sure exactly what level of exposure each worm and its ancestors received over the past four decades." Wondering whether the lack of genetic signature was because the worms living in Chornobyl are unusually effective at protecting or repairing their DNA, the researchers designed a system to compare how quickly populations of worms grow and used it to measure how sensitive the descendants of each of the 20 genetically distinct worms were to different types of DNA damage. While the lineages of worms were different from each other in how well they tolerated DNA damage, these differences didn't correspond to the levels of radiation at each collection site. Their findings suggest that worms from Chornobyl are not necessarily more tolerant of radiation and the radioactive landscape has not forced them to evolve. Matthew Rockman, NYU professor of biology, looks at nematodes under a microscope in a makeshift lab in a Kyiv hotel. Credit: Sophia Tintori The researchers wrapped each sample of soil or other organic matter in tissue and submerged the funnel under water. Over a period of ~12 hours, the nematodes migrate through the tissue and to the bottom of the funnel. Credit: Sophia Tintori What worms can teach us about our own biology The results give researchers clues into how DNA repair can vary from individual to individualand despite the genetic simplicity of O. tipulae, could lead to a better understanding of natural variation in humans. "Now that we know which strains of O. tipulae are more sensitive or more tolerant to DNA damage, we can use these strains to study why different individuals are more likely than others to suffer the effects of carcinogens," said Tintori. How different individuals in a species respond to DNA damage is top of mind for cancer researchers seeking to understand why some humans with a genetic predisposition to cancer develop the disease, while others do not. "Thinking about how individuals respond differently to DNA-damaging agents in the environment is something that will help us have a clear vision of our own risk factors," added Tintori. Additional study authors include Derin Caglar and Patrick Ortiz of NYU, Timothy Mousseau of the University of South Carolina, and Ihor Chyzhevskyi of the State Specialized Enterprise "Ecocentre" in Ukraine. More information: Sophia C. Tintori et al, Environmental radiation exposure at Chornobyl has not systematically affected the genomes or chemical mutagen tolerance phenotypes of local worms, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314793121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 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: Deforestation for agriculture meets forests in land north of Campinas, Brazil. Credit: Sue Nichols, Michigan State University "War is hell" usually applies to war zones, but the Ukraine-Russian war's protracted battles can take a toll on biodiversity as far away as the United States or Brazil. The complexities of global markets can mean a war that feels far away can still pose environmental harm. A paper, "Telecoupled impacts of Russia-Ukraine war on global cropland expansion and biodiversity," in Nature Sustainability examines how restricting food exports from Ukraine and Russia can spur farmers in other countries to expand their croplands to meet shifting demand, which can decimate forests or other natural habitats. The integrated framework of telecoupling has helped broaden the understanding of war impact far beyond the war zone worldwide, said senior author Jianguo "Jack" Liu, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability at Michigan State University. This method allows scientists to consider information from many sources across the world, as well as the reactions and feedbacks, to find unintended and unexpected consequences. The study concludes that Russia's pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative would lead to a doubling of cropland expansion and biodiversity loss. Should crop exports from Russia and Ukraine stop, cropland expansion would increase biodiversity loss by some 4.5 times. The authors urge that the damage to the natural world should also be brought to the forefront as this damage is often irreversible with short timespans. Once natural land is converted to cropland, it would take decades, if not centuries, for ecosystem quality to recover. "Effective interventions should be taken to avert farmers in biodiversity hotspots such as Brazil's Cerrado, and Southeast Asia from blindly and rapidly expanding their agricultural land driven by inflated prices due to the war," the authors said. "Informed policy can stop the rapid expansion of cropland." More information: Li Chai et al, Telecoupled impacts of the RussiaUkraine war on global cropland expansion and biodiversity, Nature Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01292-z Journal information: Nature Sustainability 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: The Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated Rubymar sank on Saturday with 21,000 metric tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertiliser on board, according to US Central Command. The sinking of a bulk carrier off Yemen after a Huthi missile attack poses grave environmental risks as thousands of tonnes of fertilizer threaten to spill into the Red Sea, officials and experts warn. Leaking fuel and the chemical pollutant could harm marine life, including coral reefs, and impact coastal communities that rely on fishing for their livelihoods, they said. The Belize-flagged, Lebanese-operated Rubymar sank on Saturday with 21,000 metric tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer on board, according to US Central Command. It had been taking in water since a Huthi missile strike on February 18 damaged its hull, marking the most significant impact on a commercial ship since the rebels started targeting vessels in November. After already leaving a slick from leaking fuel while it was still afloat, the Rubymar now poses a new set of environmental threats under water. Abdulsalam al-Jaabi of the Yemeni government's environmental protection agency warned of "double pollution" that could impact 78,000 fishermen and their familiesup to half a million people. "The first pollution is oil pollution resulting from the large amount of fuel oil on board," he said, estimating the quantity to be over 200 tonnes. The second risk is posed by the fertilizer, which is highly soluble and could harm "fish and living organisms such as coral reefs and seaweed" if released into the sea, Jaabi added. The overall contamination could incur "significant economic costs", especially on coastal communities that depend on fishing for survival, the official warned. After already leaving a slick from leaking fuel while it was still afloat, the Rubymar now poses a new set of environmental threats under water. 'Cascading effects' Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, pushing the internationally recognized government south to Aden and prompting Saudi Arabia to lead a military coalition to help prop it up the following year. A ceasefire since April 2022 has largely held. The Rubymar is the first ship to sink since the Huthis started their Red Sea campaign which they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Plans to tow the vessel failed after port authorities in Aden, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia refused to receive the ship, according to Roy Khoury, the chief executive of Blue Fleet Group, the ship's Lebanese operator. The Yemeni government's transport minister, Abdulsalam Humaid, said Aden's "refusal comes out of fear of an environmental disaster". Djibouti also refused the ship over "environmental risks", said an official close to the country's presidency. Saudi authorities were not immediately available for comment. A handout picture released by the US Central Command shows the capsized Rubymar in the Red Sea, after taking damage due to a missile strike claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels. "Without immediate action, this situation could escalate into a major environmental crisis," warned Julien Jreissati, Middle East and North Africa program director at Greenpeace. "The sinking of the vessel could further breach the hull, allowing water to contact with the thousands of tonnes of fertilizer," he added. This would "disrupt the balance of the marine ecosystems, triggering cascading effects throughout the food web," Jreissati said. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said five experts from the United Nations Environment Program are due in Yemen this week to conduct an assessment in coordination with the Yemeni environment ministry. 'Worst-case scenario' George Wikoff, the head of the US Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, warned that the "tonnes of chemicals carried on the sinking vessel Rubymar presents environmental risk to the Red Sea in the form of algae blooms and damaged coral". Speaking during a conference in Doha on Tuesday, Wikoff said the ship also poses a threat to Red Sea navigation as it "presents a subsurface impact risk" to other ships transiting the critical waterway which normally carries around 12 percent of global trade. It remains unclear who is ultimately responsible for the Rubymar, which was sailing from the United Arab Emirates to Bulgaria. Map of the Red Sea and Yemen showing zone controlled by Huthi rebels. CENTCOM and maritime security firm Ambrey said the vessel is registered in Britain but its Lebanese operator said the ship is registered in the Marshall Islands. Yemeni official Faisal al-Thalabi, a member of a crisis cell tasked with dealing with the Rubymar, said Yemen has been in contact with both the owner and operator but noted that the outreach "made no difference". They owner "is part of the problem... as he did not respond to official messages issued from Yemen," Thalabi told AFP, without disclosing the owner's identity. To contain a potential environmental crisis, Yemeni authorities will dispatch teams to collect water samples and survey beaches for pollution, Thalabi said. Water sources and seawater desalination plants in coastal communities may also be affected, he cautioned. "We have special containment booms and we are ready to place them in environmentally sensitive areas such as damaged islands" if they are contaminated, he said. The "worst-case scenario is contamination," Thalabi said. 2024 AFP By Mabinty M. Kamara Deployed approximately 413 kilometres away from the capital city, Freetown, with over 60 kilometres of the journey traversing challenging terrains to reach the foot of the Loma Mountains in Masonia from the Falaba district axis in the far north of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Bangura, Team Lead for a group of Rangers, manning the reserved forest and his colleagues are working under what they describe as exceptional conditions as the fight to conserve the mountain ensues. Loma Mountain is one of the 15 protected areas in Sierra Leone, managed by the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), established by an Act of Parliament in 2012 to promote biodiversity conservation and enhance the protection of national parks and other reserved areas through its Forest Rangers and Eco-guards of Tacugama, a non-governmental organisation working in the conservation area. The primary responsibility of the Rangers, according to NPAAs Loma Mountain Park Manager, Bintu Sia Amara-Kamara, is the day-to-day monitoring of the park, identifying species and human activities in those areas, as well as engaging with the community. "And also, we enforce the laws, when necessary, by arresting and pursuing prosecution where necessary, she said. Such is the critical role that Forest Rangers and Eco-guards play in complementing and ensuring that our conservation efforts pay off for the greater good of our country and the world at large because the devastating impacts of climate change, carbon emission and biodiversity know no boundary, economic or social status. Fighting the in-house thief However, despite the relevance of conservation efforts, one should maintain sight of the fact that community people in the protected areas have relied on those forests and rivers, more so for their economic and social well-being. Now, they are asked to refrain from activities such as poaching, farming, mining, and timber logging, which is challenging for them to accept, and one could sense the daunting nature of the job of the Forest Rangers. This explains why the Rangers must have the required logistics and livelihood support to execute their functions. The Irony in Sierra Leone The Rangers deployed at the Loma Mountain in the Socrala and Masonia outposts in Niene and Nyedu chiefdoms are like firefighters going to battle an inferno with bare hands. They lack accommodation and protection equipment like handcuffs, mobility, uniforms, capacity building, and so on, yet they have to face wellarmed poachers in the forests looking for a game or any guard that may attempt to thwart their plans. In an interview with Politico, Mohamed Bangura, who leads the NPAA Rangers in Masonia Falaba district, highlighted challenges such as the lack of accommodation, motorbikes, or monitoring equipment. He stated that over the past three years, they have minimised human activities threatening the reserved areas through regular monitoring, patrols, and community engagement. However, challenges persist, including the need for more essential equipment and the hostile attitude of some community members. Poaching has drastically reduced compared to before. Upon entering the forest, one will find bullet shells all around the place, not to mention logging. Some community people support our work while others, especially in the Socrala axis, are very hostile to us," he said. He said the lack of accommodation facilities in their deployment areas has caused them to find homes in nearby communities like Masofinia, 7 miles away from Masonia. We do not have any motorbike to patrol. So, by the time you get to work, the day is almost gone. Bangura then narrated an incident he encountered during work: "One day, I was coming from Masofinia in the morning when someone rode past me with a deer strapped on his motorbike. I stopped him, but because I was in my uniform, which he recognised, he couldn't stop, and by the time I got a bike to chase him, it was already late as he was nowhere to be found. We don't have handcuffs, pepper spray or any other defensive weapon to effect an arrest, unlike the poachers who are armed," he said. The team lead added that he has recently declared Masofinia, which mainly houses them, to be a transit point for the Loma Mountain animals. "Most of the Loma animals are trafficked through Masofinia. But we are trying to institute a plan to frustrate the hunters and those who buy from them. When we arrest poachers in Masofinia, they will tell us that that is not our deployment area, and as such, we should not work from there," he said. He said their mandate demands protection both within and outside of the forest and that if poachers were not caught in the forests, they could still confiscate the bush meat to discourage the practice of poaching. He, however, spoke of the stiff resistance they've faced from the community people. Bangura and the other Rangers used our presence to appeal for more personnel to boost their 25-member team, saying that the forest area is too large to be covered by that number despite the additional 21 from Tacugama. One of the Rangers explained his experience of being attacked by the youth of the village in the line of duty, which he says restricts their activities in the forest. "They said they don't get any benefit from the Loma Mountain conservation efforts, not even from the employment of the guards, and as such, they see no need to protect it. We continue to be attacked and threatened by these community people, he said. However, team leader Bangura said he had already reported the matter to the Sierra Leone Police in Makeni, who had sent a letter to the Paramount chief of Nyedu chiefdom concerning the attack. The Rangers Despite the challenges highlighted, the Rangers are emotionally and psychologically connected to the serenity, green scenery, chirping of the birds in the lonely forests and the cold wind that comes from the mountains and the natural flowing rivers, as they patrol the area. Also, their love for conservation and the new families that some of them have had in their deployment areas keep them glued to the forest the more. Bangura and his team described life with nature as the best anyone could ever have When patrolling, it reassures us of the importance of saving the environment from harsh climate change effects. You dont even feel the harsh rays of the sun like you will do when away. However, the Park Manager acknowledged the challenges faced by the Rangers and mentioned the areas covered by the authority comprising 15 networks of protected areas across the country of which Loma Mountain is part of four national parks managed by NPAA in collaboration with other partners in the sector. She said they have game guards across all those communities to manage those resources. Madam Amara-Kamara admitted that the Authority itself is challenged with resources, saying that they rely solely on subventions which she said often come inlate. This she said has affected the availability of monitoring equipment like bikes, smartphones having monitoring software and more. She added that the Loma mountain reserve area has been struggling with development needs since the Biodiversity and Conservation Project supported by the World Bank ended in 2012. The need for partnership Creating and sustaining a vast territory as a protected area will require an integrated approach, including ensuring the sustainability of the current protected area network through partnerships from both local and international frameworks. Therefore, the Park manager said to address the challenges faced by the Authority, they work with partners in the conservation sector, citing Tacugama as a crucial partner in Loma Mountain, supporting Biomonitoring for data collection and also capacitating the communities "because we need them to take ownership of the activities." She highlighted that most people recruited are indigenous, which is deliberate to ensure community participation. The Manager also mentioned a 650 000 Euro project to be implemented in three Chiefdoms in the Loma Moutain area through the European Union in Sierra Leone. She said the Authority is working on legislation to ensure that all tourists visiting the sites pass through the government, especially for research, tourists, and other purposes. Speaking to Politico, Monali Mhaskar, Field Manager for Tacugama in Loma Mountain, said the Sanctuary 2010 conducted a nationwide chimp census, which revealed that Loma Mountain possesses the highest density of wide chimps, hence, their interest in the protection and conservation of the area. She added that her organisation has recruited 21 eco-guards, one from each of the 21 communities, helping collect data on life. "The idea is they will go into the forest with a smartphone with GPS tools called 'Smart'; a special monitoring device," she said. Loma Mountain through Tacugama is now being sampled through camera trap surveys. "50 cameras in the western axis were installed in February last year, and another was set in the eastern axis of the forest. The main idea is to understand where the chimps are and their behaviours," she said. She explained that the camera traps still show signs of poachers and have received reports from their guards of poachers in the Konobai axis in the Falaba district. Community engagement However, she said Tacugama engages community people regularly on the impact of poaching, bushfires, and timber logging through the 'Roots and Shoot Club,' involving youths in conservation efforts. The organisation is on the verge of recruiting women as Eco-guards for a more inclusive workforce. Tacugama has provided alternative livelihoods to communities, offering livestock to mitigate the impact of conservation efforts. "Tacugama did some interventions in a bid to provide them alternative livelihoods. We provided livestock, chickens, and goats to seven communities. The forest is still safe, in my opinion, because the roads are terrible. Once the roads are good, there will be problems because the forest will become more accessible, Ms Mhaskar said. The NPAA Park Manager is hopeful that the EU-funded project will address the issue of community beneficiation as there is a specific component of the said project that focuses on community ownership through the Loma Conservation Program to maximise community-derived benefit. "So as part of this project, we are looking at supporting these communities, especially in the areas of social amenities and infrastructure, to ensure that they benefit from the project since they have owned the conservation efforts," he said. Conservation and climate change are becoming increasingly topical globally. Sierra Leone has recognised this and established the Ministry of Environment to ensure particular focus and attention to address the global challenge. In 2023, the government also established a department in the Office of the President named Special Initiative for Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security. Note: This author's visit to Loma Mountain was funded by the European Union office in Sierra Leone. Copyright 2024 Politico (09/02/24) Envoys focus on Beijing's policy goals 09:32, March 05, 2024 By Mo Jingxi ( China Daily Foreign envoys attend the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. [WANG JING/CHINA DAILY] Foreign diplomats said they are keen to learn about China's policy goals for this year, particularly in the economic and diplomatic fields, when they attend key events at the two sessions as observers. The Chinese government has invited them to the opening meeting of the annual gathering of the country's national legislators on Tuesday, where they will hear firsthand the annual Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Qiang. It has been a tradition for diplomatic envoys in China to be invited to the opening and closing meetings of the two sessions to learn about the world's second-largest economy's achievements over the past year and hear about its development targets for the upcoming year. The National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, are meeting in Beijing for the two sessions. Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele, South African ambassador to China, who has attended the two sessions several times since assuming his post in 2020, said that any ambassador who misses the two sessions does not see the whole picture of the country's achievements and goals. "It's a meeting where the Chinese government maps out the plans for the year, the resources to be allocated for the year, and areas where they are focusing in terms of development," he said. Cwele said he will be looking carefully at China's economic development plans, especially in regard to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, so that his country can interact better with the Chinese side. Marco V. Balarezo, Peruvian ambassador to China, said the Chinese government has various mechanisms to gather insights and recommendations from experts, academics and intellectuals to help shape the country's policies. Balerezo, who will attend the two sessions for the first time, said he will have the opportunity to observe firsthand the functioning of the most important bodies of the Chinese political system. "We can gain valuable insights from this aspect of China's governance with Chinese characteristics," he said. Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Nepali ambassador to China, will attend the two sessions for a second time. The uniqueness of the two sessions is the attendance of thousands of representatives from across the country, which showcases China's democratic parliamentary system, he said. "I'm interested to learn about the targets of China for 2024 in various areas including trade, investment, tourism, digital technology, science and innovation, and green energy," he said. The Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative are among other areas he is interested in hearing about, he said. The Nepali ambassador said that as a close and friendly neighbor, Nepal looks forward to seeing how China prioritizes neighborhood policies. His country is interested in the implementation of South-South cooperation, economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and green and low-carbon development, the ambassador added. Pick Fung Ho-Chong, ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to China, said that the two sessions are very important for foreign envoys in China as their work and duties need to be informed by everything happening in the country, including at the political level. "It was really eye-opening, structural and very well-organized," she said of her attendance last year. "I'm very happy to be invited and looking forward to the event this year," she said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) By Saio Marrah The second report of the ongoing trial of the alleged corruption surrounding the renovation of the Sierra Leone UN Mission Chancery Building in New York has indicated that 47% of the work has been satisfactorily completed after 90% of the payment was made. This is according to an assessment report prepared between 2019 and 2021 by Paul Bockarie, the head of a team of Engineers from the Ministry of Works and Public Asset after a visit to the chancery building in New York. Reacting to lawyer Pa Momoh Fofana who was representing the first accused, Saidu Nallo at Court No.1, Freetown, Bockarie said the same second report indicated that plumbing and electrification of the building have been completed by 50%. He also noted that the window frame of the building had been restored and as well as the ceilings of the first, second, third, and fourth floors. On whether the work done exceeded the payment made, the witness said he could not tell because the contractor did not give him information on how he spent the money for the renovation. Bockarie also stated that based on standard practices, a third party should certify work done, but in this scenario, the contractor rather certified the work himself. He also noted that at the end of the work, the contractor did not show any quantity of work done and that the contractor did not show any information as to whether a sub-contractor was hired to do the work. The witness also said the first report did not state whether there were glass panels on the site and did not see glass material on site. He also acknowledged how the contractor said some of the glass materials he bought were in the warehouse while others were at the site, but he (the witness) only saw the glass material via video. Lawyer Ibrahim Sorie, representing the fourth accused person, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara argued that since the chancery building itself is 94 to 95 years old, it is difficult to renovate such a structure as compared to a newer building, but that was overruled by the presiding judge, Justice Adrian Fisher, who said that was irrelevant. The witness also acknowledged that the building is in a worse state in 2023 as compared to 2021 when the work on it was stopped by the contractor. In relation to that concern, Justice Fisher pointed out that the trial will be focusing on the state of the building in 2021 before Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) took over the issue. He noted that there was no work done between 2021 and 2023. He said he will look at the evidence as it was in 2021 since 2023 was not part of the indictment. He further described the witness as the courts eye, who was looking at the building between 2019 and 2021, adding that the court will therefore take into consideration what had happened between the two years. The prosecutions engineering witness said the work on the site needed more materials at the time of his investigation. Another prosecution witness, the head of the building from 2022 to date, Idriss Samaguty Tejan, said there were waste building materials abandoned at the site. He also informed the court that while Saidu Nallo left as head of the chancery building in 2021, the contractor, Jules Sanders did not hand over the keys to him until 2022. Tejan said since he was unable to check the quantum of materials at the site, he had to change the lock of the store after Sanders handed the keys to him. He also said emails from lawyers indicated that the work done by Jules Sanders was not properly done. He also noted that even though he was there as acting head of the chancery building, he only took full control after the contractor handed the keys to him. Tejan also said when he asked Sanders about the information concerning the building; he could not make it available to him. Copyright 2023 Politico (24/04/23) By Politico Staff Writer A global energy technology company, Octopus Energy in partnership with the Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) is set to build Sierra Leones first wind farm on Sherbro Island in Bonthe district, Southern Sierra Leone. A press statement issued by the team indicated that their visit to Sierra Leone is to progress with the wind farm project with Idris Elba and Siaka Steven of Sherbro Alliance Partners and to identify a suitable location for the installation which will consist of up to five wind turbines with solar and battery storage, accelerating access to affordable clean energy on the Island. It noted that the project which is set to commence this year will expand access to affordable clean electricity and create green job opportunities and training for the local people to help build and also maintain the wind farm. The group in their press statement described Wind turbines as a tried-and-tested technology that is complementary to other clean energy sources like solar and hydropower and that they use the power of wind to create electricity. A breeze makes the blades of a wind turbine spin, and as the blades turn, a generator inside converts this into electricity, it explains. The press statement highlighted that around 28% of Sierra Leones population is estimated to have access to electricity and that the Government is targeting 85% renewable electricity capacity by 2030, highlighting the massive potential to rapidly bring affordable green energy to more people in the country. The statement quoted Elba, saying that they looked at the pristine beaches of Sherbro Island, intending to create a culturally diverse international city that blends African tradition, dynamism, and pride with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, where development sits in harmony with sustainability. Were pleased to partner with Octopus Energy who share a profound commitment to sustainability and energy which will be a backbone to development on Sherbro, he said. Another Co-founder of SAP, Siaka Stevens stated that Sherbro Island City is being founded on sustainable principles, and will be fuelled by clean energy sources. He said, that over the last few years, their mission has been to transform Sherbro and ignite a new way of building African cities as the Continent needs new cities. We are focusing on making a significant impact across the region and beyond with partners in the UK, Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East. Our collaboration with Octopus is the first of many partnerships which will allow us to achieve this world-class vision, he said. The Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Energy Generation, Zoisa North-Bond was quoted in the statement speaking about his being in Sierra Leone and the progress made for developing the first renewables project and the first wind farm in the country too. She expressed excitement to be working with Idris, Siaka, and their team who have created a vibrant and sustainable future in Sherbro Island. Green energy represents a monumental opportunity for the country and across the African continent. And through projects like this, we can accelerate access to affordable, green electricity to even more people, she said. Octopus Energy Generation is one of Europes largest investors in renewable energy, its fund management specialist team was launched in 2010 with a mission to accelerate the transition to a future powered by renewable energy. The statement described SAP as an infrastructure development company co-founded by actor Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens, the grandson of the former President of Sierra Leone with a mission to transform Sherbro Island into a vibrant West African economic hub and dynamic eco-city. It referred to Sherbro Island as a designated semi-autonomous Special Economic Zone, which allows private sector entities and investors to lead in the island's development activities. Copyright 2024 Politico (14/02/24) By Nasratu Kargbo The Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations (UN) have designed an accountability framework which is said to be a gender scorecard, according to Minister of Gender and Childrens Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi. Whilst speaking at the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) summit in Freetown on the 9th February 2024 on the Theme Integrating Young Voices in Governance to Boost Intergenerational Justice in Decision-Making, the Minister explained that they have designed a gender scorecard in a bid to monitor ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) on whether or not they are implementing the Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment Act (GEWE). She said It is not about getting the Act and archiving it on the shelves, it is about how committed each ministry is in fighting gender discrimination and promoting gender equality and empowerment, the Minister stressed that they want to ensure that the GEWE Act is not just enacted, but also being implemented, to achieve the desired aim. The Minister assured members of ECOFEPA that her office is ready to dialogue and provide technical support to move the gender agenda across the region. Governance without women is paralyzed governance, she said. Mahoi said women make up for majority of the population in all ECOWAS member states. Speaking on strides theyve made as a ministry, Mahoi explained that the government under her ministry has established three structures such as the association of female ministers and deputy ministers, the network of female ministers and parliamentarians, and the association of female councilors. She also spoke about the increase in the numbers of women in parliament, cabinet, and deputy ministers, stating that it is the first time the country has recorded such numbers. The Minister explained that Sierra Leone participated in the validation and consultations in the ECOWAS supplementary Act on equal rights between women and men in ECOWAS which according to the Minister was enacted in 2015, she asked that they ensure the law is been fully implemented in member states. She said her Ministry is ready to work with the association, ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS Parliament. The ECOFEPA summit ended on the 10th of this month. Copyright 2024 Politico (14/02/24) By Saio Marrah The second witness for the prosecution in the on-going treason trial of Amadu Koita Makalo and 11 others has told the High Court that when they searched the compound of 8th accused Bai Mahmoud Bangura, they found military fatigue in his guard post Ahmed Tejan Salif, a superintendent at Hill Top Police Station, said this on Monday 12th February 2024. He said on the 29th of November last year, he was on duty at the station when he received information from Assistant Inspector General of Police, Sylvester Koroma, to the effect that he would be sending his men to join him to search Mohamed Jalloh, the second accused, who was alleged to be part of the failed coup. The witness said he was further informed that the second accused should be residing at Balma Rest, Off Sugar Loaf, Regent Village, from 10:30 to 11:00 pm. According to him he led the team of officers to that location where he met the 2nd accused and asked him to lead them into the premises of Bai Mahmoud Bangura, a former government minister. The witness said when they entered he introduced himself to Mr. Bangura and informed him that there were some military personnel hiding in his house. The court was told of how Mr. Bangura cooperated with them to search his house but that they found nothing of police interest there except at the guard post, where Jalloh was. He said they discovered seven sets of military uniform with two military caps, one military bag, one camp bed, a military desert boot, two black communication sets, a military hat, and one voter ID card bearing the name of the second accused, Mohamed Jalloh. The witness added that they then called Bai Mahmoud Bangura to the scene and then asked the 2nd accused about the ownership of the military items. Superintendent Salif said the 2nd accused told him they belonged to his brother, Sillah, who worked at Wilberforce. The witness Jalloh denied being a soldier but then burst into tears. According to the police superintendent, the 8th accused; Bai Mahmoud Bangura, told the security team that the 2nd accused was on duty on Sunday and was part of a team of officers that repelled the assailants. We had no option then but to arrest both of them and escort them to CID for further investigation. The first prosecution witness, a line manager of the Foreign Nationals Unit of the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department also told Justice Komba Kamanda on Monday 12 February 2024, that Amadu Koita Makalo was arrested in a kitchen cabinet at the home of the 5th accused, Alima Bangura. Freitznun Joshua Moosa said he was on duty at the CID in Freetown on the 4th of December last year when they received intelligence about assailants hiding in the premises of the 5th accused, Alima Bangura, a police officer attached to the CID. He said a joint team comprising police and military personnel proceeded to the residence at Sumaila Town in Freetown between 18:00 to 19:00 hours and that on reaching the house they cordoned the entire compound. He said: Since I personally knew her, I shouted her name to open the door. I did that several times, but she didnt open the door. The witness added: While within the compound trying to strategize how to gain access to the house, the lights went off in the apartment. That suggested she was keeping something there. According to the witness, after he opened the gate leading to the veranda of the 5th accuseds premises and tried to open the door it was locked so one of the widows close to the door was opened. A Member of the team passed his hand through the window and opened the door before we gained access inside the house. The witness told the court: We found 5th accused Alima Bangura in the room with her two kids. While I was interrogating her, I heard one of my team members (a Soldier) shouting that there was someone at the kitchen cabinet. The soldier pulled the person from the cabinet. The court also heard from the witness that he tried to interrogate the first accused Amadu Koita Makalo, but he didnt say a word and that eventually, another soldier entered the house and identified him as Amadu Koita Makalo when he shouted Koita nar you betray we? At that point I also questioned him to confirm whether he was Amadu Koita Makalo, but he didnt talk. The first military officer also brought out a mobile phone, which he said got from the kitchen cabinet. That phone belongs to Koita. The witness said he then cautioned the two accused (Amadu Koita and Alima Bangura) and told them that they were under arrest in connection with the then ongoing investigation into the November 26th failed coup before they were taken to the CID headquarters for further investigation. Under cross-examination by Lawyer A. Conteh representing the first accused, the witness said he didnt have a warrant of arrest and search warrant because the law provided for that in such circumstances. The witness, who said he was one of the three heads of the team that executed the operation, denied allegations that Koita was mercilessly beaten up by the team but admitted that when Koita was presented to CID, there was pictorial evidence of Koita having several bodily wounds. Answering questions from lawyer M.J. Kamara, the witness said he gets electricity supply from the national grid and that power normally goes off abruptly. The witness said the window through which the door to the house was opened is about a foot and a half from the door. Amadu Koita Makalo and Alima Bangura are among 10 other accused persons indicted for treason, misprision of treason, harboring, and unlawful wearing of military uniform and among other related offences as they attempted to overthrow the government of President Julius Maada Bio on November 26, 2023. The trial resumes today 14th February, 2024. Copyright 2024 Politico (14/02/24) ATLANTIC CITY The two local men seeking to open a cannabis store in a former bar on Albany Avenue grew up in the area and say their lives were deeply affected by drug enforcement. "I had no other choice but to be an entrepreneur," Christopher Aponte, 42, said in an interview Monday at the site where he and partner Miguel Lugo, 37, want to open a micro retail cannabis dispensary as social equity applicants. Aponte, a 2000 graduate of Ocean City High School who now lives in Atlantic City, said a marijuana conviction felony when he was 18 barred him from working in casinos and elsewhere. The problem is, the location where Aponte and Lugo have leased space the former Choice Bar at 470 N. Albany Ave. across from Bader Field is not in the city's "green zone" where cannabis businesses are allowed. Now, Mayor Marty Small Sr. is making a big push to get Albany Avenue west of the bridge included in the green zone, which is a commercial strip on the edge of the Chelsea Heights neighborhood. City Council took the first step to expand the green zone to Albany Avenue at its February meeting, when it introduced an ordinance to include the entrance to the city west of the Albany Avenue bridge, as well as Kentucky Avenue from Atlantic to Arctic avenues. The ordinance is up for a public hearing and final vote at the March 20 council meeting. The first vote on it failed at the February meeting, but then another vote was taken and it passed 5-4 after Small made a 15-minute speech about the need to bring more businesses to town and be seen as business friendly. Stockton to host panel on cannabis tourism in Atlantic City Stockton University will host a panel on cannabis tourism in Atlantic City at 1 p.m. March 7. Sixth Ward Councilman Jesse Kurtz continues to oppose allowing cannabis to get a foothold in Chelsea Heights, which he represents in part. While he supports Aponte and Lugo in their attempt to enter the industry, Kurtz said that can't be his first priority. "My number one concern is, there is not neighborhood support for cannabis to be in that area," Kurtz said. Aponte, a 6th Ward resident, said he knows many people there who are supportive of a cannabis business there rather than a bar. Councilman Muhammad Zia represents the 5th Ward, which includes the proposed site and other parts of Chelsea Heights. Zia's first vote was against cannabis expansion to Albany Avenue, but after Small's speech he changed his vote to yes. So did at-large Councilman Bruce Weekes. "I am going to people in the community," Zia said Friday when asked if his mind was made up to support the expansion. He said he will get more public input before making a final decision. Aponte and Lugo, however, pointed out that Kurtz and all council members but President Aaron "Speedy" Randolph voted May 18, 2022, for a resolution backing the two in their attempts to open a cannabis business at the same site. "They told us to build out and spend money," Aponte said of that early vote. CRDA members remain skeptical of weed plans Lack of funds and a long approval process have delayed the expansion of Atlantic Citys cannabis industry, even as fresh doubts arise. Some businesses have run out of money well short of opening, officials say. With yet another cannabis dispensary on the agenda, weed was again a hot topic for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on Tuesday. Randolph votes against all cannabis resolutions on principle. Kurtz now says he would vote differently on that resolution today, but thought at the time it was a preliminary vote and the location was not definite. Lugo and Aponte said their business will be retail only, with customers coming in, buying what they need and leaving. "We will close every day at 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.," Aponte said, unlike the bar that used to operate there and generated many noise and other complaints. "Neighbors will have peace and quiet during the summer." Security cameras will be tied into the Police Department and there will be no consumption on site, Aponte said. However, changes in state regulations could result in retail stores having the ability to allow consumption on their premises, Kurtz said. In January, the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission changed its rules to allow retail cannabis stores to add consumption areas. "The rules will take effect upon approval by the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law," according to a commission news release. Atlantic City Council reverses itself on Albany Avenue cannabis Albany Avenue west of the bridge was added back into an ordinance to expand the green zone where cannabis businesses are allowed, after a long debate by Atlantic City Council Wednesday night and an impassioned speech by Mayor Marty Small Sr. Dispensaries/stores must get municipal permission to add a consumption lounge, and microbusinesses must pay a $1,000 state fee while standard-size businesses must pay a $5,000 fee. Sharon Aloi, acting president of the Chelsea Neighborhood Association, said her group has not discussed the new ordinance, but in the past most members did not want it near their residential areas. "When all this was being discussed before, it was clear it wasn't going to be in stable neighborhoods, but that is exactly what they are trying to do now," Aloi said. Microbusinesses cannot be more than 2,500 square feet, cannot have more than 10 employees and cannot sell more than 1,000 pounds of cannabis a month, Aponte said. "That's for one year. After that we could expand, if it warrants it," Aponte said. But the location will limit the size, he said, because there are only 18 parking spots on the street next to the business. Kurtz's objection to having cannabis businesses on Albany Avenue goes beyond his concern about the Choice Bar location, he said. The ordinance would allow them from the bridge west to the u-turn where the entrance to the high school is located. Atlantic City Council to vote on sharing cost of new cops with schools Atlantic City Council will consider a resolution Wednesday night to share the cost of 12 new police officers with the Board of Education, to provide security in city schools. "The cannabis leadership in town has lost sight of the idea of what is an appropriate amount (of cannabis businesses) and appropriate locations," Kurtz said, "with their utter vehemence that it has to be allowed near the high school." He said he hopes Weekes and Zia reconsider their votes. Social equity businesses are those owned by people who have lived in an economically disadvantaged area or who have convictions for cannabis-related offenses, whether expunged or not, according to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Lugo, 37, is a chef at Kelsey's in Atlantic City whose parents immigrated from the Dominican Republic. His older brother was deported years ago over a drug conviction, he said. "I haven't seen him physically in 17 years," said Lugo, a 2004 graduate of Atlantic City High School. "He spent three years in South Woods State Prison. I used to visit him." As the youngest son, Lugo said he was determined to work hard and stay out of trouble. He graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College's culinary program and has worked as a line cook and chef since then. After more than 20 years of having his drug convictions follow him, the state's Clean Slate program made it possible to expunge his record, Aponte said. "As of last year I'm fully clear, my entire juvenile and adult record," he said. HAMMONTON One of the most loyal customers at Chimney Rustic Ales, Folsom resident Joe Snodgrass, sits there for about an hour, four days a week, and drinks a beer inside the brewery on Horton Street. MainStreet Hammonton thought about South Jersey residents like Snodgrass when it instituted the "Get A Coin, Save Some Coin" pilot program, in which customers who spend enough money in one of 12 stores receive a custom, wooden coin for a discount through March 17 at a different paired business across town. "I don't see why they would want to end this. It's a win-win," Snodgrass said of the program. Hammonton is looking for creative ways to increase foot traffic to the downtown businesses, said Mica D. McCullough, executive director of MainStreet Hammonton. MainStreet Hammonton wanted to try out the pilot program during a time of year when there would be fewer visitors shopping than the holiday season, McCullough said. MainStreet Hammonton's promotion and economic vitality committees signed off on the idea. A $250 grant from the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs paid for the materials that made the wooden coins and to make sure that the 12 jars holding the coins in the businesses were consistent, McCullough said. Since Snodgrass is a regular at Chimney Rustic Ales he loves the brewer's Ironworks IPA he received a wooden coin he could use for a discount at Bruni's Pizzeria on 12th Street. Another pizza place, Marcello's Trattoria on Bellevue Avenue, is closer to Chimney Rustic Ales, but one of goals of the pilot program is to bring people who patronize one side of town across the train tracks to the other side. Snodgrass would have received two large pies for $25 for his wooden coin, but he wanted pies with extras on them, one margarita pie and one white pie with broccoli, garlic and black olives. His bill was $44, but the coin gave him a discount worth $11, he said. A customer who spends $40 or more one time at Chimney Rustic Ales receives the Bruni's Pizzeria discount, said Daniel Borrelli, the brewery owner. If a person drinks two or three beers at Chimney Rustic and purchases a six-pack to drink at home, their bill will be more than $40. "Between 20 and 25 wooden coins have been given away already," said Borrelli about the coins distributed from his business for Bruni's. The program helps promote town businesses, Borrelli said. Chimney Rustic could use the additional foot traffic generated by patrons picking up the discount wooden coins at Bruni's and redeeming them. The brewery opened almost five years ago, and its costs have risen 41% since the COVID-19 pandemic, Borrelli said. "I'm hoping to see an increase of people walking through the door. There are so many breweries these days," Borrelli said. The idea of the "Get A Coin, Save Some Coin" campaign started with Patrick Bilazzo and Carlina Sacco, the co-owners of Makers Handmade, a handcrafted home goods store on 12th Street. During the holidays, Makers Handmade tried out the "Get A Coin, Save Some Coin" program with Exit 28 Boutique on Bellevue Avenue. Communities along White Horse Pike push for new development Nearly 7 acres of land along the White Horse Pike in Absecon that has sat dormant for 20 yea "We were sending customers back and forth," Sacco said. "People may know about the (different) businesses, but never go." When MainStreet Hammonton signed off on the pilot effort, Makers Handmade created 600 wooden coins to divide among the 12 businesses participating in the program. "A rising tide raises all boats," said Bilazzo, a lifetime resident who graduated from Atlantic County Institute of Technology in 2010. Customers who spend $150 at Makers Handmade receive $10 off their entire purchase at Exit 28 Boutique, Bilazzo said. Gina Ford, who lives in Hammonton, stops by Exit 28 once or twice a month. Ford received her wooden coin in December when only Makers Handmade and Exit 28 were involved. She used her Exit 28 discount to buy ornaments and Christmas gifts, including engraved mugs. She had been to Makers Handmade once when it opened. Her second time was when she redeemed her discount coin. Since Ford redeemed her coin, she has been back to Makers Handmade. "I think it's a great thing they are doing for small businesses," Ford said. "Once you get the person in the store, hopefully, they come back." Caryn Campanelli, owner of Forged Soul Fitness & Yoga on North Egg Harbor Road, said she was sent an email a month ago from MainStreet Hammonton to see if she would be interested in participating in the pilot program. Forged Soul Fitness partnered with Four K Nutrition on Central Avenue. A customer receives a wooden coin for Four K Nutrition from Forged Soul Fitness if they buy a retail item, a class pack or a membership, Campanelli said. If someone spends a certain amount of money at Four K Nutrition, they are given a wooden coin for a free class at Forged Soul Fitness. No one had taken advantage of the free class as of Feb. 27, Campanelli said. "It's a good way to support each other," said Campanelli about the town's businesses. "It's a great program. I hope to see it continue." Ash Wednesday Storm lecture: The Sea Isle City Historical Society will host a presentation titled Our Perfect Storm and Our Communitys Perfect Response, about the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962, at noon March 16. The Ash Wednesday Storm damaged Sea Isle and other communities along the East Coast, destroying its wooden boardwalk, flooding local homes, shuttering businesses and forcing many residents to relocate. Residents were trapped on the island for three days before emergency services were able to get to the island. Keynote speakers will include Joyce Molter, president of the Historical Society; Joseph LaRosa Jr., author and storm survivor; and Pat Haffert, resident and storm survivor. The presentation will occur in the main meeting room of the Sea Isle City branch of the Cape May County Library, 4800 Central Ave. Doors will open at 11 a.m. For more information, visit seaislemuseum.com. Keenan named Woman of Distinction: The Atlantic County branch of the American Association of University Women will honor Claudine Keenan as this years Woman of Distinction on April 6. Keenan is a coordinator of Tech Trek, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program for high school girls sponsored by Stockton University and AAUW. She also is the interim vice provost and former dean of education at Stockton. She has served on the New Jersey Board of Education, held leadership roles in the NJ Deans of Education Organization and been inducted into the Atlantic County Womens Hall of Fame. The ceremony will run from noon to 3 p.m. at the Carriage House, 25 S. Pitney Road in Galloway Township. For more information or to attend, register by March 20 at ac-nj@aauw.net. Wildwood casino fundraiser: The Wildwoods Convention Center will host the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerces Casino Royale fundraising event from 7 to 11 p.m. April 12. Attendees will be able to play casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, with proceeds benefiting the chambers mission to enhance the local community, create student opportunities and provide more than $275,000 in scholarships. Tickets are $50 each, with each ticket including $100 in playing money and the option to purchase more during the event. A cash bar and concessions will be available. For tickets or more information, visit eventbrite.com or call the chamber at 609-729-4000 or visit it at 3306 Pacific Ave. Ocean City Theatre Company lineup: The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company has announced its 2024 spring and summer lineup of classes, camps and performances for kids, teens and adults. Spring 2024 INTRO TO MUSICAL THEATRE: This class, open to students in kindergarten through third grade, covers basic acting, scene work, partner collaboration, stage blocking, dance and singing. Classes run from March 4 to April 8. MOVE IT, MOVE IT!: For third to fifth graders, this beginner dance class includes warm-ups, dance combinations and stamina building, with a focus on famous Broadway songs. Classes run from March 5 to April 9. INTERMEDIATE ACTING: For third to fifth graders, this advanced performing arts class enhances skills through monologues, partner work, projection, diction, memorization and incorporating props into character work. Classes run from March 5 to April 9. MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION WORKSHOP: For fifth to eighth graders, this class hones audition preparation skills for young, emerging artists aiming to ace their auditions. Classes run from March 6 to April 10. BROADWAY TAP BOOTCAMP: For eighth to 12th graders, this bootcamp immerses participants in the world of tap. Classes run from April 3 to May 8 and prepare students for OCTCs summer production of Anything Goes. MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE FOR ADULTS: Open to those 16 and older, this class enhances strength, stamina, balance and stage technique. Participants will exercise to Broadway and contemporary music, refining technique and incorporating character embellishments into their performances. Summer 2024 SUMMER KICKOFF MINI-CAMP MOTHER GOOSE IS LOOSE IN OCNJ: Kindergarten to third-grade campers will immerse themselves in classic rhymes and fairy tales, exploring themes of kindness, sharing and following rules. Classes run from June 24-28. THEATRE CAMP 1: PIRATES THE MUSICAL!: OCTCs annual collaboration with the city Recreation Department offers a high-seas adventure with pirates and unexpected twists. Open to third through eighth graders, the two-week camp runs from July 1-12 (excluding July 4). Sign up from May 1 at ocnj.us. THEATRE CAMP 2: DISNEYS 101 DALMATIANS KIDS: Based on the animated film, Disneys 101 Dalmatians KIDS brings Cruella De Vil and 101 adorable heroes to the stage in a fur-raising adventure. Open to first through eighth graders, this two-week camp runs from July 15-26. THEATRE CAMP 3: THE RAINBOW FISH THE PLAY: Experience the beloved tale of The Rainbow Fish in a non-musical play adaptation. Open to third through eighth graders, this two-week camp runs from July 29 to Aug. 9. FINAL MINI-CAMP: YEEHAW! OCTC IS GOIN COUNTRY: Trade your flip-flops for some cowboy boots in this Western-themed mini-camp. Campers will learn line dancing, country-themed Broadway musicals and bring folklore stories to life. Camp is open to students in kindergarten through third grade and runs from Aug. 12-16. ANYTHING GOES: This adaptation of Cole Porters Anything Goes offers music, dance and a classic boy-meets-girl tale. Open to ninth through 12th graders. Performances will be at the Music Pier on July 26 and 27. SEUSSICAL JR.: Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and other beloved Dr. Seuss characters come to life in a whimsical musical journey. Open to fifth through eighth graders. Performances will be at the Music Pier on Aug. 23 and 24. For more information, visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com or call 609-398-1118. 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. NEW YORK New obstruction of justice crimes were added Tuesday to charges against Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife that allege they accepted gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for favors the senator carried out to assist three businessmen. The charges were in a rewritten indictment returned against the Democrat in Manhattan federal court. Conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice charges were added against Menendez and his wife, Nadine. In a statement, the senator called the additions a flagrant abuse of power and claimed prosecutors were trying to get me to give in simply by making wild allegations again and again, without actually proving anything. He said the government has long known that I learned of and helped repay loans not bribes that had been provided to my wife. Not content or capable of meeting those facts fairly at trial, the government has now falsely alleged a cover-up and obstruction, Menendez said. "I am innocent and will prove it no matter how many charges they continue to pile on. David Schertler, a Washington-based lawyer for Nadine Menendez, declined to comment on the new allegations. An indictment already alleges that the couple conspired with three businessmen to accept the bribes in return for the senators help with their projects. Both have pleaded not guilty, along with two of the businessmen. A May trial has been scheduled. One businessman pleaded guilty to charges last week and agreed to testify at trial against the others. Judge rejects Sen. Bob Menendez's claims that search warrants in bribery case were unconstitutional A federal judge has rejected U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez's claims that search warrants leading to corruption charges and the discovery of gold bars and cash at his New Jersey home were unconstitutional. After his arrest last fall, Menendez, 70, was forced to relinquish his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but said he would not resign from Congress. According to an indictment, Menendez and his wife accepted gold bars and cash from a real estate developer in return for the senator using his clout to get that businessman a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund. Menendez also was charged with helping another New Jersey business associate get a lucrative deal with the government of Egypt. Among new allegations, prosecutors say Menendez caused his then-attorney to meet with prosecutors last June and September to say that the senator had been unaware until 2022 of a $23,000 mortgage payment one businessman made on Nadine Menendezs New Jersey home to avoid foreclosure or the money another defendant paid toward a Mercedes-Benz convertible. Prosecutors allege that Menendez also caused his lawyer to say in the September meeting that Menendez in 2022 had learned that the payments were loans. The prosecutors wrote that Menendez knew and had learned of both the mortgage company payment and the car payments prior to 2022, and they were not loans, but bribe payments. Prosecutors also said in the rewritten indictment that Nadine Menendez caused her lawyer to tell prosecutors last August that the mortgage payment and funds provided for the convertible were loans when she knew they were bribe payments. The new charges allege that the couple was trying to obstruct justice in the weeks before they were charged last September with a variety of crimes. How a congressmans challenge to New Jerseys first lady is shaking up a key Senate race In New Jersey, the Senate seat held by Democrat Bob Menendez has become competitive because he was indicted last year on federal corruption charges. And so far, Andy Kim, a Democratic congressman who's seeking the nomination, is winning some important support on the county level. Prosecutors also say that Nadine Menendez asked one businessmen after he received a subpoena for documents what he would tell investigators if they asked him about payments he made for the convertible. After the man responded that he would say the payments had been a loan, Nadine Menendez "said that sounded good, according to prosecutors. And, prosecutors said, Bob and Nadine Menendez both sought to return some of the bribe money, once they knew an investigation was underway. In particular, they noted, Bob Menendez in December 2022 wrote his wife a check for $23,569 the amount of the mortgage payment she had received with a handwritten memo: To Liquidate loan. The charges were added to the indictment just a day after Judge Sidney H. Stein rejected Menendezs claims that search warrants that led to the discovery of gold bars and cash at his New Jersey home were unconstitutional. Defense lawyers had alleged that documents submitted to magistrate judges to obtain search warrants for email records, phones and materials at Menendez's residence from January 2022 to last September were riddled with material misrepresentation and omissions. FBI raids on the residence in June 2022 resulted in the discovery of over $100,000 in gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash, much of it hidden in closets, clothing and a safe, prosecutors said. Menendez said the cash found in the house was personal savings he had put away for emergencies. In his statement Tuesday, Menendez said the rewritten indictment reveals far more about the government than it says about me. It says that the prosecutors are afraid of the facts, scared to subject their charges to the fair-minded scrutiny of a jury, and unconstrained by any sense of justice or fair play. It says, once and for all, that they will stop at nothing in their zeal to get me, he said. The son of Cuban immigrants, Menendez has held public office continuously since 1986, when he was elected mayor of Union City, New Jersey. In 2006, then-Gov. Jon Corzine appointed Menendez to the Senate seat he vacated when he became governor. A meth trafficking investigation led to the arrest of a Bettendorf man on child pornography charges Monday, Bettendorf Police said. Robert Lee Perreault, 44, is charged in Scott County District Court with 10 counts of possessing a depiction of a minor in a sex act. Each of the charges is a Class D felony under Iowa law that carry a prison sentence of five years. According to the arrest affidavits filed by Bettendorf Police Detective Sgt. Joshua Paul, on Jan. 11, officers served a search warrant on Perreaults residence after receiving information that he was selling methamphetamine. During the search officers seized .15 grams of meth, a THC cartridge and smoking devices. Perreault denied a consent search on his phone. Perreault went to the Bettendorf Police Department to be fingerprinted and took his cell phone along. His phone was confiscated as part of the narcotics investigation. Officers obtained a warrant to search the phone. During the initial search of the phone, officers located photos of female children posing while wearing little clothing, according to the affidavits. A second search warrant for Perreaults phone was obtained and a more thorough examination was performed. The second examination revealed 16,000 photos, many of which were of young females. According to the affidavits, Paul located at least 25 photos of naked minor females. The photos appeared to be photos taken from the internet and not photos taken by Perreault, Paul said. Perreault was arrested Monday and booked into the Scott County Jail. He was released from the jail after posting a $20,000 cash-only bond. He will make a first appearance on the charges at a later date, at which time a judge will schedule a preliminary hearing. With roots dating back to the 17th century in England, Ireland and Scotland, American square dance remained popular throughout the mid-to-late 20th century. Congress, too, recognized its cultural significance, designating it the national folk dance of the United States in 1982. Over time, square dancers aged, and the activity didnt draw younger participants. Recently, however, a resurgence has taken place in some areas of the country. We have dancers as young as 10 to dancers in their 80s. The ideal age for new square dancers tends to be empty nesters, said Christine Steffy, president of the Metropolitan Chicago Association of Square Dancers. They have time on their hands, energy and are looking for fun activities they can do with their spouse. The COVID-19 pandemic cut into the activity, but a program that recruits new dancers of all ages has helped her group to grow. The U Can Square Dance project was proposed by Chicago-area square dance leader Pam Berg before COVID hit. It was put on hold during the shutdowns, but we were able to pivot once restrictions were eased, said Steffy, who is from McHenry. What hooks many of our new dancers is the sense of teamwork that develops as they learn the many calls during three months of lessons. By the end of that time, the students have become a community a social network on the dance floor. Another hook for new square dancers is the puzzle-solving aspect. As soon as the caller gives a direction, the dancers have to execute the right steps, with the correct person(s), with the right timing. When dancers nail a complicated sequence and find themselves back at their home spot with their original partner, everyone celebrates, Steffy said. Square dance callers starts with easy directions such as circle left or into the middle and back. The calls become a little more complicated do si do, allemande left or California twirl. The fun part comes when the caller puts the calls learned together in time to the music and dancers do their best to keep up. Thats when it feels like Simon Says for adults. Lots of laughing. David and Penny Byers of Cowgill, Missouri, have been square dancing since 2014, when they were in their mid-50s. Penny Byers said she saw a Facebook post a friend had shared about square dance lessons, then set out to convince her husband to try it with her. Its so much fun. You cant ask for nicer people, she said. With square dancing, you have to make a commitment to it. You eventually fall in love with it and enjoy the social aspect of it. After COVID, it seems like people were looking for something more wholesome where they could connect with others and enjoy a family activity. Byers and her square dancing group spin around the floor to music from Lady Gaga, The Eagles and Santana. Im a classic rock guy, so I love when we square dance to rock, David Byers said. In their group, a family with four kids ranging in age from 15 to 25 participate. David said they see a lot of homeschool students learning to square dance because it counts as credit for physical education. Weve been taking our grandkids to square dance since they were born. I used to square dance with them in my arms in a square. Now theyre old enough to dance on their own, David said. Carolyn Grimes of Clinton, Iowa, enjoys square dancing with husband, Will. She said the average age of square dancers has been creeping up. When we started dancing in 1974, the average age was probably 45 and we were 29. Now I think the average age in Iowa is closer to 70, Grimes said. So you see, we have been dancing for 50 years, and it has been a really important part of our lives. We have made close friends, we have traveled to dance in many states including Hawaii and even Australia. I cannot even imagine what our lives would have been like had we not become square dancers. She agreed that square dancing took a hit during the pandemic, just like other in-person activities. To compensate for the social distancing, square dance clubs held Facebook Live dances so everyone could continue practicing their moves, but Grimes said it wasnt the same. It didnt provide the interaction with other dancers, the social aspect, she said. LEARN MORE Curious about square dancing? Visit The State Council of Illinois Square Dance Associations website at squaredanceillinois.com for more information about clubs, events and more. A 16-year-old girl died at a hospital Monday night after suffering from a gunshot wound. Just before 10 p.m. on Monday, March 4, Davenport police, fire and EMS responded to a home in the 1800 block of Grand Ave. for a report of a gunshot victim. Officers found a 16-year-old girl inside the home with an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital where she later died. The incident does not appear to be a random act of violence and remains under investigation. Davenport Community School District said in an email to the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus on Tuesday that the teen attended Mid-City High School. It did not identify her further. The district said it has called in its crisis response team and additional counseling for Mid-Citys students and staff. Those resources will be available through the week. District staff are working with law enforcement. School remained in session Tuesday, the district said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Davenport Police Department at 563-326-6125 or submit an anonymous tip to QC Crime Stoppers by visiting www.qccrimestoppers.com or downloading the P3 Tips app. Photos: Hawkeye's Kate Martin signs autographs at Zimmerman Honda in Moline DES MOINES A pilot program to study the effects of a monthly basic income may be the last in Iowa after House Republicans passed a bill to ban guaranteed income programs by counties and cities in the state. House File 2319 would ban cities and counties from implementing programs that provide regular cash payments to individuals that are unearned and that may be used for any purpose. The bill passed the House 55-43, largely along party lines. Seven Republicans joined all Democrats in voting no. It is now eligible for consideration in the Senate. Republican Rep. Steve Holt of Denison, who proposed the bill, said on Monday guaranteed income programs would hurt the states labor force and discourage work ethic among people receiving the payments. He said government money is better used on targeted aid programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In the end, I believe these programs will increase government dependency and poverty, as opposed to independence and prosperity, he said. ... It would appear to me that the goal of these pilot programs seems to be to lay the groundwork for a massive expansion of guaranteed income programs. Central Iowa program studying guaranteed income UpLift Iowa, a project involving four central Iowa local governments and a number of businesses and nonprofits, is the only existing guaranteed income program in the state. The pilot program provides 110 central Iowa residents with monthly payments of $500 that can be spent without restrictions. The program was set up to research the effects of regular monthly payments to low-income people. It uses a combination of public funding and donations by businesses and nonprofits. The program uses no state tax dollars, but does use federal pandemic relief dollars awarded to Des Moines and Urbandale. Uplift Iowa is set to last two years, ending in spring 2026. Under the bill, the project would be allowed to continue, but no future guaranteed income programs could be started. There are around 30 other similar programs operating across the U.S., according to The Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard. Democrats say bill hurts low-income Iowans The Iowa Association of Counties is registered opposed to the bill, along with a number of public health organizations. Tax relief organizations are registered in favor of the bill. Democrats said the bill is an attack on local control and would take away an option for cities and counties to help Iowa families in need. Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, said $500 is not enough money to cause someone to quit their job, and that it can be used to buy school supplies, stable housing or other means to ease a family's financial struggles or get out of poverty. This bill is nothing but a roadblock, she said. It removes local control and it is one more attempt to ensure that struggling Iowans continue to struggle. Democrats also questioned the need for the bill when low-income Iowans struggle to afford housing, child care, and other necessities. "What is the purpose of this?" said Rep. Monica Kurth, a Democrat from Davenport. "Why does this bill want to further take money away from those families that are working so hard to make ends meet?" These cities offer the most financial security for seniors These cities offer the most financial security for seniors These are the top cities where seniors are most financially secure The Iowa Supreme Court has suspended for two years the license of an attorney accused of dishonest behavior and attempting to swindle federal taxpayers. In January 2023, Grievance Commission of the Iowa Supreme Court recommended that the law license of David L. Leitner, now 68, be revoked by the court. That recommendation was based on charges made by the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board in March 2022, accusing Leitner of ethics violations related to four separate cases, and to an audit of client trust accounts. In making that recommendation, the commission cited Leitners potentially criminal act of helping a client hide assets from the federal government, and to what the commission called Leitners long pattern of deliberate misconduct and dishonesty. Leitner contested the commissions recommendation that his license be revoked, arguing that the disciplinary boards actions were abusive and had gone way too far. He has also argued that the board previously offered to resolve the case against him with a 60-day license suspension that he agreed to accept. The board, however, has called this a blatant misrepresentation of the facts, and showed evidence that Leitner had rejected the offer in writing, telling the board, I cannot survive financially without income for 60 days. In contesting his proposed license revocation, Leitner argued the Supreme Court should consider the fact that he has contributed to the legal profession by writing about ethics in various forums. The board counters that this claim is particularly eyebrow-raising when his misconduct involves financial fraud. The board said that while Leitner stood accused of wrongdoing in four separate cases, his conduct in just one of those cases warranted a license revocation on its own. Leitner, the board alleged, had helped defraud the federal government by hiding a clients assets and taking active steps to keep the government from ever finding out the money existed. Leitner, the board says, effectively swindled the federal government out of money that it rightfully should have possessed. The case in question involves Leitners representation of Iowa seed dealer Marvin Mitchell and the creation of a limited liability company called Foodprairie. In 2007, Mitchell was convicted of bankruptcy fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison after it was found that he had hidden assets from creditors by creating various business entities just before he declared bankruptcy. In 2013, while still owing at least $70,000 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and with federal liens against his properties, Mitchell allegedly hired Leitner to create Foodprairie and had Leitner declare himself to be the managing member of the corporation. Mitchell was selling seed at that time and allegedly routed his income from the business to Foodprairie, where he could access the money while concealing it from the federal government. The creation of a company to hide assets could be criminal and certainly fraudulent, dishonest (and) deceitful, the disciplinary board said. The whole point of Leitners Foodprairie scheme was to deprive the federal government of the funds to which it had rights. Other matters cited by the Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Grievance Commission included a divorce case in which Leitner allegedly made undisclosed alterations to a custody agreement. A district court judge then determined Leitner and his client had engaged in fraud by modifying the agreement with a specific intent to deceive. In deciding what sanctions to impose, the Iowa Supreme Court found that two aggravating factors in the case against Leitner were his refusal to admit wrongdoing and his attempt to mislead the commission about his actions. He takes no responsibility for his worst behavior, the court stated. Leitner has repeatedly breached his duty of honesty by assisting his clients efforts to mislead creditors, making false statements to the court, defrauding opposing counsel in a dissolution matter, knowingly providing a false answer on (a questionnaire), and trying to mislead the commission. This pattern of deceit raises an inference that Leitner is unfit to practice law. The court, however, ruled that Leitner was more deserving of a two-year license suspension than a license revocation, citing his lack of prior disciplinary history. The court also noted that while Leitner took steps to thwart the governments efforts to recover the money it was owed, there was no evidence to suggest anyone in the government had made such an effort. At worst, the court reasoned, Leitner had merely hoped to deceive the government should any collection efforts take place. Leitner could not be reached for comment, but in filings related to the proposed license revocation, he argued he had been open and had offered great assistance to the disciplinary boards investigators. I was being as honest and open as I could be, he told the Grievance Commission. I know its foolish to try and make stuff up or hide things because then you just dig yourself a hole. Leitner is a 1979 graduate of the University of Iowa Law School. He began practicing law in Iowa later that same year. A Pennington County judge held 21-year-old Arkadius Wright Sr. on no bond during his initial appearance in court for murder Monday morning. The Box Elder man is accused of shooting and killing 25-year-old Esther Wolfe on Feb. 21 in Rapid City. Wright's bond was set at $750,000 on his Feb. 28 warrant, but Pennington County State's Attorney Lara Roetzel asked Magistrate Judge Janki Sharma on Monday to remove Wright's chance at any bond. Roetzel said Wright allegedly shot Wolfe between the eyes in front of witnesses just before 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 as she stood on a corner near East North Street and Pine Street in Rapid City. "Twenty-five-year-old Esther Wolfe was publicly executed," Roetzel said. The state alleges 23-year-old Ezekiel Mayweather initiated the "unprovoked and completely premeditated" killing based on a belief Wolfe had involvement in the death of his brother, 20-year-old Michael Mayweather. Mayweather died in 2019 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law enforcement's investigation. Roetzel said Ezekiel Mayweather found Wright to "do his bidding," and surveillance footage showed Wright leaving Mayweather's vehicle before taking a "direct and certain route" towards Wolfe. The killing occurred on the same date as Michael Mayweather's birthday, a detail the state highlighted after Mayweather's arrest on Feb. 22 for aiding and abetting first-degree murder. Wright was arrested on March 1 for first-degree murder after he fled to the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Matthew Montez, a friend of Wolfe's father, spoke on behalf of the family at Wright's hearing. He asked the judge for no bond. He said the charges against Wright and the time he faces life in prison or the death penalty "gives him nothing to lose." Montez expressed concern for the family's safety and for law enforcement's safety if Wright is out among the public. Wright stated he understood the charges against him, the potential penalties, and his rights, but he did not comment on bond. He did not have a lawyer appointed to him at the time of the hearing, so a lawyer did not speak on his behalf. Wright is also held on a failure to appear for a simple assault and drug possession case. Sharma set bond in that case at $2,500 cash or surety. Wright is scheduled to appear in court at 10:30 a.m. March 19 for a preliminary hearing. The state will present evidence to a judge, who must decide if there is enough to formally charge Wright. Preliminary hearings are open to the public. They are often cancelled in favor of a grand jury hearing, which is closed to the public. Grand jury proceedings serve the same purpose as a preliminary hearing, but a panel of jurors decides if charges should go forward. Mayweather, who is also held on no bond, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. March 12. For avid hikers who are already dreaming about places to explore this summer, Marcus Heerdts new book is likely to inspire some adventures. Heerdts travel guide, Hiking South Dakota, chronicles 50 outstanding hikes throughout South Dakota. Hiking South Dakota will be released March 5 by Falcon Guides. The book primarily highlights day hikes for beginning and more advanced hikers. There is also information about trail systems with one-day or multiple-day hikes. The description of each hike includes a map, photos and useful tips to help people be well-prepared and make the most of every trek to explore the states varied landscapes. The books introduction offers advice for planning a hike, tips for dealing with ticks, mosquitoes, snakes, poison ivy and more. Heerdt also explains trail etiquette and where hikers might or might not have cell phone service. Heerdt, of Hot Springs, moved from his home state of Minnesota to eastern South Dakota in 2006. A lifelong visitor to the Black Hills, Heerdt has lived in the region since 2018. Hiking South Dakota reflects his expertise gained from hiking in all 50 states, Yukon Territory, Spain, Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Heerdt already had some favorite South Dakota hikes and locations in mind when he began researching Hiking South Dakota in 2022. He spent at least a year driving about 6,000 miles around the state and hiking about 200 miles as he traversed and photographed the hikes he documented for his book. It was a lot of work traveling across the state, Heerdt said. It was a big project. Ive always been a lifelong hiker, and I have an adventurous spirit. Ive always been a big traveler. Heerdt began with a list of about 90 hikes around the state and narrowed that to 50 that are highlighted in Hiking South Dakota. The book divides the state into regions: Glacial Lakes, Southeast, Missouri River, Badlands and Black Hills. In each region, the book notes which trails are in state parks, national parks and national forests such as Black Hills National Forest. At each hike, Heerdt said he used a handheld GPS and a GPS watch to record mileages on the hikes. The books descriptions for every hike include a map, the length of the trail, elevation, and directions to aid hikers in navigating the hike from start to finish. The miles and descriptions are very important to document. Thats one of the ways that the maps in the book are created, and Im also documenting the total elevation gain, how difficult it is, how long it takes the average person to hike it, if there are fees to enter the place, if its dog-friendly or not, what the trail surface is, nearest towns, and everything along the trail and what types of trees and wildlife to look for, Heerdt said. Some of the destinations in Hiking South Dakota are favorites of Heerdts he enjoyed exploring again. Every week, basically I would visit a region [of the state], Heerdt said. It was nice to go back to Oakwood Lakes State Park northwest of Brookings. I spent a lot of time there in college and I hadnt been back since. Its still a very nice place to hike. Youre surrounded by water. There are eight interconnected lakes at that state park. Farm Island Recreation Area near Pierre and Fort Pierre is good for camping and hiking, Heerdt said, and its intriguing because its the site of abandoned ruins remaining from Civilian Conservation Corps camps. Hiking South Dakota includes 27 hikes throughout the Black Hills and Badlands National Park. I will always say hiking at Wind Cave is my favorite. It has a lot of diversity, and not a lot of people probably know [the park] has more than 30 miles of surface trails and lots of diverse wildlife. Youre hiking among the bison and pronghorns and prairie dogs, Heerdt said. Heerdt contacted public land agencies, historians, geologists, authors and tourism representatives to incorporate information about each region of the state and its history. Custer County Search and Rescue contributed safety recommendations to follow while hiking. I tried to create a well-rounded hiking guide. Theres lots of good information about geography, geology, history and information about wildlife, Heerdt said. Hiking South Dakota is beautifully illustrated by photos of locations, wildlife and some of the unique features that can be seen on hikes. Heerdt took most of the photos, and the book includes the work of other South Dakota photographers as well. Hiking South Dakota is Heerdts fifth book. Hes written two other books for Falcon Guides Hiking the Black Hills Country, Third Edition and Best Easy Day Hikes Black Hills Country, Second Edition and Heerdt is the author of two books about Hot Springs history. Hiking South Dakota should be available locally at gift shops, Black Hills National Forest Offices, and at national parks. Roamin Around and Mitzis Books in Rapid City carry the previous books Heerdt has written for Falcon Guides. (Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the House of Delegates' version of the state budget included funding for VCU to begin planning the new school.) Virginia Commonwealth University plans to build a new dental school on its existing health system campus, opening the long-sought-after Public Safety Building for other uses. VCU wants to construct a dental school at 900 Turpin St., near the Larrick Student Center that overlooks Interstate 95, the university said Monday. The move means VCU is no longer pursuing the Public Safety Building for this project. The Public Safety Building at East Clay and North Ninth streets was the site of a failed development project that VCU Health paid $73 million to exit. Its unclear what will happen next to the downtown parcel, which is scheduled for demolition. Asked for comment, Brian McNeill, a spokesperson for VCU, did not say if the university or health system will continue pursuing the site. VCU has the only dental school in the state. Its three buildings are along East Leigh Street, between North 11th and North 12th streets. They are more than 70 years old and do not meet patient care needs, VCU said. Maintenance on the aging facilities will cost $75 million, the university said, and old facilities make VCU less competitive against other dental schools. VCU produces about 100 dentists and 20 dental hygienists each year and is the states largest provider of dental care for patients with Medicaid. A new building would house classrooms, patient clinics and laboratories. VCU has identified a four-acre site slightly north of the current dental school already owned by the health system. The location houses the College of Health Professions, the student center, a parking deck and a vacant residential building called Cabaniss Hall. The city of Richmond assessed the property for $121 million. Last year, VCU proposed building a $415 million dental school on the Public Safety Building site. Its also where in 2021, VCU Health planned to partner with the city of Richmond and a developer for a $316 million development that would include a 17-story office tower and other buildings. But when VCU Health realized the project was not feasible, it paid $73 million to back out, a move that has drawn criticism. As part of its exit agreement, VCU Health is paying for demolition of the Public Safety Building, which is owned by the city. VCU Health hired local firm DPR Construction to tear it down, and the original contract required the work be done by March 26. But before demolition can begin, the building needs remediation, and the university needs a permit from the city, McNeill said. We are moving as quickly as possible on both fronts, McNeill added. It is unclear what the city will do with a vacant plot at the heart of the city. A spokesperson for Richmond did not respond to a request for comment Monday. VCU has pursued the Public Safety Building for more than a decade, calling it a potential front door to its health system campus. Before VCU can move forward with planning the new dental school, it needs approval from lawmakers. In December, Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed allotting $5.2 million for VCU to begin planning the new school. Legislators in the House kept the funding in their proposal, but the Senate did not. Lawmakers also struck the funding last year. Henrico County police on Tuesday announced that officers had traveled to North Carolina to arrest two suspects connected to the Oct. 10 homicide of Aarin Lamaurice Anderson in Glen Allen. Tauric Lentrell Cobb, 18, and Erving Maurice Barnes Sr., 37, both of Glen Allen, were taken into custody earlier this week in Garner, N.C., where police said they fled after the shooting. The arrests were made by Henrico police with assistance from Garner police officers and a regional SWAT team. Both arrests were made without incident, Henrico police said. The suspects currently are in North Carolina awaiting extradition to Henrico. Officers initially responded to the area of Telegraph Road and Brookwood Glen Drive on the evening of Oct. 10 for the reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers found Anderson, 27, of Henrico, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Officers attempted life-saving measures on Anderson before he was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. Cobb has been charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and two counts of attempting to possess or distribute a Schedule I drug, according to court records. Barnes has been charged with conspiring to possess and distribute a Schedule I drug. The shooting remains under investigation. From the Archives: Scenes from Grace Street 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. Virginia lawmakers have approved a bill that could free people imprisoned for marijuana-related convictions. Virginia legalized the recreational possession of cannabis by adults in 2021, and legislators recently passed a bill that would establish a legal market to buy and sell marijuana. But people convicted of marijuana offenses remain in jail. Up until now, we still have not addressed those people, said Sheba Williams, who leads a group that helps people after they are released from prison. The House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 696 by a vote of 52-43 on Monday, with support from every Democrat and one Republican. The Senate already passed it on a party-line vote last month. The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, but it is unclear if he will support the measure. Asked on Monday, a spokesperson for the governor did not indicate Youngkins preference. Youngkin has previously said he is not interested in signing the bill to legalize buying and selling of recreational cannabis. There were roughly 400 people imprisoned in Virginia for marijuana-related offenses, according to Department of Corrections data from 2022. Under the bill, anyone imprisoned for possession, manufacturing or distributing marijuana before July 1, 2021, would have a hearing scheduled by the end of this year to consider modification of their sentence. Those who were convicted of a marijuana offense and another offense would have a hearing scheduled by early next year, as long as the other crime was not violent. The court would be directed to consider that marijuana has been legalized and to vacate or modify the persons sentence, unless the state can demonstrate doing so would go against the public interest. Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of a group called Marijuana Justice, said she worries the state will approve a legal market but leave those imprisoned behind. This is really important for the hundreds of people still inside, with related offenses, to receive a fair process to see if theyre eligible for this type of justice, Wise said. Some in jail are serving sentences of 20 years just for marijuana, Williams said. Since possession was legalized in 2021, cannabis in Virginia has ballooned into a $3 billion industry all on the illicit market. Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, was the lone Republican to vote in favor of the legislation on Monday. Mackenzie Babichenko, a prosecutor in Hanover County, said the bill could free people convicted of crimes unrelated to marijuana as long as the person was convicted of both on the same day. The Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys opposes the bill, she said. The legislation would not require that the two crimes be connected. Both convictions could be vacated as long as the convictions occurred on the same day and the other crime was not violent. The bill would not require these people be released from prison, only that they receive a hearing. Today in history: March 5 Video 1770: The Boston Massacre 1868: Andrew Johnson 1927: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1933: The Nazi Party 1946: Winston Churchill 1953: Josef Stalin 1960: Elvis Presley 1963: Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins 1977: Jimmy Carter 1998: The Moon 2006: AT&T 2011: Alberto Granado 2011: Egypt 2016: Bernie Sanders 2016: Ted Cruz 2020: Coronavirus 2020: Elizabeth Warren 2020: Stock Market A bill that would allow terminally ill people to get help to end their lives before the pain and suffering of their syndrome becomes too much to bear will not face its final General Assembly hurdle this year. The House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee decided on Monday to carry the bill over until the 2025 session. The move formally keeps the matter open but is often a quiet way of derailing a bill. The committee acted on a voice vote. Its approval was needed if the bill was to move to the full House, one of the last steps before reaching Gov. Glenn Youngkins desk. The bill, Senate Bill 280, would set a multistep process for people with only a few months to live to seek medication to end their lives. Two different doctors would have to separately determine that a patients disease is terminal and that the patient is mentally competent to decide to end his or her life. In addition, a person would have to have completed an advance directive, make two separate oral requests, spaced two weeks apart, and complete a written form. It would be an option only available to terminally ill adults, not to minors, and would be completely voluntary, the bills sponsor, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, told the committee. The patient, not the doctor, would administer the medication. Hashmi said the bill is for individuals who might be seeking to alleviate their suffering at end of life, noting that U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, who is suffering from a terminal condition called progressive supranuclear palsy, supports the bill. As the bill made its way through the state Senate, which approved it on a 21-19 party line vote, Wexton wrote a letter urging passage, saying that It has become clear that no matter how many medications I take or how many hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy I do, I cannot stop PSPs inevitable progression. Wexton added that such a law would return control over when, where, and how our stories end to us, not to our diseases. Del. Michelle Lopes Maldonado, D-Prince William, said: As somebody who has lived with friends who have died from multiple sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and who currently has a relative with ALS, I have seen the end of life and what options are and are not available. She said she strongly supported the measure. But Del. Mark Earley Jr., R-Chesterfield, said he had concerns with it, even after Hashmi amended it with additional measures meant to protect patients from a too hasty or ill-considered decision. I think the fundamental purpose of government is actually one of the top fundamental purposes is to protect human life, especially innocent human life. And I think this sanctions the opposite of that, he said. Medically assisted death is legal in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Lobby Day at the Virginia General Assembly 2024 Before he became director of Virginias Department of Environmental Quality in 2022, Michael Rolband headed a consulting firm that did work for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Some say Rolbands past relationship with the pipeline creates a conflict of interest for the leader of a state agency that enforces environmental regulations rules that DEQ has cited Mountain Valley for violating in the past. I think thats a huge conflict of interest, Donna Pitt of Preserve Giles County said last month, as she watched muddy water in a natural spring flow past her from a nearby pipeline construction site in Newport. No wonder they havent responded, Pitt said of DEQs silence about her complaint that sediment was being washed into nearby Sinking Creek. In 1991, Rolband founded Wetland Studies and Solutions Inc. The natural resources consulting firm was later hired by Mountain Valley to provide advice on dealing with the impacts of running a 42-inch diameter natural gas pipeline through streams and wetlands. By the time Rolband was appointed to head DEQ two years ago, the agency had cited Mountain Valley with more than 300 violations of erosion and sediment control regulations during construction that continues today. The company was fined $2.15 million as part of a 2019 consent decree. At the time, state officials said the legal action was designed to crack down on future violations. But since work resumed last summer under Rolbands watch, Mountain Valley has so far been cited for just two violations of the consent decree and fined $2,500. What happened in Newport is not unique along the roughly 100 miles of the pipeline in Virginia, Russell Chisholm, co-director of Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights coalition, told the State Water Control Board during a Feb. 23 public hearing. DEQs failure to act, Chisholm said, is part of a pattern that reinforces the public perception that the project is self-regulated, self-investigated and allowed to continue polluting with impunity. Amy Nelson of Blacksburg, who said she has seen sediment in streams along the path of the 303-mile long pipeline as a certified water quality monitor, urged the agency to do more. DEQs failure to enforce its regulations and hold MVP accountable for violations has emboldened MVP to flaunt those regulations, Nelson said. A perceived conflict of interest Rolband who was present at the recent public hearing but did not speak from his seat at the dais twice declined invitations for an interview with The Roanoke Times, made by emails to DEQs public information officer on Feb. 6 and Feb. 26. But in documents provided to the newspaper in response to a Virginia Freedom of Information Act request, he acknowledged shortly after taking his job that his past dealings with Mountain Valley raises a perceived conflict of interest. In a memorandum sent to top DEQ officials and the Virginia Attorney Generals Office dated Feb. 15, 2022, shortly after he was appointed DEQ director by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Rolband wrote that he previously had business interests that were involved in work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline. I have divested, or am in the process of divesting myself, from those business interests, he wrote. However, to avoid any perceived conflict of interest under state law, the memorandum stated, Rolband delegated all of his authority over the pipeline to James Golden, DEQs director of regional operations. The following year, in a second memorandum addressed to the same officials dated March 23, 2023, Rolband revoked that delegation. He wrote that he had removed himself from all personal or business interests with Mountain Valley, which in the past involved consulting for which he was paid an hourly rate. Rolband did not mention Wetlands Studies and Solutions in either memoranda. A spokeswoman for DEQ declined to comment when asked for details, writing in an email that the agency is not aware of the details of the contractual agreement between WSSI and MVP. Mountain Valley, however, confirmed that the consulting firm has worked for the company. MVP has been fortunate to have access to a deep roster of talented environmental consultants and firms, including WSSI, which we have been able to call on to provide specialized expertise for any potential issues that may arise, spokeswoman Natalie Cox wrote in an email last week. A spokeswoman for the attorney general declined to say whether the office is satisfied with the way Rolband handled questions about the conflict of interest issue. The OAG serves as DEQs counsel and therefore we cannot comment due to attorney client privilege, Victoria LaCivita wrote in an email. WSSIs vice president of operations, Brian Chromey, also declined to comment. Bob Holsworth, a former dean at Virginia Commonwealth University and a longtime observer of state government, said it appeared to him that Rolband acted responsibly. I can understand why some people in the environmental community wouldnt trust his judgment, Holsworth said. But thats a little different from saying that the position of the agency would be any different had someone else been appointed to the job by Youngkin, a supporter of Mountain Valley, he said. Its not an absolute bright-line case, and its the kind of thing you would expect when you have a pro-business governor recruiting people from the business community. No one interviewed for this story questioned Rolbands qualifications. In a story headlined Stormwater Champions, a news service managed by the Water Environment Federation described him as playing a leading role in protecting water bodies from the impacts of development. As the founder of WSSI, headquartered in Gainsville, Virginia, Rolband has left a significant mark on the Washington, D.C., area through his work, according to the article in Stormwater Report. Pitt, of Newport, acknowledged that the transition of environmental officials from the private sector to government, or the other way around, is not new. All of these places have revolving doors, she said. You get an expert and the reason hes an expert is because he was part of the industry. Then he gets hired by the government. Is that a conflict of interest? Pitt asked. Its a conflict of interest in the ethical sense, perhaps. Time to go on with life DEQ defended its record over the past six years. Work on the pipeline began in early 2018 but was stalled repeatedly by legal challenges until last summer, when Congress passed a law that fast-tracked the $7.6 billion projects completion. As a regulatory agency, DEQ is required to, and does, uphold and enforce all applicable regulations, spokeswoman Irina Calos wrote Friday afternoon in an email. Mountain Valley says it plans to complete the pipeline by the end of June, providing a needed source of natural gas to markets on the East Coast. Since construction resumed last summer, teams from DEQ and a third-party monitoring firm have conducted about 40 inspections a week, in addition to responding to citizen complaints, Calos said. Construction crews are required to correct problems with erosion control measures that are identified in the field within 24 or 72 hours, depending on their severity. Once a quarter, DEQ reviews the cases to determine if civil penalties are called for under the 2019 consent decree. For the period between June 11 and Sept. 10 of last year, DEQ found two cases in which timely improvements were not made, imposing the total fine of $2,500. A review of the most recently completed quarter, from Sept 11 through Dec. 10, has not been completed, although Calos said action is expected soon. From last August through Feb. 9, DEQ responded to a total of 87 complaints from the public. None of those resulted in findings of non-compliance. Many of the public complaints were duplicate reports of the same event, Calos said. Pipeline opponents, however, say state inspectors are slow to respond to infractions that citizen monitors find at the scene. Records from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the lead agency overseeing construction of the pipeline, show repeated problems. A review of weekly environmental compliance reports, filed from Dec. 31 through Feb. 17, document at least 38 cases in Virginia of sediment washed by rainfall from construction sites, often into streams and wetlands. A group of 29 environmental and community groups asked DEQ last month to halt construction until Mountain Valley can demonstrate its compliance with state guidelines. No such stop-work order was issued, and the agency made no reply to a Feb. 8 letter from the groups. David Sligh of Wild Virginia helped compile the 17-page letter, which included detailed descriptions of cases in which sediment infiltrated Sinking Creek, the Bottom Creek watershed on Bent Mountain, and other water bodies along the pipelines route, which runs from northern West Virginia, through Southwest Virginia, to connect with an existing pipeline near the North Carolina line. DEQs failure to respond to the letter is a slap in the face, particularly to the people who are suffering directly from MVPs abuse of the environment and our community, Sligh said. Sedimentation which can clog waterways, impede wildlife and aquatic vegetation, contribute to flooding and increase the cost of treating drinking water is listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a common form of water pollution. Pipeline opponents say cases of muddy runoff polluting water bodies began to increase in early January, as rainfall picked up, and are now as bad as the infractions that led to the $2.15 million consent decree in 2019. Supporters of the pipeline counter that the problems have been prolonged by repeated legal challenges from opponents, which have led to permits being thrown out time and time again. Those supporters include Rolband, who spoke as a private citizen to the State Water Control Board at a meeting in 2021, after he retired from WSSI and before he was appointed director of DEQ. The construction of almost any pipeline has temporary environmental impacts like the ones seen with Mountain Valley, he said. Those problems go away when the job is finished and final restoration controls are put in place. Thats what we have to do, Rolband told the board. So somehow weve got to come together, get this project done, in the ground and restored, and go on with life. Cities with the worst commute in Virginia Cities with the worst commute in Virginia #25. Danville #24. Falls Church #23. Staunton #22. Waynesboro #21. Winchester #20. Petersburg #19. Alexandria #18. Virginia Beach #17. Hampton #16. Hopewell #15. Poquoson #14. Salem #13. Portsmouth #12. Colonial Heights #11. Norfolk #10. Newport News #9. Fairfax #8. Fredericksburg #7. Harrisonburg #6. Suffolk #5. Roanoke #4. Richmond #3. Chesapeake #2. Manassas #1. Manassas Park Virginia could create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board if Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs legislation heading to his desk With a Senate version of the bill having already cleared both chambers, the Senate passed House Bill 570 on Tuesday on a vote of 25-15. Once bills clear both chambers, the governor can sign them into law, seek amendments or veto them. The board would have the authority to review sudden price increases on prescription medicine and set a limit on what pharmaceutical manufacturers can charge people for them. The proposal cleared the Senate last year with bipartisan support before being voted down in a then-GOP-led committee. Democrats typically carry the legislation, but Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, signed onto the bill this year to lend his support from the beginning. Too often we go to the General Assembly and write bills that may just affect our region or one interest, but this is one of those bills thats going to affect all of us at one time or another, he said in a news conference last summer when announcing intentions to try again on the bill. Lawmakers involved in the bills say they have heard from constituents who have either struggled to pay for their medications or who have had to make the choice to forgo medications in order to pay rent or keep groceries in their households. While the bills have fared better so far than last year, they not been without opposition. Skeptics argue that the measure could make Virginia less attractive to clinical trials and pharmaceutical companies that would not want to comply with price caps. The artificial setting of prices and reimbursement caps would make it unfeasible for certain drugs to be sold in Virginia, advocacy group Virginia Bios CEO John Newby wrote in a recent letter to Youngkin. Advocacy group Freedom Virginia has supported the bill each year. Governor Youngkin has made affordability a cornerstone of his governorship, and he should stand with the people of Virginia and sign this legislation, Freedom Virginia director Rhena Hicks said in a recent news release. Other cost reduction efforts Also on Tuesday, House Bill 1370 passed the Senate on a vote of 34-5. The bill would prevent medical debt from being reported to credit bureaus. Lauren Edwards, a government affairs manager with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, said medical bills can weigh down credit scores and noted the role that plays in people climbing out of debt. If you go to the hospital and you have a $2,000 bill, and that becomes medical debt that goes on your credit report that impacts your credit score, she said. Credit scores are looked at for a range of things like renting an apartment, getting a mortgage or auto loan or buying a cellphone. While not erasing the debt someone owes, it would prevent that debt from appearing on their credit score. It really helps that patient maintain their financial stability while theyre paying off that medical debt, Edwards said. The Senate passed House Bill 34 by Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Portsmouth, on a vote of 26-14. Clarks bill would prevent medical debt collection if the process has not begun within three years of the due date noted on the final invoice for a health care service. Other efforts to curb issues associated with medical costs have had mixed results so far this session. Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, took another stab at a 2022 bill that would have established an Office of Pharmaceutical Services. It did not progress out of committee this year. Meanwhile, efforts to increase transparency for pharmacy benefit managers are on their way to the governors desk. If it becomes law, the legislation would impose a $5,000 per day fine on unlicensed pharmacy benefit managers and would increase reporting requirements about rebates and fees collected. The legislative session is set to conclude on Saturday. Youngkin will then have hundreds of bills to review and act upon. Most commonly misused prescription drugs in the US #8. Morphine #7. Tramadol #6. Codeine #5. Hydrocodone #4. Oxycodone #3. Fentanyl #2. Hydromorphone #1. Buprenorphine The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission rarely jumps into political debate at the General Assembly, but the legislative watchdog agency is publicly disputing Gov. Glenn Youngkins characterization of its work in a groundbreaking report it issued last year on state funding of K-12 schools. Youngkin told assembly budget negotiators in a letter last week that JLARC used outdated data in finding that Virginia lags far behind other states in funding for public education. The report prompted the House of Delegates and state Senate to each propose more than $1 billion in new spending on K-12 schools in the state budget they are expected to adopt later this week. JLARC Director Hal Greer said the governors letter includes a number of inaccuracies and mischaracterizations about the commission study. He said it based its estimates for recommending $3.5 billion in additional K-12 investments on data from last year, not four years ago. The report found that Virginia lagged behind the average K-12 funding in other states by $1,900 per student, or about 14%. The study based its cost estimates from updated data last year, but Greer said none of our reports recommendations were based on a particular year of data. Instead, we developed our recommendations to address specific flaws in the current (funding) formula that did not meet certain criteria, such as whether the formulas assumptions reflect prevailing practice in school divisions, he said in a letter to 12 members of the budget conference committee. When the formula did not meet the criteria, we recommended formula changes. Youngkin contended that he and the legislature had collaborated to increase investments in K-12 education by $4 billion in the last two years, raising per-student funding by 40% and teacher pay by 17%, including raises of 10% that his predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam, included in the two-year budget he proposed before leaving office in January, 2022. To that point, I fear that outdated data sources are distracting us from recognizing the significant progress that we have made together since 2022, the governor said. Greer acknowledged in his letter to assembly budget negotiators that Youngkins letter correctly cites the recent progress on increasing state funding for teacher salaries. But he said the governor overstated per-pupil spending by including one-time funding to help local school divisions modernize outdated school buildings and creating lab schools that offer a non-traditional approach to public education. He also disputed a graphic in the governors letter that purports to show a JLARC funding target for the fiscal year that ended in mid-2020, which Greer called fabricated because the commission had not set such a target. Greer said JLARC used data from the 2020 fiscal year from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic solely for benchmarking against other states because that was the most recent available data from other states. Many states have substantially increased funding for education since FY20, so it is not yet known whether Virginia would compare more or less favorably now to other states in terms of total state and local spending, he said. Youngkin spokesman Christian Martinez cited significant factual discrepancies between national and state data. Undisputed is the fact that Virginia has infused a record investment into our education system, and the byzantine and outdated K-12 funding formula makes apples-to-apples comparisons incredibly difficult, as evidenced by JLARCs letter, Martinez said. The governor appreciates their recognition of the bipartisan efforts of the administration and the General Assembly to close the teacher pay gap, a priority since his first day in office. However, the Virginia Education Association disputed the governors arguments on K-12 funding. It is deeply troubling that a Virginia governor would send a letter with such verifiably misleading information to lawmakers on teacher salaries and K-12 spending, VEA President James Fedderman said on Tuesday. Its disingenuous of the governor to ignore the facts, pretend we dont have a teacher shortage crisis, and propose policies that dont address the scale of the issue. The JLARC report has been a focal point of efforts to increase the states share of funding for K-12 public schools. The Senate included an additional $1.6 billion in its proposed budget for the next two years, while the House spending plan included about $1 billion in additional state money. Both budgets include money for additional teacher pay raises 3.375% each year in the House plan and 3% each year in the proposed Senate budget. Greer agreed with Youngkin on the importance of raising teacher pay in attracting and keeping teachers. Several of our recent K-12 reports have highlighted the states challenges with recruiting and retaining enough qualified teachers, and salaries are an important component of addressing that challenge, he said Youngkin challenged what he called a one-size-fits-all teacher pay plan that he said offers no remedy for larger drivers of teacher departures and overlooks the regional variations and challenges faced by educators across Virginia. The governor also acknowledged JLARCs specific concerns about the adequacy of the formula that the state uses to fund its share of the costs of the Standards of Quality for public education. We must reform our byzantine, convoluted, four-decade-old formula for school funding, he said in a letter to budget negotiators late Friday. Democrats who control both chambers of the assembly have made increased funding of education their top priority in the budget that will take effect on July 1 and extend through June 30, 2026. The conference committee is working this week to reconcile differences between the House and Senate budgets to adopt a revised budget for the current fiscal year and a new two-year budget in time to adjourn as scheduled on Saturday. Close The deal includes more than $900 million in tax cuts, almost all of it through one-time payments of $200 to individual taxpayers and $400 to couples filing jointly. It does not include cuts in the corporate and individual tax rates that Gov. Glenn Youngkin had proposed, but it would raise the standard deduction for taxpayers who don't itemize their deductions by half of what the governor had sought and would eliminate the age limit on a new exemption for military retirement income. Youngkin said this week that he can live with a budget agreement that prioritizes one-time rebates over ongoing tax cuts, but expects to seek additional cuts in the two-year budget that he will propose in December. Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach (left) is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, a University of Virginia alumnus, demanded UVa President Jim Ryan repudiate a statement by UVa's Students for Justice in Palestine, which, among other things, described the Hamas attacks as an unprecedented feat for the 21st century." $1 billion in tax cuts: 4 things to know about the state budget deal General Assembly budget leaders have reached an agreement that ends a six-month standoff on revisions to Virginia's two-year budget. The deal includes more than $900 million in tax cuts, almost all of it through one-time payments of $200 to individual taxpayers and $400 to couples filing jointly. It does not include cuts in the corporate and individual tax rates that Gov. Glenn Youngkin had proposed, but it would raise the standard deduction for taxpayers who don't itemize their deductions by half of what the governor had sought and would eliminate the age limit on a new exemption for military retirement income. Youngkin said this week that he can live with a budget agreement that prioritizes one-time rebates over ongoing tax cuts, but expects to seek additional cuts in the two-year budget that he will propose in December. Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach (left) is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, a University of Virginia alumnus, demanded UVa President Jim Ryan repudiate a statement by UVa's Students for Justice in Palestine, which, among other things, described the Hamas attacks as an unprecedented feat for the 21st century." Advancements made on recently discovered Tulum cave Tulum, Q.R. Advancements have been made on a recently discovered cave in Tulum. The discovery of the cave was made public in December by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Since that time, archaeologists have discovered 11 burials with offerings of fish, turtles, snails, shells and other marine animals. Archaeologists continue to investigate the mystery of the cave found within two walled cities. The important thing about the discovery is the location. It is located within a walled city between the Halach Huinic and the Columns Palaces, explained archaeologist Jose Antonio Reyes Solis, Coordinator of the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza). Archaeologist have continued with the excavation of the cave, finding additional bones of the burials belong to elite figures, with rooms and a ceramic molcajete (Mexican mortar) from the Late Post-Classic period (1,200 to 1,500 AD). The archaeologist and his research team continue to analyze the material. The items found inside were transferred to the INAH Quintana Roo Center laboratories located in Chetumal. The discovery of the cave was announced in December of 2023 within the archaeological zone of Tulum. The finding was made by a research team made up of Mexican archaeologists and conservation experts. Authorities capture priority target in mass Cozumel search operation Cozumel, Q.R. Over a dozen people were taken into custody from various points of Cozumel Monday night in a mass police operation. According to authorities, a total of 16 people were arrested in 12 operations carried out around the island. The operations were conducted by the FGE (Fiscalia General del Estado de Quintana Roo), National Guard, Navy, Army and State Police. According to the FGE, 12 search warrants were executed around the island Monday night that lead to the arrests of the 16. One of those arrested has been labeled a priority target. During the operations, police seized various drugs and firearms. The operation was carried out days after a man was shot to death in front of his wife and son inside a Cozumel restaurant. It also came on the heels of a letter sent to authorities by the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) of Cozumel of which partly read we cannot fail to point out the lack of results of the current security strategy, especially in judicialization and administration of justice. The CCE detailed their indignation at the terrible events that occurred last weekend on the island referring to several recent shootings. We never imagined that the day would come when security would sadly become the main pending task to be resolved in our beloved Cozumel. We call on the three levels of government to immediately address the escalation of attacks and violent events on the Island of Cozumel, and as always, we reaffirm our absolute willingness to collaborate in whatever is necessary to stop these worrying events. Authorities carried out 12 search operations on the island Monday night that lead to the arrests of 16. The Council also said we will be especially analytical and critical of both the results delivered by those who have previously held public office and currently, who will once again seek a space in public service, as well as of the trajectory of those who do it for the first time, referring to the upcoming elections. The island search operation also came on the same day as FGE head Raciel Lopez Salazar paid a visit to Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso. The head of the FGE Quintana Roo, Raciel Lopez Salazar, met with the Mayor of Cozumel, Juanita Alonso as part of the coordinated work on security and justice on the island. Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso is seen meeting with Raciel Lopez Salazar Monday. Photo: FGE The Attorney General reiterated that he works jointly with the members of the Coordination Group for the Construction of Peace and Security of Quintana Roo in order to maintain tranquility and peace in this municipality, Lopez Salazar posted. Marina rescues foreign boat with one on board off north coast Isla Mujeres, Q.R. Members of the Navy of Mexico rescued a drifting vessel off the north coast of Quintana Roo. By the time the marina reached the boat, it had drifted 100 nautical miles out to sea. In a report, the Secretary of the Navy acting as Coast Guard said the small foreign boat with one person on board was located approximately 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) to the north of Isla Mujeres. The boat was rescued after the Command and Control Room of the Ninth Naval Region received an emergency call of a drifting vessel. The unidentified boat and sole crew member was found without propulsion and adrift at sea off the coast of the state of Quintana Roo, they reported. Due to the above and with the objective of safeguarding human life at sea, the departure of an Interceptor vessel from the Ninth Naval Region and a Defender vessel from the Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) of Isla Mujeres set out in search of the boat. The sole occupant of the boat was transferred to INM for processing. Photo: March 3, 2024. The foreign man from aboard the vessel was transferred to the Naval Station of Puerto Juarez where he was handed over to authorities of the National Migration Institute to carry out the corresponding legal procedures, they said. Southern townspeople block Maya Train workers claiming excessive road damage Othon P. Blanco, Q.R. A group of residents from the southern district of Carlos A. Madrazo blocked Maya Train workers from accessing the federal 186 highway. Townspeople said they were protesting the damage caused to their roads by the Maya Train workers and the lack of repairs by the municipality. The 186 highway was blocked at 9:30 a.m. with protesters claiming excessive damage to their towns roads to the point small cars cannot pass. With a large banner in hand, demonstrators claimed a lack of attention by city hall. At least one heavy unit passes through their town every hour, they said, as they stood firm in their roadblock. Frustrated townsmen also claimed the problem with the heavy units destroying their roads has been ongoing for nearly two years The group were demanding the intervention of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, noting they also wanted improved lighting, garbage collection and citizen security. Suicidal hitman arrested from Playa del Carmen hotel Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Police have in custody a man that was removed from a central Play del Carmen hotel. The man was taken into custody late Monday morning after a suicide attempt. The man has since been identified as 41-year-old Jesus N from the state of Morelos where he is an alleged hitman. His arrest took place from inside an 8th Street Playa del Carmen hotel after staff called police around 11:00 a.m. Responding officers arrived to a disturbed male threatening to kill himself with what has since been identified as a fake weapon. The Seguridad Ciudadana Solidaridad (SSC) confirmed the weapon was a television remote wrapped in a towel. When officers arrived, the man had the wrapped weapon pointed at his head, threatening to pull the trigger. During negotiations with police, he is reported to have told officers that he was distraught over an unfaithful wife. During negotiations police learned the mans wife was unfaithful. Photo: March 4, 2024. After he was taken into custody, authorities reportedly learned that he was a wanted man in the state of Morelos. Jesus N has been identified as an alleged member of a criminal group believed involved in numerous executions in the state. The man was transferred to the Public Security and then received psychological care from medical personnel from the municipal Health Directorate. During the search of his hotel room, police did not find firearms or any illegal objects. Recently, a court in Delaware ruled that Elon Musk exercised undue influence over Teslas board of directors, which resulted in an unfair and gargantuan compensation package. But is that a decision for courts to make in the first place? And is there a better way to structure executive pay? Was the richest person in the world overpaid? asked Delaware chancellor Kathaleen Saint Jude McCormick, the judge who decided he was, and then invalidated Elon Musks $56 billion performance-based compensation package from Tesla. The shareholder derivative suit was filed by minority shareholder Richard Tornetta in 2018 and was just resolved in January 2024. Now Tesla must propose an alternative package or Musk can appeal to the Supreme Court of Delaware. Delaware is home to more corporations than actual people due to its tax-friendly corporate laws and sophisticated judicial infrastructure staffed with judges who have written dozens of opinions that have influenced the shape and theory of corporate law around the world. Even so, this was a unique case in this important corporate-law jurisdiction. Only three previous Delaware cases have presented questions like those raised in Musks case, and each time judges declined to invalidate the challenged compensation packages. Courts do not typically interfere with compensation decisions made by a corporations board of directors. The procedural aspects of this dispute as well as the nuanced standard by which the court made its determination is complex, evinced by the 200-page opinion issued by the court. But the very condensed version is that, in order to prevail, the Tesla board of directors had to prove that the compensation package was entirely fair. The judge, called a chancellor in this court, examined the makeup of the board of directors, the process by which the compensation package was negotiated, how much influence Elon Musk had over the board, and what rights other shareholders had to speak or otherwise influence the compensation decision. Ultimately, every issue reduced to one question: Does Musk control Tesla? For a variety of reasons, Chancellor McCormick decided that he did control Tesla and was able to influence the negotiation process unfairly. Fifty-six billion is a stratospheric number. To cover 56 billion miles, for example, would require more than 300 trips to the sun and back. In terms of dollars, only one American city and nine American states have budgets larger. And a $56 billion GDP would place a country in the top 50% in the world ahead of several small but fully industrialized nations. So it is no wonder that some ask, How much is too much? Does the richest person in the world really need another $56 billion? Frankly, these are irrelevant questions that do not invoke any kind of moral analysis. Related questions, however, most certainly do. Many different groups voice concern regarding income inequality. The Occupy Wall Street movement of the early 2010s is one example, and it has been a perennial theme of the presidential campaigns of Sen. Bernie Sanders and Dr. Cornel West and the congressional campaigns and continued public rhetoric of Reps. Anastasia Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib. Sen. Sanders has even proposed a tax scheme that would reward companies that close the gap between executive compensation and median worker pay. The loudest voices on most social issues tend to be those responding to a very real social problem but have misdiagnosed the underlying issue in a simplistic way. The issue of income inequality is no different. First, income inequality per se is not really a social problem. It does not necessarily signal injustice or oppression on the part of a business owner, or structural problems in a jurisdictions labor laws. There should be an expectation of inequality between those who freely agree to employment terms and those who risk time and treasure to provide not only gainful employment but also goods and services to the community. Relative poverty is not in itself an issue that merits much concern, especially in a world in which those who live in conditions of absolute poverty subsist on very little. Who is not relatively poor when compared to Elon Musk, after all? But it would be naive to dismiss completely every complaint of those who protest income inequality and what they perceive as the excess of executive compensation. Among the many spurious claims of injustice are a few legitimate issues, even if they are not properly framed. Tesla is a publicly traded company, meaning that, in addition to very wealthy executives and other shareholders, there are thousands of ordinary people who own a few shares through various investment vehicles, and employees who have received stock in the company as part of their compensation packages. Each of them is an owner with a stake in the company and an interest in seeing it flourish. Compensation in a companys stock has been a boon for employees of modest means to build significant wealth over their careers. The earliest employees of companies like IBM, Apple, and Amazon have reaped enormous benefits from this portion of their compensation. What may seem like a de minimis investment to Elon Musk can represent a significant investment to minority shareholders and be the different between no retirement and a comfortable one. While there is a substantial gulf between a few million dollars worth of stock and several billion dollars worth of stock, this is not comparable to the fixed gulf between classes before the 19th century or in economically underdeveloped nations today. This creative benefit has minimal impact on a companys cash flow in its earliest days and motivates employees to remain with the company and keep their sights fixed on future growth rather than the immediate gain. Now, I would suspect that most occupiers of Wall Street are not really thinking of this very common scenario. They are fixated on the present and have adopted Marxist definitions of work, price, and labor that make it difficult to capture a more panoramic and long-term view of what these types of compensation schemes can accomplish for common workers as well as executives, founders, and entrepreneurs. But a problem they would note is related to this aspect of employee compensation. By all accounts, Musks compensation agreement was performance-based, meaning there was the possibility years ago when it was negotiated that he may have invested significant energy and time in the company and received much less, even nothing. But he hit prescribed performance and revenue benchmarks, which caused Tesla stock values to soar. Musk upheld his side of the bargain, but now Tesla has been barred ex post facto by the Delaware Court of Chancery from honoring it. All the while, however, Tesla shareholderswhether those who purchased shares directly or indirectly or received them as employee compensationhave benefited from Musks sweat equity invested in hitting targets that raised the value of company stock. Almost every large multinational corporations stock offerings are complex. There are likely many classes of stock that are obtainable by different meansdirect purchase, employee compensation, executive compensation, and any number of other means. And it is quite likely that these various classes of stock, especially those provided as part of compensation packages, vest (or become property that does not have to be returned if an employee leaves the company) at different times. This is the aspect of this mechanism of compensation that can create legitimate issues that the law can easily address. Problems arise not when executives are paid more than an average employee, but when they are paid differently. Differences in the properties of various classes of stock often serve to misalign the interest of various classes of corporate employees. Executives have far more ability to influence the value of shares of stock than other corporate employees. An engineer can design excellent widgets, delivery drivers can have spotless driving records, and accountants can never have made a decimal error, but none of these sterling performance indicators has the same type of influence on the things that drive the value of a company like the decisions that executives have been hired to make. The executives most adept at making such decisions can command the most generous compensation. Each employee is best served by rising stock values, not to mention the financial gains that accrue to each stockholder, whether a corporate employee or not. A problem presents itself, however, when the incentives of different employees are misaligned. If an executive receives a class of stock or compensation package that vests in a short horizon, but all other employees receive a class or package that vests on a longer horizon, then executives are best served by corporate policies that produce short-term gains, while an average employee is best served by corporate policies that produce durable long-term gains. Only one group, however, is empowered to set corporate policies. This is not a theoretical scenario. There is always the danger of insider trading, a practice that involves trading stock based on insider knowledge that is not commonly known or discoverable. But this practice is illegal and constitutes a crime. Despite the Delaware courts intervention in this case, courts are very deferential to the business decisions of boards because of what is known as the business judgment rule. This rule creates a legal presumption that directors are making informed, good-faith decisions on behalf of the company and its shareholders. This is an important rule that needs to remain in place because it is very difficult to determine whether directors were, in fact, making good-faith, well-informed decisions at some point in the past. The directors, as well as the corporate executives, owe a fiduciary duty to shareholders to make business decisions that are in the best interest of the company and that maximize financial return. They owe no special allegiance to their own personal interests, which is why the Delaware court sought to determine whether Musk held too much personal control over the Tesla boards decision-making. Generally, we need less regulation and not more. In fact, there is almost no problem that can be solved by more government interference. But in the context of corporate regulations, it is important to note that corporations are creatures of the state. They are not natural persons and exist only when a state recognizes their existence. The purists may eschew the use of the corporate form entirely, but as long as corporations do exist, the state has an obligation to regulate them in ways that eliminate opportunities for abuse and manipulation, even if it might happen inadvertently. It would not satisfy the 99% of the Occupy Wall Street movement but enacting corporate regulation that aligns the interests of every shareholder from the very top of the org chart to the very bottom would remove the disparity in benefits that different classes of shareholders can receive by virtue of the different classes of stock they hold. There would be no temptation on the part of executives or boards to make decisions that may work against the interests of other shareholders, including non-executive employees. Such a regulation would be simple to enact but should come from state legislatures rather than administrative agencies with less democratic accountability. Such a scheme would not stop boards from compensating executives in cash in any amount, but such packages would likely not be beneficial to shareholders because they do not prompt executives to adopt the long view as they make business decisions, and they deplete cash reserves. But cash compensation has never been what drives protesters to the streets or politicians to populist screeds. It is impossible to say in a case like Elon Musks if such a consideration would have changed the outcome. The structure of his now-invalidated agreement was too complex for a simplistic analysis. But it is safe to say that no courts standard for answering the questions presented by the case would fail to look favorably upon a compensation scheme that fully aligns the interests of all shareholders, and it would be difficult to find any shareholder who would be displeased by the value added to his or her holdings as a result of the hard work, determination, and responsible decision-making of an executive fully invested in long-term, sustainable financial growth. Sheetz opened what one expert called a highly needed, fast, electric-vehicle charging center in Blacksburg. Blacksburg is going from no superfast chargers to the supercharger, said David Roper, a professor emeritus of physics at Virginia Tech. Sheetz has done a great job. The Tesla Superchargers at the First & Main shopping center will deliver the power for 200 miles of travel in 15 minutes, the company said. Roper said only slow chargers existed in Blacksburg up to this point. The connector system used, the North American Charging Standard, was developed by Tesla for Tesla vehicles, but Roper predicted other vehicle makers will adopt the standard. Last month, Ford said it would supply free Tesla Supercharger adapters to owners of the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles that Ford makes. Other makers will follow suit, Roper said. A Roanoke woman was sentenced to 13 years in prison Monday in connection with the first fatal shooting reported by city police in 2023. On Monday, Saunders entered a plea agreement with the commonwealth on two charges. On a second-degree murder charge, she was sentenced to 40 years in prison, suspended after she serves 10, according to court records. On a use of a firearm in the commission of a felony charge, she was sentenced to three years, the mandatory minimum for that charge in Virginia. Once released, Saunders will be placed on supervised probation for another five years. Saunders was also ordered to have no contact with members of Hancocks family, according to an assistant prosecutor. Hancock was found dead in his home by police responding to a possible homicide at about 9:40 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023, in the 800 block of 30th Street Northwest, according to police reports. Saunders was arrested a few days later, according to court records. She and Hancock had been in a dating relationship, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Alyssa Gilbert said in an email Tuesday. As Roanoke police detectives investigated the incident, Gilbert said, they found that Saunders had been living with Hancock in his home on 30th Street. Their relationship had spanned several months. During an interview with a detective Jan. 15, Saunders confessed to shooting Mr. Hancock and leaving his body in the residence, Gilbert said. Saunders alleged during her interview that she had been subjected to physical and sexual abuse at the hands of the decedent and this abuse was the reason she had killed him, Gilbert said. Saunders age and the possibility of her being released on geriatric parole were factors that city prosecutors considered when contemplating her plea agreement, Gilbert said. Virginia code permits any person who is serving a sentence for a felony offense, who has reached the age of 60 or older and who has served at least 10 years of the sentence imposed to petition the parole board for conditional release, Gilbert said. Saunders will be 60 in September 2034. A Franklin County family that sued a news media outlet for libel, asking for $67 million in damages, must instead pay about $6,500 for filing a frivolous lawsuit, a federal judge ruled Monday. Crystal Minnix and her father, Eugene Muse Jr., had claimed they were defamed as violent insurrectionists in a 2022 story about local reactions to the riots at the U.S. Capitol. Minnix and Muse were not named or shown in the report, which included a four-second video of their home. U.S. District Judge Michael Urbanski dismissed the lawsuit against Sinclair Television Group and others in May, finding that it had no footing in defamation law. Urbanski also ordered the family to pay the attorney fees for two of the parties they sued, Bridgette Craighead and the local chapter of Black Lives Matter that she founded. The judge based his ruling on a Virginia law aimed at deterring SLAPP lawsuits or strategic lawsuits against public participation that are filed with the intent to chill speech about matters of public concern. After referring the question of how much to award in attorney fees to Magistrate Judge Kailani Memmer, Urbanski followed her recommendation Monday and issued an order setting the amount at $6,514. The money will first go to the Roanoke law firm of Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, which volunteered to represent Craighead and the BLM chapter after learning they could not afford to represent themselves. With Craigheads permission, the firm will donate the money to the Franklin County chapter of the National Association of Advancement of Colored People, according to the law firm. The legal dispute stemmed from a January 2022 report about the local reaction to the arrest of two former members of the Rocky Mount Police Department. The off-duty officers took part in the Jan. 6 riots over former president Donald Trumps since-discounted claim that he lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud. Craighead was interviewed by a reporter immediately before a video of a home co-owned by Minnix and Muse which is painted red, white and blue is shown. During the footage, a voiceover describes Rocky Mount as predominantly white and politically conservative. Urbanski found no evidence to support claims from the homes occupants, who include three other adults and seven children. Their lawsuit alleged that the story, by clear implication portrayed them as violent insurrectionists, as rebelling Confederacy supporters, as supporters of President Donald John Trump, and as individuals and businesses who stand against or discriminate against people of color. The seven minute, 30-second news report included general comments from Craighead about her perceptions of the communitys reaction. She made no mention of the house or its occupants. Craighead exercised her First Amendment right to participate in an interview and speak on a matter of public concern affecting her community, Urbanski wrote in dismissing the lawsuit. She has since been forced to defend herself against a baseless defamation action, the opinion stated, brought by persons whose home was briefly glimpsed in the segment. ROCKY MOUNT The Franklin County School Board approved its budget proposal Monday, which includes money that it was given to keep schools open that it recently voted to close. Last month, the county Board of Supervisors voted to give the school board $1.25 million in a stopgap measure to keep Henry and Burnt Chimney elementary schools open for another year. However, the board then voted to close those schools during a meeting last week. School officials said they hope the supervisors will not vote to remove the stopgap fundingbut instead let the schools use the money to increase pay for teachers and other school staff. The funding will be part of the second phase of a new salary scale structure implemented last year. In Virginia, school boards do not have taxing authority, so the final amount of local funding a public school system receives is a decision made by boards of supervisors and city councils. Several Franklin County supervisors have questioned if the school board still needs the stopgap funding after its decision to close the schools. After the decision to close the schools, Supervisor Tim Tatum said he plans to attempt to take back the $1.25 million in stopgap funding he voted for Feb. 22. To say that Im pissed off is an understatement, Tatum said. At Mondays meeting, school board members were all in favor of plans to increase pay for school staff, but were split when it came to a vote. Board members voted 5-3 in favor of the budget. While in support, Snow Creek District representative Carletta Whiting, Blue Ridge District representative Jonathan Holley and at large member Kevin David all voted against the budget proposal due to the closing of the two elementary schools. All three of the board members previously voted against the proposal to close Henry and Burnt Chimney elementary schools. I think the compensation implementation is very important, but my vote is no on this budget, David said. The school boards finalized budget proposal is scheduled to be presented to the board of supervisors Tuesday, March 5, at 3 p.m. at the County Government Center in Rocky Mount. Following the meeting, Superintendent Kevin Siers said he is hopeful that supervisors will agree to continue with the stopgap funding for the school system. Siers said the decisions to close the two schools resolved the funding concerns due to a reduction in state funding. Supervisors could now invest in school employees, he said. For the wheels on the bus to go round, Roanoke City Public Schools will pay $77 million for a five-year deal with a California-based student transport company, starting this fall. The school division of about 14,000 students announced its hiring of Zum last month, but hadnt finalized the contract value until Zum announced it in a news release Tuesday. The company provides modern student transportation, said Zum founder and CEO Ritu Narayan in the release. We look forward to working with families, drivers and school officials to serve the needs of this vital school community, Narayan said. Through Zum, every student has access to safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation. For parents, the company has an app to track school bus data. For the school division, Zum uses that data to optimize routes and improve on-time arrivals, according to the release. Zum is rapidly changing student transportation through digitization and electrification, the release reads. Zum offers competitive wages and modern benefits for all drivers and staff, as well as top-of-the-line buses, equipment, and technology. Other schools that use Zum include some of the largest districts in the country: San Francisco, Seattle, Nashville and Los Angeles. But expansion has not been incident free for the company with assets valued at $1 billion. When Zum moved into Howard County, Maryland, the first week of bus services left thousands of students behind in the morning and dropped them off at home late, according to reporting by The Baltimore Banner. Those issues have mostly been corrected, officials said in that report. In Roanoke, students have faced bus delays since at least 2019. That year began a new bus contract with Durham School Services, and buses showed up late on the first week of classes. The Durham services contract with Roanoke schools expires at the end of this school year. As busing woes persisted into the current school year, Roanoke schools hired a new transportation director in November. In the news release, Superintendent Verletta White said Zum, like the school system, keeps students central to their work. Student success starts with a safe and reliable ride to school each day, White said. We appreciate their state-of-the-art communication tools to help keep families informed and their commitment to safety and sustainability. Zum announced it is hosting a driver hiring event on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott on Reserve Avenue. Have you heard about the 11th Commandment? Despite all the years I spent in Catholic Sunday school, me neither. Instead, I learned it last week, after publishing a column about Larry the Roanoke Logperch. Thats a soon-to-be released childrens book, underwritten by federal grants obtained by the Kiwanis. The point is to build community support for a nature park in northwest Roanoke. The books author is Melissa Rooney, who grew up in Martinsville but now lives in North Carolina. The illustrator is Jane Gabrielle, a well-known Roanoke musician, artist and activist. The Kiwanians commissioned Larry the Roanoke Logperch as an effort to help children understand the importance of water pollution around Hortons Branch, the stream that passes near the proposed nature park. But some readers accused yours truly of missing the bigger picture. So heres the 11th Commandment, according to them: Thou shalt not mention the Roanoke logperch, a federally endangered species since 1989, unless also mentioning the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project first proposed in 2014. Three readers, two from Virginia and one from West Virginia, emailed such sentiments after the column regarding a kids book about a fictitious fish. Well begin Lynda Majors, who lives in Montgomery County about a quarter-mile from the pipelines path. Her neighbors house, Majors told me, is barely 175 feet from the big trench. When she read the Larry the Logperch column, I was shocked to learn that not once was the real threat to the Roanoke Logperch mentioned, the Mountain Valley Pipeline, she wrote. I have included 4 pictures taken yesterday after the rain on Bent Mountain which used to be the land of clear, clear streams and now look at the muddy runoff all from the pipeline right of way. This is source water for the South Fork of the Roanoke River and the new environment that the Roanoke logperch finds itself in, trying to find food and reproduce in silt-laden water. The photos were taken late in February by Red Terry, a Bent Mountain woman and anti-pipeline activist whose land the underground gas line will cross. Terry gave me permission to republish them. In 2018 the North Fork of the Roanoke River got hammered with construction before MVP lost all their permits for construction in the 4th Circuit Court [of Appeals] because you cannot hasten the extinction of an endangered species by destroying its habitat, Majors noted. Then the oil and gas lobby, fronted by Senator Joe Manchin, put their thumb on the scale of justice. With the agreement of the Biden administration, Manchin engineered an amendment to the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act that removed jurisdiction of the pipeline cases from the 4th U.S. Circuit. Its past rulings in favor of opponents have repeatedly delayed the project and sent pipeline construction costs soaring buy billions. As a result, all permits were given back to this pipeline and all ability to hold the pipeline accountable was gone. These pictures are the result, Majors wrote. The agencies are no longer accountable to the people, and theyve prevented our ability to sue, she said in a subsequent phone conversation. Another was Maury Johnson, who lives in Greenville, in Monroe County, in far southeast West Virginia. Hes an anti-pipeline activist, too. I have been fighting for the endangered [Roanoke logperch] and the endangered Candy Darter (CD) found in streams in VA and WV for almost 10 years, Johnson wrote. I have written hundreds of complaints to [the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection] and [the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality] showing the extreme sedimentation that the Mountain Valley Pipeline has been dumping into streams across the two Virginias, many of which are critical habitat for the RLP and CD. This sedimentation chokes the stream and kills the macro-invertebrates that are the building block of the critical food source for the RLP, the CD and all other life in the stream. It also covers the rocks and pebbles needed for reproduction, not to mention choking the stream from much need oxygen. It is shameful that the media, many elected officials and agencies like the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service] and the [U.S. Forest Service] are ignoring and are even compliant to what is happening in the Jefferson National Forest and other pristine areas of VA and WV along the pathway of destruction of the MVP Johnson concluded: Issuing a stamp, receiving a grant or writing a childrens book will not save these endangered species. It only goes to green wash the death sentence that the MVP could be for these and possibly other species like the recently discovered crayfish on Peters Mountain. Ouch! Finally, I heard from Roberta Bondurant, president of Preserve Bent Mountain. She referred me to a recording from Virginia Water Quality Board meeting last week, during which pipeline opponents testified. They detailed unfathomable, muddy mayhem that MVP wrought in at least three separate occasions, almost certainly choking and killing all manner of aquatic species in Bottom and Mill Creek, as they converged above [The Nature Conservancys] Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve, and on down to the South Fork Roanoke, home to a population of Roanoke Logperch. Construction of the pipeline is proceeding, now unfettered by the pesky judges on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The builders appear to be ramming it through the soils of Southwest Virginia. You might also want to listen to that on YouTube. The meeting launches at the 13:30 mark. A local foster youth with high-acuity behavioral needs spent the holidays living with staff at the Culpeper County Department of Social Services office. According to Culpeper Human Services Director Lisa Peacock, the teen was turned down at more than 140 different in-state and out-of-state programs because of his complex needs, and he had nowhere else to go. Children staying in DSS offices is a trend happening throughout Virginia as the state struggles to provide appropriate placement options, Peacock said. Because we are the custodian of the child, they get released to our office, she told the Culpeper Board of Supervisors during a Feb. 15 budget meeting. Peacock said Culpeper Human Services, an umbrella agency for DSS, is seeing more and more cases where kids are mentioning how the pandemic significantly impacted their mental health, as well as more children who are experiencing trauma. Virginia should be ashamed of themselves, she said. There are probably 30 kids across Virginia living in DSS offices or at the hospital or a hotel room. One locality commandeered a fire department where they are housing kids. Culpeper DSS provided residential services for the local teen in the visitation and conference rooms, at its main offices off Route 3, on and off since October 2022, when he was placed in foster care by the court. The youth was remanded to human services after facing multiple criminal charges; his parents were unable to control him, officials said. His most recent and longest stay was Nov. 27, 2023, to Feb. 15, 2024, when he was finally placed in a group home, the same day Peacock made her public plea to the board of supervisors. We are at critical mass right now, she said. We need solutions, not a workgroup to study it. Virginia needs to step up to do something right now. Two or three other foster children in Culpeper appear to be on the same trajectory and will have no place to go, officials said. But placing children with DSS because there are no other options is putting a strain on local resources and creates safety and liability concerns, according to a Feb. 20 letter from Culpeper Human Services Board Chairman Brad Hales to Culpeper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Bates. Local DSS officials are asking supervisors to support them by sending a letter to the governor about inappropriate foster youth placements. In Culpeper, two dozen DSS staffers took turns pulling 12-hour shifts, 24/7, to watch over the teen during his extended stay, including several holidays. Overtime costs were $74,000, according to Hales, who said the state reimbursed that money but it still reduced the offices budget. His stay created many challenges, but they were overcome to create the safest environment we could under the circumstances, Hales wrote in the letter. But living in a DSS office is not a solution to this crisis. Tara Gilbert, a regional permanency practice consultant for Virginia Department of Social Services northern region, was on hand to discuss the issue at the Feb. 21 Culpeper Human Services Board meeting. The cases are tougher, theyre complex, they are kids who have had lots of community services and they havent worked, and the kids that are coming into foster homes sometimes have much higher needs than what we were seeing 10 years ago, Gilbert said on why finding housing for foster youths with behavioral health issues has become more difficult. But I think thats one piece. Some of the other pieces are related to the pandemic and workforce, so a lot of the providers, a lot of the residential or group homes, just dont have the beds available because they cant manage because of their staffing issues. She recommended bolstering existing therapeutic foster care homes, noting there are some kids who dont require a residential group home setting. Another factor, Gilbert said, is kids with lower-level needs are taking the beds in some of the residential facilities where more high-risk children need to be. Because of this, the space isnt available. She added these issues and others create a perfect storm. The situation at Culpeper DSS office housing a teen for more than two months was a more extreme case, she stated. The local office space was converted into a bedroom, classroom and residence. The situation required all other DSS visitations to happen off-site. Staff enrolled the teenager in school, provided his meals and got permission for him to shower in the county maintenance staff building. The staff also did his laundry, medication management, nursing services during illness, provided recreation and took him to church when he requested to go. Due to the nature of his behaviors, they practiced their behavior management skills to prevent disruption or escalation, Hales said. Culpeper DSS is not licensed, trained or regulated to provide residential services, but is being looked at as an appropriate place for a foster child to reside, Hales stated. Desperately needed is treatment bed capacity to serve the needs of youth that are often excluded by provider admission criteria, he added. The commonwealth does not have adequate foster homes, treatment foster care homes, groups homes, shelter care and residential treatment homes that are mandated to take in these hard-to-place children, Hales said. Having them live in DSS offices puts everyone at high risk, he continued. Statewide, foster children are also being housed in DSS-rented apartments with staff supervision. Some offices are housing multiple children, according to Culpeper officials. We pray we never find our office faced with this issue, said Hales. Peacock told the board she is very concerned for the first time in her long career. I never seen anything like this, she said. She said she might have to tie herself to a tree in front of the governors office to bring urgent attention to the issue. One Fairfax-area DSS office is getting ready to open its own residential program for foster kids, Peacock said. If there are extra beds, that agency may be willing to contract with other localities. I have been in contact with them and talking with people at the state level about the challenges we have with these very complicated kids, she said. Youth residential programs in Virginia are privately operated and can pick and choose who they house, Peacock said. They can say no to kids and we become the last resort for many of these kids. The teenager actually did really well while living at DSS, but its an office building full of social workers and one kid, the director said. I am hoping I am wrong and we wont see (more) kids come into DSS, Peacock said. East Fairfax Supervisor David Lee said Virginia does not have any publicly operated residential treatment center for kids, whereas it did previously. Cedar Mountain Supervisor David Durr praised local DSS staff for their work in helping the young man. This situation we are in now has been a surprise, he said. We know these people are in trouble and it is a problem of placing them and there is no option, no good answer. We really need to push to get a solution because it is not good for anyone. At its regular monthly meeting today, the county board will consider sending a letter to Gov. Glenn Youngkin asking for his help to address a situation which is unsafe and inappropriate. The letter requests the state take steps to provide adequate, public residential services for youth who need placement. Private bed space is not readily available to all of these children and housing them in DSS offices is unacceptable, according to the county. In the draft letter, Bates notes the governor initiated the Safe and Sound Task Force in 2022 to address the critical problem of high-acuity youth in unsuitable conditions, including sleeping in local Social Services offices, emergency rooms and hotels. Bates requests in the letter that the task force move to its second phase of work developing a reservoir of safe and appropriate placements for youth. The letter mentions the Culpeper teen who stayed in the local office for over two months, stating the situation drained DSS resources and, frankly, we are just not equipped to accommodate a child. Bates continues, We are collectively, as a system, challenged with having children placed in our care with few options for crisis stabilization as we work to find appropriate care settings for placement of these high needs children. We know this is not an easy problem to solve. We are just encouraging your administration to keep up this important and necessary work and with the urgency of finding solutions so that every Virginia child has a safe place to be. We know we all have this same goal in mind. Thank you for making this one of your top priorities as our Governor. In Virginia, one childrens hospital run by the state is equipped and mandated to perform psychiatric evaluations and assessments for children with behavioral issues the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents in Staunton. The center handles some of the most difficult cases in the state and provides acute care for children under the age of 18. It is this one hospital, considered a place of last resort, that determines if a child needs to be hospitalized in the short-term or needs a temporary detention order to keep them from self-harm or harming others. Therapeutic residential homes in Virginia are privately run and are reluctant to accept youth due to behavioral issues. According to Peacock, while these hospitals have been valued partners, their ability to approve or deny children treatment in these walls is not an ability given to the Commonwealth hospital. The treatment facilities have done a good job with our kids, but its not meant to be a lifetime commitment. Its meant to go, get stabilized, get their medication, get whatever testing they need done and get them into a place where we can put them back out into the community and put them in foster care or a group home, said Peacock. Staffing issues persist, with difficulty recruiting clinical social workers and child psychiatrists, she said. In spite of how dire the situation seems locally, Peacock said it is getting better and social services on all levels are trying to come up with solutions. She mentioned discussions for potential tiny houses on the grounds of the human services office to house people who are under the supervision of DSS and need a place to stay. During her recent visit, Gilbert discussed the Safe and Sound Task Force, noting it has found the issue bigger than they realized, as there are not as many families or facilities as willing to take on the challenge as they initially thought. Virginia has placement coordinators who help interview parents who wish to house these foster youth, including families and relatives. She added, Its a huge undertaking, and its going to involve every aspect of the statewide system to be able to make those changes. The county board will also consider a resolution of appreciation acknowledging the Culpeper DSS workers who stepped up to help care for the foster teen during todays meeting. A spokesperson with Virginia Department of Social Services, in an email Friday, stated the agency was not able to provide responses by deadline to questions regarding if the state is aware of this situation and has any solutions to address it. The spokesperson said they would continue to work with state officials to provide that information as soon as possible. Key priorities of General Assembly Democrats and in some cases, at least some Republicans are on a fast-track path for Gov. Glenn Youngkins action, due Friday. Some of the bills are not obviously controversial, such as House Bill 1336, sponsored by Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, to make sure nursing homes have all the medications they need to treat residents suffering a mental health crisis. But some are. They include measures to protect women's reproductive health care rights and to tackle gun violence, said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. The seven-day deadline for the governor to act applies to bills that the House of Delegates and Senate have acted on and that the speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor, who presides over the state Senate, have signed and formally communicated to the governor before the final week of a legislative session. On most other bills the governor must act 30 days after the General Assembly adjourns. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn their 60-day session on Saturday. I think the next seven days are gonna say a lot about the next two years, Surovell said. Youngkin press secretary Christian Martinez said: The Governor is reviewing the legislation that has been delivered to his desk, as he continues to watch how the General Assembly chooses to act on other important priorities. The seven-day clock is ticking on bills, Senate Bill 238 and House Bill 819, that would require health insurers to pay for contraceptive drugs and devices, including over the counter products. You see women are perfectly capable of making decisions of when they will start a family," said House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria. "These bills are a critical step to keeping health care accessible for women in the commonwealth, especially at a time when we're seeing a barrier to access becoming greater and greater in other states around the country. Those bills passed the Senate by a 24-15 vote and the House 69-29. Also on the fast track for gubernatorial action are gun bills - Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington and House Bill 46, sponsored by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria. Under those measures, people banned from possessing a firearm because they are under a protective order, or were convicted of an assault and battery of a family or household member, could not transfer guns to other prohibited people, or people who live with them, or to minors. These passed both bodies on largely party-line votes of 21-19 in the Senate and 52-47 in the House. Under another bill on the fast track, House Bill 498, sponsored by Del. Laura Jane Cohen, D-Fairfax, school boards would have to require an annual notice to parents of their legal responsibility to safely store any firearm at home. It passed the House on a 54-45 vote and the Senate by 22 -17. Bill would return Va. to voter data program At a news conference on Monday House and Senate Democrats also highlighted bills that would return Virginia to the Electronic Registration Information Center, also known as ERIC, an interstate voter registration data sharing program, which Virginia commissioner of elections, Susan Beals withdrew from last summer. This is very, very important because as we've seen, just this last election cycle where over 3,400 Virginians were removed from the voting rolls," said state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, who chairs the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. "We want to ensure that this does not happen again in the year where our democracy is on the line." Rouse said the seven-day list also includes a bill from Del. Marcia Price, D-Newport News, on tenant protections. Under that measure local governments could take landlords to court when they do not correct fire hazards or serious threats to the health and safety of tenants or are out of compliance with their obligations in a rental agreement. It passed the House 53-45 and the Senate 39-0. Several high-profile bills that have passed both House and Senate are not on the list because they have not yet been signed by House Speaker Don Scott Jr, D-Portsmouth and Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears. They include such Democratic priorities as measures to increase the minimum wage, and to make the sale, purchase, or transfer of assault firearms a crime punishable by up to a year in jail. Nor on the list are the hard-won comprises that would legalize electronic skill games and set a framework for legal retail sale of marijuana. Under the state Constitution, governors can sign bills into law, veto them or send them back to the General Assembly with recommendations for changes. The General Assembly then considers a governor's vetoes or recommended changes when it reconvenes, a month after the end of the regular session. In a closely divided legislature Democrats are unlikely to muster the vote to override a Youngkin veto, which takes a two-thirds vote in House and Senate If Youngkin does not act on a bill by the time the seven-day or the 30 day deadline passes, the measure automatically becomes law. House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah questioned the Democrats' tactics. "I don't know what the Democrats hope to accomplish by sending these bills to the governor on an accelerated timeline," he said. "Regardless of party, the governor's office often finds errors and problems in legislation and sends down fixes, If these bills are truly that important, why would Democrats want to rush the governor's review?" Gun bills heading to Youngkin on Monday, the House moved to the governors desk House Bill 175, sponsored by Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax. It would prohibit the carrying of semi-automatic center-fire rifles or shotguns on any public street, road, or any other place open to the public. The House passed the measure on a party-line 51-47 vote. It had passed the Senate 21-19. Also moving to governor is House Bill 22, sponsored by Del. Michael Jones, D-Richmond. It would ban auto-sears, which are devices that allow a semi-automatic firearm to automatically shoot several times with a single pull of a trigger. It passed the House 89-2 and previously passed the Senate 27-13. On another topic, the Senate passed House Bill 985, that would prohibit the sale of driveway sealants containing more than 1% by weight of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a major toxin that has been flowing into Virginia streams, rivers and the Chesapeake. This bill passed the Senate 23-14 and the House 78-21. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Gaza cease-fire talks fail to achieve a breakthrough with Ramadan just days away, Egypt says Egyptian officials say three days of negotiations with Hamas over a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages have failed to achieve a breakthrough FLORENCE, S.C. Lent is a time for repentance, reflection, renewal and fish fries. During late February, March and early April, Lenten fish fries are a common practice among many Christian churches, particularly those of the Catholic and Roman Catholic denominations. For years, St. Anthonys Catholic Church on Hoffmeyer Road has held a fish fry every Friday during the Lenten season. Last week, cars were lined up in the rain to fork over a few dollars for a plate from what St. Anthonys calls the best fish fry in town. Each year, the Knights of Columbus join with the mens club, womens guild, and school at St. Anthonys to put on the fish fry. This year they are selling an average of 300 plates per week. At a cost of $12 for adults and $8 for children, the plates consist of fried flounder, cole slaw, hush puppies and French fries. The fish fries have been going on for 20 years or more, said Joe Balotti of the Knight of Columbus. This year we are averaging 300 plates each night. Its always very well received in the neighborhood. What makes it special is that people know that its great fish and the tartar sauce is a special recipe that has been passed down. It has 12 ingredients and people seem to love it. Mostly importantly, every plate is made with love. Desserts made by parishioners are also available for sale. The Womens Guild of St. Anthonys is also selling recipe books for $20 each. The church used to have tables set up so customers could eat inside, but since COVID-19 the fish fry has been limited to drive-thru sales only. The tradition of Lenten fish fries dates back to the first century. Catholics around the world were required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. In 1966, Pope Paul VI amended that restriction to just Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. That same year, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the United States added a prohibition on Fridays during Lent for its church members. Fish, however, is not considered meat, and thus the tradition of Lenten fish fries was born. Many other Christian denominations have since taken up the frying fish on the Fridays leading up to Easter. Weve still got three more Fridays to go, said Balotti. If youre looking for a good plate of fried fish, come see us. You wont be disappointed. St. Anthonys Catholic Church is at 2536 West Hoffmeyer Rd. The fish fries are held each Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sales are cash only. A worker shovels coal in a supply truck at a yard on the outskirts of Ahmedabad By Sudarshan Varadhan, Sarita Chaganti Singh and Sethuraman N R SINGAPORE/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Private Indian firms have expressed interest in building at least 10 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power capacity over a decade, four sources familiar with the matter said, ending a six-year drought in significant private involvement in the sector. Adani Power, JSW Group and Essar Power are among the companies that have told India's power ministry they would be keen to expand old plants or develop stalled projects facing financial stress, according to the sources and a government presentation seen by Reuters. The potential investments, which have not been previously reported, could cumulatively cost billions of dollars and demonstrate renewed appetite in an industry seen by many as financially unattractive. But they also threaten to undermine progress made by the world's No.3 greenhouse gas emitter in weaning its economy off carbon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which has cited energy security concerns and low per-capita emissions to defend India's coal dependence, has been trying to attract private investment to boost its coal-fired capacity by 80 GW by 2032. Coal-fired power plants currently account for half, or about 215 GW of India's total installed capacity of 430 GW, with renewables accounting for 135 GW and hydro making up 47 GW. A spokesperson for the power ministry said the private sector had agreed to invest in the coal-fired power sector "in line with the energy requirements of the nation," adding that India was ahead of international commitments to cut emissions. "The private sector is now expressing interest because of financial viability and assurance that payments will be made on time," he said. The companies did not respond to requests seeking comment. India's Association of Power Producers (APP), which represents coal-fired power developers, told Power Minister R K Singh its members were eager to boost capacity, according to a Dec 4 letter reviewed by Reuters. Story continues Among the new proposals, Adani Power plans to add 4.8 GW and JSW 1 GW, according to three sources and a government presentation dated Nov 21 reviewed by Reuters. Essar Power plans 1.6 GW of new domestic coal-based power generation in Gujarat state by 2029, one of the sources said. Another source said Vedanta will add 1.9 GW of capacity. The sources - two government officials and two industry executives - declined to be named as the discussions are not public. The presentation, made by an arm of the power ministry in November, estimates that the plants would be commissioned by 2032. PRIVATE FUNDING DROUGHT In the five years to March 2018, private sector investments drove 56 GW, or over 60% of new coal-fired power, government data shows. That dwindled to 1.5 GW, or 5% of additions, in the next five years as projects faced financial stress, shifting the investment burden onto state and federal governments. A total of 24 private sector projects totalling over 23 GW, or over 10% of current Indian coal-fired capacity, are on hold or unlikely to be commissioned due to financial stress, according to power ministry data. However, higher coal dependence in the last three years due to slower renewable installations, heavy power demand, and new emergency laws enabling higher tariffs have made coal-fired power attractive again, boosting profits and pushing shares of generators to record highs. APP asked the government to provide more flexibility in coal and power supply agreements and expansion of existing power plants, ease clearances, and ensure domestic credit availability to expedite investments. "It will be a big challenge for any private developer to raise funds," APP wrote in the Dec 4 letter, adding that state lenders Power Finance Corp (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corp (REC) should be asked to take the lead. PFC and REC did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. A senior REC executive said it was keen to fund the planned additions with 70% debt as long as lending requirements are met. "REC has made significant progress in reducing non-performing assets and we would like to keep it that way," the executive told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity as the matter was not public. (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan in Singapore, Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi and N R Sethuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Tony Munroe and Raju Gopalakrishnan) SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Council, by approving its consent agenda Monday, awarded a $1.8 million contract to a Lincoln, Nebraska, construction company for the second phase of the Big Sioux Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Project. The bridge, which is expected to be completed in the fall, will be located just north of Interstate 29 and built over the Big Sioux River, linking Sioux City and Dakota Dunes' trail systems. The project includes the construction of a pre-engineered steel truss pedestrian bridge, grading, storm sewer, retaining wall construction and PCC paving for a 10-foot-wide trail. The city is managing the joint project, which has a total construction budget of $2.6 million. The project is being funded through a combination of sources, including the Dakota Dunes CID, Sioux City general obligation bonds and Destination Iowa grant funding. A total of $1.4 million of the cost of the bridge is being covered by private contributions. "This project is the result of a lot of generosity and people from both sides of the state. So, we're very fortunate to have people that are supporting quality of life projects," Sioux City Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore told the council. The project, which was bid on Feb. 13, received three bids. All of those bids came in above the city engineer's estimate of $1,591,021. K2 Real Estate Development, LLC, of Lincoln, submitted the low bid of $1,875,001.05. In 2022, the Siouxland trails network was awarded a $7 million tourism grant from state of Iowa to expedite the development of a network of recreational trails in metro Sioux City. The Big Sioux Pedestrian Bridge was one of five projects listed on the city's Destination Iowa grant funding application. The council also approved a first amendment to a 28E agreement between the city and Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) for the project. The amendment adds language which allows the agreement to be terminated by a written agreement approved by both parties. Salvatore previously told The Journal the amendment is a "technicality" required by the Iowa Secretary of State. After the agreement was approved locally, he said it went to the state for approval. The state came back with the addition of language to allow either side to get out of the agreement. The 28E agreement sets forth the responsibilities of the city and the Dakota Dunes CID, as well as each party's share of the construction expenses. Under the agreement, which both parties entered into on June 5, 2023, the City of Sioux City is responsible for the cost of the bridge's design and inspection. The city also supervises the project's bidding and construction administration and has the authority to sell the naming rights of the bridge and trail. Dakota Dunes participates financially in the bridge's construction in an amount not to exceed $140,000. Sioux City insures the bridge, and Dakota Dunes is responsible for reimbursing half of the premium and half of any deductible for any claims that arise. Each jurisdiction will own the portion of the bridge that exists within its corporate boundary. Sioux City is responsible for all bridge maintenance, while Dakota Dunes agrees to pay $1,000 annually toward bridge maintenance. Dakota Dunes also pays 25% of the total of any mutually agreed Capital Improvement Projects. Summit Carbon Solutions' pipeline system would traverse the east side of Dickinson County. (Iowa Utilities Board filing) Dickinson County is considering a carbon dioxide pipeline ordinance that is less restrictive than others in Iowa that have been challenged in court, in an effort to regulate the pipelines without getting sued, according to county officials. Specifically, the latest draft of the Dickinson ordinance requires the pipelines to be placed at least 1,600 feet or three-tenths of a mile away from cities. Other ordinances that are subject to litigation require a two-mile separation. That might help the county avoid lawsuits that have embroiled five other counties that adopted similar ordinances in response to a pipeline proposal under consideration by state regulators, said Megan Kardell, zoning and environmental health administrator for Dickinson. We did not zone it out of the county, Kardell said of her latest draft ordinance. Im hoping somebody doesnt sue us, and that they play ball. They could make something work. The ordinance is set to be considered March 18 by the countys planning and zoning commission. If it gets the commissions approval, it could be subject to a vote by county supervisors in April and become effective in May. Many counties that are in the path of Summit Carbon Solutions sprawling pipeline system have considered adopting restrictions about where the pipe can be laid. That has often been in response to residents concerns about public safety if a catastrophic pipeline break leads to a massive release of carbon dioxide. Counties are also concerned about whether the system might interfere with city growth and economic development. Summit wants to build a five-state system that would transport captured carbon dioxide from about 50 ethanol plants to North Dakota for underground storage. It has sued five Iowa counties in federal court Emmet, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Shelby and Story for their ordinances. Summit was successful in two of the lawsuits, but the judges decisions have been appealed. The three other suits are on hold pending resolutions of those appeals. Summit declined to comment on Dickinsons ordinance or about whether it might sue if it is adopted. The ordinance would also set minimum separation distances from homes and other buildings occupied by people at 1,600 feet, although the owners of the structures could sign waivers to allow less distance. Other minimum distances include: a half mile from churches, schools, nursing homes, medical facilities, public parks and other sensitive areas; 1,000 feet from livestock operations and certain utility infrastructure; and 200 feet from wells. Kardell said Dickinsons proposed procedure for a pipeline company to obtain a county permit is also less cumbersome than the other ordinances. Its unclear how much the new ordinance would affect Summits route. Its proposal that is under consideration by the Iowa Utilities Board includes a path that narrowly skirts the town of Superior. The route further appears to be within 1,600 feet of Terril and too close to a county park. There are also numerous farmsteads near the route. The board is poised to decide whether to issue Summit a permit for its initial proposal. The companys plans have since expanded to include more ethanol plants. Summit must also obtain permission for its project in the Dakotas. Counties with the highest unemployment in Iowa Counties with the highest unemployment in Iowa #50. Buchanan County #49. Boone County #48. Van Buren County #46. Monona County (tie) #46. Calhoun County (tie) #45. Guthrie County #44. Union County #43. Clay County #42. Poweshiek County #41. Webster County #40. Warren County #39. Woodbury County #38. Monroe County #37. Montgomery County #36. Allamakee County #35. Harrison County #34. Fayette County #33. Dubuque County #32. Louisa County #31. Hamilton County #30. Mills County #29. Hardin County #28. Clayton County #27. Jefferson County #26. Pottawattamie County #25. Polk County #24. Wayne County #23. Keokuk County #22. Madison County #21. Jones County #20. Benton County #19. Jasper County #18. Winnebago County #17. Page County #16. Floyd County #15. Tama County #14. Henry County #13. Jackson County #12. Cerro Gordo County #11. Black Hawk County #10. Muscatine County #9. Appanoose County #8. Linn County #7. Wapello County #6. Crawford County #5. Scott County #4. Clinton County #3. Lee County #2. Des Moines County #1. Marshall County Iowa Republican politicians celebrated the U.S. Supreme Courts Monday decision that states cannot remove former President Donald Trump from a ballot over claims that he incited an insurrection, claiming a win for the embattled candidate who is on track to clinch the Republican nomination. The ruling overturned a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court that would have precluded Trump from appearing on the ballot in Tuesdays primary election. The Colorado court found that Trump was not able to appear on the ballot because of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bars individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding office again. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called the Colorado decision an attempt to subvert the will of the voters in the 2024 election in a statement Monday. The decision of who should serve as President belongs to the voters. Not only would this disenfranchise Coloradans, but Iowans as well who believe Donald Trump is the best candidate on the ballot, Reynolds said. Frivolous attempts like this to harm the integrity of our elections should be struck down in similar fashion. Individuals and activist groups lodged lawsuits in several states challenging Trumps eligibility to be on the 2024 election ballot. They alleged that his role in inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection, in which a mob of his supporters broke into the Capitol in an attempt to stop the legitimate certification of President Joe Bidens electoral votes, disqualified him from holding office under the 14th Amendment. In its decision on Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled Congress has the sole discretion of enforcing the 14th Amendment. Because of that, state courts do not have authority to remove someone from the ballot for engaging in insurrection, the court said. The court's three liberal justices said in a concurring opinion that they agree with the central ruling, but they think the court considered more questions around the 14th Amendment than were necessary. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who endorsed Trump before this year's caucuses, called the ruling a victory. First, we won in Court. Now, were going to win at the ballot box, Bird said on social media. Lets bring home the biggest victory yet for President Trump this November! Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said the ruling preserved the rights of the voters to decide in the 2024 election. "The Supreme Court unanimously affirmed what we all saw as a brazen, unconstitutional power grab attempting to cause election interference, Kaufmann said in a written statement. The checks and balances worked against an unbalanced and unhinged effort to trash the Constitution and take away the right of people to vote in a free and fair election. The Iowa Democratic Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Iowa bill would insulate Trump from ballot challenges While there has been no similar challenge to Trumps ballot eligibility in Iowa, Republican lawmakers are moving to insulate him and other presidential candidates from such challenges in a proposed election bill. Among the many changes to election laws in the bill, it would dictate that a presidential candidates ballot eligibility can only be challenged based on the legal sufficiency of the certificate of nomination. It would also remove a rule that federal candidates must sign a statement indicating that they are aware they are disqualified from holding office if they have been convicted of a felony. Republicans have said the bill will protect presidential candidates from overzealous judges, while Democrats decried it as a move to protect Trump from legitimate legal questions. Republican Rep. Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton, the floor manager of the House bill, said the ruling affirms his argument that judges should not be deciding who is eligible to be on the ballot. Kaufmann was a senior advisor to Trump's 2024 Iowa caucus campaign. "I have been saying all along that it is not the job of activists on the far right or far left to pick who the party's nominees are," he said. "That is the will of the voters. My friends on the other side of the aisle seem to think that activists should subvert democracy and choose who's on the ballot." Kaufmann said he still thinks the provision limiting ballot challenges for presidential candidates is necessary. The language came from a proposed secretary of state bill, and Kaufmann said he wants to ensure that state law matches up with federal court precedent. Kaufmann said he expects the House to vote on the bill on Tuesday. Ernst, Hinson praise ruling Members of Iowas congressional delegation also celebrated the decision on Monday. Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican, said the American people should decide in a social media post. GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, who endorsed Trump after the January caucuses, also showed her support for Trump on social media. I was proud to sign an amicus brief in support of President Trumps Colorado ballot disqualification appeal & am glad the Supreme Court reversed this disastrous decision & stood up for American voters & our Constitution, she said. Voters decide elections, not liberal court justices. DES MOINES The state will contract with a suburban Des Moines company to provide guidance to Iowa families with special education students, the state education department announced Monday. The Iowa Department of Education said it will allocate $1 million for the first year of the program to ASK Resource Center in Johnston. The contract period started March 1, according to a news release from the education department. The funding will come from the state education departments federal funding via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which is dedicated to special education services for ages 3 to 21, according to the news release. Previously, the state contracted with Iowas area education agencies on a similar program. The state in January informed AEA leaders that it no longer will contract with the agencies on what was called the Family Educator Partners program, under which AEA coordinators at no cost to families provided support, information and resources to families and educators about special education services that are available to Iowa students with disabilities and their families. The state allocated $1.3 million for that program during the most recent state budget year, from that same federal funding source, according to an Iowa Department of Education spokeswoman. A spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds said last week that the state is separating from the AEAs on the Family Educator Partners program because of conflicts of interest the program workers also are AEA employees and because of what he said were inconsistencies in support provided and confusion over roles and responsibilities as identified in a 2014 report. The new program through ASK Resource Center will provide access to family support specialists and other professionals who will help families understand their rights in accessing what their child needs to be successful in and outside of the classroom, the news release says. Under the new program, according to the state education department, ASK Resource Center will have 18 full-time equivalent staff, including a family support supervisor, lead family support specialist, nine full-time family support specialists and additional part-time professionals who will provide one-on-one support to families of students with disabilities. Services provided will, according to the state, include helping families understand program requirements and case law, preparing families for meetings with their childs Individualized Education Program team, attending IEP meetings with families to help them articulate concerns and make requests and supporting families in navigating through disputes with schools. The Department of Education remains committed to ensuring all families of children with disabilities consistently receive timely, high-quality resources and supports that are responsive to their needs, Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said in a statement. In partnership with ASK Resource Center, families across Iowa will have the support of family specialists, family mentors, and experts focused on accessibility and postsecondary transitions as they advocate for their children with disabilities. Two weeks ago, the Alabama Supreme Court determined that, for the purposes of its Wrongful Death of a Minor statute, frozen embryos are children. The move has largely been covered as an IVF banbut the potential consequences reach far beyond IVF. On a new episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick spoke to Georgetown University professor Dr. Michele Goodwin about how the Alabama decision fits into a much broader movement attempting to enshrine the notion of fetal personhood into law. Goodwin is the author of six books, including the award-winning Policing The Womb: Invisible Women and the Criminalization of Motherhood. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. To listen to the full episode, join Slate Plus. Dahlia Lithwick: Our eyes are on Alabama now. But you have been watching Alabama for years. What did you see there that foreshadowed this IVF decision? Michele Goodwin: I interviewed prosecutors in Alabama long before Dobbs. I did on-the-ground work in Alabama over 15 years ago. And what was already happening in Alabama was a child endangerment statute had been enacted, not intended to be targeted at pregnant women or people with a uterus, but thats how the law was being implemented by prosecutors. It was a law that was attempting to discourage men from turning their homes into meth labs, which then could catch flame, could blow up and then harm everybody inside, including children. So it was a means to try to discourage that. It was intended for children, meaning people who were 4 and 5 and 6 and 10 and 12. The legislations co-sponsors later said that they were not intending that it be used against pregnant women. And I think theres so many aspects for us to unpack in terms of how that came about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women going in for prenatal caremeaning women who are not trying to have abortions or seek abortions, but were trying to be as responsible as possible to get the prenatal care that they neededwere asked, as we all are, about our social histories. For example, do you exercise every week? Do you drink beer? Do you drink wine? And these women were being honest about their experiences. And what they did not know is that prosecutors were basically using this as a trapencouraging medical providers, doctors, and nurses to contact them or to be responsive to their calls when they wanted to find out if a woman had used methamphetamine during pregnancy, or Valium or anything else, and to turn over medical information these women viewed as confidential, as private between themselves and their doctors. These women were taking extraordinary plea deals10, 15, 20 yearswhen confronted with these heavy-handed prosecutions. Advertisement When I think of you, I think of conversations Ive had with you, and with Dorothy Roberts, who I know hugely influences your work, with all the people who were saying for years: This isnt just about abortion. This is not just about IVF. Advertisement Now we are having this incredibly myopic IVF conversation. And lets be clear, its not an IVF ban in Alabama. Alabama didnt ban IVF. The fact that clinics are not providing services is a different matter, but I think we just got dragged down this road of Mike Pence saying that his family used IVF, so IVF is OK. And were having a conversation that, yet again, as it did with abortion, hives off this question of assisted reproductive technologies. But thats not actually the conversation we should be having. Right? Advertisement Thats right. Ive said for many years that rights is a plural, and yet the reproductive rights movement for decades basically had its eye on abortion and not on what would be all of the other spokes on the wheel that would convey rights. And in terms of Alabama, now this is all about IVF rather than the broader satellite of so many issues: contraception, sex education, employment, economics. Advertisement Of course, women are thinking about these mattersand what Black women understood, intergenerationally, are these questions about family and reproduction. Laws measuring and surveilling their reproduction are not new. Thomas Jefferson famously wrote about how, on his plantation, he preferred for there to be women and girls rather than men because he said they were turning a profit every year or two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Thomas Jefferson was not talking about, Oh, Black girls just pick cotton at a more feverish rate than do Black boys and Black men. Thomas Jefferson was conveying to other politicians and other planters in writing, which you can find at the Monticello website, as a means to show that forced reproduction imposed on Black women and girls was profitable. It would render profit to people who would follow this advice that he was giving. Were failing to understand and piece together this history that is telling us so much about the lengths to which people will go in order to exert power and capitalize off of the reproductionor lack of power associated with reproductionof the most vulnerable in our society. Advertisement So we are sitting in the midst of a centurieslong regime in which power and capital and wealth are transferred from white men to white men, patrilineally, while oppression, policing, and criminality are in fact transferred matrilineally. Theres a straight line between what you just said and one of the things you say every single time we speak in public, which is that you cannot have this conversation without seeing that the lawmakers who are fetishizing childbirth and babies are telling on themselves, because the maternal mortality rates are so high. This has nothing to do with protecting life with good pregnancy, or with health outcomes. Because, particularly in the South, if you cared about life, the maternal death rates would not correlate to all of these restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats absolutely right, and we see that so much of this has been about power and control, which I know is hard for people to grapple with. In 2016, the Supreme Court acknowledged in Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt that a woman is 14 times more likely to die carrying a pregnancy to term than by having an abortion. The World Health Organization has said that an abortion is as safe as a penicillin shot. This kind of inconsistency, this kind of confusion, really relates to misogyny and it relates to power. This is how we could have a eugenics movement in the United States that would ban poor white people from being able to even become parents. In 1927, the United States Supreme Court determined in Buck v. Bell that Carrie Buck, a poor 16-year-old white girl who had been raped and had a child out of wedlock, should not be able to have any children in the futureand in fact, no one else like Carrie should be able to have children either, such that Virginia and more than 30 states enacted these eugenics laws where there were literally poor white people, who are 12, 13, 14 years old, who were coercively sterilized. And that became such a prominent campaign that the Nazis in Germany latched on to it and came to the United States and studied: How is the United States implementing this eugenics program? And then they took the law back and, almost verbatim, implemented it in Germany. And there is a point in time in the 1930s where we have American lawmakers that are saying, The Germans are beating us at our own game, we have to speed it up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there were fitter family contests in the United States, at state fairs, there were buildings that were built for the fitter families so that people could come and show how blond their hair is, how blue the eye is, who the babies are. And what stitches all of these things together is a sense of power and control. Advertisement I wrote a piece earlier this week saying this is not just a conversation about IVF, not just about the police, its also a conversation about families and who gets to decide what your family looks like and the ways in which we use not just the law of adoption and the law of removing children from the home. This is Dorothy Roberts work. All of that law is used to reallocate children from one set of families to another. And as you said, if you were Black or brown, you knew that long before this IVF case came along it was about who is allowed to make decisions about your children. Advertisement All of that is so deeply infected by religion, and it always has been. And the Alabama decision is so theological and so unabashedly religion-basedand, I would say, not Judeo-Christian grand themes, but full-on white, Christian, American ideas about religion. Related From Slate The IVF Ruling Is About Who Gets to Raise Your Children Read More Justices Sotomayor and Kagan have been ringing an alarm bell about the weaponization of the First Amendment, saying so quite directly on cases that involve reproductive health care. Whats interesting about this is that were at a time in which the Supreme Court has said that originalism matters. We must look to the past in order to be guided in the present. And if one were to take that seriously, one should see that there is a very thick divide between religion and law, and that church and state should not blend together. And so we see the selectivity of determining what are the kind of religious inferences that should or could embed in law. Advertisement This lean into religion makes no room for anything outside of a kind of white-Christian-nationalism type of approach. Ill close with this. In the Constitution, religious minorities are protected from the tyranny of the state. That really is the purpose behind the Bill of Rightsto protect individuals from the tyranny of the state. Its not intended to place a thumb on the scale such that people can be harmed in the name of religion. That is exactly what the people who colonized the United States were fleeing from. And here it is in 2024, and its far more visibly implanted in American law than perhaps ever before, at least in recent decades and centuries. And so its alarmingbut I would say that this wont be the end of it. The Supreme Courts decision reversing Colorados choice to remove Donald Trump from the ballot, the judgment of which was joined by all nine justices, was obviously correct. Whats not obvious is why so many thought the court wouldor shouldgo the other way. Colorado had removed Trump from the ballot based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That clause disqualifies certain insurrectionists from holding certain federal and state offices. The issue the court resolved, unanimously, is whether states have the power to enforce that provision against a federal officer or candidate. Every justice agreed that they dont. What the justices did not agree upon was how the federal government could proceed in its enforcement of Section 3. All agreedas they mustthat a federal statute would do it. All could not agree about whether a statute is required. Five justices have now ruled that a statute is required; four justices effectively dissented from that view. This was not the time, these four insisted, to address a question not raised or argued in the case before it. The better practice, they demanded, was to wait till the issue presented itself and resolve that issue then. That is ordinarily the correct procedure. But it is a good thing that the court went beyond ordinary procedure in this case, because a move that some Democrats were considering for disqualifying Trump would have been a disaster. That move would try to bar Trump on Jan. 6, 2025: Congress job, this argument goes, is to count electoral votes to determine a winner. But Congress cant count any vote for a candidate not qualified to be president. So, Congress cant count the votes for Donald Trump, this view has it, because he is an obvious insurrectionist. Advertisement This idea is wrong in its conception; the court has now effectively ruled it wrong as a matter of law. It was wrong in its conception because Congress job is not to adjudicate whether the candidate whose votes they are counting is qualified. The only basis the Electoral Count Reform Act gives for excluding an electoral vote for a candidate is that the electoral vote was not regularly given. Though the legislative history of that 2022 amendment suggested that this included a judgment about whether the candidate was qualified, the language of the statute refers to the regularity of the vote, not to the candidate. And although there is just one historical example of Congress deciding whether it could count the vote of an unqualified candidatein 1872 Horace Greeley died between Election Day and Electors Day; 63 of his 66 electors voted for someone else, and three stuck with the dead candidate; the House, by a single vote, rejected those three votes, but the Senate overwhelmingly voted to count themthe Constitution does not make Congress the judge of the states presidential elections. That power is vested in the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court has now quashed any potential objection to counting votes for the insurrectionist, Donald Trump (assuming that Congress listens to the court). Instead, on the courts ruling, to invoke Section 3 in a way that would affect anyones legal rights or qualification, you must first point to a statute that Congress has passed enforcing that provision. Justice Sonia Sotomayor vigorously criticized this rule in a concurring opinion joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. All the Reconstruction Amendments (including the due process and equal protection guarantees and prohibition of slavery) are self-executing, she insisted, meaning that they do not depend on legislation. But that statement is flatly false. Section 2 of the 14th Amendmentwhich directs that when the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of [a] State the basis of representation therein shall be reducedis plainly not self-executing. No one believes that a court has the power to direct that the apportionment within a state be reduced because that court believes that election laws in the state have effectively denied male voters the vote. The same is likely true of Section 4, and certainly Section 5. The majority has not created a special rule for the insurrection disability in Section 3, as Sotomayor charges. It has simply concluded that Section 3 is more like Section 2 (or Section 4, or Section 5, for that matter) than Section 1. Advertisement Advertisement Although some very smart and reliable analysts, citing the progressive concurrences claim that the majority attempts to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office, have argued that the courts opinion effectively neuters Section 3, I disagree. There is a statute on the books18 U.S.C. 2383that criminalizes insurrection. The penalty for that crime is disqualification from federal office. And while the court did describe the need for Congress to ensure that any procedure it establishes be congruent and proportional, theres no reason to believe that a criminal statute, which affords a defendant the maximum procedural protection known within our system of law, wouldnt satisfy that requirement. Advertisement The rule the Supreme Court has left us with is thus this: No state can, pursuant to Section 3, exclude a potential federal officer from office; and the only way the federal government can exclude a potential federal officer is through the application of an appropriate congressionally passed statute. Congress has indeed passed an appropriate insurrection statute; prosecutors could use it; but apparently, even though Trumps insurrection is obvious to all, it isnt obvious enough to be enforced by a jury in the District of Columbia against Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Court Forgot to Scrub the Metadata in Its Trump Ballot Decision. It Reveals Something Important. Read More The puzzle for me is not this rule. The puzzle is that anyone doubted it. Is this Trump derangement syndrome? Because I should have thought that this rule, but for Trump, would have been embraced by all. The idea that any state judge could declare a presidential candidate an insurrectionist, and thereby exclude him or her from the ballot, is wrong. Obviously, there needs to be a regular procedure to make that determination, and obviously, there cant be 51 different procedures in all the jurisdictions that send electoral votes to Congress. So, obviously, this is not a matter for the states; it is a matter for the federal government. It seems to me equally obvious that at the federal level, the way such a rule would be enforced was precisely how Section 5 of the 14th Amendment said it should be enforcedthrough a law passed by Congress. The idea that any federal judge, absent a statute, could have the power to declare a candidate an insurrectionist is equally wrong. And even more wrong is the notion that Congress, on Jan. 6, would have the power to adjudicate whether someone was an insurrectionist. Some of this countrys smartest and best lawyers, especially but not exclusively on the left, have worked themselves into a tizzy about an idea that in calmer times none would have embraced. Advertisement Advertisement I get the motivation. The threat of Trumps election is existential. But this fillip of litigation has just given Trumps campaign a new boost of energy: See, he can argue, they were so crazy that even the liberal Supreme Court justices shot them down. And that argument is correct: This idea was wrong when birthed from the law professors pens; it was wrong when funded by anti-Trump super PACs; and it was wrong when pursued in the state court of Colorado. If there were an action to be pursued here, it would be the prosecution of Donald Trump under 2383. And if you think to yourself, That would have been too difficult, then maybe also think this: If, with the protections of due process, you dont believe that Donald Trump would be deemed an insurrectionist, then maybe it isnt quite right to try to declare him one on the cheap. To borrow (and remix) a line from Kagan, here the rule of law should rule. And thats precisely the rule the Supreme Court has now given us. Rather than bash the court for its obviously correct judgment, maybe we should reflect a bit more carefully on how a campaign against this existential threat will be won: not in the courts, but at the ballot box. The Supreme Courts unsigned majority opinion in Trump v. Anderson, ending Colorados attempt to disqualify Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot as an insurrectionist, is a remarkable self-own. It simultaneously turned what could have been a short, sweet (if weakly reasoned) unanimous holding about states not having the individual power to disqualify presidential candidates from their ballots into a bitter 54 dispute over the scope of Congress power to disqualify candidates. And if the majority felt that it needed to take the heat from the courts liberals and from Justice Amy Coney Barrett because it wanted to provide clarity that Congress cannot try to disqualify Trump if he appears to be reelected when Congress counts Electoral College votes on Jan. 6, 2025, it made a mess. Leading scholars and lawyers reading the opinion already disagree over what Congress can do and how, keeping the door open to potential chaos. Its a rare miss by a usually strategic and savvy Chief Justice John Roberts. The legal question at issue is as arcane as it is central to democracy. After the Civil War, Congress passed three amendments to the Constitution, among them the 14th Amendment. That amendment most notably protects individuals when states deprive people of their rights to due process or equal protection. But it also includes a provision, in Section 3, aimed at those who were part of the Confederacy during the war, disqualifying from future office those who had formerly pledged to uphold the Constitution but who later engaged in insurrection. Advertisement Relying on this part of the 14th Amendment, some Trump opponents have gone state by state, arguing that Trump cannot appear on the ballot because hes disqualified for his conduct in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. They lost in most places, but they won in Colorado and got Trump kicked off the ballot in that state. The U.S. Supreme Court stepped in, and in a short opinion issued on Monday (a per curiam, with no one justice listed as author), it held that states cannot enforce Section 3 when it comes to federal offices. Among other things, the court held that this would create chaos through a patchwork of state approaches to whom and how to disqualify. (Never mind that states already have a patchwork of rules, for example dealing with how third-party candidates can get on the ballot.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the unanimity on this point, the court included a five-paragraph Part II.A of the opinion, a section that generated tremendous controversy and to which Barrett and the three liberal justices objected. In those paragraphsbacked by Roberts, as well as Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomasthe court explained that Section 3 empowers Congress, and apparently not other actors, to prescribe how disqualification is to work, at least as to federal officers. When Congress wishes to disqualify, it must aim at particular individuals. When Congress makes these determinations, proceedings, evidence, decisions, and enforcement of decisions, more or less formal, are indispensable, the majority wrote, quoting an 1869 opinion for a Supreme Court justice sitting as a circuit justice (and not an opinion of the Supreme Court). Advertisement Although the majority called Congress power critical when it comes to Section 3, without explaining what that means, it made the Supreme Court the final arbiter of whether someone can be disqualified. Congressional determinations of disqualification are subject of course to judicial review to pass appropriate legislation to enforce the Fourteenth Amendment. And later, in a part of the opinion joined by Barrett but objected to by the liberals, the court reiterated that any legislation passed by Congress to enforce Section 3 must be tailored. Legislation must reflect congruence and proportionality between means and ends, code words the court has used elsewhere to strike down congressional legislation. Advertisement The majority did not explain how far its holding goes. Is congressional legislation always required to enforce Section 3? Theres not a mention of the elephant in the room, which is what happens on Jan. 6, 2025, when Congress counts electoral votes. Can Democrats opt to not count votes for Trump on the grounds that hes an insurrectionist? Would that require a prior statute? Or is the power to disqualify when counting Electoral College votes something within Congress powers under the 12th Amendment, separate from the rules on statutes? If its under the 12th Amendment, is it not subject to judicial review? Could Congress by statute otherwise disqualify Trump after the election? Advertisement Advertisement The court did not answer these questions, and experts and members of Congress are already divided on them. Its not even clear whether statutes already on the books are currently enforceableincluding 18 U.S.C. 2383, which criminalizes insurrections and includes as a penalty prohibition from federal officewith different analysts reaching different conclusions. In terms of clues on the timing question, the five-justice majority did include this less-than-definitive section near the end: An evolving electoral map could dramatically change the behavior of voters, parties, and States across the country, in different ways and at different times. The disruption would be all the more acuteand could nullify the votes of millions and change the election resultif Section 3 enforcement were attempted after the Nation has voted. Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaosarriving at any time or different times, up to and perhaps beyond the Inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would Congress disqualifying Trump under its 12th Amendment powers to count Electoral College votes be Section 3 enforcement attempted after the Nation has voted? Is that forbidden? Related From Slate The Supreme Court Forgot to Scrub the Metadata in Its Trump Ballot Decision. It Reveals Something Important. Read More The liberal justices in their separate opinion wrote that the majority decided novel constitutional questions to insulate this Court and [Trump] from further controversy. They added that the majority announces that a disqualification for insurrection can occur only when Congress enacts a particular kind of legislation pursuant to Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. In doing so, the majority shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement. The liberals added that the majority attempted to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office. The whole back-and-forth is perplexing. Were the liberals overreading what the majority had done in Part II.A? More likely, this opinion was rushed and there were last-minute changes. (This idea is supported by the metadatas revealing some things, as Mark Joseph Stern explained, such as that the liberal concurrence started as a Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissent.) Maybe Part II.A said more in draft, then that was removed. Maybe after the removal of some language, when the liberals failed to tone down their opinion, this provoked Barrett to write separately to attack the stridency of the liberal justices. Given this politically charged issue in the volatile season of the election, Barrett wrote, the Court should turn the national temperature down, not up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If what the chief justice and the other justices in the majority were trying to do was to impose some finality on the Trump disqualification question and to avoid chaos, as they said, they left open a huge question mark about Jan. 6. And in doing so, the majority was the one that turned the national temperature up. It will remain up. None of this bodes well for unanimity in the Trump immunity case, which is currently being slow-walked by the Supreme Court, or the rest of the election-related litigation that is sure to hit the court between now and the electionor potentially in the months afterward. Keeping up with Donald Trumps court schedule is a dizzying task, since he faces two federal trials, a criminal trial in Georgia, and two separate civil and criminal trials in New York. (Oh, and hes running for president.) To make it easier to follow along, each Monday well be looking back on all the Trump trialrelated developments you might have missed the previous week. Today was supposed to be the start of Trumps federal election interference case, but instead the Supreme Court decided to take up the former presidents absolute immunity appeal, leaving that trial on hold until the summer. And speaking of the high court, they also decided on this fine Monday morning that states cannot disqualify Trump from their ballots because of his alleged engagement in an insurrection. In Florida, Judge Aileen Cannon might finally be moving toward assigning a new trial date in special counsel Jack Smiths classified documents case, while Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wants a gag order on Trump ahead of his hush money trial thats kicking off in exactly three weeks. The Supreme Court rules Trump can stay on Colorados ballot On Monday morning the Supreme Court reversed the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to remove Trump from its primary ballots and ruled no state may unilaterally remove a presidential candidate from national officea power that rests with Congress and not the states. Its a huge win for the former president, who has been kicked off three state ballots, with more than 10 states embroiled in ongoing legal challenges to his candidacy. These challenges are based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which says that any former officeholder who engaged in insurrection is disqualified from regaining public office. Colorado was the first state to use this clause to remove Trump from their ballot, and his appeal quickly landed before the Supreme Court. Advertisement Though the justices issued a unanimous decision in the Colorado ballot case, they were divided on their reasoning. The courts most conservative justicesClarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh, plus Chief Justice John Robertsjoined an unsigned majority opinion declaring that only Congress may enforce Section 3 against federal candidates for office through some kind of enabling legislation. The liberal wing of the courtJustices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jacksonconcurred in the judgment only, arguing the majority was overstepping and could not join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily. Justice Amy Coney Barrett agreed that the majority overreached, meaning the court really split 54 on the heart of the decision. (Mark Joseph Stern breaks down why the majority went further than it needed to, and the broader consequences that will have.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as the courts decision came out, Trump was on Truth Social, posting with glee: BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!! and also agreed to hear Trumps immunity appeal The highest court in the land granted another one of Trumps wishes last week: The justices are making it very difficult for special counsel Jack Smiths election interference case to wrap up before the election. After taking over two weeks to consider Trumps and Smiths filings, the justices agreed to keep Smiths case on pause while they consider whether the trial should be dismissed, as Trump has argued, because of presidential immunity. A federal appeals court recently shut down Trumps immunity argument, noting that presidential immunity is mentioned nowhere in the Constitution and therefore Trump is not shielded from criminal charges for actions he took in office. As expected, Trump fought that decision by first asking SCOTUS to pause the appeals court ruling while he works on filing a petition for review. Smith then filed a reply brief asking the justices to treat Trumps request for a stay as a petition for review in order to fast-track this process. The justices agreed and now they get the final word. Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of how the high court rules, its a big win for the former president. Thats because SCOTUS has bought Trump a lot of time, scheduling oral arguments for the week of April 22, and they likely wont issue a decision until the end of June. And given that Judge Tanya Chutkan has suggested in court papers that Trump should get one extra day to prepare for every additional day his trial is delayed from her original March 4 trial date, Smith may end up having to wait until after November to try the former president. If Trump wins in the presidential election, its safe to assume he will try to dismiss Smiths entire indictment. Advertisement Advertisement The high courts decision in this case could also impact Smiths classified documents trial and the Georgia election interference case, where Trump has also claimed presidential immunity. The claim is not at issue in the New York hush money case. Jack Smith argues classified documents case should not be dismissed Attorneys for Trump urged Judge Aileen Cannon to dismiss Smiths classified documents case, pointing to how special counsel Robert Hur decided not to prosecute President Joe Biden for classified documents he held on toand Smith called foul. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, unlike Biden, is alleged to have engaged in extensive and repeated efforts to obstruct justice and thwart the return of documents bearing classification markings, wrote David Harbach, assistant special counsel. And the evidence concerning the two mens intentwhether they knowingly possessed and willfully retained such documentsis also starkly different. Advertisement Harbach is referencing Hurs report which concluded that, because Biden had cooperated with the Department of Justice and had significantly limited memory, it was unlikely jurors would be convinced Biden willfully held on to classified documents. That stands in stark contrast to Trump, according to Harbach, who argued that the defendants have not identified anyone who has engaged in a remotely similar suite of willful and deceitful criminal conduct and not been prosecuted. Smith also suggested a new classified documents trial date Last Friday, Judge Cannon held a hearing to consider when Trump should go to trial in Smiths classified documents case, months after she suggested that her initial May 20 date wouldnt hold because of potential overlap with the other trials Trump is facing. Prosecutors and the defense each presented their cases for when the former president should face a jury, and they unsurprisingly offered two very different timelines. Advertisement Advertisement Smiths team proposed that Trumps trial should begin on July 8one week before the Republican National Conventionwhile also dropping big news: The DOJs 60-day rulean unwritten policy of avoiding prosecution close to an electiondoes not apply to the classified documents case because Trump has already been charged, and because the trial date is set by a judge, not prosecutors. Cannon signaled that a July trial would be unrealistic, given that there are numerous pretrial motions to be decided on beforehand. Advertisement Trumps attorneys proposed that the trial should begin on Aug. 12, but noted that their first preference would be to delay the trial until after the November general election. Smiths team accused them of putting out fake dates that they expect Cannon to end up pushing back again until after Election Day. We just need to bring this case to trial this summer, said Jay Bratt, prosecutor on the special counsels legal team. Advertisement Todd Blanche, Trumps attorney, insisted that forcing a trial before November is a mistake and should not happen. He argued that it would force Trump off the campaign trail for blocks of time for really no reason. Trump is struggling to post bond in the New York civil fraud case The former president tried appealing the bond terms of his New York civil fraud case judgment, requesting to post only $100 million along with a promise to pay the full $450 million (and counting) judgment at a later time through a bond company. An appellate court judge turned him down, but did open another door for him. Advertisement Advertisement As part of New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engorons decision, Trump not only has to pay $450 million for filing fraudulent financial documents, hes also banned from getting a loan from a New York bank for three years and cannot run any New Yorkbased companies. But in order to afford bond, Trump would need to rely on a loan, making the terms of Engorons verdict impossible. Appellate court Justice Anil Singh recognized that, and though he denied Trumps initial payment plan request, he did pause the part of Engorons verdict that would prevent Trump from securing a loan. Advertisement Trump has until March 25 to cough up the $450 million fine, and if he cannot pay, New York Attorney General Letitia James has said shes ready to seize his assets, specifically his New York properties. Alvin Bragg wants a gag order Advertisement Like many of the prosecutors trying the former president, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is trying to get ahead of the inevitable: Trump attacking people associated with his criminal cases. So last week, Bragg filed a request for a gag order that would ban Trump from publicly attacking witnesses or exposing jurors identities in his New York hush money case. (This trial will start on March 25.) Advertisement Bragg argues that, given Trumps longstanding history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, judges, and others involved in legal proceedings against him, the former president must be legally barred from making or directing others to make public comments about witnesses and jurors in this case. Bragg has charged Trump with 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in the first degree. It goes back to the days of 2016 when Trump was campaigning for president the first time and allegedly arranged, then lied about, payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to stop them from publicly speaking out about their alleged affairs with Trump. (Trump denies the affairs and claims the payments to Michael Cohen were not criminal.) Advertisement Judge Juan Merchan is overseeing Braggs case, and if he approves the requested gag order, its likely that Trump will appeal it. Steven Cheung, spokesman for Trumps presidential campaign, has already criticized Braggs move, calling it a restrictive gag order, which if granted, would impose an unconstitutional infringement on President Trumps First Amendment rights. The Fani Willis misconduct hearing finally ends Its been two weeks since the start of hearings into a series of misconduct allegations against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and the special prosecutor she hired, Nathan Wade. Theyve been filled with dramatic testimony, and last week was no different, as Terrence Bradley, Wades former business partner and divorce attorney, took the witness stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bradley was less than thrilled to be testifying, but after receiving a subpoena he was forced to show up in court. He was considered a key witness for defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who initially filed the misconduct allegations against Willis and Wade last month, alleging the DA improperly hired Wade because he was her boyfriend and that the couple have a conflict of interest in prosecuting her client, Mike Roman. Trump quickly joined Merchants motion, and both defendants want Willis, Wade, and the DAs entire team disqualified from the election interference case and all of their clients charges dismissed. Both Willis and Wade have already testified and admitted to dating while working together, but argue there is no conflict. The hearing spent a considerable amount of time focusing on trips the couple took together with funds Wade earned through his work for Fulton County, which the defense argues is evidence of a conflict of interest. Both prosecutors testified that Willis paid Wade back for that travel, and Willis announced the couple was no longer dating. Advertisement Merchant grilled Bradley about the timeline of Willis and Wades relationshipboth testified they started dating in 2022, about a year after Wade was hired by the DAand he remained adamant that he had no knowledge of it starting, or when it started. But Merchant presented a text message exchange between herself and Bradley from January where he responded Absolutely to Merchant asking if Willis and Wade began dating before she hired him in 2021. Yet on the witness stand, Bradley insisted he was just speculating about the couples relationship timeline. After Merchant repeatedly failed to get Bradley to divulge more information about the meaning behind his January text message, Trumps attorney Steve Sadow also failed to get Bradley to explain why he would speculate when Merchant asked him a direct question. I have no answer for that, said Bradley, to which Sadow retorted, Except for the fact that you do, in fact, know when it started and you dont want to testify to that in court. Thats the best explanation. Closing arguments were presented later that day and Judge McAfee announced he would make a final decision about Willis and Wades roles in this case within the next two weeks. If he rules that Willis is disqualified, her entire office would be forced to step down too, and a new prosecutor would be assigned by the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia. Though it is exceptionally rare for a prosecutor to be disqualified, it does happen. In that event, there is no guarantee that the scope of Willis indictment would hold or when a replacement prosecutor would get assigned. The latest decisions out of the Supreme Court, first on when to hear former President Donald Trumps immunity appeal, then on how to deal with his Colorado ballot disqualification, have made one thing very clear: We need to stop deluding ourselves that a majority of the Supreme Court sees the same political emergency that many of us do in terms of the threat Trump poses to American democracy. Whether it understood or even accounted for the consequences of the decision to delay the criminal case against him and to expedite its decision to keep him on the ballot, the high court ensured this past week that Trump is extremely unlikely to have a jury decide if he engaged in election subversion before voters cast their ballots for the next U.S. president this fall. After failures by outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and now the Supreme Court, its clear that if anyone is going to save American democracy, it is going to be the voters. To briefly recap how we got here: Trump engaged in a multipronged effort to turn himself from a loser in the 2020 presidential election into a winner by pressuring federal, state, and local officials to find fraud or irregularities that could serve as the basis to send in a bunch of fake electors to Congress. That might have provided a fig leaf for allowing Congress to ignore the will of the voters and subvert the election outcome by declaring Trump the winner. The plan failed. After Trumps lies inspired a violent invasion of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Congress counted the real Electoral College votes, and Joe Biden was declared the winner. The House of Representatives impeached (again) Trump for his attempted election subversion (again), and 57 senators voted to convict, short of the 67 needed under the Senates rules. McConnell pointedly voted no, bringing others with him, arguing that the criminal and civil processes would take care of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That kicked the ball over to Garlands court, where he did littleas far as the public is awarefor a long, long, long time. The Justice Department focused instead on the Capitol invaders, not the folks at the top who directed them or who participated in wider attempts to interfere with the peaceful and legal transition of power. Only belatedly did Garland appoint Jack Smith as special counsel to investigate these potential crimes, killing precious time that we all knew was ticking because Trump had said, early on, that he was going to run for president. By choosing to run, Trump put himself in a position to yell Election interference! as every charge was brought by a DOJ attorney headed by an appointee of his political rival. (Running also sets himself up for self-pardons or to scuttle ongoing federal cases if he wins the presidency again.) Advertisement It sure looks as if Smith moved expeditiously, not only in the election subversion case but also in the Florida classified documents case. But Trump has every incentive to delay, and a key part of his strategy involved taking an interlocutory (that is, before trial) appeal in the election interference case, claiming that he is wholly immune from criminal prosecution for official acts as president. (Never mind that many of his acts, such as cajoling the Georgia secretary of state to find 11,780 votes, were not in any way part of the official duties of a president, who has no role in running or supervising elections.) Advertisement The wheels of justice take time, but in this case the Supreme Court holds all the cards. Smith asked the justices back in December to let this appeal leapfrog over the D.C. Circuit, which sits between itself and the trial court, and the Supreme Court refused. That cost months. Then, after the circuit ruled against Trump, Smith tried to expedite things again. Advertisement Advertisement Many of us wrongly believed that the court would move quickly and let the case get back to trial, on the reality-based theory that the American people deserve to know before voting if Trump, the candidate in 2024, was guilty as the 2020 candidate of trying to steal the election. The case for sending it back for trial is especially strong because Trumps immunity argument on the merits is loony. As one D.C. Circuit judge noted, it would allow the president to order SEAL Team Six to assassinate political rivals without any consequences. But the court did not move quickly. Not at all. After 13 days of silence following the end of emergency briefing, it set a schedule allowing almost two months of further briefing, with a likely decision delayed until two months after that, at the end of June. Compare that to Bush v. Gore, in which the Supreme Court went from order to hearing the case to issuing a final decision in just a few days. Or, perhaps more pertinently, compare it to the decision Monday to allow Trump to remain on the ballot, despite arguments for his disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, after a speed run of just three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this timeline of a May or June (or July) SCOTUS decision, it is possible that Trump could go on trial for election subversion before the 2024 election. Indeed, over at Just Security, Norm Eisen, Matt Seligman, and Joshua Kolb game out eight-week trials and 12-week trials with different start dates going far into the fall up to and sometimes even through Election Day. And if you watch the cable news channels, you can see all kinds of legal commentators suggesting that the courts could still move heaven and earth to get this thing to trial by Election Day. The chief justice could release an opinion before dissents are authored. The court could still issue a decision in a matter of days after arguments. Advertisement Advertisement But why should we expect the court to do anything of the sort in light of how it has acted already? Just because the court expedited the Colorado ballot removal case doesnt mean that it considers the election subversion trial an emergency. We made a massive category error in imagining that at least six justices, the number needed to rubber-stamp the D.C. Circuit Courts ruling without further argument, saw the need for speed in the Trump immunity case. Advertisement And what did the court do on the merits in the disqualification case? It not only held that states cannot enforce the disqualification provisions against an insurrectionist running for federal office. It put a straitjacket on Congresss ability to enforce it too, raising serious questions about whether even Congress could possibly satisfy the Supreme Court if it attempts to say that Trump cannot serve as president again. Advertisement With disqualification off the table, attention turns back to the immunity appeal pending before the court and whether Trump can be rushed to trial before the election. There are a lot of people who are devoting their time to crafting scenarios in which the court might still evince interest in saving itself and the possibility of preserving a functioning democracy after the election by expediting a decision in Trumps immunity appeal. Thats their prerogative, and we fervently hope they are correct. But lets be candid about the fact that the court has missed its last best chance to do so: A completed trial before Election Day seems highly unlikely. Rolling Stone reports that Trumps lawyers literally popped Champagne when the Supreme Courts scheduling order came out. Advertisement Even though Smith has now taken the view that the internal rule keeping the DOJ from bringing charges within 60 days of the election doesnt apply to criminal cases that have already been instituted, it would be quite extraordinary for a court to make one of the two major political party candidates stand for trial in the middle of the general election season and even during the period of early voting (which begins weeks before Nov. 5, Election Day). Would a court even start a trial before Election Day that wouldnt be finished until afterward? Such trials are rare. We think of the 2008 case of Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, who wanted to go on trial and clear his name of corruption charges before the election. He went on trial, was convicted, and lost reelection. (A blistering report from the DOJ issued after trial showed that it hid exculpatory evidence from Stevens.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even if Judge Tanya Chutkan allows the trial to go forward, Trump has a right to put on his defense, and he would have every incentive to call witnesses and drag out sending the case to the jury until past Election Day. Do we deserve a Supreme Court that cares about putting the evidence of Donald Trumps potential criminality before the American people before they head to the polls? We do. Do we have such a court? We do not. Clearly. So, the sole remaining question seems to be whether it is a delusion or a useful exercise to spin out elaborate fantasies in which the justices reverse course to step up. Is producing an elaborate flowchart of a trial that might take place between the first and second presidential debates going to somehow soften and change a justices mind? Advertisement There are between four and five votes at the court to treat Trumps presidency as ordinary and his actions in trying to reverse the election results as not a potential national emergency. As Aziz Huq notes, Donald Trump is getting treated infinitely better than most criminal defendants before the court, which doesnt give a break even to those who are actually innocent of the crimes of which they are accused. We can sit around reading entrails from the courts scheduling order in the immunity appeal to attempt to parse that breakdown and to hurl our efforts at changing those numbers through hope and limited influence. Or we can thank the court for its inadequate service and move on. We should move on. In the end, all this wishcasting about a Supreme Court that is going to save us has material costs. It deludes us into thinking that someone else is going to rush in while we watch and cheer from the stands. Call it Mueller Derangement Syndrome or whatever else youd like. But lets stop thinking theres someone else. The 2024 election, like everything else, all comes down to turnout. That isnt in the courts hands. Its in ours. This week, a set of elections in Texas is threatening to take the states social studies curriculumwhich is facing a big overhaul in 2025to an even more politicized extreme. The Texas State Board of Education already has an overwhelming Republican majority with an established opposition to climate science, inappropriate books, and diversity and inclusion efforts (labeled, somewhat incorrectly, as critical race theory). But this week, three experienced incumbents on the board are facing challengers who are even more right-wing and who see the incumbents as insufficiently bullish on fighting the culture wars. The heated nature of the race centers on a planned revision of the social studies curriculum. Two years ago, the board punted on any major revisions until 2025, concerned that a set of recommendationsmade by working groups of experts, parents, and educators selected by the board and the Texas Education Agencywould enrage conservative parents. The working groups had proposed two new ethnic studies courses, for Asian American and American Indian studies, and revisions to the existing African American Studies and Mexican American Studies courses. Conservatives on the board took umbrage at proposed lessons about Juneteenth, the gay pride movement, the legacies of slavery, Native American dispossession, and race-based discrimination. According to the Texas Tribune, the board fielded hours of public comment before the vote to delay. When the state board voted to delay changes to the curriculum until 2025, one of the incumbents, Pam Little, said the delay was not politically motivated, but rather motivated by concerns from parents. She added that some of the recommended material was too heavy and not age-appropriate. Now Little and two other school board members, Pat Hardy and Aaron Kinsey, are facing challengers who boast a commitment to, among other things, dismantling liberal curriculum and eliminating any traces of radical leftist agenda. Advertisement To be clear, the three incumbents are plenty conservative themselves and reliably vote with their Republican colleagues. Kinsey, who was appointed at the end of last year by Gov. Greg Abbott, has criticized the negative portrayals of the fossil fuel industry in proposed science textbooks (he is the CEO of an aviation oilfield services company) and has advocated for increased library oversight to stop the sexualization of children in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardy, who has been on the board since 2002, has similarly echoed climate change denialism talking points. In an interview with Politico last year, she complained about those who make climate change their religion, suggesting that both sides of the issue needed to be heard. And Little has promised to be the conservative fighter Texas families can depend on. Advertisement But an editorial in the Federalist, written around the time of the 2022 primaries, summarized the growing resentment toward more traditional policymakers like Little, Hardy, and Kinsey.* The author, singling out Little, argued that being an occasional swing vote meant Little was a benchwarmer who lacked the courage to take the new culture war by the horns. Hardys challenger, a pastor named Brandon Hall, has doubled down on that, emphasizing a commitment to dismantling liberal curriculum and eliminating social-emotional learning. He also advocates for school choice, seizing on Hardys reluctance to use taxpayer dollars to fund religious schools. (Should someone wish to start a school of Satan, and they will, I do not want my tax dollars to pay for that education choice, Hardy told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last month.) Advertisement Matt Rostami, who is running against Little in District 12, wants more patriotic education, declaring, on his website: We are in a sad state when the only thing a student knows about Thomas Jefferson is that he owned slaves, not that he wrote the Declaration of Independence or that he invented the swivel chair you might be sitting on. (Its unclear where in Texas state curriculum it omits that Jefferson helped write the Declaration of Independence.) Another of Littles challengers, Jamie Kohlmann, said in a February interview that she was raring to amend the social studies curriculum. Related From Slate Is EMILYs List Republican Now? Read More They have these proposed social studies [state standards] that literally had stricken the phrase radical Islamic terrorism from any discussion pertaining to 9/11 because that could offend people apparently, she told the right-leaning Dallas Express newspaper. (The revision working group suggested eliminating the phrase radical Islamic terrorism because it could promote the misleading narrative that terrorism is linked to a singular religion, rather than being a global issue.) Kohlmann has been endorsed by Sen. Ted Cruz and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Advertisement Advertisement Battles about education policy are not novel, Rebecca Deen, a professor of political science at the University of Texas at Arlington, told me on the phone. In the early 20th century, she said, creationists panned the inclusion of evolutionary theory in science courses. In the 1980s, pushes for secular education ran afoul of parents who wanted prayer in the classroom. Just like today, in those cases, parents intervened when they became worried about losing control of their childrens values. Nothing, Deen said, will get somebody agitated like a perceived threat to your child. The difference today is a hard truth of MAGA-era politics: A more policy-based approach to campaigning, no matter how much that campaign uses the language of fighting woke indoctrination and protecting parental rights, runs the risk of appearing too moderate for ultra-MAGA voters. Theres a race to the bottom in so many down-ballot races this election cycle that seems to revolve solely around the contention of who can claim to be the most anti-establishment candidate. In this case, should the challengers win, Texas public schools will lose out on a (slightly) more nuanced approach to social studies, and the curriculum will become even more damagingly whitewashed. FedEx Corp. has unveiled its 12th annual Small Business Grants Program to distribute over $230,000 in cash and prizes. This initiative underscores FedExs commitment to the small business sector, which plays a pivotal role in driving the economy forward. The initiative started on March 1, 2024, and will run until the same time on April 1, 2024. The program invites applications from U.S.-based small businesses. Ten deserving businesses will be selected to receive grants, with the announcement of winners scheduled for May 16, 2024. Interested parties can apply and learn more about the program rules at the FedEx Small Business Grants website. Aimee DiCicco, FedExs Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Retail Channel Commercial, highlighted the programs goal to fuel the contributions of small businesses to their local communities and the broader economy. Since its inception in 2012, the FedEx Small Business Grants Program has been instrumental in helping small business owners expand their operations and realize their entrepreneurial dreams. The grand prize winner of the 2024 program will be awarded $50,000, while nine other recipients will each receive $20,000. Beyond the financial grants, winners will benefit from a $500 FedEx Office print credit, a $300 My FedEx Rewards voucher, and access to FedEx Premier Customer Service. Additionally, the recipients will receive a sustainable packaging consultation, a digital sales solutions consult, an invitation to the Small Business Strategic Insights Forum, and a feature on the FedEx Small Business Center website. Not only will the grant recipients gain from this program, but up to 100 other businesses will also receive a $300 voucher from My FedEx Rewards, ensuring a wider impact on the small business community. Eligibility for the program is open to U.S.-based FedEx customers operating for-profit small businesses with 1-99 employees, having at least six months of operational history selling a product or service, and who have been FedEx account holders since before September 1, 2023. Applicants are required to submit a business profile, plans for grant utilization, their experience with FedEx, up to four business or product photos, and a short video highlighting their journey as a small business owner and their FedEx experience. The 2023 edition of the program attracted more than 8,200 entrants, reflecting the high interest and competitive nature of this initiative. Over the past eleven years, nearly 77,000 U.S. businesses have applied, with more than $2 million in cash and prizes distributed to over 120 businesses, demonstrating FedExs ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of small businesses nationwide. This years FedEx Small Business Grants Program represents a unique opportunity for small business owners to secure not just financial support, but also invaluable resources to propel their businesses forward in todays competitive market. If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more. Poshmark has revolutionized the way we buy and sell clothes online, making it easier and more accessible than ever. As a standout platform, its sparked a new era in the online resale shopping landscape, offering both buyers and sellers a dynamic marketplace. But the digital horizon is vast, and for those looking to expand their business or personal selling horizons, there are 25 other resale sites just waiting to be explored. From vintage treasures on Etsy to luxury finds on The RealReal, this guide is your ticket to elevating your online selling game. Why Poshmark Has Become a Favorite for Selling Clothes Poshmark shines as a go-to for those learning how to sell clothes online, thanks to its user-friendly platform that makes listing a breeze. With a competitive final value fee structure, sellers keep a good chunk of their sales, adding to its appeal. But its not just about the money; Poshmarks community-centric approach fosters a supportive environment where sellers can connect, share tips, and even make friends. This blend of business and social interaction sets Poshmark apart in the crowded online resale space. Top 25 Resale Sites Like Poshmark Dive into the world of online resale with these 25 platforms, each offering unique opportunities to sell everything from vintage finds to luxury goods. 1. eBay eBay is a vast marketplace that caters to a wide range of categories, from fashion to electronics. Its known for its auction-style listings along with the Buy It Now option, giving sellers flexibility in how they sell. eBays global reach offers a massive audience but comes with a competitive landscape. Sellers benefit from eBays detailed seller protections and a comprehensive shipping and logistics support system. 2. Depop Depop focuses on the unique, vintage, and trendy, appealing to a younger demographic that values individuality. This mobile-centric platform combines the selling experience with social media elements, allowing users to follow each other, like items, and share listings. Depop charges a 10% fee on items sold, including shipping costs, making it a cost-effective option for casual sellers and vintage enthusiasts. 3. Vinted Vinted specializes in secondhand clothing, offering a platform for users to sell, buy, or swap items. Its unique in that it doesnt charge sellers a fee, instead charging buyers a small service fee. This model encourages a bustling marketplace of affordable items, with a community-focused environment that includes forums for advice and tips. 4. Mercari Mercari is a user-friendly app that simplifies the selling process for a variety of items, not just clothing. With no listing fees and a flat 10% selling fee, Mercari makes it easy for anyone to start selling. Its ship it or drop it off option provides flexibility for sellers, and the platform is known for its strong customer service support. 5. ThredUP ThredUP takes a different approach as an online consignment and thrift store. Sellers send in their clothing, and ThredUP takes care of the rest, from photography to listing. While it offers convenience and a wide audience, sellers trade some control and potential earnings for ease of use. ThredUP is best for those looking to declutter without the hassle of managing their sales. 6. The RealReal The RealReal is an online luxury consignment store focusing on high-end brands and goods. It offers a comprehensive authentication process, ensuring that all items are genuine. The site takes a higher commission than some other platforms, but in return, it provides a professional photography service and a vast audience looking specifically for luxury items. This platform is ideal for sellers of high-end clothing, accessories, and home goods. 7. OfferUp OfferUp is a mobile-first marketplace where local buying and selling are made easy. Unlike many other platforms, OfferUp is great for selling items beyond clothing, including furniture and electronics. Its user-friendly interface encourages quick sales locally, though it also offers shipping options for a broader reach. With no listing fees and competitive seller fees, OfferUp is a versatile option for various sellers. 8. Grailed Grailed is a community-driven marketplace catering exclusively to mens fashion, focusing on streetwear, designer, and vintage pieces. It distinguishes itself with a curated selection and an engaged community of fashion enthusiasts. Grailed charges a commission fee for sold items, but its niche focus allows sellers to reach a dedicated audience willing to pay for premium items. 9. ASOS Marketplace ASOS Marketplace offers a unique platform for independent brands and vintage boutiques to reach a global audience. Launched by the fashion retail giant ASOS, this site is perfect for sellers with unique collections looking to tap into a younger, fashion-forward market. It requires sellers to have a boutique, making it different from peer-to-peer platforms, and charges a commission on sales. 10. Facebook Marketplace Facebook Marketplace leverages the social media giants network to facilitate buying and selling items locally. With no fees for listing or selling, its an attractive option for sellers of all kinds, including those with clothing. The platforms integration with Facebook profiles adds a layer of transparency and trust to transactions, making it easy for sellers to reach their local community or even wider audiences through shipping options. 11. Etsy Etsy is renowned for focusing on handmade, vintage, and unique items, including clothing. Its the go-to platform for sellers looking to reach an audience that values craftsmanship and sustainability. With its marketplace dedicated to independent sellers, Etsy allows for a personal touch in selling, though it does charge listing fees and a commission on sales, which is a consideration for sellers. 12. Rebag Rebag specializes in luxury bags, offering a streamlined process for sellers to cash in on high-end handbags and accessories. With a focus on authenticity and quality, Rebag provides an upfront quote for items, making it easy for sellers to understand their potential earnings. This platform is ideal for those with a collection of designer bags looking for a hassle-free selling experience. 13. StockX StockX is a unique platform that operates more like a stock market for sneakers and streetwear, focusing on transparency and authenticity. Sellers can list items or sell directly at the current market price, and StockX authenticates all items before they are sent to the buyer. This model appeals to sellers and buyers in the sneaker community who are looking for a secure way to buy and sell. 14. Vestiaire Collective Vestiaire Collective is a global platform for pre-owned luxury and designer fashion. With a rigorous authentication process, it ensures all items are genuine, providing confidence to both buyers and sellers. Sellers can list items for free, but the platform takes a commission on sales, which varies depending on the items price. Its a great option for those looking to sell high-end clothing and accessories. 15. GOAT GOAT is a leading platform for buying and selling sneakers, along with apparel and accessories. It offers a robust authentication process and a vast audience of sneaker enthusiasts. While it focuses primarily on sneakers, its expansion into streetwear and other categories provides additional avenues for sellers. GOAT charges a commission and shipping fees, which are considerations for sellers looking to maximize their returns. 16. Kidizen Kidizen is a dedicated marketplace for parents to buy and sell childrens clothing, toys, and accessories. It offers a community-driven platform that makes it easy for families to find affordable, quality items for their growing kids. Kidizens user-friendly app enhances the shopping and selling experience, making it a favorite among parents looking for a sustainable way to manage their childrens wardrobes. 17. Curtsy Curtsy targets a younger demographic, focusing on trendy, gently used clothing and accessories. It simplifies the selling process with a mobile app that allows users to quickly list items by taking a few photos. Curtsy appeals to college students and young professionals looking for an easy way to refresh their wardrobe without breaking the bank, charging a lower fee than many traditional consignment shops. 18. WatchBox WatchBox specializes in buying, selling, and trading pre-owned luxury watches. Offering an expertly curated inventory and personalized client services, it stands out for enthusiasts and collectors seeking investment-grade timepieces. The platform provides a trustworthy environment for transactions, supported by authentication and valuation from watch experts, making it a premier destination for high-end watch sales. 19. 1stdibs 1stdibs is an upscale marketplace that caters to antique, vintage, and luxury goods, including fashion. Its known for its selection of high-end items from around the world, offering a platform for sellers of unique and rare pieces. With its focus on quality and exclusivity, 1stdibs attracts a discerning clientele willing to invest in timeless style, though sellers should note the platforms commission and listing fees. 20. Luxury Garage Sale Luxury Garage Sale offers a boutique consignment experience specializing in luxury clothing, handbags, and accessories. With both online and physical presence, it provides a personalized service for sellers looking to declutter their high-end items. The platform stands out for its white-glove service, including professional photography and pricing advice, making it a hassle-free option for sellers aiming for the luxury market. 21. What Goes Around Comes Around What Goes Around Comes Around is renowned for its exceptional collection of vintage and luxury fashion. This platform is ideal for sellers with rare and high-end vintage items, offering an upscale consignment experience. Its reputation for authenticity and quality attracts a clientele looking for investment pieces, ensuring items have the best chance of selling at top dollar. 22. Chairish Chairish is a favorite for sellers of vintage clothing and decor, providing a curated marketplace for unique home goods and fashion. It stands out for its commitment to quality and design, appealing to buyers with a discerning eye. Sellers on Chairish enjoy a platform that values the story behind each piece, with a straightforward listing process and competitive commission rates. 23. VarageSale VarageSale offers a community-focused approach to buying and selling locally. Its like a virtual garage sale, where users can sell everything from clothes to furniture within their community. The platform emphasizes safety and trust, with all members verified through Facebook, making it a comfortable space for transactions. VarageSale is perfect for sellers looking to avoid shipping hassles by dealing locally. 24. LePrix LePrix is a luxury consignment online marketplace that brings together the best boutiques from around the world. Specializing in authenticated, pre-owned luxury goods, it offers sellers a vast audience of luxury shoppers. LePrixs strength lies in its rigorous authentication process and partnership with professional consignment shops, ensuring items reach buyers who appreciate luxury and quality. 25. Fashionphile Fashionphile focuses exclusively on luxury accessories, making it the go-to platform for selling high-end handbags, jewelry, and accessories. Known for its expertise in authentication and valuation, Fashionphile offers sellers a straightforward way to monetize their luxury items. With competitive consignment rates and a strong online presence, its a top choice for those looking to sell designer accessories. Platform Focus Selling Fees Unique Features eBay Wide range including fashion to electronics Varies Global reach, auction-style listings Depop Unique, vintage, trendy fashion 10% on items sold, including shipping Social media elements like following and sharing Vinted Secondhand clothing No seller fee, buyers pay a service fee Community-focused, option to swap items Mercari Variety of items, not just clothing No listing fees, flat 10% selling fee User-friendly, flexible shipping options ThredUP Online consignment and thrift store Consign with ThredUP, fees vary Takes care of photography to listing The RealReal Luxury consignment store Higher commission for professional services Comprehensive authentication process OfferUp Local buying and selling of a wide range No listing fees, competitive seller fees User-friendly interface for quick local sales Grailed Men's fashion, especially streetwear and designer Commission fee Curated selection, engaged fashion community ASOS Marketplace Independent brands and vintage boutiques Commission on sales Targets a younger, fashion-forward market Facebook Marketplace Local buying and selling, wide range No fees for listing or selling Integration with Facebook profiles Etsy Handmade, vintage, unique items Listing fees and a commission on sales Marketplace for independent sellers Rebag Luxury bags Quote provided, consignment rates apply Streamlined process for luxury bags StockX Sneakers and streetwear Market price, authentication fee Stock market model for transparent pricing Vestiaire Collective Pre-owned luxury and designer fashion Commission on sales, varies by item price Global platform, rigorous authentication GOAT Sneakers, apparel, accessories Commission and shipping fees Focus on authenticity in sneaker community Kidizen Children's clothing, toys, accessories User-friendly app, fees not specified Community-driven, family-friendly platform Curtsy Trendy, gently used clothing Lower fee than traditional consignment shops Targets younger demographic, easy listing process WatchBox Pre-owned luxury watches Authentication and valuation, fees not specified Expert curation, personalized client services 1stdibs Antique, vintage, and luxury goods Commission and listing fees High-end items from around the world Luxury Garage Sale Luxury clothing, handbags, accessories Boutique consignment rates White-glove service for luxury market What Goes Around Comes Around Vintage and luxury fashion Upscale consignment experience, fees not specified Exceptional collection of vintage luxury Chairish Vintage clothing and decor Competitive commission rates Commitment to quality and design VarageSale Local community-focused buying and selling No fees, local community focus Virtual garage sale with verified members LePrix Authenticated, pre-owned luxury goods Rigorous authentication, partnership with boutiques Brings together top boutiques worldwide Fashionphile Luxury accessories Consignment rates for luxury accessories Expertise in luxury accessories The Benefits of Using Resale Sites and Apps Like Poshmark Selling on resale apps like Poshmark provides numerous advantages for individuals looking to declutter their closets or establish a side hustle. Learning how to sell on Poshmark is simple, and there are numerous platforms that offer similar experiences. Heres an expanded view of the benefits: Access to a Broad Customer Base : Platforms such as Poshmark have millions of users, providing sellers with instant access to a vast and diverse audience. This broad reach helps in finding the right buyers who are interested in your specific items. : Platforms such as Poshmark have millions of users, providing sellers with instant access to a vast and diverse audience. This broad reach helps in finding the right buyers who are interested in your specific items. Variety of Fee Structures : Resale platforms offer different fee models, including listing fees, final value fees, and commission rates. This variety allows sellers to choose a platform that aligns with their financial objectives, maximizing their earnings. : Resale platforms offer different fee models, including listing fees, final value fees, and commission rates. This variety allows sellers to choose a platform that aligns with their financial objectives, maximizing their earnings. Ease of Use : These platforms are designed with user-friendly interfaces, making it straightforward to list items, manage sales, and communicate with buyers. The simplicity of the process makes it accessible even for those new to online selling. : These platforms are designed with user-friendly interfaces, making it straightforward to list items, manage sales, and communicate with buyers. The simplicity of the process makes it accessible even for those new to online selling. Flexible Selling Options : Sellers can set their prices, offer discounts, and engage in negotiations with buyers. This flexibility helps in pricing items competitively and closing deals more efficiently. : Sellers can set their prices, offer discounts, and engage in negotiations with buyers. This flexibility helps in pricing items competitively and closing deals more efficiently. Built-in Customer Base : Unlike starting an independent online store, resale apps come with an existing customer base, reducing the need for extensive marketing efforts to attract buyers. : Unlike starting an independent online store, resale apps come with an existing customer base, reducing the need for extensive marketing efforts to attract buyers. Environmental Impact : Selling on resale platforms promotes sustainability by giving items a second life, reducing waste, and encouraging a more circular economy. : Selling on resale platforms promotes sustainability by giving items a second life, reducing waste, and encouraging a more circular economy. Social Features : Many resale platforms incorporate social features, such as liking, sharing, and following, which can increase the visibility of your listings and foster a community among users. : Many resale platforms incorporate social features, such as liking, sharing, and following, which can increase the visibility of your listings and foster a community among users. Safety and Security : Resale apps typically offer secure payment processing and protection policies for both buyers and sellers, ensuring transactions are safe and reliable. : Resale apps typically offer secure payment processing and protection policies for both buyers and sellers, ensuring transactions are safe and reliable. Support and Resources : Most platforms provide comprehensive support and resources, including seller guides, customer service, and community forums, to assist sellers in maximizing their sales and navigating any challenges. : Most platforms provide comprehensive support and resources, including seller guides, customer service, and community forums, to assist sellers in maximizing their sales and navigating any challenges. Personal Branding: For those looking to build a presence or brand in the resale market, these platforms offer an opportunity to curate a selection of items, develop a selling style, and engage with followers. By leveraging these benefits, sellers can effectively utilize resale apps to clear out their closets, reach targeted buyers, and achieve their financial goals, all while contributing to a more sustainable way of shopping. Where to Sell Clothing: Poshmark vs. Other Resale Sites Choosing the right online resale platform is key for sellers aiming to maximize their earnings and reach. This comparison delves into essential aspects like fees, user experience, audience reach, listing ease, shipping policies, and community support, guiding you to make an informed decision. Differences in Payment Processing Fee Poshmark simplifies things with a flat 20% fee for sales over $15, contrasting with sites like eBay and Mercari that have variable fees based on categories and seller volumes. Unlike Poshmark, some platforms also impose a listing fee, affecting the overall cost of selling. User Experience on Different Platforms Poshmark boasts a social-centric, easy-to-use interface thats great for engagement but might lack the advanced tools of eBay or Etsy, which cater to a more diverse selling experience. Navigation and listing processes vary widely, with some platforms offering more streamlined, seller-friendly interfaces than others. Audience Reach of Apps Like Poshmark Poshmarks audience is fashion-focused, offering a niche market with a potentially higher selling price for trendy items. In contrast, eBay and Facebook Marketplace attract a broader audience, which might reduce individual item visibility but increase the potential buyer pool. Ease of Listing Items Listing on Poshmark is straightforward, requiring just a few steps to post an item. Other sites, like eBay, offer more detailed listing options, which can be a boon for specific items but might require more effort to set up. Shipping Policies Across Platforms Poshmark simplifies shipping by providing prepaid labels, whereas platforms like eBay and Mercari allow for more shipping flexibility but require sellers to navigate more complex logistics and potentially higher costs. Community Engagement and Support Poshmark stands out for its strong community vibe, with features encouraging user interaction. Other sites might offer more traditional customer service and support options, focusing less on community building and more on the transactional aspects of buying and selling. Niche Platforms for Specialized Clothing Sales For those with a keen eye on vintage, streetwear, childrens, or designer clothing, niche platforms like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and Kidizen offer tailored spaces. These sites cater specifically to enthusiasts and collectors, providing a curated audience appreciative of the unique value and history behind each piece. They stand as essential go-tos for sellers looking to connect with buyers who share a passion for specific fashion categories. The Role of Social Media in Resale: Highlighting Facebook Marketplace Facebook Marketplace has carved a niche in the online resale market as one of the best apps to sell stuff locally. Its integration with social media profiles adds a layer of trust and community, facilitating easier and more secure transactions. The platforms wide reach and the ability to target local buyers make it a powerful tool for sellers looking to offload items quickly and efficiently without the hassle of shipping. Features to Look for in a Resale Site When exploring alternatives to Poshmark for buying and selling items, its essential to consider various features that contribute to a platforms effectiveness and user satisfaction. Heres an expanded list of features to look for: Large and Engaged User Base : A vibrant community with a high number of active users increases the likelihood of sales and offers a diverse range of products. An engaged community also fosters a supportive environment for both buyers and sellers. : A vibrant community with a high number of active users increases the likelihood of sales and offers a diverse range of products. An engaged community also fosters a supportive environment for both buyers and sellers. Ease of Use : The platform should be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation, product listing, and purchase processes. This includes a clean interface, straightforward search functionality, and simple transaction procedures. : The platform should be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation, product listing, and purchase processes. This includes a clean interface, straightforward search functionality, and simple transaction procedures. Robust Online Store Functionalities : Advanced features that support a variety of sales formats, such as auction, buy now, and best offer, can cater to different selling and buying preferences. Integration with payment systems that offer secure transactions is also crucial. : Advanced features that support a variety of sales formats, such as auction, buy now, and best offer, can cater to different selling and buying preferences. Integration with payment systems that offer secure transactions is also crucial. Efficient Listing Process : The ability to quickly and easily list items for sale, including batch uploads, template listings, and auto-fill features for product details, can save sellers time and effort. : The ability to quickly and easily list items for sale, including batch uploads, template listings, and auto-fill features for product details, can save sellers time and effort. Comprehensive Sales Management Tools : Tools that help sellers track their inventory, orders, and shipping processes in one place can streamline operations and improve efficiency. : Tools that help sellers track their inventory, orders, and shipping processes in one place can streamline operations and improve efficiency. Detailed Analytics : Access to data on sales performance, customer demographics, and product popularity can help sellers make informed decisions about pricing, inventory, and marketing strategies. : Access to data on sales performance, customer demographics, and product popularity can help sellers make informed decisions about pricing, inventory, and marketing strategies. Marketing Tools : Features such as promotional listings, featured products, and the ability to share listings on social media platforms can enhance visibility and attract more buyers. : Features such as promotional listings, featured products, and the ability to share listings on social media platforms can enhance visibility and attract more buyers. Customer Support and Community Engagement : Responsive customer service for both buyers and sellers, along with forums or groups that encourage interaction and feedback, can enhance the overall platform experience. : Responsive customer service for both buyers and sellers, along with forums or groups that encourage interaction and feedback, can enhance the overall platform experience. Mobile Compatibility : A mobile-friendly platform or a dedicated app ensures that users can access the site, manage their accounts, and complete transactions conveniently from their smartphones. : A mobile-friendly platform or a dedicated app ensures that users can access the site, manage their accounts, and complete transactions conveniently from their smartphones. Secure Payment Options : Multiple, secure payment methods provide flexibility and peace of mind for users, facilitating smoother transactions. : Multiple, secure payment methods provide flexibility and peace of mind for users, facilitating smoother transactions. Transparent Fees and Policies: Clear information on any fees charged for listings, transactions, or additional services helps sellers understand their potential costs upfront. Considering these features when evaluating resale platforms can help sellers choose the best venue for their needs, ensuring a positive experience and maximizing their success in the online marketplace. FAQs: Sites Like Poshmark What is the best online resale site to sell jewelry? Etsy stands out as the best platform for selling jewelry, especially unique, handmade, or vintage pieces. Its niche market appreciates the craftsmanship and history behind each item, making it a favorite among jewelry sellers. What is the best platform to sell secondhand clothes? If youre looking into how to start a reselling business, finding the right platform for your needs is essential. Depop and Poshmark are top contenders for selling secondhand unwanted clothes, catering to a younger, fashion-forward audience. Both platforms offer an engaging, social media-like experience, making them ideal for trendy and vintage clothing sales. How do payment processing fees vary across different resale sites? Payment processing fees vary widely. Poshmark charges a flat 20% on sales over $15, while eBays fees depend on the item category and sellers performance. Other sites may have lower fees but charge for listings or additional services. Which platforms are ideal for selling specific types of clothing? For designer clothes, The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective are perfect, offering a luxury-focused audience. Etsy is ideal for vintage finds, while Kidizen is the go-to for childrens clothing, each providing a specialized market for these categories. Every year, the Internal Revenue Service requires all employees, regardless of their income level or tax bracket, fill out the W4 Form. So, what is a W4 tax form? This essential document serves as a roadmap for employers to determine the accurate amount of federal and state taxes that should be withheld from each paycheck. Acting as a guide to tax withholding, the W4 form is of great significance since it empowers taxpayers to precisely calculate their income tax liability. This ensures that they are meeting their tax obligations and helps avoid any potential legal complications arising from improperly filed taxes. In this guide, we delve into the details of what a W4 Form entails, who needs to file one, and the correct methodology to complete this crucial document. Lets get started! What is a W4 Form? At its core, a W4 Form is a federally mandated form employed by the IRS. It plays a pivotal role in defining the amount of tax that should be withheld from your paycheck and subsequently remitted to the government. This form is the key determinant in calculating whether youll end up owing additional taxes or will be eligible for a tax refund when the time comes for filing your tax return. Ensuring that the W4 Form is filled out correctly and accurately is a critical aspect of financial management. It safeguards you from the pitfalls of underpaying or overpaying taxes, thus potentially saving you significant amounts of time and money in the long run. By understanding the implications of the W4 Form, you can make more informed decisions about your tax withholdings, leading to better financial planning and stability. What is the IRS Form W4 Form Used for? The IRS Form W4 serves as a fundamental document for taxpayers, outlining their financial liabilities for a particular fiscal year. Lets delve a little deeper into the primary functions of the Form W4: Determine Tax Withheld The Form W4 acts as a guide for both employers and employees, establishing how much federal and state income tax should be systematically withheld from employee paychecks, ensuring the correct taxes are being paid throughout the year. Calculate Income Tax Liability Another crucial role of the Form W4 is assisting taxpayers in accurately calculating their income tax liability. This is accomplished when they file their returns, which helps them keep track of their financial obligations to the state and federal government. Reduce Taxes Owed The Form W4 also proves advantageous in helping taxpayers reduce the amount of taxes they owe. By claiming certain deductions and tax credits outlined in the form, taxpayers may be able to lower their overall tax bill, contributing to their financial stability. Receive a Larger Refund Finally, Form W4 can also be a tool for taxpayers to increase their potential refund amount. By claiming specific deductions and credits as stipulated on the form, taxpayers may increase their chances of receiving a larger refund when they file their returns, positively impacting their financial health. Types of IRS W4 Form There are several types of W4 Forms provided by the Internal Revenue Service. Heres a summary: Form Name Purpose and Usage W-4 Tax Liability Estimator Used to estimate tax liability. Helps taxpayers determine the amount of taxes they owe. W-4P Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments Used by pension and annuity recipients to instruct payers on tax withholding amounts. W-4R Withholding Certificate for Retirement Payments Used by retirees to instruct employers on tax withholding amounts from retirement payments. W-4S Request for Federal Income Tax Withholding from Sick Pay Used by employees on sick pay to instruct employers on tax withholding amounts. W-4V Voluntary Withholding Request Used by taxpayers to voluntarily request employers to withhold a certain amount of income tax. How to Fill Out a W4 Form Filling out a W4 Form can be a bit confusing, so here are some steps to help you get started. Download the W4 Form Here. Step 1: Enter Personal Information The first step is to enter the basic personal information. This includes your name, address, filing status, and Social Security number. Step 2: Multiple Jobs or Spouse Works When you hold more than one job at once, or when your spouse works, you need to complete this step. Income earned from all of these jobs determines the correct amount of withholding. Step 3: Claim Dependent and Other Credits For this step, you will provide information on any dependents you have and other credits. This can include education or childcare tax credits that could reduce your tax liability. Step 4 (optional): Other Adjustments This step is optional, but its a good idea to complete it if you have other sources of income, want to reduce your withholding if you expect to claim tax deductions other than the standard deduction, or if you want any additional tax withheld each pay period. Step 5: Sign Here You will need to sign and date the form under penalties of perjury. This is important because it indicates that all of the information on the form is true, accurate, and complete. Employers Only The last section of Form W-4 is for employers only. In this section, the employer will include their business name and address, the date the employee started working for the company, and their Employer Identification Number (EIN). How to Fill Out W4 Form First Time Completing Form W4 for the first time might seem daunting, but its a straightforward process once you understand the basics. In addition to adhering to the outlined steps to fill out Form W4, its vital that you pay extra attention to all the relevant sections. This includes particularly critical areas like your filing status and the number of allowances youre claiming. Meticulously read the instructions and ensure you populate all relevant fields accurately and entirely before submitting your form. This accuracy will streamline your tax calculation and ensure a smooth experience when its time to file your returns. When to File Form W4 Typically, the ideal time to file an IRS Form W4 is as soon as you commence a new job. This form sets the standard for your tax withholdings for that employment. However, life isnt always so predictable. If your tax situation undergoes changes during the year (for instance, if you get married, have children, or experience other major life events), then you might need to revise your Form W4 with your employer. This ensures that your taxes are calculated precisely and your withholdings accurately reflect your current financial situation. Employers are usually required to file Form W4 with the IRS by the end of February each year. This timely filing ensures that employee taxes are properly withheld and reported for the previous tax year, maintaining compliance with federal tax laws. How to Estimate Your Taxes To estimate your taxes, check your income tax return from the previous year and note which deductions youve claimed. This historical data can serve as a valuable benchmark for the upcoming year. If you find yourself having to pay taxes instead of receiving a refund, this should give you a ballpark figure for what your tax bill might look like this year. Analyze the information from your paychecks to calculate how much is being withheld each month for taxes and other deductions. Lastly, compare these figures with what you anticipate to owe on your next tax return. If theres a discrepancy, you may need to update your W-4 form or modify the amount of withholding tax to more accurately mirror your projected income tax. Form W-4 Special Considerations Completing a Form W-4 comes with some special considerations that should not be overlooked. These nuances can greatly impact your tax calculations and potential refund. Its crucial to understand these considerations before embarking on filling out the form, ensuring that your withholding is both accurate and appropriate for your specific financial circumstances. Knowledge of these special considerations helps minimize surprises during tax season, leading to a more predictable and manageable financial year. Here are the most important points to consider when it comes to completing the Form W-4: Filing Status Be sure to choose the correct filing status based on your marital status and other criteria. Be sure to choose the correct filing status based on your marital status and other criteria. Part-Year Employment If you started working part-way through the year, you may need to adjust your withholding selection accordingly. If you started working part-way through the year, you may need to adjust your withholding selection accordingly. Multiple Jobs When multiple jobs are held, more tax might be withheld from each paycheck than is necessary. This can affect people who hold extra jobs when businesses are hiring seasonal employees. When multiple jobs are held, more tax might be withheld from each paycheck than is necessary. This can affect people who hold extra jobs when businesses are hiring seasonal employees. Tax Credit Qualifications When claiming certain tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Form W-4 should be adjusted accordingly. When claiming certain tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Form W-4 should be adjusted accordingly. Additional Withholding Amounts If desired, additional amounts can be withheld from each check for federal income tax purposes. W4 Form Tips When filling out Form W-4, consider following these tips. Theyll help ensure that your withholding tax is accurate and appropriate: Read the instructions thoroughly. Make sure you understand all sections of the form before completing it. Make sure you understand all sections of the form before completing it. Standard deduction amounts . Be sure to confirm the standard deduction for your filing status. The standard deduction may be able to reduce your taxable income and consequently the amount of taxes due. Be sure to confirm the standard deduction for your filing status. The standard deduction may be able to reduce your taxable income and consequently the amount of taxes due. Review Life Changes : Consider any significant life events, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, as these can affect your tax situation. Adjust your W-4 accordingly to reflect these changes, which can impact the number of allowances you claim. : Consider any significant life events, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, as these can affect your tax situation. Adjust your W-4 accordingly to reflect these changes, which can impact the number of allowances you claim. Consider Additional Income : If you have additional sources of income (e.g., investment income, freelance work), you may need to adjust your withholding. Ensure that enough tax is being withheld to cover the total income tax liability from all sources. : If you have additional sources of income (e.g., investment income, freelance work), you may need to adjust your withholding. Ensure that enough tax is being withheld to cover the total income tax liability from all sources. Multiple Jobs Adjustments : If you or your spouse have more than one job, use the IRSs Multiple Jobs Worksheet or the Tax Withholding Estimator tool to calculate the correct amount of withholding. This is critical to avoid underpaying taxes throughout the year. : If you or your spouse have more than one job, use the IRSs Multiple Jobs Worksheet or the Tax Withholding Estimator tool to calculate the correct amount of withholding. This is critical to avoid underpaying taxes throughout the year. Non-deductible business expenses. Understand which business expenses are not deductible from federal income tax and account for them when calculating your withholding. Understand which business expenses are not deductible from federal income tax and account for them when calculating your withholding. 1099 rules . If you receive a 1099 instead of a W2, you will likely need additional withholding amounts as you wont have enough taxes withheld through payroll. If you receive a 1099 instead of a W2, you will likely need additional withholding amounts as you wont have enough taxes withheld through payroll. Estimate Deductions and Credits : If you plan to itemize deductions or qualify for various tax credits (e.g., education credits, child tax credit), factor these into your withholding calculations. This can help you avoid having too much or too little tax withheld. : If you plan to itemize deductions or qualify for various tax credits (e.g., education credits, child tax credit), factor these into your withholding calculations. This can help you avoid having too much or too little tax withheld. Regularly Update Your W-4 : Dont set and forget your W-4. Review and update it annually or whenever your personal or financial situation changes. Regular updates ensure that your withholdings align with your current tax situation, avoiding surprises at tax time. : Dont set and forget your W-4. Review and update it annually or whenever your personal or financial situation changes. Regular updates ensure that your withholdings align with your current tax situation, avoiding surprises at tax time. Use IRS Resources : The IRS provides tools and resources, including the Tax Withholding Estimator, to help you determine the right amount of tax to withhold. Utilize these tools to make informed decisions about your withholdings. : The IRS provides tools and resources, including the Tax Withholding Estimator, to help you determine the right amount of tax to withhold. Utilize these tools to make informed decisions about your withholdings. Seek Professional Advice : If youre unsure about how to complete your W-4, particularly in complex tax situations, consult with a tax professional. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific financial circumstances. : If youre unsure about how to complete your W-4, particularly in complex tax situations, consult with a tax professional. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific financial circumstances. Check State Withholding Forms: Some states have their own version of the W-4 for state tax withholding. Ensure you also complete these forms if required, especially if you live or work in a different state than your employers location. Wrapping Up In wrapping up, the significance of the W4 Form cannot be overstated for both employers and employees. This document is a cornerstone for ensuring that your taxes are computed correctly, providing a clear snapshot of your financial obligations to the government. It also contributes to the accuracy of your paycheck, ensuring you receive the right amount of money after tax withholdings. As a first-time filer, its paramount to take your time, thoroughly read the instructions, and meticulously fill out all the relevant fields before submitting your form. This vigilance can save you from future tax complications. Moreover, should your financial situation shift during the year, its vital to proactively update your W4 Form with your employer. This allows you to adjust the withholding tax amount accordingly and reflect your current financial circumstances accurately. FAQ Do I Claim 0 or 1 on My W-4? As a rule of thumb, if you are a single employee with no dependents, then option 0 is typically the best choice. This option applies the standard withholding to your paycheck, making it a straightforward choice for individuals with simple tax situations. If you are married with dependents, you may want to consider option 1. This option accounts for higher withholdings and could potentially pave the way for a larger refund when tax season rolls around. What is an Employees Withholding Certificate? The Employees Withholding Certificate, often referred to as Form W-4, is an integral document that employers use to determine the appropriate amount of federal income taxes to withhold from an employees wages. To be effective, the form must be completed accurately by the employee and handed over to the employer. It captures essential data such as the employees name, address, filing status, and the number of dependents. This information equips employers with the necessary insights to accurately withhold federal income taxes from employee paychecks, ensuring compliance with tax laws. Why Did the IRS Change the W-4 Form? The IRS decided to change the W-4 Form to enhance its transparency, simplicity, and accuracy. Withholding allowances were formerly tied to personal exemptions, but due to changes in the law, personal and dependent exemptions can no longer be claimed. The updated form is designed to be more user-friendly and more accurately reflect modern tax situations. What Is the Difference Between a W-2 and a W-4? W-2 Form W-4 Form Who generates it? Employer Employee Purpose To show wages earned by an employee and the amount of taxes withheld. To provide information on how much federal income taxes to withhold. Usage For filing tax returns. Used by employers to determine tax withholding each pay period. Timing Provided annually, typically at the end of the year. Typically completed when an employee is hired or changes their status. Recipient Both the employee and the IRS receive a copy. Usually kept by the employer, but also sent to the IRS. Where can I download the latest w4 form? To get the most up-to-date version of the W-4 form or any other IRS forms like the W9 form, simply visit the IRS website. The forms are accessible in both fillable and non-fillable PDF formats. This flexibility allows you to either complete the form online or print it out and fill it in manually, depending on your preference or needs. Having ready access to these forms ensures youre equipped with the right tools to manage your tax responsibilities efficiently. The man doesn't have to be German, an expert says. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The skeletal remains of a soldier from the Second World War along with trenches were found by archaeologists in Senica, Trnava Region, during a dig at the building site. The research at the end of last year was led by Robert Olvecky from the Pamarch archaeological society. "The soldier's body was buried in a shallow grave in a former field between the neighbourhoods of Sotina and Kunov," Matus Sladok from the Regional Monuments Office told the TASR newswire. According to the position of the body belonging to a 35-year-old man, who lay on his back, the find is interpreted as the quick burial of an already stiffened corpse by local people. The skull and right hand were damaged by an excavator, the pelvis area was damaged earlier, probably during ploughing. Buttons from the uniform - shirt, blouse and trousers - as well as a hook and leather remnants from the straps, suggest that this could be a member of the Third Reich's armed forces. However, Sladok said that it did not necessarily have to be a German. "Soldiers from other European nations also served in the German army, including Slovaks," he stated. The blade of an ordinary knife was found among the personal items. Other common equipment, such as a helmet, a field bottle, a shovel, a weapon, as well as hygiene items, were useful for his comrades-in-arms or the people who buried him, which is why they were not found in the grave pit. The discovery of a WWII grave is not uncommon in the Trnava Region, according to Sladok. The first one was accidentally found in 2015 in the village of Bukova. A soldier killed by a grenade explosion was buried in it. Ashtray with oldest depiction in Central Europe of two-wheeled cart with sled on display Read more In addition, archaeologists also examined the remains of unburied soldiers. In 2005, in Dechtice, during the research of a trench, they found bones belonging to an unknown number of soldiers. In 2009, in Hlohovec, they found a trench destroyed with a mortar shell, containing the remains of at least three soldiers. In all cases, the remains belonged to soldiers of the Third Reich. Ex-Smer MP has headed the Statistics Office since early February. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Eurostat, the EUs statistics office, wants to know why the government has replaced the head of Slovakias Statistics Office. Without any explanation, the Smer-led government replaced Peter Petko, who was appointed by Eduard Hegers cabinet, with former Smer MP Martin Nemky following the adoption of changes to the Competence Act on February 6. Eurostat asked the Slovak authorities to clarify the circumstances that led to this dismissal and the appointment of a new director, Eurostats media team told the Sme daily. The Competence Act, approved in a fast-track legislative procedure, came into effect on February 1. The law laid the grounds for the creation of the Tourism Ministry, but also transferred the competence to appoint and remove the directors of the Statistics Office and the Healthcare Surveillance Authority from the president to the government. President Zuzana Caputova opposed the change, in addition to changes in regard to the Slovak Information Service (one of Slovakias intelligence agencies) and arms trade licences, eventually vetoing the legislation. But the coalition MPs overrode it. The opposition warned against the politicisation of the Statistics Office, citing the EU regulation on European statistics that guarantees the professional independence of the leadership of all statistics offices in the EU. This requirement is also mentioned in the Slovak law on statistics. The government has the right to dismiss the head of the Statistics Office if they have ceased to meet the requirements for the performance of their duties, have been convicted, deprived of legal capacity, acted in violation of the law in the performance of their work, or if other serious reasons arise. The European Statistical System criticised Slovakia for the way it selected the heads of the Statistics Office several months before the Smer party came to power in October 2023. The selection process was called non-transparent in July 2023. At that time, the technocratic government led by Ludovit Odor was already in power after it replaced the Heger cabinet. Despite criticism, Eurostat has no competence to reverse the latest change in the leadership of the Statistics Office, nor can it fine Slovakia. The premier says Caputova's successor should sack the chief justice. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Premier Robert Fico (Smer) has called on Ivan Fiacan, the chief justice of the Constitutional Court, to resign. He cited the reason to be the anti-government media reporting on last weeks decision on suspending key parts of the governments amendment to criminal laws earlier than the decision's delivery to the Justice Ministry, the president and the opposition parties involved in the legal disputes. If I had the competence, Id dismiss him, Fico announced during a press conference on Tuesday. video //www.youtube.com/embed/rkivL3dAXHI The briefing was attended by his advisor and former judge David Lindtner, who is facing a corruption charge and helped co-write the amendment in question, another advisor and prominent lawyer Marek Para, Smers defence minister Robert Kalinak, and the charged Smer MP Tibor Gaspar. Fico went on to say that the new Slovak president, who will be elected in early April, should handle Fiacans dismissal. The president appoints or dismisses the chair of the Constitutional Court (the chair still remains to serve as the Constitutional Court judge), according to the constitution. The constitution does not mention any further detail. The law on the Constitutional Court mentions that the panel of the Constitutional Court can submit a proposal to the president to remove the chair from the position. According to the Council of Europes Venice Commission, the president should not dismiss the chair at any time and without objective reasons. The commission said this in 2014 when President Andrej Kiska wanted to dismiss the then chair Ivetta Macejkova. Presently the polls indicate a win by Hlas party leader and Speaker of Parliament, Peter Pellegrini, in the presidential race. Smer, which forms a ruling coalition with Hlas and SNS, supports Pellegrini. Deadline for the court considered During the press conference, Fico reiterated that he respects the courts decision, and again stressed that Smer has achieved its political goal: the abolition of the anti-corruption Special Prosecutors Office as of March 20. At the same time, he criticised the Constitutional Court for deciding on a law that wasnt published in the collection of laws, when the court was dealing with the president and the oppositions submissions. "Under what kind of political pressure was the Constitutional Court forced to take such hurried action?" he asked, as quoted by the TASR news agency. The courts decision will be published by the Justice Ministry in the collection of laws in time to become effective, Fico said. He called on the court to quickly decide on the constitutionality of the suspended parts. There is no deadline for the court, though. Fico admitted that his government may introduce deadlines for the court when deciding on important cases. Today, the court has, for example, 60 days to decide on the constitutionality of referendum questions. According to Fico, the government will also prepare another amendment to the Penal Code in the near future. It will include useful items that the court should have no problem with, according to Fico. One such item could concern penalties and the criminal damage classification. Fico compared to dictator The opposition has slammed Fico for threatening Fiacan, writes TASR. We consider Robert Ficos attacks on the Constitutional Court to be unacceptable and absurd, said SaS MP Branislav Grohling, noting that 11 of the 12 judges, including Fiacan, were elected during the previous Smer government. According to ex-PM and presidential candidate Igor Matovic (Slovensko), Fico despises the court. Only dictators do that, he said. KDH recommended the government to acknowledge the deficiencies of the amendment. Fiacan responds to Fico Fiacan assured during the press conference on Wednesday that he and the judges act autonomously, impartially and do not act under pressure. He also apologised for leaking information about the decision of the Constitutional Court. According to him, the information should not have leaked, but he does not consider it a reason to resign. Im sorry, we were surprised by it ourselves, I apologise. But Im sure that none of the judges did it. Its a mystery to us too, said Fiacan. Fiacan established an internal investigation team to analyse possible ways of leaking this information. According to Fiacan, the decision of the Constitutional Court reflects the public interest, therefore it has every right to inform the public immediately after its decision and is not obliged to wait for its delivery to the participants in the proceedings. Fiacan also does not understand why the government is attacking the integrity and independence of judges of the Constitutional Court. I don't remember in the history of the Constitutional Court any of the highest constitutional officials expressing themselves in this way to the Constitutional Court, said Fiacan. I hope it wont happen again. In the 1990s, Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar described the Constitutional Court as a "sick" element in Slovakia. Former chair Jan Mazak (2000-2006), however, points out that other politicians attacked the court in the past, too. In one decision, we bequeathed President Rudolf Schuster a ban on appointing Stefan Harabin as chair of the Supreme Court. I was a member of this senate, and then the president of the republic declared that I should be dismissed and wanted to dismiss me. But in the end, he understood we are acting in accordance with the Constitution, Mazak told the HN daily. In 2019, Fiacan and Fico both wanted to become the chair of the Constitutional Court. The then Slovak president Andrej Kiska appointed Fiacan. Fico withdrew. The Constitutional Court should decide whether the examined material is unconstitutional within a few weeks. If it is a matter of months, Judge Peter Straka has said that he is ready to propose cancelling the suspension of at least part of the provisions. The lifecycle of a coffee generally goes from farmer to importer/exporter to roaster to consumer. There are exceptions to this rule, of coursecoffees that are roasted in the same country where theyre grown do not require an exporterbut by and large, coffee follows a fairly established path of travel, with lots of room for quality and innovation along the way. And then there is Paso Paso Farmer Owned Coffee, a new global collective of farmers that seeks to upend this model by going directly to consumers. Five producers representing four different countries have come together to create a roasting company of their own, headquartered in Hannover, Germany. The newly-formed brand will act as a showcase for the coffees grown by the five producers. The project was brought together by Bram de Hoog, a former green coffee buyer with Ally. Acting as a sort of managing director, de Hoog helped select the five producers to be part of Paso Paso, each of whom have an ownership stake and are registered shareholders in the brand, allowing them more involvement and decision-making as well as profit sharing. The value of coffee soars after roasting, and our goal is to make this added value directly available to the coffee producers without any complexities, de Hoog says. Shared ownership eliminates hurdles in todays coffee trade, fostering open data sharing, feedback, and empowering producers to represent themselves in the European market. The five producers involved are: Diego Robelo Aquiares Estate Costa Rica Diego Baraona Los Pirineos El Salvador Hester and Dawit Syoum Bette Buna Ethiopia Jorge Vasquez, Daniela Vega, and Alex Vega Roble Negro Costa Rica Silvio Sanchez Santa Teresa de Mogoton Nicaragua We joined Paso Paso because we feel that it is an incredible opportunity to be owner of a [roastery] in Germany to get closer to the end consumers, Diego Robelo says. We can control the whole supply chain and the consumer can taste the coffee as it is supposed to be. Furthermore, we can tell our story like we want to tell and finally, we want to understand the consumer dynamics and learn from their world. Coming out of the gate, Paso Paso has six different coffees on offer, one from each of the producers as well as their Cafe de la Casa, a blend of coffees from Aquiares Estate and Roble Negro in Costa Rica and Guji Meguda in Ethiopia. All coffees can be ordered directly from the Paso Paso website. We have seen roasting companies in the past created to highlight a single farm or producing country, but Paso Paso feels like a notable expansion on the farmer-owned roaster model, most especially because it is trans-continental and multi-national, offering a broad swath of coffees and origins as part of its model. And in that sense, it operates like a more traditional roasting company, offering coffees from all over the world as opposed to just a single origin. For more information, visit Paso Paso Farmer Owned Coffees official website. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/bundeswehrs-audio-ignites-blame-game-in-germany-1117148118.html Bundeswehr's Audio Ignites Blame Game in Germany Bundeswehr's Audio Ignites Blame Game in Germany Sputnik International The audio recording of the conversation between German military officers on scenarios of a possible strike by Taurus missiles against the bridge linking the Russian mainland (Crimean bridge) with the Crimean peninsula led to a flurry of political accusations and some soul-searching on gender politics in Germany. 2024-03-05T18:28+0000 2024-03-05T18:28+0000 2024-03-05T18:29+0000 world olaf scholz boris pistorius russell reichelt russia ukraine germany bundeswehr christian democratic union (cdu) german military leak https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/18/1112856658_0:171:3035:1878_1920x0_80_0_0_10efb046d586ce0da75687c5dc89dfc7.jpg German political elites lashed out at chancellor Scholz for dragging his feet on the issue of sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. (The recording revealed that their use was technically possible without German boots on the ground.) Meanwhile, his Social Democrats appealed to the publics survival instincts, saying that sending Taurus missiles might eventually trigger a major response from Russia.Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that Germanys main opposition party, the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), accused Germanys chancellor Olaf Scholz of having lied to the public.In what way? The CDUs Bundestag deputies noticed that the recording contradicted the statements of Scholz in which he refused to send German Taurus missiles to Ukraine, because such an operation, in his words, would have required technical assistance from Berlin, with German military personnel on the ground.Germany claims that it has no military personnel in Ukraine and will not have it there, because this would put Berlin at risk of a war with Russia.The CDUs spokesman on military issues, Roderich Kiesewetter, said that a special investigative committee should find out, why the chancellor said that Bundeswehrs participation was absolutely necessary, when this could very well not be the case.The CDU has long been pushing for more military aid to Ukraine than the current chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, was ready to deliver.On the other side, as The Financial Times reports, the leaked conversation amounted to a massive breakthrough for Moscow in destroying NATO's narrative, because it proved that the collective West had designs to attack Russia.Germany has for a long time been denying that its military have plans to attack Russia directly or through some kind of a proxy. Meanwhile, the four German officers, whose conversation was recorded, discussed precisely that how could Germanys Ukrainian proxies make a strike against the Crimean bridge, using 10-20 German made Taurus missiles.While the political elite blamed Scholz, German public got worried by the fact that their countrys military discussed something chancellor Scholz said he wanted to avoid a dangerous confrontation with Russia. This could attract some sympathies to Scholz, especially inside his formerly peace-loving Social-Demcoratic party.Rolf Mutzenich, the head of Social Democrats parliamentary group, is quoted by FT as saying Scholzs decision to avoid sending Taurus is politically and legally reasonable.Cherchez la femme? The dangerous field of gender politicsThose observers who are less interested in party politics, raised the more simple question: how could the conversation be recorded by Russians in the first place?Germanys defense minister Boris Pistorius blamed one of the four officers recorded. Bild-Zeitung made a guess that it was brigadier general Frank Greffe. He is reported to have joined the conversation from Singapore via an insecure connection.But Julian Reichelt, former editor-in-chief of the digital edition of Bild Zeitung and one of Germanys best known journalists, saw some connection to Germanys radical gender politics here.Reichelt blamed the head of Bundeswehrs Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) Martina Rosenberg, whose office is responsible for preventing foreign intrusion into the Bundeswehrs activities, but seems to have been looking the other way in this case.Here is what Reichelt wrote in social networks:Martina Rosenbergs MAD is responsible for monitoring members of Germanys armed forces with the aim of preventing possible extremist or espionage activities on their part.In her previous interviews, Martina Rosenberg paid special attention to fighting right-wing extremism among the women and men of Bundeswehr and singled out Russian and Chinese special services as the most dangerous enemies of MAD.Trio Infernale: von der Leyen, Kramp-Karrenbauer and LambrechtA German investigative site danisch.de, which has been reporting on political affairs in Germany since 1998, came up with the following comment:The new German defense minister Boris Pistorius, who happens to be the first man on the job after a string of the afore-mentioned women since 2013, wisely avoided any gender-related comments on the matter. Instead he blamed Russia for setting the agenda for political discussions in Germany during the last few weeks or may be even months. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/german-military-leak-becoming-massive-headache-for-west-1117139437.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/german-leak-shows-how-ukraine-proxy-conflict-risks-dire-consequences-1117143236.html russia ukraine germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.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 Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg bundeswehr's audio, german military leak scandal, germany sends taurus to ukraine, german missiles in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/eu-countries-buy-three-quarters-of-all-weapons-outside-bloc---borrell-1117147008.html EU Countries Buy Three-Quarters of All Weapons Outside Bloc - Borrell EU Countries Buy Three-Quarters of All Weapons Outside Bloc - Borrell Sputnik International The European Union's member states purchase three-quarters of arms for their troops in third countries, meaning its production capacity has to be ramped up, especially if the EU expects to continue supporting Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday 2024-03-05T17:58+0000 2024-03-05T17:58+0000 2024-03-05T17:59+0000 military josep borrell sergey lavrov ukraine brussels west european union (eu) nato military aid foreign military aid https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/04/1113915541_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0018326aa09f0bc46d3a45b82c770061.jpg "Our armies buy less than they actually need from European industries that was certainly true before the war. Since the war, three-quarters of our purchases have been made outside the EU," Borrell said at a press conference presenting the new European Defense Industrial Strategy and the European Defense Industry Program. However, the European Commission's efforts are ultimately aimed at achieving sufficient defense funding and domestic production, not procurement abroad, he said. In 2023, EU member states spent 58 billion euros ($63 billion), funded exclusively from the national budgets, the diplomat said. Under the new strategy, the European Commission will not acquire arms using funds from a common budget, neither will it limit member-states' decision-making on defense issues, a high-ranking European source told journalists in Brussels. The Kremlin has consistently warned against the West's continued arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying that they only prolong the conflict, adding that Western military equipment will be eventually destroyed. Moscow also cautioned that NATO countries are playing with fire by providing Kiev with arms.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. According to him, the US and NATO are directly involved in the Ukraine conflict by supplying weapons and training soldiers in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/italys-ukraine-arms-aid-bill-three-times-bigger-than-previously-reported-1117146815.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/key-incidents-involving-nato-warships--aircraft-near-russias-borders-1116963378.html ukraine brussels west Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 military aid for ukraine, is us giving more money to ukraine, why is us giving more money to kiev, whats happening to money given to kiev, will us give more money to kiev, how much money does ukraine get, how much money us gives to ukraine, how much money eu gives to ukraine, how much money europe gives to ukraine, what weapons does ukraine receive, does us give ukraine new weapons https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/german-leak-shows-how-ukraine-proxy-conflict-risks-dire-consequences-1117143236.html German Leak Shows How Ukraine Proxy Conflict Risks 'Dire' Consequences German Leak Shows How Ukraine Proxy Conflict Risks 'Dire' Consequences Sputnik International German war talk leak probably nipped in the bud, for now, any plans of missile deliveries to Ukraine, Michael Maloof, former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik. 2024-03-05T16:30+0000 2024-03-05T16:30+0000 2024-03-07T06:59+0000 analysis germany taurus cruise missile olaf scholz vladimir putin ukraine bundeswehr nato german military leak https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/05/1117144010_0:161:3070:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_dc52a29a9b68c42b2aef772d905811f1.jpg The recent expose of German plans to attack Russia has nipped in the bud plans for cruise missile supplies to Ukraine.Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the US Secretary of Defense, speaking to Sputnik weighed in on the damning leak of a phone call between "Luftwaffe" generals, discussing an attack on the Kerch Strait bridge between Russia's Krasnodar and Crimea regions.It will also depend upon the availability from the EU countries, the NATO countries and from the United States," Maloof said. "But I think that at the same time, this revelation puts the NATO countries on notice that if they continue to participate like this, they open themselves up to potential reaction.The intercepted call involved Brigadier General Frank Graefe, the department head for operations and exercises at the Air Force Forces Command of the Bundeswehr, Bundeswehr Air Force inspector General Ingo Gerhartz and two employees of the Air Operations Command within the Space Operations Center of the Bundeswehr. The call has since been confirmed as authentic by Germanys Defense Ministry.Olaf Scholz has repeatedly voiced his opposition to supplying the Kiev regime with Taurus cruise missiles. Due to their range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) being long enough to hit Russian territory, their use could make Germany a party to the Ukraine conflict, the Chancellor argued.Its a decision that I have taken as chancellor, and I stand by it in exactly the same way, that this is not something we can make available at this point in time, Scholz told a recent event in Munich.The very sophisticated Taurus long-range cruise missile system requires the presence of the military personnel from their country in order to operate it. That's why the German chancellor said that he would rule out the export of such missiles because it required the German military to operate it, Maloof noted.After Emmanuel Macron recently mooted sending NATO troops to Ukraine, Olaf Scholz rejected the idea, insisting that "there will be no soldiers on Ukrainian soil sent there."As Western backing for military and financial aid to Ukraine dwindles, and the economic fallout from the barrage of sanctions against Russia sparks public outrage in many of Kievs sponsor states, he stressed that those nations must start thinking of their own people."The Taurus scandal may have dampened the possibility of delivery of these long range missiles to the Kiev regime, he noted.The ex-Pentagon analyst recalled the red lines drawn by Russian President Vladimir Putin against NATO's eastward expansion, and his warnings against NATO countries trying to make Ukraine an ally in the alliance. Yet, the West chose to ignore that and crossed the Rubicon. He cautioned against sending NATO troops to fight in Ukraine.If they do it on a bilateral basis, these countries then can no longer seek protection under Article 5 of NATO," Maloof pointed out. "And if that's the case, then they're on their own. And I think that they need to consider that because I think the consequences would be dire, he stressed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/german-military-leak-becoming-massive-headache-for-west-1117139437.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/russia-may-track--target-scalp-transfers-to-ukraine-after-audio-leak---report-1117118899.html germany ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko 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 Svetlana Ekimenko german-made taurus cruise missiles, will germany send taurus cruise missiles to ukraine, can russian intelligence track and locate vehicles delivering scalp and storm shadow cruise missiles to kiev, vehicles delivering scalp and storm shadow cruise missiles to kiev, ukrainian crisis, ukraine, germany crimean bridge, germany ukraine, russias special military op in ukraine, special military operation, special military operational zone, special op zone, russian troops in special op zone, ukraine casualties in conflict, advanced russian weapons, nato in ukraine, is nato in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/german-military-leak-becoming-massive-headache-for-west-1117139437.html German Military Leak Becoming Massive Headache for West German Military Leak Becoming Massive Headache for West Sputnik International The publication of German military officers' conversations about possible strikes on the Crimean bridge hit the position of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and showed the superiority of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Politico article. 2024-03-05T10:02+0000 2024-03-05T10:02+0000 2024-03-05T10:02+0000 world vladimir putin olaf scholz ukraine russia leak data leak german military leak https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/02/1117089119_0:113:2216:1360_1920x0_80_0_0_174bb3300113f3eef9df11c29b94a0f7.jpg The publication of German military officers' conversations about possible strikes on the Crimean Bridge has hurt the position of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, undermined Ukraines prospects of getting Taurus missiles, and showed the superiority of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a Politico article."Nothing on the tape is manipulation. That's why it's so powerful: it's not disinformation, it's just information revealed," the article summarized.The leaked recording revealed the institutional frustration of the German military. Opposition politicians may launch an investigation into why Scholz doesnt intend to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, but it could take months to finish. This makes it even more unlikely that Kiev will get these weapons, the article concludes.Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT and Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group, published a recording of the February 19 conversation between four German military officers on Friday. German news agency DPA reported earlier that the leaked audio recording was authentic.On Saturday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has repeatedly ruled out the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles, said that the government was investigating the leak.The Russian Foreign Ministry has requested an explanation from German Ambassador to Moscow Alexander Graf Lambsdorff. The hybrid war waged by the collective West against the Russian people is in full swing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/speaking-about-leaked-german-talks-boosts-narrative-of-western-involvement-in-ukraine-claims-kirby-1117136413.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 crimean bridge, russian president vladimir putin, german chancellor olaf scholz, german military officers' conversations, german military leak https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/germany-attempts-to-change-narrative-over-embarrassing-ukraine-leaks-1117134419.html Germany Attempts to Change Narrative over Embarrassing Ukraine Leaks Germany Attempts to Change Narrative over Embarrassing Ukraine Leaks Sputnik International In this edition of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Melik Abdul delve into a range of global issues. One topic of discussion is Germany's shifting narrative surrounding recent audio leaks exposing Western interference in the Ukrainian conflict. 2024-03-05T04:31+0000 2024-03-05T04:31+0000 2024-03-05T11:56+0000 fault lines donald trump nikki haley aipac ukraine germany gaza strip kamala harris https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/04/1117134975_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_a350d00e55bce995e6ac2a322e5ca71d.png Germany Attempts to Change Narrative over Embarrassing Ukraine Leaks Sputnik International In this edition of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Melik Abdul delve into a range of global issues. One topic of discussion is Germany's shifting narrative surrounding recent audio leaks exposing Western interference in the Ukrainian conflict. Esteban Carrillo: Journalist and Editor for The CradleMark Sleboda: International Relations and Security AnalystScottie Nell Hughes: Veteran Political Commentator and Host of 360 View on RTRobin Biro: Former Barack Obama Campaign Director, U.S. Army Ranger Veteran and Host of American Discourse podcastIn the first hour, Fault Lines was joined by Esteban Carrillo who provided insights into the ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinians, coinciding with the U.S.'s first airdrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Additionally, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's call for an immediate, temporary cease-fire in the region is discussed.In the second hour, Fault Lines was joined by international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda about Germany's response to recent audio leaks, which captured a meeting among senior German military officials discussing weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kiev on a bridge in Crimea. Amidst Russian officials seeking clarification from Berlin, Germany's defense minister accuses Russia of waging an "information war" to sow discord within Germany.In the third hour, veteran political commentator Scottie Nell Hughes sheds light on the Republican primaries, with Nikki Haley securing a win among the selective D.C. crowd. The discussion included the possible Supreme Court decision on whether Colorado can exclude former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot.Later in the third hour, veteran Robin Biro addresses AIPAC's campaign against progressive candidates, highlighting the group's expected $100 million expenditure across its political entities in 2024, targeting candidates deemed insufficiently supportive of Israel. ukraine germany gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Melik Abdul https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0f/1110380196_0:72:1365:1438_100x100_80_0_0_9986d5f38d8c64aaa36cfd76771b1b60.jpg Melik Abdul https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0f/1110380196_0:72:1365:1438_100x100_80_0_0_9986d5f38d8c64aaa36cfd76771b1b60.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 Melik Abdul https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/0f/1110380196_0:72:1365:1438_100x100_80_0_0_9986d5f38d8c64aaa36cfd76771b1b60.jpg germany ukraine leaks, german military leaks, nato soldiers in ukraine, supreme court decision on trump https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/hamas-ready-to-reduce-number-of-palestinians-released-as-part-of-hostage-deal---reports-1117137264.html Hamas Ready to Reduce Number of Palestinians Released as Part of Hostage Deal - Reports Hamas Ready to Reduce Number of Palestinians Released as Part of Hostage Deal - Reports Sputnik International Palestinian Hamas expressed its readiness to reduce the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released if the Israel agrees to allow more Palestinian civilians to the northern Gaza Strip, the Axios reported. 2024-03-05T03:43+0000 2024-03-05T03:43+0000 2024-03-05T03:45+0000 world israel gaza strip palestine palestinians hamas ceasefire israeli-palestinian conflict palestine-israel conflict israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/14/1114372135_0:161:3070:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c87b20999fe530479e69e964c9e73eef.jpg Mediators from Qatar and Egypt told Israeli negotiators during talks in Doha last week that the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza is a top priority for Hamas, the report said, adding that the Israeli delegation was surprised how important it was to Hamas. However, Israel sees such a move from Hamas as politically motivated, since it could strengthen the movement's position as a ruling body in the enclave, as well as deprive Israel of a point of leverage in the next phase of negotiations, the report read.On Sunday, the news portal reported that the framework of a proposed deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip included an exchange of some 400 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel for 40 Israeli hostages. The draft deal also reportedly included a six-week pause in hostilities and a gradual return of Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/israeli-delegation-hasnt-attended-ceasefire-talks-as-hamas-refused-to-provide-alive-hostages-list-1117117808.html israel gaza strip palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 palestinian prisoners, hamas hostages, palestinian prisoners, palestinian civilians, gaza ceasefire talks, idf hamas deal https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/harris-reaffirms-us-support-for-israel-during-meeting-with-gantz---white-house-1117137630.html Harris Reaffirms US Support for Israel During Meeting With Gantz - White House Harris Reaffirms US Support for Israel During Meeting With Gantz - White House Sputnik International US Veep Kamala Harris met with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz to affirm the US' support for Israel against Hamas, but also expressed concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. 2024-03-05T04:10+0000 2024-03-05T04:10+0000 2024-03-05T04:10+0000 world us israel gaza strip benny gantz kamala harris hamas israeli-palestinian conflict israel-gaza conflict palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/07/1113186057_0:27:3072:1755_1920x0_80_0_0_63fd14ef59705ae4e9bd288af34d0dc0.jpg "She [Harris] reiterated US support for Israels right to defend itself in the face of ongoing Hamas terrorist threats and underscored our unwavering commitment to Israels security. The Vice President expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza," the White House said in a statement on Monday. The officials also discussed the situation in Rafah and the need for a credible and implementable humanitarian plan prior to contemplating any major military operation there given the risks to civilians, the statement said.Last week, Gantz arrived in the United States for a series of meetings, including with Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, Gantz is visiting the United States without the approval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly was upset and instructed the Israeli embassy in Washington not to facilitate Gantz's meetings. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/us-working-to-establish-maritime-humanitarian-assistance-corridor-for-gaza---state-dept-1117134528.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/hamas-ready-to-reduce-number-of-palestinians-released-as-part-of-hostage-deal---reports-1117137264.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 harris gantz meeting, us support for israel, israel rafah, israel war against hamas, humanitarian conditions in gaza, gaza strip crisis https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/its-an-indignity-for-us-to-resort-to-aid-airdrops-1117136227.html Its an Indignity For US to Resort to Aid Airdrops Its an Indignity For US to Resort to Aid Airdrops Sputnik International That the United States has been reduced to using airdrops to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza is an "indignity" for the nation that funds Israel, journalist and editor Esteban Carrillo told radio Sputnik on Monday. 2024-03-05T01:00+0000 2024-03-05T01:00+0000 2024-03-05T01:00+0000 analysis gabriel carrillo palestine israel rafah palestinians benjamin netanyahu israel defense forces (idf) fault lines israeli-palestinian conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/05/1117136068_0:1078:2048:2230_1920x0_80_0_0_4a286ce37fd2005dfd26020dbddf29ab.jpg The United States restoring to airdrops is an indignity for the nation, Esteban Carrillo, a journalist and editor for The Cradle, told Sputniks Fault Lines on Monday.Later, he added that the aid dropped by the US is not even a significant amount of aid. Theyre just [doing] that so, I guess, people back home can clap and [say] yeah, were helping. Sadly, youre not.Speaking on what has been dubbed the Flour Massacre during which Israeli forces fired on crowds of Palestinians crowding aid trucks. Israel blamed the incident on the crowd, saying they approached troops aggressively, and that most of the over 100 dead were caused by the subsequent stampede. However, the drone footage released from Israel appears to show IDF forces attacking the group and subsequent videos posted on social media showed IDF soldiers crushing Palestinian bodies with tanks.Israel has flouted US public efforts to ease the situation, publicly saying that they plan to attack the southern Gazan city of Rafah, regardless of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Theres such arrogance in their statements. Theyve said No matter even if there is a ceasefire, were still going to go into Rafah, theres nothing to stop us. Essentially, this has been their public message, Carrillo explained. Its past the time that Joe Bidens White House [should have] taken a stand and stopped this, he added.Carrillo argued that Israel wont stop at Gaza, because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, needs the war to continue to keep him in office. Yes, Israel is trying to start a war in Lebanon because, this war, Benjamin Netanyahu needs it to last at least until November [and] in Gaza, all military targets have been destroyed.What are they bombing right now? Carrillo asked rhetorically. Thats why theyre bombing tents. Theyre bombing the humanitarian shelters because its just tent cities. Thats where theyre dropping bombs. This morning they dropped a bomb at the Jabalia mass grave. They bombed a mass grave this morning because they dont have anything else to drop bombs on but civilians and the last remaining hospitals.Ultimately, Carrillo argues, the situation is also significantly harming Israel. Yesterday, the Israeli media reported that there was a wave of resignation in the army. So, its not all roses for them either. At some point, they need to get a reality check. But sadly, Israel has been awaiting a reality check for the past 75 years. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/us-working-to-establish-maritime-humanitarian-assistance-corridor-for-gaza---state-dept-1117134528.html palestine israel rafah Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino 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 Ian DeMartino us airdrops in gaza, aid to palestine, israel blocks aid, israel doesn't listen to us https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/nulands-resignation-related-to-failure-of-us-anti-russian-policy---zakharova-1117144449.html Nulands Resignation Related to Failure of US Anti-Russian Policy - Zakharova Nulands Resignation Related to Failure of US Anti-Russian Policy - Zakharova Sputnik International US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nulands resignation is related to the failure of Washingtons policy against Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday 2024-03-05T14:55+0000 2024-03-05T14:55+0000 2024-03-05T15:08+0000 world us victoria nuland maria zakharova russia washington moscow russian foreign ministry democrats joe biden https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104217/90/1042179057_0:361:4489:2886_1920x0_80_0_0_27c365e15a76111240642b660f808042.jpg Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Nuland plans to step down in the coming weeks. "They will not tell you the reason. But it is simple the failure of the anti-Russian policy of [US President Joe] Bidens administration. Russophobia, proposed by Victoria Nuland as the main foreign policy concept of the United States, is dragging the Democrats to the bottom like a stone," Zakharova told a briefing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/euromaidan-was-part-of-wests-proxy-war-against-russia--cia-veteran-1116894202.html russia washington moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 who is victoria nuland, victoria nulands resignation, what did victoria nuland do, what does victoria nuland do https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/pentagon-says-us-doesnt-operate-f-35s-in-ukraine-contrary-to-claims-from-singapore-1117136992.html Pentagon Says US Doesn't Operate F-35s in Ukraine Contrary to Claims From Singapore Pentagon Says US Doesn't Operate F-35s in Ukraine Contrary to Claims From Singapore Sputnik International A US Defense Department spokesperson told Sputnik that the US does not operate F-35 fighter jets in Ukraine contrary to claims recently made by Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen. 2024-03-05T01:58+0000 2024-03-05T01:58+0000 2024-03-05T01:58+0000 world military & intelligence ng eng hen f-35 pentagon russia ukraine singapore us arms for ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/16/1115126883_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_07b5c1371fb54b16fceb83ec9bab0e73.jpg Last week, the Singaporean defense chief said during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Procurement that the United States used F-35 fighter jets to locate and identify Russian air defense units in Ukraine and shared the information with its NATO partners. The United States has provided well over $75 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special operation in February 2022. Aid shipments began in 2022 with artillery munitions and training and have escalated to include tanks, advanced air-defense systems, missiles and cluster munitions. The Kremlin has consistently warned against the West's continued arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying that they only prolong the conflict. The Biden administration is eager to get more funding approved for Ukraine after it ran out of funds for Kiev in December and Congress has yet to approve more funding. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240228/mainstream-media-ignores-facts-russia-has-already-won-this-war-1117028979.html russia ukraine singapore Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 arms for ukraine, singapore defense minister ng eng hen, ng eng hen f-35, does us provide ukraine with f-35, f-35 fighter jets in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/rishi-sunak-faces-defeat-as-house-of-lords-thump-rwanda-asylum-bill-1117140114.html Rishi Sunak Faces Defeat as House of Lords Thump Rwanda Asylum Bill Rishi Sunak Faces Defeat as House of Lords Thump Rwanda Asylum Bill Sputnik International The UKs upper parliament voted for amendments guaranteeing legal safeguards and adherence to international law before deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda. Also, Western nations face broader issues regarding response to migrant crises, like in the EU and Biden administration's mishandling of the migrant crisis at the US southern border. 2024-03-05T12:17+0000 2024-03-05T12:17+0000 2024-03-05T12:17+0000 world rishi sunak joe biden east rwanda united kingdom (uk) senate house of lords house of commons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/19/1108775853_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ebbe6871e9dca26f2ee75bad329945ce.jpg British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced a thumping defeat in the House of Lords over his legislation to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.The upper chamber voted in favor of amendments demanding that flights can only leave when a treaty ensuring legal safeguards in Rwanda is fully implemented.The Lords also approved an amendment stating that the legislation must fully comply with international and domestic law. The chamber passed another amendment verifying Rwanda's safety for refugees before allowing flights to proceed.The Rwandan deportation bill involves dispatching asylum seekers who arrive on England's southern coast in small boats to be relocated to the East African country. Still, no one has been deported yet due to the current legal impasse.Despite litigations, Sunak's government is looking to pass a law through Parliament to prevent further legal hurdles by designating Rwanda as safe for asylum seekers.However, the House of Commons, which holds more authority as the elected body, could reverse these alterations afterward through a "parliamentary ping-pong" process if the deportation bill returns for votes by the MPs. Certain Lords disapproved of the existing law, arguing that it deems Rwanda safe without adequate evidence.In 2023, the UK Supreme Court determined the deportation scheme was illegal because it would breach British and international human rights laws, citing flaws in the Rwandan system. According to the British government's spending watchdog the National Audit Office, deporting the first 300 refugees would cost over 600 million.Sunak's government's handling of the asylum crisis is part of a larger problem confronting Western countries. Most asylum seekers who reached the UK on small boats say they are fleeing conflict in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.This statement points to the European Union's chaotic response to the 2015 refugee crisis. The bloc's individual and collective weaknesses contributed to its ineffective response, and the European migration crisis remains a challenge to this day.Across the Atlantic, the US also faces a surge in migrant crossings at its southern border, leaving border officials overwhelmed. The Biden administration's mishandling of the migrant crisis has exacerbated the problem. A Senate Republican Conference publication reports that during Joe Biden's first 100 days in office, he signed a series of executive orders that relaxed immigration restrictions.With the worsening border crisis, President Biden sought congressional approval for additional funding to reinforce Border Patrol and asylum officers' efforts. Despite this, a funding bill and aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan became bogged down in congressional talks due to partisan disagreements concerning border policies. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/sending-illegal-migrants-to-rwanda-could-cost-uk-over-215000-each-1111496549.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/bidens-border-dilemma-mexico-throws-lifeline-to-us-immigration-strategy-1115897226.html east rwanda united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.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 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg rwanda asylum bill, uk's house of lords vote to amend sunak's asylum plan, british upper parliament, asylum seekers, us border crisis, eu migrant crisis. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/scott-ritter-leaked-crimea-attack-plans-begs-the-question-whos-in-charge-in-germany-1117141206.html Scott Ritter: Leaked Crimea Attack Plans Begs the Question Whos in Charge in Germany? Scott Ritter: Leaked Crimea Attack Plans Begs the Question Whos in Charge in Germany? Sputnik International The head of Sputniks parent media group released bombshell audio last Friday of a conversation between senior Bundeswehr officers discussing plans to attack the Crimean Bridge using German-made Taurus missiles. The leak, whose authenticity was subsequently confirmed by German media, sparked a formal investigation. 2024-03-05T12:54+0000 2024-03-05T12:54+0000 2024-03-05T13:01+0000 analysis military & intelligence olaf scholz margarita simonyan germany ukraine russia nato bundeswehr sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/05/1117142616_0:63:942:593_1920x0_80_0_0_31e60a7dea02c1068b482832711f4d2b.jpg The leaked conversation between senior Bundeswehr officers plotting aggression against Russia using German weapons raises serious questions about whos truly in charge in Germany the military or the civilian government, and signals a truly worrying slide toward military rule, former US Marine Corps intelligence officer and independent military analyst Scott Ritter has told Sputnik.There's a crisis in civil military affairs in Germany today, and the whole world seems to be ignoring this, Ritter said, pointing out that while attention has been paid to the details of the leaked February 19 discussion, in which officers effectively plotted an act of war against Russia - no ifs, and or buts about it, the more important question about just who is in charge of Germany today has been left unanswered.In other words, while the chancellor and the parliament have said no to the provision of the Taurus missile to Ukraine, the defense minister is working with his Air Force officers to make it happen to go into planning about how this weapon could be used to bring harm to Russia, the observer said.On top of that, Ritter pointed out that the apparent operational planning detailed in the leaked conversation constitutes a grave violation of everything NATO purports to stand for.Furthermore, he noted, when Moscow agreed to the unification of the two Germanies in 1990, one of the conditions was that Germany would never again wage a war of aggression against Russia.There are members of Parliament nowin Saxony, Germany who are actively seeking to investigate these German officers, to hold them accountable for violating German law, for planning a war of aggression. Because a war of aggression was determined at the Nuremberg Tribunal, which held the Nazis accountable for their crimes, committed not just against the Soviet Union, but others for planning and implementing the biggest war crime of them all, a war of aggression; which is exactly what those four German officers were plotting against Russia on behalf of their defense minister, in total contravention to the direction given to them by the chancellor of Germany and the German parliament.Leaked DiscussionLast Friday, Sputnik parent media group Rossiya Segodnya editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan published text and audio of a February 19 discussion between Bundeswehr representatives discussing the possibility of attacking the Crimean Bridge using Taurus cruise missiles provided to Ukraine. The conversation involved German Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz, Air Force Command Operations and Exercises Department head Brig. Gen. Frank Graefe, and two employees of the Air Operations Center of Bundeswehr Space Command.German media confirmed the authenticity of the recording, with the German Defense Ministry expressing concerns about possible additional leaks, and Chancellor Scholz announcing that the matter was being investigated very thoroughly, very intensively and very quickly.The Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union the biggest opposition bloc in the Bundestag, has requested an extraordinary meeting of the parliaments defense committee over the scandalous audio, asking that Scholz specifically be in attendance.White House spokesman John Kirby blasted the medias fascination with the leak story, telling reporters on Monday that speaking about the content of the leak implicating NATO in direct aggression against Moscow plays right into Russian hands.Expressing hesitation about delivering military support to Ukraine during the first months of the crisis in early 2022, the Scholz government has since become the second largest supporter of Kiev in terms of weapons support, behind only the United States. Berlin has provided over 17.7 billion ($19.2 billion US) in direct arms aid and billions in additional support via EU institutions. Germany signed a 10-page security agreement with Ukraine in mid-February that requires Berlin to not just support Kiev for as long as it takes in the proxy war against Russia, but assist in the buildup of Ukraines armed forces in the conflicts aftermath. Germany passed a 2024 budget with over $8 billion in military aid to Kiev in early February, notwithstanding a growing budgetary and economic crisis at home, the reduction of subsidies to farmers, a spike in energy prices, and the worst manufacturing downturn since the Second World War. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/german-military-leak-becoming-massive-headache-for-west-1117139437.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/german-military-leak-added-embarrassment-to-berlins-silence-on-nord-stream-sabotage-1117132702.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/russia-may-track--target-scalp-transfers-to-ukraine-after-audio-leak---report-1117118899.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240303/german-defense-minister-on-leak-discussing-scenarios-does-not-mean-giving-taurus-missiles-to-kiev-1117114154.html germany ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Scott Ritter Sputnik International Scott Ritter 2024-03-05T12:54+0000 true PT3M48S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov who's in charge of germany, is the military in charge of germany, leak, aggression, berlin, russia, ukraine, proxy war, nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/speaking-about-leaked-german-talks-boosts-narrative-of-western-involvement-in-ukraine-claims-kirby-1117136413.html Speaking About Leaked German Talks Boosts Narrative of Western Involvement in Ukraine, Claims Kirby Speaking About Leaked German Talks Boosts Narrative of Western Involvement in Ukraine, Claims Kirby Sputnik International White House spokesperson Kirby said that speaking about the content of a German leaked recording about a potential attack on the Crimean Bridge with Taurus missiles proves Russias stance. 2024-03-05T01:37+0000 2024-03-05T01:37+0000 2024-03-05T01:37+0000 world john kirby margarita simonyan ukraine crimean bridge dpa russia german military leak crimean bridge terror attacks ukrainian conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/06/1116626934_0:260:3072:1988_1920x0_80_0_0_cf917494d9432d56345b4387119fb67c.jpg "Speaking about the content of the leak plays right into Russian hands," Kirby said, adding that it would help Russian President Vladimir Putin to "sell" the narrative that the conflict directly involves the US, NATO or the collective West.This was enough for Kirby to not answer about US' reaction to the leak. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT and the Rossiya Segodnya media group, published a recording of the February 19 conversation between four German military officers on Friday. German news agency DPA reported earlier that the leaked audio recording was authentic. On Saturday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has publicly repeatedly ruled out the possibility of supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles, said that the government was investigating the leak.The Russian Foreign Ministry requested an explanation from German Ambassador in Moscow Alexander Graf Lambsdorff. A hybrid war waged by the collective West against the Russian people was in full swing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. It is surprising that Germany is not concerned about talks of a possible attack on the Crimean Bridge, but rather, about the fact that the conversation of its senior military officials was leaked, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. Moreover, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the content of the leaked audio recording points to direct involvement of the collective West in the conflict in Ukraine. If such an outcome is part of Western geopolitics, then it is "very bad," Peskov said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240304/german-ambassador-summoned-to-russian-foreign-ministry-over-bundeswehr-audio-leak-1117119664.html ukraine crimean bridge russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 german military leak, collective west involved in ukraine crisis, crimean bridge with taurus missiles, west supports ukraine why https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/super-tuesday-2024-what-to-watch-for-in-americas-primary-and-caucus-mega-vote-1117142974.html Super Tuesday 2024: What to Watch for in Americas Primary and Caucus Mega-Vote Super Tuesday 2024: What to Watch for in Americas Primary and Caucus Mega-Vote Sputnik International Voters in 15 states and one territory are heading to the polls on March 5 for Super Tuesday the biggest single voting day in Americas drawn out primary and caucus process. The once-every-four-year event usually locks in the major parties nominees for the presidential election in November. Sputnik has the details on the stakes this time around. 2024-03-05T14:47+0000 2024-03-05T14:47+0000 2024-03-05T14:52+0000 nikki haley donald trump joe biden us gop republican democrats primary caucuses americas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/05/1117142813_0:184:2986:1864_1920x0_80_0_0_1575105263d6d9d91ca5e6cc0f241db5.jpg Americans from more than a dozen states have the opportunity to vote in Republican and Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses on Tuesday, with primaries taking place in states including: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia.Alaska and Utah are holding Republican caucuses, while Democrats are holding a caucus in the unincorporated South Pacific island territory of American Samoa.As tradition dictates, the incumbent first term president in this case Joe Biden, enjoys a commanding lead in the Democratic field, with only Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson challenging him, but winning no delegates so far. Biden has picked up 449 of 3,934 available delegates in electoral contests held to date, with two delegates picked as uncommitted during last weeks Michigan Democratic primary. He is expected to handily win Super Tuesday contests in every state engaged in voting.Among Republicans, the bakers dozen of candidates who entered the race in 2023 has dwindled to two with only former president Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador Nikki Haley remaining.Trump, the GOP enfant terrible who broke with George W. Bush-style Republicans in 2015 to give rise to a new populist, anti-interventionist, anti-free trade and anti-globalist wing of the GOP, enters Super Tuesday with a commanding lead, winning 273 of 2,429 total available delegates to date, and taking 64 percent of the primary vote so far. Despite picking up 31.7 percent of the vote and 43 delegates before March 5, Haley has finished first in only one of the twelve contests held to date - in Washington, DC on March 3. Trump defeated Haley in her home state of South Carolina on February 24.Haley represents a return to the more traditional, neoconservative GOP that emerged in the 1980s, cheerleading the strengthening of US alliances and offering unequivocal support for US-sponsored wars and interventions abroad, including in Ukraine and Gaza. Domestically, Haley has advocated for an illegal immigration crackdown similar to the one proposed by Trump, although the former president has accused her of siding with globalist Democrats on the issue. On trade, the candidate has stepped out against Trumps proposal to levy a 60 percent tariff on all Chinese imports, calling it ludicrous and suggesting it would affect American families on anything from baby strollers to appliances.Haley, in turn, has called Trump diminished and unhinged, suggested that his election for a second term would be suicide for our country, and attacked him for emboldening our enemies by refusing to commit the US to defend NATO allies who dont pay their fair share for alliance defense.What Do the Polls Say?The RealClearPolitics aggregate polling data shows Trump with a commanding lead over Haley nationwide (79 percent to 11 percent, respectively).Broken down by state, the former president enjoys a similarly comfortable advantage, although the margins are closer in select states.Since 1984, only one candidate Democratic Senator Gary Hart of Indiana, won Super Tuesday but went on to lose the nomination. The big voting day can also be an opportunity for a candidate to turn their campaign around, with Democrat Bill Clinton losing earlier primaries but going on to win key states on Super Tuesday in 1992, which gave him momentum to eventually secure his partys nomination. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/trump-wins-republican-primary-in-south-carolina-beating-haley-in-her-home-state-1116960897.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/expelled-from-maga-camp-1116393744.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240121/desantis-drops-out-of-2024-presidential-race-endorses-trump-1116304865.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 what is super tuesday, what states are voting super tuesday https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/us-forces-intercept-2-cruise-missiles-launched-by-houthis-in-red-sea---centcom-1117138969.html US Forces Intercept 2 Cruise Missiles Launched by Houthis in Red Sea - CENTCOM US Forces Intercept 2 Cruise Missiles Launched by Houthis in Red Sea - CENTCOM Sputnik International The US military have conducted self-defense air strikes against two cruise missiles launched by the Houthis and presenting an "imminent threat" to vessels in the Red Sea, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday. 2024-03-05T06:22+0000 2024-03-05T06:22+0000 2024-03-05T06:22+0000 world red sea crisis red sea us central command (centcom) houthis u.s. navy yemen https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/07/1116654222_0:170:3072:1898_1920x0_80_0_0_0bf79ef6e44f7fc44fae33ecce07101f.jpg "At 8 p.m. (Sanaa time) [17:00 GMT], CENTCOM forces conducted self-defense strikes against two anti-ship cruise missiles that presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for merchant and U.S. Navy vessels," CENTCOM wrote on X. In the period between 15:50 and 16:15 (12:50 and 13:15 GMT) the Houthi movement launched two anti-ship cruise missiles against a Liberian-flagged container vessel, the command said, adding that one of the missiles had struck the ship, leaving some damage. However, no victims were reported. Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. This led the United States to announce the creation of a multinational operation to secure navigation in the Red Sea. Forces of the US and the United Kingdom later launched major strikes against Houthi positions in a bid to degrade the rebels' ability to target commercial vessels. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240303/us-confirms-uk-owned-ship-sank-in-gulf-of-aden-after-houthi-attack-1117096162.html red sea yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 forces, cruise missiles, houthis, red sea, us central command CAIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and visiting National Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council of Bahrain, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on Tuesday, agreed on the vital importance of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, the talks addressed means of ensuring the flow of critically needed humanitarian assistance and relief in sufficient quantities to the besieged strip. The meeting also focused on Egypt's efforts toward restoring calm in the region. On Tuesday, Hamas continued its talks in Egypt for the third day with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in a bid to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. The Bahraini high-level official lauded Egypt's efforts in delivering aid to the Palestinians in Gaza by land through the Rafah border crossing or airdrops. The meeting also reiterated the need to contain the escalating tension in the region and push efforts toward preventing the expansion of the conflict, added the statement. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/us-inspector-general-says-documented-dozens-of-claims-of-ukraine-aid-misconduct-1117150143.html US Inspector General Says Documented Dozens of Claims of Ukraine Aid Misconduct US Inspector General Says Documented Dozens of Claims of Ukraine Aid Misconduct Sputnik International The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General said in a report that it documented dozens of claims of misconduct involving aid sent to Ukraine by the United States since February 2022. 2024-03-05T21:26+0000 2024-03-05T21:26+0000 2024-03-05T21:26+0000 ukraine crisis world ukrainian crisis ukraine us agency for international development (usaid) usaid https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/05/1117150257_0:0:3082:1734_1920x0_80_0_0_1ef2c647c3b2332865edc8ca0000a04f.jpg USAIDs Office of Inspector General has received 15 complaints of alleged theft or diversion of aid, 12 complaints of program fraud, 11 complaints of procurement fraud and 11 complaints of conflict of interest, the report, released Monday, said. The oversight office also received five complaints of alleged bribery, five complaints of mismanagement, and one complaint of sexual exploitation and abuse, the report said. In total, the office received 182 separate complaints. The report includes summaries of closed complaint cases, but the office does not publicly disclose information about open investigations. One closed case involved aid workers allegedly demanding fees from beneficiaries in order to receive assistance, the report said. Another case involved alleged corruption by a medical doctor in the city of Dnepr, the report said. USAID Office of Inspector General personnel based in the US, Germany and Ukraine conduct investigations into misconduct claims, the report said. The oversight team has held six meetings with USAID and other US government personnel, the report said. The team also met five times with Ukrainian entities and three times with aid implementers and subawardees, as well as conducted two fraud awareness briefings, the report said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231108/usaid-warns-no-funding-left-for-direct-budget-support-in-ukraine-1114821828.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 ukraine aid, ukrainian crimes, corruption in ukraine, corrupted ukraine, corrupted ukraine, us aid to ukraine, usaid in ukraine, usaid helps ukraine, ukraine steals aid, aid delivery, urkaine crisis, us aid to ukraine, us funding for ukraine, us funding to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/us-military-struggles-to-recruit-due-to-foreign-intervention-policy---former-army-colonel-1117136874.html US Military Struggles to Recruit Due to Foreign Intervention Policy - Former Army Colonel US Military Struggles to Recruit Due to Foreign Intervention Policy - Former Army Colonel Sputnik International The US military is struggling to recruit new soldiers due to concerns about the US policy of foreign intervention, said retired US Army Colonel Douglas MacGregor in an interview with Tucker Carlson. 2024-03-05T01:51+0000 2024-03-05T01:51+0000 2024-03-05T01:51+0000 military us tucker carlson us army military & intelligence douglas macgregor https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0b/0b/1081134170_1:0:1366:768_1920x0_80_0_0_afb54452259e5af97707aaa74e19607c.png We're having problems recruiting for a very simple reason: people that have been through this over the last 20-30 years have said, What are we doing? What's the point of being in the military? We go to these places. They look around in Iraq or they look around in Afghanistan and they say, There's nothing here. What am I doing here? Oh, well, you're building democracy. And people burst out laughing. It's nonsense, MacGregor said in the interview, released Monday. People in the US are ready to defend the county but do not see evidence of the US government doing that with the military, MacGregor said. Defending countries in the Middle East or Ukraine is not what soldiers sign up for, MacGregor said.Military institutions take decades to build and are resilient because of replenishments in human capital, MacGregor said. Destroying the military establishment sets the conditions for the total destruction of the country, MacGregor said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230310/why-bloated-us-military-spending-cant-ensure-its-dominance-over-russia-china-1108266963.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 army colonel douglas macgregor, us army recruit issues, us army western democracy, us foreign intervention https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/white-houses-grey-cardinal-of-color-revolts-what-is-victoria-nulands-legacy-1117147164.html White House's Grey Cardinal of Color Revolts: What is Victoria Nuland's Legacy? White House's Grey Cardinal of Color Revolts: What is Victoria Nuland's Legacy? Sputnik International US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that Victoria Nuland will step down in the coming weeks as Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs. What legacy will the leave? 2024-03-05T18:59+0000 2024-03-05T18:59+0000 2024-03-06T10:34+0000 us opinion victoria nuland larry johnson ukraine kiev european union (eu) cia nato white house https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101602/70/1016027031_0:295:2323:1601_1920x0_80_0_0_de655bcddf41866a38ad7527a3eea511.jpg Victoria Nuland the architect of the 2014 Euromaidan coup in Kiev has quit just as her pet project collapses.Nuland's decision to retire came like a bolt from the blue, given her active role in Ukraine's affairs under presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, retired CIA intelligence officer and State Department official Larry Johnson told Sputnik.He said Nuland's departure was a sign that the US policy in Ukraine was "unravelling" and was "no longer going to be the priority. Theyre recognizing that it's not a political winner.""It's like an albatross hanging around their neck as they go into the election season," Johnson said. "Her leaving is probably going to cause more consternation in Kiev and particularly with Zelensky."Who is Nuland?In his press statement on Tuesday, Blinken said "Toria" had served in various capacities under six American presidents and ten secretaries of state and had been "indispensable to confronting Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine" just as Washington's proxy front with Moscow was collapsing in Donetsk.Nuland is the wife of American ardent neoconservative strategist Robert Kagan, a leading voice for US overseas interventions and regime-change operations.Under the Obama administration, then-secretary of state Hillary Clinton picked Nuland as her spokeswoman. Clinton's successor, John Kerry, appointed her as his assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. Sworn in September 2013, Nuland immediately took charge of what quickly morphed under her watch into a color revolution in Ukraine.Euromaidan, which started in November 2013 as a protest against then-President Viktor Yanukovich's refusal to sign an EU association agreement, turned violent in December 2013.Nuland called for "taking Ukraine into the future it deserves," boasting that the US had invested over $5 billion into Ukraine achieving "its European aspirations." She travelled to Kiev and handed out bread and cookies to protesters at Kiev's Independence Square ("Maidan Nezalezhnosti") reassuring rioters of US support.Coup Plotter on SteroidsIn early February 2014, a conversation between Victoria Nuland and then-US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt discussing the shape of the provisional Kiev regime was leaked online. Nuland was heard to dismiss European partners with the phrase "F**k the EU."The plans they came to fruition the same month after Yanukovich was ousted by a violent nationalist mob in violation of the Ukrainian Constitution, forcing him flee the country chased by neo-Nazi militant groups.In May 2014 Nuland was grilled by congress representatives Dana Rohrabacher and Brad Sherman over her denial of the role armed neo-Nazis played in the Euromaidan coup during her congressional testimony."There were pictures of people running around with these that we were told were neo-Nazis. Were there neo-Nazis in those efforts street violence that led to Mr. Yanukovychs removal?" asked Rohrabacher.Nuland insisted that "the vast majority of those who participated on the Maidan were peaceful protesters," but eventually admitted that "almost every color of Ukraine was represented, including some including some ugly colors."Minsk Agreements, Ukrainian Biolabs and Kiev's RetreatEight years later she was forced to admit that the US had maintained a secretive network of bio-labs in Ukraine. Documents obtained by the Russian Ministry of Defense in the course of the special military operation showed these facilities were conducting biowarfare research.On March 8, 2022 Nuland testified that "Ukraine has biological research facilities," hastily adding: "We are now in fact quite concerned that Russian troops, Russian forces, may be seeking to gain control of them."Nuland also tried to undermine the two Minsk accords between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in 2014 and 2015. She blamed breakdowns in the truce on Russia, one of the three countries that brokered the deals, while turning a blind eye to Ukraine's attacks on the Donbass republics and the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) network of torture chambers.Then-German chancellor Angela Merkel later admitted that the accords were just a ruse to buy time to arm Ukraine for NATO's proxy conflict with Russia.The last time Nuland was seen in Kiev was early February 2024, during the rift between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and then-commander-in-chief General Valery Zaluzhny. Zelensky sacked Zaluzhny on February 8, and on On February 17, the Russian army liberated Avdeyevka in the Donetsk region where it continues to advance.Nuland Resigns as Anti-Russia Plot FailsCommenting on the news of Nuland's retirement, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated: "They will not tell you the reason. But it is simple the failure of the anti-Russian policy of [US President Joe] Bidens administration.""Russophobia, proposed by Victoria Nuland as the main foreign policy concept of the United States, is dragging the Democrats to the bottom like a stone," she added.Johnson believes Zakharova is right:"[Nuland] has certainly been the central figure in the US government going back a decade. This was her thing in 2014, when the Maidan occurred," he said. "She was the one on the phone with the ambassador, trying to figure out who the United States was going to put it in as president of Ukraine.""So, she's been one of the puppet mistresses behind the scenes, pulling the strings," Johnson added. "The fact that she's now resigning at a time when continued aid for Ukraine is uncertain, as well as growing opposition in Congress, particularly among Republicans, about continuing to pour bad money after good in Ukraine, and with the presidential election looming on the horizon."The Biden White House has already signalled a shift on several issues, including Ukraine, the CIA veteran said. "I think her resignation may in part reflect some frustration, as a protest against that policy."Johnson said Nuland's legacy was nothing to boast about. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240217/how-fake-heavenly-hundred-was-used-to-legitimize-bloodbath--coup-detat-in-ukraine-1116827558.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230201/truth-too-big-to-hide-how-washington-fails-to-sweep-ukraines-biolab-revelation-under-rug-1106893548.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240305/nulands-resignation-related-to-failure-of-us-anti-russian-policy---zakharova-1117144449.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/at-long-last-uk-media-blasts-wests-support-to-euromaidan-coup--ukraine-conflict-1116974378.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/euromaidan-was-part-of-wests-proxy-war-against-russia--cia-veteran-1116894202.html ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 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 victoria nuland, iraq war, afghanistan war, us neocons, nuland's ukraine project, euromaidan revolution, euromaidan coup, nuland's color revolution in ukraine, neo-nazi militants, nuland sabotaged minsk agreements, nuland visited kiev, nuland met with volodymyr zelensky, nuland spoke about us-funded ukrainian biolabs, us-funded ukrainian biowarfare labs Pemberton made every pole a winning one en route to victory in the $32,000 Preferred 2 Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, March 4. Bert Renaud and the Julie Walker student left hard from the outside in the field of six, securing the lead. As the pacesetter for the mile, Pemberton clicked out panels in :27.1, :57.1 and 1:26.2 before going on to win by one length in 1:53.4. Locatelli (Sylvain Filion) finished second and Patriarch Hanover (Doug McNair) completed the triactor. Pemberton is a seven-year-old Wheeling N Dealin-Dayshift gelding co-owned by Brenda and Christine Walker. He has $525,179 earned and a record of 15-5-6 from 41 career starts. As the bettors' choice, Pemberton paid $5.50 to win. To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) Ontario Racing has issued a reminded regarding two-year-old Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) sustaining payments due on March 15. To sustain a two-year-old, it must have been nominated to the OSS as a yearling. If you intend to race your two-year-old in the OSS in 2024, a sustaining payment in the amount of $600 must be received in the OSS office or postmarked no later than March 15, 2024. As long as your OSS yearling has been nominated, regardless of whether you sustain at two years old, they will be eligible to race in 2025 as a three-year-old. If you have any questions, contact Christina Saftic at 416-407-4841. (With files from Ontario Racing) The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office issued a release Tuesday that former Scottsbluff Police Captain Brian Wasson has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with allegations of the theft of drugs and money from police evidence. According to the release, the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office filed charges Tuesday, March 5, directly in Scotts Bluff County District Court, bypassing the filing of charges in county court and other proceedings, such as a preliminary hearing. Wasson, who previously served as a police captain for the Scottsbluff Police Department, pleaded to two felony counts of theft by unlawful taking in excess of $5,000. The first count alleges that between March 2021 and April 15, 2023, that Wasson stole controlled substances in excess of $5,000. The second count alleges that between those same dates he also stole currency in excess of $5,000. Bond was set and Wasson surrendered himself, according to the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office. He was booked in the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center, but had reportedly already posted bond. Wassons sentencing is scheduled for April 23 in Scottsbluff. According to Scotts Bluff County District Court records, the case was heard by Judge Cindy R. Volkmer, an 11th Judicial District judge. Wasson was arraigned at about 11:30 a.m. An arrest affidavit or other documents werent filed in the case, with only the charging information filed in the case. Without an arrest affidavit, its likely the bulk of information regarding the investigation, done by the Nebraska State Patrol, wont be known by the general public. Only information disclosed in court hearings will be released. In October 2023, Wasson surrendered his law enforcement certification voluntarily. Some details were made public at that time, with records submitted by Scottsbluff Police Department Police Chief Kevin Spencer to the Nebraska Crime Commission citing Wasson as having admitted to having stolen fentanyl from the departments evidence room. The theft was reported by Wasson to have been occurring a little less than a year, according to evidence during a Police Standards Advisory Council hearing. In surrendering his certification, Wasson told authorities that he had been suffering from an opioid addiction. Wasson had resigned from his position at the Scottsbluff Police Department, where he had served for 25 years, on Sept. 6, according to a change of status form filed with the commission. He had served for 17 years as one of the departments captains. His career included a stint in the WING drug task force. Two Lyman residents are facing charges after authorities discovered 21 dogs locked in a trailer and in stages of neglect Monday. Scotts Bluff County Chief Deputy Sheriff Troy Brown released that Jaydee Sims, 45, and Sadonya Sims, 40, were arrested Monday on 21 counts of cruelty to animals. Deputies with the Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Department recovered chihuahuas, dachshunds, boxers, labradoodles and Saint Bernards, along with puppies that had just been born within the last few days, after receiving information about several dogs locked in a camper trailer at the Captain Critters Country Campground, which is located west of Scottsbluff. According to information released, a reporting party described conditions at the trailer as horrible with feces everywhere and a lack of food and water for the dogs. Deputies and investigators served a warrant at a camper trailer at the campground at about 10:35 a.m. The dogs were secured and transported to the Panhandle Humane Society, where the dogs will be examined and care provided. In an email to the Star-Herald, the owner of the campground, Sue Maiwald said she had notified authorities after witnessing inhumane conditions. I reported this to authorities because I have a deep love and admiration for animals of all kinds, she said, saying she didnt hesitate to report the situation to authorities. Captain Critters is a very pet-friendly campground, and no acts of cruelty or neglect are tolerated here. Assisting with the investigation were the Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office, Scottsbluff Police Department, Animal Health Center, the Panhandle Humane Society and Nebraska Department of Agriculture. State senators gave swift second-round approval Monday to a bill a Unicameral office estimates could yield more than $1.4 billion in additional federal Medicaid reimbursements for hard-pressed Nebraska hospitals. Lawmakers advanced Legislative Bill 1087 to final reading on a voice vote after adopting amendments by North Platte state Sen. Mike Jacobson fine-tuning the bill and stripping a New Years Eve 2026 sunset date attached during first-round debate Feb. 15. LB 1087 was one of several bills by or involving western Nebraska lawmakers to advance during the Legislatures first 2024 daily session with all-day floor debate after its new bills this year received their public hearings. Under the bill, hospitals would officially pay assessments to the state based on their gross income to unlock significantly more federal help in covering their costs of treating low-income Medicaid patients. Forty-four states use the technique, Jacobson said. He reiterated on the floor that the rural critical access hospital in Friend has closed its inpatient rooms and now provides only emergency services. There are other rural hospitals that are on the edge of doing that if they cant offset their Medicaid treatment costs through LB 1087, he said. The state would front hospitals assessments initially, Jacobson said, but the incoming federal funds would repay them. The money representing the assessments then would move back and forth between hospitals and the state every three months. Jacobson said the Legislative Fiscal Office, which proposed the adjustments in Mondays amendment, now estimates the hospital assessments will total $581 million instead of $650 million and the matching federal funds would be $1.425 billion rather than $1.02 billion. The amendment, which senators adopted 40-0, was designed to ensure that no net state funds will be spent to gain the federal Medicaid funds, he said. It says hospitals will provide at least $50 million a year in private investments in statewide health care workforce development to train more nurses and other health care providers. LB 1087 as amended Monday also would retain 3% from the federal funds for administrative expenses, up to $15 million; 0.5% to expand statewide clinical nursing training sites, up to $2.5 million; and 0.286% to help reimburse nonhospital Medicaid health care providers, provide continuous Medicaid eligibility for children and maintain a health information exchange, up to $17.5 million. The bill continues to say hospitals cant pass on the cost of paying their assessments to patients and that the assessments would disappear if the federal government eliminates the Medicaid matching funds. Lawmakers voted 36-0 to eliminate LB 1087s 2026 expiration date, which had been sought by Gov. Jim Pillen before its first-round adoption. The Legislatures Appropriations Committee could act to end the program at any time, Jacobson said. With no net cost to state coffers, I dont believe theres a need for a sunset. Mondays first full day of floor debate included voice-vote second-round approval of a bill including two initiatives by Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer. LB 43, originally sponsored by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, was amended by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to include parts of five other 2023 bills. Its one of the committees 2024 priority bills. One of those five bills is LB 277, Brewers First Freedom Act, which says the state cant impose restrictions on religious groups greater than those imposed on nonreligious groups or businesses during a state of emergency. It also says Native American students in public schools can wear tribal regalia at school functions. Brewer, who initially offered the First Freedom Act in 2022, said then that Nebraska church groups asked him to pursue it after health regulations curtailed in-person attendance at many church services at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Senators Monday attached a separate Brewer amendment saying local government bodies shall allow members of the public an opportunity to speak at each meeting, except when governing boards hold executive sessions. The amendment would strike existing language saying local governments may not forbid public participation at all meetings but may not be required to allow citizens to speak at each meeting. Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad, a civil rights lawyer and a cosponsor of Sanders original LB 43, said state and local governments alike have been trending toward limiting public access in violation of Nebraskas tradition of openness in government. In other Unicameral action Monday on bills involving western Nebraska senators: Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner won 42-2 initial approval of LB 894, which would require candidates for county sheriff to hold a valid law enforcement officer certificate before filing for election. Amendments approved Monday would require the same of sheriffs appointed to fill vacancies and enable valid immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to receive and hold law enforcement certifications allowing them to work as police officers or sheriffs deputies. Lawmakers gave 42-0 first-round approval to LB 851, a Jacobson bill saying companies employing fewer than 150 full-time equivalent employees can qualify for state grants to offer internships to college students. Current law allows only businesses with fewer than 50 FTEs to qualify. The Legislature also amended and gave voice-vote second-round approval to LB 644, which Jacobson had made his 2023 priority bill. Introduced by Omaha Sen. Mike McDonnell, it now calls for spending $500,000 to locate potential megasites for major commercial or industrial developments. At least one has to be in western Nebraska west of the 100th meridian. UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince, following deadly weekend violence, his chief spokesman said on Monday. "The secretary-general is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have intensified their attacks on critical infrastructure over the weekend, including on police stations and two penitentiaries," said the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. He said Guterres reiterated the need for urgent action, particularly in providing financial support for the non-UN Multinational Security Support mission. The mission comprises a group of countries' volunteering police contingents that will assist the Haitian police in meeting urgent security needs and preventing the country from plunging further into chaos. The secretary-general also called on the government of Haiti and other political actors to swiftly agree on the necessary steps to advance the political process towards the restoration of democratic institutions through the holding of elections, said Dujarric. The violence erupted while Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the acting president, was in Kenya to sign an agreement legalizing Kenya's dispatch of 1,000 police officers in what is expected to be the leading police contingent to help the Haitian police. Gang violence has been growing across the Caribbean nation since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Jason Sanders Wolfe will be a free man later this year. Before hes released from prison, though, the convicted killer also wants to be free from his marriage. On Feb. 12, the 47-year-old Wytheville resident filed for divorce from Christy Wolfe, the woman at the center of his 2000 first-degree murder conviction. In a hand-written letter from the Lunenburg Correctional Center, Wolfe said he was due to get out in September and wanted to be divorced before then. Thank you for your consideration in this matter, he wrote in Wythe County Circuit Court documents. The process seems simple but nothing is simple from behind bars. The two were married in Pulaski County on Jan. 3, 2000, a few months before Jason Wolfe pleaded guilty to killing 23-year-old Michael Wayne Alderman on Aug. 29, 1999. According to court evidence, Wolfe beat Alderman to death with his hands after finding him in bed with Christy, Jasons then live-in girlfriend and mother of one of his three children. At sentencing, Jason Wolfes attorney argued that statements Christy Wolfe made about prior abuse from Jason Wolfe shouldnt be admitted because of marital privilege. The court, though, overruled the objection, which was later upheld on appeal. A probation officer testified that in 1999, before her marriage to Jason Wolfe, Christy Wolfe filed a motion for a protective order claiming that Jason Wolfe had choked, kicked and threatened to kill her and any man with whom he caught her. Jason Wolfe was also accused of using a boxcutter in 1997 to menace a coworker he believed was involved with Christy. Witnesses testified that Jason Wolfe and three other men went to Aldermans Wytheville trailer at around 3 a.m. looking to party. When they got there, however, the only two cars belonged to Alderman and Christy Wolfe. Drunk and high on cocaine, Jason Wolfe smashed the trailer door before finding Christy Wolfe and Alderman naked in a bedroom. Mr. Wolfe was just standing over him (Alderman) just coming down, like hitting him in the side of his face, a witness testified. It was pretty harsh blows. A medical examiner said Alderman died of head trauma, and investigating officers found blood-soaked bedding and spatter on the wall. A prosecutor said the beating was so severe that a trooper thought Alderman had been shot. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Jason Wolfe said he was in a rage at the time. I wasnt in control of myself, he testified. Following a lengthy court hearing that included testimony from both the defendants and victims family, Wolfe was given a 27-year and 11-month sentence with credit for time served while awaiting trial. Questioned by his attorney at the time, Wolfe said he wanted to better his life behind bars, work on his education, and address his drug and alcohol problems. This is what he said about his plans after his release. Id like to move out of the area and start my life over again, work, get a job and take care of my family like I was doing, raise my son and be with my wife. Hell be on supervised probation for 12 years and one month. Wolfes divorce case, which he was allowed to file without any court fees, is pending. Virginias primary on Tuesday is unlikely to change the trajectory of the presidential race, which appears headed toward a rematch of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. But political analysts say Trumps Richmond rally Saturday, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys Thursday appearance in Henrico County, and the January campaign kickoff that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held in Prince William County show both parties think Virginia remains a purple state that could be competitive in November. Virginia, 14 other states and American Samoa will vote for presidential nominees on Super Tuesday. Trump faces Haley in the Republican contest. Democrats will choose between Biden, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. and author Marianne Williamson. Polls will be open in Virginia from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Any registered voter can cast a ballot. Virginians do not register by party, so a voter can cast a ballot in the Republican primary or the Democratic primary, but not both. If there is any competition in Virginia on Tuesday, it is likely to be in the Republican primary. Voters weigh in on Trump, Haley Outside the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, Trump supporters said they see the former president as a strong leader, and many said they are particularly concerned about the U.S. gaining control of its southern border with Mexico. Olivia Everett of Petersburg, a retired Philip Morris employee, said of Trump: Hes the best. He did it before, and he can do it again. Everett added: Hes a strong man. Look at all the stuff that he has to deal with, and it just rolls off his back. He can handle a lot of stress and he definitely is stressed. Morgan Hall of Colonial Heights, who works in logistics for trucking shipments, listed multiple reasons why she backs Trump. He supports strong borders, school choice, parents rights, she said. He had a strong economy for his entire four years. Hes the most pro-life president in American history, plus hes the most pro-Israel president. He kept a lot of promises that he made. As for Trumps personal qualities: Hes an outsider, she said. Hes not like a regular politician. He doesnt have a filter. He speaks his mind. We need more of that. Some Haley supporters who attended her rally Thursday at The Westin Richmond in Henrico contrasted the former governors temperament with Trumps. I think she is much more rational, said Micki Stout, adding that she does not want to be faced with a choice of Trump or Biden in November. Chesterfield County resident Cheryl Poenisch said she believes Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, is experienced and has a good grasp on foreign and domestic policy. She added of Trump: I personally just do not like him as a person. Pundits weigh in Olusoji Akomolafe, chair of the Department of Political Science at Norfolk State University, said Virginia should be relatively more competitive than South Carolina or Michigan, where Trump recently defeated Haley by wide margins, but that he would not be surprised to see Trump win Virginia by double digits on Tuesday. Akomolafe said that while the Republican nomination is a done deal, the major remaining candidates are coming here because Virginia remains a purple state and Virginia has been a bellwether. If Trump makes a very strong showing right here in the commonwealth of Virginia, Democrats are going to be watching their backs, Akomolafe said. Thats exactly what Trumps visit to Richmond can help signal, said Amy Walter of Cook Political Report. Showing very strongly in the Super Tuesday states will be important as just sort of an exclamation point, she said. Alex Keena, an associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, said of Super Tuesday: I think this is probably Nikki Haleys last stand. She has to score some sort of victory and, if shes going to win anywhere, it would be in a state like Virginia. Haley is likely looking to perform well in Virginias large suburban population centers in Northern Virginia, the Richmond area and Hampton Roads. In Virginias 2016 GOP presidential primary, in a field with more candidates, Trump edged Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., by fewer than 3 percentage points. In that Virginia primary, Trump didnt get support from nearly two-thirds of Virginia Republicans, said Keena, noting that hes never done really well in the commonwealth and hes always underperformed. Whats at stake in Virginia? To win the GOP nomination, a candidate needs to gain 1,215 delegates. Trump further widened his lead on Saturday, winning GOP caucuses in Idaho and Missouri. As of Saturday, Trump had 244 bound delegates to 24 for Haley and 12 for others who have dropped out, according to The Associated Press delegate tracker. There are 48 delegates at stake in Virginias Republican primary. Twelve will be allotted to the statewide winner, and three each will be allocated proportionately, depending on the results in each of the states 11 congressional districts. Three delegates will not be bound to a candidate. To win the Democratic nomination, a candidate needs to gain 1,968 delegates. There are 119 delegates at stake in Virginias Democratic primary, of which 99 will be pledged, depending on the statewide vote and the vote in each of the states 11 congressional districts. Twenty of the Virginia Democratic delegates will be unpledged. So far, Biden has 206 delegates to 0 for Phillips, the Minnesota congressman. Two Democratic delegates are uncommitted. Virginias Republican ballot will feature four candidates who have dropped out: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ryan Binkley, a Texas pastor and businessman. A third Democrat who qualified for the Virginia ballot, author Marianne Williamson, has also dropped out of the contest. Turnout fluctuates in primaries Even in competitive years, Virginias presidential primaries draw comparatively low turnouts. Virginias competitive 2016 GOP presidential primary drew 1,025,617 votes. As of Jan. 1 this year, Virginia had 6,178,219 registered voters. In the 2016 GOP contest, Trump virtually swept the countryside, as Rubio won just 22 of Virginias counties and cities. But Rubio prevailed in many of the states population centers, beating Trump by nearly 20,000 votes in Fairfax County while carrying Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun, Chesterfield and Henrico counties and the cities of Alexandria and Richmond. This is why Haley chose Henrico and Fairfax for stops as part of a multistate swing ahead of Super Tuesday. Haleys Henrico event was Anna Eldridges first time attending a political gathering. Her husband, who was out of town that day, had been singing Haleys praises. She said she identifies as an independent and that her voting record has swung between both political parties over the years. On Thursday, she decided to go and see what her husbands singing was all about. I think we need leadership to bring the two sides together for the better of the country, said Eldridge, adding that she believes Haley might be the person who could do that. Will Virginia be in play? As for the general election, Republicans carried Virginia in 13 of the 14 presidential elections from 1952 to 2004. The only exception was in 1964, when President Lyndon Johnson carried the state. But starting with Democrat Barack Obamas breakthrough in 2008, Democrats have carried Virginia in four straight presidential elections. In 2016, while Trump won the presidency, Democrat Hillary Clinton beat Trump by 5 percentage points in Virginia. In 2020, Biden beat Trump in Virginia by 10 percentage points. Until 2021, when Glenn Youngkin led a GOP sweep for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, Republicans had not won any statewide election in Virginia since 2009. Only a few years ago, a lot of people thought that maybe Virginia wasnt a swing state anymore, said VCUs Keena, but clearly it still is and, with the right message, Republicans can still win Virginia. That is likely a reason why Biden and Harris chose Prince William in Virginia for their first general election campaign appearance, a January rally focused on abortion rights. In a Roanoke College poll out Friday, Trump was picked by 75% of self-described Republicans as their first choice to be the Republican nominee for president in November, followed by 15% for Haley and 8% for someone else. But among respondents who said they are likely to vote in Tuesdays primary a group that could include independents and some Democrats Trump led Haley by 8 percentage points, 51% to 43%. In potential general election matchups, Biden led Trump 47% to 43%, but Haley led Biden 49% to 40%. The political diversity within As-Suweida, sometimes seen as a sign of division, is, in fact, a testament to the region's vibrant civic life, Jamal al-Shoufi writes in Syria TV. In the heart of Syria, As-Suweida has emerged as a focal point of resilience and aspiration amidst the ongoing Syrian crisis. Following a significant and peaceful uprising, the region has steadfastly called for political reforms, aligning with international resolutions to usher in a new era of governance and return sovereignty to the people over their lands and institutions. This movement in As-Suweida ignites discussions about future pathways, solutions, and the realization of dreams through pragmatic analysis of past challenges and future prospects. The uprising in As-Suweida has notably reinvigorated the Syrian discourse on a regional and international scale, advocating for fundamental political transformations as the cornerstone for resolving Syrias profound issues. Among the achievements of this movement are its widespread popular support challenging regime oppression, exposing flawed interim solutions, and spotlighting issues like drug trafficking, the proliferation of sectarian militias, and the persistent menace of extremism. However, the path is not without its hurdles. Factors such as societal fatigue, economic strain, and weather conditions have tempered the initial vigour of the protests. A critical examination reveals a lack of unified Syrian strategy toward leveraging the uprisings potential, emphasizing the need for a collective approach to navigating Syrias political labyrinth. The risk of internal divisions, spurred by security manipulations and disillusionment towards achievable solutions, presents significant challenges to the movements integrity and objectives. The political diversity within As-Suweida, sometimes seen as a sign of division, is, in fact, a testament to the regions vibrant civic life. This pluralism should not be misconstrued as a weakness but recognized as an opportunity for inclusive dialogue and partnership toward a comprehensive solution to Syrias plight. The citizens of As-Suweida, alongside Syrians nationwide, stand at a critical juncture, with the potential to redefine the political landscape. This movement is not an attempt to usurp power but a collective endeavour to achieve a transition that respects the rights and aspirations of all Syrians. It challenges the conventional narrative of opposition, advocating for unity and the transcending of political divisions for the common good. Key to this journey are enlightenment ideals, societal engagement across the spectrum of Suweidas communities, and an active Syrian dialogue that transcends ideological and political divides. The movement aims to revitalize the Syrian issue on the global stage, necessitating a collaborative effort to forge a path towards meaningful change. In facing these challenges, As-Suweidas movement underscores the importance of sustaining peaceful protests and developing a cohesive strategy that encompasses all facets of Syrian society. Establishing a representative consensus and operational framework that aligns with national values and aspirations is imperative for overcoming obstacles and achieving a just and inclusive political transition. As the people of As-Suweida navigate these turbulent waters, their resilience and commitment to a democratic and sovereign Syria remain undiminished. The path forward demands vigilance, unity, and an unwavering dedication to the principles of freedom, justice, and equality for all Syrians. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The meeting resulted in an agreement preventing Assad's forces from entering the Shahba area in Aleppo. The Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak reported on a recent meeting in Tal Rifaat, Aleppo countryside, involving Russia, the Assad regime, Shiite militias, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to the report published on Tuesday, the meeting resulted in an agreement preventing Assads forces from entering the Shahba area in Aleppo. Instead, joint points were established in the area under the control of the militias. The Shahba area and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood, both under SDF control, often face sieges by regime checkpoints and occasional clashes with SDF forces. The newspaper outlined that the Russians and SDF reached an understanding wherein the SDF would be provided with information before any infiltration operations against Turkish forces in the area. Additionally, it was decided to monitor and report the SDFs movements in the region to the Russians. However, there hasnt been any official statement from Russia or the SDF regarding the meeting, as reported by the newspaper. Tal Rifaat enclave currently hosts various military forces, including Assads forces, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), Russian police, and other forces aligned with Iran-backed militias. Turkey views the SDF and its primary component, the YPG, as affiliates of the PKK, considering them terrorists and a threat to its national security. In response to recent Turkish bombings, senior PKK officials have implemented precautionary measures, such as reducing personnel at headquarters and checkpoints, frequently changing their locations, and keeping commanders away from the Turkish border unless absolutely necessary. Turkey has intensified its airstrikes on northern and eastern Syria in recent weeks, targeting SDF positions, including oil infrastructure such as oil fields, refineries, power plants, weapons depots, military camps, as well as administrative and financial headquarters. Targets of Turkish strikes have included the brick factory in Hasakeh, the Odeh oil field in Qahtaniyah, and oil refineries in Kardahul village. An analytical article by researchers Muhammad Hassan and Samer al-Ahmad at the Middle East Institute suggests that this strategy aims to cut off the PKKs funding sources in Syria, which are controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Israeli Air Force intercepted a drone that crossed from Syrian territory into the occupied Golan on Tuesday morning. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Israeli Air Force intercepted a drone that crossed from Syrian territory into the occupied Golan on Tuesday morning. According to the Hebrew website Ynet, an Israeli fighter jet intercepted a drone that entered the Golan Heights from Syria, while Hebrew media sources stated that the drone crossed the Tel Fares area in the Golan. No entity has claimed responsibility for the launch, including the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which had previously claimed responsibility for launching a drone toward the Golan in early 2024, citing a response to the occupations massacres in the Gaza Strip. At the time, the Israeli military spokesman stated that Israeli fighter jets successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target launched from Syrian territory towards Israel, identifying the target as a drone attempting to infiltrate from Syria. Beginning with the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, groups associated with Lebanese Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards initiated rocket attacks towards the Golan. However, the frequency of these attacks notably declined since the start of 2024, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Earlier, Admiral Vadim Collet, deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center, disclosed that Russian forces had established two military points in southern Syria in response to increased provocations in the demilitarized zone along the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967. These points are tasked with monitoring the ceasefire. On Feb. 17, the Israeli army announced the targeting of a weapons depot belonging to Syrian regime forces in the countryside of Daraa, resulting in significant explosions inside, following rocket launches from Syrian territory towards the occupied Golan. A week prior, an Israeli military unit, supported by bulldozers, entered Syrian territory from the town of Jubata al-Khashab along the ceasefire line. Subsequently, the bulldozers commenced activities such as earth mound removal and tree clearing at various points along the border. According to reports from the Sawt al-Asima website and Hebrew media outlets, Israeli vehicles initiated the excavation of a trench, possibly extending for hundreds of meters, aimed at deterring infiltration operations towards the occupied Syrian Golan. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. According to reports, the group embarked on their journey nine days ago from Syria Cypriot media reported an incident involving a six-year-old Syrian child who lost his life during a perilous journey from the shores of Syria to Cyprus aboard a boat carrying his family and other migrants. His father reportedly disposed of his body at sea amidst the sorrow of Syrian displacement. Police spokesman Christos Andreu revealed that on Feb. 29, coastal and maritime police radars detected a vessel approximately 58 nautical miles off Larnaca, carrying 36 undocumented immigrants. Responding to the distress call, coastal police and navy units approached the vessel, navigating through adverse weather conditions. Despite the challenges, they successfully rescued the migrants, bringing them safely ashore. According to the Cyprus website, during the registration process, authorities discovered a family with four children according to their documents, but only three children were present. When questioned about the missing child, the father informed the police that his six-year-old son had succumbed to hunger and harsh conditions two days before the boats discovery, and his remains were laid to rest in the sea. Sea storm Andreu further stated that the father who claimed to have thrown his child into the sea has not been arrested. According to reports, the group embarked on their journey nine days ago from Syria. As the voyage progressed, their supplies dwindled, and they encountered adverse weather conditions. The police spokesperson elaborated that two other individuals are currently hospitalized in Nicosia General Hospital. One of them is in critical condition, suffering from high blood sodium levels after consuming seawater due to the depletion of freshwater supplies. Primitive floats Survivors recounted that three additional individuals aboard the vessel resorted to using improvised buoys to abandon ship, hoping to swim ashore and seek assistance. Andrew disclosed that two more migrants are presently receiving medical care at Nicosia General Hospital. One of them is in critical condition, suffering from elevated blood sodium levels due to ingesting seawater after their freshwater supply was depleted. Following the documentation of their details, the migrants were transported to the initial reception center located in Pournara, Kokkinotrimithia. Arrest of the captain of the boat A 22-year-old individual has been arrested in connection with this case for their role as the navigator of the boat and for aiding migrants in unlawfully entering the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Additionally, the boat operator is being charged with murder and manslaughter due to negligence. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. This visit was part of his broader tour, which included stops in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Israel, al-Tareek reports. The US Central Command disclosed a visit by its commander, General Michael Eric Corella, to US bases in northeastern and southern Syria last Wednesday and Thursday. This visit was part of his broader tour, which included stops in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Israel, aimed at gaining insight into the security and humanitarian situation and engaging with members of the US service and security partners. On February 28th and 29th, General Corella inspected CENTCOM military installations in Jordan and Syria, including the Tower 22 site, the al-Tanf site, the Rmeilan landing zone, the Euphrates Support Force, and Green Village. This inspection was conducted to evaluate ongoing enhancements in force protection, hold discussions with local leaders, and gain firsthand insights into the progress in the campaign against ISIS, as stated by CENTCOM. General Corellas visit to Syria encompassed the Roj and al-Hol IDP camps, where he convened with officials and numerous residents to address matters concerning the repatriation of ISIS detainees and the rehabilitation and reintegration of conflict-affected populations. Its worth noting that the Roj and al-Hol camps currently accommodate over 45,000 displaced individuals and more than 9,000 ISIS detainees in Syria. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Hojatollah Abdolmaleki, the Secretary of the Iranian Free Zones High Council, revealed that Iran is in discussions with 21 countries to create shared free zones, with agreements already signed with five of these countries. Hojatollah Abdolmaleki, the Secretary of the Iranian Free Zones High Council, revealed that Iran is in discussions with 21 countries to create shared free zones, with agreements already signed with five of these countries. Abdolmaleki highlighted that Iran, Syria, and Iraq are in the process of negotiating the formation of a tripartite free zone, as reported by IRNA. The Iranian official emphasized the potential for significant investment growth resulting from this initiative and mentioned that the Iranian Free Zones High Council is actively engaged in advancing this project as part of broader efforts to enhance the global economy. Conversations with Iraqi and Syrian officials regarding the establishment of this shared zone have been positive, with all parties expressing their consent. We are now anticipating a meeting between the three countries, he stated. Abdolmaleki also pointed out that the creation of this shared zone would not only be beneficial for the three countries involved but would also significantly ease Irans access to the Mediterranean region. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. On Tuesday morning, an Israeli Air Force fighter jet intercepted and brought down a suspicious aerial target, suspected to be a drone, as it breached Israeli airspace from Syria. Concurrently, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed concern over escalating tensions with Hezbollah militants along the Lebanese border, suggesting a heightened risk of military confrontation. Fighter jet shoots down apparent drone that entered Israeli airspace from Syria An Israeli Air Force fighter jet shot down a suspicious aerial target believed to be a drone that entered Israeli airspace from Syria on Tuesday morning, the Israeli army said. No further details were given, and it was unclear who was behind the apparent attack. Amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, there have been several drone attacks on Israel launched by Iran-backed militias from Syria and Iraq, in addition to the hundreds of attacks carried out by Lebanons Hezbollah terror group. Hezbollah on Monday night fired a barrage of rockets at northern Israel, resulting in damage that knocked out power in several towns, as the military struck targets in Lebanon following a deadly cross-border attack by the terror group earlier in the day. Turkey spy chief Kalin to meet CIAs Burns, discuss Syria on first US visit The head of Turkeys National Intelligence Agency, Ibrahim Kalin, is making his first public solo trip to the United States since taking the position, and will meet this week the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns, Al-Monitor reported. In addition to bilateral ties, Iraq, Syria, and Gaza cease-fire efforts and the Russia-Ukraine war are expected to top the agenda of the visit, Turkeys state-run Anadolu News Agency reported on Monday. Kalin will also meet White House and State Department officials, as well as members of Congress, the news agency reported. Kalins first public solo visit to the US capital since he took the position comes at a critical time. The spy chief is expected to raise Turkeys fight against groups that it deems a threat to its national security, including the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) a militant group that has been waging an armed campaign against Turkey for Kurdish self-rule inside the country since 1984. A critical point: Gallant warns Israel edging closer to war with Hezbollah Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday the continuing tension with Hezbollah terrorists at the border with Lebanon was moving the situation nearer to a military escalation, JPost.com reported. We are committed to the diplomatic process, however, Hezbollahs aggression is bringing us closer to a critical point in the decision-making regarding our military activities in Lebanon, he said in a statement following a meeting with US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein. Earlier on Tuesday, an unmanned aerial vehicle that infiltrated the Golan Heights from Syria was intercepted by an Israeli fighter jet, according to Israeli media, as rockets continued to be fired onto Israels northern border towns from Lebanon. Iran negotiating with Syria, Iraq on joint free zone The Secretary of the Iranian Free Zones High Council has said the country is negotiating with Syria and Iraq for the establishment of a trilateral joint free zone, IRNA reported. Hojatollah Abdolmaleki said the establishment of the mentioned free zone is going to result in a jump in investment from all three parties and the Iranian Free Zones High Council is seriously pursuing the subject. We have held talks with officials of Iraq and Syria to establish the joint free zone, and the negotiating parties have expressed their agreement in this regard, and we are waiting for a tripartite meeting, he said. The establishment of this joint free zone will benefit all three countries and make Irans access to the Mediterranean region very easy, the official added. Abdolmaleki further noted that the Islamic Republic is negotiating with 21 different countries to establish joint free zones, with six of which agreement documents have also been signed. Why Syrian refugees are returning from host countries despite fear of persecution Arab News published a long report which delved into the complex situation of Syrian refugees who are making the difficult decision to return to their homeland from host countries, despite the fear of persecution and the dire conditions that await them. The United Nations Human Rights Office has documented severe human rights violations and abuses faced by returnees at the hands of Syrian authorities and various armed groups. These abuses include enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture, ill-treatment in detention, and death in custody. The influx of refugees returning to Syria, according to the report, has been attributed to the increasingly hostile and economically dire conditions in host countries. Lebanon and Turkey, in particular, have seen a significant number of refugees choose to return to Syria, driven by a lack of employment opportunities, harassment, and the tightening of regulations by host governments. This situation is exacerbated by a global decrease in sympathy and support for Syrian refugees as the conflict becomes protracted. Since 2016, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has verified or monitored the return of at least 388,679 Syrians from neighboring countries. Many refugees face a grim choice between staying in host countries, where conditions are deteriorating, and returning to Syria, where safety and basic services are not guaranteed. The decision to return is often made in desperation, influenced by push factors in host countries such as unemployment, harassment, and barriers to education for children, outweighing the dangerous conditions they face upon return. The reports explain how hostility towards refugees in neighbouring countries has grown, with politicians leveraging anti-refugee rhetoric for political and economic gain. This has led to discriminatory measures against Syrians, such as curfews and rental restrictions, further marginalizing them and pushing them towards the decision to return to Syria. Refugees returning to Syria often rely on family networks and the promise of job opportunities or safety assurances from relatives who remained during the conflict. Some employ a strategy of returning in waves, with the primary breadwinner going first to assess the situation before the rest of the family follows. The report concludes that despite the challenges, the Lebanese government has announced plans to repatriate 15,000 Syrian refugees per month, asserting that the war is over and Syria is safe for return. However, this view is contested by experts and human rights organizations, who argue that Syria is not yet safe for a dignified and voluntary return. The international community and host countries are urged to consider the complexities of the Syrian refugee situation and work towards a political resolution to the conflict, ensuring that any return is safe, voluntary, and dignified. U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump can remain on Colorado primary ballot Xinhua) 09:39, March 05, 2024 Members of the press stake out outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 4, 2024. U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. The nine justices, three liberal and six conservative, all agreed with the ruling. By deciding that states lack the authority to remove Trump from the ballot due to his involvement in the events preceding the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, the Supreme Court delivered a significant victory to the former president, who is the frontrunner in the Republican presidential race. The U.S. Supreme Court declared that the Colorado Supreme Court had made an incorrect assumption that states possess the authority to decide whether a presidential candidate is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding public office. "Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the states, responsible for enforcing section 3 against all federal officeholders and candidates, we reverse," the ruling said. The latest ruling makes it clear that it is Congress, rather than individual states, that is responsible for establishing regulations regarding the enforcement of the 14th Amendment provision. Therefore, this decision applies to all U.S. states, not just Colorado. The result puts an end to the attempts in states like Colorado, Illinois, Maine and others to remove Trump from the ballot due to his endeavors to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election against Democrat Joe Biden. "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!" Trump posted on his social media shortly after the Supreme Court's decision was released. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold expressed disappointment in the court's decision. "Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrections from our ballot," she said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ruling came one day before Super Tuesday, the day in the presidential primary cycle when most states vote. This year, some 15 states and one territory, including Colorado, will vote on Super Tuesday. The three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, as well as Trump-appointed Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, however, criticized their five conservative colleagues for delving deeper than necessary into resolving Trump's case by concluding that the enforcement of the 14th Amendment can only occur through legislation enacted by Congress. "The majority announces that a disqualification for insurrection can occur only when Congress enacts a particular kind of legislation pursuant to Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. In doing so, the majority shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement," wrote the three liberal justices. "Although we agree that Colorado cannot enforce Section 3, we protest the majority's effort to use this case to define the limits of federal enforcement of that provision," they continued. Barrett, Trump's last appointee to the high court, wrote in a concurring opinion that in her judgment, "this is not the time to amplify disagreement with stridency." "The Court has settled a politically charged issue in the volatile season of a Presidential election. Particularly in this circumstance, writings on the Court should turn the national temperature down, not up," wrote Barrett. Police stand guard at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 4, 2024. U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Photo taken on March 4, 2024 shows the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States. U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Photo taken on March 4, 2024 shows the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States. U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Members of the press stake out outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 4, 2024. U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Members of the press stake out outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 4, 2024. U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state's disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) RABAT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Germany discussed here on Monday ways to foster military cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, said a statement by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR). Moroccan Minister in charge of the National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi, and Thomas Hitschler, parliamentary state secretary in the German Ministry of Defense, discussed cooperation in the areas of the fight against terrorism, illegal immigration, cross-border crime and illicit trafficking, the statement said. The two officials expressed their willingness to further strengthen bilateral military cooperation, particularly in the fields of training, cyber defense and the defense industry, it added. Wineries in Southwest Washington are aiming to receive federal recognition for the unique wine produced in the area, and in turn, bring more tourists looking to sample the taste of Lower Columbia grapes. The area is inching closer to getting a new American Viticultural Area designation; after some revisions, the Southwest Washington Winery Association has seen its application move to pending status with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. An AVA is a geographic area that might be distinctive in soil, climate or topography. That, in turn, affects what kinds of grapes grow well in the region. The idea is to show that its distinct from surrounding areas and has its own character. The area that would become the Mount St. Helens AVA includes land in Cowlitz, Clark, Lewis and Skamania counties. Whatever you want to call the AVA, there should be some reason for it to be called that particular name, said Roger Rezabek, AVA committee chair for the association. The committee found local organizations and governments using Mount St. Helens in their logos or names to show its cultural importance in this region. We have good climate for grape-growing. We can grow a number of wine grapes, he said. I think theres about 20 different grapes that grow very well here. Those grapes include pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and merlot. Clay loam and silty clay loam soils help encourage the variety of grapes to grow. Rezabek said the local soil is similar to that of the Willamette Valley, home to more than 700 wineries. The application When the association first put in its application for Southwest Washington in 2022, its data wasnt specific enough, and it had to go back and do a series of revisions. With its latest submission this past July, it finally met the requirements to get on the pending list. From there, though, it could take a year or more to get approval. There are 17 currently awaiting approval, including two in Klickitat and Walla Walla counties. Some have been waiting as long as two or three years. Once a petition moves on to the next step, it could still take another eight months to progress to final approval. Its been about six years since the association started doing research into whether it could establish an AVA and compiling all the necessary data. That meant identifying the location, and elevation of vineyards as well as what grapes they were growing in what kind of soil. For the latter, they worked with a person in training to be a climate geologist who was already researching Clark Countys soil. Contributing factors to the potential AVAs soil characteristics include the ice age Missoula floods and volcanic material. Why is an AVA needed? If final approval of this AVA does go through, Rezabek said there will be a continuous string of AVAs through Washington and Oregon from the Canadian border to California. For those in the wine world, an AVA means a lot in terms of prestige. One little thing that is significant is right now, if we are not part of an AVA, we cannot put (on the label) that our grapes are estate-grown. That means that they are grown on your property, so you have a location thats very, very specific, Rezabek said. A bottle that just says California but not Napa or Modesto, for instance, doesnt have the same cachet. Many local wineries currently import their grapes from other AVAs such as Yakima Valley. Thats where most of Kelsos Capstone Cellars receive their grapes from, said co-owner Debbie Luchau, whose late father founded the space in 2003 as what she called the fist bonded winery in Cowlitz County. But the featured grapes in the Rose Valley winerys first pinot noir are planned to come from Battle Grounds Buckeye Vineyard, she added, and the ability to add a Mount St. Helens AVA label to the bottle would likely create name recognition and draw people to the area. Its pretty exciting to have something like this happen in our neck of the woods, she said. Rezabek expects having such specificity will help drive wine sales and increase the value of the wine by as much as 20 or 30%, netting local vineyards and wineries higher profits, especially if the AVA becomes known for a particular variety of grape. Marc Roland, owner of Roland Wines in Longview, said the Ukrainian black grape variety golubok could be the areas crowning jewel. We have had a lot of success in the (potential) AVA with white varieties and some native grape varieties, but currently theyre not that marketable. Nobody knows what golubok is. Golubok is being grown very successfully and is a great red wine, he said. Thats one of the grape varieties that could actually put our AVA on the map. Roland thinks exploring more varieties that grow in Germany and Austria is a good direction for the Mount St. Helens area. Getting the designation would also encourage an increase in tourism by as much as 20 or 25%, Roland said, and thats where vineyards can convince people to take a chance on a new grape. The AVA is going to bring people to the wineries and tasting rooms. You get them in the tasting room, and you have the opportunity to pour wines that maybe theyve never heard of. Theyre going to have a chance to taste something and go, Wow thats really great. Ive never tried that before, Roland said. Of course, it will take time and marketing to get there, but Roland thinks the AVA will especially draw people from Portland and Seattle. Having the AVA could also encourage more people to open vineyards in the area. Currently, there are approximately 25 wineries in the boundaries, mainly in Clark County. Rezabek sees Cowlitz and Lewis counties as places with a lot of potential for expansion of the local wine industry. Roland agreed that Cowlitz County could be a site for new vineyards and said prices for land in places like Walla Walla or California are almost out of the reach of most common farmers. On bipartisan votes, the Oregon House on Monday approved a package intended to ease the states housing crisis by spurring the development of new homes to make housing in Oregon more affordable. The $369 million package is a slimmed down version of Gov. Tina Koteks top priority for the five-week session. Its headed to her desk for her to sign into law. It will allocate $75 million to subsidize construction of moderate-income housing, $89 million for infrastructure projects such as the extension of sewer systems and $106 million to operate shelters and prevent evictions. The package would also expand housing for people who are newly clean and sober, establish a one-time tool for cities to expand their urban growth boundaries and create a statewide housing office to help local jurisdictions navigate housing laws. Senate Bill 1530, which contains the financial allocations of the package, passed on a 51-6 vote. Senate Bill 1537, which was introduced by Kotek and details the accompanying policies, passed on a 48-8 vote. The House has not yet voted on the third bill in the package, House Bill 4134, which includes an additional $7 million for infrastructure. This bill is a strong, important policy that will make a meaningful impact in helping alleviate Oregons housing supply shortfalls, said Rep. Maxine Dexter, a Democrat from Portland. It also provides meaningful opportunities to build a stronger supply of affordable housing for our working families. The housing package allocates less than Koteks initial $500 million request but will deliver a wider range of resources than she first proposed. The governors package did not include funding for recovery housing or other homelessness programs included in the final package. Other major allocations in the package approved Monday include $25 million to help the Albina Vision Trust in Portland buy the Portland Public Schools headquarters to develop affordable housing on the site, $18 million for nearly 30 recovery housing programs and $15 million for a state home repair fund, which low-income households can use to pay for home repairs or to correct environmental hazards. This is a policy that I truly do feel is going to be transformative, said Rep. Ricky Ruiz, a Democrat from Gresham. Its going to change lives, and quite frankly, its going to change generations to come. Various lawmakers praised the governors office, certain lawmakers and influential advocates for coming together on the package, although several acknowledged it is not perfect. For example, the infrastructure allocation provides money for just 44 projects out of more than 200 that cities requested funding for. If we can fund 50 infrastructure projects this year, Im hoping that we can come back and start delving deeper into the list because theres still hundreds more that are waiting their turn, said Rep. David Gomberg, a Democrat from Otis. Rep. Anna Scharf, an Amity Republican, said the package failed to address some of the biggest barriers to development, such as high costs for construction materials and a shortage of construction workers. This tool only addresses one component of the overall cost of housing, Scharf said. In my opinion, it falls short of what we really need to address to fix the housing crisis in our state. The House approved the one-time tool for certain cities to expand their urban growth boundary by 50 or 100 acres of buildable land, which saw strong opposition from environmentalists earlier in the session. Several lawmakers who opposed a similar proposal last year have said the strict requirements that Koteks office introduced for cities to qualify for the tool convinced them to support the provision. Cities that have expanded their urban growth boundaries in the last 20 years are not eligible unless 75% of the property in those expansion areas has been developed or is slated for development. Cities must also demonstrate a need for affordable housing with a high percentage of households that spend more than half of their income on housing costs. Dexter said the expansion tool strikes a balance by protecting our forests, our farms and our national lands, while recognizing that We also need to build enough housing to be able to provide affordable housing to every Oregonian. Longview has hired Angela Abel to fill the recently-created role of the citys public information officer. Abel will begin working for the city Monday. A city announcement says Abel is a graduate of R.A. Long High School and has communications degrees from the University of Washington and Portland State University. She currently works in communications for Portland General Electric but Abel said shes lived in Longview for the last few years. As the information officer, Abel will be the central media contact for any reporters or news outlets contacting Longview. Abel will also be managing the citys communications through writing, social media and other formats. Id like to highlight some of the areas that really impact our constituents and the people of Longview, Abel said in an interview. I like to think Im a good storyteller in how to communicate that out and spread information. The city has not had somebody working as a fulltime spokesperson since 2012, based on previous stories by The Daily News. In November the Longview City Council voted to fund the position as one of the citys budget amendments. Publishers Clearing House visited a Long Beach couple Monday with a surprise the announcement of winning nearly $55,000. Gaylon Ray and his wife Judy had the choice of taking the money, or a Ford Bronco Heritage truck valued at $54,275, according to the company. Ray told the companys Prize Patrol he plans to purchase a less expensive Ford, using the rest of his winnings to help pay off his childrens student loans. Publishers Clearing House sells items like magazine subscriptions and apps, such as for trivia and slot machine games. The company is known for its longrunning sweepstakes where winners are surprised at their doorsteps. The Rays who were married in the Long Beach area and returned after retirement from Washington, D.C. are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year, now with about $50,000. Ray joked that he expected the win after playing the companys apps nightly, and encouraged other sweepstakes participants to keep trying. Keep entering, keep believing, and have hope, he said in a statement from the company. Rainier sits 50 miles northwest of Portland, along U.S. 30. The quiet city of roughly 2,000 residents abuts the Columbia River, with city blocks scaffolded like massive steps up the green hills leading away from the water. Its a perfect place to live, several residents said. Rainier has the allure of a small city with little crime in a scenic area halfway between the coast and Portland. But the city has a problem: Limited land, challenging terrain and a lack of development dollars have translated into an extreme housing shortage and rising rents and home prices. Theres not much in the way of rentals and the housing market is pretty hit-or-miss, City Administrator Scott Jorgensen said. We dont have young people housing. We dont have low-income housing. There is none of any kind. Your best bet is to go across the river in Washington. More than one-fifth of Rainier renters spend at least half their income on rent, among the highest percentage of severely rent-burdened households of any Oregon city, according to the Census Bureau. To combat this, city officials say Rainier could use more help from the state, such as money for a water infrastructure project, an easier process to expand the citys urban growth boundary and more incentives for builders. Meanwhile, Gov. Tina Koteks housing production package, which aims to address these issues, is moving through the Legislature. Lawmakers have until the sessions March 10 deadline to pass the package, which includes $100 million for infrastructure projects, $75 million in a revolving loan fund for housing and a one-time tool for cities to quickly expand their urban growth boundaries. Koteks package has advanced with broad support, but lawmakers have scaled back her biggest requests, including the $200 million she wanted for infrastructure like pipes and sewers. The latest version of the package allocated funding to just 44 of 228 proposed infrastructure projects across the state, and Rainiers request wasnt included. But city officials are excited about the urban growth boundary tool. They are hopeful lawmakers will pass the package, which they believe could help the small city address its stark lack of housing and stop its most rent-burdened residents from leaving for good. I respect what Gov. Kotek is trying to do, Jorgensen said, though he fears that some of it might be too little too late. Housing affordability In the last decade, Rainier has seen little housing development, rising rent prices and more residents struggling to pay their bills, Mayor Jerry Cole said. City officials say rents havent gotten high enough to force people out, but some of Rainiers most vulnerable residents say its only a matter of time. One of those residents is Rich, a former business analyst from Seattle who lives in a mobile home park on the edge of the city. Rich requested his last name not be published to preserve his privacy. Rich, who is disabled, said he rented a house when he first moved to Rainier more than two decades ago. But the rising rent soon became unaffordable. He said the mobile home park is the only place in the city that he could afford. He said he earns about $800 per month in Supplemental Security Income, most of which goes to his $600 monthly rent. Rich enjoys living in Rainier, but says his days there might be numbered if his rent continues to increase as it has in recent years. I dont want to leave Rainier, but there arent a whole lot of options for me, he said. So if it gets too costly for me, Ill probably move up to Washington. Five-year estimates from the 2022 American Community Survey found that roughly 41% of Rainier households, including both renters and homeowners, spent more than 30% of their income on housing costs. Unaffordable rents can be partly attributed to a lack of available housing. Houses and rentals in Rainier are quickly snatched up, Jorgensen said. As a result, property managers have increased their rents without fear of residents finding more affordable options in the city, he said. Property managers say they arent to blame for rising rents. We raise our rents and people are like, Why are you raising your rents? said Corrina Pellham, a property manager in Rainier. Well, insurance has gone up, the cost to maintain these (units) has gone up, wages have gone up. Its never ending. The city has tried to help residents where possible, Cole said. For example, the City Council in 2021 prohibited the rental of an entire house on vacation rental platforms like Airbnb to prevent wealthy outsiders from purchasing the little available housing. But the city can only do so much, Cole said. In November 2021, a fire engulfed one of the citys biggest apartment complexes that mostly housed low-income families, displacing 18 households. That was low-income housing, so after that fire, there was a whole lot less of it around town, Jorgensen said. Even just one unit like that in a town this small makes a huge impact on the market. Seniors who rely on fixed incomes also have few housing options in the city. The 28-unit Columbia Park Apartments provides housing for seniors who earn 80% or less of the area median income, but getting a coveted unit is difficult. Multiple residents said they were on a waitlist for two or three years before getting one. Patricia Rose, who has lived in one of the units for close to two decades, said she feels lucky that she has a place to live. But, she adds, she could not leave if she wanted to because there arent other affordable options. Im kind of stuck here, she said. Rose said many her neighbors receive Section 8 rental vouchers. If it wasnt for Section 8, theyd probably be out on the street, Rose said. The need for housing stretches across the affordability spectrum, Jorgensen said. Without available houses for sale, the city and businesses struggle to recruit talented, high-paid employees. Jorgensen, who took over as city administrator in 2020, said his family had a hard time finding a suitable home in Rainier. They eventually moved into a three-bedroom house in Longview,, just a few miles north across the Columbia River. Now, Jorgensen commutes to the city he helps run. I dont think the American Dream for anybody is to live in a tiny little apartment with your kids running around making your downstairs neighbor crazy, Jorgensen said. I had to move to Washington to get my piece of the American dream. Need for housing production Most folks in Rainier seem to agree that the city needs more housing and it needs it quickly. But houses have popped up at a snails pace since the Great Recession, city officials and contractors say. Theres not much building going on in Rainier right now, said John Newhouse, a contractor with EOW Construction in Rainier. I dont know any developers in my area. I know of a single home that has been built in the last couple of years. In 2023, Columbia County issued just one permit for the construction of a single-family house in Rainier, according to county records. The little development Rainier has seen in recent years has mostly been by residents, not developers. People buy existing homes, tear them down and build new homes because there is little buildable space available in the city, several contractors said. One of the citys prettiest attributes may be the biggest barrier to development: The hills enveloping the city. Much of the land within Rainiers urban growth boundary lies on steep slopes, which are more expensive and time-consuming to develop than flat land, said Lisa Caverly, project coordinator with Longview-based development company Newrock Homes. Jorgensen agreed that the citys geography has deterred developers. You ultimately need flat land thats serviceable by utilities (to build), and were bound by land use and planning decisions from decades ago that might not even meet our needs anymore. Some of the few parcels available for development, particularly those on the hills, lack necessary infrastructure like water and sewer pipes. Mike Avent, owner of Rainier-based property management company Columbia Phoenix Development, said that might steer developers away from Rainier and instead lead them to choose to invest in some place that does get you your bang for your buck. Melanie Miller, a retired gas station manager from Albany, owns one of the few houses currently being built in Rainier. She said word spread quickly when a lot went up for sale in 2022 and she purchased it as soon as possible. That was the easy part, Miller said. Building a house there is the challenge. The excavation started in October, and then the geotech came out and some changes had to be made and the footings had to be double of what they planned for because of (the house) being on a hillside, Miller said. Its been stressful and its taken a lot longer than I originally thought. To address the lack of buildable land, the city has slowly incorporated areas outside of its growth boundary through land swaps, which allow cities to bring land into their urban growth boundary if they give up a piece of land of equal size. Land swaps have allowed the town to bring in lots that are closer to infrastructure and easier to develop, Jorgensen said, but the process is tedious. He says it would be simpler for the city to expand its urban growth boundary. Weve spent years doing these processes and jumping through these hoops, he said. I think were getting somewhere, but in the meantime, that doesnt help the guy whos looking for a house. Impact of legislative action City officials are hopeful that the housing package in the Legislature will help finally spur development in Rainier. Ninety miles south, lawmakers at the state Capitol appear poised to soon pass the $376 million package intended to spur construction, boost resources for homelessness prevention services and make housing in Oregon more affordable. Gov. Kotek is pragmatic. Shes been on this for a while. I think she genuinely wants to solve the problem, said Jorgensen, who formerly worked as a Republican legislative aide. We need to do something different, and this is something different, probably enough that it will help. Likely the most helpful provision for Rainier would be the urban growth boundary expansion tool, which would allow the city to quickly add 50 acres to its growth boundary instead of slowly adding more buildable land through land swaps. Some cities have raised concerns that the expansion tools eligibility requirements are too strict, but Jorgensen said he expects Rainier to qualify. Cities that have expanded their urban growth boundaries in the last 20 years are not eligible unless 75% of the property in those expansion areas has been developed or is slated for development. Cities must also demonstrate a need for affordable housing with a high percentage of households that spend more than half of their income on housing costs. The news of the potential rapid expansion of cities construction boundaries came at an opportune moment for Rainier. City officials have recently been eyeing a flat field of roughly 50 acres just outside the citys urban growth boundary for a potential land swap. If the package passes, Cole said, the city would look at adding the land to its boundaries. Cole said the expansion would allow the city to be more purposeful in where development occurs. Our grandfathers did our urban growth boundary, and they just did it flat on a map, Cole said. So were just trying to be good stewards of the urban growth boundary. Some environmentalists are vehemently opposed to the proposed tool, saying it rolls back Oregons famously strict land use laws and will allow cities to quickly expand outwards instead of building on unused land within city limits. Jorgensen said its not that simple. Rainier officials can encourage landowners to build homes, he said, but its not like I can take these people and pull them aside and force them to develop their properties. Ultimately, its private people with private money with private property. The 50 acres of land could mean hundreds of new units, Jorgensen said, and the fields proximity to local schools would likely increase their appeal to potential owners and renters. But the package wont solve all of Rainiers problems. The city had hoped to score $509,000 to help extend water infrastructure but didnt. The package would establish a loan for cities to generate moderate-income housing, but Jorgensen said it wont necessarily help Rainier build homes because of the lack of available land. Expanding the urban growth boundary could lead to more housing, but getting developers to agree to some of the requirements might prove difficult too, Jorgensen said. The package requires that any city expanding its growth boundary ensure that 30% of new housing units are affordable. Those units could be available for rent to households earning 80% or less of the areas median income or available for purchase to households earning 130% or less of median income. The (urban growth boundary) expansion is better than nothing, but maybe some of the developers would balk at setting aside 30% for affordable housing, Jorgensen said. Avent, the owner of the property management company, said any bit of new land would be helpful. He said hes hopeful a 50-acre expansion could attract developers who have recently avoided Rainier. We havent really been discovered by developers, Avent said. But Ive always been willing to believe in Rainier. OLYMPIA Washington state likely will start spending more money to help public schools support K-12 students with special needs. With minutes to spare before their 5 p.m. deadline to vote on a bill Friday, state senators unanimously advanced a proposed law that would increase the cap on the percentage of a districts student body that receives state funding for special education support services, including instructional teachers aides and speech therapy. Both chambers of the state Legislature fully supported raising the amount school districts get from the state to pay for special education. If signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, districts will be subsidized for special education programs covering 17.5% of their student bodies. Thats up from 15%. The increase will cost the state $185 million over the next few years. In 2023, the Legislature increased its special education funding cap from 13.5% to 15%. Months later, Gov. Inslee called on the state to use part of its supplemental funding budget to increase the cap again this year. Although the new cap aligns with Inslees budget request, some education experts and lawmakers fear the new proposed limit will still fall short and leave children without essential supports. Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and some legislators have spoken out, saying another small increase wont be enough to help the number of students who need support in some districts. Reykdal said earlier this year that lawmakers may consider removing the states special education funding cap altogether. In 2023, Reykdal said the funding cap broke federal law, citing a mandate requiring U.S. public schools to provide specialized educational services to all children with a disability recognized under the Individuals with Disability Education Act. During the 2021-22 academic year, more than half of Washingtons 295 school districts required special education support for more than 13.5% of their students, according to a report by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Washingtons 2024 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Thursday, after 60 days of lawmaking action. The 20th anniversary edition of the Capgemini Research Institutes World Retail Banking Report reveals 80% of retail bank executives believe that generative AI represents a significant leap in advancing AI technology. However, only 6% of retail banks are ready with a roadmap for enterprise-wide AI-driven transformation at scale. As a result of macroeconomic uncertainty, many retail banks are being forced to make strategic decisions to navigate challenges to their existing business models. Productivity and efficiency dominated the priority list of the bank leaders surveyed. When it comes to technology, 70% of bank CXOs plan to increase investment in digital transformation by up to 10% in 2024. Yet, the report finds that banks are not ready to embrace and scale intelligent transformation, which involves the strategic application of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning and gen AI to drive innovation and efficiencies. Banks must act quickly to avoid generative AI silent failure For this report, Capgemini evaluated 250 retail banks across diverse business and technology parameters to understand their infrastructure data maturity and commitment to artificial intelligence. It found most banks are ill-prepared to thrive in an intelligent banking future. Globally, only 4% of retail banks achieved a high score on business commitment and technology capabilities, while 41% scored average, indicating a widespread lack of readiness to embrace and effectively implement intelligent transformation. Regional disparities further underscore this issue. In North America, 27% of banks displayed low readiness, followed by Europe with 31%, and Asia-Pacific (APAC) exhibiting a significant lag, with 48% of banks scoring low. Focusing on intelligent solutions, that are embedded with AI-driven capabilities, will allow banks to navigate ongoing structural challenges, ultimately ensuring sustainable growth. However, success must be measurable: among those surveyed, just 6% of banks have established key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure AI impact and continuous monitoring. More than 60% of banks are still identifying and developing KPIs, while 26% of banks that have already setup some KPIs are not measuring them. According to the report banks risk succumbing to generative AI silent failure due to the delayed realization of suboptimal results and outcomes from their experiments with the technology. For instance, just 2% of executives indicate they are regularly tracking the business impact KPIs of their generative AI performance. In addition, 39% of executives express dissatisfaction with the outcomes of their AI use cases further reinforcing this disconnect. To combat this, the study suggests banks set up an AI observatory to track, monitor, and report AI and generative AI real impact, when implemented at scale. Nilesh Vaidya, Global Industry Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Capgemini, said, One year after generative AI cemented itself as a core boardroom conversation, were seeing how banks risk becoming technological laggards if they arent rapidly adopting solutions and preparing to take advantage of its capabilities. Generative AI can have a lighthouse effect when used responsibly and wisely across operations. There is also a need for increased efforts on making gen AI explainable and appropriately transparent. The time to act is now to establish practices that build much-needed trust and customer intimacy. Success will come down to developing a roadmap that balances hype with a pragmatic, traceable and measurable approach. Bank employees welcome generative AI copilots Generative AI holds massive potential to elevate efficiency and customer experience across the retail banking value chain. Over two-in-three (70%) bank employees are focused on operational activities, rising to 91% for those employees on customer onboarding teams, leaving little time for customer interactions. Over 80% of bank employees give a moderate rating to the effectiveness of automation across their functions (onboarding, lending, marketing, contact center), identifying a significant gap between the banks aspirations and reality. Bank employees reported to be most enthusiastic about generative AI copilots potential to automate fraud detection, data visualization and analytics, as well as drafting and sending personalized content to customers. The report determines that banks could optimize up to 66% of the time spent on operations, documentation, compliance, and other onboarding-related activities through AI-powered intelligent transformation and generative AI copilots. Conversational AI could alleviate customer call abandonment The pandemic shifted customer service offers across to digital channels as self-service tools like chatbots became the norm. Despite this change, customers express dissatisfaction. Nearly two-in-three (61%) bank customers contacted agents because they were unhappy with chatbot resolutions, while 17% simply distrusted chatbots and preferred human agents. Traditional rule-based chatbots lack the flexibility and adaptability of advanced AI-driven systems due to their inability to handle complex or unanticipated queries. More than 60% of customers rated their experience with chatbots as only average. These conditions mean that call abandonment is on the rise, reaching 12% for Tier I banks and nearly 18% for Tier II banks globally. According to the report, banks should create intelligent contact centers that leverage chatbots with conversational AI capabilities and intelligent copilots to assist agents in their day-to-day tasks. 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: The planned route, final route and initial search area for MH370 in Southeast Asia. Credit: Andrew Heenen/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY It has been 10 years since Malaysia Airlines passenger flight MH370 disappeared on March 8 2014. To this day it remains one of the biggest aviation mysteries globally. It's unthinkable that a modern Boeing 777-200ER jetliner with 239 people on board can simply vanish without any explanation. Yet multiple searches in the past decade have still not yielded the main wreckage or the bodies of the victims. At a remembrance event held earlier this week, the Malaysian transport minister announced a renewed push for another search. If approved by the Malaysian government, the survey will be conducted by United States seabed exploration firm Ocean Infinity, whose efforts were unsuccessful in 2018. What happened to MH370? The flight was scheduled to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft within 60 minutes into the flight over the South China Sea. Subsequently, it was tracked by military radar crossing the Malay Peninsula and was last located by radar over the Andaman Sea in the northeastern Indian Ocean. Later, automated satellite communications between the aircraft and British firm's Inmarsat telecommunications satellite indicated that the plane ended up in the southeast Indian Ocean along the 7th arc (an arc is a series of coordinates). This became the basis for defining the initial search areas by the Australian Air Transport Safety Bureau. Initial air searches were conducted in the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea. To date, we still don't know what caused the aircraft's change of course and disappearance. Location of the 7th arc and the origin of debris locations for simulations undertaken by the University of Western Australia. Credit: Google Earth/Author provided What have searches for MH370 found so far? On March 18 2014, ten days after the disappearance of MH370, a search in the southern Indian Ocean was led by Australia, with participation of aircraft from several countries. This search continued until April 28 and covered an area of 4,500,000 square kilometers of ocean. No debris was found. Two underwater searches of the Indian Ocean, 2,800km off the coast of Western Australia, have also failed to find any evidence of the main crash site. The initial seabed search, led by Australia, covered 120,000 square kilometers and extended 50 nautical miles across the 7th arc. It took 1,046 days and was suspended on January 17 2017. A second search by Ocean Infinity in 2018 covered over 112,000 square kilometers. It was completed in just over three months but also didn't locate the wreckage. What about debris? While the main crash site still hasn't been found, several pieces of debris have washed up in the years since the flight's disappearance. In fact, in June 2015 officials from the Australian Air Transport Safety Bureau determined that debris might arrive in Sumatra, contrary to the ocean currents in the region. The strongest current in the Indian Ocean is the South Equatorial Current. It flows east to west between northern Australia and Madagascar, and debris would be able to cross it. Indeed, on July 30 2015 a large piece of debrisa flaperon (moving part of a plane wing)washed up on Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean. It was later confirmed to belong to MH370. Predicted locations of landfall from results of University of Western Australia drift modelling. The white dots indicate predicted landfall of the debris. The aggregation of many dots, particularly close to land, is an indication of the density of particles higher probability of debris making landfall. These are highlighted by red circles. Credit: Charitha Pattiaratchi/UWA, Author provided Twelve months earlier, using an oceanographic drift model, our University of Western Australia (UWA) modeling team had predicted that any debris originating from the 7th arc would end up in the western Indian Ocean. In subsequent months, additional aircraft debris was found in the western Indian Ocean in Mauritius, Tanzania, Rodrigues, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa. The UWA drift analysis accurately predicted where floating debris from MH370 would beach in the western Indian Ocean. It also guided American adventurer Blaine Gibson and others to directly recover several dozen pieces of debris, three of which have been confirmed to be from MH370, while several others are deemed likely. To date, these debris finds in the western Indian ocean are the only physical evidence found related to MH370. It is also independent verification that the crash occurred close to the 7th arc, as any debris would initially flow northwards and then to the west, transported by the prevailing ocean currents. These results are consistent with other drift studies undertaken by independent researchers globally. Why a new search for MH370 now? Unfortunately, the ocean is a chaotic place, and even oceanographic drift models cannot pinpoint the exact location of the crash site. The proposed new search by Ocean Infinity has significantly narrowed down the target area within latitudes 36S and 33S. This is approximately 50km to the south of the locations where UWA modeling indicated the release of debris along the 7th arc. If the search does not locate the wreckage, it could be extended north. Since the initial underwater searches, technology has tremendously improved. Ocean Infinity is using a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles with improved resolution. The proposed search will also use remotely controlled surface vessels. In the area where the search is to take place, the ocean is around 4,000 meters deep. The water temperatures are 12C, with low currents. This means that even after ten years, the debris field would be relatively intact. Therefore, there is a high probability that the wreckage can still be found. If a future search is successful, this would bring closure not just to the families of those who perished, but also the thousands of people who have been involved in the search efforts. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. NAIROBI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the country's tourism marketing agency, launched a campaign Tuesday to boost domestic tourism. John Chirchir, acting chief executive officer of the KTB, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the month-long initiative involves rewarding locals who visit various tourism spots across the country. "The campaign is indicative of the growing appetite among Kenyans looking to rediscover their country by seeing hidden gems' attractions through a new lens," Chirchir said. Data from the state-owned Kenya Bureau of Standards indicate that the tourism sector is one of the largest foreign exchange earners, alongside exports of horticulture, tea, and diaspora remittances. Chirchir noted that the campaign will showcase the diversity of tourism experiences available locally, from beach destinations to wildlife conservancies and luxury safari camps. He noted that the promotion will bring together the public and private sectors to creatively package and promote destinations to Kenyans in a bid to reinforce the message that tourism begins at home. The largest wildfire in Texas history has devastated the states agriculture, blazing through more than 1 million acres of land in the Panhandle, killing thousands of livestock, destroying crops and gutting infrastructure. The agriculture industry, a big driver of the states economy, was already facing pressures from prolonged and widespread drought that forced ranchers to manage smaller herds, contributing to a decrease in beef production nationally. The series of wildfires in the Panhandle this week is another blow as many ranchers tried to rebuild their herds and operations during the cooler months of the year. Over 85% of the states cattle population is located on ranches in the Panhandle, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. In 2021, agriculture accounted for 9% of Texas gross state product, adding $186.1 billion to the states economy, according to Texas A&Ms Agrilife Extension report. While numbers on how many cattle were lost in the fires are unknown, experts say ranchers will face significant economic pressure from the damage. Even if you were fortunate to be able to get your animals out fast enough, the economic impact on those affected are big, said David P. Anderson, a professor of agricultural economics and extension livestock economist with Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension. The fires have left little food or water for livestock. Some farmers lost everything. Property fences are gone. Hundreds of miles of power lines have burned, leaving no electricity to pump water from wells which farmers rely on to hydrate their cattle. And it will take years for the land to recover and grow new vegetation for livestock in the area. Feed stores are already seeing many people in need of cattle food. Wade Maul, 53, had never seen a fire like this one a massive dark plume with no end. The owner of Maul Feed and Seed in Pampa said ranchers hay supply has burned up and lots of people are in desperate need to feed cows and other animals that didnt get injured. Its quite a bit of loss, Maul said. Any inventory that [ranchers] had saved up, being hay or grass, has gone. Theyre gonna have to feed them every bite they get for the next little bit. The store is offering discounts on hay, making free deliveries and taking donations. Maul feels fortunate he doesnt own any cattle and that his land was not impacted. On various Facebook groups, community members are sharing details on where to donate hay to farmers whose land was engulfed by flames so they can feed their cattle. Others are offering shelter to their livestock. Some ranchers are coming as far from San Angelo to help. Pierson Sparks, 21, woke up early Friday and loaded two wheat round bales, 50 bales of alfalfa, two tons of cow feed, two pot loads of water and $300 worth of vet supplies onto two trucks. Sparks comes from a rodeo family and owns cows, horses, goats and a donkey. We have a bunch of livestock as well and so this hit close to home knowing that some of these people are losing all their animals, Sparks said. Were just trying to reach out because we know if we were in their shoes, we would want the same. After loading up the supplies, donated by family and friends, Sparks drove more than 330 miles to Canadian, a town near the Oklahoma border. At a Friday press conference in Borger, Gov. Greg Abbott said that people who lost livestock and horses are not eligible to receive FEMA disaster assistance. But he added that the state is providing many grants to help ranchers in the recovery process and is securing a location in each affected county where ranchers can go and get help from Texas Division of Emergency Management staff to apply for those grants. We know that the loss of cattle is extraordinary, but it goes beyond that, Abbott said. We are looking at the big picture, holistically, ways in which we can assist both the ranchers and the farmers to be able to recover from this. The Texas Department of Agriculture is assisting Texan farmers affected by the wildfires through relief funds, which can be used to rebuild fences and cover other expenses related to agricultural disasters and restarting operations. TDAs Hay Hotline website helps farmers and ranchers in need of hay for their livestock. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller estimated that cattle losses are in the thousands, with many more to come. Some farmers might be forced to euthanize cattle due to burned hooves and udders. Its a tough situation, he said. Ranchers income from crops and livestock is gone. So theyll just have to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and do the best they can. The Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension is recommending ranchers begin inspecting and monitoring cattle that have been displaced by wildfires across the Panhandle for the next several weeks. Some animals may not begin to show signs or symptoms of injuries for days to weeks following the fire. A single, immediate evaluation will not be enough, but it is a necessary starting point, Jason Smith, an AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo and associate professor in the Department of Animal Science, said in a press release. The last time cattle inventory was this low was in 1951 at 82.1 million head, according to the USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service. The 2024 inventory was at 87.2 million, an estimate made about a month before the fire. Arthur Uhl, president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, a trade organization for cattle raisers and landowners, worries about the fires impact on the market because they have wiped out pasture land and cattle feed, which will decrease the ranchers ability to feed their cows. Female cattle are important for rebuilding and growing herds. Uhl predicts fire-related losses will decrease cattle supply even further. Texas is cattle country, Uhl said. When you lose what I call a significant part of your cow herd, the supply goes down and prices go up. Anderson, the livestock economist, said it will take years for Texas ranchers to recover but the wildfires probably wont have much effect on overall cattle and beef prices nationally. Even a fire that burns a million acres and is as big and terrible as it is, it is a relatively localized thing if we think about cattle production over the whole United States, he said. Anderson pointed out that the cattle lost in the Panhandle is a very small fraction of the overall cattle herd in the U.S. Legal & General Group Plc lessened its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,082,338 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,699,669 shares during the quarter. Johnson & Johnson comprises 1.0% of Legal & General Group Plcs portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Legal & General Group Plc owned 0.75% of Johnson & Johnson worth $2,816,329,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Tower View Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 183.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tower View Wealth Management LLC now owns 255 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 43.0% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 286 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the period. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in Johnson & Johnson during the 2nd quarter valued at $48,000. Institutional investors own 68.40% of the companys stock. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 59,397 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.27, for a total transaction of $9,281,969.19. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 141,416 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,099,078.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades JNJ has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $181.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $170.00 to $169.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com upgraded Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $215.00 target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Raymond James upped their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $172.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $177.31. Check Out Our Latest Report on Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance NYSE JNJ traded down $3.29 on Monday, hitting $158.83. 3,299,615 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,095,603. The firms 50-day moving average price is $159.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $157.38. The firm has a market cap of $382.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.91. Johnson & Johnson has a fifty-two week low of $144.95 and a fifty-two week high of $175.97. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $2.29 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.01. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 37.27% and a net margin of 37.79%. The business had revenue of $21.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.02 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.35 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.65 EPS for the current year. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.19 per share. This represents a $4.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.00%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 16th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio is presently 34.47%. About Johnson & Johnson (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Innovative Medicine segment offers products for various therapeutic areas, such as immunology, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis; infectious diseases comprising HIV/AIDS; neuroscience, consisting of mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and schizophrenia; oncology, such as prostate cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, and bladder cancer; cardiovascular and metabolism, including thrombosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration; and pulmonary hypertension comprising pulmonary arterial hypertension through retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals for prescription use. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KPP Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Amphenol Co. (NYSE:APH Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 4,267 shares of the electronics makers stock, valued at approximately $358,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of APH. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Amphenol by 8.2% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 13,325 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $1,022,000 after buying an additional 1,006 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in shares of Amphenol by 4.0% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 168,360 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $12,716,000 after buying an additional 6,405 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Amphenol by 56.7% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 264,188 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $19,906,000 after buying an additional 95,613 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Amphenol in the first quarter valued at $857,000. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Amphenol in the first quarter valued at $245,000. 93.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Amphenol alerts: Insider Activity In other news, VP Lance E. Damico sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.75, for a total value of $1,571,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 25,700 shares in the company, valued at $2,692,075. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Amphenol news, VP Lance E. Damico sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.75, for a total value of $1,571,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 25,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,692,075. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Craig A. Lampo sold 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.67, for a total transaction of $10,467,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 147,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,391,200.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 285,000 shares of company stock worth $29,633,250. 2.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently weighed in on APH shares. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Amphenol in a research report on Friday, January 5th. They set a buy rating and a $117.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Amphenol from $88.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Amphenol from $100.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Amphenol from $97.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Amphenol from $107.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $102.11. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on APH Amphenol Stock Performance Shares of APH traded down $2.69 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $109.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,036,665 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,506,599. The company has a market cap of $65.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.26, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $101.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $92.25. Amphenol Co. has a 52-week low of $72.00 and a 52-week high of $112.40. Amphenol (NYSE:APH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The electronics maker reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.05. Amphenol had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 23.94%. The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.16 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.78 earnings per share. Amphenols revenue was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Amphenol Co. will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Amphenol Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 18th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.81%. Amphenols dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.30%. About Amphenol (Free Report) Amphenol Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, primarily designs, manufactures, and markets electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Harsh Environment Solutions, Communications Solutions, and Interconnect and Sensor Systems. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding APH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amphenol Co. (NYSE:APH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Amphenol Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amphenol and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 63.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 24,428 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 9,521 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $3,989,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp grew its stake in Travelers Companies by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 15,939,925 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,768,127,000 after buying an additional 127,413 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 15.8% during the third quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 4,575,759 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $747,267,000 after buying an additional 623,974 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Travelers Companies by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,498,303 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $779,244,000 after buying an additional 121,752 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,431,825 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $560,451,000 after buying an additional 29,989 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 19.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,284,693 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $615,847,000 after purchasing an additional 539,294 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.12% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.55, for a total value of $8,076,900.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,147,865.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total transaction of $2,588,625.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,966,374.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.55, for a total value of $8,076,900.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,147,865.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 109,775 shares of company stock worth $23,343,903 over the last quarter. 1.29% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Travelers Companies Price Performance Shares of NYSE TRV traded up $0.23 on Tuesday, hitting $219.30. The companys stock had a trading volume of 182,982 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,598,746. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $207.56 and a 200-day moving average of $182.84. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $157.33 and a 12-month high of $223.88. The company has a market capitalization of $50.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.34 and a quick ratio of 0.34. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.10 by $1.91. The firm had revenue of $10.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.18 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 13.68% and a net margin of 7.23%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.40 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.68 EPS for the current year. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.82%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 31.27%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on TRV shares. HSBC started coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Thursday, December 28th. They issued a hold rating and a $203.00 price objective on the stock. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Janney Montgomery Scott assumed coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $215.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Oppenheimer assumed coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $201.38. Read Our Latest Report on TRV About Travelers Companies (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The AES Co. (NYSE:AES Get Free Report)s share price was up 5.6% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $16.97 and last traded at $16.97. Approximately 1,756,412 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 6,486,753 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.07. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have commented on AES shares. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of AES from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of AES from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $21.17. Get AES alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AES AES Trading Up 2.3 % The firm has a market capitalization of $11.68 billion, a PE ratio of 51.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.07. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $17.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.42, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.61. AES (NYSE:AES Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.36 billion. AES had a net margin of 2.12% and a return on equity of 38.76%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.49 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The AES Co. will post 1.9 EPS for the current fiscal year. AES Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.1725 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 30th. This represents a $0.69 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.20%. AESs dividend payout ratio is presently 209.10%. Insider Activity In other AES news, EVP Tish Mendoza sold 21,594 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.95, for a total value of $409,206.30. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 167,261 shares in the company, valued at $3,169,595.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.01% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On AES Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AES by 12.2% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 51,262 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,319,000 after purchasing an additional 5,594 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its holdings in shares of AES by 9.5% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 91,659 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,358,000 after purchasing an additional 7,975 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its holdings in shares of AES by 1.2% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 309,233 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $8,291,000 after purchasing an additional 3,755 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of AES by 2.1% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 110,543 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,844,000 after purchasing an additional 2,285 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AES by 24.2% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 22,300 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $574,000 after purchasing an additional 4,351 shares during the last quarter. 94.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About AES (Get Free Report) The AES Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified power generation and utility company in the United States and internationally. The company owns and/or operates power plants to generate and sell power to customers, such as utilities, industrial users, and other intermediaries; owns and/or operates utilities to generate or purchase, distribute, transmit, and sell electricity to end-user customers in the residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental sectors; and generates and sells electricity on the wholesale market. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for AES Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AES and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Africa Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Monday, February 26th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a dividend of 0.025 per share by the energy company on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Africa Oil Stock Down 1.5 % Shares of Africa Oil stock traded down $0.02 on Tuesday, reaching $1.58. The companys stock had a trading volume of 69,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 108,752. The company has a market capitalization of $728.25 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.17 and a beta of 1.03. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $1.80 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.95. Africa Oil has a 52 week low of $1.43 and a 52 week high of $2.48. Get Africa Oil alerts: Africa Oil (OTCMKTS:AOIFF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The energy company reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. About Africa Oil Africa Oil Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The company holds interests in producing and development assets in deep-water Nigeria, and development assets in Kenya. It also has a portfolio of exploration/appraisal assets in Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Guyana and Senegal Guinea Bissau Joint Development Zone. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Africa Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Africa Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Savers Value Village, Inc. (NYSE:SVV Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 46,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $866,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $118,500,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,482,000. Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,815,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,147,000. Finally, TimesSquare Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $18,961,000. 98.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Savers Value Village alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SVV has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Savers Value Village from $29.00 to $25.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Savers Value Village from $30.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Savers Value Village presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $27.63. Insider Activity In related news, insider Jubran N. Tanious sold 10,000 shares of Savers Value Village stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.43, for a total value of $184,300.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 30,381 shares of company stock valued at $571,166 over the last quarter. Savers Value Village Price Performance Savers Value Village stock traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $20.30. 79,237 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 577,372. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.93. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $18.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $17.81. Savers Value Village, Inc. has a 12-month low of $10.16 and a 12-month high of $26.88. Savers Value Village Company Profile (Free Report) Savers Value Village, Inc sells second-hand merchandise in retail stores in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates stores under the Savers, Value Village, Village des Valeurs, Unique, and 2nd Avenue banners. The company purchases secondhand textiles, including clothing, bedding, and bath items; shoes; accessories; housewares; books; and other goods from non-profit partners, then processes, selects, prices, merchandises, and sells them in its stores. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Savers Value Village, Inc. (NYSE:SVV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Savers Value Village Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Savers Value Village and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alberta Investment Management Corp increased its holdings in DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report) by 24.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 41,000 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,100 shares during the period. Alberta Investment Management Corps holdings in DXC Technology were worth $854,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in DXC Technology by 52.2% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 80,959 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,641,000 after purchasing an additional 27,781 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its position in DXC Technology by 10.6% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 20,835 shares of the companys stock worth $681,000 after purchasing an additional 1,993 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in DXC Technology by 11.7% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 8,776 shares of the companys stock worth $284,000 after buying an additional 921 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of DXC Technology by 432.5% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 16,497 shares of the companys stock valued at $538,000 after purchasing an additional 13,399 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of DXC Technology by 19.3% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 66,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,170,000 after purchasing an additional 10,773 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.09% of the companys stock. Get DXC Technology alerts: Insider Activity In related news, EVP William L. Deckelman, Jr. sold 18,102 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.73, for a total value of $393,356.46. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 124,806 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,712,034.38. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on DXC shares. Citigroup downgraded shares of DXC Technology from a neutral rating to a sell rating and cut their price objective for the company from $24.00 to $21.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded DXC Technology from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their target price for the stock from $27.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of DXC Technology in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $23.33. Get Our Latest Stock Report on DXC DXC Technology Stock Down 2.4 % Shares of NYSE:DXC traded down $0.50 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $20.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 391,364 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,717,439. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $22.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.91. The company has a market capitalization of $3.70 billion, a PE ratio of -10.50, a PEG ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.86. DXC Technology has a fifty-two week low of $18.61 and a fifty-two week high of $29.09. DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $3.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.36 billion. DXC Technology had a positive return on equity of 19.00% and a negative net margin of 3.35%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.95 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that DXC Technology will post 3.03 EPS for the current year. DXC Technology Profile (Free Report) DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DXC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for DXC Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DXC Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. cut its position in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) by 21.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,993,737 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,071,265 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. owned 0.55% of Dell Technologies worth $275,179,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of DELL. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in Dell Technologies by 17.7% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,076 shares of the technology companys stock worth $706,000 after acquiring an additional 2,117 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter worth about $304,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at about $568,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.0% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 254,266 shares of the technology companys stock worth $12,762,000 after purchasing an additional 4,949 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its position in Dell Technologies by 5.2% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 6,090 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. 38.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DELL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Dell Technologies from $95.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $99.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Dell Technologies from $87.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Dell Technologies from $85.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Dell Technologies from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $102.88. Dell Technologies Price Performance DELL stock traded down $7.23 on Tuesday, reaching $114.55. 8,378,579 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,237,790. Dell Technologies Inc. has a one year low of $35.96 and a one year high of $131.06. The company has a market cap of $81.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $84.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $74.12. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.47. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 165.52% and a net margin of 3.63%. The business had revenue of $22.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.17 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.55 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.1 EPS for the current year. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be given a $0.445 dividend. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.55%. This is an increase from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 22nd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is presently 33.87%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 3,179,972 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.81, for a total value of $250,613,593.32. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 293,812 shares in the company, valued at $23,155,323.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 48.60% of the companys stock. About Dell Technologies (Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. decreased its holdings in MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) by 14.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 521,771 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 90,132 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.66% of MSCI worth $267,693,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. RB Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in MSCI by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 1,276 shares of the technology companys stock worth $642,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. Markel Corp lifted its stake in shares of MSCI by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Markel Corp now owns 141,700 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $71,258,000 after purchasing an additional 4,700 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its stake in shares of MSCI by 42.2% in the 1st quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 1,237 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $622,000 after purchasing an additional 367 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in shares of MSCI by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 1,831 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $921,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Prudential PLC acquired a new position in shares of MSCI in the 1st quarter valued at about $701,000. Institutional investors own 88.61% of the companys stock. Get MSCI alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MSCI. Morgan Stanley raised MSCI from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $526.00 to $600.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on MSCI from $588.00 to $638.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on MSCI from $615.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. StockNews.com downgraded MSCI from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on MSCI from $544.00 to $617.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $578.21. MSCI Trading Down 1.0 % MSCI stock traded down $5.77 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $552.60. 72,619 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 487,203. The firms 50-day moving average price is $564.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $535.48. The company has a market cap of $43.71 billion, a PE ratio of 38.55, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.07. MSCI Inc. has a one year low of $451.55 and a one year high of $617.39. MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The technology company reported $3.68 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.39. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 111.17% and a net margin of 45.42%. The firm had revenue of $690.11 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $662.64 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.84 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that MSCI Inc. will post 14.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. MSCI Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were paid a dividend of $1.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This is a positive change from MSCIs previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.16%. MSCIs payout ratio is currently 44.44%. About MSCI (Free Report) MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for MSCI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSCI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ADEN, Yemen, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Houthi group in Yemen announced on Monday that it had carried out strikes targeting an "Israeli-operated commercial ship" in the Arabian Sea as well as American warships in the Red Sea. In a statement aired by the group's Al-Masirah TV channel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group's naval forces "carried out a targeting operation against an Israeli ship 'MSC SKY' in the Arabian Sea, striking it accurately with a number of naval missiles." Sarea stated that just hours earlier, the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones at "a number of American warships in the Red Sea" in what he termed a "qualitative operation." He described the strikes as retaliation for the "American-British aggression against Yemen" and a message of support for the "oppressed Palestinian people," vowing to continue interdicting Israeli shipping and vessels bound for Israeli ports "until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted." Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said two explosions hit a commercial ship off the coast of Yemen, sparking a fire onboard. In a statement, the UKMTO said it received reports of the incident around 91 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's port city of Aden. It noted, citing the ship's master, that the first explosion occurred at a distance from the vessel, while the second caused damage. It said, "The master has reported fire and smoke onboard... No casualties were reported." According to Ambrey, another British maritime security agency, the Liberia-flagged ship has suspected links to Israel. The explosions came amid heightened tensions in the region's vital shipping lanes. Since mid-November last year, Yemen's Houthis have launched around 50 attacks on commercial and military vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, leading to a 40 percent reduction in commercial traffic through the area, a chokepoint for global trade. In response, the U.S. and Britain launched attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen starting in mid-January, prompting the Houthis to expand their targeting to include American and British commercial vessels and naval ships. On Saturday, the internationally-recognized Yemeni government reported that the British-owned, Belize-flagged cargo ship Rubymar, which was struck by Houthi missiles on Feb. 18, had sunk off the coast of Yemen. It is the first vessel lost since the Houthis began their offensive at sea last November. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FMCB Get Free Report) is one of 167 public companies in the National commercial banks industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Farmers & Merchants Bancorp to similar businesses based on the strength of its dividends, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings and profitability. Profitability This table compares Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Farmers & Merchants Bancorp alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Farmers & Merchants Bancorp 32.85% 17.04% 1.68% Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Competitors 17.48% 11.15% 1.05% Dividends Farmers & Merchants Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $17.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp pays out 15.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, National commercial banks companies pay a dividend yield of 2.9% and pay out 30.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Farmers & Merchants Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Competitors 1365 7587 6705 286 2.37 This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat. As a group, National commercial banks companies have a potential upside of 39.49%. Given Farmers & Merchants Bancorps competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Farmers & Merchants Bancorp has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Farmers & Merchants Bancorp $268.67 million $88.31 million 8.23 Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Competitors $9.31 billion $1.90 billion 10.56 Farmers & Merchants Bancorps competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Farmers & Merchants Bancorp. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Institutional and Insider Ownership 53.4% of shares of all National commercial banks companies are held by institutional investors. 8.2% of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 8.6% of shares of all National commercial banks companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Farmers & Merchants Bancorp competitors beat Farmers & Merchants Bancorp on 7 of the 11 factors compared. About Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (Get Free Report) Farmers & Merchants Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California that provides various banking services to businesses and individuals. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, time certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. It also offers range of lending products comprising commercial, commercial and residential real estate, real estate construction, agribusiness, and consumer loans, as well as equipment leases and credit card services; commercial products, including term loans, lines of credit and other working capital financing, and letters of credit; and financing products, such as automobile financing, home improvement, and home equity lines of credit. In addition, the company provides various specialized services consisting of credit card programs for merchants, lockbox and other collection services, account reconciliation, investment sweep, online account access, and electronic funds transfers through domestic and international wire and automated clearinghouse; and online banking services. Further, it offers investment products, such as mutual funds and annuities. The company was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Lodi, California. Receive News & Ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Chemed Co. (NYSE:CHE Free Report) by 6.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 64,660 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,927 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC owned about 0.43% of Chemed worth $33,604,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. California Public Employees Retirement System boosted its position in Chemed by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 85,813 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,482,000 after buying an additional 651 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board lifted its position in Chemed by 229.2% during the 3rd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 5,984 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,110,000 after acquiring an additional 4,166 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Chemed by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 97,335 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,585,000 after acquiring an additional 1,283 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Chemed by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,415,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $766,873,000 after acquiring an additional 21,237 shares during the period. Finally, Amica Mutual Insurance Co. purchased a new position in Chemed during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,848,000. Institutional investors own 94.25% of the companys stock. Get Chemed alerts: Insider Activity In related news, CEO Kevin J. Mcnamara sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $572.77, for a total value of $859,155.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,845,526.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 3.80% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Chemed from $604.00 to $712.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday. Oppenheimer increased their target price on Chemed from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Chemed Chemed Trading Up 0.5 % CHE traded up $2.89 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $634.96. 737 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 81,747. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $591.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $559.16. Chemed Co. has a 12-month low of $492.84 and a 12-month high of $649.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.29, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.42. Chemed (NYSE:CHE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $6.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.25 by $0.35. The firm had revenue of $585.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $586.64 million. Chemed had a return on equity of 32.29% and a net margin of 12.03%. The companys revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.39 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Chemed Co. will post 23.46 EPS for the current year. Chemed Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.25%. Chemeds payout ratio is 8.93%. About Chemed (Free Report) Chemed Corporation provides hospice and palliative care services to patients through a network of physicians, registered nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy, and volunteers primarily in the United States. The company operates in two segments, VITAS and Roto-Rooter. It offers plumbing, drain cleaning, excavation, water restoration, and other related services to residential and commercial customers through company-owned branches, independent contractors, and franchisees. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chemed Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chemed and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 5.6% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 3,696,394 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 195,255 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc.s holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $278,779,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ADM. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Operose Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. bought a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC raised its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 37.0% in the 1st quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 607 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. 77.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets ADM has been the topic of several analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $80.00 to $66.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Roth Mkm downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $98.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Robert W. Baird cut shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $96.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Citigroup initiated coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $57.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com cut Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $67.08. Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance NYSE ADM traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $53.31. The company had a trading volume of 1,621,026 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,514,015. The company has a market capitalization of $28.43 billion, a PE ratio of 7.41 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $60.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.92. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a twelve month low of $50.72 and a twelve month high of $87.30. Archer-Daniels-Midland Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is a positive change from Archer-Daniels-Midlands previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.75%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is presently 27.86%. Archer-Daniels-Midland Profile (Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI Free Report) by 58.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 160,756 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 222,386 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Armstrong World Industries were worth $11,574,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 182.0% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 392 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 68.7% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 410 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in Armstrong World Industries by 334.2% in the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 495 shares of the construction companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 381 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries in the second quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Armstrong World Industries in the second quarter worth $79,000. 98.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Armstrong World Industries alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes AWI has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $111.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. StockNews.com cut Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Armstrong World Industries from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $75.00 to $103.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Armstrong World Industries currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $98.29. Armstrong World Industries Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:AWI opened at $121.55 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.33 billion, a PE ratio of 24.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $104.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $88.00. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $62.03 and a 1 year high of $123.82. Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $312.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $305.44 million. Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 17.28% and a return on equity of 41.56%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.08 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Armstrong World Industries, Inc. will post 5.74 EPS for the current year. Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.92%. Armstrong World Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.40%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Victor Grizzle sold 22,914 shares of Armstrong World Industries stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.02, for a total transaction of $2,268,944.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 332,435 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,917,713.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.09% of the companys stock. Armstrong World Industries Profile (Free Report) Armstrong World Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas. It operates through Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segments. The company offers mineral fiber, fiberglass wool, metal, wood, felt, wood fiber, and glass-reinforced-gypsum; ceiling component products, such as ceiling perimeters and trims, as well as grid products that support drywall ceiling systems; ceilings, walls, and facades for use in commercial settings; and manufactures ceiling suspension system (grid) products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AWI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Armstrong World Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Armstrong World Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of B2Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $2.65, but opened at $2.72. B2Gold shares last traded at $2.69, with a volume of 2,047,485 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BTG shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on B2Gold in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. They set a buy rating and a $3.50 target price for the company. Raymond James dropped their target price on B2Gold from $5.00 to $4.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. StockNews.com downgraded B2Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Finally, CIBC downgraded B2Gold from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $4.20 to $3.60 in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $5.23. Get B2Gold alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on B2Gold B2Gold Trading Up 0.4 % The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 2.27. The company has a market cap of $3.47 billion, a PE ratio of 133.07, a P/E/G ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 1.08. B2Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The basic materials company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.08 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $511.97 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $512.00 million. B2Gold had a net margin of 0.31% and a return on equity of 9.09%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.15 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that B2Gold Corp. will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current year. B2Gold Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.04 per share. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. B2Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 600.30%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BTG. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in B2Gold by 6.4% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 165,894,403 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $524,231,000 after buying an additional 9,971,331 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in B2Gold by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 49,399,970 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $156,104,000 after purchasing an additional 856,269 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in B2Gold by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 30,960,563 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $110,529,000 after purchasing an additional 198,508 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in B2Gold by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 22,912,152 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $72,403,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178,984 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in B2Gold during the 4th quarter valued at about $50,125,000. 51.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About B2Gold (Get Free Report) B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer with three operating mines in Mali, the Philippines, and Namibia. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 25% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for B2Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B2Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM Free Report) by 2.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 32,340 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotias holdings in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF were worth $1,530,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of JHMM. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 49.4% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 70,710 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,716,000 after purchasing an additional 23,372 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 13.7% in the first quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 28,855 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,516,000 after purchasing an additional 3,466 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 22.6% in the first quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 57,399 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,720,000 after purchasing an additional 10,577 shares in the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC grew its position in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 94.0% in the first quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 10,982 shares of the companys stock valued at $577,000 after purchasing an additional 5,321 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,544,000. Get John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF alerts: John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Stock Performance Shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF stock opened at $55.32 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.93 and a beta of 1.08. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF has a fifty-two week low of $44.07 and a fifty-two week high of $55.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $52.77 and a 200 day moving average of $49.84. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Company Profile The John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (JHMM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Mid Cap index. The fund tracks an index of US firms ranked 200-950 by size, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHMM was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JHMM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report) by 56.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,831 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 5,358 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotias holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities were worth $1,485,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bamco Inc. NY boosted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 1,202,373 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $120,358,000 after purchasing an additional 53,640 shares in the last quarter. Senvest Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,604,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 77,534 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,761,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 14,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,499,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 61.7% in the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 291 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. 86.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $145.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and issued a $140.00 price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $140.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $137.13. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of NYSE ARE opened at $126.01 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 233.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 1.05. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a 52-week low of $90.73 and a 52-week high of $146.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a current ratio of 0.26. The companys 50 day moving average price is $122.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $113.40. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.54) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.29 by ($2.83). Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a net margin of 3.59% and a return on equity of 0.46%. The company had revenue of $757.22 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $740.16 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.14 EPS. The firms revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.47 earnings per share for the current year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.03%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 940.76%. Insider Buying and Selling at Alexandria Real Estate Equities In other Alexandria Real Estate Equities news, insider Daniel J. Ryan sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.07, for a total transaction of $1,180,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 166,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,635,985.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, insider Daniel J. Ryan sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.07, for a total value of $1,180,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 166,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,635,985.56. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Peter M. Moglia sold 3,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.90, for a total transaction of $393,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 249,683 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,686,040.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 23,200 shares of company stock worth $2,758,455. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Profile (Free Report) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MYN Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0442 per share by the investment management company on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.53 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.09%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:MYN traded down $0.09 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.43. 128,990 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 91,158. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund has a 52-week low of $8.47 and a 52-week high of $10.57. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $10.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.69. Get BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 32.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 19,967 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $242,000 after purchasing an additional 4,939 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 16,849 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $203,000 after acquiring an additional 1,774 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 13.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 14,150 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $171,000 after acquiring an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $610,000. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 443,825 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $5,370,000 after acquiring an additional 38,503 shares during the last quarter. 24.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Company Profile BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in a portfolio of long-term investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report) by 97.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,822 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,884 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $684,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BR. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT grew its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2.1% during the second quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT now owns 2,945 shares of the business services providers stock worth $488,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,633 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,083,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 1,485 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC boosted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 4.3% in the third quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 1,974 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $353,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2.3% during the third quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,027 shares of the business services providers stock worth $721,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. 89.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Laura Matlin sold 4,090 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $189.49, for a total value of $775,014.10. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 6,481 shares in the company, valued at $1,228,084.69. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Robert N. Duelks sold 830 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.58, for a total transaction of $167,311.40. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,097,603.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Laura Matlin sold 4,090 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $189.49, for a total value of $775,014.10. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 6,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,228,084.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 54,807 shares of company stock valued at $10,938,113. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.9 % NYSE:BR opened at $205.56 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $24.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.81 and a beta of 0.99. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $201.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $190.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.40. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 52 week low of $133.97 and a 52 week high of $210.24. Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The business services provider reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.41 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.40 billion. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 10.82%. The firms revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.91 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 7.72 EPS for the current fiscal year. Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is 55.75%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on BR. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $226.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. StockNews.com raised Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Raymond James lifted their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $205.00 to $214.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $212.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Broadridge Financial Solutions currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $203.17. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Broadridge Financial Solutions Broadridge Financial Solutions Profile (Free Report) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec lowered its position in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI Free Report) by 45.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,136 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 946 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in United Rentals were worth $505,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Teza Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Rentals by 40.5% in the 3rd quarter. Teza Capital Management LLC now owns 5,012 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,228,000 after purchasing an additional 1,445 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia raised its stake in United Rentals by 22.3% in the third quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 5,415 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,407,000 after buying an additional 989 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in United Rentals by 21.3% during the third quarter. Private Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,196 shares of the construction companys stock worth $532,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC bought a new stake in United Rentals during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,125,000. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina increased its holdings in shares of United Rentals by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 34,825 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $15,482,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. 89.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get United Rentals alerts: Insider Transactions at United Rentals In related news, CFO William E. Grace sold 775 shares of United Rentals stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $655.62, for a total value of $508,105.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 6,323 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,145,485.26. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock. United Rentals Stock Down 1.0 % NYSE:URI opened at $705.00 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.15, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.84. The companys fifty day moving average price is $615.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $516.78. United Rentals, Inc. has a 1-year low of $325.15 and a 1-year high of $732.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.75. United Rentals (NYSE:URI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The construction company reported $11.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.85 by $0.41. United Rentals had a return on equity of 36.80% and a net margin of 16.91%. The company had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.63 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $9.74 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that United Rentals, Inc. will post 42.98 EPS for the current year. United Rentals announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, January 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the construction company to reacquire up to 3.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. United Rentals Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 13th. This is a positive change from United Rentalss previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. United Rentalss dividend payout ratio is currently 18.44%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup raised their price objective on United Rentals from $490.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. BNP Paribas restated an underperform rating and set a $485.00 target price on shares of United Rentals in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Barclays upped their target price on United Rentals from $325.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on United Rentals from $510.00 to $718.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, KeyCorp lowered shares of United Rentals from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, United Rentals currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $556.43. Read Our Latest Research Report on URI About United Rentals (Free Report) United Rentals, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding URI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Rentals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Rentals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. People visit Huawei's booth at the LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4, 2024. The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off here on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) RIYADH, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha said the event supports deep and emerging technologies, innovation, and cloud computing in the kingdom and worldwide. The investments will go toward developing Saudi digital skills and supporting tech start-ups, said the minister, noting the kingdom expects the investments will help consolidate its position as the largest market and digital economy in the Middle East and North Africa. Of the total investments, Amazon Web Services announced a 5.3-billion-dollar investment in a new cloud zone in Saudi Arabia; Datavolt announced a 5-billion-dollar investment in Saudi data centers with a capacity of more than 300 megawatts; IBM plans to invest 250 million dollars in a global software development center in the kingdom; ServiceNow will invest 500 million dollars to localize its regional services in Saudi Arabia. Chinese companies including Huawei, Tencent, Alibaba Cloud SCCC (Saudi Cloud Computing Company), China Mobile International, DJI, J&T Express, and SenseTime MEA also participated in the exhibition. A visitor talks with an exhibitor at the LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4, 2024. The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off here on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) A visitor looks at a robot at the LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4, 2024. The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off here on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) A visitor looks at a robot at the LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4, 2024. The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off here on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) A visitor talks with an exhibitor at the LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4, 2024. The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off here on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) People visit Adobe's booth at the LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4, 2024. The LEAP Tech Conference 2024 kicked off here on Monday, aiming to attract 11.9 billion U.S. dollars in investments, according to the press release issued by the organizing committee. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) Customers Bancorp (NYSE:CUBI Get Free Report) and California Business Bank (OTCMKTS:CABB Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Institutional and Insider Ownership 82.1% of Customers Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 9.4% of Customers Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Customers Bancorp alerts: Profitability This table compares Customers Bancorp and California Business Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Customers Bancorp 17.23% 18.75% 1.19% California Business Bank N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Customers Bancorp $1.44 billion 1.15 $250.14 million $7.31 7.16 California Business Bank N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A This table compares Customers Bancorp and California Business Banks revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Customers Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than California Business Bank. Volatility & Risk Customers Bancorp has a beta of 1.67, meaning that its stock price is 67% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, California Business Bank has a beta of 0.16, meaning that its stock price is 84% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Customers Bancorp and California Business Bank, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Customers Bancorp 0 1 5 1 3.00 California Business Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Customers Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $57.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.88%. Given Customers Bancorps higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Customers Bancorp is more favorable than California Business Bank. Summary Customers Bancorp beats California Business Bank on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Customers Bancorp (Get Free Report) Customers Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Customers Bank that provides financial products and services to individual consumers, and small and middle market businesses. The company provides deposit banking products, which includes commercial and consumer checking, non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand, MMDA, savings, and time deposit accounts. Its lending business offers commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and multifamily and residential mortgage loans; SBA lending and financing; specialty lending includes fund finance, real estate specialty finance, technology and venture, healthcare and financial institutions group finance; commercial loans to mortgage companies, and commercial equipment financing; and fund finance, which includes secured and variable rate financing, private equity funds, and cash management services. In addition, the company provides digital banking including Banking-as-a-Service to fintech companies, payments and treasury services to businesses, and consumer loans through fintech companies and the TassatPay, an blockchain-based instant B2B payments platform which offers instant payments including over-the-counter desks, exchanges, liquidity providers, market makers, funds, and other B2B verticals. Further, it offers mobile phone and internet banking, wire transfers, electronic bill payment, lock box, remote deposit capture, courier, merchant processing, cash vault, controlled disbursements, positive pay, and cash management services, such as account reconciliation, collections, and sweep accounts. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in West Reading, Pennsylvania. About California Business Bank (Get Free Report) California Business Bank provides various financial products and services for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The company offers various personal and business deposit products; and business and commercial loans comprising SBA, commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loans. It also provides online and mobile banking, mobile deposit, bill pay, and other services. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Receive News & Ratings for Customers Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Customers Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC (NYSE:CCEP Free Report) by 4.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 204,549 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,558 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners were worth $12,780,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 5.5% during the third quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,771 shares of the companys stock valued at $236,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY raised its stake in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 2.4% during the second quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 8,700 shares of the companys stock worth $561,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 0.8% in the first quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 29,967 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,773,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 3,319 shares of the companys stock worth $207,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Janney Capital Management LLC now owns 6,967 shares of the companys stock valued at $435,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 29.50% of the companys stock. Get Coca-Cola Europacific Partners alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CCEP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $72.50 to $77.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. BNP Paribas raised Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $79.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, January 12th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from $74.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. StockNews.com raised Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Coca-Cola Europacific Partners from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $61.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Monday, December 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $72.24. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:CCEP opened at $69.54 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC has a one year low of $53.53 and a one year high of $71.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $67.57 and a 200-day moving average of $63.64. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (NYSE:CCEP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.85. Research analysts forecast that Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC will post 4.18 EPS for the current year. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Profile (Free Report) Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and sells a range of non-alcoholic ready to drink beverages. It offers flavours, mixers, and energy drinks; soft drinks, waters, enhanced water, and isotonic drinks; and ready-to-drink tea and coffee, juices, and other drinks. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CCEP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC (NYSE:CCEP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California State Teachers Retirement System lowered its position in shares of Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI Free Report) by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 181,767 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 1,302 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System owned 0.17% of Robert Half worth $13,320,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of RHI. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its holdings in Robert Half by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 22,598 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,700,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Cypress Capital Group increased its position in shares of Robert Half by 1.8% in the third quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 8,402 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $616,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in shares of Robert Half by 2.1% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 7,342 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $561,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its position in shares of Robert Half by 4.0% during the third quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 3,927 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $300,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Robert Half by 7.3% during the first quarter. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,429 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.63% of the companys stock. Get Robert Half alerts: Robert Half Trading Up 1.2 % Shares of RHI stock opened at $81.72 on Tuesday. Robert Half Inc. has a 12-month low of $64.65 and a 12-month high of $88.39. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $81.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $78.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 20.13 and a beta of 1.26. Robert Half Increases Dividend Robert Half ( NYSE:RHI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The business services provider reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.01. Robert Half had a return on equity of 25.73% and a net margin of 6.43%. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.47 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.37 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Robert Half Inc. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.53 dividend. This is a positive change from Robert Halfs previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.59%. Robert Halfs payout ratio is presently 54.78%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have weighed in on RHI. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Robert Half from $66.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group began coverage on Robert Half in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. They set a sell rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Robert Half from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $68.57. View Our Latest Analysis on RHI About Robert Half (Free Report) Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RHI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California State Teachers Retirement System cut its position in Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR Free Report) by 5.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 79,855 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,949 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Whirlpool were worth $10,677,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 19.6% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 90,465 shares of the companys stock worth $12,095,000 after acquiring an additional 14,851 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Whirlpool by 2.3% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,139,973 shares of the companys stock worth $913,567,000 after purchasing an additional 138,322 shares in the last quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC now owns 6,693 shares of the companys stock valued at $895,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its position in shares of Whirlpool by 26.7% in the 3rd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 97,254 shares of the companys stock worth $13,030,000 after purchasing an additional 20,465 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in Whirlpool by 86.8% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 251,434 shares of the companys stock worth $37,411,000 after buying an additional 116,832 shares during the last quarter. 90.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Whirlpool alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have commented on WHR shares. Loop Capital assumed coverage on Whirlpool in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $140.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Whirlpool from $120.00 to $111.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. TheStreet raised shares of Whirlpool from a d+ rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $92.00 to $85.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Whirlpool from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Whirlpool has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $122.17. Whirlpool Stock Performance WHR opened at $106.55 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. Whirlpool Co. has a 12-month low of $98.40 and a 12-month high of $160.62. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $113.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $119.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.82 billion, a PE ratio of 12.23 and a beta of 1.47. Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $3.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.53 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $5.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.98 billion. Whirlpool had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 38.67%. The firms revenue was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.89 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Whirlpool Co. will post 13.91 EPS for the current year. Whirlpool Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $1.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.57%. Whirlpools dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.37%. Whirlpool Profile (Free Report) Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Whirlpool Co. (NYSE:WHR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Whirlpool Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whirlpool and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California State Teachers Retirement System reduced its holdings in HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO Free Report) by 2.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 258,472 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,976 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in HF Sinclair were worth $14,715,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in shares of HF Sinclair by 614.1% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 42,126 shares of the companys stock worth $2,398,000 after purchasing an additional 36,227 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair in the 3rd quarter valued at about $12,135,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina raised its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 70,033 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,987,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares in the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP bought a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair in the 3rd quarter valued at about $3,756,000. Finally, MQS Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair in the 3rd quarter valued at about $332,000. 89.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get HF Sinclair alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. UBS Group upgraded shares of HF Sinclair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $64.00 to $73.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, Barclays assumed coverage on shares of HF Sinclair in a research note on Monday, February 26th. They set an equal weight rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, HF Sinclair has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.09. HF Sinclair Stock Down 0.1 % DINO stock opened at $55.74 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $56.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.79. The company has a market capitalization of $10.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 2.22 and a quick ratio of 1.16. HF Sinclair Co. has a 12 month low of $37.12 and a 12 month high of $62.20. HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.15. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 4.97% and a return on equity of 17.61%. The firm had revenue of $7.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.97 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that HF Sinclair Co. will post 6.38 earnings per share for the current year. HF Sinclair Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 23rd. This is an increase from HF Sinclairs previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.59%. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio is 24.10%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Franklin Myers purchased 4,180 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $58.94 per share, with a total value of $246,369.20. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 131,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,767,879.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director Franklin Myers acquired 4,180 shares of HF Sinclair stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $58.94 per share, for a total transaction of $246,369.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 131,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,767,879.42. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Valerie Pompa sold 7,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.53, for a total transaction of $402,710.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 29,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,703,866.01. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. HF Sinclair Profile (Free Report) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DINO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HF Sinclair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HF Sinclair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA grew its position in shares of Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK Free Report) by 69.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,233,668 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 503,824 shares during the quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in Cushman & Wakefield were worth $9,401,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of CWK. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 1.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,554,688 shares of the companys stock worth $258,251,000 after purchasing an additional 300,908 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 22,232,050 shares of the companys stock worth $169,408,000 after buying an additional 834,176 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 21,967,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $231,542,000 after purchasing an additional 77,255 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 9,345,825 shares of the companys stock valued at $76,449,000 after purchasing an additional 376,872 shares during the period. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 7,076,377 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,884,000 after purchasing an additional 26,869 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.47% of the companys stock. Get Cushman & Wakefield alerts: Cushman & Wakefield Stock Performance Shares of CWK stock traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $9.71. 505,187 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,226,397. The stocks 50-day moving average is $10.30 and its 200-day moving average is $9.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Cushman & Wakefield plc has a 52 week low of $6.24 and a 52 week high of $12.98. Insider Transactions at Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield ( NYSE:CWK Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. Cushman & Wakefield had a positive return on equity of 11.87% and a negative net margin of 0.37%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.46 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Cushman & Wakefield plc will post 1.01 EPS for the current year. In related news, major shareholder Tpg Gp A, Llc sold 7,734,954 shares of Cushman & Wakefield stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.74, for a total value of $75,338,451.96. Following the sale, the insider now owns 17,098,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $166,534,529.74. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Cushman & Wakefield news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.99, for a total value of $399,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 40,427 shares in the company, valued at $403,865.73. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Tpg Gp A, Llc sold 7,734,954 shares of Cushman & Wakefield stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.74, for a total value of $75,338,451.96. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 17,098,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $166,534,529.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 7,794,954 shares of company stock valued at $75,914,452 over the last 90 days. 1.24% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wolfe Research upgraded Cushman & Wakefield from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, December 8th. Raymond James boosted their price target on Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.58. Read Our Latest Analysis on CWK Cushman & Wakefield Company Profile (Free Report) Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cushman & Wakefield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cushman & Wakefield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quadrature Capital Ltd lifted its stake in Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR Free Report) by 516.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 27,975 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 23,439 shares during the quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltds holdings in Darling Ingredients were worth $1,460,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Darling Ingredients during the third quarter worth $26,000. Millburn Ridgefield Corp acquired a new stake in Darling Ingredients during the third quarter worth $31,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Darling Ingredients during the third quarter worth $31,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Darling Ingredients during the third quarter worth $38,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Darling Ingredients by 38.9% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 689 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.78% of the companys stock. Get Darling Ingredients alerts: Darling Ingredients Stock Down 0.9 % NYSE DAR traded down $0.37 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $42.44. 75,605 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,992,261. The stock has a market cap of $6.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.76 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.86. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $44.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.82. Darling Ingredients Inc. has a 1 year low of $38.97 and a 1 year high of $71.60. Insiders Place Their Bets Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades In other news, Director Kurt Stoffel bought 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $41.62 per share, for a total transaction of $332,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 10,571 shares of the companys stock, valued at $439,965.02. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . 2.51% of the stock is owned by company insiders. DAR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Darling Ingredients from $123.00 to $120.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Darling Ingredients from $49.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Raymond James lowered their price target on Darling Ingredients from $80.00 to $75.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Stephens lowered their price target on Darling Ingredients from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Darling Ingredients from $60.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $78.30. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Darling Ingredients Darling Ingredients Company Profile (Free Report) Darling Ingredients Inc develops, produces, and sells natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients, and Fuel Ingredients. It offers ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, industrial, fuel, bioenergy, and fertilizer industries. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Darling Ingredients Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Darling Ingredients and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:CEV Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, March 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Monday, March 11th will be given a dividend of 0.0434 per share on Monday, March 18th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.99%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 8th. Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSE CEV traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $10.44. 1,178 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,553. The companys 50 day moving average is $10.51 and its 200 day moving average is $9.90. Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust has a one year low of $8.83 and a one year high of $10.91. Get Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust alerts: Insider Activity at Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust In other Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 8,845 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.15 per share, for a total transaction of $89,776.75. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 962,013 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,764,431.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders purchased a total of 30,016 shares of company stock worth $303,196 in the last ninety days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Company Profile Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 13,100 shares of the companys stock worth $131,000 after acquiring an additional 2,267 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust by 179.0% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 13,825 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,000 after purchasing an additional 8,869 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at about $156,000. Raymond James & Associates bought a new position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $162,000. Finally, Rivernorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $185,000. Institutional investors own 26.77% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. It invests in the fixed income markets. The fund invests primarily in debt securities issued by education, hospital, housing, insured-education, insured-electric utilities, insured-hospital, insured-transportation, insured-water and sewer, transportation, and other sectors. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. grew its holdings in shares of MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG Free Report) by 78.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,400 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 8,500 shares during the quarter. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in MGIC Investment were worth $324,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC lifted its position in MGIC Investment by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 12,303 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $194,000 after buying an additional 633 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. lifted its position in MGIC Investment by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. now owns 11,543 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $193,000 after buying an additional 734 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its position in MGIC Investment by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 18,064 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 902 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in MGIC Investment by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 17,046 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $219,000 after buying an additional 1,060 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lifted its position in MGIC Investment by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 17,666 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $237,000 after buying an additional 1,106 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.41% of the companys stock. Get MGIC Investment alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on MGIC Investment from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. UBS Group assumed coverage on MGIC Investment in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $18.50 price objective for the company. Barclays assumed coverage on MGIC Investment in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $19.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on MGIC Investment from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.50. MGIC Investment Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of MTG traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $19.83. 810,434 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,815,689. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. MGIC Investment Co. has a 1 year low of $12.15 and a 1 year high of $20.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.94, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.23. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $19.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.18. MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 14.82% and a net margin of 61.72%. The firm had revenue of $284.72 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $302.96 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that MGIC Investment Co. will post 2.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. MGIC Investment Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a $0.115 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $0.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. MGIC Investments payout ratio is 18.47%. MGIC Investment Profile (Free Report) MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MGIC Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MGIC Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elastic (NYSE:ESTC Free Report) had its price target lowered by Citigroup from $165.00 to $155.00 in a research note released on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. TheStreet upgraded Elastic from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Elastic from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Elastic from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $108.00 in a report on Friday, December 1st. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Elastic from $84.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Elastic from $87.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $108.63. Get Elastic alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ESTC Elastic Stock Down 1.7 % Insider Activity ESTC stock opened at $106.60 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 1.89. The company has a market capitalization of $10.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 235.77 and a beta of 0.97. Elastic has a fifty-two week low of $50.21 and a fifty-two week high of $136.06. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $119.63 and a 200-day moving average of $95.13. In related news, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 10,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.97, for a total transaction of $1,231,098.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 380,013 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,690,094.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 10,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.97, for a total transaction of $1,231,098.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 380,013 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,690,094.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CTO Shay Banon sold 89,995 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.10, for a total value of $10,448,419.50. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 4,520,036 shares in the company, valued at $524,776,179.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 128,867 shares of company stock worth $14,928,615. 18.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Elastic A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Elastic by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,051,434 shares of the companys stock worth $735,338,000 after buying an additional 409,717 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Elastic by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,573,534 shares of the companys stock worth $696,514,000 after buying an additional 380,694 shares during the last quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. grew its position in shares of Elastic by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 7,764,370 shares of the companys stock worth $875,044,000 after buying an additional 211,896 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Elastic by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,616,149 shares of the companys stock worth $499,557,000 after buying an additional 259,742 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sylebra Capital Ltd grew its position in shares of Elastic by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Sylebra Capital Ltd now owns 4,712,076 shares of the companys stock worth $272,829,000 after buying an additional 146,397 shares during the last quarter. 74.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Elastic Company Profile (Get Free Report) Elastic N.V., a data analytics company, delivers solutions designed to run in public or private clouds in multi-cloud environments. It primarily offers Elastic Stack, a set of software products that ingest and store data from various sources and formats, as well as performs search, analysis, and visualization on that data. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Elastic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elastic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JAKARTA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Two men and one woman died in a vehicle accident in the city of Semarang in central Java of Indonesia on Tuesday. Semarang police officer Agus Tri Handoko explained that the three people were riding on a motorbike without helmets at 01:00 a.m. local time when they were overtaking two trucks. "The motorbike lost control after passing two trucks. The three fell and were struck by a trontoon truck," Handoko stated. All of the victims passed away at the site after suffering severe head injuries. Investigation into the cause of the accident is still underway. Element Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 16.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,224 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 7,712 shares during the period. Element Capital Management LLCs holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $3,355,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Level Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Retirement Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 74.8% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 271 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co bought a new position in Consolidated Edison in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new position in Consolidated Edison in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Finally, CGC Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Consolidated Edison in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors own 64.53% of the companys stock. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Consolidated Edison Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE:ED traded up $0.31 on Tuesday, hitting $89.44. 859,973 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,836,796. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 12 month low of $80.46 and a 12 month high of $100.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.35. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $89.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $89.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Consolidated Edison Increases Dividend Consolidated Edison ( NYSE:ED Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The utilities provider reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.02. Consolidated Edison had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 17.19%. The company had revenue of $3.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.70 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.81 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 5.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Consolidated Edisons previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.71%. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is currently 46.24%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on ED shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on Consolidated Edison in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $92.50 price target for the company. Barclays cut their price target on Consolidated Edison from $88.00 to $86.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Consolidated Edison from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Consolidated Edison from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a sector underperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $87.89. Read Our Latest Report on ED Consolidated Edison Company Profile (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) had its price objective upped by Bank of America from $800.00 to $1,000.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock. A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $535.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $805.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, TheStreet cut Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $677.62. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: View Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance NYSE:LLY opened at $792.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.73. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $309.32 and a 1 year high of $800.78. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $678.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $612.40. The company has a market cap of $752.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 136.60, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.95 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.09 EPS. The companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.66%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 89.66%. Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 14,388 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $630.28, for a total transaction of $9,068,468.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,754,422 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $62,873,217,098.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,205,501 shares of the companys stock worth $7,111,568,000 after acquiring an additional 338,077 shares in the last quarter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLP acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at about $8,326,000. Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $357,000. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 6,986 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,752,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 474,940 shares of the companys stock valued at $255,105,000 after buying an additional 18,079 shares in the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Eli Lilly and Company (Get Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Embraer S.A. (NYSE:ERJ Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Stock investors bought 2,383 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 195% compared to the average daily volume of 809 call options. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Embraer Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Citigroup Inc. boosted its position in shares of Embraer by 18.9% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 62,876 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $863,000 after buying an additional 10,014 shares during the period. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in Embraer by 16.9% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 233,941 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,210,000 after purchasing an additional 33,799 shares during the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in Embraer in the third quarter worth $167,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in Embraer in the second quarter worth $1,179,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Embraer during the third quarter valued at $9,884,000. 34.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Embraer alerts: Embraer Trading Up 0.1 % ERJ traded up $0.02 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $21.75. 541,425 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,129,797. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $18.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $16.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.65. Embraer has a 12-month low of $12.48 and a 12-month high of $21.94. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Embraer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. HSBC downgraded Embraer from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their target price for the company from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Embraer currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $19.75. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Embraer Embraer Company Profile (Get Free Report) Embraer SA designs, develops, manufactures, and sells aircraft and systems in North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Commercial Aviation; Defense & Security; Executive Aviation; Services & Support; and Other segments. The Commercial Aviation segment designs, develops, manufactures, and sells commercial jets, as well as leases aircraft. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Embraer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Embraer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESRT Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the three brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and two have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $8.33. Several analysts recently weighed in on ESRT shares. Evercore ISI lowered Empire State Realty Trust from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and set a $9.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Monday, November 27th. StockNews.com raised Empire State Realty Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. Get Empire State Realty Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Empire State Realty Trust Empire State Realty Trust Trading Down 0.4 % Empire State Realty Trust Announces Dividend Shares of ESRT stock opened at $9.79 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 7.04, a quick ratio of 7.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 1.30. Empire State Realty Trust has a 12-month low of $5.39 and a 12-month high of $10.32. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $9.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.02. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.035 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. Empire State Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.16%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Empire State Realty Trust A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ESRT. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in Empire State Realty Trust by 25.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 276,068 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,711,000 after purchasing an additional 55,271 shares during the period. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Empire State Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $141,000. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of Empire State Realty Trust by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 27,846 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $276,000 after acquiring an additional 1,955 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Empire State Realty Trust by 36.4% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 67,238 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $660,000 after purchasing an additional 17,932 shares in the last quarter. Finally, APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new position in Empire State Realty Trust in the first quarter worth $1,515,000. 80.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Empire State Realty Trust (Get Free Report Empire State Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. The company is the recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. ESRT's flagship Empire State Building the "World's Most Famous Building" includes its Observatory, Tripadvisor's 2023 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best the #1 attraction in the US for two consecutive years. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Empire State Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Empire State Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC cut its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 1.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,196 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 273 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,472,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 104,649.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 30,247,436 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,320,866,000 after purchasing an additional 30,218,560 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,893,715,000. Morgan Stanley increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,278,132,000 after acquiring an additional 4,886,954 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $6,451,127,000 after acquiring an additional 2,747,652 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 83.1% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,925,012 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $582,924,000 after acquiring an additional 2,235,314 shares during the period. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Trading Down 0.9 % Shares of ABT stock traded down $1.08 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $118.96. 1,148,946 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,171,890. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $120.60. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $113.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $104.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market cap of $206.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.82, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 67.48%. Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Abbott Laboratories news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total value of $55,932.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,760 shares in the company, valued at $2,223,060. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 71,435 shares of company stock worth $8,071,298. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have issued reports on ABT shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Barclays upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Citigroup upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.00. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ABT About Abbott Laboratories (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 102.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 27,765 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 14,081 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $2,525,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.3% in the 3rd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 23,419,405 shares of the companys stock worth $2,129,761,000 after purchasing an additional 11,727,507 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 122.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 12,077,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,098,328,000 after buying an additional 6,654,614 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 91.7% during the third quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 9,097,808 shares of the companys stock worth $827,354,000 after acquiring an additional 4,350,862 shares during the last quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter valued at $718,995,000. Finally, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. increased its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. now owns 6,755,654 shares of the companys stock valued at $614,359,000 after acquiring an additional 3,377,827 shares during the last quarter. 6.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Trading Down 2.9 % NYSE:NVO traded down $3.70 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $124.25. The stock had a trading volume of 3,099,607 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,940,214. Novo Nordisk A/S has a one year low of $67.66 and a one year high of $128.77. The company has a market capitalization of $557.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.29, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.41. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $113.11 and a 200 day moving average of $94.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.05. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 90.36% and a net margin of 36.03%. The company had revenue of $9.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.14 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.32 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.664 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a yield of 0.9%. This is a positive change from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is currently 22.92%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have commented on NVO shares. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Novo Nordisk A/S currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $121.25. Get Our Latest Research Report on Novo Nordisk A/S Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE:FI Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,000,000 shares, an increase of 21.5% from the January 31st total of 4,940,000 shares. Currently, 1.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,670,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days. Analyst Ratings Changes FI has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Mizuho raised their price objective on Fiserv from $150.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Oppenheimer upgraded Fiserv from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $168.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. B. Riley raised their price target on shares of Fiserv from $152.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Fiserv from $144.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Fiserv from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $153.04. Get Fiserv alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Fiserv Fiserv Price Performance NYSE:FI traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $150.06. 896,547 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,573,728. The business has a 50 day moving average of $141.42 and a 200 day moving average of $128.50. Fiserv has a 1-year low of $103.99 and a 1-year high of $151.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The company has a market capitalization of $88.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.91. Fiserv (NYSE:FI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The business services provider reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.04. Fiserv had a net margin of 16.07% and a return on equity of 15.16%. The business had revenue of $4.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.68 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.91 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Fiserv will post 8.63 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, COO Guy Chiarello sold 80,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.07, for a total transaction of $10,725,600.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 146,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,688,983.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, COO Guy Chiarello sold 80,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.07, for a total value of $10,725,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 146,856 shares in the company, valued at $19,688,983.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Vice Chairman Christopher M. Foskett sold 25,429 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.00, for a total value of $3,432,915.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 97,665 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,184,775. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 295,150 shares of company stock worth $39,347,952 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Copperwynd Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Fiserv by 1.5% during the second quarter. Copperwynd Financial LLC now owns 5,703 shares of the business services providers stock worth $719,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. grew its position in shares of Fiserv by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 1,966 shares of the business services providers stock worth $199,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Apeiron RIA LLC grew its holdings in Fiserv by 2.9% in the third quarter. Apeiron RIA LLC now owns 3,217 shares of the business services providers stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. Holderness Investments Co. increased its position in Fiserv by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Holderness Investments Co. now owns 2,295 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $290,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Street Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Fiserv by 1.4% during the second quarter. Principal Street Partners LLC now owns 6,568 shares of the business services providers stock worth $829,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.69% of the companys stock. Fiserv Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fiserv, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides payment and financial services technology worldwide. The company operates through Acceptance, Fintech, and Payments segments. The Acceptance segment provides point-of-sale merchant acquiring and digital commerce services; mobile payment services; security and fraud protection products; Carat, an omnichannel commerce solution; Clover, a cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform; and Clover Connect, an independent software vendors platform. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fiserv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fiserv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $14.40, but opened at $14.97. Gold Fields shares last traded at $15.10, with a volume of 1,618,831 shares trading hands. Analyst Ratings Changes GFI has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Gold Fields from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 3rd. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Gold Fields from $15.50 to $15.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Gold Fields from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $14.00 to $12.00 in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.67. Get Gold Fields alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on GFI Gold Fields Price Performance The stocks fifty day moving average price is $13.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.35. Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.10. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Gold Fields Limited will post 0.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Gold Fields Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.1717 per share. This represents a yield of 2.5%. This is a positive change from Gold Fieldss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Institutional Trading of Gold Fields A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of GFI. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Gold Fields by 80.1% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 18,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $282,000 after buying an additional 8,114 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in Gold Fields by 198.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 37,570 shares of the companys stock valued at $581,000 after buying an additional 24,985 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Gold Fields during the 1st quarter valued at about $200,000. Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in Gold Fields during the 1st quarter valued at about $193,000. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new position in Gold Fields during the 1st quarter valued at about $419,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.99% of the companys stock. Gold Fields Company Profile (Get Free Report) Gold Fields Limited operates as a gold producer with reserves and resources in Chile, South Africa, Ghana, West Africa, Australia, and Peru. The company also explores for copper deposits. It holds interests in nine operating mines, as well as gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. The company was founded in 1887 and is based in Sandton, South Africa. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Gold Fields Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gold Fields and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report) by 38.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 66,529 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 18,399 shares during the quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.15% of Brinker International worth $2,102,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in EAT. State of Wyoming bought a new position in Brinker International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Brinker International by 68.9% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 946 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 386 shares in the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale purchased a new position in Brinker International during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in Brinker International during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Get Brinker International alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on EAT shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Brinker International from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Brinker International from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. StockNews.com lowered Brinker International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Brinker International from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Brinker International presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.77. Insider Activity at Brinker International In other Brinker International news, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 24,163 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.97, for a total value of $1,086,610.11. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 56,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,548,045.17. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 11,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.11, for a total transaction of $452,210.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 71,286 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,930,567.46. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 24,163 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.97, for a total value of $1,086,610.11. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 56,661 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,548,045.17. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 50,114 shares of company stock valued at $2,148,223 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Brinker International Price Performance Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $46.78 on Tuesday. Brinker International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $28.23 and a 1-year high of $47.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $42.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.31. The company has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a PE ratio of 13.72, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 2.46. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The restaurant operator reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.05. Brinker International had a negative return on equity of 113.41% and a net margin of 3.63%. The company had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.08 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 3.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brinker International Company Profile (Free Report) Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brinker International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brinker International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gotham Asset Management LLC trimmed its holdings in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR Free Report) by 8.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,235 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,373 shares during the period. Gotham Asset Management LLCs holdings in Entergy were worth $2,242,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 1.2% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 38,239 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,537,000 after acquiring an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 73.3% in the second quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 27,412 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,669,000 after buying an additional 11,598 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 464.4% in the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 12,044 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,114,000 after buying an additional 9,910 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 32.3% in the third quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 101,839 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $9,175,000 after buying an additional 24,850 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. lifted its position in shares of Entergy by 6.1% in the second quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 6,585 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $641,000 after buying an additional 377 shares in the last quarter. 86.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Entergy alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently commented on ETR shares. Barclays boosted their target price on Entergy from $99.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $117.00 price objective on shares of Entergy in a research note on Monday, February 26th. UBS Group raised Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $103.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Bank of America raised Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $94.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $110.73. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Entergy news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $200,700.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,609,312.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.53, for a total transaction of $3,900,478.01. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $952,351.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total transaction of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 16,037 shares in the company, valued at $1,609,312.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.37% of the stock is owned by insiders. Entergy Price Performance NYSE ETR opened at $102.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $100.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $98.21. Entergy Co. has a 1 year low of $87.10 and a 1 year high of $111.90. The company has a market cap of $21.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.20, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.70. Entergy (NYSE:ETR Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.52. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.54% and a net margin of 19.41%. The firm had revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.51 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Entergy Co. will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current year. Entergy Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.43%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. Entergys dividend payout ratio is currently 40.76%. Entergy Profile (Free Report) Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the international community to help advance the political process in South Sudan and support the country in strengthening capacity-building in the security sector. This year is of great significance for South Sudan in terms of promoting political transition and peaceful development. China believes that the international community should increase its support, said Dai Bing, the charge d'affaires of the Chinese mission to the United Nations. China supports the South Sudanese parties in accelerating the implementation of the peace agreement and the key benchmarks of the roadmap on extending the transitional period, so as to create conditions conducive to the political transition and the holding of general elections. China encourages the trilateral mechanism of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations to provide more support to the political process in South Sudan, he told the Security Council. "It should be pointed out that elections are an internal affair of South Sudan. At present, the country is facing numerous practical difficulties in promoting political transition and preparing for general elections. The international community must remain patient and continue to engage with the country while fully respecting its sovereignty and ownership," said Dai. In particular, the international community should draw lessons from the recent turmoil in some African countries and avoid intervening in South Sudan's internal affairs by exerting pressure or forcing a "democratic transition." Doing so will not contribute to the long-term stability of South Sudan. It may, on the contrary, bring about new turbulence, he said. The international community and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) should prioritize support for the South Sudanese authorities in strengthening their capacity-building in the security sector and assuming primary responsibility for the protection of civilians. The arms embargo has long had a negative impact on the security capacity-building in South Sudan. The Security Council should heed the calls of South Sudan and other African countries and lift the arms embargo as soon as possible, said Dai. The conflict in neighboring Sudan has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and poses a potential security risk. The international partners should help South Sudan respond to the humanitarian crisis and mitigate the spillover effect of the Sudanese conflict on South Sudan and other neighboring countries, with a view to maintaining common regional security, he said. UNMISS should focus on its core mandate. In recent years, some individual countries have been pushing for the expansion of the mandate of UNMISS, including by over-emphasizing the use of force as a priority means of civilian protection. This not only interferes with the primary responsibility of peacekeeping operations, but also increases the strain on the resources at the disposal of UNMISS. China hopes that the Security Council will make UNMISS focus on its core functions as a peacekeeping operation and make sure that relevant tasks are in line with the needs and priorities of the host country so that the mission can play its role in an effective manner, said Dai. Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,560,000 shares, a growth of 21.9% from the January 31st total of 1,280,000 shares. Approximately 0.9% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 622,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Graco from $91.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Graco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Graco from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $84.80. Get Graco alerts: View Our Latest Report on Graco Graco Stock Performance NYSE GGG traded down $0.07 on Tuesday, reaching $91.43. 239,169 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 659,448. Graco has a 12 month low of $66.17 and a 12 month high of $92.63. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $86.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $80.65. The company has a market cap of $15.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.12, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.81. Graco (NYSE:GGG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 29th. The industrial products company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.01. Graco had a return on equity of 24.61% and a net margin of 23.07%. The firm had revenue of $566.64 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $565.86 million. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Graco will post 3.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Graco Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a $0.255 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.12%. Gracos payout ratio is presently 34.69%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Anthony J. Gargano sold 1,395 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total transaction of $122,760.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,697 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $501,336. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Mark W. Sheahan sold 12,884 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.37, for a total value of $1,074,139.08. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 93,182 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,768,583.34. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Anthony J. Gargano sold 1,395 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total value of $122,760.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,697 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $501,336. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 50,138 shares of company stock valued at $4,418,008 over the last ninety days. 2.98% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graco Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its stake in Graco by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,270 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in Graco by 18.1% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 86,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,176,000 after purchasing an additional 13,302 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its stake in Graco by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 96,025 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,879,000 after purchasing an additional 7,396 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in Graco by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,834 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $407,000 after purchasing an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in Graco by 74.3% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 9,636 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $684,000 after purchasing an additional 4,108 shares in the last quarter. 84.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Graco (Get Free Report) Graco Inc designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials worldwide. The company's Industrial segment offers proportioning systems to spray polyurethane foam and polyurea coatings; equipment that pumps, meters, mixes and dispenses sealant, adhesive, and composite materials; and gel-coat equipment, chop and wet-out systems, resin transfer molding systems and applicators, and precision dispensing solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Graco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Graco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK Free Report) by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 138,032 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 698 shares during the quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Graphic Packaging were worth $3,075,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in shares of Graphic Packaging in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new stake in Graphic Packaging in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. AllSquare Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Graphic Packaging in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Graphic Packaging by 870.7% during the third quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,291 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Graphic Packaging by 39.6% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,372 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 673 shares during the last quarter. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Graphic Packaging alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Graphic Packaging In other news, EVP Joseph P. Yost sold 70,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.20, for a total transaction of $1,834,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 205,231 shares in the company, valued at $5,377,052.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. Graphic Packaging Stock Performance Shares of GPK opened at $25.50 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $25.41 and a 200-day moving average of $23.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The company has a market cap of $7.80 billion, a PE ratio of 10.85 and a beta of 0.83. Graphic Packaging Holding has a one year low of $20.07 and a one year high of $27.56. Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The industrial products company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.40 billion. Graphic Packaging had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 35.66%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.59 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Graphic Packaging Holding will post 2.71 earnings per share for the current year. Graphic Packaging Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Graphic Packagings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.02%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Graphic Packaging from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Graphic Packaging from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Graphic Packaging from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Graphic Packaging from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, Raymond James downgraded shares of Graphic Packaging from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.22. Get Our Latest Research Report on GPK Graphic Packaging Profile (Free Report) Graphic Packaging Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides paperboard packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. It operates through three segments: Paperboard Manufacturing, Americas Paperboard Packaging, and Europe Paperboard Packaging. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Graphic Packaging Holding (NYSE:GPK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Graphic Packaging Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Graphic Packaging and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Southern Mining Limited (ASX:GSN Get Free Report) insider John Terpu bought 1,061,257 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was purchased at an average price of A$0.02 ($0.01) per share, for a total transaction of A$20,163.88 ($13,093.43). John Terpu also recently made the following trade(s): Get Great Southern Mining alerts: On Monday, February 19th, John Terpu purchased 1,971,131 shares of Great Southern Mining stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of A$0.02 ($0.01) per share, with a total value of A$37,451.49 ($24,319.15). On Thursday, February 22nd, John Terpu purchased 1,295,829 shares of Great Southern Mining stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of A$0.02 ($0.01) per share, with a total value of A$24,620.75 ($15,987.50). Great Southern Mining Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 3.07, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. About Great Southern Mining Great Southern Mining Limited primarily engages in the exploration and evaluation of gold deposits in Australia. The company also explores for silver, nickel, copper, and other minerals. The company holds a 100% interest in the Mon Ami gold project, the Cox's Find project, and the Duketon gold project, Southern Star project, and East Laverton project located in Western Australia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Great Southern Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Southern Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hess (NYSE:HES Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Susquehanna from $152.00 to $156.00 in a report issued on Monday, Benzinga reports. Susquehanna currently has a neutral rating on the oil and gas producers stock. A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on HES. Argus raised shares of Hess from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $171.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Mizuho upped their price target on Hess from $170.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Hess in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on Hess from $210.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hess has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $174.57. Get Hess alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HES Hess Stock Down 1.7 % HES stock opened at $145.61 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $144.04 and a 200-day moving average of $147.72. The company has a market capitalization of $44.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.36 and a beta of 1.27. Hess has a fifty-two week low of $113.82 and a fifty-two week high of $167.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.05. Hess (NYSE:HES Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.76 billion. Hess had a net margin of 12.98% and a return on equity of 17.00%. The businesss revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.78 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Hess will post 7.56 earnings per share for the current year. Hess Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 18th were issued a dividend of $0.4375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $1.75 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.20%. Hesss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.89%. Insider Buying and Selling at Hess In other news, COO Gregory P. Hill sold 56,925 shares of Hess stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.35, for a total value of $8,330,973.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 78,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,457,302.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO John B. Hess sold 73,885 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.87, for a total transaction of $10,777,604.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 138,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,234,794.66. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Gregory P. Hill sold 56,925 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.35, for a total transaction of $8,330,973.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 78,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,457,302.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 9.91% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hess Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Great Lakes Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Hess by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 5,376 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $731,000 after purchasing an additional 258 shares during the period. Point72 Europe London LLP purchased a new position in shares of Hess in the 2nd quarter valued at $10,985,000. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its position in shares of Hess by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 564,454 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $86,361,000 after acquiring an additional 45,246 shares in the last quarter. BOKF NA lifted its stake in shares of Hess by 20.7% during the 2nd quarter. BOKF NA now owns 34,301 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $4,663,000 after purchasing an additional 5,889 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Hess by 50.0% in the second quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 177,042 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $24,069,000 after purchasing an additional 59,000 shares during the last quarter. 81.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Hess Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hess Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hess and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California State Teachers Retirement System trimmed its stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report) by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 58,404 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 4,946 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned about 0.15% of Huntington Ingalls Industries worth $11,948,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of HII. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.3% during the second quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 185,744 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $42,275,000 after purchasing an additional 2,294 shares in the last quarter. Aviva PLC increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.9% in the third quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 54,141 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $11,076,000 after purchasing an additional 992 shares during the last quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 0.6% in the third quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 492,959 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $100,850,000 after purchasing an additional 2,818 shares during the last quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 186.3% in the second quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 43,731 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $9,953,000 after purchasing an additional 28,458 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 2.3% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 9,062 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,854,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. 89.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on HII. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $257.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. StockNews.com raised Huntington Ingalls Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Huntington Ingalls Industries Trading Up 1.4 % Shares of NYSE HII opened at $296.43 on Tuesday. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a twelve month low of $188.51 and a twelve month high of $298.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $267.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $240.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.74 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.60. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The aerospace company reported $6.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.27 by $2.63. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 18.12% and a net margin of 5.95%. The business had revenue of $3.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.07 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.36 earnings per share for the current year. Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.75%. Huntington Ingalls Industriess payout ratio is presently 30.41%. Insider Activity In related news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 500 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.56, for a total value of $144,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,600 shares in the company, valued at $5,367,216. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 500 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.56, for a total value of $144,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,600 shares in the company, valued at $5,367,216. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Edgar A. Green III sold 3,603 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.75, for a total value of $1,047,572.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 7,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,169,285.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,472 shares of company stock valued at $2,398,345. 2.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Huntington Ingalls Industries Profile (Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust (NYSE:OIA Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, March 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0291 per share by the investment management company on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $0.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust Stock Up 0.3 % OIA traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $6.28. The stock had a trading volume of 9,647 shares, compared to its average volume of 100,660. The business has a fifty day moving average of $6.35 and a 200 day moving average of $6.09. Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust has a 1 year low of $4.93 and a 1 year high of $6.87. Get Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust alerts: Institutional Trading of Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust by 29.4% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 50,788 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $361,000 after purchasing an additional 11,536 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE bought a new position in shares of Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust by 53.4% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 27,540 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $196,000 after acquiring an additional 9,591 shares in the last quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $79,000. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust by 19.0% during the first quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 711,113 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $5,049,000 after acquiring an additional 113,542 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.82% of the companys stock. About Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE Get Free Report) in a report issued on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage set a neutral rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price target indicates a potential upside of 0.40% from the companys previous close. KVUE has been the topic of a number of other reports. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Kenvue from $25.00 to $24.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Kenvue from $25.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 9th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Kenvue in a report on Friday, November 17th. They set a neutral rating and a $20.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on Kenvue from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $25.42. Get Kenvue alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on KVUE Kenvue Trading Up 1.7 % Kenvue stock traded up $0.34 on Friday, hitting $19.92. 7,411,952 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,732,465. Kenvue has a 1 year low of $17.82 and a 1 year high of $27.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 1.12. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $20.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.50. Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.03. Kenvue had a net margin of 9.87% and a return on equity of 15.62%. The company had revenue of $3.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.78 billion. Kenvues revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Kenvue will post 1.17 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kenvue Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Beaumont Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kenvue by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Beaumont Financial Advisors LLC now owns 17,532 shares of the companys stock worth $377,000 after buying an additional 509 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. lifted its holdings in Kenvue by 51.3% in the fourth quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 1,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares during the period. Tradition Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Kenvue by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,278 shares of the companys stock worth $458,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Kenvue by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC now owns 26,659 shares of the companys stock valued at $567,000 after purchasing an additional 589 shares during the period. Finally, Mutual Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Kenvue by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 10,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $228,000 after purchasing an additional 612 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.33% of the companys stock. Kenvue Company Profile (Get Free Report) Kenvue Inc operates as a consumer health company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. The Self Care segment offers cough, cold and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, and other products under the Tylenol, Nicorette, and Zyrtec brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kenvue Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kenvue and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kirby Co. (NYSE:KEX Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,100,000 shares, an increase of 8.9% from the January 31st total of 1,010,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 391,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days. Currently, 1.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a research note on Monday, February 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kirby has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $98.33. Get Kirby alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Kirby Kirby Stock Down 0.0 % Kirby stock traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $89.33. 136,827 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 372,772. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.68. Kirby has a 12 month low of $64.92 and a 12 month high of $90.22. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $81.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $80.45. The company has a market cap of $5.23 billion, a PE ratio of 24.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.20. Kirby (NYSE:KEX Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The shipping company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $799.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $778.70 million. Kirby had a net margin of 7.21% and a return on equity of 7.12%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.67 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Kirby will post 4.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Kirby news, CFO Raj Kumar sold 1,670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total value of $146,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 5,617 shares in the company, valued at $494,296. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO David W. Grzebinski sold 18,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.44, for a total value of $1,537,920.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 66,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,673,130.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Raj Kumar sold 1,670 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total transaction of $146,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 5,617 shares in the company, valued at approximately $494,296. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 52,642 shares of company stock worth $4,416,847 over the last three months. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Kirby Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of Kirby by 87.0% during the second quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 404 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Kirby by 293.9% during the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 646 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 482 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Kirby in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Kirby in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new position in Kirby during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. 94.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Kirby Company Profile (Get Free Report) Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessel transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barge throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kirby Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kirby and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kohls (NYSE:KSS Get Free Report) had its price target increased by stock analysts at Citigroup from $24.00 to $27.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroups price objective suggests a potential downside of 3.54% from the stocks current price. Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Telsey Advisory Group restated a market perform rating and issued a $25.00 price target (down previously from $29.00) on shares of Kohls in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Kohls in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. They issued an inline rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $25.13. Get Kohl's alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Kohls Kohls Price Performance Institutional Trading of Kohls Shares of KSS traded up $0.29 on Tuesday, reaching $27.99. The stock had a trading volume of 1,082,226 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,691,823. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $27.15 and a 200 day moving average of $24.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.10 billion, a PE ratio of -21.34, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.98. Kohls has a twelve month low of $17.68 and a twelve month high of $29.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kohls in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kohls during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kohls during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Quarry LP raised its position in shares of Kohls by 81.1% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,326 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 594 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Kohls by 59.7% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,145 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.04% of the companys stock. Kohls Company Profile (Get Free Report) Kohl's Corporation operates as a omnichannel retailer in the United States. It offers branded apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products through its stores and website. The company provides its products primarily under the brand names of Croft & Barrow, Jumping Beans, SO, Sonoma Goods for Life, and Sonoma Goods for Life, as well as Food Network, LC Lauren Conrad, Nine West, and Simply Vera Vera Wang. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kohl's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kohl's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurion Capital Management LP cut its stake in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) by 59.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 20,000 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 29,385 shares during the quarter. Laurion Capital Management LPs holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $1,378,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 5.0% in the third quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,921 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 4.9% during the third quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,986 shares of the technology companys stock worth $344,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 200.0% during the third quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 357 shares of the technology companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 238 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 1.8% during the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 13,432 shares of the technology companys stock worth $925,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the period. Finally, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 0.3% during the third quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC now owns 97,092 shares of the technology companys stock worth $6,690,000 after buying an additional 246 shares during the period. 38.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets DELL has been the subject of several recent research reports. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $75.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday. Raymond James raised their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $68.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. They issued a buy rating and a $125.00 price objective for the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $53.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $99.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $102.88. Dell Technologies Stock Down 5.7 % NYSE:DELL traded down $6.93 on Tuesday, hitting $114.85. The stock had a trading volume of 10,366,060 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,277,953. The stock has a market cap of $81.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.87, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $84.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $74.12. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $35.96 and a 1-year high of $131.06. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $22.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.17 billion. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 3.63% and a negative return on equity of 165.52%. Dell Technologiess revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.55 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be paid a $0.445 dividend. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.55%. This is an increase from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 22nd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 33.87%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 3,179,972 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.81, for a total transaction of $250,613,593.32. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 293,812 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,155,323.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 48.60% of the companys stock. Dell Technologies Profile (Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TRIPOLI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that 97 vulnerable asylum-seekers have been airlifted from Libya to Italy. "This afternoon, an evacuation flight from Tripoli to Rome, Italy, offered a vital lifeline to 97 vulnerable asylum-seekers, marking the first such evacuation from Libya this year," UNHCR said in a statement. The evacuated individuals include women at risk of exploitation, survivors of violence, their children, and those with severe medical conditions, the statement said, adding the majority of them are refugees from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Syria. "We are very pleased to see these important flights continue, with the support from the Libyan authorities," said Aseer Al-Madaien, chief of the UNHCR mission in Libya. "We urge other states to follow Italy's lead in opening humanitarian corridors, alleviating pressure on host countries and contributing to a more sustainable response to the urgent needs of refugees in Libya and beyond," Al-Madaien added. Since 2017, UNHCR has successfully evacuated or resettled 11,335 refugees and asylum-seekers from Libya, among whom over 1,300 were sent to Italy alone. According to the UN agency, there are over 59,000 registered refugees in Libya. Because of the insecurity and chaos in Libya since the fall of its late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, many illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, have chosen to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from the country. Shares of Legal & General Group Plc (LON:LGEN Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the seven analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 304 ($3.86). LGEN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Legal & General Group from GBX 336 ($4.26) to GBX 325 ($4.12) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Legal & General Group from GBX 290 ($3.68) to GBX 295 ($3.74) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Legal & General Group to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from GBX 258 ($3.27) to GBX 289 ($3.67) in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Legal & General Group to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from GBX 290 ($3.68) to GBX 295 ($3.74) in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Legal & General Group in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Get Legal & General Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Legal & General Group Legal & General Group Stock Performance Insider Activity at Legal & General Group Shares of LON LGEN opened at GBX 242.90 ($3.08) on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 246.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 231.69. Legal & General Group has a 52-week low of GBX 203.10 ($2.58) and a 52-week high of GBX 269.40 ($3.42). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 670.83, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.95. The company has a market cap of 14.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 759.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.35. In related news, insider Henrietta Baldock bought 992 shares of Legal & General Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 245 ($3.11) per share, for a total transaction of 2,430.40 ($3,084.66). In other Legal & General Group news, insider Henrietta Baldock purchased 992 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 245 ($3.11) per share, for a total transaction of 2,430.40 ($3,084.66). Also, insider Ric Lewis purchased 1,336 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 251 ($3.19) per share, with a total value of 3,353.36 ($4,256.07). In the last quarter, insiders bought 3,040 shares of company stock valued at $761,360. 0.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Legal & General Group Company Profile (Get Free Report Legal & General Group Plc provides various insurance products and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI), Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), Legal & General Capital (LGC), and Retail Retirement. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Legal & General Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Legal & General Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia raised its stake in Masonite International Co. (NYSE:DOOR Free Report) by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 332,697 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,489 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Masonite International were worth $31,014,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in shares of Masonite International by 5.7% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 19,890 shares of the companys stock worth $1,769,000 after purchasing an additional 1,081 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Masonite International by 38.3% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,038 shares of the companys stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 842 shares during the period. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Masonite International during the first quarter worth approximately $235,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Masonite International by 55.5% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 13,007 shares of the companys stock worth $1,157,000 after purchasing an additional 4,641 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Masonite International by 1.2% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 23,924 shares of the companys stock worth $2,128,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the period. Get Masonite International alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Masonite International In other news, insider Robert Paxton sold 721 shares of Masonite International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.95, for a total transaction of $93,693.95. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 20,798 shares in the company, valued at $2,702,700.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Robert Paxton sold 721 shares of Masonite International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.95, for a total transaction of $93,693.95. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 20,798 shares in the company, valued at $2,702,700.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP James C. Pelletier sold 262 shares of Masonite International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.06, for a total transaction of $34,075.72. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 12,739 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,656,834.34. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 1,641 shares of company stock worth $213,329 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.21% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DOOR has been the topic of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird cut shares of Masonite International from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $106.00 to $92.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Masonite International in a research report on Friday, January 19th. They set an outperform rating and a $115.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Masonite International from $87.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Benchmark reduced their price target on shares of Masonite International from $133.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating and set a $133.00 price target on shares of Masonite International in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $116.89. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Masonite International Masonite International Price Performance Masonite International stock traded up $0.25 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $130.66. The company had a trading volume of 266,924 shares, compared to its average volume of 704,220. Masonite International Co. has a fifty-two week low of $76.87 and a fifty-two week high of $130.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The company has a market cap of $2.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.64. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $103.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $94.90. Masonite International (NYSE:DOOR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.36 by ($0.05). Masonite International had a net margin of 4.18% and a return on equity of 20.17%. The company had revenue of $660.58 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $659.87 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.72 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Masonite International Co. will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current year. Masonite International Profile (Free Report) Masonite International Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes interior and exterior doors for the new construction and repair, renovation, and remodeling sectors of the residential and non-residential building construction markets worldwide. It offers molded panel, flush, stile and rail, steel, and fiberglass residential doors, as well as medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and architectural interior doors. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DOOR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Masonite International Co. (NYSE:DOOR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Masonite International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Masonite International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia trimmed its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report) by 59.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,353 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 15,430 shares during the period. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Bank of America were worth $283,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Lakeshore Financial Planning Inc. bought a new position in Bank of America in the third quarter valued at approximately $345,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 0.7% in the third quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 368,418 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,087,000 after acquiring an additional 2,685 shares during the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its stake in Bank of America by 3.3% in the third quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 6,880,173 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $188,379,000 after acquiring an additional 222,500 shares during the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Bank of America by 4.0% in the third quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 34,540 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $946,000 after acquiring an additional 1,333 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ariel Investments LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 7.7% in the third quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 156,608 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,288,000 after acquiring an additional 11,237 shares during the last quarter. 68.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Trading Up 0.7 % BAC stock traded up $0.24 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $35.39. The stock had a trading volume of 27,141,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,812,094. The firm has a market cap of $278.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Bank of America Co. has a 1-year low of $24.96 and a 1-year high of $35.72. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $33.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.42. Bank of America Dividend Announcement Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.01. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.42% and a return on equity of 11.38%. The firm had revenue of $22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.85 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.71%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.27%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have weighed in on BAC shares. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Bank of America from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $32.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Odeon Capital Group cut shares of Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $33.90 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of America presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.53. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bank of America Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank purchased 5,398 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $10.56 per share, for a total transaction of $57,002.88. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 5,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,002.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Bank of America Profile (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia lifted its stake in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report) by 3.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 14,989 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 496 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Deere & Company were worth $5,657,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of DE. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. increased its position in Deere & Company by 7.6% during the second quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 53,191 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $21,552,000 after acquiring an additional 3,776 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its position in Deere & Company by 5.6% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 135,091 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $54,775,000 after acquiring an additional 7,182 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board increased its holdings in Deere & Company by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 14,002 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,284,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the period. Greenline Partners LLC bought a new position in Deere & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $265,000. Finally, Centric Wealth Management bought a new position in Deere & Company in the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,640,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.27% of the companys stock. Get Deere & Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have commented on DE. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Deere & Company in a report on Monday, January 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $430.00 target price on the stock. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $438.00 to $396.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 24th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $450.00 to $435.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $381.00 to $387.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $435.00 to $425.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $428.58. Deere & Company Trading Up 0.5 % NYSE:DE traded up $1.88 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $366.30. 908,521 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,546,167. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $383.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $383.49. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. Deere & Company has a fifty-two week low of $345.55 and a fifty-two week high of $450.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.73, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.03. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.19 by $1.04. Deere & Company had a net margin of 16.38% and a return on equity of 44.60%. The business had revenue of $10.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.30 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.55 EPS. The firms revenue was down 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Deere & Company will post 27.47 earnings per share for the current year. Deere & Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.61%. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 17.12%. About Deere & Company (Free Report) Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lowe Brockenbrough & Co. Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 21,232 shares of the banks stock after selling 370 shares during the period. Lowe Brockenbrough & Co. Inc.s holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $906,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quilter Plc acquired a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon in the first quarter valued at approximately $446,850,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 97.1% in the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 609 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the first quarter valued at $36,000. Addison Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 603.2% in the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 879 shares of the banks stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the third quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.29% of the companys stock. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley upgraded Bank of New York Mellon from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $52.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Citigroup increased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Bank of New York Mellon from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $54.50 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, December 18th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.75. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bank of New York Mellon news, VP Catherine Keating sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total transaction of $246,535.38. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 123,490 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,768,486.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Bank of New York Mellon news, VP Catherine Keating sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total transaction of $246,535.38. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 123,490 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,768,486.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Hanneke Smits sold 15,425 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.16, for a total value of $850,843.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 119,656 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,600,224.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance Shares of BK stock traded up $0.49 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $55.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,781,426 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,130,082. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a one year low of $39.65 and a one year high of $56.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $54.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $48.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.98, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.11. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The bank reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.16. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 11.63% and a net margin of 10.01%. The firm had revenue of $4.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 5.24 EPS for the current year. Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 22nd were issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 19th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.00%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.32%. Bank of New York Mellon Profile (Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pi Financial reissued their buy rating on shares of Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN Free Report) in a report issued on Friday morning, PriceTargets.com reports. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Lundin Mining from C$8.90 to C$8.40 in a research note on Friday, January 19th. CIBC lowered their target price on shares of Lundin Mining from C$13.00 to C$12.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. National Bankshares lowered their target price on shares of Lundin Mining from C$13.00 to C$12.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 15th. TD Securities lowered their price target on shares of Lundin Mining from C$12.50 to C$10.50 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Lundin Mining from C$12.80 to C$12.60 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$11.87. Get Lundin Mining alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on LUN Lundin Mining Price Performance LUN stock opened at C$10.81 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$10.86 and a 200 day moving average of C$10.08. The stock has a market capitalization of C$8.37 billion, a PE ratio of 25.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.26 and a beta of 1.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.15. Lundin Mining has a 52 week low of C$7.35 and a 52 week high of C$11.93. Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The mining company reported C$0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.15 by C($0.01). The firm had revenue of C$1.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.39 billion. Lundin Mining had a net margin of 7.12% and a return on equity of 5.32%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Lundin Mining will post 0.8730675 earnings per share for the current year. Lundin Mining Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, March 22nd will be given a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.33%. Lundin Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 85.71%. About Lundin Mining (Get Free Report) Lundin Mining Corporation, a diversified base metals mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. It primarily produces copper, zinc, nickel, and gold, as well as lead, silver, and other metals. The company holds 100% interests in the Chapada mine located in Brazil; the Neves-Corvo mine located in Portugal; the Eagle mine located in the United States; and the Zinkgruvan mine located in Sweden. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lundin Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lundin Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLB Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $88.87 and last traded at $88.85, with a volume of 731875 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $88.60. Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund Price Performance The firm has a market cap of $7.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.79 and a beta of 1.06. The firms fifty day moving average is $84.20 and its 200-day moving average is $81.56. Get Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund by 31,997.8% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 15,022,077 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,244,881,000 after acquiring an additional 14,975,276 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its holdings in Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund by 36,115.9% in the second quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 1,850,995 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $153,392,000 after purchasing an additional 1,845,884 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec purchased a new stake in Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund in the first quarter worth about $160,874,000. Optiver Holding B.V. grew its holdings in shares of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund by 100.2% during the third quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 2,486 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $195,000 after buying an additional 1,073,682 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund during the third quarter valued at approximately $64,645,000. About Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Materials Select Sector Index (the Index). The Index includes companies involved in such industries as chemicals; metals and mining; paper and forest products; containers and packaging, and construction materials. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia boosted its stake in shares of Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Free Report) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 303,948 shares of the shipping companys stock after buying an additional 4,455 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginia owned 0.86% of Matson worth $26,966,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its position in Matson by 105.0% during the third quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 37,379 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $3,316,000 after buying an additional 19,149 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its position in Matson by 178.9% during the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 9,311 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $826,000 after buying an additional 5,973 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of Matson by 317.4% in the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 24,763 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,197,000 after purchasing an additional 18,830 shares during the last quarter. Cambria Investment Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Matson by 8.5% in the third quarter. Cambria Investment Management L.P. now owns 104,910 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $9,308,000 after purchasing an additional 8,190 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of Matson by 12.6% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 285,314 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $25,313,000 after purchasing an additional 31,833 shares during the last quarter. 85.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Matson alerts: Matson Price Performance Shares of MATX stock traded down $2.14 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $106.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 153,706 shares, compared to its average volume of 284,407. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stock has a market cap of $3.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.74 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a fifty day moving average of $114.44 and a 200-day moving average of $99.81. Matson, Inc. has a twelve month low of $56.51 and a twelve month high of $122.99. Matson Announces Dividend Matson ( NYSE:MATX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The shipping company reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $788.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $733.60 million. Matson had a net margin of 9.60% and a return on equity of 12.71%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.10 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Matson, Inc. will post 7.8 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 7th. Matsons payout ratio is 15.27%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently commented on MATX. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Matson from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Matson from $108.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Read Our Latest Analysis on MATX Insider Activity at Matson In related news, SVP Richard S. Kinney sold 997 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.30, for a total transaction of $96,011.10. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 9,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $907,820.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock. Matson Company Profile (Free Report) Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides ocean transportation and logistics services. The company's Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its position in Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Free Report) by 305.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 17,558 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,231 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotias holdings in Mohawk Industries were worth $1,507,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Gyon Technologies Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Mohawk Industries in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its stake in Mohawk Industries by 143.7% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 307 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the period. Natixis purchased a new stake in Mohawk Industries in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in Mohawk Industries in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Mohawk Industries by 36.0% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 540 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the period. 77.04% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Mohawk Industries alerts: Insider Activity at Mohawk Industries In other Mohawk Industries news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 5,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.09, for a total value of $517,495.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 8,953 shares in the company, valued at approximately $842,387.77. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 17.20% of the companys stock. Mohawk Industries Stock Performance Shares of Mohawk Industries stock opened at $120.83 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.78. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $76.02 and a 1 year high of $123.26. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $107.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $95.66. Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.10. Mohawk Industries had a negative net margin of 3.95% and a positive return on equity of 7.52%. The business had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.56 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.32 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.59 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently issued reports on MHK. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Mohawk Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $98.00 to $152.00 in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $98.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of Mohawk Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 17th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Mohawk Industries has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $116.10. View Our Latest Stock Report on MHK Mohawk Industries Profile (Free Report) Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Russia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America (Flooring NA), and Flooring Rest of the World (Flooring ROW). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MHK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mohawk Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mohawk Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAZ Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0425 per share by the investment management company on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.51 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This is a boost from Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.04. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance Shares of NAZ stock traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $10.90. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,761. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $10.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.32. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund has a one year low of $9.22 and a one year high of $11.37. Get Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NAZ. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund by 75.0% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 10,500 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $113,000 after purchasing an additional 4,500 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp purchased a new position in Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund during the second quarter valued at $115,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund during the second quarter valued at $152,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund during the second quarter valued at $154,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund by 10.0% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 21,821 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 1,986 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.57% of the companys stock. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is managed by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of Arizona. The fund invests in municipal securities and other related investments the income, exempt from regular federal and Arizona income taxes that are rated Baa or BBB or better and having an average maturity of 18.66 years. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NAIROBI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday called on the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to enhance regional integration efforts, positioning East Africa as a model for the continent. Ruto also pointed out that EALA, and other regional parliaments, should also play their role in making the Africa Continental Free Trade Area the next hub of global investment, trade and industry. "To do this, we have to complete the implementation of all the pillars of EAC integration and critically align our integration agenda with the broader African transformational paradigm under the Africa We Want," he said during the official opening of the third meeting of the second session of the fifth EALA in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. According to a statement issued by the presidency, Ruto said the continent was wealthy and only needed to have its assets properly valued, noting that Africa would soon be the largest single market in the world. The Kenyan leader said the EALA should help change the narrative of Africa from a poor continent ridden with conflict and disease to that of immense opportunities. He said EALA was well-placed to reposition the continent as a destination of great potential and investment. "It's not tenable for Africa to continue being profiled as a continent of poverty, conflict and disease, yet we have enormous resources, including renewable energy and arable land that, if well used, can transform the lives of our people," Ruto said. He said EALA must provide a strong framework for sustainable competitive advantage in emerging hi-tech fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and machine learning. According to Ruto, the use of technology will enable the region to effectively tackle threats and harness opportunities in a rapidly digitizing global economy. He emphasized the need for EALA legislators to lend their support to the efforts to roll back the effects of climate change, and especially the declaration of the African Climate Summit held last September. Ruto said the declaration defines a strong and distinctly African contribution to the global discourse on climate change, humanity's foremost existential challenge. He said climate action and sustainable development will help boost investment in Africa and kick-start a green industrial revolution. Ruto called for a new financing mechanism that is fair and equitable to countries of the Global North and Global South alike, noting that there was a problem in the international financial system. EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson Deng Alor Kuol, who is also the minister for EAC Affairs in South Sudan, said peace and stability remain key to increased trade and investments in the region. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NMT Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0415 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.66%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is a positive change from Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.03. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance NYSE NMT traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $10.68. The stock had a trading volume of 20,799 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,177. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 1 year low of $9.05 and a 1 year high of $10.77. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $10.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.13. Get Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund by 25.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 118,079 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,502,000 after buying an additional 24,162 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its stake in Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund by 43.3% during the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 75,212 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $888,000 after buying an additional 22,740 shares during the last quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $534,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 27,570 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $291,000 after buying an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $295,000. 11.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of Massachusetts, United States. The fund primarily invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments which are exempt from regular federal and Massachusetts income taxes. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Free Report) by 70.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,600 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 6,350 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $317,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DGX. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 8.7% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 6,921 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $947,000 after purchasing an additional 556 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 97.5% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,878 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,078,000 after purchasing an additional 3,889 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 3.4% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 15,923 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,179,000 after acquiring an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 21.9% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 191,048 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $26,165,000 after acquiring an additional 34,364 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aviva PLC grew its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 22.1% during the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 68,068 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $9,316,000 after acquiring an additional 12,298 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.76% of the companys stock. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Insider Activity In other news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 5,611 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.88, for a total value of $706,312.68. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,478 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,843,610.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 5,557 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.57, for a total value of $703,349.49. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 69,599 shares in the company, valued at $8,809,145.43. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 5,611 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.88, for a total value of $706,312.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,478 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,843,610.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,150 shares of company stock worth $1,913,202 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.66% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently commented on DGX shares. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Bank of America raised shares of Quest Diagnostics from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $140.00 to $160.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. SVB Leerink assumed coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Monday, February 26th. They issued a market perform rating and a $135.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $145.92. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Quest Diagnostics Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 0.4 % DGX stock traded up $0.48 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $125.79. 491,711 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,110,813. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 52-week low of $119.59 and a 52-week high of $148.62. The company has a market cap of $13.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.90. The stocks fifty day moving average is $130.92 and its 200-day moving average is $130.47. Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The medical research company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.04. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.23% and a return on equity of 15.79%. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.98 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.75 earnings per share for the current year. Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 8th will be issued a $0.75 dividend. This is an increase from Quest Diagnosticss previous quarterly dividend of $0.71. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 5th. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio is currently 37.92%. Quest Diagnostics Company Profile (Free Report) Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shelton Capital Management lessened its holdings in shares of Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX Free Report) by 10.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,747 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 201 shares during the quarter. Shelton Capital Managements holdings in Comfort Systems USA were worth $298,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Comfort Systems USA by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 685,303 shares of the construction companys stock worth $112,527,000 after buying an additional 24,124 shares during the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new stake in Comfort Systems USA in the 2nd quarter valued at about $253,000. FMR LLC boosted its position in Comfort Systems USA by 61.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 570,778 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $97,266,000 after buying an additional 216,200 shares during the period. Pathstone Family Office LLC boosted its position in Comfort Systems USA by 20.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 5,681 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $968,000 after buying an additional 946 shares during the period. Finally, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI purchased a new stake in Comfort Systems USA in the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,053,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.18% of the companys stock. Get Comfort Systems USA alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Director Rhoman J. Hardy acquired 784 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $191.32 per share, for a total transaction of $149,994.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,287 shares in the company, valued at $246,228.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Rhoman J. Hardy purchased 784 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $191.32 per share, for a total transaction of $149,994.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,287 shares in the company, valued at $246,228.84. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Brian E. Lane sold 16,000 shares of Comfort Systems USA stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $312.13, for a total transaction of $4,994,080.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 227,926 shares of the companys stock, valued at $71,142,542.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 42,814 shares of company stock worth $12,216,585 over the last three months. Insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock. Comfort Systems USA Stock Performance NYSE FIX traded down $3.47 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $316.73. 187,180 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 327,638. The businesss 50 day moving average is $229.07 and its 200-day moving average is $199.21. Comfort Systems USA, Inc. has a 1 year low of $127.09 and a 1 year high of $329.43. The company has a market capitalization of $11.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.58 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.11. Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:FIX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The construction company reported $2.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion. Comfort Systems USA had a net margin of 6.21% and a return on equity of 26.99%. The companys revenue was up 21.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.54 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Comfort Systems USA, Inc. will post 11.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. Comfort Systems USA Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.32%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Comfort Systems USAs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.11%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have issued reports on FIX. StockNews.com raised shares of Comfort Systems USA from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Comfort Systems USA from $208.00 to $254.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of Comfort Systems USA from $200.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating on the stock. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Comfort Systems USA Comfort Systems USA Profile (Free Report) Comfort Systems USA, Inc provides mechanical and electrical installation, renovation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services for the mechanical and electrical services industry in the United States. It engages in the design, engineering, integration, installation, and start-up of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems; and renovation, expansion, maintenance, monitoring, repair, and replacement of existing buildings. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Comfort Systems USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Comfort Systems USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Financiero Inbursa, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GPFOF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,266,300 shares, an increase of 23.0% from the January 31st total of 5,096,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5,221.9 days. Grupo Financiero Inbursa Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS GPFOF opened at C$3.11 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$2.76 and a 200-day moving average price of C$2.36. Grupo Financiero Inbursa has a 1 year low of C$1.88 and a 1 year high of C$3.23. Get Grupo Financiero Inbursa alerts: Grupo Financiero Inbursa Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Grupo Financiero Inbursa, SAB. de C.V. provides various financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Mexico. The company offers automotive credit, medical expenses, and personal and business online banking services, as well as provides insurance products. Grupo Financiero Inbursa, SAB. Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Financiero Inbursa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Financiero Inbursa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Herdez, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GUZOF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 90,300 shares, a decline of 5.6% from the January 31st total of 95,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 50.2 days. Grupo Herdez Stock Performance GUZOF remained flat at C$2.50 during trading hours on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$2.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$2.45. Grupo Herdez has a 1-year low of C$2.06 and a 1-year high of C$2.86. Get Grupo Herdez alerts: Grupo Herdez Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Grupo Herdez, SAB. de C.V., a food company, engages in the manufacture, purchase, distribution, and marketing of canned and packed food products in Mexico and internationally. It provides mushrooms, vegetable juices, mayonnaise, honey, mustard, moles, tomato puree, jams, pastas, homemade sauces, ice creams, tea, soy sauce, tuna, coffee, spices, pasta sauces, hot sauces, ketchup, canned chilies, vegetables, olives, nopalitos, guacamole, sauces, enchilada sauces, taco sauce, chiles, tortillas, mayonnaise, marmalades, and organic products under the Aires de Campo, Barilla, Blason, Bufalo, Cielito Querido Cafe, Del Fuerte, Dona Maria, Embasa, Helados Nestle, Herdez, McCormick, Moyo, Nutrisa, La Victoria, Wholly Guacamole, Yemina, Carlota, ChiChi's, Don Miguel, Nutrisa, Nestle Ice Cream, Cielito Dear Coffee, and Moyo brands. Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Herdez Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Herdez and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial Corp bought a new stake in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 2,265 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $210,000. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ETR. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Entergy by 2.7% during the first quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,269 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $382,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake in Entergy by 15.5% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 739 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Smith Moore & CO. grew its stake in Entergy by 3.1% during the first quarter. Smith Moore & CO. now owns 3,339 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY grew its stake in Entergy by 1.2% during the second quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 9,214 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $897,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC grew its stake in Entergy by 1.8% during the second quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 6,287 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $612,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. 86.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Entergy alerts: Entergy Price Performance Entergy stock opened at $102.02 on Tuesday. Entergy Co. has a 52 week low of $87.10 and a 52 week high of $111.90. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $100.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $98.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market cap of $21.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.20, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.70. Entergy Dividend Announcement Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.52. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.54% and a net margin of 19.41%. The firm had revenue of $2.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.51 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Entergy Co. will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Entergys payout ratio is currently 40.76%. Analysts Set New Price Targets ETR has been the subject of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Entergy from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Bank of America upgraded Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $94.00 to $110.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $117.00 target price on shares of Entergy in a report on Monday, February 26th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Entergy from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $103.00 to $118.00 in a report on Monday, November 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Entergy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $110.73. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Entergy Insider Activity In other news, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,609,312.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Entergy news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.53, for a total transaction of $3,900,478.01. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $952,351.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kimberly Cook-Nelson sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.35, for a total value of $200,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,037 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,609,312.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.37% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About Entergy (Free Report) Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial Corp bought a new stake in Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $205,000. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in Jacobs Solutions by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,165 shares of the companys stock valued at $296,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in Jacobs Solutions by 47.7% in the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 254 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its position in Jacobs Solutions by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 9,346 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,276,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in Jacobs Solutions by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 887 shares of the companys stock valued at $121,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the period. Finally, Veritable L.P. boosted its position in Jacobs Solutions by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Veritable L.P. now owns 5,350 shares of the companys stock valued at $629,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.77% of the companys stock. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have commented on J. Raymond James cut shares of Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and set a $160.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. KeyCorp started coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $152.11. Insider Transactions at Jacobs Solutions In related news, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total value of $274,096.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 28,791 shares in the company, valued at $4,261,068. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Jacobs Solutions news, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $274,096.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,791 shares in the company, valued at $4,261,068. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,500 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.48, for a total transaction of $701,140.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 62,719 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,995,418.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 14,018 shares of company stock worth $1,826,818. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Jacobs Solutions Trading Up 0.4 % NYSE J opened at $147.14 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.37. The firms fifty day moving average price is $137.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $134.18. The company has a market capitalization of $18.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.73. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 12 month low of $109.00 and a 12 month high of $149.17. Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.46. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.20% and a return on equity of 14.57%. The company had revenue of $4.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.02 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.67 EPS. Jacobs Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This is a boost from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.71%. Jacobs Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding J? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Synovus Financial Corp reduced its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG Free Report) by 11.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 65,507 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 8,298 shares during the quarter. Synovus Financial Corps holdings in Lloyds Banking Group were worth $140,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 4,791.6% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 8,329,390 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,325,000 after buying an additional 8,159,110 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $10,095,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 57.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 12,445,976 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,006,000 after buying an additional 4,519,448 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 35,079,795 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $77,176,000 after buying an additional 3,449,866 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 45.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 8,663,405 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $20,099,000 after buying an additional 2,690,404 shares during the period. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Lloyds Banking Group Stock Up 0.4 % LYG stock opened at $2.36 on Tuesday. Lloyds Banking Group plc has a twelve month low of $1.88 and a twelve month high of $2.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. The firm has a market cap of $37.51 billion, a PE ratio of 5.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50 day moving average of $2.22 and a 200 day moving average of $2.15. Lloyds Banking Group Cuts Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.046 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a yield of 5.9%. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio is 22.50%. Several research firms have weighed in on LYG. Bank of America cut Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley raised Lloyds Banking Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $64.17. Get Our Latest Report on Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile (Free Report) Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions, and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LYG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Berenberg Bank reiterated their hold rating on shares of Taylor Wimpey (LON:TW Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 130 ($1.65) price objective on the homebuilders stock. A number of other analysts also recently commented on TW. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a GBX 175 ($2.22) price target on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 94 ($1.19) to GBX 96 ($1.22) and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Taylor Wimpey has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 134.60 ($1.71). Get Taylor Wimpey alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Taylor Wimpey Taylor Wimpey Stock Down 0.5 % Taylor Wimpey Announces Dividend Taylor Wimpey stock traded down GBX 0.75 ($0.01) during midday trading on Monday, reaching GBX 139.45 ($1.77). The stock had a trading volume of 7,606,114 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,409,451. Taylor Wimpey has a 12 month low of GBX 98.92 ($1.26) and a 12 month high of GBX 150.60 ($1.91). The company has a market capitalization of 4.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 871.56, a PEG ratio of -0.99 and a beta of 1.78. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 144.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 128.51. The company has a current ratio of 5.04, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51. The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a GBX 4.79 ($0.06) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.41%. Taylor Wimpeys dividend payout ratio is currently 6,250.00%. Insider Transactions at Taylor Wimpey In other news, insider Jennie Daly sold 104,503 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 134 ($1.70), for a total value of 140,034.02 ($177,730.70). Insiders have purchased a total of 314 shares of company stock valued at $44,964 in the last ninety days. 0.82% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Taylor Wimpey Company Profile (Get Free Report) Taylor Wimpey plc operates a residential developer in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taylor Wimpey Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taylor Wimpey and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teza Capital Management LLC trimmed its position in MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (NYSE:MSM Free Report) by 89.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,949 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 35,318 shares during the period. Teza Capital Management LLCs holdings in MSC Industrial Direct were worth $388,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MSM. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of MSC Industrial Direct by 34.8% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,480,861 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $467,024,000 after acquiring an additional 1,414,485 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of MSC Industrial Direct during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,273,000. Capital Research Global Investors bought a new stake in MSC Industrial Direct during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,584,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in MSC Industrial Direct by 68.7% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 635,569 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $60,534,000 after purchasing an additional 258,729 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of MSC Industrial Direct in the third quarter valued at approximately $14,719,000. Institutional investors own 89.51% of the companys stock. Get MSC Industrial Direct alerts: Insider Activity at MSC Industrial Direct In other MSC Industrial Direct news, CEO Erik Gershwind sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.00, for a total value of $720,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,432,038 shares of the companys stock, valued at $137,475,648. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Mitchell Jacobson sold 24,501 shares of MSC Industrial Direct stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.31, for a total value of $2,433,194.31. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,683,810 shares in the company, valued at $167,219,171.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Erik Gershwind sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.00, for a total value of $720,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,432,038 shares in the company, valued at $137,475,648. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 254,503 shares of company stock valued at $24,841,663 in the last three months. Company insiders own 18.80% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, KeyCorp lowered their price target on MSC Industrial Direct from $105.00 to $102.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MSC Industrial Direct has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $105.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MSC Industrial Direct MSC Industrial Direct Price Performance Shares of MSC Industrial Direct stock opened at $103.08 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 0.89. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. has a one year low of $77.99 and a one year high of $105.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.53 and a beta of 0.96. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $98.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $98.55. MSC Industrial Direct (NYSE:MSM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 9th. The industrial products company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by ($0.05). MSC Industrial Direct had a return on equity of 23.46% and a net margin of 8.27%. The business had revenue of $954.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $971.31 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.48 EPS. The businesss revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. will post 5.91 EPS for the current year. MSC Industrial Direct Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 9th were issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, January 8th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.22%. MSC Industrial Directs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.46%. About MSC Industrial Direct (Free Report) MSC Industrial Direct Co, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's MRO products include cutting tools, measuring instruments, tooling components, metalworking products, fasteners, flat stock products, raw materials, abrasives, machinery hand and power tools, safety and janitorial supplies, plumbing supplies, materials handling products, power transmission components, and electrical supplies. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (NYSE:MSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MSC Industrial Direct Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSC Industrial Direct and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. On the third day of the World Without Orphans global forum that is currently taking place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a panel discussion highlighted a central issue the orphan care movement is wrestling with today: the need to move away from institutionalized care in orphanages and finding solutions that ensure children grow up in permanent families. Institutionalized care has been proven to be an outdated model that fails to meet some of the most essential needs of children and leaves them ill-prepared to flourish in life once they grow out of the system. There is no better place for children to grow up than in a stable family structure. Several testimonies at the forum by those who grew up in as well as those who led orphanages attested to the vastly different long-term outcomes between those who only experienced an orphanage versus children who were eventually placed in families. The required paradigm shifts to introduce a new approach of orphan care, however, may seem daunting considering the decades of investments by churches and Christian ministries into orphanages as a primary form of caring for vulnerable children. According to a 2021 study conducted by the Barna Group that surveyed 3,000 U.S. Christians to understand their perceptions and support of orphanages, almost one fifth of all respondents (19%) gave financial support to orphanages, childrens homes and other types of residential care. Projecting the donated average amounts to the total U.S. Christian population, approximately US$2.5 billion is given to these kinds of institutions on an annual basis. Furthermore, 91% of the survey respondents believe that orphanages are essential and 86% see them as positive, according to the same study although 96% also agree that family structures are optimal. While the study was focused on Christians in the United States, the views are similar in other parts of the world. Therefore, leaders within the orphan care movement are eager to change the perceptions and help Christians understand and financially support the new family-based models. A success story from Rwanda The first panelist who was introduced was Patrick Rutikanga who transformed an orphanage in Kigali into a trauma-informed community center for vulnerable children and their families. Rutikanga shared the story of the orphanage his grandparents founded in Rwanda in 1946. It started simply by taking children into their home and later, their number grew to about sixty children before the genocide started in 1994. But once the genocide began, the orphanage ended up becoming a safe house for some 400 mostly Tutsi children whom they protected amid the killings. After that time, there were a lot of orphans obviously, but we wanted to work with the government to try to see how they can reintegrate children with families, he said. But there were a lot of wounds in the social fabric of the family, with many families deteriorated. So, children would go to families and then they would come back to the center. It wasn't until 2012 where the government of Rwanda reinstated the policy again, working with different international organizations, churches and ministries and individual people, to see how kids could be integrated in families. At that time, we had 125 children. And from 2012 to 2014, all of them were able to be reintegrated in families, he said. Asked about the challenges they faced in the transition away from orphanage to community center that serves families, Rutikanga acknowledged that it was not an easy journey. Of course there are a lot of challenges, but what I do really see as a big challenge is the mindset, the shift from industrial mindset to relational mindset, he said. We tend to think about what our kids need: education, yes, clothing, yes, food, yes. But there is more to that. Sometimes, even for our partners, it's so hard to really show them the other path and seeing beyond the immediate situation. These kids really need more than just clothing, objects and food. They need affection and love from a family-based care, he emphasized. According to the book of James, true religion is The second panelist to speak was Phil Aspegren, the founder of Casa Viva, a ministry specializing in promoting family-like solutions for children in different countries around the world. Referring to the Bible verse in James 1:27 that is frequently quoted in orphan context, he rhetorically asked: Is it true or false? True religion is building orphanages. Absolutely not, he said. That's not what true religion is. Instead, the focus should be on caring for the fatherless child and looking out for his or her best interest. Therefore, Casa Vivas focus is on changing the thinking of those who lead orphanages to go beyond institutional care. We're helping orphanages realize, We are not an orphanage. That's not why we exist. Instead, we are an organization that acts in the best interest of children, youth, and families, Aspegren explained. They can become an agency or a ministry that is more than just the orphanage. We've confused what is our goal with our method. Our method is an orphanage, but that's not our goal. Our goal is to care for children well. So that's the first thing that I point out. Children's homes are learning that they can do more than just care for children and families. They can be the solution that is reintegrating children back to biological families, he said. The second step is to move towards a personalization of care that looks at the needs of each individual child and finds ways to get them out of the institution and back into a family. Many of us in this room started this work in an orphanage, but who among us said, you know what I really hope to do? I hope to institutionalize children. No, nobody said that. Everybody wants to do well and we're doing the best that we can knowing what we knew, Aspegren said. With the personalization of care, the goal is to humanize each child and to say: if we have 25 children living here in our orphanage, we're going to need 25 solutions because there are no two children who are the same, no two children who need the same thing. And we need to create the right solution for each child. Casa Viva works with a spectrum that considers the situation of the child. The first and ideal scenario is always to bring the children back into the original family. Can we get these children back with their own moms and dads? What would have to change? How could we support those children with their own parents? Aspegren explains, illustrating the shift away from simply placing a child into an institution and towards making every effort to actually find solutions that resolve the root issues. If moving them back into the original core family is not possible, the next best option is the extended family. And if that is not possible, they would explore what it would take to see the children adopted or cared for long-term in a family. It is possible, Aspegren emphasized. We are seeing children's homes around the world making the shift from just offering a children's home, just offering this facility, to become a program that offers full spectrums of care, having social workers, finding those biological families and go out visiting those kids when they reunify them. They also start developing prevention programs, developing foster care and adoption programs. It is possible, he said and pointed out how the results are incomparably different as entire families are cared for and restored. In many cases, children end up in institutionalized care not because their parents died and there is no one left but because their life circumstances dont allow them to care for them. The new paradigm, therefore, looks at the whole family situation. Returning to James 1:27, Aspegren then asked one more rhetorical question, The Bible says your true religion is this caring for orphans. Is it true or false? Its half true, he cautioned, adding that we care for orphans, but we skip the second part! True religion is caring for orphans, that is correct, but it is only us that separate the orphan from the widow. Many times, the widow is the orphan's mom, he said. And we need to learn to love the widows in the same way that we're loving the orphan. Toronto Dominion Bank reduced its position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report) by 3.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,371 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 771 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Banks holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $3,963,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.2% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 7,072 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,403,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 27.5% in the first quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 1,467 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $293,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new position in Huntington Ingalls Industries in the first quarter worth about $60,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 23.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 10,885 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 2,035 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 5,360 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares during the period. 89.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Performance HII opened at $296.43 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.34, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a fifty day moving average of $267.89 and a 200 day moving average of $240.38. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $188.51 and a fifty-two week high of $298.19. Huntington Ingalls Industries Announces Dividend Huntington Ingalls Industries ( NYSE:HII Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The aerospace company reported $6.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.27 by $2.63. The firm had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 18.12% and a net margin of 5.95%. The businesss revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.07 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.41%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total value of $237,321.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 19,100 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,036,479. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total transaction of $237,321.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 19,100 shares in the company, valued at $5,036,479. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Nicolas G. Schuck sold 1,293 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.28, for a total transaction of $376,625.04. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,250 shares in the company, valued at $655,380. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 8,472 shares of company stock worth $2,398,345. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently issued reports on HII shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $257.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Huntington Ingalls Industries Huntington Ingalls Industries Profile (Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Free Report) by 200.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,061 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after buying an additional 1,376 shares during the quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRCs holdings in Teledyne Technologies were worth $842,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 944 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $378,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Teledyne Technologies by 26.5% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 129 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its position in Teledyne Technologies by 6.2% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 481 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $198,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 32.2% during the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 115 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 5.5% in the third quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 540 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $221,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.57% of the companys stock. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Robert Mehrabian sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.75, for a total transaction of $20,537,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 196,052 shares in the company, valued at $80,528,359. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Robert Mehrabian sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.75, for a total value of $20,537,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 196,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $80,528,359. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Kenneth C. Dahlberg sold 4,000 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $432.91, for a total value of $1,731,640.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 18,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,110,568.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 74,206 shares of company stock valued at $30,707,174. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TDY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Needham & Company LLC decreased their price objective on Teledyne Technologies from $522.00 to $510.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com raised shares of Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Teledyne Technologies has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $515.67. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on TDY Teledyne Technologies Trading Up 0.9 % TDY opened at $428.72 on Tuesday. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a 1-year low of $364.98 and a 1-year high of $448.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market cap of $20.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.17, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.02. The companys 50 day moving average is $432.59 and its 200-day moving average is $413.96. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $5.44 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.04 by $0.40. Teledyne Technologies had a net margin of 15.72% and a return on equity of 10.81%. The company had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.46 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.94 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 20.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Teledyne Technologies Profile (Free Report) Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Teledyne Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teledyne Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 171,742 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,382 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corps holdings in EOG Resources were worth $21,770,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of EOG. State Street Corp lifted its stake in EOG Resources by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,299,584 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $4,161,014,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005,328 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in EOG Resources by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 33,923,655 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $3,882,219,000 after purchasing an additional 3,348,650 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in EOG Resources by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,937,070 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,639,903,000 after purchasing an additional 145,691 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in EOG Resources by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,183,166 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,391,507,000 after purchasing an additional 368,745 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in EOG Resources by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 10,475,545 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,198,821,000 after purchasing an additional 197,796 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.21% of the companys stock. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Price Performance NYSE:EOG traded up $1.36 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $117.19. The stock had a trading volume of 459,684 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,241,150. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 2.44 and a quick ratio of 2.13. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $98.52 and a 12 month high of $136.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $67.97 billion, a PE ratio of 8.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.39. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $115.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.24. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 23rd. The energy exploration company reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.18 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.38% and a net margin of 31.40%. EOG Resourcess revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.30 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.63 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 15th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.11%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.98%. Analyst Ratings Changes EOG has been the subject of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $145.00 price objective on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Monday. KeyCorp cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $157.00 to $147.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Bank of America downgraded shares of EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $147.00 to $140.00 in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $134.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $150.00 to $138.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $142.40. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG Resources EOG Resources Profile (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial Corp lowered its stake in shares of ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE Free Report) by 4.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 374,546 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 18,597 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp owned approximately 0.65% of ALLETE worth $19,776,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in shares of ALLETE by 85.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 566 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of ALLETE by 105.4% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 460 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of ALLETE in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of ALLETE by 131.3% in the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 710 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 403 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in shares of ALLETE by 921.4% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 715 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 645 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.94% of the companys stock. Get ALLETE alerts: ALLETE Stock Performance ALE stock traded up $0.59 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $58.42. 22,246 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 290,918. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.36 billion, a PE ratio of 13.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.75. ALLETE, Inc. has a 52 week low of $49.29 and a 52 week high of $66.69. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $59.29 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 1.24. ALLETE Increases Dividend ALLETE ( NYSE:ALE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The utilities provider reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.97 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $402.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $425.21 million. ALLETE had a return on equity of 7.31% and a net margin of 13.15%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.90 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that ALLETE, Inc. will post 3.75 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th were given a $0.705 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from ALLETEs previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.83%. ALLETEs payout ratio is 65.58%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on ALE shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on ALLETE from $57.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Guggenheim upgraded ALLETE from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $58.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Sidoti downgraded ALLETE from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $64.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $58.60. View Our Latest Research Report on ALLETE ALLETE Company Profile (Free Report) ALLETE, Inc operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. In addition, the company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 non-affiliated municipal customers. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ALLETE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ALLETE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report) by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 223,229 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 32,454 shares during the period. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in Unum Group were worth $10,981,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Unum Group by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,545,767 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $174,416,000 after purchasing an additional 313,482 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Unum Group by 31.8% in the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 320,451 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $15,762,000 after acquiring an additional 77,352 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association raised its holdings in Unum Group by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 12,530 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $616,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Unum Group by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 15,762 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $775,000 after acquiring an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $281,000. 79.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Unum Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Unum Group In other news, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $250,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,772,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.77% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Unum Group Trading Up 1.2 % Shares of NYSE:UNM traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $50.24. 183,846 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,514,244. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.27. Unum Group has a 1 year low of $36.27 and a 1 year high of $52.15. The firm has a market cap of $9.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.86. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $47.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $46.87. Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.07). Unum Group had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 16.03%. The business had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.43 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 8.19 EPS for the current year. Unum Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 26th were given a $0.365 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.91%. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 22.50%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on UNM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Unum Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $55.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Unum Group from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Unum Group from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Unum Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $55.44. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNM Unum Group Company Profile (Free Report) Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block and Corporate segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ Free Report) had its target price upped by Piper Sandler from $18.00 to $21.00 in a report published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock. UTZ has been the subject of several other research reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Utz Brands from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Mizuho started coverage on shares of Utz Brands in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price objective on the stock. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on shares of Utz Brands from $20.00 to $20.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday. DA Davidson started coverage on Utz Brands in a research note on Friday. They set a neutral rating and a $20.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Utz Brands from $18.00 to $13.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $17.73. Get Utz Brands alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Utz Brands Utz Brands Price Performance Utz Brands stock opened at $17.98 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.42. The business has a fifty day moving average of $17.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.93. Utz Brands has a one year low of $11.17 and a one year high of $19.21. The company has a market cap of $2.53 billion, a P/E ratio of -58.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.96. Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $352.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $354.63 million. Utz Brands had a positive return on equity of 6.08% and a negative net margin of 1.73%. The businesss revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.15 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Utz Brands will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Utz Brands Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 18th were given a $0.057 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $0.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.27%. Utz Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently -74.19%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Utz Brands news, Director Roger K. Deromedi sold 32,052 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.10, for a total value of $612,193.20. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,516,652 shares of the companys stock, valued at $67,168,053.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, major shareholder Series U. Of Um Partners, Llc sold 446,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.40, for a total transaction of $7,764,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 397,885 shares in the company, valued at $6,923,199. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Roger K. Deromedi sold 32,052 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.10, for a total value of $612,193.20. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,516,652 shares in the company, valued at $67,168,053.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 516,955 shares of company stock valued at $9,113,302 over the last quarter. Insiders own 16.84% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Utz Brands Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in Utz Brands by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 19,342 shares of the companys stock worth $316,000 after buying an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in shares of Utz Brands by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 25,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $400,000 after acquiring an additional 638 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Utz Brands by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 10,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $160,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. lifted its stake in Utz Brands by 17.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 5,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 877 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Utz Brands by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 17,984 shares of the companys stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 877 shares during the last quarter. 49.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Utz Brands (Get Free Report) Utz Brands, Inc operates as a snack food manufacturing company. It offers a range of salty snacks, including potato chips, kettle chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, cheese snacks, pork skins, pub/party mixes, salsa and queso, ready-to-eat popcorn, veggies, and other snacks under the Utz, Zapp's, ON THE BORDER, Golden Flake, Good Health, Boulder Canyon, Hawaiian, TGI Fridays, TORTIYAHS!, and other brand names. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Utz Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Utz Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (NYSE:AIO Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Monday, March 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a dividend of 0.15 per share on Monday, April 29th. This represents a yield of 8.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 10th. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has raised its dividend payment by an average of 11.5% annually over the last three years. Get Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund alerts: Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Stock Down 1.0 % AIO stock traded down $0.20 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $19.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 14,777 shares, compared to its average volume of 141,778. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has a twelve month low of $15.09 and a twelve month high of $20.25. The companys fifty day moving average price is $18.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.53. Insider Buying and Selling at Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund news, Director Connie D. Mcdaniel purchased 2,925 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $17.10 per share, for a total transaction of $50,017.50. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at $50,017.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its stake in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 550,778 shares of the companys stock worth $8,917,000 after purchasing an additional 8,071 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its stake in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 536,183 shares of the companys stock worth $11,721,000 after purchasing an additional 35,686 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 357,717 shares of the companys stock worth $6,224,000 after purchasing an additional 5,375 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 267,681 shares of the companys stock worth $4,420,000 after purchasing an additional 5,778 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 39.5% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 267,380 shares of the companys stock worth $5,845,000 after buying an additional 75,695 shares during the period. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Fund seeks to generate a stable income stream and growth of capital by focusing on one of the most significant long-term secular growth opportunities in markets today. A multi-asset approach based on fundamental research is employed, dynamically allocating to attractive segments of a companys debt and equity in order to offer an attractive risk/reward profile. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Q&A Building Consistent Communication for Student Success At San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District in Central Texas, transparency and communication are critical to student success. The district serves 8,300 students across 12 campuses and has had its share of communication challenges from technology access issues, to language barriers, to out-of-date contact information. We spoke with Andrew Fernandez, chief of communications and technology for the district, about how technology can help overcome those barriers and how consistent communication between educators and families builds relationships, trust, and a foundation of student support. THE Journal: Your role at San Marcos CISD brings together communications and technology. Why is that combination important? Fernandez: We are a one-to-one district: Every student and every classroom teacher has their own device. We've spent a lot of money and a lot of hours training our staff on how to use different technology platforms, including our SchoolStatus communication platform. So we just felt like communications and technology, they really go hand-in-hand. In order to be an effective communicator as a district, you've got to have the right foundation of technology in place. THE: What have been your biggest challenges with communication? What keeps you up at night? Fernandez: We have a lot of families that move in and out of San Marcos, so the biggest struggle for us was having active phone numbers for our families. Two years ago, we moved all of our registration online and now we have active e-mail addresses; we have active cell phones; we get reports when cell phones are not in use. So that helps us stay up-to-date with contact information for our families. Another challenge has been the language barrier. A lot of our teachers don't speak Spanish, and we are a predominantly Hispanic school district. For a good chunk of our population, Spanish is their first language. What kept me up at night was that language barrier: We don't want to neglect that 20% of our population. We want them to feel just as important as our 80% of population who speak English as their first language. Are we getting ahold of everyone in our district? There's no way that we can have our families included in their students' academic success if we're not able to communicate with them. THE: Does language impact what families' communication preferences are? Fernandez: Yes. This is my 10th year in school communications, and I've seen the growth of e-mail, but text messaging has become so second nature to us now. And our Spanish-speaking families are used to text messaging now. I remember when I started, unlimited text messaging was something you had to pay extra for. Now, unlimited text messaging is just standard across all networks. So that has helped bring down the barriers as well. Last school year, I think we sent over a million text messages back and forth. That number is huge a million text messages in one academic year. That just shows how much we are communicating with our families, and how comfortable our families are communicating with our teachers. THE: Is there such a thing as too much communication? What messaging strategy is the best way to engage parents? Fernandez: Our biggest thing is consistency. When it comes to a tardy or an absence, that's a phone call. We want our parents to be able differentiate: If you got a call, it's probably about your kid not showing up to school or being tardy. The text messaging piece is more about maintaining the relationship between the teacher and the parent. If we're messaging you, it's because there's an academic concern or an academic success. Something we say at San Marcos is: Don't just reach out to families to share concerns, but share the wins as well. If parents are just hearing the concerns from teachers, then they see it as a negative connotation. But if we're preaching the successes too, then it's a relationship. A big misconception that I had to get our principals on board with is transparency. For example, if there's a gun on campus, our safety protocols go into play, and the gun is confiscated within minutes. That's a win that we need to communicate with our families. We don't want a weapon on campus, but if it's confiscated within minutes, that means our safety protocols worked. If something bad happens at our school, we can't be the one to decide, should we tell the parents this or should we tell them that? We really have to be transparent and tell them the good, the bad, and the ugly. That just builds trust. The SchoolStatus platform helps us communicate with our families with transparency and consistency. It provides that relationship piece. THE: Can you walk through how you onboard parents on the platform? Fernandez: We tell our teachers to send an initial text at the beginning of the year. And on our back-to-school nights, even prior to school starting, we verify parents' contact information and let them know this is a number you're going to receive a text message from. Text messages go straight to your cell phone inbox, and the relationship starts right there. For example, yesterday I got a text message from my child's art teacher. And it says, "This message is powered by SchoolStatus from San Marcos CISD." The message pops up, and the teacher had sent me a picture of my son with paint all over his shirt. She was nervous that I was going to be upset about the paint. So something as simple as that she's just letting me know, "Hey, you're going to have to do an extra little laundry tonight." And I said, "Hey, you can't make you can't make a masterpiece without getting a little paint on your shirt." It's that relationship that we've built that has torn down any barriers and makes you feel part of the classroom. THE: How do you see communication and transparency linked to student success? Fernandez: If you think about the old model of communicating with parents, there's a parent-teacher conference either once every nine weeks or once every progress report. But with SchoolStatus, we're able to communicate with our families on a weekly basis. I get a weekly check-in from my child's teacher, and it takes me to a link where I see what assignments they're working on and what upcoming tests and assessments they have coming up. For example, my daughter was recently diagnosed with dyslexia. That's very brand new to me, and something that has been a cloud over my head is, what can I do to make sure that she's successful in class? Now I'm getting weekly updates from her dyslexia teachers. I got my child's progress report, and I was able to give immediate feedback to her teachers to ask, what can she do to make sure she gets an A next over the next four or five weeks? And then boom, they sent me examples of her work. They sent me examples of test questions that are coming up, what assessments I should be looking out for, what booklets they're sending home. I don't have to wait every four or five weeks to get an update on her learning. I get that every day. As a parent, your biggest fear is the unknown. And at San Marcos, there is no unknown because of how well we communicate with our families. A judge in Pakistan on Friday (March 1) acquitted two Christian brothers of false blasphemy charges that had led to Muslims attacking Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala last year, sources said. Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Judge Muhammad Hussain ordered the acquittal of Umar Saleem, alias Rocky, and Umair Saleem, alias Raja, after a police investigation showed they had been framed by three other Christians who bore personal enmity toward them, said Tahir Bashir, the brothers attorney. The three Christians who made the false accusations of desecrating the Quran and writing blasphemous words have been arrested and charged with blasphemy, he said. The brothers are free and are with their family now, Bashir told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. However, it is not safe for them to return to Jaranwala due to a serious threat to their lives. Though they have been acquitted from the court, there have been multiple instances where people accused of blasphemy have been killed by vigilantes despite being found innocent by the courts. Hundreds of Christians had fled Jaranwala when rioters attacked on Aug. 16, setting church buildings ablaze and raiding homes. The mob was estimated to have numbered around 5,000 at its peak, spurred by mosque loudspeakers announcing the Quran had been desecrated and derogatory words written against Muhammad, Islams prophet. A police investigation exonerated both Christians, after which the court set them free, Bashir said. I filed an application under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code [CrPC] contending that no incriminating material was available against the two brothers, and nothing had been recovered from their possession, so proceeding against them would be a futile exercise, Bashir said. Section 265-K empowers courts to acquit a suspect at any time, even prior to the filing of charges. Bashir said that after hearing his arguments, the court acquitted both brothers, and they were released following his order. The brothers had been charged under sections of Pakistans notorious blasphemy law with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings (Sections 295-A), defiling the Quran (295-B) and derogatory remarks about Muhammad (295-C), which carries a mandatory death penalty. They were also charged under Section 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which pertains to the prohibition of acts intended or likely to stir up sectarian hatred. To date, no death sentence has been carried out under Pakistans blasphemy laws. Dozens of Christian homes and about 20 church buildings were damaged and ransacked by Muslim mobs in Jaranwala after the accusations surfaced. Faisalabad police detained more than 300 suspects. Justices at the Supreme Court, also hearing a case related to the Jaranwala attacks, said at a recent hearing that they regretted that state officials become intimidated by troublemakers who incite people to attack properties of religious minorities. The court also rejected a report by the Punjab government, with justices noting that the manner in which police carried out the investigation and apparent hesitation in identifying culprits would only bring disrepute to the force. Pakistans blasphemy laws, vehemently upheld by Islamist parties, mandate the death penalty for defaming Muhammad and make insulting the Quran or Islam punishable with life imprisonment. Unproven allegations of offending Islam can lead to murders and lynchings. Christians, who make up less than 2 percent of Pakistans population, are among the lowest social strata and frequently fall victim to baseless blasphemy claims. Other religious minorities, as well as politicians, lawyers, and students, have been killed over similar accusations or for defending those accused of blasphemy. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. COLUMBIA -- Sixteen products advanced in the third annual Manufacturing Madness contest presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. The winner will earn the title of Coolest Thing Made in SC. Nominations were accepted Feb. 12-22 resulting in 166 nominated products. The public voted Feb. 26-29 for their favorites, and more than 56,000 votes were cast to determine which of the top 16 vote-getters would advance to the bracket. Voters can visit scmanufacturingmadness.com to select a winner from each pairing in the bracket, cutting the field in half each week until the ultimate winner is selected from the top 4. The winner will be announced in a ceremony at the Statehouse on March 28. The 2024 Top 16 finalists are: 1. Next-Gen USPS Delivery Vehicle, Oshkosh Defense, Spartanburg 2. Honda Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Valve, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing, Florence 3. TGIF Baby Back Ribs, Spartanburg Meat Processing Company, Inc., Spartanburg 4. 9-Speed Automatic Transmission, ZF Transmissions, Laurens 5. BMW XM Plug-In Hybrid, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC, Spartanburg 22-13592 First F-16 Block 70 Marketing Shoot GP22-0036 The F-16, which is made by Lockheed Martin at its facility in Greenville, won the SC Manufacturing Madness contest in 2023. 6. High Noon Sun Sips, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Chester 7. Counterbalance Trucks, KION North America, Dorchester 8. M240 Series Machine Guns, FN Manufacturing, LLC, Richland 9. Dixie Paper Plates, Georgia-Pacific, Darlington 10. Fire Sprinklers, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., Pickens 11. Kazoobie Kazoos, Kazoobie Kazoos, LLC, Beaufort 12. 670LXS, Scout Boats, Dorchester 13. Michelin Earthmover Mining Tire, Michelin, Lexington 14. Reishi, MycoWorks, Union 15. Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed, Sleep Number, Richland 16. Signa Hero MRI Scanner, GE HealthCare, Florence Created by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, the Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in SC contest debuted in 2022. The F-16 Fighting Falcon made by Lockheed Martin in Greenville won the contest in 2023, and Steel made by Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger won the inaugural contest in 2022. An Orangeburg man is in prison after admitting to a Dec. 1, 2022 carjacking. Darrius Jaamar Gardner, 31, of 1120 Wolfe Trail, pleaded guilty to carjacking without great bodily harm during a recent term of court before Circuit Judge Heath P. Taylor. Taylor sentenced Gardner to prison for seven years. Gardner was given credit for having already served 413 days in jail. The victim told Orangeburg Department of Public Safety officers that he left home around 5:30 a.m. for work. He was driving down Stonewall Jackson Boulevard near Airport Road when Gardner allegedly waved him down. The victim felt safe because he and Gardner went to school together and were acquaintances, according to an incident report. Gardner asked the driver for a ride to the store. The victim said hed take him there. As Gardner got into the front passenger seat, the victim also heard the rear door open. At that point, two unknown men got into the backseat, he said. The pair placed a gun in the victims side and told him to, Drive, m - - - - - f - - - - -, drive, the warrant claims. The victim then turned right onto U.S. Highway 21. Gardner and the two other passengers forced the gearshift into park, the warrant states. When the SUV stopped, the men reached into the victims pockets, the incident report said. The victims shirt and pants were ripped in the process. As the victim ran from the scene, the three men left in the SUV the victim was driving. The victim tried to get the attention of motorists, but no one would stop. He walked to the nearby Sunoco gas station where he called police. He also called his girlfriend to let her know what happened to her 2017 silver Dodge Journey. Law enforcement found the SUV abandoned near a Dunwoody Road residence. The Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office assisted with the case. In other recent guilty pleas at the Orangeburg County Courthouse: Steven Antonio Banks, 40, of 1415 John C. Calhoun Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence. Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Banks already served 101 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Banks must complete a domestic violence intervention program. Dallas Olin Funchess, 43, of 155 Cavalier Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to possession of implements capable of being used in a crime, third-degree domestic violence and first-offense possession of scheduled narcotics. Taylor sentenced Funchess to prison for two years and gave him credit for having already served 172 days in jail. Funchess faced the following charges, but they were dismissed: malicious injury to personal property valued $2,000 or less; safecracking; second or subsequent offense possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and receiving stolen goods valued $2,000 or less. Antonio Rashawn Green, 30, of 902 Calhoun Street, Rowesville, pleaded guilty to second-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug. Taylor sentenced him to prison for five years. Because Green already served one day in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Hes also required to undergo random drug/alcohol testing. Green faced the charge of possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, but it was dismissed. Cornelius Edward Johnson, 37, of 102 Summer Lane, Santee, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence. Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Johnson already served 258 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Hes also required to complete a domestic violence intervention program. Johnson was also charged with three counts of unlawfully placing a child at risk, but those charges were dismissed. Ricardo Jones, 38, of 702 Stilton Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery. Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Jones already served 123 days in jail, his term was suspended to probation for two years. Stephen Christopher Luner, 33, of 4104 Stillwood Circle, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to violent second-degree burglary, although he was originally charged with first-degree burglary. Taylor sentenced him to six years in prison. Luner was given credit for having already served 294 days in jail. James Anthony Miller, 59, of 1465 Campus Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to indecent exposure. Taylor sentenced him to 596 days in jail and gave him credit for time served. Dominique Nikole Ileen Rynes, 30, of 112 Tropicana Court, Bowman, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a scheduled narcotic. Taylor sentenced her to nine days in jail and gave her credit for time served. Virginia Lynn Skipper, 41, of 158 Hi Ridge Road, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a controlled substance and first-offense possession of other controlled substance. Taylor sentenced her to six months in prison. Because Skipper already served 56 days in jail, her term was suspended to probation for two years. Shes also required to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing. Jermaine Devaine Thompson, 46, of 120 Sprinkle Avenue, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of cocaine. Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years. Because Thompson already served one day in jail, his term was suspended to probation for one year. Hes also required to undergo random drug/alcohol testing. Thompson was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school, but that charge was dismissed. Zachary Alexander Addison, 22, of 405 Fountain Lake Drive, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol. Taylor sentenced him to probation for one year. Mar. 1A judge dismissed mob assault charges Friday against the political director for the South Carolina Republican Party and her mother. Get TheTandD.com for $1 for 26 weeks Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com. View our latest offer at https://thetandd.com/subscribe. Braylee Estep, 22, of Columbia, and Michele Estep, 53, of Conway, were arrested by Conway Police on Jan. 3 and Jan. 2, respectively, on charges of third-degree assault and battery by a mob . Another woman, Katie Richelle Turvey, 26, of Conway, was arrested Jan. 4 on the same charges related to the incident. The three woman in December allegedly hit a person multiple times who had been drinking at Stalvey's Watering Hole, located at 1609 4th Ave. in Conway, according to a police report. Michele Estep owns the bar. Turvey also faces charges of petit larceny and malicious injury to personal property after taking a Stanley Cup from the victim's vehicle and repeatedly striking the vehicle several times with the cup, leaving dents, the report said. The dismissal came during a preliminary hearing for the charges against the mother and daughter. Turvey was not present during Friday's preliminary hearing. The women's attorney, Natasha Hannah, successfully argued that the charge required premeditation, but that there was none based on the officer's testimony that Braylee Estep was inside the bar and her mother outside the bar sitting on the curb before the altercation began. There is no video of the altercation. The officer said that video was requested but was unavailable. Hannah argued that the witness statements "were not reliable," and that it wasn't possible for the women to plan the attack since they were not together before it happened. Neither Braylee nor Michele Estep were available for comment after the hearing. Their attorney was also unavailable. Braylee Estep is still listed as the political director for the state GOP party. Since her arrest, officials from the state Republican Party have not returned several messages seeking comment. What happened that night Police responded about 11 p.m. Dec. 23 to a report of vandalism, according to a police report. When officers arrived, the victim and a witness told police that while drinking at the bar, Turvey's boyfriend began to make them feel uncomfortable by hanging his arms over their shoulders. Turvey allegedly began to shake her head and call the victim and witness vulgar names. The victim and witness then decided to leave and the "bickering" continued between the two parties in the parking lot. Michele Estep allegedly heard the victim say something negative about her daughter, the report said. Braylee Estep then came to the vehicle and began to bang on the window. The victim and witness were inside the vehicle at the time. Braylee Estep and Turvey came out of the bar after hearing the commotion and also came to the vehicle, the report said. At some point the door of the vehicle was opened by one of the women, the report said. At that time, all three women began to hit the unnamed victim several times with their hands, causing injury, the report stated. Turvey then allegedly grabbed the Stanley cup from the vehicle's cup holder and began to bang it on the vehicle, placing dents into it. The victims were able to put the vehicle in reverse and leave, and then called police. The report said all of those involved, except for the witness, were "highly" intoxicated. Florida is experiencing a measles outbreak with 9 people currently infected. Measles is not just a rash, and shouldnt be something to dismiss. Heres what experts recommend. Veuers Chloe Hurst has the story! (TBTCO) - Sang nay, gia vang the gioi chua co bien ong moi. Cac chuyen gia cho rang, quan iem va quyet inh lai suat cua cac ngan hang trung uong se tac ong en huong i cua vang tuan nay. Trong nuoc, tai thoi iem 6h30, vang SJC tai Ha Noi van uoc niem yet o moc 81,72 trieu ong/luong o chieu ban ra. at hon gia vang the gioi 15,684 trieu ong/luong. (TBTCO) - Nam 2023 a at ra nhieu thach thuc cho thi truong bat ong san Viet Nam, thoi ky kho khan nay co con tiep dien? Nhung co hoi moi nao se mo ra cho thi truong bat ong san nha o trong nam 2024? Cac chuyen gia cho rang, cac yeu to ve chinh sach va phap ly ang trong lo trinh sua oi va thong qua, am bao tinh ong bo va thong nhat se gop phan khien niem tin thi truong uoc cai thien, tu o giup thi truong phuc hoi trong nam 2024. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). 'I'm so excited to have opportunity to serve my country and people,' says Taiwan-born NPC deputy from Hong Kong 09:55, March 05, 2024 By Xing Xiaojing, Xu Keyue and Dong Wanhe ( Global Times Ling Yu-shih File Photo: Xinhua "I am an ordinary Taiwan-born scholar who later went to Hong Kong and had the opportunity to serve the country and the people. I'm so excited to participate in the two sessions," Ling Yu-shih, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), told the Global Times on Monday. Ling brought her proposals related to education and culture during the two sessions. As a Taiwan-born lawmaker who is based in Hong Kong, she also pays attention to policies and proposals related to the two regions. As this year marks the 5th anniversary of the release of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, "Hong Kong's mega-event economy" and "Hong Kong's economic prospects" have become the focus of public attention. "In the process of promoting Chinese modernization and building high-quality development, the Greater Bay Area has achieved a lot, with Hong Kong playing an important role," said Ling, who previously served as a senior research director in the Central Policy Unit in the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. "Hong Kong has fully utilized its technological advantages in trade, 'dual carbon' initiatives, and agricultural product improvement, as well as its expertise in accounting, law, and property rights protection, actively participating in the construction of the Greater Bay Area," she told the Global Times. Given that China has maintained good cooperation with Arab countries for a long time, Ling believes that there is potential for investment in the Greater Bay Area from Middle Eastern Arab countries. She explained that compared to the virtual economy, Middle Eastern investors prefer to invest in the real economy. The relationship between China and the Arab world has a long history and the two sides have similar cultural backgrounds. Middle Eastern funds could become a new growth investment driver for the Greater Bay Area. The future Greater Bay Area will definitely be a combination of tradition and innovation, with diverse elements in an internationalized region, she said. During the two sessions, Ling proposed that the successful experience of Hong Kong and Macao under the principle of One Country, Two Systems should be better demonstrated to the island of Taiwan. She mentioned that Hong Kong universities could try to promote its attraction to Taiwan students, and more cross-Straits civic activities could be held. After the "malicious collision incident" in which Taiwan authorities chased a mainland fishing boat and caused it to capsize in waters near Kinmen Island, just a few kilometers off Xiamen city, Fujian Province, leading to the deaths of two mainland fishermen on February 14, the DPP authorities did not express any apologies and even tried to cover up the truth and shift the blame. When discussing the tense situation in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters, Ling told the Global Times that "My father, who was a former deputy naval commander of the Kuomintang Navy, participated in the 1958 Taiwan Straits Crisis [also known as the Artillery Action against Kinmen in China]. People on both sides of the Straits agree that it was a civil war among the Chinese people to resolve internal conflicts. No matter how it was fought, the one-China principle was never abandoned. Not advocating for 'Taiwan independence' and not betraying the country are the consensus between the two sides." Ling said Taiwan regional authorities clearly tried to elevate the Xiamen-Kinmen waters to the so-called "Taiwan sovereignty," but in fact, China's territorial sovereignty has not been divided, and the Xiamen-Kinmen waters belong to China. The Chinese lawmaker stated that there is no such thing as a "Taiwan sovereignty issue." Fishermen from both sides of the Straits have been fishing together in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters for generations, helping each other, demonstrating the deep-seated affection between the Chinese people on both sides. The rhetoric of the DPP authorities exposes their serious "Taiwan independence" attempts, she added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) A Muslim cleric has come under heavy criticism after he called for the killing of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigerias First Lady. A video emerged of the cleric describing Senator Oluremi as an infidel who should be killed for being a pastor. Tinubus wife is an unbeliever and even among the unbelievers, she is a leader, said Idris Tenshi, an Islamic cleric during a sermon in the local Hausa language. The cleric quotes the Quran as a basis for his claims but did not provide the specific chapter or verse to back his claim justifying the call to kill the First Lady. She is among those that Allah has instructed us to kill because she is among the leaders of the unbelievers, he said in the undated video circulating on social media. Senator Oluremi is an ordained minister with the Redeemed Christian Church of God and is married to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim who served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. Following widespread condemnation, the cleric appeared on a recent video apologizing to the First Lady and admitted that his comments were a mistake. I would like to pass this message to Nigerians regarding a video circulating on social media. All the things I said were a mistake and I dont stand on the words I said. Other clerics have given me a proper explanation of the verse that I quoted, said the cleric. In a 2020 interview in TVC, Sen. Oluremi said that her faith has not been a source of conflict with President Tinubu. The point is he is quite respectful of my faith and if someone respects you it is quite right you show the same respect. He respects my faith, I respect his so there is no conflict, said Sen. Oluremi who gave her life to Christ when she was exiled to the US in the 80s. The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) called for the arrest and prosecution of the cleric urging security authorities to take urgent action against the cleric. The chairman of YOWICANs National Executive Council, Belusochukwo Enwere, in a statement said that the cleric should be restricted from preaching in Nigeria. The NEC is giving the federal government and security agencies to act immediately to avoid further deterioration of the security situation in the country because of the unguided statement or utterance, said Enwere. Chief convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Yakubu, also condemned the clerics comments terming them unacceptable. There has been rising cases of religious intolerance in Nigeria. 12 states in the North, for instance, have enacted penal sharia law and there have been increasing cases of lynching on the basis of illegal and unproven blasphemy accusations. In one of these states, Islamic police arrested a popular TikToker on 13 February for posting indecent and un-Islamic content. A report by the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa revealed that abductions and attacks on communities based on religion increased from 2020, 2021 and 2022 periods. The report included attacks by Islamist jihadists Boko Haram, herder-farmer conflicts and retaliatory attacks. In 2022, 4,877 Christians were killed. ENERGY Minister Stuart Young has taken umbrage at comments made by Ronald Harford, former chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, as he boasted about the success of the energy sector. Young said whenever somebody becomes a former, their mouth gets big, as he quoted from an article in Fridays Express report where Harford made critical comments. Over the last few years, Leon Coldero has arguably become just as renowned for his insatiable cuisine as he is as an entertainer. Having spent four decades in entertainment, giving soca parang lovers hits that never get old, opening his restaurant was just a natural progression for Coldero, who used the downtime during the Covid-19 pandemic, to delve full throttle into the restaurant business. A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime. This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco. With ten people murdered between Thursday and Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took to Facebook yesterday to assure citizens that State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a gun culture in Trinidad and Tobago. And in a voice note to the media, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said, We are determined to dismantle criminal gangs and make a difference in transforming impacted communities. There was nothing funny about the making of the movie Gone With the Wind, which went through 16 screenwriters, thousands of auditions, multiple directors and millions of dollars in reshoots. But this is very funny: Live Theatre Workshops production of Moonlight and Magnolias, which looks at the week that producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming and screenwriter Ben Hecht were locked in an office in an effort to come up with a definitive script for the movie after several writers, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, had failed. (It is a fact that the three holed up together for a week and worked on the script; how that went exactly comes from the mind of playwright Ron Hutchinson.) The three fought among themselves should the cruelty toward Black slaves be depicted or not, should Rhett Butler say the censored word damn in his famous line Frankly, my dear, I dont give a damn, should the language be lifted right from Margaret Mitchells book or not. All of those quandaries were actually presented in the creation of the movie, but this cast and the playwright make what was likely a humorless reality packed with easy laughs. Christopher Moselys Selznick was a perfectionist full of nervous energy, outrageous and meddling behavior and dictatorial tendencies. Mosely fully embraced the character. Matthew Copley beautifully embodied the screenwriter Hecht, who had never read the novel (true), fought to show the true treatment of slaves in the film (he lost), and lived on bananas and peanuts for the week that Selznick had him locked in the room doing rewrites (kind of true). Patrick Burke was a hoot as the macho director Fleming. He strode on stage, sporting an ascot and oozing testosterone. He was pulled off the set of The Wizard of Oz, grateful to be away from drunk munchkins and the 16-year-old Judy Garland, who he famously slapped on the Oz set because she couldnt stop laughing at the Cowardly Lions performance. (The slapping part is true; he only did it once he insisted in Moonlight.) Samantha Cormier, as Selznicks much mistreated secretary, had limited lines (mostly Yes, Mr. Selznick) but her face speaks volumes and her comedic timing is so supreme that all eyes were on her when she was on stage. A look from her brought squeals of laughter from the audience. Cormier also directed and she knew exactly how to draw every ounce of humor out of the script and actors. Sure, the play is a tad over-the-top, and the characters broad and one-dimensional. But, unlike the making of this movie, this production is great fun and well worth your time. Moonlight and Magnolias continues through March 24 at Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road. Tickets are $21-$23, with some discounts, at livetheatreworkshop.org or 520-327-4242. The show runs about two hours with one intermission. Cuban ballet icon Carlos Acosta is set to "make it snow in Havana" in his new version of the perennial Christmas classic, "The Nutcracker," which he announced the news of last Monday, March 4, as per The Guardian. The forthcoming "Nutcracker in Havana" show will be laced with "a Cuban twist," according to its official website, with Acosta weaving traditional cultural rhythms and dances native to the region with mainstay elements from the famed classical ballet. As for the music, Tchaikovsky's prototypical masterpiece will be revised by Cuban composer Pepe Gavilondo to better fit Acosta's Latin twist of the classic show. Behind Acosta's Vision of 'The Nutcracker' Growing up during Fidel Castro's reign in Havana in the first half of the 1970s, Acosta was unable to celebrate Christmas because of the Marxist-Leninist leader's ban on the holiday. He was only exposed to it as a 20-year-old in 1993, following his departure from the island nation to join the ranks of Houston Ballet. At the time he was living with the company's director and even recalls getting shocked at his first sighting of a Christmas tree. Across Acosta's 17 years performing with London's Royal Ballet, however, he was eventually won over by the "jolliest time of the year." Now, he sees Christmas as a time of "bringing everyone together," a message that he wants to spread with his fellow countrymen back in Cuba. Acosta's version of the classic holiday tale will be retelling the story of Clara, a magically animated Nutcracker doll, and their journey across a fantastical land of dreams through the culturally colorful lens of Cuban heritage. For one, Clara's quaint wooden hut will be refurbished into a '40s-style Havana ballroom. The iconic Nutcracker character will also be going through a Latin makeover, transforming into a depiction of a mambi, a guerilla independence soldier who fought Spain for Cuba's liberation. The manner in which the soldier toy springs to life will also be revised, as it takes the form of Yoruba gods and goddesses. Acosta's show will be borrowing help from new video projection technology and set design by Nina Dunn in his retelling and will populate roles in the 21-strong cast through picks from his Havana-based company, Acosta Danza. The cross-cultural ballet will hold its premiere at the Norwich Theatre Royal on Nov. 1, ahead of a nationwide tour in the UK. For more information on the "Nutcracker in Hava" show and its tour dates, click here. Read Also: Jobi Riccio to Perform with Brandy Clark in Gramercy Theatre and Levon Helm Studios Amid 2024 Tour's May Leg 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Visit Tucson on Tuesday, March 5, rolled out its inaugural Mexican Food Field Guide, an app that leads users to a trail of Tucsons celebrated Mexican restaurants, taquerias and food trucks. It is the tourism offices second experience-centric mobile app targeted to visitors and residents since it launched its Outdoor Adventure Field Guide a few months ago. The Mexican Food Field Guide builds on the citys UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation and its unofficial 23 Miles of Mexican Food food trail that crisscrosses every corner of the greater Tucson area. The app was a natural follow up to the 23 Miles campaign, which Visit Tucson and the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance kicked off in 2016, a year after Tucson was named the countrys first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The app, available through americasbestmexicanfood.com, lists 15 randomly selected Mexican restaurants out of the 170-plus that Visit Tucson has identified throughout the city. The list will regularly rotate with some of the restaurants offering discounts and freebies with purchase to entice customers. When you visit a restaurant on the app, you can get the restaurants unique four-digit pin number and check in, which is worth points that can be redeemed for Visit Tucson T-shirts, coffee mugs, stickers and other prizes. We want to create excitement, said Visit Tucson President and CEO Felipe Garcia. We know that consumers, especially visitors, like listings. When you put the Top 10, the Top 5 or 15 things to do, or guides to do this or that, these guided experiences are sought after by consumers. They want someone to curate an experience. Restaurants dont pay to be included in the app, Garcia said, and restaurant selection is random, limited to 15 so as not to overwhelm users. The inaugural list on Tuesday included the iconic El Charro Cafe downtown, El Minuto Cafe on South Main Avenue, Rollies Mexican Patio on the south side and Seis Kitchen in the Mercado and on South Sixth Avenue. We are trying to inspire local residents and visitors to go and try something different or something youve never heard of before, Garcia said. We have amazing Mexican food. PHOENIX Gov. Katie Hobbs late Monday quashed a bid by Republican legislators to allow state and local police to arrest those who entered the country illegally. This bill does not secure our border, the Democratic governor said in a brief veto message. She also said it will be harmful for communities and businesses in our state, and burdensome for law enforcement personnel. Hobbs also said the legislation presents significant constitutional concerns that would be certain to mire the state in costly and protracted litigation. That last point would have pretty much been a sure thing. The Arizona legislation was modeled after a similar Texas law. And on Monday the U.S. Supreme Court blocked that Texas measure from taking effect, at least until March 13, while it gives the U.S. Department of Justice the chance to weigh in. It also was the Department of Justice that more than a decade ago got the nations high court to void several key provisions of an Arizona law also designed to give police more power to detain and question people they suspected were not in the country legally. The governors move was not a surprise. Hobbs announced her intent late last month to veto the measure after the House and Senate gave it preliminary approval. The legislation would have made it a state crime for anyone who is an alien to enter the United States from any foreign nation other than at a port of entry. It would have authorized state or local police to enforce the law. Another provision would have allowed police to arrest anyone who is not a U.S. citizen who had been denied admission or already was ordered deported. The crimes would have been designated a misdemeanor, which generally carries a penalty of six months in county jail and a fine. But the measure really was designed to set up a process for deporting people, with judges allowed to drop the charges against those who voluntarily agreed to leave the country. Legislative Democrats knew Republicans had the votes for the plan. They also knew Hobbs would veto it. But that did not stop them from making floor speeches, saying it would lead to racial profiling. None of the Republicans supporting the bill explained how a police officer would know whether an individual entered the country somewhere other than a port of entry. Conversely, GOP lawmakers used the debate and the foregone conclusions the bill would pass and be vetoed from arguing failure of the federal government to secure the border entitles the state to step in. While Mondays veto ends discussion about this proposal, Hobbs has only limited power to shut down the debate in Arizona over border crossers and illegal immigration. The House already approved a separate measure that would add teeth to existing laws requiring employers to use the federal E-Verify program to determine whether the people they hire are in this country legally. HCR 2060 also would extend the requirement to use E-Verify when someone applies for public benefits. That measure, if approved by the Senate, would bypass the governor and go directly on the November ballot. Even Hobbs acknowledged Monday that such a proposal could gain significant support. I certainly understand that voters are frustrated and want to see something resolve this, Hobbs said. But the governor said problems at the border are a federal issue. And she was defensive about her own role in dealing with them. Its a mischaracterization to say my office hasnt done anything on border security, Hobbs said. Weve allocated tens of millions of dollars to local communities and law enforcement to mitigate the flow of fentanyl, to address security concerns. And were going to continue to do that. By contrast, Hobbs said, the measure to allow police to arrest border crossers didnt do anything to address border security issues that were facing. With the veto, the question of how far a state can go in enforcing federal immigration laws now will turn on what happens in the Texas case. Its law, like the one proposed here, would allow police to arrest those suspected of entering the country illegally. As with the Arizona proposal, those arrested could either face criminal charges or agree to leave the country voluntarily. In blocking implementation of the Texas law, U.S. District Court Judge David Ezra specifically cited the 2012 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that voided much of what Arizona lawmakers had enacted two years earlier in their own attempts to deal with illegal immigration. Noah Schramm, border policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, also mentioned the 2010 law in praising Hobbs veto Monday. He said the new measure would have sent Arizona back to a time when racial profiling ran rampant, and the states reputation and economy took a brutal blow. The measure Hobbs vetoed late Monday did have some exceptions. One of them was for individuals granted asylum. But there was no such protection for those who, after crossing the border, made applications for asylum and were allowed by the federal government to remain until that was resolved, a process that could take months or years. Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, one of the authors of the measure, released a statement calling the governors action a prime example of the chaos Hobbs is unleashing in our state while perpetuating this open border crisis as Bidens accomplice. Tucson-area charities are out in force, working to raise money through the Millions for Tucson raffle. The annual event, put on by automotive dealer Jim Click Jr., provides raffle tickets to local organizations free of charge, allowing participants to keep 100% of the funds raised to support programs and services. The tickets are sold to community members for $25 each or five for $100. This years grand prize is a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe. The second-place prize is two first-class, roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere in the world. Third prize is $5,000 cash. Last year, participating charities raised a record amount, more than $1.87 million, and this year we want to raise even more because every dollar raised stays right here in our community, Click said. We are so grateful to our charities, who do so much for our community, and for our community, who gives back in so many ways. This year, 120,000 raffle tickets will be issued to eligible nonprofits to sell before Dec. 6. Raffle winners will be announced Dec. 12. This is the 15th raffle that Click has conducted, collectively raising more than $15 million. To view participating organizations, visit millionsfortucson.org. Charities that would like to participate can call 520-342-5210 or email jimclickraffle@russellpublic.com for more information. Tucson police say they found a man who had been shot to death in an alley and that he was killed by a man whom he had assaulted and threatened with a gun. James Alvarado, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene late Saturday north of near North Oracle and East Navajo roads, the Tucson Police Department said Monday evening. Police described the shooter, whose name they did not release, as a victim in the incident. Police gave the following account in a news release: Just before 11 p.m. March 2, officers were patrolling near the 3300 block of North Oracle when they heard several gunshots. They began searching the area and were flagged down by two men near North Stone Avenue and East Navajo Road. One of the men, a 21-year-old, had sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot injury and the other, age 20, was not injured. While additional officers were searching the area, they found Alvarado in the alley. Detectives learned in their investigation that the two men who flagged down police were with another acquaintance in a nearby parking lot when Alvarado and another man came up and physically assaulted the three, police said. Alvarado showed a firearm and the three attempted to run away, but Alvarado and the other suspect chased them to the alley. Alvarado "began to assault one of the males, at which point one of the three victims discharged his firearm, striking Alvarado," the police news release said. The other suspect who was with Alvarado has not been caught, police said. Police did not release any of their names. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call 911 or 88-CRIME; "you can remain anonymous." Police body cam footage of the fatal shooting of a Tucson man by police last month has been released. Video released by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, the multi-agency team here that investigates officer-involved shootings, shows what transpired prior to the fatal shooting of Fabian Garcia, 23, during a domestic violence call. About 8:15 p.m. Feb 2, police went to the 300 block of North Silverbell Road for a report of gunfire. According to police, Garcia had been arguing with a woman in a home inside the Silverbell home arguing with a woman and began firing a rifle into the air with children inside the residence, authorities say. Before police SWAT and hostage negotiators arrived, Garcia opened the door armed with a rifle and was fatally shot. The officers who fired were identified as Chad Barker, a 9-year veteran; Devin Estes, a 12-year veteran; and Kyle Walker, and 8 year veteran. No one else was injured, police said. The completed investigation will be presented to the Pima County Attorney's Office, which is standard procedure. PHOENIX Gov. Katie Hobbs is criticizing state lawmakers from both parties who are taking a week off in the middle of the annual legislative session to go to Israel. We have important issues in front of us, including the need to pass a balanced budget, she said Monday. Its certainly not something Ive seen in state government, including all my years in the state Legislature. She was first elected to the Legislature in 2010. But the idea that having 17 lawmakers out of town is slowing up budget negotiations drew derision from House Speaker Ben Toma, who is one of those going on the trip. They werent ready to talk to us, the Peoria Republican said Friday, referring to the Governors Office, when the issue first arose. Theyve wanted more time. Hobbs acknowledged she isnt actively negotiating with legislative leaders about how to resolve what could be a nearly $2 billion shortfall for both the remainder of this fiscal year and the new one that begins July 1. Negotiating is a premature word, the Democratic governor said. We are having discussions at a staff level right now. Is she negotiating to negotiate, then? I mean, were getting there, Hobbs responded to that question. She said the trip is certainly putting a damper on things. But Toma said his presence isnt needed at this stage of the process. Weve got plenty of line items we can negotiate, he said, meaning allocations for specific projects. He said staff and the lawmakers remaining in the state are empowered to do it. Even if Im physically not here, if theyre somehow ready to have substantive conversations there, were ready to go, Toma said. Theres nothing to slow us down. Hobbs did not mention that she just returned from a multi-day trip to Mexico to promote international trade. There was no immediate response from her press aide, Christian Slater, about why it was OK for her to be out of state and out of the country while she says there are important issues that need attention. There also was no comment from Rep. Alma Hernandez, the Tucson Democrat who worked with itrek, a New York-based nonprofit, to organize the trip to Israel. Hernandez has defended the trip and the timing, saying it is important to educate state lawmakers about issues in Israel, particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. She said the trip relates directly to legislation here, including her efforts to include requirements for Holocaust education in public schools. Toma press aide Andrew Wilder said theres another reason for the 17 lawmakers from both parties to travel to Israel now. By sending a delegation, Arizona reaffirms its support for our friend and ally Israel, he said. But Toma, a Republican candidate for Congress, also made it about politics, saying that support is something that Democratic Party leaders have demonstrated much ambivalence toward recently. The trip itself became a political issue because the House had asked permission from the Senate to not meet for a week. That request came because the Arizona Constitution says one chamber cannot be gone for more than three days during a legislative session without the consent of the other. But senators voted 24-4 to deny it. PHOENIX Arizona property owners could seek a property tax refund if their city, town or county failed to take steps to clear out encampments, stop panhandling or abate other nuisances created by homelessness, under a measure the Legislature wants voters to approve in November. Republicans in the Senate voted Monday to place the measure on the ballot over objections from every Democrat. House Republicans approved the measure, sponsored by GOP House Speaker Ben Toma, last week, also with no support from minority Democrats. If voters approve it, property owners will be allowed to apply for a refund if they can show they had expenses because a city, town or county had a policy of not enforcing, or failed to enforce, laws including illegal camping, loitering, panhandling, public urination or defecation, public consumption of alcoholic beverages or drug use. This bill ensures that hardworking taxpayers will no longer be forced to bear the burden of the citys refusal to do its duty to protect the public health and safety, Toma, a Peoria Republican, said during a committee hearing on the measure last month. Toma said his measure was prompted in part by a fight between the city of Phoenix and business owners whose property is near a homeless encampment known as The Zone a half-mile from the state Capitol. Business owners in the area sued Phoenix over what they said was a public nuisance and a judge sided with them last year and ordered Phoenix to clear out the area. Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson, said residents in Pima County are living through a similar experience. Theres a running joke among the businesses in Tucson that we are The Zone, Wadsack said during the February House committee meeting. Tucson, the entire city, is a lot like The Zone here in Phoenix and we need help, the businesses need help. Senate President Warren Petersen agreed the measure is needed. We all know homelessness has been overtaking once-beautiful cities all over this country, the Gilbert Republican said when the measure was debated in a Senate committee. What it really boils down to is, when we have citizens who break laws, government has a lot of tools to go after citizens that dont follow the law, Petersen said. But when our government doesnt follow the law, or enforce our law, our citizens are limited on what they can do. Lobbyists for counties and cities said they were constrained by federal court rulings that prevent them from clearing out encampments if there are not enough shelter beds to house those people. Those rulings preventing many enforcement actions were issued by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Arizona and eight other states. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in January to consider those rulings that make it more difficult for Western cities to deal with people sleeping on the street when there are not enough shelter beds available. The appeal the high court will take up was filed by officials in Grants Pass, Oregon, but is backed by Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and governors from both parties who are struggling with their own homeless populations. Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson, urged her fellow senators to oppose the Arizona ballot effort, saying that removing funding from cities would make it harder for them to do what they can to address the homeless issue. She pointed to discussions that took place during a previous Senate committee hearing. We talked about all of the different things that cities use their funding for, that if you take away their funds might result in reduced services, Sundareshan said during Mondays Senate vote, things like police and other very important needed city services. And so Im so confused why were rushing to, in essence, defund the police when I know my colleagues on the other side have a problem with that, Sundareshan added. Still, the measure that voters will see in November is not as severe as first proposed. The earlier version would have allowed landowners to receive payment for the decreased value of their property if cities did not deal with the homeless problem. But that was scrapped amid questions about potential costs. The ballot referral is among at least 16 that are being considered in the Arizona Senate or House this year, many of which tackle culture war topics that have scant hope of being signed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Sending the issues to the voters bypasses Hobbs completely, since she cannot veto measures the Legislature sends directly to the ballot. Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, said Monday he struggled with the bill and was concerned that business owners could apply to have years of back property taxes refunded. So he read into the record his belief that the Legislature only intended refunds of the most recent year of taxes before voting yes. Welcome to a residence where originality is unmistakable, nestled within the prestigious and highly sought-after school district of Jenks. This exquisite five-bedroom, four-bathroom home stands as the pinnacle of luxury living at an affordable price, designed and crafted by the best to exemplify quality, sophistication, and elegance at every turn. Location becomes a defining feature as this home finds its place in the heart of Jenks. As you step into this remarkable residence, you are greeted by unmatched craftsmanship and design. The thoughtful layout, high-end finishes, and meticulous attention to detail set this home apart from the ordinary. The open-concept floor plan seamlessly connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas, creating an ideal space for both daily life and entertaining on a grand scale. Soaring ceilings and abundant natural light contribute to an inviting atmosphere throughout the home. The lavish master suite serves as a retreat unto itself, featuring a spacious walk-in closet and a spa-like en-suite bathroom complete with dual vanities, a soaking tub, and a separate shower. Enjoy the tranquility of the gated community while relaxing on the patio, perfect for al fresco dining or lounging amidst the favorable weather. Privacy, security, and exclusivity take center stage in this award-winning community, providing a tranquil and safe environment for your family. Nearby shopping, dining, parks, and recreational activities offer endless opportunities for leisure and entertainment. This is your opportunity to own a true masterpiece in one of the most coveted locations in Oklahoma. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the epitome of luxury living in a top-rated school district. Contact today for a private showing and make this dream home your reality, or explore the option to build custom. Seize the moment and elevate your lifestyle in this unparalleled haven of elegance and exclusivity. View More It was the middle of the Great Depression, but more and more Oklahomans were driving cars -- and trying to find a parking place. In an attempt to solve "one of modernity's headaches," a gadget described by the Tulsa World as "closely resembling the old-fashioned hitching post" made its debut in downtown Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935. And the rest, one might say, is history. The World's story described the device as a nickel-in-the-slot affair: Drop your nickel and park for an hour. It also reported that after trying them for a day, some of the public liked them. Some didn't. "All we need is time to get accustomed to it," one driver said, calling the installation of meters the "biggest thing Oklahoma City has done." But another driver said newspapers were falling down on their job in letting "these damn foolish contraptions appear on the street." During the first day, many found the devices good for leaning on; a child deposited a nickel in one meter expecting to get gum. Oklahoma City had installed 150 meters downtown, alternating from one side of the street in one downtown block to the opposite side in the next block. White lines had been painted on the pavement to indicate the parking slots governed by each meter. The now-ubiquitous parking meter had been invented by Carl C. Magee, editor of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma News, at that time a Scripps-Howard newspaper. Magee financed a contest among engineering students at Oklahoma A & M College to develop a working model. Magee, who practiced law in Tulsa in the early part of the 20th century and earned a national reputation for his investigation of what became known as the Teapot Dome oil scandals, had become interested in parking problems as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce traffic committee and because Oklahoma City police were reported only 5 percent to 10 percent effective in enforcing parking limits. Magee had made a crude model of a parking meter. But he couldn't get it to work and contacted engineering professor H. G. Thuesen at the A & M College of Engineering to suggest a contest among students. The contest offered prizes totaling $160 for a design and $240 for a model -- big prizes for those Depression years. Some of the students used springs and other parts from old alarm clocks and received the prizes. But none had developed a satisfactory working parking meter. Professor Thuesen then enlisted former student Gerald Hale for assistance. Three weeks later, the two had developed a working model of a parking meter. The first meters were built by the Macnick Co. of Tulsa, a company that had a line of light automatic lathes and punch presses and whose experience included production of bomb timers used for exploding nitroglycerin in oil wells and recording meters. Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive. Georgia May Porter, of Owasso, recently celebrated a major milestone. Porter turned 100 years old on March 3 and was inducted into the Centenarians of Oklahoma. The statewide organization, founded in 1992, is a volunteer nonprofit whose purpose is to recognize Oklahoma citizens who are 100 years of age or older. Porter was born in 1924 in Payne County, the oldest of 13 children, to the farm family of Elmer Porter and May (Hughes) Porter. She has six living siblings. Porter was married three times and has three children, eight grandchildren, 13 grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She graduated from Morrison High School and worked as a receptionist PBX operator until retiring in 1989. Porter attended Cornerstone Freewill Baptist Church where she served as church secretary. Porter enjoyed listening to her favorite hymn, Amazing Grace; traveling to San Francisco, California, and Destin Beach, Florida; playing word puzzles; and eating pepperoni pizza, turkey and dressing and fish and chips. Her words of wisdom for younger people is: Be honest. Porter joins nearly 3,000 Oklahoma citizens over the age of 100 who the Centenarians of Oklahoma has inducted over the last 30 years. More information about the Centenarians of Oklahoma can be found at centenariansok.com. Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman 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 A judge has affirmed a $33 million damages award and rejected a request for a new trial in an Ottawa County civil rights lawsuit involving the 2015 death of a 26-year-old man who complained of health issues to jail and medical staff for days while a detainee at the county jail. U.S. District Judge Claire R. Kelly issued the ruling Thursday in the case involving the estate of Terral Ellis II, which sued the Ottawa County sheriff in his official capacity in Tulsa federal court. Kelly rejected motions on behalf of Ottawa County for a judgment as a matter of law, for a new trial and for a reduction in the damages award. A jury ruled for Ellis estate in August following an eight-day trial, finding that the medical care provided by the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office violated Ellis constitutional rights. Ellis was pronounced dead Oct. 22, 2015, shortly after he was transported to a hospital from the Ottawa County jail in Miami, Oklahoma, with no detectable blood pressure. He died from sepsis and pneumonia. Kelly said evidence presented at the trial supported the claim that jail staff were indifferent to Ellis medical needs. The judge noted several instances of staff indifference, including the evening before Ellis died, when he asked a detention officer to call an ambulance for him, saying he couldnt move his legs. The request prompted the detention officer to quip, Youre paralyzed now? and remind Ellis that he would call a nurse the next day for that and other issues about which Ellis had been complaining. Attorneys for Ottawa County argued that testimony showed that jail staff simply did not perceive the risk to Ellis at the time. But Kelly noted that Ellis had drawn enough attention to be put in a holding cell for medical observation. That jail staff put Mr. Ellis under medical observation is sufficient grounds for the jury to disbelieve the claim that the jail staff was unaware that Mr. Ellis was at risk, Kelly wrote. The judge also discounted claims that the county was entitled to judgment in its favor because it had written policies that required detainees to receive adequate medical care and there was no custom of deliberate indifference to medical needs. Here, the jury was presented with abundant evidence that there was a well-established custom of supplying inadequate medical care and a written policy to distrust inmates, Kelly wrote. Dan Smolen, who represented the Ellis estate, said the jury verdict and judges ruling send a strong message that reckless neglect to inmate health care will not be tolerated in our community. The ruling came the same day a judge in another federal jail death lawsuit, where Smolen also was plaintiff counsel, reduced that jurys punitive damages award after criticizing Smolen for what he claimed was repeated misconduct during a 2023 trial. The judge in that case, U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston, reduced the punitive damages award in a Tulsa County jail death from $68 million to $7 million, citing Smolens misconduct during the trial as the reason. Attorneys for Ottawa County made one of the same claims as were made in the Tulsa case that Smolen cried during their trial in a motion for a new trial, but Kelly said any inappropriate conduct was not pervasive. The trial in the instant case lasted for 8-days, during which defendant cites two possible times plaintiffs counsel began to cry, and on both occasions the Court responded promptly with a sidebar meeting with the attorneys out of earshot of the jury, Kelly wrote. The judge also determined that the size of the Ottawa County verdict, while large, did not shock the conscience, given the evidence heard by the jury. Kelly then ticked off several moments witnessed by the jury, beginning with video evidence of Ellis voluntarily walking into the jail to surrender on a DUI warrant, as well as toward the end of his life when he begged for water but was denied by staff, who claimed that he could get it on his own. Smolen said he was pleased that the judge rejected the misconduct allegations. After a significant jury verdict such as this, it is common practice for defense lawyers to file post-trial motions seeking a new trial or a reduction of damages based on alleged attorney misconduct, he said. Such arguments, by design, shift focus away from the evidence and facts of the case and toward a purported misbehavior of plaintiffs counsel. We are very pleased that the court in this case was not swayed by such arguments and upheld the jurys verdict, Smolen said in a written statement. In denying the Ottawa County Sheriffs post trial motions, the Court properly centered its analysis on the overwhelming evidence related to liability as well as Mr. Ellis unimaginable pain and anguish during the waning hours of his life. Ellis medical condition deteriorated during his 10-day stay at the jail. Hours before his death, Ellis could be heard on jail video begging for medical attention. My God, help, please, Ellis can be heard saying about 8:30 a.m. the day he died. A voice attributed to a nurse screamed back at Ellis that there aint nothing wrong with you. Prior to his death, Ellis complained of leg numbness, respiratory issues, kidney stones and discolored skin. The pain attributed to kidney stones turned out to be a sign of renal failure, according to court records. County officials largely blamed jailers and the nurse, Theresa Horn, for Ellis death. Kelly also rejected Ottawa Countys claims that the damages award total was grossly excessive and shocks the conscience because it appears to be punitive in nature as opposed to compensatory. Only compensatory damages can be awarded to a plaintiff in a claim against a defendant in his official government capacity, Kelly noted. Kelly said it was entirely the jurys purview to determine how much Ellis final hours of physical and mental pain cost Ellis. It is unclear how one might monetize the pain of a slow septic death, or how that process and prospect of dying felt to a young man who must have questioned why he turned himself in; who begged for others to help him, who cried for his child; and who was forced to weigh the risk of being chained to the floor against the hope of asking for help, Kelly wrote. However, after reviewing the evidence heard by the jury, the court cannot say the amount rendered by the jury in compensation for pain and suffering, death and loss of familial relationship shocks the conscience, Kelly wrote. The chairman of the Ottawa County Commission, which has discussed the lawsuit behind closed doors, could not be reached for comment. <&rule> The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton 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 Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education approved a proposal Monday night for the district to participate this semester in a merit-based teacher stipend plan. Without any questions, the board voted 5-0 to authorize the district to participate in the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Fund this semester. Up to 125 teachers across the district are eligible to apply for advanced status under the program, which carries a $6,000 one-time raise, a $3,000 stipend and five extra contract days. Under the terms of the program guidelines, the district has to use student performance, teacher observations and out-of-classroom time as criteria for narrowing down which teachers are eligible. While presenting the proposal, Superintendent Ebony Johnson said the initiative was developed in collaboration with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and while it would be narrowly tailored, she did not anticipate that all eligible teachers would apply. According to a copy of the application obtained by the Tulsa World, English language arts teachers and reading interventionists around the district whose students showed the most growth on the reading portion of the NWEA MAP test from either fall 2022 to spring 2023 or from fall 2023 to winter 2024 were invited to apply. We are trying to meet the needs of our students who need a little extra literacy boost while avoiding disrupting other students learning, Johnson said. Among the demands placed on TPS to retain its accreditation is that at least half of its students score at at least the basic level on the English language arts portion of state tests this spring or increase the number of students meeting that threshold by at least 5%. The application period will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and recipients would be selected by March 11. According to an internal message sent to all TPS teachers Friday afternoon, those who participate in the program will provide targeted instructional support to other teachers around the district from March 25 through May 10, with their regular classes covered by Oklahoma State Department of Education employees with teaching certificates. Approved in 2022, House Bill 4388 directs that any Oklahoma lottery proceeds in excess of $65 million be put into a revolving fund to finance the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Fund Program. The program, which received $22.5 million in lottery proceeds in September, provides additional one-time bonuses of at least $6,000 to educators who are designated as advanced, lead or master teachers by their school districts. However, districts are required to provide matching money to participate, and the number of teachers who would be eligible for those funds is capped at 10% per district. Additionally, the recipients are required to have more days added to their contract. Only nine districts statewide participated in the program during its first semester. <&rule> The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Tulsa police are searching for additional evidence after human remains were found Monday on the north side of Mohawk Park. The Mary K. Oxley Nature Center and trail system at the north Tulsa park will remain closed until further notice while the investigation continues, police said Tuesday. Officers responded around 4:50 p.m. Monday to the scene at 8500 Mohawk Blvd., where witnesses said they found several bones and a skull. Crime scene officers, a medical examiner and an anthropologist confirmed that the bones are human remains, according to TPD. We will begin trying to determine the identity of the remains and the circumstances surrounding the case, a TPD spokesman said. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel 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 Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday moved quickly in reaction to an attorney generals opinion concerning dual office-holders in the executive branch by shucking a discarded Senate bill and substituting an exemption to the ruling for Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. Besides being secretary of agriculture in Gov. Kevin Stitts Cabinet, Arthur is state agriculture commissioner, president of the state Board of Agriculture and an ex officio member of the Board of Regents for A&M Colleges. All of those titles put Arthur at potential odds with Attorney General Gentner Drummonds interpretation of state laws that mostly prohibit holding more than one office at a time. Drummonds ruling that another state employee, Tim Gatz, could not simultaneously serve as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and as Stitts secretary of transportation was specific to that case but has implications for several other individuals serving in multiple positions. The law does allow for several dozen exceptions, mostly special circumstances such as allowing park rangers and game wardens to serve on local school boards. The measure presented Monday by Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, would provide one of those exceptions for any Cabinet secretary serving as commissioner of agriculture and as a member of a governing board or body of an institution of higher education. Senate Bill 1196 came over to the House last spring as a 572-page behemoth intended to reconcile and consolidate statutes. Although not on Mondays House agenda, it was brought to the floor under suspension of the rules, stripped of its original language and trotted out for a vote. It passed 94-1. Cabinet secretaries have held other administrative positions under previous governors, but the opinion issued last week said that is no longer permissible because Cabinet positions have transitioned from advisory to executive with control over rulemaking and expenditures. Also Monday, the House passed and sent to the Senate House Bill 3288 by Reps. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, which would set up the financial mechanism for funding the long-awaited Arkansas River levee improvements. The bill does not provide the $67 million in matching funds needed to secure federal grants for the project. That appropriation is in SB 1391, by Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, which is waiting to be heard in the Senate. Among other bills passed by the House on Monday were three by Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, addressing mental health workforce development. Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer 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 OKLAHOMA CITY A bill proposing legislation that is predicted to draw difficult and expensive-to-defend lawsuits passed through the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday after vigorous debate. If it becomes law, Senate Bill 1959 would require companies such as Pornhub to provide internet service subscribers and cellphone users in Oklahoma a way to opt out of accessing material they consider harmful to minors. After receiving such a request, the company would be required to block access to its site by any device linked to the persons Internet service or cell service subscription. We know that this type of language has been challenged and disputed in court, said Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City. My concern is that we are setting the state up for a lawsuit. Its going to be expensive, (and) we are going to lose. Under the bills language, commercial entities that fail to comply with an opt-out request could be held liable for damages to a minor. However, they could avoid that outcome by using reasonable age verification methods to restrict access to content. The Attorney Generals Office would be tasked with developing and publishing guidance for commercial entities to follow in complying with the law. The measures author, Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson, said it would apply only to sites with more than 30% of their material considered to be pornographic, and it would not limit access by adults. He disputed that it would violate free speech protections. Its long past time for legislation to give parents the tools to protect our kids from online content that warps their minds, Alvord said. Now is our chance to set the strongest standard in the country for protecting our Oklahoma kids. Alvord said Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, Utah and Virginia have adopted similar legislation. Last year, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Utah stemming from its law requiring sites to verify age before allowing access to porn. SB 1959 passed through the Senate on a 41-5 vote to advance for consideration in the House. Among the lawmakers who voted against the measure, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, objected to its validation of the concept of legal access to pornography, even if by adults. Its not a problem of being sued, Deevers said. Its a problem of the consequences of passing legislation that legally codifies and carves out protections for pornography. Others who cast no votes, including Sens. Julia Kirt and Carrie Hicks, both Democrats from Oklahoma City, raised questions about who would be responsible for judging what might be considered pornographic and when the 30% rule might kick in. Hicks pointed out that people already have the ability to block access to websites on their own and shouldnt have to rely on a company like Pornhub to police itself. We also dont know who is going to be making the determination based on the 30% threshold. So it sounds an awful lot like Big Brother making the determination for what a family can access, she said. Floyd asserted that the bill not only would fail to deliver the desired results but that it also would cause problems for the state in the future. My concern is that the language does not accomplish what this body wants to accomplish, she said. It puts us into another (legislative) session to try to get this right. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Melissa Jacques Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Melissa Jacques 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 OKLAHOMA CITY Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, has been elected by his caucus as the youngest speaker-designate in Oklahoma history. I think my age is going to be talked about a lot, but I think its something to lean into and not shy away from, you know. You look at Washington, D.C., and you see octogenarian politicians, you know, in the White House and elsewhere, Hilbert said Monday at an introductory press conference. And thats an unresponsive government to the needs of the people of Oklahoma. And so I think youth and energy is something that will be beneficial, because we have a lot of problems. And for me, Im not going to stop working until we make each of those better. Hilbert is 29, but by November, when the speaker of the House is elected for the upcoming session, he will be 30. With a strong Republican majority, Hilbert is expected to become the next speaker at that time. According to the press release, Hilbert will be only the second Republican speaker 30 years or younger to serve in any state since 1873. Im very confident that Kyle Hilbert will continue to lead the House of Representatives to better and greater things, said current Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, when he introduced Hilbert as the speaker-designate Monday. After the announcement, Hilbert discussed his plans for uniting a large and somewhat fractured caucus. Ive been the speaker-designate for about 10 minutes now. And so it would be premature for me to set an agenda without first hearing from the caucus, because, really, the job of the speaker is not to set the agenda but rather to hear, solicit feedback and then set the agenda, Hilbert said. I think trying to unify the members and finding a common vision that we can set on, its not about limiting disagreement at all or limiting arguments, Hilbert said about his approach to leading a divided caucus. I think those are important. Its essential to democracy, but its about finding ways that you can find the common ground to move the state forward on those complex and complicated issues. McCall will leave leadership and the Oklahoma House with the longest tenure of any Oklahoma speaker, having served in the position for eight years. He, like his counterpart in the Senate, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, will be leaving his leadership position and the House of Representatives due to term limits. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. BRUSSELS -- The European Commission will propose on Tuesday ways for the European Union to boost its arms industry so it can shift to "war economy mode" in response to Russias attack on Ukraine. Thierry Breton, the European industry commissioner, will lay out proposals to encourage EU countries to buy more weapons together from European companies, and to help such firms increase production capacity, according to EU officials. "We need to change the paradigm and move into war economy mode. This also means that the European defense industry must take more risks, with our support," said Breton, previewing the package. Breton, a French former tech company CEO, has also said the possibility of another U.S. presidential term for Donald Trump - who has questioned Washington's commitments to NATO - means Europe has to do more to protect itself. "In the current geopolitical context, Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, regardless of the outcome of our allies elections every four years, Breton said. Russias attack on Ukraine has prompted many European countries to increase defense spending. But EU officials argue purely national efforts are less efficient and want EU bodies to play a greater role in defense industrial policy. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks with acting Spain's Minister of Defence Margarita Robles and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton ahead of posing for a family photo with other attendees during the informal EU ministerial meeting on defence in Toledo, Spain August 30, 2023. Photo: Reuters Analysts say the attack has made clear that European industry was ill-prepared for some major challenges, such as a sudden surge in demand for large amounts of artillery ammunition. Bretons proposals include creating a European version of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales scheme under which the United States helps other governments to buy from U.S. arms companies. Another proposal would allow the EU to compel European weapons firms to prioritize European orders in times of crisis. To become reality, the proposals will need approval from the EUs 27 national governments which have often been reluctant to cede power on defense and military matters and the European Parliament. The proposals will also be studied closely by NATO, which has said it welcomes EU efforts to help European defense but warned they must not duplicate or clash with the transatlantic alliance's work. Funding questions Bretons package is expected to include some 1.5 billion euros ($1.63 billion) in new money through the end of 2027 a modest sum in the world of large-scale defense procurement. But officials say the package will create a legal framework that would allow much greater coordinated spending in years to come, if the EU is willing to stump up the cash. Breton has called for a special EU fund of 100 billion euros for defense projects. Commission officials say they want Kyiv to take part in the proposed new schemes to boost joint procurement and production capacity, even though Ukraine is not part of the EU. Ukrainian soldiers stand in line at a training site as they undergo maintenance training on Leopard 1 A5 tanks, at the German army Bundeswehr base, part of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA) in Klietz, Germany, February 23, 2024. Photo: Reuters "Our mission here is to treat Ukraine as almost equivalent to a member state," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the launch of the package. Agreeing on the proposals will take some time, particularly as a new European Parliament will be elected in June, followed by the appointment of a new European Commission. Disagreements within the current Commission give a foretaste of some of the power struggles ahead. While Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she will create a post of defense commissioner if she serves a second term, Breton has argued there is no need for such a role. "If the question is that of a Defense Industry Commissioner, it seems to me that we already have one, he said. ($1 = 0.9210 euros) HERKENBOSCH -- Four decades after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition and given just six months to live, Bert Janssen has set a Guinness World Record as the longest-surviving transplant patient. "I want to be an example for people," said the Dutchman, who was 17 when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body. He says he is proof that living a long time with a heart transplant is possible. In 1984, The Netherlands had yet to perform its first heart transplantation, so cardiologist Albert Mattart referred the teenager to Harefield Hospital in England. Janssen underwent transplant surgery in June that year after a heart became available following a tragic car crash in which two young adults died. The life-saving operation was carried out by transplant pioneer Magdi Yacoub. "I consider that day more important than my birthday," said Janssen, who is now 57, married with two sons and a keen glider pilot. "I've never really looked this far ahead." While he is fit and healthy, his heart medication causes side effects and in recent years he has had to slow down. "I still do more or less what I want (but) at a different pace," he said. Bert Janssen, 57 years old, works in his framing company in Herkenbosch, Netherlands February 29, 2024. He underwent a heart transplant at the age of 17, almost 40 years ago, receiving a donor heart which is now immortalized in the Guinness Book of Records. Photo: Reuters The average life expectancy for heart patients after a transplant is 16 years, according to Janssen's current cardiologist, Casper Eurlings. Guinness World Records officially recognized Janssen's achievement of living for 39 years and 100 days after receiving his transplant. The previous record was 34 years and 359 days set by Canadian Harold Sokyrka in 2021, according to Guinness. Transplant patients "need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be active. That's what Mr Janssen did," Earlings said. Yacoub has since thanked Janssen for his achievements and dedication to global health. "But it's really me who should be thanking him," Janssen said. Bert Janssen, 57 years old, works in his framing company in Herkenbosch, Netherlands February 29, 2024. He underwent a heart transplant at the age of 17, almost 40 years ago, receiving a donor heart which is now immortalized in the Guinness Book of Records. Photo: Reuters Bert Janssen, 57 years old, looks at an old photobook in Herkenbosch, Netherlands February 29, 2024. He underwent a heart transplant at the age of 17, almost 40 years ago, receiving a donor heart which is now immortalized in the Guinness Book of Records. Photo: Reuters Vietnams Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Russia's First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Titov co-chaired the 13th Vietnam-Russia strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense, and security in Hanoi on Monday. The senior Russian diplomat visited Vietnam from Sunday to Monday to attend the event at the invitation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the dialogue, both sides reviewed the outcomes of their bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially in politics-foreign affairs, defense-security, trade-investment, as well as their cooperation at multilateral forums. Both sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. They spoke highly of the effectiveness of the strategic dialogue and highlighted some positive results of their bilateral cooperation, particularly the exchange of all-level delegations in 2023 that paved the way for further collaboration, promptly removing obstacles, and strengthening the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. The two nations are committed to sustaining and enhancing their bilateral cooperation substantially and effectively in the coming years. They aim to fulfill their cooperation agreements and projects, particularly as they approach the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations (June 1994-2024) and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties (January 1950-2025). First Deputy Minister Titov said that Moscow attaches importance to, and wants to develop, its substantive relations with Vietnam, considering Hanoi a trustworthy partner. The Russian diplomat suggested that the two foreign ministries continue to fulfill their coordinating roles in carrying out bilateral agreements, ramp up efforts to remove obstacles, and expand their cooperation in potential fields. Given the rapidly evolving developments in the region and globally, the two senior diplomats agreed to conduct an annual strategic dialogue. This is meant to facilitate timely enhancement of bilateral cooperation, exchange of information, and strengthening collaboration at multilateral forums. Also, they concurred with each other to maintain close cooperation at the UN, in the ASEAN-Russia cooperation framework, and at other international forums for regional and international peace and stability. At the event, the two ministries also signed an agreement for cooperation in the near future. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran, along with their entourage, arrived in Melbourne on Monday evening for the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit and an official visit to the country at the invitation of his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation at Melbourne Airport were Australian Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten, former leader of the Australian Labor Party from 2013 to 2019, and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski. Vietnam's Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam, Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Dang Thang, other officials, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Australia were also present at the reception. The trip takes place in the context of Vietnam and Australias 50th anniversary celebration of establishing diplomatic relations, while Australia and ASEAN mark a half century of cooperation in 2024. As scheduled, PM Chinh will attend sessions of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit themed A Partnership for the Future on March 5 and 6, at which the two sides will review their 50-year relationship and work out plans to further promote their comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2021. Australia is expected to propose new initiatives, which aim to create breakthroughs in the ASEAN-Australia relations to bring the bilateral cooperation to a new height, the Vietnam News Agency reported. During the two days, the Vietnamese leader will also take part in a number of other bilateral activities with leaders of other countries. Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (R, 3rd) and his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran are seen being welcomed with flowers at Melbourne Airport in Australia on March 4, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre After the summit, PM Chinh will be the guest of the Australian government from March 7 to 9. During this period, he is scheduled to engage in talks with Australias top leaders to enhance and deepen their strategic partnership. The Vietnamese government chief and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese will discuss their cooperation in the coming time, with a focus on enhancing two-way trade and boosting bilateral investment, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet. The two countries will also aim to strengthen cooperation in education and training, science and technology, innovation, digital economy, green economy, energy transition, and renewable energy. As part of his visit, PM Chinh will attend the Vietnam-Australia business forum, meet with leaders of Australian business associations and leading corporations, and visit an exhibition featuring investment projects in Vietnam, according to the Vietnam News Agency. By the end of his trip, PM Chinh and the top Australian leaders will witness the signing of cooperative agreements in various fields, including trade and investment, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, science and technology, minerals, education, innovation, law, and finance, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Australian Minister of Government Services Bill Shorten (L) shakes hands with visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh after he and his spouse arrived in Melbourne, Australia on March 4, 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre Vietnam and Australia established diplomatic ties in 1973 and the two nations entered a comprehensive partnership in 2009. Six years later, the relationship was lifted to an enhanced comprehensive partnership before being upgraded to a strategic partnership in March 2018. Currently, Australia is Vietnams seventh-largest trading partner and Vietnam is Australias 10th-largest commercial partner. Australia, as one of Vietnams key bilateral partners, provides the largest non-refundable official development assistance and offers many scholarship programs to Vietnamese students. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! American billionaire Bill Gates and his girlfriend arrived in Da Nang City, central Vietnam for a leisure trip on Monday, following their attendance at a pre-wedding celebration for the son of Asias wealthiest billionaire Mukesh Ambani in India. According to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers sources, the couple landed at Da Nang International Airport on their private plane, a Gulfstream G650ER model, and are currently lodging at a 5-star resort in the coastal citys Son Tra peninsula. They are supposed to spend approximately five days in Da Nang and Hoi An City in neighboring Quang Nam Province, BNN Breaking, an international news network, reported. This marks Bill Gates second visit to Vietnam. The billionaire first traveled to Vietnam in 2006 for business engagements related to the information technology sector. Bill Gates Gulfstream G650ER private plane is seen at Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, March 5, 2024. Photo: Tien Minh / Tuoi Tre During that trip, he also spent time visiting Tu Son District in the northern province of Bac Ninh and experienced some local customs. Before their trip to Vietnam, Gates and his girlfriend Paula Hurd joined the global elite at a lavish US$120 million wedding celebration for the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. As of March, Gates has an estimated net worth of $150 billion, making him the fifth-richest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Gates co-founded Microsoft, the worlds biggest software maker, with his friend Paul Allen in 1975 in Albuquerque City, located in the southwestern U.S. state of New Mexico. Until 2014, he held various key positions including CEO, chairman of the board of directors, and chief software architect. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has dropped a proposal that individuals engaging in small-scale property trade should be allowed to sell or lease three to five houses or apartments each per year due to concerns over the infringement of the right to free business. In the draft decree guiding the implementation of some articles of the 2023 Law on Real Estate Business publicized on the ministrys portal on Tuesday, the ministry suggested that people trading real estate products on a small scale will not have to set up real estate firms, but they will still be required to conduct transactions in line with civil and notary regulations and declare and pay taxes in line with the law. Earlier, the Ministry of Construction had outlined three criteria for identifying small-scale property traders. The first category includes those who transfer or lease three to five existing or undeveloped houses or apartments, or five to ten construction projects annually. The second criteria identifies people as small property traders if they sell or lease property projects, each covering 1,000-2,000 square meters of land in urban areas or 3,000-5,000 square meters in rural areas per year. The third criterion proposed by the ministry designates small-scale real estate traders as individuals involved in developing housing projects with two or more floors and fewer than 20 apartments. It also includes those selling and leasing inherited houses and houses of gratitude. The proposal sparked controversy. A leader of the Ministry of Construction told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that the proposal might violate the business freedom rights of residents. Lawyer Truong Anh Tu, chairman of TAT Law Firm, suggests that the proposed limit on the number of real estate transactions residents can undertake annually would prevent individuals, who do not establish real estate firms, from hoarding properties. However, the proposal might raise concerns over the violation of such people's business freedom and creativity. It might also force small-scale property traders to transact products under others names, which would probably provoke disputes. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A deadly collision between a sleeper bus and a container truck happened in the northern Vietnamese province of Tuyen Quang early on Tuesday morning, killing five passengers on the spot while injuring ten others, traffic police reported. The fatal accident occurred at around 1:40 am on National Highway 2 in the provinces Yen Son District, when the sleeper bus was traveling into Tuyen Quang from neighboring Ha Giang Province and the truck was driving in the opposite direction, according to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security. The truck is seen overturning at the scene of the accident after it crashed into a sleeper bus on National Highway 2 on the early morning of March 5, 2024 in northern Vietnams Tuyen Quang Province. Photo: Vietnam News Agency The trucker, L.V.T., 39, lost control over the vehicle when entering a curved section of the highway, causing it to encroach on the left lane of the road and slam into the sleeper bus, the department said. The strong hit damaged the bus severely and police officers had to use tools to break open the doors and the trunk of the vehicle to bring the trapped passengers out. Five people were found dead on the spot while 10 others were injured, said chairman of the Tuyen Quang administration Nguyen Van Son. This image shows a bending section of National Highway 2 where the deadly accident occurred on the early morning of March 5, 2024 in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam. This photo was taken after the scene of the accident was cleared. Photo: Vietnam News Agency All the injured victims, including the bus driver, P.V.Q., 41, were taken to Phuong Bac General Hospital in the provinces Tuyen Quang City for emergency treatment, police said, adding they were counting the total number of passengers aboard the vehicle. Rapid tests showed that both drivers did not have any alcohol content in their breath. A team of police officers from the department arrived at the scene to join local forces to handle the crash. Two out of the ten injured victims of the deadly accident between a sleeper bus and a container truck in Tuyen Quang Province are seen being visited by police officers at Phuong Bac General Hospital in the provinces Tuyen Quang City. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, requested that relevant agencies promptly report the cause of the crash and propose measures to prevent similar accidents on the highway in the future. He also directed the deputy chairman of the committee to immediately send a working group to the province to join local authorities in visiting the victims families and helping them overcome the aftermath. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The administration in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam has ordered the organization of an international contest for the planning of the Long Thanh airport urban area to exploit the potential of the under-construction mammoth airport and adjacent areas. The contest offers one first-place prize valued at VND2 billion (US$81,091), one second-place prize at VND1 billion ($40,545), and one third-place prize at VND500 million ($20,249). Acting chairman of the provincial administration Vo Tan Duc assigned the Department of Construction to launch the contest early next month. Contestants will include reputable domestic and international companies, organizations, and consortiums specializing in planning, design, architecture, and consulting. The Dong Nai authorities will give priority to those experienced in strategy consulting and urban planning as well as having conducted similar projects. Once the contests results are produced in August this year, the province will choose breakthrough ideas for the Long Thanh airport urban area planning until 2045. The Long Thanh airport urban area was planned to cover 57,000 hectares, including adjacent areas of Long Thanh International Airport in Nhon Trach, Cam My, Thong Nhat, and Trang Bom Districts. The Dong Nai government explained that Long Thanh District borders developed areas, such as Nhon Trach District, Trang Bom District, and Bien Hoa City in Dong Nai Province, Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu My Town in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province. It is also the intersection point of large economic corridors in the region, such as Bien Hoa-Long Thanh (National Highway 51), Nhon Trach-Long Thanh-Thong Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway), Long Thanh-Cam My (Road No. 10), Long Thanh-Thu Thiem, North-South and Bien Hoa-Long Thanh-Ho Chi Minh City Railways, and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai Terminal. Long Thanh District is also home to the under-construction Long Thanh International Airport, which will be the largest airport in the nation when completed, so it will have advantages in attracting investment in urban, industry, service, logistics, and tourism development. However, land resources have yet to be fully leveraged to serve socio-economic development. Therefore, the planning of the Long Thanh airport urban area needs to meet the requirements of a modern, green, sustainable urban area, unlock the potential of Long Thanh International Airport, and meet the demand of local residents and enterprises. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam have approved a plan to convert Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park, the countrys oldest industrial park, into an urban, trade, and service area, a local official said on Monday. The province will relocate enterprises out of the industrial park before December 2025. Established in 1963 under the name Bien Hoa Industrial Zone, Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park in An Binh Ward, Bien Hoa City was the first of its kind in Vietnam. Nguyen Huu Nguyen, director of the Dong Nai Department of Planning and Investment, said the province planned the industrial park conversion over ten years earlier. The conversion plan includes two projects: a 44-hectare administrative and political center and the 286-hectare Bien Hoa 1 urban, trade, and service area. The province aims to transform the area into a civilized, modern, and sustainable urban, trade, and service hub. This move seeks to revitalize both the specific area and Bien Hoa City as a whole, while also mitigating water pollution in the Dong Nai River. The relocation of enterprises out of Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park is divided into two phases, according to Nguyen. In the first phase, enterprises whose facilities cover over 75 hectares of land in the south of the industrial park will move prior to December this year. The remaining firms will relocate to other locations before December next year. The industrial parks initial name was Bien Hoa Industrial Zone. According to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, 70 companies with over 21,000 laborers have their contracts to lease land in the industrial park remain valid. Nguyen said the province had repeatedly worked with enterprises in the industrial park to learn about their difficulties during the relocation as well as their proposals. The Dong Nai administration first proposed the central government convert Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park into an urban, trade, and service area to protect the water environment in the Dong Nai River in 2008 and got the approval a year later. In late January 2021, the prime minister issued a decision to remove Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park from the list of industrial parks in Vietnam. Some 70 companies with over 21,000 laborers have their contracts to lease land in the industrial park remain valid. Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park is 340 hectares in area and close to National Highway 1, the Dong Nai River, Binh Duong Province, and Ho Chi Minh City. The relocation of enterprises from Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park aims to mitigate water environment pollution in the Dong Nai River, benefiting nearly 10 million residents in Ho Chi Minh City and approximately 20 million residents in the entire Dong Nai River valley by improving water supply conditions. In the first phase, enterprises whose facilities cover over 75 hectares of land in the south of the industrial park will move prior to December this year. The headquarters of a state audit office and the Dong Nai Police are being constructed in the new administrative and political center of Dong Nai. The Dong Nai administration has assigned relevant departments and agencies to support enterprises in taxes, land rents, and land banks for social housing projects. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh City is listed among 21 out of all 63 localities in Vietnam with the lowest birth rates, while seeing young people postponing marriages. The ages for tying the knot in the southern metropolis are higher than those in other cities and provinces across the country. The average age of the first marriage in Ho Chi Minh City was 29.8 in 2022, up from 26.9 recorded in Vietnam, according to the General Statistics Office. Dr. Trinh Nhut Thu Huong, head of the prenatal care department at Tu Du Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the ideal age to get married is from 20 to 25 for women. Several studies showed that the span is an optimal development stage of ovaries, said Dr. Huong. However, young people are increasingly delaying marriage to achieve economic stability. This trend is accompanied by a rise in the ages of first-time mothers. Statistics from the hospital indicated that some 10 percent of pregnant women were over 30 years old. Some of them also suffered from dangerous diseases. Dr. Huong underlined that pregnancies among women older than 35 pose a higher risk of birth defects. Particularly, babies can suffer from Down syndrome caused by chromosome abnormality. As a woman ages, the risk of delivering a baby with the syndrome soars. Meanwhile, older pregnant women can suffer a miscarriage, obesity, or preeclampsia. Dr. Ho Manh Tuong, general secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Society for Reproductive Medicine, said that the premature birth rates in Vietnam and the world have trended up. Older age pregnancy is a major reason behind a high risk of premature birth. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Vui, a lecturer in the psychology faculty at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, cited various reasons for the reluctance of young adults to get married. Delaying marriages is a global trend, not just in Vietnam. Many young people are scared of falling in love and marrying, Vui said, explaining that they think that they will lose freedom if they start a marriage. Meanwhile, they are young and desire to improve their economic strength and wealth, as well as stabilize their occupation. The way of raising and educating a child is different from that in the past, Vui noted. Furthermore, rising divorce rates are detering young people from wedding. Vui also predicted that the marriage and fertility rates will continue to surge in the future. Meanwhile, easy adoption procedures have encouraged women who are scared of giving birth to adopt one. Besides, people are also gradually accepting same-sex marriage. Dr. Bui Chi Thuong from Gia Dinh Peoples Hospital said that if women aged over 35 start pregnancy, the risk of defects for babies will be high. Dr. Thuong said that the offspring of men older than 45 might face an elevated risk of birth defects, referring to various global studies. He underscored that the ideal age to become a mother is 25. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Following the success of a show featuring 2,024 drones on February 9 for Lunar New Years Eve, Hanoi will light up its sky with another drone display to excite locals and tourists this weekend. Hundreds of drones will swarm over West Lake to create a light show titled The Color of West Lake, which is part of the two-day Get on Hanoi 2024 program to captivate tourists. The display is meant to introduce Hanoi as a safe, friendly, high-quality, and fascinating destination for both local and international travelers. The drone show is also part of a series of events to mark the 70th anniversary of the capital city's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954). During the nighttime program, the Hanoi administration will announce the recognition of Nhat Tan Tourist Area in Tay Ho District as a city-level tourist site. The Get on Hanoi 2024 program will act as an inaugural event of 50 cultural and tourism activities and festivals in the city this year. Among them are Hanoi Tourism Fest 2024, Hanoi Tourism Gift Fest 2024, Hanoi Autumn Fest, Cuisine and Craft Village Tourism Fest, and Hanoi Ao Dai Fest 2024. These events will make Hanoi a city of year-round festivals, contributing to beguiling more tourists and promoting its cultural values. The program takes place at Trinh Cong Son Pedestrian Street on Saturday and Sunday. Hanoi aims to welcome 27 million tourists, including 5.5 million international visitors, in 2024 while looking to book VND103.7 trillion (US$4.2 billion) in tourism revenue this year, a year-on-year increase of 11.1 percent. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Law & Order Creator Dick Wolf has partnered with Alfred Street Industries for Homicide: New York, a new docuseries that illuminates the stories of notorious murder cases as told by the people who know them best: the detectives and prosecutors who cracked them. Each episode documenting a different murder case. Homicide: Los Angeles is also set to premiere at a later date this year. Wednesday March 20 on Netflix. Tickets are available for a Sydney shoot for Taskmaster Australia. Filming takes place from March 18 March 22 at NEP Studios in Eveleigh. Given previous episodes filmed in Melbourne and comedians are yet to be announced, this suggests a third season has been greenlit by 10 (but thats yet to be confirmed). Its Sydneys turn again to be a part of the live studio audience and witness first hand the incredible duo of Tom Cashman and Tom Gleeson as they take the helm once again and deliver comedic gold alongside a brand new panel of Australian comedians (yet to be announced), says ticketer Thats the Ticket. Season 2 with Peter Helliar, Mel Buttle, Aaron Chen, Concetta Caristo and Rhys Nicholson is expected in Q2. You can apply for tix here. In the first of a special Back Roads two-part series, science journalist and Wiradjuri woman, Rae Johnston, travels to Yirrkala on the coastal fringes of East Arnhem Land to meet a a community world renowned for its music, art and culture. If youve never heard of the Yolngu, you may have heard of Yothu Yindi, King Stingray, Baker Boy.all Yolngu. On a Yirrkala beach, founding member of Yothu Yindi, Witiyana Marika, tells Rae that their strong, unbroken cultural traditions lie at the heart of Yolngu prominence. Further north on the Gove Peninsula, she meets rising music stars, the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and revels in a private concert on one the regions many stunning beaches. But when shes invited by respected elder, Mandaka Marika, to one of the most remote coastal stretches of East Arnhem Land, Rae is shocked to find an ecological disaster unfolding. Wave after wave of plastic waste is washed up on the white sands every year and its an uphill battle for the Yolngu rangers, men and women, who work tirelessly to preserve country, rich in culture, food and bush medicine. In Yirrkala itself, Rae meets two rising stars of the art world at the prestigious Buku Larrnggay Mulka Centre. She discovers the Yolngu arent afraid to move to the future, even while holding dear their cultural traditions. This thought is bolstered by youngsters from one of the local primary schools whose team of 10-year-olds made it to the World Robotics Championships in Texas in 2023 despite robotics only being introduced as a subject the year before. There is one more secret to Yolngu success and when Rae is invited to attend a Bunggul, Yolngu for ceremony, she realises the dance encapsulates that in the most spectacular and heartwarming fashion. 8pm Tuesday on ABC. Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius gives statement on apparent eavesdropping of German Army call, in Berlin By Sarah Marsh and Madeline Chambers BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday one participant on a high-level military call on Ukraine intercepted by Russia had mistakenly joined via a non-secure line and German communications systems had not been compromised. Russia had likely intercepted the discussion among senior German air force officials by chance via widespread surveillance, Pistorius added, as he presented initial results of an investigation into the leak, which has embarrassed Germany and prompted questions about its intelligence security. Russian media last week published an audio recording of a meeting of the German officials held on the Webex platform discussing the delivery of weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kyiv on a bridge in Crimea. "Our communication systems have not been compromised," Pistorius said. "The reason the air force call could nonetheless be recorded was because of an individual's operational mistake." The participant had dialed in from Singapore where an air show was taking place. Such an event attracted high-ranking European military officials, making it a target for Russian security services. "So we must assume that the access to this Webex conference was a chance hit in the framework of a broad, scattered approach." The use of Webex for calls up to a certain security grade was authorized, he said, noting it was not the off-the-shelf software but a specially-certified one with servers in the Bundeswehr's computing centres in Germany. Still, Germany was investigating if issues were mentioned on the call that should not have been discussed on Webex, he said. Pistorius said Russia had leaked the call in a bid to create divisions in Germany and between the country and its allies. In the call, German Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz discusses with three high-ranking Luftwaffe officials the possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly so far firmly rejected, fueling a public debate. Story continues Asked if the leak could affect the position of Gerhartz, who was not the one to dial in from Singapore, Pistorius said if nothing further emerged in the probe, "then I am not going to sacrifice one of my best officers to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's games". GERMANY- A WEAK LINK? Germany would take technical and organizational measures to ensure such an incident would not happen again, Pistorius said, adding he had spoken on Monday with his peers in partner countries who expressed their continued trust in Germany. "Everyone knows about the danger of such eavesdropping attacks and know that you cannot ensure 100% protection against them," he said. Germany's allies have been reticent in their public reaction to the recording although some British politicians outside government criticised German security measures. Former British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was quoted as saying by The Times that the incident demonstrated Germany was "neither secure nor reliable". The Kremlin says the recording shows Germany's armed forces were discussing plans to launch strikes on Russian territory, charges Germany denies as "absurd". (Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Madeline Chambers, Additional reporting by Andreas Rinke, Editing by Rachel More, Alexandra Hudson) Noma me, Noma you: will it ever close? (Noma) The worlds most famous restaurant, Noma, will relocate to Japan this year for a 10-week residency. Founder Rene Redzepi and his entire staff will return to Ace Hotel Kyoto between October 8 and December 18, serving a tasting menu and drinks pairing for 840 plus service charge (around 720). Redzepi undertook the same project last year, when he and the entire Noma team, along with their children and significant others, relocated to Kyoto for a season. It was one of the most fulfilling and creativity electric periods in our teams history, said press material sent to the Standard today. The second Japanese residency comes after founder Rene Redzepi last year announced the closure of his three Michelin-star venture at the end of 2024, explaining that Noma would return as a giant lab in order to share the fruits of our efforts more widely than ever before. (Noma) It appears that timeframe has been extended, as new information from the restaurant today said: When we return to Copenhagen in the spring of 2025, we will open for Ocean Season, the last of the three-season yearly format we have followed since 2018. Were beginning a new chapter for our restaurant a time for us to take even bolder creative leaps, share even more widely, and follow our curiosity wherever it may lead us. Redzepi also released a statement about Noma in Japan, as well as the group returning to Denmark next year: In the height of sakura season, the creativity flowed effortlessly, sparking some of our best work yet. It was a time of vibrant energy and inspiration, a dream of a trip, a highlight of the past decade for our team Following our second stay in Kyoto, well head back to Copenhagen, where another Ocean Season awaits in early 2025. Then its time to enter a bold new chapter for our restaurant. Noma first opened in 2003 and has been named the Best Restaurant in the World by Restaurant magazine four times. In 2021, it scooped top spot in the World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards. Reservations for Nomas residency in Kyoto will be released on May 14. noma.dk It's no secret that there are countries around the world that have some of the coolest and most ingenious inventions for people that haven't even hit the US. Fox So, Americans, we want to see your own travel photo of the most "futuristic" thing that you've seen in another country. Natnan Srisuwan / Getty Images Like, maybe you've been to Aruba and got to try one of these machines that applies sunscreen for you by spraying it evenly on your body. Perhaps you were blown away by the endless amount of food hacks in Japan like this handle that makes it 1,000x easier to carry a pizza box. Or maybe you've visited Norway and got to ride a SELF-DRIVING bus and can share just how fascinating the ride was. Or perhaps you traveled to Romania and loved these book vending machines and think they need to come to the US immediately. Orrr maybe you spotted some wildy interesting inventions in the Netherlands like this area at a train station where you can swing to charge your phone. In the comments below, share a photo of the most "futuristic" thing you've seen in a country you've traveled to that you WISH existed in the US. Be sure to describe what it is, where it's from, and what your experience was like. Your response could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post. Suits star Patrick J. Adams, Connor Swindells (Sex Education, SAS Rogue Heroes), Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Godless) and Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road, The Pact) are part of the the cast of the upcoming six-episode series Lockerbie, about the December 1988 terrorist attack on Pan Am Flight 103, for the BBC and Netflix. Further castmembers unveiled Tuesday include Peter Mullan (Ozark, Payback), Tony Curran (Mary & George, Mayflies), Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie, Vigil), Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War, Traces), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Guilt), Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master, P-Valley), James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment, The Victim), Khalid Laith (Vigil, Cobra) and Amanda Drew (The Gold, Wolf). More from The Hollywood Reporter The BBC and Netflix didnt detail what roles each castmember will play, but said that filming on the show, described as a factual drama made by ITV Studios banner World Productions, has begun in Scotland. The six-part series is based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scottish-U.S. investigation which sought to bring the perpetrators to justice, the partners said. Lockerbie will focus on the investigation into the crash on both sides of the Atlantic and the devastating effect it had on the small town and the families who lost loved ones. From the initial exhaustive search for evidence on the ground in Scotland, via the U.S. and Malta to the trial at Camp Zeist in 2000, the drama takes us right up to the most recent indictment at the end of 2022. As such, the project has the same title but a different focus from the upcoming five-part limited event series Lockerbie about the same attack for Comcasts Peacock and Sky, which is led by Colin Firth (The Kings Speech, A Single Man, The Staircase) and also stars Catherine McCormack (Slow Horses, Temple). That series is based on the book The Lockerbie Bombing: A Fathers Search for Justice by Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph, along with other sources. Story continues In the attack, a Pan Am transatlantic flight from Frankfurt to Detroit was destroyed by a bomb 38 minutes after takeoff while flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Parts of the aircraft crashed into a residential area, killing an additional 11 people. The 270 people killed included 43 British citizens and 190 Americans. It was the worst-ever terror attack on British soil and the first major one on U.S. citizens, highlighted Netflix and the BBC. The lead writer on the project is novelist and screenwriter Jonathan Lee, with two episodes written by Scottish screenwriter Gillian Roger Park. The hourlong series is produced by World Productions (United, the story of the Munich air disaster), in association with MGM Television (The Devils Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes, Fargo) and Night Train Media (Rogue Agent, Catch Me a Killer). Lockerbie was initially developed by MGM Television and Night Train. The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K., followed by Netflix in the U.K. and globally. The producer is Julia Stannard (United, War and Peace, Anne) and Michael Keillor (Chimerica, Roadkill, Best Interests) is the director. The project was initiated by filmmaker Adam Morane-Griffiths whose research includes extensive interviews with Scottish police officers and representatives from United States investigative agencies, many of whom have never previously shared their stories, said the BBC and Netflix. Production on Lockerbie will also include filming in Malta and Toronto. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India India to commission 2nd naval base near Maldives Wednesday The Indian Navy will commission Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu, its second naval base in Lakshadweep Islands, Wednesday March 06, 2024. Read More Wednesday March 6, 2024 0:24 AM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: The Indian Navy will commission Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu, its second naval base in Lakshadweep Islands, Wednesday March 06, 2024. Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep which straddles the vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). The commissioning event to be held in the presence of Adm R Hari Kumar the, Chief of the Naval Staff marks an important milestone in the Indian Navys resolve to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands. INS Jatayu is the second Naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. With the commissioning of INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy will strengthen its foothold in the Lakshadweep islands and along with extending operational surveillance, reach and sustenance, it will usher in a new era of capacity building and comprehensive development of the island territories, the Ministry said. The Naval base will enhance operational reach and facilitate Indian Navys operational effort towards Anti-Piracy and Anti-Narcotics Operations in Western Arabian Sea, the Ministry said. It will also augment Indian Navys capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland. The establishment of a Naval base is in line with the Govt of Indias focus towards comprehensive development of islands, it said. The commissioning of INS Jatayu in Minicoy Island comes amid heightened tension between Indian and newly elected Maldives government which is led by pro-China Mohamed Muizzu. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu won the 2024 elections promising to remove the Indian troops from the island . In a fresh worsening of relationship between the two, Mohamed Muizzu Tuesday said the Indian soldiers in civil dresses will also be not allowed in the island. The latest diktat of Mohamed Muizzu came after Maldives signed a military co-operation agreement with China. "There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. The Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence," he said, on a day when his country signed an agreement with China to receive free military aid. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Views & Analysis Landlocked Northeast India with Bangladesh deemed geostrategic significance to Japan Hopes for the Red Sun finally glimmer lights over landlocked northeast India and plans to connect with landlocked states with Bangladesh, which has been deemed as geostrategic significance to Japan. Read More Tuesday March 5, 2024 7:31 PM , Saleem Samad Hopes for the Red Sun finally glimmer lights over landlocked northeast India and plans to connect with landlocked states with Bangladesh, which has been deemed as geostrategic significance to Japan. Japan after the brutal Second World War has developed several proven friends in South Asia, and is now edging closer to Bangladesh and India for socio-economic development. Many think-tanks say Japan has enlarged its diplomatic vision in a bid to counter the economic hegemony of China, which has set its eyes on South Asia. Well, Japan has been a major donor and development partner since the war-ravaged Bangladesh, 52 years ago and has a strategic understanding of the region and the Bay of Bengal. Against the backdrop of huge Japanese investment in Bangladesh recently being outsmarted by China, particularly after the launch of Beijings controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) , and half of South Asia including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka being the signatories of the mega plan to revitalise the ancient silk roads to the heart of the world. A series of top Japanese official's visits to New Delhi, Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura) and Dhaka come against the background of Japans Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Vision. These developments in conjunction with initiatives like the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and regressive naval exercises jointly by the United States, Japan and Australia in the disputed South China Sea off the Philippines in response to a recent show of Chinese aggression in the disputed waters. Japan wants her physical presence in the Bay of Bengal. As Nikkei Asia writes, Bangladesh's ambitious deep-sea port promises a strategic anchor for Japan and India. A mega seaport under construction is shaping up to be a strategic linchpin for Japan and India as the Quad partners aim to counter Chinese influence. Development of the gigantic port of Matarbari will put a Japan-backed facility just north of Sonadia, another prime location on the Bay of Bengal where China proposed to develop another port. The Chinese project never materialised, and Dhaka reportedly dropped the idea, reports Nikkei Asia. A mega deep-sea port at Matarbari, in southeast Bangladesh waters is underway and is expected in 2027, the complex will take a major load off of the country's main Chattogram (formerly Chittagong) port and a trade gateway for northeast India, which would be less than 100 kilometres to the massive port facility. Whatever be the geopolitical strategy, the deep-sea port project has the potential to improve regional trade ties, boost investment, create jobs, and support infrastructural development, spurring economic growth for Bangladesh, Northeast India, Nepal, and Bhutan, as well as the surrounding countries along the Bay of Bengal. Earlier, regional studies suggested both Bangladesh and Northeast India need to scale up their multi-modal connectivity, which would not only help the region to raise its competitiveness but also narrow long-standing regional development gaps. The connectivity will bring synergy in trade facilitation, and build express corridors for the trans-shipment and transit of goods from northeast India to Bangladesh port in Chattogram. Also Read Northeast India Connectivity via Bangladesh can be Game Changer Currently, nearly 350 Japanese companies are operating in Bangladesh, with more than $380 million in combined investment. Japanese investment in Bangladesh has reached USD 123 million in 2022. Japan and India are two major export destinations in Asia where Bangladesh's export earnings reached $2 billion, said a top official of the Ministry of Commerce. Japan has proposed to develop an industrial hub in Bangladesh with supply chains to the landlocked northeast states of India, Nepal and Bhutan beyond by developing a port and connectivity in the region. Improved connectivity in the region through the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative, Japan plans to build road connectivity in the Indian states of Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura to connect to the seaport in the Bay of Bengal. Calling India an indispensable partner, after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listed three important regions Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Pacific Islands where multi-layered connectivity could overcome vulnerabilities and boost economic growth, writes Fumiko Yamada, a Research Associate at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The comprehensive collaboration among Bangladesh, India and Japan provides the blocked-in northeast with access to the Bay and access to ASEAN countries, which plays a crucial role in unleashing the enormous potential for growth and prosperity based on better access to the Indian Ocean, becomes crucial for the improvement of peoples lives of the northeast region, opines Ishita Singh Bedi of Amity University in India. The Red Sun has plans to build a BengalNortheast India industrial value chain in cooperation with India and Bangladesh to foster growth in the region. Earlier in 2019, the Government of Japan invested 205.784 billion Yen, equivalent to approximately BDT 152 billion in several ongoing and new projects in different states of Indias northeast region. None of the projects would be sustainable unless the connectivity with Bangladesh is augmented to rip huge economic benefits. Regarding port development, Japan could hardly ask for a better spot than Matarbari a natural gateway to South and Southeast Asia. Tripura state, around 100 kilometres from the proposed seaport, might serve as a gateway for regional exporters, Bedi writes. Japanese Prime Ministers FOIP vision focused particularly on emerging economies and developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region and territories vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. It comes after Japanese Prime Minister Kishida visited India last March, where he touted the idea of a new industrial hub for the Bay of Bengal and northeast India that could bolster development in the impoverished region of 300 million people. After Kishida visited India, Japan approved $1.27 billion in funding to Bangladesh for three infrastructure projects - including an enormous commercial port in the Bay, which will be equivalent to the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka or the Singapore Port in terms of water depths, said a JICA official in charge of the project. India and Japan have a comprehensive economic partnership, with trade worth $20.57 billion in 2021-2022. Of this volume, India imported Japanese goods worth $14.49 billion, reported Reuters. The FOIP and new mega project investment further solidified when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Tokyo and held an official parley with Kishida in late April. With infrastructure projects set to be completed over a five to ten-year horizon, the proposal for joint discussions on investment promotion, customs, and tariffs will set the stage for an economic boom in Indias northeast. India, Japan, and Bangladesh need to create a mechanism to discuss three key stumbling blocks to regional investment: tariffs, customs procedures, and connectivity. India and Bangladesh are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that is expected to boost bilateral trade. [The writer, Saleem Samad, is Deputy Editor of The Daily Messenger and an award-winning journalist. An Ashoka Fellow and recipient of the Hellman-Hammett Award. Email: saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad. The above article is first published in The Daily Messenger, 5 March 2014] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Views & Analysis Like in the past, Zionists will ultimately be defeated in Gaza The Zionist fascists will ultimately be defeated, and I will have the opportunity to visit a liberated Gaza and a free Palestine, Palestinian Researcher believes. Read More Tuesday March 5, 2024 11:01 AM , Dr Salim Nazzal Gaza has a tumultuous history, having endured several Zionist aggressive wars in the past. However, the current conflict surpasses all levels of brutality witnessed before. It is unfortunate that Gazas strategic location, serving as a gateway to Palestine from Africa, has made it bear the brunt of its geographical significance. History has taught us that a countrys location often shapes its destiny. A Yugoslav historian, in his book A House on the Side of the Road", highlighted how Yugoslavias position as a bridge between Europe and Asia influenced its historical trajectory. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great embarked on his journey towards the East. Gaza resisted his advances, leading to a siege and subsequent massacre of its inhabitants upon its fall. Similar events unfolded in 1802 when Napoleon Bonaparte, claiming to uphold the values of the French Revolution, Liberte, egalite, fraternite, pursued an imperialist agenda. He was among the first to advocate for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. In Gaza, Napoleon executed all surrendered soldiers, citing a lack of provisions as justification. Also Read For Lasting Peace, Zionism Must End The late Moroccan thinker was correct in asserting that the slogans of the French Revolution, such as Liberte, egalite, fraternite, were intended solely for the French and Europeans, rather than encompassing all of humanity. The ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza has exposed the hollowness of human rights rhetoric in the West, revealing the existence of double standards. The Zionists current actions bear no resemblance to the culture of the Middle East. Existence is Resistance: This is a Friday prayer in Rafah, Gaza. pic.twitter.com/EVnmwnDVxJ TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) March 1, 2024 Instead, they have imported a culture of violence and crime from the Eastern European ghettos they originated from. The Palestinians have suffered immeasurable pain as a result. This barbaric behavior has left an indelible mark on the collective memory of Palestinians and Arabs, undoubtedly fueling future conflicts. Regrettably most Western nations have aligned themselves with this genocidal war. The nations that opposed the genocide war, including Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Algeria, Brazil, China, Russia, South Africa, and Bolivia, will always hold a significant position in the hearts of the Palestinians and the global community. We are heroes. We are Gaza. Through adversity and pain, a boy who lost his mother and sisters as martyrs emerges from the rubble to avenge them: "Behind these martyrs are three sons who will blow up your head, Netanyahu." His words resonate with pain, pride, and unwavering pic.twitter.com/OztOcgxYec The Resistance (@TopGResistance) March 4, 2024 The Zionist fascists will ultimately be defeated, and I will have the opportunity to visit a liberated Gaza and a free Palestine. [The writer, Salim Nazzal, is a Palestinian Norwegian researcher, lecturer playwright and poet, wrote more than 17 books such as Perspectives on thought, culture and political sociology, in thought, culture and ideology, the road to Baghdad.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home International US soldier, who burnt self over Israeli war crimes, leaves all his money to Palestinian kids According to his family members, Aaron Bushnell had signed a will before his self-immolation against the Israeli crimes and the US support to it. Read More Tuesday March 5, 2024 2:23 PM , ummid.com News Network Washington: Aaron Bushnell, serving American Airforce Personnel, who burnt himself protesting against the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, has left all his money to Palestinian children. Aaron Bushnell who walked to the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC with cans filled with petroleum live stream on social media, what he called, his extreme protest against the US support to Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. I will no longer be complicit in the genocide, he said before setting himself afire. Aaron Bushnell yelled Free Palestine a number of times even as his body was engulfed in flames. Aaron Bushnell's Will According to his family members, Aaron Bushnell had signed a will before his self-immolation against the Israeli crimes and the US support to it. In the will signed before his death, Aaron Bushnell donated all his money to Palestine Childrens Relief Fund - a not-for-profit organization delivering humanitarian aid and life-saving medical relief to Gaza. In his will, Aaron Bushnell also arranged for a neighbour to care for his cat after his death. Though not the first of its kind but Aaron Bushnells self-immolation in front of the Israeli Embassy in the US capital against the Israeli war crimes sparked renewed anger against the U.S. support to Israel all across the world. A massive outrage was also witnessed in various parts of the United States over a security guard pulling his gun and pointing it at the burning American soldier in uniform. Gaza Latest Update The Israeli Occupied Forces have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians since Oct 07, 2023. The Zionist forces on Feb 29 massacred over 100 Palestinians who were waiting for food and humanitarian aid. Among those killed by the Israeli forces are 13,230 children, according to Gazas government media including seven who died of starvation. VETERANS ARE BURNING THEIR UNIFORMS IN SUPPORT OF AARON BUSHNELL! THE WORLD IS WAKING UP! pic.twitter.com/3tk3gPdsNL Rev Laskaris (@REVMAXXING) February 29, 2024 The death toll also includes 8,860 women, 340 medical staff, 132 journalists, and 47 civil defence staff. The officials said while 30,139 deaths have been registered at hospitals, the death toll does not include over 7,000 reported missing and are presumed dead. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Breakthrough opportunity for Vietnams pharmaceutical industry The latest statistics from the General Department of Customs show that in 2023, Vietnam spent nearly 6.9 billion USD to import pharmaceuticals from France, the US, Germany, India and Italy, an increase of nearly two times compared to 2022 (3.5 billion USD), of which the pharmaceutical products still account for a large proportion. The total import turnover of pharmaceutical products has continued to dominate and has increased strongly over the years. Vietnams pharmaceutical imports reached about 1.6 billion USD in 2011, 2.4 billion USD in 2015, and 3.5 billion USD in 2020. This reflects the weak competitiveness and development of Vietnamese pharmaceutical enterprises compared to their foreign rivals. Specifically, the production capability of Vietnams pharmaceutical industry is estimated to meet only about 53% of the domestic demand, while the rest still depends on imported products. A report by FPT Research in 2022 showed that foreign drugs account for about 50% in value and 25% in quantity. Imported drugs also dominate the hospital channel (ETC), with a bid value rate of up to 77%. In addition, according to a report by KPMG, in 2021, innovative drugs accounted for only about 19% of the total revenue of the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry, which is quite low compared to other countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand (32.1%) and Singapore (53.3%). The low market share of production shows that the Vietnamese peoples access to innovative drugs is still very limited. However, Vietnam is still a pharmaceutical market with great potential for development in the future. IQVIA believes that Vietnam belongs to the group of Pharmerging Markets - a group of 17 countries with the highest growth rate of the pharmaceutical industry globally thanks to many favorable conditions for development such as a large population - over 100 million people, which is rapidly aging, and the living standards and health care awareness of the people are gradually improving. Notably, the The National Strategy for Vietnam's Pharmaceutical Industry Development by 2030 with a vision toward 2045 was approved by the Government on October 9, 2023, opening up many opportunities for the domestic pharmaceutical industry to grow and develop, with the goal of reducing dependence on imports and focusing on modernisation so that the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry can be on par with other countries in the world. Proactively responding to challenges In the strategy, the Vietnamese Government has set the goals that by 2030, domestically produced drugs will meet about 80% of the demand and account for 70% of the market value, and Vietnam will become a regional production hub for high-value pharmaceuticals. In order to realize the goals, domestic firms are focusing on improving business management skills, continuously expanding the market share, developing distribution networks; focusing on upgrading and building production lines that meet international standards. Statistics show that Vietnam currently has more than 200 GMP-qualified factories, with 18 EU-GMP factories and 4 PICs-GMP factories. In which, Imexpharm Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (IMP) stands out when it owns the largest network of EU-GMP standard production lines in the country, with 3 factory clusters and 11 EU-GMP standard production lines. This is also the first pharmaceutical producer to achieve GMP-ASEAN certification in Vietnam. Recently, Imexpharm boldly joined hands with Korean pharmaceutical group Genuone Sciences Inc., to promote the transfer of core technologies, aiming to produce high-quality specialty drugs at more affordable costs. The signing of the strategic cooperation agreement between Imexpharm and Genuone has been highly appreciated by experts in the context of Vietnam actively attracting investment in drug production through technology transfer activities from foreign enterprises for innovative drugs and original drugs. "Through this strategic cooperation, we are moving towards producing both generic and advanced drugs, not only increasing the value of products and enterprises but also bringing about positive changes in healthcare for the community," Imexpharm's General Director - People's Physician, Pharmacist Tran Thi Dao shared. It can be seen that Imexpharm and many Vietnamese pharmaceutical enterprises are actively building strategies, responding to challenges to ensure production and business activities, meeting domestic market demand, affirming their position in the world market; and also continuing to accompany and realize the common goals of the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry. HA NOI Local cosmetics market still sees the dominance of foreign brands, urging local producers to focus on improving quality and promoting marketing strategies to expand market share. According to data and business intelligence platform Statista, foreign beauty brands are popular. Brands from the Republic of Korea have established themselves as the leading players in Viet Nams cosmetics market. Statistics showed the Republic of Korea was Viet Nams largest export partner for cosmetics with export value reaching around US$330 million in 2022. Apart from South Korean brands, Vietnamese consumers also enjoy using Japanese and European brands. Despite the fierce competition and the high consumer preference for international brands, local businesses have been gradually asserting their position. Brands such as Cocoon, M.O.I Cosmetics, Lemonade, and more have also been, step by step, gaining popularity among consumers by offering affordable yet high-quality products. Still, local brands hold a modest share, estimated at around 10 per cent, of a $2.3 billion market. Viet Nams cosmetics market is thriving, thanks to young consumers entering the market and a rising middle class. Statista pointed out that Viet Nam is among the countries with the highest average salary growth rate in the Asia Pacific region. As people have more disposable income, the demand for various consumer goods has been increasing in the country, especially for cosmetics and personal care items. With the post-COVID-19 economic recovery underway, international trade has regained momentum. Together with the rise of e-commerce, spending on cosmetic products is increasing, with a surge in revenue for the beauty and personal care market in Viet Nam expected in the coming years, Statista wrote. The revenue in the beauty and personal care market in Viet Nam is projected to reach $2.66 billion by 2024 with an annual growth rate of 2.97 per cent in 2024-28. The per-person revenue in Viet Nam is projected to be at $26.77 in 2024. A report by Nielsen showed Viet Nams average per-person spending in cosmetics is still modest but increasing year-on-year, estimated at around VN500,000-700,000 per month. Go online According to Statista, thanks to Viet Nams digital-savvy population, the use of e-commerce has been expanding rapidly in recent years. Cosmetics has consistently been among the leading online shopping categories in the country, especially among urban consumers. With more and more people comfortable shopping for these items online, brands have been tailoring their customer journey to meet the new demand for online services. For instance, virtual try-on services have recently become popular among beauty brands in Viet Nam, providing consumers with an interactive product demonstration using augmented reality technologies. New digital innovations employed within the cosmetics market are expected to continuously improve the consumer journey with online shopping, helping e-commerce to overtake physical retail stores as the go-to destination for beauty and personal care products in the near future. In addition, social media has played a crucial role in shaping beauty trends in Viet Nam. Statista estimated that online sales would contribute 20.2 per cent of total revenue in the beauty and personal care market by 2024. A report by e-commerce data platform Metric showed that revenue of beauty and personal care products on e-commerce platforms reached VN22.2 trillion in the first 10 months of 2023, rising by 74 per cent over 2022. Tin Le, founder cum CEO of Adtek, said that as cosmetics brands are all promoting sales via e-commerce platform, local brands should focus on ensuring product quality to attract and keep customers. In addition, focus should also be on catching beauty trends as Vietnamese consumers are increasingly embracing natural and organic beauty products, together with designing, branding and marketing strategies. VNS Vo Tri Thanh* The General Statistics Office (GSO) has announced that Viet Nams merchandise trade surplus reached US$4.72 billion in the first two months of the year, higher than the figure of $3.5 billion reported during the same period last year. A trade surplus is an economic measure of a positive balance of trade, where a country's exports exceed its imports. In fact, the countrys exports in the JanuaryFebruary period were worth $59.34 billion while imports were valued at $54.62 billion, representing an increase of 19 per cent and 18 per cent year on year, respectively. Theoretically, countries with trade surpluses will have many advantages. They will see their manufacturing sector improved, volume of goods sold to another country increased, and more work opportunities created in businesses operating in sectors that they have comparative advantages. Trade surplus means the inflow of foreign currency surpasses the outflow, which can result in a rise in foreign exchange reserves, enabling the countries to pay down its debts thus improving its creditworthiness and strengthening its central banks ability to intervene in the currency market. This is particularly true in emerging or developing markets, and in countries whose economic growth is highly driven by exports. Viet Nam is not an exception. Viet Nam started to have a trade surplus in 2012 with $284 million. Since then, the trade surplus has continuously created "new milestones". Especially in 2020, in the context of the world economy being heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam's trade surplus still reached a figure of $19.1 billion. In 2023, Viet Nam enjoyed a trade surplus for 8th consecutive year with a record $26 billion, nearly triple the 2022 figure. Looking to the overall economic picture, the achievements is really plausible as they have not only contributed to stabilising the domestic macro-economy, generating GDP growth, creating jobs for workers, but also brought Viet Nam to the 22nd position in the world in terms of export turnover and capacity and to the 26th rank in international trade scale. However, trade surplus should be assessed cautiously as in Viet Nam, there have been two problems related to the trade surplus, which makes the picture not necessarily so rosy. First of all, the trade surpluses have been totally created by foreign invested enterprises. In 2020, foreign invested sectors trade surplus was recorded with $34.6 billion, while the domestic business sector still had a trade deficit of up to $15.5 billion. In the first two month of this year, foreign-invested businesses in Viet Nam posted a trade surplus of $8.25 billion while Vietnamese companies posted a trade deficit of $3.53 billion. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the foreign-invested sector still accounts for over 70 per cent of the country's total export turnover, showing the fact that the competitiveness of domestic enterprises remains weak, and their capacity is not yet strong enough to participate deeply in the global supply chain. Besides, Viet Nam's processing and manufacturing industries also rely too much on external raw material supplies and intermediate goods because the supporting industry is not yet developed. That foreign-invested enterprises account for about 20-22 per cent of GDP but make up more than 70 per cent of total export turnover shows they know how to take advantages of free trade agreements (FTAs) of which Viet Nam is a signatory and are enjoying most of the commercial benefits brought by our integration efforts. Secondly, if looking more closely at the numbers, we will find it worrying that the surge in trade surplus could be thanks to imports turnover falling at rates higher than exports revenue. Specifically, after reaching record high in 2022, exports last year declined by $17.2 billion, equivalent to a rate of 5 per cent while imports dropped by $31 billion, equivalent to a rate of 8 per cent. Notably, among the four groups of imported goods (namely consumer goods, raw materials and fuel, intermediate goods and capital goods), the largest groups intermediate goods such as components and capital goods such as machinery and equipment which account for total 70-80 per cent of the imports decreased, reflecting a deceleration in production and processing capacity of businesses as well as a slowdown in private investment. Bright sides This year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has set the target of 6 per cent rise in export revenue growth compared to 2023 with a trade surplus of $15 billion. The target shows the ministry and Government have a more cautious consideration, taking into account a slow recovery of Viet Nams major partners and ongoing geopolitical tensions which have no signs of easing. However, looking to the bright side, we find that after a period of stagnation, businesses' inventory will decrease and demand may bounce back. To a certain extent, this is reflected in the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in January and February 2024, which increased to over 50 points. Orders from some industries such as textiles, garments and footwear also show signs of improvement. Many large businesses said they have orders for goods to arrive by the end of the first quarter of 2024. In fact, imports of components and machinery and equipment in the first two months of the year rebounced with a 24 per cent rise year on year, which demonstrates that the private sector started to invest more in production. According to IMF (International Monetary Fund) forecasts, world economic growth in 2024 is 3.1 per cent slightly higher than 2023. This brings hope that world demand will recover more or less. Other bright spots in the countrys recent economic performance is that FDI continues to maintain upward momentum (both commitment and disbursement) due to the trend of supply chain shifting; the upgrade of Viet Nams strategic partnership in 2023 and the market expansion thanks to the FTAs implementation. Mindset change Despite the bright spots, the trade sector needs to exert all-out efforts to reach the target. For a developing country like Viet Nam, maintaining trade surplus is deemed a great success of the country in the past. But creating a trade surplus with more contribution of domestic enterprises would make more sense. To do so, the Government must take long-term measures to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of local enterprises, helping them to participate more deeply and extensively in the global supply chain. Global tensions and a rise in nationalism have painted a picture of importers being losers. However, thats not necessarily the case, especially when everyone is on good terms. Therefore, gaining trade surplus by all means, even exporting natural resources rather than value-added products, should not be encouraging. Economist Adam Smith, the Father of Modern Economics, opined in 1776 that the wealth of a nation was created solely on the basis of trade specialisation and productivity improvement. He believed that trade is not a zero-sum game as it is always advantegeous, though not always equally so, to both (importer and exporter). *Vo Tri Thanh is former Vice President of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and a member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council. A doctorate in economics from the Australian National University, Thanh mainly undertakes research and provides consultation on issues related to macroeconomic policies, trade liberalisation and international economic integration. Other areas of interest include institutional reforms and financial systems. He authors the Viet Nam News column Analysts Pick. HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received General Director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho in Ha Noi on March 4. Speaking highly of Samsungs investment that has contributed to Vietnams import-export revenue as well as economic development, Quang affirmed that the Vietnamese Government has paid due attention to improving the domestic business climate to facilitate foreign enterprises long-term production and business in the country. He highly evaluated Vietnamese engineers working at Samsung R&D Centre, asking Samsung, with its considerable experience and capacity, will continue cooperation with the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) and help Vietnam realise its set goals of training 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030. Choi, meanwhile, said Samsung invested an additional US$1.2 billion in 2023, increasing its total investment in Viet Nam to $22.4 billion, and the group will continue funneling $1 billion into the country each year. There are 2,400 engineers working at the Samsung R&D Centre, with Vietnamese engineers playing a key role in studying the application of the AI into the Galaxy S24 line of phones, he said, highlighting Samsung will continue studying the possibility to expand cooperation with the NIC and support Vietnam to train semiconductor human resources. He affirmed that Viet Nams development is also Samsungs development, and the group's development will contribute to the countrys socio-economic development. Regarding the cooperation with the NIC, Samsung and the innovation centre last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding on implementing development activities for Vietnams young generation who will lead the success of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Republic of Korea-based group had also entered a cooperation document with the Vietnam National University, Ha Noi on providing training for some 40 excellent students of the university in four years to become future leaders of the semiconductor industry. VNA/VNS HA NOI Vietjet has opened a direct route from Ha Noi to Hiroshima, connecting the capital of Viet Nam with the famous city of the land of the rising sun, bringing more convenient tourism and trade opportunities between the two cities and two countries. Operating from May 12, 2024, with two return flights per week on Thursdays and Sundays, people and tourists can easily travel between the two cities with a flight time of around four hours per leg, Vietjet said in a statement. The flights depart Ha Noi at 6am and arrive in Hiroshima at 12.30pm. The return flights leave Hiroshima Airport at 1.30pm and land at Noi Bai Airport at 4.20pm (all local time). Hiroshima is located in Southwestern Japan and has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the mysterious Itsukushima Shrine with the Torii gate on the Seto Inland Sea, and many other famous landmarks such as Ueno-Hiroshima Park and Senkoji Park. Meanwhile, Ha Noi, being known as the heart of Viet Nam, is the cultural, economic and political centre imbued with Vietnamese identity and world-famous diverse cuisine. Vietjet currently operates many flights connecting the largest cities in Viet Nam, HCM City and Ha Noi, to famous cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Nayoga and Fukuoka. To celebrate the new route, Vietjet opens for sale thousands of promotional tickets starting from zero ong on the website www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app. The discounted airfares (excluding taxes and fees) will be applied to all international flights on Fridays from March 8, 2024, with flexible flight times from March 8, 2024, to December 31, 2024. A new domestic route Last week, Vietjet also inaugurated the new route connecting ien Bien and Ha Noi to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ien Bien Phu victory. This is the second route of Vietjet to ien Bien, following the route connecting HCM City and the northwestern region. With around 50 minutes flying time, people and tourists can easily travel between Ha Noi and ien Bien with three return flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Vietjets routes connecting Ha Noi and HCM City with ien Bien will give passengers opportunities to travel conveniently to this historic and heroic land known for the glorious history that shook the world, experience the beautiful natural landscape, majestic mountains and forests of the northwestern region, as well as visit famous landmarks, the airline has said. It added that these flight routes will also contribute to connecting ien Bien and the northwestern region with Ha Noi and HCM City, the two major political, economic and cultural centres, further expanding Vietjet's extensive flight network. VNS MELBOURNE Vietjet announced a new route connecting Melbourne, Australia with the capital city of Ha Noi to meet the travel demand between the metropolitan cities of the two countries during the Viet Nam-Australia Business Forum 2024 on Tuesday. Viet Nam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Honourable Jacinta Allan - Premier of Victoria state together with high-level leaders of the two countries congratulated and welcomed Vietjet's new route at the event, which was of great significance to the two business communities during the official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Australia. The newest route will be inaugurated on June 3, 2024, providing two round-trip flights per week with a flight time of about 10 hours. It is expected to provide convenient and easy travel opportunities for the people and tourists between the two cities, two countries, and two continents. Flights from Ha Noi to Melbourne will depart on Mondays and Fridays at 17:10. Flights from Melbourne to Ha Noi will leave on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7:30 (All local time). Vietjet currently operates multiple flights between Viet Nam and Australia with 58 flights per week between HCM City and the five largest cities in the "Land of Kangaroos" including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. "The new route is the new step in Vietjets plan to expand its flight network to meet the needs of its customers, contributing to the opening of more opportunities for cultural exchange, education, economic development, and tourism between Viet Nam and other countries, particularly Australia," Vietjet said. VNSair MELBOURNE Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Vietnam-Australia Business Forum in Melbourne on Tuesday morning (local time) as part of his ongoing trip to Australia to attend the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit and pay an official visit to Australia. Addressing the event, which drew the participation of leaders from nearly 200 enterprises of Viet Nam and Australia, PM Chinh revealed that during his official visit to Australia, the two countries are scheduled to announce the upgrade of bilateral relations. The Government leader expressed his expectations on five better things after the upgrade of the relations better political trust, better economic, trade and investment cooperation, better science-technology and innovation collaboration, better partnership in education, training, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and better cooperation in tourism and labour. PM Chinh briefed participants on major policies and development achievements of Vietnam over the past years, and underlined that economic, trade and investment collaboration has been an important pillar in the bilateral relationship. Statistics showed that Viet Nam is now home to 630 Australian-funded projects with combined registered capital of US$2.03 billion, making Australia the 20th largest among 145 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Viet Nam has also invested in 90 projects worth over $550 million in Australia. In 2023, two-way trade reached about $14 billion, turning Viet Nam and Australia into each others top 10 largest trading partners. However, PM Chinh held that the cooperation results remained modest compared to the potential and space for cooperation between the two countries. Therefore, he called on businesses, associations and investors of the two countries to further promote their collaboration and pledged that the two governments will continue to create favourable conditions for their cooperation. The Vietnamese Government will continue to promote three strategic breakthroughs in terms of institutions, infrastructure and human resources, simplify administrative procedures and cut costs for investors, he said, proposing the Australian side to assist Viet Nam in these fields. PM Chinh suggested that the two sides optimise traditional growth motivations of investment, export and consumption, and promote new driving forces such as digital transformation, green transition, circular economy, knowledge-based economy and sharing economy on the foundation of innovation, science and technology. The two countries should also boost tourism and education cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges, he added. The PM took this occasion to thank the Australian side for backing the Vietnamese community in settling down in the host country, and providing COVID-19 vaccines to Viet Nam during the hardest time of the pandemic. At the forum, PM Chinh witnessed the announcement of the opening of an air route linking Melbourne and Ha Noi by Vietjet Air. First flights on the route are scheduled to operate on June 3 with two return flights per week. Vietjet is currently operating 58 flights per week between HCM City of Viet Nam and the five largest cities of Australia - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Within the forums framework, agencies and businesses of the two nations also exchanged many memoranda of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in various fields, including aviation, education and training, offshore wind power development, and high-tech agriculture. Earlier the same day, PM Chinh cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Australia - Vietnam Policy Institute at RMIT University, which aims to conduct researches on the strategic relations between Australia and Viet Nam, contributing to effectively implementing Australia'a Southeast Asian Economic Strategy to 2040. PM Chinh expressed his belief that the institutes activities in providing policy consultancy to the two governments will help deepen the bilateral relationship, making it more practical and effective across all fields for the growth of each country and people of both nations, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. According to RMIT President Prof. Alec Cameron, through nearly 25 years of operations in Vietnam, the university has trained 20,000 Vietnamese students. PM Chinh proposed that RMIT invest more in enhancing the quality of its infrastructure and making long-term investment in Viet Nam, thus contributing to promoting education-training cooperation between the two countries. VNA/VNS Dura Software has acquired a Brazilian firm that develops systems to manage legal documents. Courtesy Paul Salisbury is CEO of Dura Software. Dura Software San Antonio-based Dura Software has acquired a Brazilian firm that develops systems to manage legal documents, the latest move in the private holding companys rapid expansion. Dura, which specializes in buying hyperniche software companies, said Tuesday that it had finalized a deal to buy Publicacoes Online of Florianopolis, Brazil. Its software distributes summonses and processes among law offices, legal departments and lawyers. We are ecstatic about our first acquisition in the vibrant Brazilian market because Publicacoes Online is such a great company, Dura CEO Paul Salisbury said in a statement. They are highly regarded in their industry, and their technology solution solves a mission-critical need for their clients businesses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The buy Duras 18th comes less than two months after it finalized deals to acquire U.K.-based telecom services Invosys Ltd. and Satuit Technologies of Massachusetts, a maker of asset and customer relationship software. We are proud of the prominence that the company has achieved in recent years, and the acquisition by Dura Software is a clear demonstration of this, Joe Parente, a founding partner of Publicacoes Online, said in a statement. With Dura, we will be able to capitalize on the solid technology base we have developed and expand the partnerships with clients throughout Brazil. Publicacoes Online employs more than 70 people and serves 120,000 clients across Brazil, according to information on its website. Its software processes and distributes more than 8 million daily subpoenas and 400,000 electronic processes, according to its website. Dura did not respond to requests for comment about whether Publicacoes Online employees would move to San Antonio. Companies previously acquired by Dura have moved their headquarters to the city, though most of their employees typically stay in place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Duras growth has continued amid a tightening tech market and nearly 50,000 tech layoffs across the United States so far in 2024, according to Layoffs.fyi. San Antonio businessman Michael Girdley and Salisbury, a former Rackspace Technology Inc. senior executive, launched Dura in 2018. By 2022, it had grown into a business with more than $43 million in revenue. Dura has said it aims to buy companies valued in the so-called neutral zone from $2 million to $15 million in annual recurring revenue, according to its website that are too large for an individual to buy and too small for private equity firms. It raised $50 million to fuel its acquisitions in April. HA NOI The Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam (TRAV) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has provided early warnings for steel wire originating from Viet Nam which was facing a high risk of being investigated for trade defence measure. Statistics from the TRAV showed that Canada has launched investigations into eight trade defence cases targeting steel products exported from Viet Nam. These cases include five anti-dumping investigations, two anti-subsidy investigations, and one case based on self-defence. Canada is specifically targeting Viet Nam's primary export steel products and types, including concrete reinforced steel, anti-corrosion steel plates, steel coils and oil pipeline steel pipes. According to TRAV, Canada's policy of closely monitoring and strengthening the management of imported steel to safeguard the domestic market suggests that further research and investigations are anticipated. It is likely that Canada would extend these measures to include other steel products from Viet Nam, including steel wire products. This item is widely used in various sectors, including prestressed concrete wire (PC Wire), umbrella frames, tire bead wire (TBW), piano wire, wire cores for conductors, cables used in elevators and cranes, welding electrode cores and nails. Statistics from Trademap showed that Viet Nam's export turnover of steel wire products to Canada has increased rapidly in recent years. In 2020, Viet Nam exported approximately US$10 million worth of steel wire to Canada. The export turnover of this product doubled to $21 million in 2021 and continued to see strong growth, reaching around $40 million in 2022. This caused Canada to conduct an investigation and apply trade remedies against Vietnamese steel wire. In addition to issuing the early warning, TRAV has advised the relevant associations and enterprises to carefully review their steel wire exports to the Canadian market (referring to the HS codes of 7223, 7213, 7227, 7306) and be prepared to respond in the event of a trade remedy investigation by Canada. In case of an investigation, it is crucial for the concerned associations and businesses to fully cooperate with the investigating agency as per their requirements. They should also maintain regular communication and co-ordination with TRAV to receive necessary support. VNS NAM INH Nam inh Province will create favourable conditions for German businesses to invest in the locality, said Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Pham Gia Tuc. Receiving a delegation from the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Parliamentarians Group, headed by its President on Tuan Phong and German Ambassador to Viet Nam Guido Hildner on March 5, the provincial official introduced the guests to the provinces history, culture, advantages and potential. Tuc called upon German businesses and investors in hi-tech areas to invest in the province. He highlighted Nam inh as the location of Viet Nam's sole nursing university, emphasising this as a strategic advantage for cooperation programmes aimed at sending Vietnamese nurses to Germany for employment opportunities. He hoped that human resource training schools in the province will have the opportunity to participate in vocational training and technical support programmes between Vietnam and Germany, which will open up opportunities for comprehensive cooperation between Nam inh and Germanys organisations and localities. Phong, who is also Vice Chairman of the National Assemblys Committee for External Relations, said that Nam inh has a favourable geographical location, a developed economy, advantages in infrastructure, investment environment, human resources, and good quality human resource training facilities. The province and German investors have the potential to cooperate in the fields of science - technology, culture, sports, tourism, and labour development. Ambassador Hildner said Germany and Viet Nam agreed to cooperate in developing two important projects related to climate change and nurse recruitment. The projects took the working group of the Vietnam - Germany Friendship Parliamentarians Group to Nam inh on this occasion. Within the framework of the working visit, the delegation visited My Thuan Industrial Park in My Loc District and Nam inh University of Nursing. VNS WASHINGTON D.C The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) will break its own record on the number of US businesses joining an annual delegation to Viet Nam, even higher than the 51 firms joining the delegation in March last year, according to President & CEO of the council Ted Osius. The former US Ambassador to Viet Nam said that this will be an important visit taking place after the upgrade of the US-Vietnam relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development and on the occasion of the 40th founding anniversary of the USABC. He said that US businesses have shown great interest in Viet Nam. From almost no trade relations in the 1990s, the two sides enjoyed two-way trade of US$138 billion in 2022, and Viet Nam has become the eighth largest trade partner of the US. According to Osius, three areas that attract US investors the most are technology, energy, and health care. In the technology sector, the US is committed to helping Viet Nam develop its semiconductor industry through investing in workforce development for Viet Nam. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is investing $100 million in workforce development and announced just a few days ago an additional commitment to improve workforce qualifications through Arizona State University, he stated, holding that US companies are also greatly interested in the continuous development of the Vietnamese workforce. US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez who visited Vietnam recently said that 15 companies are ready to invest $8 billion in the semiconductor industry, but there will be challenges when they want to buy clean energy from sources such as clean natural gas, solar power, hydropower and wind power. Therefore, the USABC will discuss with them measures to deal with this task in March, he added. US firms also want to be able to produce pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in Viet Nam and invest in the healthcare sector, said Fernandez, expressing confidence in this great potentials and affirming that during the trip in March, some of those potentials will be realised. According to Osius, Viet Nam is considered a stable and open country that always welcomes American people and businesses. The Vietnamese Government is ready to take steps to create favourable conditions for investors and to address challenges, he commented. The USABC leader hailed the openness in business cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of high technology because Viet Nam has many talents and great potential. According to him, this sector can reach $1 trillion across ASEAN by 2030 and account for 30 per cent of Viet Nam 's economy in a few years. This is a dynamically growing part of the Vietnamese economy and an attractive area for US companies that will accompany him on the March trip, he underlined. VNA/VNS TOKYO As many as 22 Vietnamese enterprises are showcasing their products at Foodex Japan 2024, one of the largest international food and beverage exhibitions in Asia, which kicked off in Tokyo, Japan on March 5. They include leading companies operating in the agricultural and food industries such as Masan Group Corp, An Khang Food JSC, Long Son JSC and Dong Giao Food Export JSC (Doveco). According to Vietnamese Trade Councillor to Japan Ta Duc Minh, this year the increased number of Vietnamese booths at the exhibition means that the number of products introduced this time is more diverse. On this occasion, the Vietnamese trade office in Japan will organise business connection sessions so that importing enterprises can sign contracts with Vietnamese counterparts. He noted that Vietnamese enterprises have paid attention to details like packaging to suit the taste of Japanese consumers, besides quality and food safety of the products. Satake Yoichiro, a visitor to the exhibition, said he enjoys Vietnamese rice and feels that it was very delicious. He also loves Vietnamese dried fruits, especially dried mangoes, adding that he often receives gifts from Vietnamese friends like cashews nuts and they are all his favourite foods. First held in 1976, Foodex Japan aims to promote food diversification in Japan and Asia, develop sustainable solutions to food waste, and support technological advancements for increased productivity. This years event, which features 3,913 booths of 2,879 businesses from 68 countries and territories around the world, will run until March 8. It is expected to attract 80,000 visitors, including 15,000 foreign ones. VNA/VNS . VINH LONG The People's Committee of the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, in coordination with the Indian Consulate General in HCM City, held a conference on promoting cooperation between the province and Indian businesses on March 5. Vice Chairman of Peoples Committee of Vinh Long province ang Van Chinh told the conference that the province is ready to cooperate with Indian businesses for mutual development and mutual benefit given the international integration trend. He reported that last year, the province's exports to India, mainly footwear and garments, were valued at U$S1.33 million, accounting for about 0.2% of its total export turnover. Its imports from India, mostly raw materials for pharmaceutical production and animal feed, reached about $2 million , or 0.6% of the province's total import turnover. Chinh said that Vinh Long wants to attract projects relating to infrastructure of industrial parks and clusters, health care, pharmaceuticals, human resource training, industry, tourism and hi-tech agriculture, creating higher added value as well as meeting the demand of investors. The provincial leader pledged to support investors and remove difficulties during the implementation of projects as well as facilitate connection between investors with local businesses and the administration for sustainable trade and investment which commensurate with the potential and sound relationship between the two countries. He expressed his hope that the Indian Consulate in HCM City and businesses will continue to strengthen people-to-people exchange and promote cooperation in all aspects. Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in HCM City, said Indian businesses want to cooperate with the province in the fields of tourism, education, health, and information technology and trade in the future. Within the framework of the event, Indian business representatives had a field trip to enterprises and tourist destinations in Vinh Long province to explore the potential and cooperation opportunities. The delegates also met with local businesses to learn about typical products of the locality and sign MoUs on cooperative activities in the coming time. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Ha Long Carnival 2024 will be a highlight among 186 tourism promotion programmes and events to be held in the northern province of Quang Ninh this year, during which a drone light show will be performed over UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay for the first time. According to the provincial Peoples Committee, the Ha Long Carnival is slated for the National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays at the Ocean Park in Bai Chay ward of Ha Long city, bringing together thousands of domestic and foreign artists. First held in 2007, the annual event, set to promote the values of the world natural heritage of Ha Long Bay, has offered a familiar and favourite venue to both local residents and tourists. This years festival should promote the values of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac heritage complex, whose dossier has been submitted to UNESCO to seek the world heritage tittle, as well as the typical values of Quang Ninh, the committee said. The committee noted that there will be nearly 50 cultural, sport and tourism programmes and events at provincial, national and international levels in the province in the second quarter of this year. Such activities are expected to help Quang Ninh fulfill its yearly target of luring at least 17 million tourists, including 3 million international visitors, and earning VN39.1 trillion (U$S1.5 billion) from the tourism sector. Ha Long Bay was recognised as the world natural heritage site by UNESCO twice, in 1994 for its globally outstanding aesthetic values and in 2000 for its geological - geomorphological values. The recognised area covers 434 sq.km and consists of 775 limestone islets of all sizes one of the core factors of the heritages values. VNS HCM CITY The winners of the "Consul General for a Day" contest had a day to learn how a consulate general functions and participated in a press conference to express their feelings about their experiences and women's rights at the Residence of France on March 4. The contest was launched at the end of February and organised by several consulates general in HCM City, including Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, based on the idea of the Consul General of Germany, Josefine Wallat. The five winners include Le Nguyen Thuy Vy (Consul General of France), Luu Thu Hang (Consul General of Germany), Nguyen Thi Truc Ly (Consul General of British), Nguyen Thi Thien Nga (Consul General of the Canada), and Nguyen Thi Bao Ngoc (Consul General of the United States). All the winners emphasised that the competition is an opportunity to boost confidence, gain more experience, and inspire women as well as young girls to pursue their dreams and goals. Le Nguyen Thuy Vy, the winner of the Consul General of France contest, mentioned that her life faced difficulties in the past, leading her to always feel like a small individual in society. Therefore, winning the competition initially made her a bit fearful. However, the experiences gained during the day, along with encouragement from Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser, the Consul General of France and the entire staff of the consulate, have boosted Vy's confidence, making her feel more "grown-up" than before. At the conference, the five winners also agreed that gender equality is one of the most pressing issues today, but no significant change can happen without starting from smaller changes. The competition to celebrate International Women's Day was open to girls from Viet Nam aged 13 to 22, and winners from each consulate are selected based on their responses to questions posted on the social media pages of each consulate. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Melbourne on Monday evening (local time) to attend the ASEAN-Australia Summit and begin his official visit to the Oceanian country at the invitation of his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. Under the theme A Partnership for the Future, the summit is seen as an occasion for the Southeast Asian bloc and Australia to review and enhance their ties to be more practical and effective, in alignment with their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021. PM Chinh is set to hold discussions with Australian and ASEAN leaders to put forward visions, directions and specific measures to expand their cooperation in the future. As part of his official visit to Australia, the Vietnamese leader is scheduled to meet and hold talks with the countrys leadership and attend the Vietnam-Australia Business Forum. He will also visit several Australian business associations, corporations and research institutes, as well as the Vietnamese community in Australia. In addition to reviewing their bilateral relations, notably the Viet Nam-Australia Strategic Partnership, the two countries are expected to focus on cooperation goals in trade, investment, education and training, science and technology, innovation, as well as green and digital economy. The countrys leaders will also approve multiple agreements in energy, education, mineral resources, agriculture, forestry and fishery, science and technology, justice, trade and finance on this occasion. VNS VIENTIANE Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong had bilateral meetings with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath, and Cambodian Deputy Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Tea Siha in Luang Prabang, Laos, on March 4. The meetings took place as Cuong is in Laos to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Retreat (ADMM-Retreat) from March 4 to 6. Meeting with the Lao official, Cuong affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence always supports and stands ready to assist the Lao side to successfully organise military-defence events when Laos is holding the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024. Chansamone, for his part, welcomed the high-level delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to attend the ADMM-Retreat, expressing his belief that their attendance will contribute to the meetings success. Both sides evaluated the bilateral cooperation over the past time, and discussed cooperation orientations in the coming time, particularly in the areas of Party and political affairs, border management and protection, human resources training and defence industry. The Lao official said he hoped the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will support the Experts Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action of the ADMM Plus (ADMM+) for 2024-2027 co-chaired by Laos and Russia. In the meeting with Tea Seiha, Cuong expressed his delight at the sound Viet Nam - Cambodia defence cooperation in 2023 as both sides worked closely and effectively in the fields of high-level delegation exchanges, human resources training, and exchange of young officers. They agreed that the two armies should continue their traditional cooperation and solidarity, serving as a pillar in the Viet Nam-Cambodia good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability. Besides, they concurred to direct competent agencies and units to carry out and review the protocol on defence cooperation between the two ministries during the 2020-2024 period and map out another for the 2025-2029 period. Cuong took this occasion to invite leaders from the Cambodian defence ministry, royal military and enterprises to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Peoples Army, and the 2nd Vietnam International Defence Expo scheduled to be held at the end of this year. VNA/VNS HA NOI Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Russian First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Titov co-chaired the 13th Vietnam Russia diplomacy - defence - security strategy dialogue in Ha Noi on March 4. In the spirit of traditional friendship, openness, trust and mutual understanding, both sides reviewed the bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly in politics - foreign affairs, defence - security, and trade - investment as well as cooperation at multilateral forums, while discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern. Speaking highly of the efficiency of the strategy dialogue, they recognised the results that have been achieved over the past time, especially the exchange of delegations at all levels in 2023 which laid a foundation to bolster cooperation and promptly remove bottlenecks, making contributions to consolidating the Vietnam Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two diplomats affirmed the resolve to maintain and promote the practical and effective bilateral ties in the coming time, and make efforts to implement the signed agreements and cooperation projects in the context that the two countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations (June 1994 - 2024) and the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (January 1950 - 2025). Titov said Russia treasures and wants to develop its practical ties with Vietnam, and considers Vietnam a trustworthy partner, suggesting the two foreign ministries promote their coordinating roles in implementing the bilateral agreements, and promoting the removal of roadblocks to expand cooperation in potential fields that meet the development requirements in each country. As the region and the world are witnessing rapid changes, it is necessary to maintain the efficiency of the annual strategy dialogue to promptly enhance bilateral cooperation, exchange information and coordinate at multilateral forums. They also affirmed to maintain close cooperation at the United Nations, the ASEAN-Russia cooperation framework as well as other international forums for peace and stability in the region and the world. On this occasion, a cooperation plan between the two foreign ministries for the next period was signed. VNA/VNS Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misstated the location of the new Las Palapas restaurant. It will be at 3065 E Loop 1604 N Suites 111-112 in Converse. When popular San Antonio Mexican chain Las Palapas asked fans on social media to guess about a new location, it quickly was inundated with comments. The Facebook message, which Las Palapas posted Monday afternoon, shows a photo of a building with a "Las Palapas Coming Soon!" sign. More than 250 comments were added to the post; many clamored for a new store near them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new Las Palapas location, it turns out, will be near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Loop 1604 in Converse. Martin Hernandez, director of operations at Las Palapas, said that the new address is 3065 E Loop 1604 N Suites 111-112. While a concrete opening date hasn't been announced, Hernandez said the location is currently expected to open in July. "What sets Las Palapas apart is that we are a homegrown brand," Hernandez wrote in an email. "We are proud to be from San Antonio and we are San Antonio. We are a scratch kitchen that prioritizes fresh food daily. We don't consider ourselves fast food, we just happen to make great food fast to give diners the option to dine in, take it to go or through our drive thru." A photo of the Las Palapas location coming to 123 Main St. in San Antonio. Courtesy Las Palapas VIENTIANE The State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) handed over the E-office project to the State Audit Organisation of Laos on March 4, helping the Lao side modernise its operations. Deputy Auditor General of the SAV Ha Thi My Dung said that audit agencies in the region and the world are applying technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution into audit activities, and those in Laos and Vietnam are getting on the bandwagon. She stressed that the handover not only makes contributions to modernising Laoss audit work but also develops the cooperation between the two audit organisations to a more practical and effective way, making its on par with the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. President of the State Audit Organisation of Laos Viengthavisone Thephachanh, for his part, described the project as an important one for the Lao audit organisation in promoting its modernisation such as e-document archive system and document management system so as to complete and develop the IT infrastructure for its audit activities. He pledged to effectively capitalise on the project to improve the audit quality and contribute to the country's socio-economic development. Earlier the same day, Dung paid a courtesy visit to Viengthavisone Thephachanh, during which both sides talked about the operations of each audit organisation in the past time, and discussed cooperation orientations in the time ahead. They agreed to continue regular exchanges between high-level leaders of both audit organisations as well as carry out cooperation activities such as audit training and experience exchange. The Lao side suggested the SAV continue support it with human resources training. On the occasion, the SAV presented 20 laptops to the Lao audit organisation. During the SAV delegations working trip to Laos, from March 5-7, Vietnamese auditors shared experiences with their Lao colleagues on the skills of audit team leaders, interview skills, and selection of audited agencies. VNA/VNS PRAGUE President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel affirmed he always treasures and highly evaluates the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam who came to present President Vo Van Thuong's credentials in Prague on March 4. President Pavel asked Nam to convey his best wishes and regards to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong and other high-ranking leaders of Viet Nam. The President expressed his impression of important achievements Viet Nam has recorded in socio-economic development and international integration after nearly 40 years of oi moi (Reform). He also commended contributions by the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic to socio-economic development in the host country, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. As the two countries will celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025, the leader suggested the Czech Republic and Vietnam step up cooperation, especially in economy-trade-investment through coordination in implementing the free trade agreement and the investment protection agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), and soon launch direct flights to boost their economic-trade and tourism ties, as well as people-to-people exchanges. Nam thanked the President for his good sentiments towards Vietnam, and his attention to the bilateral relations and the over 100,000-strong Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic. The Vietnamese Party, State and people always consider the Czech Republic a leading partner in Europe, the ambassador stressed, pledging to work as a bridge to contribute to advancing the bilateral relationship to a new height. VNA/VNS VIENTIANE Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong led a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Retreat (ADMM-Retreat) held in the northern Lao city of Luang Prabang on Tuesday. In his address, Cuong described 2024 as a pivotal year to develop a long-term strategy for ASEAN's post-2025 vision, help ASEAN uphold its past achievements; strengthen its solidarity, unity, central role and self-resilience with a common vision and strategic choice, which is cooperation and joint action for peace, stability and security in the region while improving the ability to adapt to new developments in the global and regional landscapes. According to him, the expansion of ASEAN's defence relations through the establishment of the ADMM+ and the deployment of seven ADMM+ Experts Working Groups (EWGs) has also demonstrated that ADMM+ is an effective mechanism to build trust, facilitate cooperation and dialogue between ASEAN and its partners. The increasing interest from external partners in joining ADMM+ in various forms reflects the success and attractiveness of this mechanism, he said. To uphold the ASEANs central role and strategic value, and create impetus to propel dialogue processes, build trust for peace, security and stability in the region and the world, he said cooperation activities within the framework of ADMM and ADMM+ need to adhere to the fundamental principles of the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN regulations and processes, respect the independence and self-reliance of ASEAN countries, and make practical and responsible contributions to regional peace, stability and common security. Viet Nam supports the continued implementation of the ADMM+EWG observership programme and welcomes new participants in order to make practical and effective contributions to peace, cooperation and development in the region, he said, stressing the need to be consistent with ASEAN's stance and principles on international and regional issues that directly affect ASEAN in order to maintain and promote its unity and solidarity. On the occasion, Cuong invited defence and military leaders, defence industry enterprises and military music bands of ASEAN countries to the second Viet Nam International Defence Expo and the ASEAN military music exchange in Viet Nam on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army later this year. Viet Nam consistently advocates for peaceful dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes, he said, adding that in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue, Viet Nam remains committed to upholding international law, adhering to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and hopes to soon conclude a more concrete, effective, and legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). Heads of delegations all affirmed the need for ASEAN to strengthen its solidarity, maintain its central role, and take the lead in regional cooperation mechanisms to effectively respond to emerging traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as armed conflicts, competition between major powers, cybersecurity, natural disasters, pandemics and climate change. They further committed to maintaining the role of ADMM and ADMM+ as the highest-level ministerial defence and military cooperation mechanisms for ASEAN member states and partner countries. The meeting also adopted a Joint Statement on ADMMs achievements in service of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025. VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang paid a working visit to Iran from March 3-4, during which she co-chaired the eighth political consultation with her Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani. At the political consultation, discussions centred on specific measures to boost bilateral ties across politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, culture, education, tourism, people-to-people exchange, including the exchange of all-level delegations, facilitating visa issuance for firms to increase connectivity, share information and expand business opportunities. They agreed to soon hold the 10th meeting of the Vietnam-Iran Joint Committee and effectively carry out the signed cooperation agreements. The two sides also shared views on global and regional issues of shared concern. As part of her visit, Hang met with Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari, and Deputy Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mehdi Zeyghami, and held working sessions with Vice President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) Ghadir Ghiyafeh and Chairman of the Iran-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Group Jalil Rahimi Juhan Abadi. During meetings, both sides affirmed their commitment to realising the results and agreements reached during previous high-level visits and meetings, highlighting the significance of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hues working visit last September. The Iranian Foreign Minister commended Viet Nam's regional standing and developmental achievements, and affirmed Iran's willingness to bolster friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Deputy FM Safari shared Iran's strengths in the fields of construction and infrastructure, technology, healthcare, services, energy and hoped that the two sides will consider expanding cooperation into areas where they hold strengths and potential. The leaders of Iranian ministries and agencies described Viet Nam as an important trade partner. They suggested increasing the exchange of trade promotion delegations, joining exhibitions and fairs held in each country, and wished that the two sides would propel cooperation in tourism, cultural and people-to-people exchange. Hang, for her part, vowed to work closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to implement commitments and agreements reached by the two countries leaders and study Irans proposals during her trip. She believed that leveraging economic strengths and dynamism, Viet Nam and Iran have substantial potential for further growth in the foreseeable future. VNA/VNS MELBOURNE Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee chaired an official welcome ceremony in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon (local time) for heads of delegations to the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit that marks the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN - Australia dialogue relations. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran joined the Sultan of Brunei, the Presidents of the Philippines and Indonesia and their spouses, the Prime Ministers of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste and their spouses, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN at the ceremony. Welcoming the heads of delegations to the summit with traditional rites and cultural and artistic performances of Australia, PM Albanese highly appreciated Australia's relations with ASEAN countries and hoped that after the summit, the Australia ASEAN relations will be promoted and strengthened with new momentum and content. For the last 50 years, ASEAN - Australia relations have developed very well with increased political trust and effective cooperation in all fields including trade, economics, culture, and society, he said, noting that Australia is one of the Comprehensive Strategic Partners with practical and effective cooperation with members of ASEAN. The ASEAN - Australia Special Summit commemorating 50 years of ASEAN-Australia relations is held from March 5-6 in Melbourne, Australia with the theme A Partnership for the Future. Within the framework of the summit, PM Chinh will attend main sessions and engage in several important activities. Chinh and leaders of ASEAN countries and Australia will discuss and propose visions, directions, and specific measures to expand their cooperation in the coming time. Later the same day, Chinh and his spouse attended a banquet hosted by the Australian PM and his fiancee to welcome the heads of delegations and their spouses to the summit. VNS MELBOURNE Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son had a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on March 5 within the framework of the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations in Melbourne. FM Son thanked the Australian official for collaboration in preparing for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to Australia, expressing his belief that the summit will be a great success. He expressed his satisfaction with the recent progress in bilateral relations as well as in cooperation between the two foreign ministries. He suggested the two sides closely coordinate in implementing support packages worth nearly AUD200 million (US$130 million) for clean energy development and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta region, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and FM Wong had announced during their recent visits to Viet Nam. For her part, minister Wong thanked the Vietnamese Government as well as FM Son for their support and participation in the Summit, while highly valuing substantive activities that the two countries held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations last year. She took the occasion to invite Son to visit Australia again and co-chair the 6th Vietnam-Australia foreign ministerial meeting. The same day, FM Son met with Simon Birmingham, in charge of foreign affairs of the Opposition in the Senate of Australia, during which he spoke highly of Australias efforts in maintaining economic and social stability and measures to address global economic uncertainties. Son also commended Birmingham's efforts in promoting Vietnam-Australia cooperation in his capacity overseeing foreign affairs of the opposition party, as well as his previous roles as Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Finance, and Minister for Trade and Investment during the period of the Coalition Government. Birmingham affirmed that Australia attaches importance to its relations with Viet Nam , considering Viet Nam one of the key partners in Asia-Pacific. He stated that Australia highly values recent achievements in bilateral relations, especially in political, economic-trade-investment, defence-security cooperation, as well as in other potential areas. He reiterated his support for the Vietnam-Australia relationship, regardless of his position, and expressed his desire to visit Vietnam again soon. In a meeting with FM Son on the occasion, Nicholas Moore, Australia's Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, affirmed that Australia highly values the potential for cooperation with Vietnam, especially in terms of economics, trade, and investment, noting that Vietnam holds a significant position in the implementation of Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. VNA/VNS HA NOI Minister of Public Security General To Lam hosted a reception in Ha Noi on March 5 for Khonsi Naovalat, head of the Lao Ministry of Public Security's representative agency in Viet Nam. Minister Lam congratulated Naovalat on being appointed head of the representative agency, and wished that he would fulfil all tasks on his new position. As the situation in the world and the region continues to undergo complex developments with many unpredictable and instable factors that directly impact national construction and defence in each country, the two ministries should bolster their cooperation in order to firmly protect national security, and maintain social order and safety in each country, he said. According To Lam, the two ministries have maintained close coordination and support each other in crime prevention and combat as well as at multilateral cooperation forums. Security and order in each country are guaranteed while the positions of Viet Nam and Laos are recognised by the international community. The minister proposed that the Lao official, in his new position, will continue to promote the outcomes obtained by the two sides and closely coordinate with agencies of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security to effectively deploy collaboration programmes and plans between the two ministries. For his part, Naovalat hailed the fruitful co-operation between the two ministries in recent times, especially in crime prevention and combating to ensure security and order in each nation. He affirmed that, in his new position, he will continue to work as a bridge, contributing to fostering the special friendship between the two countries as well as between the two ministries for the benefit of the two countries' people. VNS TRA VINH More than 32 per cent of the southern Tra Vinh Provinces one-million strong population is of Khmer ethnicity. To preserve their language and script, multiple classes teaching the language have been held at schools and Buddhist pagodas in the locality. According to Director of Tra Vinhs Department of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Bach Van, Khmer language courses are widely available in the province. In an average academic year, the locality counts more than 100 general education facilities teaching the language with over 800 classes and 19,000 students in total. In the 2023-24 school year alone, 125 schools are offering Khmer classes to nearly 36,000 students, including 80 elementary schools, 41 secondary schools and four high schools. The province has set the goal that by 2030, Khmer classes will be offered at 100 per cent of schools, and all Khmer language teachers will meet the pedagogical requirements. Tra Vinh also organises supplementary Khmer classes at Khmer Theravada Buddhist pagodas, which are led by monks and achars - senior monks who take on the role of the master of ceremonies in religious rites. Over the past 10 years, Tra Vinh Department of Education and Training also offered pedagogical training classes for more than 2,000 monks and achars, along with financial support for Khmer language teachers at the provinces pagodas. One of the notable educational facilities is the School of Southern Khmer Language, Culture and Arts under Tra Vinh University, which was assigned the key national target of human resources training in this sector by the Government. Dr Tang Van Thon, a Khmer himself, has taught nine language classes with around 200 full-time and 300 part-time students in total. Many graduates are now working to continue the Khmer language legacy by working as teachers, translators or at government agencies across the Mekong (Cuu Long) Delta. Since 2020, Dr Thon has also served as the Vice President of the National Council for the Evaluation of Ethnic Minority Textbooks for the Khmer language. His aspiration to become a Khmer teacher began when he was ordained at Me Lang Pagoda in Tra Cu District, according to the customs of the Khmer people, where he learned Khmer writing and speech from the monks. After completing the Pali Khmer Intermediate Programme by the Association for Solidarity of Patriotic Monks in Tra Vinh Province, he left the monkhood and continued his general and undergraduate education. In 2013, he obtained his Bachelors degree in Ethnic Minority Cultures in Viet Nam from Tra Vinh University with excellent academic performance and became a specialist at the schools Gender and Community Department. After successfully defending his doctoral thesis under a Viet Nam-Cambodia scholarship programme in July 2023, he returned to the school as a lecturer for Khmer classes, continuing to instil in his students a passion for the ethnic language. Deputy Chairman of Tra Vinh Peoples Committee Le Thanh Binh said that preserving and promoting ethnic cultures is one of the focuses of the Government and the Party, especially ethnic minority languages. Tra Vinh also shares this perspective, as a locality with a substantial population of Khmer people. The province therefore has amped up communication and awareness-raising activities regarding Khmer language teaching and the community's responsibilities in preserving the language legacy, including script and speech. The local education and training sector has also drafted plans to offer capacity training for Khmer language teachers, as well as infrastructure and technology investment for language classes. Not only contributing to Viet Nams cultural identity, the preservation of the Khmer language and its values also strengthens the solidarity between ethnicities, acting as a sound premise for Tra Vinh Provinces growth, said Binh. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam will upgrade six hospitals to international standards, aiming to curb the trend of Vietnamese people seeking medical care overseas, and at the same time, attracting foreign patients to Viet Nam. In a visionary move outlined in the healthcare network plan in the 2021-30 period, recently endorsed by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Viet Nam envisions six hospitals in Ha Noi, HCM City and Thua Thien-Hue attaining global recognition for their advanced medical facilities. Under this strategic plan, Ha Noi will have three state hospitals, two in HCM City and one for Thua Thien-Hue. Earlier, the Ministry of Health (MoH) recommended the modernisation of five specialised hospitals to meet international starndard, rivalling leading healthcare systems in the region and beyond. These include Bach Mai Hospital, Viet uc Hospital, Military Hospital 108, Cho Ray Hospital, and Hue Central Hospital. Consequently, HCM City will have one more upgraded medical institution. These upgraded hospitals will be equipped with advanced technologies and offer world-class medical services to both domestic and international patients. The plan sets targets for healthcare accessibility, aiming for 33 hospital beds, 15 doctors, 3.4 pharmacists and 25 nurses per 10,000 people by 2025. By 2030, these figures are expected to rise to 35 hospital beds, 19 doctors, four pharmacists and 33 nurses per 10,000 people. Looking ahead to 2050, the vision is for Viet Nam's healthcare sector to establish several modern facilities on par with international standards, aiming for 45 hospital beds, 35 doctors, 4.5 pharmacists, and 90 nurses per 10,000 people. Furthermore, the plan entails expanding the scale of private healthcare facilities, with private beds projected to constitute at least 10 per cent of the total by 2025, 15 per cent by 2030, and 25 per cent by 2050. According to MoHs data, as of 2023, there were 12.5 doctors and 32 hospital beds per 10,000 people. While this places Viet Nam on par with India and ahead of Indonesia, the nation aims to further align with global standards. Viet Nam witnesses approximately 13,000 doctors graduating every year across the country. This is the basis for Viet Nam to achieve the goal of having 15 doctors per 10,000 people by 2025. To achieve these goals, MoH pledges to prioritise the recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare professionals, enhance remuneration policies, and implement pricing regulations to ensure sustainable healthcare financing. Additionally, healthcare facilities will be restructured based on population needs rather than administrative boundaries, fostering more equitable access to medical services nationwide. VNS HA NOI Hanoi French Hospital (HFH) has successfully operated on a 63-year-old Australian patient with parotid gland carcinoma. The patient arrived at HFH with a tumor in the left parotid gland area, which had caused skin infiltration and was about 4-5cm in size. The patient reported that the tumor had appeared five weeks earlier, gradually increasing in size over time, and had undergone fine-needle aspiration with cytology results in Argentina. The patient decided to travel from Argentina to Viet Nam for treatment. After a thorough examination and testing, the ENT doctors at HFH convened a consultation board. They diagnosed that the parotid gland cancer had metastasized to the lymph nodes. Without timely treatment, it could metastasize further, posing risks of nerve, vascular, and lymphatic system damage. The surgery posed many risks of facial nerve paralysis, affecting the eyes, and mouth, etc. After tumor removal, a skin graft was also necessary due to the large size of the tumor and the wide area of skin excision, which made the grafting challenging. A team of French and Vietnamese doctors at HFH formed a consultation council with doctors from Hanoi Medical University and the National ENT Hospital, deciding to perform surgery to treat the patient promptly and avoid complex, life-threatening complications. The surgery lasted from 9 am to 6 pm, involving two surgical teams: one for head and neck surgery to remove the tumor, clean the metastatic nodes, and preserve the facial nerve; another for microsurgery to transplant a free flap of skin from the thigh to replace the skin in the parotid gland area after the tumor excision. With the high expertise and professional skill level of the specialists, the surgery was initially successful. After 14 days in the hospital, the patient's condition improved significantly. The patient was able to perform normal activities, was alert, and had good eye and lip movement, preserving all their facial nerves. The free skin flap was well-nourished and recovered well. Associate Professor Dr. Vo Thanh Quang, an ENT specialist and Deputy General Director of Hanoi French Hospital, said: Typically, malignant parotid gland tumors progress quickly, causing swelling, pain, and invasion into the facial nerve, leading to partial or even complete peripheral facial paralysis. In treating malignant parotid gland tumors, the highest surgical goal must be to completely remove the tumor, alongside maximal preservation of the facial nerve. Therefore, doctors need to operate precisely, supported by modern equipment for the surgery to be successful. In this patient's case, due to the large size of the tumor and the extensive area of skin that had to be removed, a group of vascular microsurgery experts performed a free skin flap microsurgery to cover the surgical cavity, which was a challenging part of the surgery. At Hanoi French Hospital, an internationally trained team of doctors collaborates across specialties, equipped with modern devices to help screen, early detect diseases, and provide an effective treatment plan. VNS Police are investigating a hit-and-run wreck on NW Loop 410 that sent woman to the hospital. mbbirdy/Getty Images Bexar County sheriffs deputies arrested several people accused of running an illegal gambling operation on the East Side late Monday. Sheriff Javier Salazar said the organized crime group recently received information about the gambling operation in the 6600 block of Lakeview Drive. ALSO READ: Police kill a man accused of aggravated robbery after they say he pointed a gun at them Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deputies arrested four people and seized about $5,000, the sheriff said. More money is expected to be seized after investigators go through the gambling machines. The operation targeted retired people, the sheriff said. He said although the people went willingly, they didnt know they were getting involved in a con game. HA NOI President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyen inh Khang shared VGCLs outstanding activities at the second conference of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Presidential Council held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from March 1 to 2 (local time). Khang, also WFTU Vice President, said on March 1 that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the VGCL has reaped important achievements in its tasks of representing, caring for, and protecting trade union members and workers. It also successfully held the 13th National Congress for the 2023-2028 tenure last year, which aligned with working orientations set at the 18th World Trade Union Congress. He also outlined the VGCLs 2024 action plan to realise the Resolution adopted at its 13th National Congress and continued efforts to follow orientations in the WTFUs Rome Declaration 2022. The VGCL is always an active and responsible member in WFTUs activities, working closely with member organisations to protect the workers rights and interests, he said. The conference brought together nearly 100 delegates from 32 countries and territories representing 105 million workers worldwide. Participants adopted the 2024 action plan and resolutions showing solidarity with the Cuban and Palestinian people. On March 3 morning (local time), the Vietnamese delegation held talks with the WFTUs leaders to discuss and reach consensus on scheduled cooperation contents. WFTU Secretary General Pampis Kyritsis reaffirmed the VGCLs important role and position within the organisation. They also held talks with the Central of Workers of Brazil (CTB) and engaged in bilateral meetings to consolidate and expand relations with WFTUs member trade union organisations, especially those in American region. VNS HCM CITY The chairwoman of major developer Van Thinh Phat went on trial Tuesday along with dozens of others, accused of embezzling US$12.5 billion in Viet Nams largest financial fraud case. Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, 68, is accused of siphoning off VN304 trillion ($12.46 billion) from Viet Nams largest private bank by assets, Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), according to investigators. If found guilty, Lan could face a death penalty. Her husband, Eric Chu, a Hong Kong businessman, is accused of helping her borrow money illegally from the bank and causing it a loss of VN9.12 trillion. Lans niece, Truong Hue Van, is on trial for causing a loss of VN1.1 trillion to the bank. Of the remaining accused, 45 are SCB executives, 15 are State Bank of Vietnam officials, three are from the Government Inspectorate, and one is a former official at the State Audit Office. They all face charges of embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power while performing official duties, lack of responsibility causing serious consequences, and violating bank regulations. In addition, Nguyen Cao Tri, chairman of property developer Capella, is accused of appropriation of property for allegedly stealing VN1 trillion from Lan. There will be 2,400 witnesses and 200 lawyers, including five defending Lan. The trial is expected to go on until April 29. According to prosecutors, Van Thinh Phat has a network of 1,000 shell companies that do not have any real operations and are all under its control. They were all set up by Lan to borrow money from the lender and to acquire shares in it. In 2011, Lan was proposed by the central bank to merge two other private banks with SCB. Though she did not hold any positions at SCB, she owned a 91.5 per cent stake in the lender under the names of other people and entities. Between 2012 and 2022, the lender gave Lan over 2,500 loans worth over VN1 quadrillion, equivalent to 93 per cent of its loans. In all, she is accused of causing losses of VN498 trillion to the bank. To conceal the lenders poor financial situation, Lan bribed a total of 24 government auditors and inspectors. Notably, o Thi Nhan, former head of the central banks department of inspection and supervision, received $5.2 million in bribes, according to the police. In addition, Van Thinh Phat and its affiliates have also been accused of illegally issuing bonds to raise money from 42,000 investors from 2018-2020. The police have identified them as victims of the scandal. The victims cannot withdraw their money and have not received interest or principal payments since Lans arrest in October 2022. The police had asked the victims to work with investigators to complete the investigation and protect their rights. The value of Lans alleged asset appropriation, which occurred between 2012 and 2022, was equivalent to over 10 per cent of Viet Nams GDP in 2022. Documents weighing up to six tonnes will be handled during the longest trial ever in Viet Nam. If proven, this could be one of the largest financial frauds in Asia. In a related development, o Anh Dung, chairman of developer Tan Hoang Minh Group, will also face trial this month for illegally acquiring $355 million in a bond sale to more than 6,500 investors. The arrest came as part of a national corruption crackdown that has swept up many officials and members of the countrys business elite in recent years. Viet Nam has recently emerged as one of Southeast Asias biggest economic success stories with disbursement of foreign direct investment rising to over $23 billion last year, up 3.5 per cent year-on-year. Experts have warned the scandal could challenge the countrys efforts to lure foreign investment to become a global electronics hub for major foreign companies. The Prime Minister has repeatedly blamed the central bank, Ministry of Finance, and the State Securities Commission, for their weak management that caused the problems. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 5 asked relevant forces to maximise resources to settle the aftermath of a serious traffic accident in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang, which killed five people. The accident occurred at 1:36 am on the day in Dong Cau village, Tu Quan commune, Yen Son district, when a bus carrying passengers from Ha Giang to Tuyen Quang collided with a container truck traveling from Hai Phong to Ha Giang. Initial investigation found the truck's driver had lost control at a turn, so the vehicle swerved to the left and hit the bus heads-on. In a dispatch sent to the Ministers of Public Security and Transport, and the chairperson of the provincial Peoples Committee of Tuyen Quang, the Government leader requested the Chairperson of the provincial Peoples Committee, who is also head of the provincial traffic safety board, to mobilise doctors, drugs, equipment and materials for the treatment of the injured, while conducting necessary procedures for the deceased. Relevant forces should work together to find the cause of the accident, and take solutions to address problems regarding infrastructure and traffic organisation (if any) to prevent similar accidents in the future, he said, adding collectives and individuals that have committed wrongdoings must be strictly handled. The PM also urged Peoples Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to step up communications work to enhance compliance to traffic regulations and take drastic actions to reduce traffic accidents. VNA/VNS MELBOURNE Overseas Vietnamese in Australia have expressed their optimism about stronger cooperation between the two countries, especially after the ongoing official visit to Australia by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The Vietnamese government leader is in Australia for the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit and the official visit to the Oceanian country. Tran Ba Phuc , Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia and Vice Chairman of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese, said he and others have been delighted as Vietnams position in the international arena has been raised and respected by the international community. He also emphasised the fruitful diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries, saying the two-way trade is expected to be fostered in the time ahead, particularly after the PMs visit, as they boast great potential for stronger cooperation. Phuc also expressed his hope that the visit will be a success, helping to deepen the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership, and that the bilateral diplomatic and economic relations will make greater strides. The Vietnamese community in Australia shares the wish to contribute to the development in the homeland, he affirmed. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese Peter Hong, who has lived in Australia for more than 40 years, said he and many Vietnamese nationals in Australia are looking forward to the PMs visit. Vietnams elevated position and reputation in the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific, has raised the confidence among the Vietnamese community in Australia in the Partys and the States leadership, he said. President of the Melbourne Overseas Vietnamese Students' Association Nguyen Le Ha Chi also noted her hope that the visit will open up new opportunities for the Vietnam-Australia relations, including their educational cooperation. VNA/VNS After the Lunar New Year holidays, many people in Vietnam tend to choose investment channels over buying cars, resulting in a downward trend in the country's automobile production. According to reports from the General Statistics Office, a total of 21,900 new vehicles were supplied in February, including domestically manufactured and imported cars. This represented decreases of 23.3% compared to January 2023 and 38.8% compared to the same period last year. Domestic automobile production was estimated at around 15,900 units, declines of 26.4% and 25.3% from January 2023 and the previous year respectively. This was the lowest output in many years. Total automobile production in the first two months was 37,500 units, down 9.8% year-on-year. Imports of completely built-up cars totaled around 6,000 units in February, down 13.7% in volume and 19.3% in value from the previous month. Imports fell 51.3% and 54.9% in volume and value compared to the same period last year. For the first two months, imports were approximately 12,955 units worth $262 million USD, declines of 51.6% in volume and 54.3% in value year-on-year. Experts attribute the decreases to the Lunar New Year holidays when many companies and factories closed. However, the largest ever declines in new vehicle inventory replenishment signal ongoing difficulties stimulating consumption. The expiration of the government's 50% reduction in VAT at the start of 2024 may also impact domestic manufacturers' sales performances. In January 2024, sales fell 50% from December 2023 according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association. As a result, brands are focusing on clearing existing 2022 inventory through promotions. One German brand's plant in Vietnam discounted prices by nearly 700,000,000 VND. Showroom workers said sales commonly halve after Lunar New Year as people invest instead of buy cars. Dealer discounts of 20-50 million VND have not been enough to attract more interest in the current market environment. Ease into Lightness collection backs up UNIQLOs sustainability At the launch of its Spring/Summer 2024 Collection with theme Ease into Lightness in UNIQLO Vincom Ba Trieu and UNIQLO Saigon Centre on February 28 and 29, general director and COO of UNIQLO Vietnam Nishida Hideki told VIR that the company wishes to create a diverse collection of styles, materials and functionality, capturing the fresh energy of spring and leisure of summer. This seasons LifeWear takes inspiration from different lifestyles and persuasions, featuring lighter materials, increased functionality and lightness, and lighter colorssoft and subdued tones. We hope the collection will help customers have more choices for everyday essentials to enjoy the new season, said Hideki. Nishida Hideki, general director and COO of UNIQLO Vietnam One of highlights of the new collection lie in Premium Linen Shirt made of 100 per cent European Flax materials, which guarantees third-party verified traceability through the entire value chain for premium flax fiber grown in Western (France, Belgium, and the Netherlands). A vegetable fiber from an agriculture that respects the environment, without irrigation -barring exceptional circumstances- or GMOs. European Flax certified flax is transformed through a mechanical process that generates no waste: from the fibre to the shives and seeds, the entire plant is used and valorised. This year Premium Linen Shirt is updated with new colors. The collection adheres to our long-term LifeWear philosophy that simple, high-quality, everyday clothing with a practical sense of beauty, ingenious in detail, designed with life's needs in mind, and always evolving. Its not about a product, its about keeping our development without harming environment," he said. With more than four years of presence in Vietnam, UNIQLO has quickly become one of the most renowned fashion brands in the country thanks to its contributions to the community and honoring of Vietnamese culture. The success of the Japanese brand lies not only in its minimalist fashion products and high quality, but also in sustainable values for the environment, poeple, and society that it is pursuing. Our business is made possible by the foundations of a stable and healthy society. Accordingly, we believe it is essential to make meaningful social contributions, to respect diversity and to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including our customers. In this way, we will continue working to help develop a stable and sustainable society. In Vietnam, social contribution is always our top priority," said Hideki. Since entering the Vietnamese market, UNIQLO has nurtured generations of local young talents. With 22 stores across the country, it has over 1,000 employees, and up to 70 per cent of store managers are Vietnamese. Additionally, UNIQLO Vietnam also supports local communities where it operates stores, and implement community projects such as building new school for students in Mu Cang Chai, providing clean water for Mekong Delta, giving used clothing for people in need in Dien Bien, Son La, Yen Bai, Binh Duong, among others. Unlike many popular brands in the same segment, UNIQLO has taken action to realise the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent. The proportion of recycled materials in the product structure will also increase to 50 per cent by 2030, as part of the brands effort to spread its LifeWear philosophy and demonstrate a long-term commitment to realising sustainable development goals. UNIQLO commits to accompany long-term development of Vietnam UNIQLOs Hoan Kiem store opened on November 10, aiming to become an icon of harmony and honouring the local culture and long-term relationship between Vietnam and Japan. Nishida Hideki, general director and COO of UNIQLO Vietnam, told VIRs Duc Hanh about the companys strategy, vision, and commitments to the countrys sustainable development. UNIQLO applies technology to its operation in Vietnam UNIQLO, a global fashion retail brand from Japan, has made efforts to innovate to adapt to development trends and shopping needs of Vietnamese customers. New review nears on Vietnams unregulated fishing status, illustration photo The European Commission (EC) is expected to launch its fifth inspection in April on how Vietnam has obeyed the ECs regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) imposed by the EC in October 2017. With the 2024 European Parliament election scheduled for June, it is deemed a decisive time for Vietnam to escape from the yellow card, boosting its seafood products to the EU market. Authorised agencies in Vietnam have been boosting solutions to prevent IUU fishing so that the nation can ensure sustainable development in fishery and get the yellow card removed. The Government Office over a week ago released a conclusion by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at the ninth meeting of the National Steering Committee on the issue. Quang ordered ministries, agencies, and leaders of 28 coastal cities and provinces to completely solve issues and limitations surrounding IUU fishing. We are determined to achieve the goal that there will be no more Vietnamese fishing vessels illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters. We will simultaneously investigate and bring to trial cases of law violations related to brokerage and connection to bring fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit foreign waters, stated the conclusion. So far, one case of the type has been implemented in the southern province of Kien Giang, with four people sentenced to a total of 22 years imprisonment. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is required to continue organising working groups to inspect and guide localities to combat IUU fishing. It has to report to the prime minister on results and propose strict handling of responsibilities of localities that fail to fulfill the tasks assigned. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also tasked to work with the MARD and leaders of the 28 localities to permanently stop fishing vessels and fishermen illegally fishing in foreign waters. They have to intensify patrols, inspections, and controls in maritime areas bordering Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The MoD has been ordered to arrange sufficient forces for maritime border posts and stations to carry out peak control of fishing vessels entering and exiting ports, while conducting patrol, inspection, and control at estuaries, estuaries, and islands. Special attention must be paid to logistics service vessels catching aquatic resources and to Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces. The government also required that all fishing vessels participating in aquatic exploitation must turn on vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices around the clock, from the time they leave the port to the time they return to the port. Sanctions must be imposed on all fishing vessels that violate the VMS disconnection regulations (six hours without reporting position, and not returning fishing vessels to shore for more than 10 days), and those exceeding the allowed boundary at sea. Before the end of March, ministries, sectors, and localities must report implementation results to the MARD, which will then report to the prime minister, who is also head of the National Steering Committee on the issue. Operators of such vessels have been warned about punishments if they violate IUU regulations, and the central government has ordered all coastal localities to take strong action plans against IUU fishing. Vietnam is a signatory of the Food and Agriculture Organizations Agreement on Port State Measures, which is aimed to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing through the adoption and implementation of effective measures to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources. Meanwhile, under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, IUU fishing is prohibited as it promotes sustainable aquaculture. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Vietnams total fishery export turnover hit $9.2 billion last year, down 8 per cent as compared to the initial target. This year, the figure is set to be 9.5-10 billion. For the EU market, the figure reached $952 million last year, expected to be about the same in 2024. Under the current yellow card, all fishery containers from Vietnam into the EU are kept for examination of origin, with 2-3 days under customs clearance, inducing high costs for exporters. Cao Thi Kim Lan, director of Binh Dinh Fishery JSC, said that since 2017, the companys exports to the EU have been undermined, with a 70 per cent reduction in export turnover over. However, the company has still tried to abide by all regulations from the EU to keep its partners in the bloc. Currently, Vietnam boasts over 270 ports with a total capacity of over 550 million tonnes of cargo a year. Vietnam to deploy action plan to remove fishing yellow card With the right approach and modifications, Vietnam should be able to have its yellow card for unregulated fishing removed, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said. Localities fighting IUU fishing with strong determination The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau will set up three inter-sectoral checkpoints at sea to supervise the operation of fishing vessels in an effort to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Quang was speaking at a meeting on March 4 with Nitin Darbari, senior vice president of P&G Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. P&G is one of the leading US multinational companies in the consumer industry, and has invested $450 million in Vietnam since 1995. The deputy prime minister highly appreciated P&G's investment in Vietnam which has contributed to socioeconomic development and Vietnam-US relations. Quang asked P&G to expand its partnerships, create conditions for Vietnamese businesses to join the group's supply chain, and provide training for human resources in Vietnam. He said that the Vietnamese government is focused on improving the investment environment and driving transformation to create new advantages for foreign enterprises to maintain long-term production and business in Vietnam. He also lauded the governments efforts to turn Vietnam into a centre for foreign investment attraction while overcoming global headwinds to achieve a GDP growth rate of over 5 per cent in 2023. Darbari highlighted that P&G considered Vietnam one of its strategic markets, and plans to transform the country into a regional manufacturing hub to provide stable supplies for its other markets. The group has a plan to expand its production line for razors from 2024-2026 and bring new razor blade manufacturing technology to Vietnam to export to Asia-Pacific markets. This advanced technology is only available in the United States and Germany as part of P&Gs manufacturing chain at present. P&G invests $100m in Gillette razor plant Procter & Gamble (P&G) Viet Nam yesterday (March 26) announced an investment of US$100 million to build a Gillette razor plant in Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park II, in Ben Cat District in Binh Duong Province, in a ceremony to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the country. P&G and Central Retail Vietnam launch forest restoration drive In celebration of Earth Day 2023 on April 22, P&G Vietnam, in collaboration with Central Retail Vietnam and Gaia Vietnam, have launched the 'Forests for Good' restoration scheme to promote environmental protection and inspire consumers to play an active role in preserving the earth. On March 2, Phu Yen Peoples Committee held a conference to announce the province's long-term plans and promote investment in the locality this year. Investors received the certificates at the conference, with half dedicated to trade, services, and tourism. Some of the larger projects include the $89 million Nui Thom Ecotourism Area by Sao Phuong Bac Phu Yen JSC, the $80.9 million Vung Lam resort by Everland Phu Yen JSC, the $44.5 million Hoa Thanh beach resort by Hoa Thanh Resort Beach Tourist Area Co., Ltd., and the $40.5 million Bai Nom Ecotourism Area by Viet An Phu Yen Housing Trading and Investment JSC. Other projects in the hospitality sector include the Xuan Dai Bay commercial service and tourist resort complex worth $32.4 million, the Casanova Bai Tram luxury resort worth nearly $8.9 million, and Fleur De Lys Resort Phu Yen valued at $10 million. In addition, Phu Yen Peoples Committee also awarded six investment cooperation memoranda worth VND128.8 trillion ($5.23 billion) to investors. Accordingly, Hoa Phat Group is exploring investment opportunities in three projects, including Bai Goc Port with estimated capital of about VND24 trillion ($971.7 million), Hoa Tam Industrial Park with an investment of VND13.3 trillion ($538.5 million), and the Hoa Phat iron and steel complex in Hoa Tam Industrial Park worth about VND86 trillion ($3.5 billion). N&G Group JSC is also exploring the possibility of developing a high-tech industrial park for a cost of VND2.55 trillion ($103.3 million). Meanwhile, TH Group JSC will continue its investment in the Phu Yen clean food complex project with investment of VND1.55 trillion ($62.8 million). Trung An High-Tech Farming JSC is also eyeing an electricity generation and household waste treatment plant worth VND1.4 trillion ($56.7 million). Phu Yen set to elevate development leveraging comprehensive planning Phu Yen province on Vietnams south central coast is aiming to make breakthroughs in development rooted in fresh comprehensive planning for the rest of the decade. Phu Yen to form three major logistics centres Phu Yen province will focus on developing logistics services associated withTuy Hoa Airport, Vung Ro Port and Bai Goc Deepwater Port, and Dong Hoa Inland Container Depot. PNJ innovates the human resource management model toward sustainable development In 2023, the labour market witnessed a wave of staff reductions and layoffs. Meanwhile, employers also faced many situations such as job hopping, freelancing, and remote working. Responding promptly to the speed of change and even sudden changes in the labour market, since 2017, PNJ has implemented a series of restructuring strategies to pursue an innovative management model. Accordingly, the board of directors of PNJ continuously refreshes its divisions, including in human resources. According to PNJs representative, in front of "turns" in the market, the management board catches up with the trend to train new skills for the sales team and improve organisational capacity. "We continuously transplant, create new 'DNA' sources, improve technology to create a strong engine to push the PNJ boat to break out into the ocean, and set a new growth peak," the representative said. At the Employer Of Choice event organised by CareerViet on the evening of February 23, PNJ was honoured with first place in the "Top 100 Most Popular Employers 2023" in the retail/wholesale industry thanks to its creative and effective human resources strategy. In addition, in the ranking Top 100 most popular employers 2023," PNJ reached the seventh position in the large enterprises sector, up 2 places compared to 2022. Speaking at the honouring ceremony, Le Tri Thong, vice chairman of the Board of Directors cum CEO of PNJ said, "Currently, employers' competitive advantage comes from the factor of deep understanding of employees. Along with the commitment to salary policy, rewards, and benefits, we also promote a liberal space. Specifically, candidates coming to the company can contribute to a common dream, create greater value, work together, make mistakes together, correct together, and create valuable results." Thong emphasised that the above award recognises the efforts and commitment of the board of directors to create a total wellbeing working environment and welfare policies, leading to the development of a high-quality human resources team towards sustainable development. "In other words, all human resources-related activities are integrated into the overall development strategy. From innovating human resource management methods, organisational development and improving the quality of human resources, PNJ is increasing the capacity to implement business models and the customer experience," Thong said. PNJ considers that people have been our most valuable asset and the pillar for sustainable development In addition, the company carries out many programmes to encourage personnel to innovate their thinking, go beyond work limits and add value to the company. Specifically, PNJ went beyond organic growth by testing new business models. These solutions also become the foundation for transforming the company into a multi-business ecosystem, towards 2027. The Board of Directors advocates creating an attractive, harmonious, connected working environment and promoting the strengths of many generations, in which Gen Z gradually becomes an important new force that can grasp technological solutions and global trends. "Looking deeply at the human resources picture at PNJ, successful strategies originate from the comprehensive care of the 'body-mind-mind' of employees. From the first day of establishment and throughout the past 36 years, people have been our most valuable asset and the pillar for sustainable development," he said. PNJ reached over half of after-tax profit of 2021 in first five month Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC (HSX: PNJ) has just announced its business results for May, with strong growth reported in revenue from retail, wholesale, and gold bars. In May, PNJ estimated its net revenue at VND1.59 trillion ($69.13 million), up 56.5 per cent over the same period in 2020. PNJ strengthens its business through AWS Cloud services Phu Nhuan Jewellery JSC (PNJ), the largest jewellery brand in Vietnam, is focusing on its digital transformation with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud to increase business efficiency and achieve future targets. Luisa Casso, chief of staff at Trinity University, and Josh Baugh, communications director for VIA Metropolitan Transit, flip through the Charter Review Commission agenda during a meeting at Central Library auditorium on Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The commission held a meeting to share its preliminary recommendations for City Council compensation and term length, how the charter's language should be modernized, and whether changes should be made to the ethics board. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News People attend the Charter Review Commissions meeting at the Central Library auditorium on Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The next meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Council Member John Courage gives remarks during a public comment period at a Charter Review Commission meeting held in the Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The commission met to share its preliminary recommendations for City Council compensation and term length, how the charter's language should be modernized, and whether changes should be made to the ethics board. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Luisa Casso, chief of staff at Trinity University, shares preliminary recommendations from the City Council compensation and term length subcommittee during the Charter Review Commission meeting at Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Maria Salazar, the LGBTQ chair for LULAC, presents preliminary recommendations from the language modernization subcommittee during the Charter Review Commission meeting at the Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The commission met to share its preliminary recommendations for City Council compensation and term length, how the charter's language should be modernized, and whether changes should be made to the ethics board. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Dwayne Robinson, CEO of Robinson Consulting Group, flips through the the city charter during the Charter Review Commissions meeting held at the Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Ryan Lugalia-Hollon, CEO of UP Partnership, addresses the Charter Review Commission during a meeting at Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Lugalia-Hollon asked for the commission to add a clause to the city charter that would devote 20% of annual city revenue growth to children and youths. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Maria Salazar, the LGBTQ chair for LULAC, waits for questions after presenting preliminary recommendations from the language modernization subcommittee during the Charter Review Commission meeting at the Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The commission met to share its preliminary recommendations for City Council compensation and term length, how the charter's language should be modernized, and whether changes should be made to the ethics board. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Luisa Casso, chief of staff at Trinity University, shares the preliminary recommendations from the City Council compensation and term length subcommittee during the Charter Review Commission meeting at Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Josh Baugh, communications director for VIA Metropolitan Transit, listens to public comment during the Charter Review Commissions meeting at the Central Library auditorium Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The commission met to share its preliminary recommendations for City Council compensation and term length, how the charter's language should be modernized, and whether changes should be made to the ethics board. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News David Zammiello, president of DAZA Consulting Services, and other members of the Charter Review Commission listen to public comments during a commission meeting at the Central Library auditorium on Monday, March 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The commission shared its preliminary recommendations for City Council compensation and term length, how the charter's language should be modernized, and whether changes should be made to the ethics board. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News San Antonio elected officials could get massive pay raises to as high as $140,000 for the mayor and $125,000 for City Council members under preliminary city charter changes that the Charter Review Commission unveiled this week. The councils 10 members currently earn $45,722 a year and Mayor Ron Nirenberg $61,725. Their terms in office could also increase from two years to four years. Term limits of eight years, however, would remain in place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both bigger pay and longer terms would depend on voter approval next fall, if City Council decides to put them on the Nov. 5 ballot. The charter commission recommended setting council members and the mayors salaries at a percentage of median base pay of city directors, which include department heads and San Antonios fire and police chiefs. The pay hikes to $125,000 for council and $140,000 for mayor would be the highest percentage of directors median pay. Council members current salary is equivalent to San Antonios median household income in 2015, when voters last amended the city charter to adjust council pay. Previously, councils pay amounted to $20 per meeting. The mayors salary was set at $61,725. The charter commission at the time decided not to ask voters to tie council pay to San Antonios median household income which would have resulted in pay for elected officials increasing as families bring home more money. They decided to ask future commissions to do so and here we are, said current commission member Luisa Casso. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since the 2015 charter election, the citys median income has risen to just under $59,600, according to the Census Bureau. Casso, who is Trinity University President Vanessa B. Beasleys chief of staff, devised the preliminary pay recommendation along with VIA Metropolitan Transit communications director Josh Baugh; Martha Martinez-Flores, owner of MM Creative, a local advertising and design firm; Mike Frisbie, a former city engineer and a senior vice president at the engineering firm Raba Kistner; and Dwayne Robinson, CEO of Robinson Consulting Group. Theyre among the 15 people Nirenberg appointed to his Charter Review Commission, which he tasked with recommending changes to mayor and council pay and term length, in addition to the city managers compensation and tenure. Director-level city employees median base pay to which elected officials salaries would be tied is $192,600. Officials pay would be periodically reviewed to ensure it keeps up with staff raises. The subcommittee is considering setting council pay between 39% to 65% of that median, and the mayors pay between 47% to 72%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the lowest end of these ranges, council members would earn $75,000 and the mayor $90,000 above what elected officials make in El Paso, Fort Worth, Dallas, Corpus Christi and Phoenix, which are five of the nine peer cities the subcommittee studied. Officials in Austin, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Jose, Calif., earn more than what San Antonio officials would receive at the highest end of these ranges. Higher pay, demands The preliminary pay recommendations exceed what two City Council members said they want to see. During the public comment portion of Mondays commission meeting, District 9 Council Member John Courage, a 2025 mayoral candidate, said council pay should reflect the average family income of about $60,000, and be revised every few years to ensure it remains on par. The mayor should be paid more because the mayor does so much more in representing the city locally and nationally, Courage said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad District 2 Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, in a Feb. 1 memo to the commission, proposed a salary equal to the San Antonio area median income for a four-person household, which is $88,600. He suggested that the mayors pay be 120% of that, which would be $106,300. He added a major caveat to his suggestion: that city officials be barred from outside employment. McKee-Rodriguez, who currently teaches high school math part-time, stood by that stipulation Monday after listening to the subcommittee present its preliminary recommendation. I think theyve estimated something fair and reasonable, and its pretty generous, honestly, he told the Express-News. I think that theres going to have to be a compromise, though. If were going to ask our constituents to vote for pay increases, then the expectation of City Council needs to be above and beyond what it is currently. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think you should commit to being a full-time council person, he added. Though subcommittee members discussed a restriction on outside employment, they decided against it. We think that if we are able to get the salaries into a range that is more commensurate with the work they do, that the constituencies are going to have higher demands of their elected officials and they are going to ensure that their elected officials are working for them full-time, Baugh said. Both Courage and McKee-Rodriguez favor longer terms so council members can spend more time governing and less time campaigning. The subcommittee recommended that the council and mayor be capped at two, four-year terms, to take effect in 2025. Its still weighing whether terms should be staggered, meaning that not every council seat would be up for election at the same time. The group has yet to decide when any increases to pay should take effect. Voter approval The Charter Review Commission has until late May to finalize the recommended charter changes it will send to Nirenberg and the City Council for their consideration. The mayor and council are the ones who will ultimately determine which charter amendments to place on the Nov. 5 ballot. Getting voters to OK a generous pay bump could prove difficult if Fort Worth is any indication. Fort Worth residents voted down a charter amendment in May 2022 that would have upped their councils $25,000 salary to $76,727 and the mayors pay from $29,000 to $99,653. Similar to what San Antonios charter commission is considering, those raises were tied to city employee pay, with council to earn half the average base annual salary for assistant department heads and the mayor earning half the average salary for department heads. Previously, in 2016, Fort Worth voters rejected an amendment that would have raised council pay to $45,000 and the mayors pay to $60,000. The group aims to invest an additional $1 billion per year in the country. The information was shared by Choi Joo Ho, general director of Samsung Vietnam, at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on March 4. According to Ho, 2023 was a difficult year as the global economic situation faced many difficulties and the global mobile phone market was shrinking. Despite the challenging context, Samsung Vietnam achieved an export turnover of $55.7 billion. Samsung R&D Centre is now home to 2,400 engineers. Among them, Vietnamese engineers play the crucial role in researching AI features in the new Galaxy S24 phone series, which Samsung highly values for their capabilities, he said. He also expressed his gratitude and hoped that the Vietnamese government would continue to improve the investment environment while create better conditions for Samsung's investment activities in Vietnam. At the meeting, DPM Quang proposed that Samsung continue to cooperate with the National Innovation Centre (NIC) and facilitate Vietnam's efforts to achieve the goal of training 50,000 semiconductor industry engineers by 2030. Last year, Samsung Vietnam and the NIC signed an MoU to cooperate in implementing high-tech development activities for Vietnam's young generation. In addition, Samsung and the National University of Hanoi also signed a cooperation agreement to train around 40 outstanding students of the university to become future leaders in the semiconductor field within four years. Ho said that Samsung would continue to explore possibilities to expand cooperation with the NIC and support Vietnam in training human resources in the semiconductor industry. He emphasised that Vietnam's development was Samsung's development, and Samsung's development would contribute to the socioeconomic development of Vietnam. Vietnam to train up to 50,000 semiconductor engineers At the monthly government meeting on August 5, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh tasked the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Science and Technology to develop a plan to train between 30,000 and 50,000 engineers and 100 experts in digital transformation and manufacturing semiconductors. Vietnam goes long on semiconductors The semiconductor industry in Vietnam is gaining momentum with many global heavyweights investing, yet there are many challenges, particularly to a shortage of skilled human resources. With nations like the US keen to work with Vietnam in semiconductor development, it is all systems go for new facilities and trained experts, Photo: Le Toan Doan Phuong Lan, vice head of the Steering Committee for Economic Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said that authorised agencies are currently working with those in a number of markets such as Belgium, Taiwan, and the US to develop Vietnams own semiconductor industry. For example, Belgium is renowned for development of digital technology and nano electronics, which are considered the key to developing new-generation chips. Meanwhile, Taiwan is known for development of integrated circuit manufacturing, design, and packaging, Lan said. Vietnam should focus on developing specific products, not all types of products, in the semiconductor industry, Lan added. Authorised agencies are also working with Taiwan on training and with the US on packaging. Le Chi Dung, general director of the MoFAs Department of American Affairs, underlined that there needs to be a specific unit in the MoFA in charge of coordinating semiconductor diplomatic activities. The MoFA is to closely combine with other ministries and sectors, especially the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and the Ministry of Information and Communications in formulating the national strategy on semiconductor industrial development towards 2030. This strategy is now at the final stage of collecting comments and proposals, said Dung. Besides that, we will soon enact a scheme on semiconductor human resources development towards 2030. These two initiatives will help boost Vietnams semiconductor ecosystem in the future. At present, Vietnam is working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to develop and promulgate a report on the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam. Last September, Vietnam and the US forged a new semiconductor partnership to support resilient semiconductor supply chains for US industry, consumers, and workers. The partnership is reflected via an agreement signed regarding semiconductor supply chains, workforce, and ecosystem development, which will formalise this bilateral partnership to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam, in support of US industry. Under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, created by the CHIPS Act of 2022, the US will partner with Vietnam to further develop the latters current semiconductor ecosystem, regulatory framework, and workforce and infrastructure needs. We will focus on boosting cooperation in science and technology with the US, with a major focus laid on semiconductor cooperation. Its necessary now for both nations to effectively and practically implement the agreement, in which Vietnam must continue working with the US side about support in HR, including the development of labs and capacity at upstream stages, Dung said. Also last year, the US and Vietnam announced the launch of comprehensive workforce development initiatives in Vietnam that jointly develop hands-on teaching labs and training courses for semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging. The US government will provide initial seed funding of $2 million to launch the initiatives, in conjunction with future support from the Vietnamese government and the private sector, stated a document from the US Embassy to Vietnam on both nations relations. The effort will support the expansion of good jobs for the American middle class for work further up the semiconductor industry value chain. According to a statement from the White House, the US recognises Vietnams potential to play a critical role in building resilient semiconductor supply chains, particularly to expand capacity in reliable partners where it cannot be re-shored to the US and promote manufacturing and industry development at home under the US CHIPS Act. The MPI has been formulating a scheme on semiconductor manufacturing, in the context that the nation has put its state-of-the-art National Innovation Centre into operation, including semiconductor research and development. It is expected that the Vietnamese side will soon have two meetings with US officials, with the first being the dialogue between two foreign ministers at the end of March and the second between a Vietnamese representative with US Vice President Kamala Harris. The meetings are expected to highlight trade, commercial, and investment ties, including semiconductor development in Vietnam. On January 25, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi. According to Fernandez, the US and Vietnam are now in a strong position to boost their partnership, and the US stands ready to assist Vietnam in developing a semiconductor ecosystem including HR training and semiconductor trading promotion. Fernandez revealed that over a dozen US companies operating in the sectors of semiconductor and green technology have stated their interest in Vietnams chip and clean energy industries, with investment considered to be about $8 billion. One of the key reasons is that Vietnam is now in the process of growing its chip production in response to a growing demand thanks to the steady global adoption of AI. However, Dung also noted that during meetings with the US side on implementing commitments on supporting Vietnam in semiconductor ecosystem development, the US side suggested that Vietnam pay more attention to developing IT infrastructure in a safer and more reliable manner, with intellectual property rights having to be ensured. MPI figures show that cumulatively as of February 20, total US registered investment capital in Vietnam reached nearly $11.83 billion for almost 1,340 valid projects, making the US the 11th largest foreign investor in Vietnam. Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US increased from $450 million in 1995 when the two countries established their diplomatic relations, to $110.6 billion last year. In the first two months of this year, it hit about $15 billion. Policy advances applicable to semiconductor industry For years, Vietnam has been globally acknowledged as a nation of great potential for the advancement of the semiconductor chip industry, owing to its advantageous geographical position, political stability, and a reservoir of high-quality human resources. Vietnam can become major semiconductor player During VinFuture Prize 2023, Dr. Sadasivan Shankar, research technology manager at SLAC National Laboratory and Adjunct Professor in Stanford Materials Science and Engineering, spoke with VIRs Tuan Minh about his insights into Vietnams chances in the semiconductor industry. Speaking at the monthly government press briefing on March 2, Phuong pinpointed these sectors as critical levers for securing investment, particularly in the technology sector. Our infrastructure is under intense scrutiny by investors, who expect high standards in land and transport facilities. To meet these expectations, we must fast-track our ongoing infrastructure initiatives, he said. With the Land Law enacted at the start of 2024, Vietnam aims to resolve existing bottlenecks and boost investment attractiveness in real estate. The deputy minister emphasised the urgency of implementing guidelines to operationalise the law, in line with investor anticipations. "As Vietnam eyes the burgeoning investment in semiconductors, the goal is to cultivate a 100,000-strong workforce of high-calibre, including 50,000 specialised semiconductor engineers," he said. "Investors demand a skilled workforce. While Vietnam benefits from a demographic dividend, the focus must shift to elevating the workforce's skill set and proficiency." The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is poised to gather and incorporate stakeholder insights to finalise its proposal for the semiconductor development plan, with the aim of submitting it to the government in the first quarter of 2024. This initiative is part of Vietnam's concerted push to meet its ambitious 2030 goals, which include cultivating a workforce of engineers adept in the entire spectrum of modern semiconductor design and production - from front-end to back-end processes. Projected to reach fruition by 2045, this strategy positions Vietnam as an integral component of the global semiconductor industry's value chain, with a skilled contingent of engineers and experts poised to fulfill the qualitative and quantitative demands of the burgeoning Vietnamese semiconductor sector. Institutional reform is seen as the final pillar, with Phuong acknowledging the positive impact of recent policy shifts on investor psyche. Yet, he calls for deeper, more stimulating policies to support emerging sectors like high-tech and semiconductors. "Our approach to policy design must be meticulous, ensuring we create an environment that's both attractive and conducive for foreign direct investment," he said. Data from the MPI reveals a significant uptick in foreign investment, with nearly $4.3 billion recorded as of February 20, marking a 39 per cent increase on-year. New registrations have doubled to $3.6 billion, bolstered by a surge in new projects and substantial investment scales ranging between $400 million and $600 million. "These figures underscore the enduring confidence of foreign investors in the Vietnamese market and herald a positive trajectory for economic growth," Phuong said. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has previously mandated a comprehensive strategy to attract and retain prestigious technology groups, deeming it crucial to this year's agenda and the broader term goals. While Vietnam continues to draw heavyweight tech corporations from global powerhouses like the United States, South Korea, and Japan, industry specialists suggest that the nation has yet to fully leverage the shifting trends in capital flows, with high-quality human resources and enabling mechanisms cited as areas needing further development. Vietnam proposes enhanced semiconductor cooperation with US industry leaders Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien has proposed a range of initiatives to enhance cooperation in the semiconductor sector during discussions with John Neuffer, vice president of the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Chip training the hot new trend for 2024 The thirst for human resources in the semiconductor manufacturing industry has prompted many training institutions to open related majors before the 2024 enrolment season. Policy advances applicable to semiconductor industry For years, Vietnam has been globally acknowledged as a nation of great potential for the advancement of the semiconductor chip industry, owing to its advantageous geographical position, political stability, and a reservoir of high-quality human resources. Improving access to trade finance could increase imports and exports by up to 6-9 per cent respectively in Vietnam, equivalent to an annual increase in merchandise trade of $55 billion, according to a report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) International Finance Corporation (IFC). Speaking at the reports dissemination event in Hanoi at the end of February, Marc Auboin, a WTO counsellor of Economic Research and Statistics, said Vietnams trade finance market is the most sophisticated and advanced in the Mekong region. However, while the market is $150 billion in size, domestic banks are supporting only 21 per cent of the countrys total merchandise trade. In a sense, the effort Vietnam is already making towards the mobilisation of assets is already substantial, but the trading sector has certainly a potential to grow even more, he said. According to the report, local trade finance in Vietnam is scarce, costly and segmented, offering only traditional services. Importers and exporters cited high collateral requirements and onerous application processes among the main reasons why they did not seek support from local banks. On the supply side, Vietnamese banks rejected an average of 12 per cent of trade finance requests mainly from small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounting for around $20.3 billion in unmet demand in 2022. Rejections are attributed to a lack of collateral and high credit risk. Auboin emphasises that while the common perception is that trade finance merely facilitates trade, recent studies suggest a reversed supply-demand relationship: increased trade finance correlates with increased trade activity. SMEs would use their family finance or their working capital, and it would seem simpler than actually going to a bank. Its not really that they dont need trade finances. They may not know that there is a more efficient and perhaps a cheaper way to manage their working capital and optimise their cash flows, other than a question of need, he noted. Vietnams healthy trading market potential highlighted, photo Le Toan Raft of limitations The report highlighted that increasing coverage is more important than reducing trade finance costs. In turn, it suggests developing supply chain finance and digital solutions to cut costs and enhance access, necessitating robust regulatory frameworks covering collateral, digital transactions, central bank policies, and more. Nguyen Quoc Hung, secretary-general of the Vietnam Banking Association, said that the banking industry is committed to providing financing for enterprises of all sizes. However, he acknowledged that large businesses often find it easier to access bank capital due to their robust financial capabilities, ability to meet requirements, and extensive business networks, ensuring stability. On the other hand, SMEs face challenges such as financial instability, lack of transparency in financial reporting, and limited capacity to fulfil conditions set by banks, he assessed, urging that businesses enhance their capacity to meet bank requirements, thereby fostering trust in lending activities. Additionally, Hung anticipated that the enactment of the new Law on Credit Institutions by the National Assembly, coupled with the timely issuance of decrees and circulars by the State Bank of Vietnam to guide this law, will facilitate the robust development of trade finance activities. Tran Long, BIDVs deputy CEO, identified several main reasons for the limitations in SME trade financing, including a lack of transparency in financial statements, as well as limited experience in corporate governance and communication hindering their ability to access and utilise products offered by credit institutions. Additionally, there are regulatory constraints which treat trade finance tools similarly to loans, requiring SMEs to obtain credit limits from banks to access trade finance products, Long explained. As pointed out in the report, the majority of trade finance activities are currently relying on conventional instruments. IFC senior economist Tran Thu Trang noted the potential for advancement in the sector, suggesting that banks prioritise the development of innovative tools. Leveraging supply chain finance can particularly benefit SMEs, a segment currently facing challenges and experiencing limited access to trade finance compared to larger enterprises, she assessed. To foster the adoption of these modern financing instruments, she advises two key strategies: enhancing the legal framework to address collateral requirements, digital transactions, and regulatory standards set by central banks; while raising awareness for SMEs and local suppliers to facilitate their understanding and utilisation of trade finance mechanisms. Vital role of tech From a banking perspective, Dinh Ngoc Dung, head of Corporate Banking at SHB, said the multifaceted benefits of trade finance, particularly in supply chain operations. Beyond financing enterprises and facilitating payment methods, the bank provides invaluable advisory services on market access and partner evaluation to mitigate risks for all stakeholders. Moreover, scaling up this endeavour necessitates substantial investments in digitalisation and technology, with extended capital recovery periods in supply chain financing. Nonetheless, SHB representatives remain optimistic about the robust development of supply chain financing in Vietnam, buoyed by the collective efforts of IFC, businesses, and other stakeholders, he said. Iin September 2023, SHB signed an agreement with IFC to join the Global Trade Finance Programme (GTFP). Under this agreement, SHB acts as the issuing bank with an initial trade finance guarantee limit of up to $75 million granted by IFC. Participation in the GTFP enables SHB to foster trade growth and expand its global partner banking network and support import-export activities of domestic businesses. Long of BIDV emphasised the pivotal role of technology advancement in leveraging modern tools like supply chain finance. Tech innovations facilitate seamless connections between banks, buyers, sellers, distributors, and logistics firms across the supply chain, he stated, sharing that BIDV has collaborated with the Asian Development Bank over the past 2-3 years to develop a comprehensive supply chain finance platform. The initiative has propelled BIDVs progress by 200 per cent annually, spanning sectors including real estate, retail, and agriculture. In December, Standard Chartered Bank signed an agreement with BIDV for a sustainable trade loan of up to $100 million to support BIDV and its clients in achieving sustainability goals. Under the deal, Standard Chartered Bank in Vietnam will arrange trade loan financing for BIDVs sustainable transactions, facilitating businesses and projects access to green finance and supporting Vietnams green transformation. Vietnam targets key sectors to cement status as prime investment destination To bolster its position as a hub for investment, Vietnam continues focusing on three key areas land infrastructure, human resources, and institutional reform, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong. Relatives stand nearby as investigators from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines stand aboard the yacht "Simplicity," which they say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people on board, now anchored at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Authorities in the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard the yacht that was hijacked by the three escaped prisoners from Grenada. NEW YORK (AP) A New York man was convicted Monday for killing and dismembering a woman after fraudulently taking out a life insurance policy in her name then trying to collect the benefits, federal prosecutors said Monday. Cory Martin watched crime shows including Dexter and The First 48 for tips on how to get away with killing the woman, a sex worker who he managed, a co-conspirator testified during the two-week Brooklyn federal court trial. Lawyers for Martin didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, said the mandatory life sentence that comes with the top charge of murder-for-hire is fitting for a ghastly, cold-blooded crime that had been carefully planned and motivated by greed. Martin saw the victim as a moneymaker, trafficking her for commercial sex, then after killing her with his bare hands, tossing out her slaughtered body parts like trash so he could profit from her death, Peace said in a statement. The 36-year-old Queens resident was charged in the 2018 death of Brandy Odom, a 26-year-old whose body was found scattered in a park in Brooklyn. Prosecutors said Martin, Odom and the co-conspirator, Adelle Anderson, lived together in Queens. They say Martin and Anderson fraudulently obtained two life insurance policies in Odoms name the year before Martin strangled Odom in her bedroom in April 2018. Anderson, who has pleaded guilty to charges related to the life insurance scheme and murder plot, testified in Martin's trial that the two watched the true-crime show The First 48 before Odoms death for ways to avoid being caught. She also said Martin watched Dexter, a Showtime series about a fictional serial killer, according to Peace's office. The two then purchased cleaning supplies, covered their entire bathroom with heavy-duty black garbage bags and dismembered Odoms body before disposing of it in Canarsie Park, Anderson testified. In the ensuing days, as the body parts were discovered and police launched an investigation, Martin conducted dozens of internet searches for news articles, prosecutors said. Martin and Anderson made several unsuccessful attempts to claim benefits under Odoms life insurance policies and the two were eventually apprehended in 2020, according to prosecutors. PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) A man who purchased a gun with his son four days before a Michigan school shooting is headed to trial, accused of failing to take steps that could have prevented the teen from killing four students and wounding others. No one says James Crumbley knew what Ethan Crumbley planned to do at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021. But prosecutors allege that his gross negligence was a cause of the violence. It is the second act for prosecutors: The shooter's mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was convicted of the same involuntary manslaughter charges a month ago. They are the first U.S. parents to be charged with having criminal responsibility in a mass school shooting committed by a child. Jury selection in James Crumbleys case began Tuesday with more than 300 people summoned to Oakland County court, north of Detroit, to fill out a one-page questionnaire and await a possible call-up to the courtroom. Judge Cheryl Matthews said she was looking for independent thinkers who can be fair even if they're aware of Jennifer Crumbley's conviction. That case is done, Matthews told the first batch of 15 people. The judge and lawyers tried to learn whether there were personal experiences or strong views about guns, mental illness and police. A woman in the pool said she wasn't even familiar with the school shooting. Another woman who runs a restaurant said police officers are regular customers. You run a doughnut shop? Matthews asked in a moment of humor. She predicted a jury would be selected Wednesday. Rick Convertino, a Detroit-area defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor, said authorities didn't overreach by putting the Crumbley parents on trial. I think the prosecution did an excellent job in putting the links of the chain together during Jennifer Crumbley's case, said Convertino, who is not involved in the trials. What led to the horrific shootings could easily have been prevented by simple and ordinary care. James Crumbley, accompanied by 15-year-old Ethan, purchased a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun over Thanksgiving weekend in 2021. The boy called it his new beauty on social media. His mother, also on social media, described the gun as a Christmas gift and took Ethan to a shooting range. A few days later, the parents went to Oxford High to discuss a violent drawing on Ethan Crumbleys math assignment, which was accompanied by tormented phrases: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. The world is dead. My life is useless. There was a gun on the paper that looked similar to the Sig Sauer. The parents chose silence instead of disclosing the gun purchase and a visit to the shooting range, assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in a court filing. The Crumbleys didnt take Ethan home, and the school didn't demand it. But the parents departed with a list of area mental health services. School counselor Shawn Hopkins said Jennifer Crumbley cited her work as the reason to keep her son in class. I don't remember James speaking on that topic, he testified. No one the parents or school staff checked the boys backpack for a gun, and the shooting happened that afternoon. James Crumbley called 911, frantically saying, I think my son took the gun. Convertino predicts the call will be extraordinary, powerful evidence for prosecutors, who will argue that the father failed to safely store the gun and ammunition. Defense lawyers, however, said the parents could not have foreseen a mass shooting. The case begs the question of when a parent will cross the subjective line of good parenting and render himself or herself criminally liable for the independent acts of a teenager, Mariell Lehman and Shannon Smith said in a court filing. Ethan, now 17, is serving a life prison sentence for murder and terrorism. He told a judge when he pleaded guilty that his money was used to buy the gun and that the weapon was not locked at home. Jennifer Crumbley returns to court for her sentence on April 9. Her minimum prison term could be as high as 10 years. Both parents have been in jail for more than two years. They were unable to post a bond of $500,000 each, following their arrest at a friend's art studio in Detroit. They insisted they were not trying to flee. Follow Ed White on X, formerly Twitter: @edwritez PHOENIX (AP) A man sought in New York in a fatal bludgeoning last month in a Manhattan hotel has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other felony charges in Arizona in separate stabbings of two women over a week later in metro Phoenix. Raad Noah Almansoori, 26, was arraigned Tuesday in Maricopa County Superior Court on charges stemming from the stabbings on Feb. 17 in Phoenix and on Feb. 18 in the suburb of Surprise. Almansooris only comments during the two-minute hearing were stating his name and birth date when asked by the court to do so. After the hearing, his attorney, Dakota Johnson, didnt immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment on his client's behalf. Almansooris trial on the Arizona charges was scheduled for July 2. He is accused of stabbing an 18-year-old woman at least three times neck in a McDonalds restaurant bathroom in the community of Surprise. Police also say he stabbed another woman a day earlier in Phoenix. New York police say Almansoori also is a suspect in the Feb. 8 killing of a woman in that city. The body of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia was found by staff on the floor of a hotel room. Officers said her death was determined to have been caused by blunt force trauma to the head, and a broken clothes iron was found nearby. The Arizona case has sparked a political feud between Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, a Republican, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. Mitchell balked at sending Almansoori back to New York for prosecution before he is tried in Arizona in the stabbings. Almansoori, who is being held without bond on the Arizona charges, said in a Monday court hearing that he would not waive formal extradition proceedings to New York while he is being prosecuted on the Arizona charges. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Spreadsheets of raw data associated with every ballot cast are not subject to public scrutiny, a Pennsylvania court ruled Monday in a case that began with a request for the cast vote records by an election researcher whose work has fueled right-wing attacks on voting procedures. Commonwealth Court ruled 5-2 in favor of Secretary of State Al Schmidt, saying that researcher Heather Honey and others were not entitled to the records from Lycoming County for the 2020 General Election. Pennsylvanias Elections Code says county election records are public except the contents of ballot boxes and voting machines and records of assisted voters. The law does not define voting machines, however. Honey's October 2021 request under the state's Right-to-Know Law was turned down by the county elections office, a decision upheld by the state Office of Open Records before a Lycoming County judge ruled the public is entitled to the records. The Commonwealth Court majority ruled Monday that cast vote records are the electronic, modern-day equivalent of all the votes in a traditional ballot box and the optical scanners are considered voting machines under state law. Because Honey did not live and vote in Lycoming County, she was succeeded in the litigation by three Williamsport area residents a local businessman, a retired state trooper and Republican state Rep. Joe Hamm. Their lawyer, Thomas Breth, said Monday a decision had not been made about whether to appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. We respectfully disagree with the majority of the courts interpretation of the Election Code, Breth said. The county judge said in December 2022 that optical scanners used to record Lycoming votes that had been cast on paper ballots did not qualify as voting machines under state law. The judge said that the contents of ballot boxes or voting machines, information that the law shields from public disclosure, amount to the ballots and the mechanisms of voting machines, rather than information contained in those machines such as electronic data. Judge Ellen Ceisler's majority opinion concluded that Lycoming's optical scanners "are undoubtedly mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, or electronic components of a voting system that are specifically used for the task of voting, including with regard to the casting and tabulation of votes. Therefore, these devices also fit the generally understood definition of voting machines." She said it would be absurd if the physical ballots were not available for public inspection but digital analogues of those very same ballots were freely available upon request, as what is special about the ballots is not so much the form which they take, but the voting information which they contain. Breth said releasing the data would not enable anyone to pierce the secrecy of ballots. The courts decision, I dont believe, was based upon any theory that you could reverse engineer the data and identify how somebody voted," Breth said. The Department of State's press office said it was working on a response to the ruling. In a dissent, Judge Patricia McCullough said the cast vote records don't associate a ballot with a specific voter. The order of the numbered list of voters does not even correspond to the order in which ballots are cast, McCullough wrote. The only way a person could determine an elector's ordinal position is by personally observing that elector cast his or her ballot. Honey, who heads the Lebanon, Pennsylvania-based firm Haystack Investigations, had previously likened the cast vote record to a spreadsheet and described it as merely a digital report tallying the results of ballots scanned into a tabulator. The CVR is a report that is prepared after an election from a desktop computer that is not and never was the contents of a ballot box. LOS ANGELES (AP) After a winter barrage of award shows the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Grammys the grandaddy of them all, the Academy Awards, are around the corner. The 96th Oscars may be a coronation for Oppenheimer, which comes in with a leading 13 nominations, though other films, including Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon and Poor Things are in the mix. Heres everything you need to know about this year's show: WHEN ARE THE OSCARS? The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 7 p.m. EDT one hour earlier than usual and will broadcast live on ABC. A preshow will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. This is your early reminder to set your clocks accordingly it's the first day of daylight saving time in the U.S. ARE THE OSCARS STREAMING? The show will be available to stream via ABC.com and the ABC app with a cable subscription. You can also watch through services including Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. WHOS HOSTING THE OSCARS? Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted last years ceremony, will emcee for the fourth time. That ties him with fellow four-timers Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon, and leaves Kimmel trailing only Johnny Carson (five), Billy Crystal (nine) and Bob Hope (11) among repeat Oscar hosts. In an interview with The Associated Press, Kimmel said the upcoming presidential election could be a topic for him, he doesnt plan to a strike a very political tone. Its not really the focus of the Oscars, said Kimmel. It doesnt mean I wont have a joke or two about it. But its not really my goal to invoke the name of he-who-shall-not-be-named at the Oscars. WILL THERE BE ANY PERFORMANCES? Yes, all the original song nominees will be performed on the show. That means Ryan Gosling will serenade everyone with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt's Barbie power ballad I'm Just Ken and Billie Eilish will soulfully sing What Was I Made For," which she co-wrote with Finneas O'Connell. The other nominated songs include Diane Warrens The Fire Inside, from Flamin Hot," to be performed by Becky G, Jon Batiste and Dan Wilsons It Never Went Away from American Symphony, and Scott Georges Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon. WHOS PRESENTING AT THE OSCARS? Last years big acting winners are all coming back to present at the show (a tradition), including Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Stars from all generations are expected to hand out awards, from Rita Moreno to Bad Bunny. Steven Spielberg, Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, Sally Field, Ariana Grande, Ben Kingsley, Melissa McCarthy, Issa Rae, Tim Robbins, Mary Steenburgen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlize Theron, Christoph Waltz and Forest Whitaker were the last batch of presenters announced. Other celebrities set to grace the Dolby stage include Scarface co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino (likely not together), as well as Gosling, Zendaya, Matthew McConaughey, Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Regina King, Jennifer Lawrence, John Mulaney, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Lange, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali, Sam Rockwell, Lupita Nyongo and Ramy Youssef. There will be some fun cast reunions too: Barbie's" America Ferrera and Kate McKinnon will take the stage together for a funny bit, as will Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton and Catherine OHara. WHAT'S NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE AT THE 2024 OSCARS? The 10 nominees for best picture are: American Fiction; Anatomy of a Fall; Barbie; The Holdovers; Killers of the Flower Moon; Maestro; Oppenheimer; Past Lives; Poor Things; and The Zone of Interest." HOW CAN I WATCH THE OSCAR-NOMINATED FILMS? Many of this year's Oscar nominees are streaming on various platforms. The AP has this handy guide to help with Oscar cramming. WHO ARE THE FAVORITES? WHAT'S UP WITH THE BARBIE SNUBS? While Barbie," 2023's biggest box-office hit, comes in with eight nominations, much discussion has revolved around the nominations the film didn't receive. Greta Gerwig was left out of the directing category and Margot Robbie missed out on best actress. In those omissions, some have seen reflections of the misogyny parodied in Barbie," while others have noted the tough reception comedies have historically had at the Oscars. The nominations for Barbie include best adapted screenplay (by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach), best supporting actress for America Ferrera and two best song nominees in What Was I Made For and I'm Just Ken. ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE OSCARS THIS YEAR? WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO LOOK FOR? For more on this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards China's COMAC airplanes arrive in Laos for static display, demonstration flight Xinhua) 09:56, March 05, 2024 VIENTIANE, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese airplanes C919 and ARJ21 developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) on Monday arrived in Laos for a static display and demonstration flight. The two jetliners flew from Singapore to Vietnam, and then to Laos, after finishing the Singapore Airshow 2024 where they made their first airshow appearances outside China. Managing Director of Lao Airlines, Khamla Phommavanh, said "I am happy and honored to attend today's displays of C919 and ARJ21." He noted that the two jetliners are high-standard aircraft with international safety standards, coupled with a comfortable interior and durable exterior design. ARJ21-700 is a twin-engine jet with a maximum of 90 seats while the C919 is a narrow-body passenger aircraft with a maximum capacity of 192 seats. ARJ21 will also conduct demonstration flights on the round-trip route from Vientiane to the tourist city of Luang Prabang. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A contractor has filed a lien to collect more than $80,000 from remodeling work to a home that prosecutors are trying to seize from Janet Mello, an ex-Army civilian employee working out of Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, they say stole $108 million. Courtesy JBSA-Fort Sam Houston / A Spring Branch contractor claims that Janet Yamanaka Mello, a former civilian Army employee whos agreed to plead guilty to stealing $108 million in government funds, stiffed the company for work on one of her many luxury properties. Field Construction Inc. has filed a claim in federal prosecutors civil forfeiture case against the property in Horseshoe Bay, an exclusive leisure community in Central Texas. Court records show Lynn Boots Field, vice president of the family-run construction firm, is trying to recoup $87,105. That includes a final payment of $84,000 on a bill for more than $300,000 for remodeling work on a home owned by Mello in the exclusive community in Central Texas and the contractors legal costs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The work included performing framing, electrical, plumbing and various other work at the subject property during the months of January 2022 through September 2023, said an affidavit signed by Lynn Field. Public records show Janet Mello, 57, and her husband, Mark Mello, bought the property in 2018 from Richard Heller Homes. Prosecutors allege it was purchased with some of the $108 million Janet Mello stole from a grant program for military families participating in 4-H. Janet Mello, a former civilian Army employee, has agreed to plead guilty to charges that she stole $108 million intended for a 4-H program for children of military families. A Spring Branch contractor has accused Mello of stiffing the firm on $84,000 for remodeling work on a Horseshoe Bay home she purchased with her husband. Courtes of Federal court documents Field Construction has been trying to collect the final payment since September, Fields affidavit said. By then, the IRS had raided the Mellos primary home in far North San Antonio and filed civil forfeiture lawsuits against the Horseshoe Bay property and numerous others, as well as vehicles and bank accounts tied to Janet Mello, who worked in various civil positions of the military for more than 20 years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mello most recently worked as a finance program manager for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation section of the Armys Installation Management Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. She was indicted in December on several charges. She struck a plea deal last week in which she agreed to plead guilty to five wire fraud and five tax charges. Her plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday in San Antonios federal court. She is expected to admit that she created a shell company called Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, or CHYLD, in 2016 and used it to collect payments from the the 4-H program for nearly seven years. The company never provided any services. She spent much of the money on mansions, prime real estate, expensive vehicles and other luxuries. She ordered so many designer bags and purses that delivery people nicknamed her the Gucci Goddess. Reached by phone Tuesday, a Field Construction representative declined comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As construction moves forward on a $1 billion recycled paperboard manufacturing plant in Waco, a Michigan plant with a production line Waco's is based on faces a $600 million federal air pollution lawsuit. In Waco, teams of crane operators and construction workers are assembling metal girders into the framework of the new Graphic Packaging International facility about as fast as trucks can bring them to the site at 2601 Gateway Blvd. The factory along with office space and a finished-goods warehouse are all in various fast-moving stages of construction, with the company aiming to start production by 2026. Meanwhile, in Michigan teams of lawyers prepare to face off in federal court with 45 plaintiffs in and near Kalamazoo who filed a lawsuit June 7 against the Graphic Packaging International facility there, at 1500 N. Pritcher St. The suit alleges 35 counts including violations of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act as well as civil rights violations. Many of the claims stem from allegations that hydrogen sulfide gas emitted from the Kalamazoo paper plant has caused noxious odors and health problems in nearby neighborhoods. The suit also names as defendants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan's environmental agency, the governor of Michigan, the mayor of Kalamazoo and others, alleging inadequate enforcement action against the plant. Michigan attorney John Beason, who filed the suit, said the state of Michigan has acknowledged the Kalamazoo plant has violated environmental regulations, and based on that his plaintiffs brought their suit. While the state has cited the plant for violations in recent years and recorded hundreds of odor-related complaints since 2010, the report Beason waited for to start the lawsuit does not draw a conclusion about whether gasses causing foul odors come from the Graphic Packaging facility or a city of Kalamazoo wastewater treatment facility that shares a property line with the paper plant. A Graphic Packaging spokesperson declined comment on the pending litigation but said the company will vigorously defend itself. The company, along with the state and city defendants and others, has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which remains pending before Hala Jarbou, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Since 2021, the Kalamazoo paper plant has reduced hydrogen sulfide concentrations on its property by 81%, achieving levels six times below Michigan's limit, the Graphic Packaging spokesperson said. To achieve the reduction, the company invested millions of dollars upgrading equipment and processes in its Kalamazoo plant to improve air quality around it. Operations have been ongoing more than a century at Graphic Packaging's Kalamazoo site, with multiple production lines. A coated recycled paperboard machine that went into operation in early 2022 is the model for Waco's plant, and the company shuttered an older line in Kalamazoo last year. Lawsuit and state report "Plaintiffs came to me with claims about air pollution and water pollution, and when the state report came out confirming what the community was telling me, I filed the suit," Beason said. The suit alleges that in the neighborhoods where the plaintiffs live, there are higher than normal rates of respiratory illness, birth defects and other ailments. It alleges the paper plant and wastewater plant emitted higher than allowed levels of hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants. It also says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and the city of Kalamazoo violated the civil rights of the plaintiffs by failing to properly enforce the clean air and water regulations and appropriately fine the offending facilities. In Graphic Packaging's motion to dismiss the suit, its attorneys argue the plaintiffs do not show that they or their children have individually suffered the birth defects and respiratory ailments said to be uncommonly high in their neighborhoods. They also say the plaintiffs do not offer any proof that pollution from the paper plant or the wastewater facility caused any of the ailments. The state report Beason referred to is a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Health Consultation issued April 6, 2023, on the air quality in Kalamazoo neighborhoods near the paper plant and wastewater facility. The report started in response to 246 odor complaints filed between June 2010 and June 2022 and includes analysis of air sampling conducted by the health department and Graphic Packaging between September 2019 and December 2021. Among other conclusions, the health department found that people consistently breathing in maximum measured levels of hydrogen sulfide for a lifetime may be at increased risk of nasal irritation that does not go away once the person stops breathing in the gas. "Continuous combined H2S and reduced sulfur compound sensors at several locations in the communities adjacent to GPI and KWRP (Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant) reported concentrations that regularly exceeded EPAs Reference Concentration of 1.4 ppb (parts per billion) from September 2019 to December 2021," the report says. The health department report also says asthma levels in the neighborhoods around the two plants are not significantly higher than for the state of Michigan as a whole. The air sampling also found volatile organic compounds at levels that did not pose a health risk, according to the report. The report also does not establish with certainty whether it was the paper plant or the wastewater facility that released the odor-causing gasses detected between September 2019 and December 2021. It calls both the paper plant and the waste water facility "potential sources" of the hydrogen sulfide and other pollutants. Since Graphic Packaging's newest production line went into operation early in 2022, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has filed two annual compliance reports with a total of 87 items in compliance and one item out of compliance that was unrelated to air or water quality. In the past 10 years, the Michigan environmental department has cited the Kalamazaoo facility for violations 10 times, including five related to odors and one related to several kinds of air pollution. Three of the violations led to enforcement notices. In all cases the company conducted inspections and troubleshooting and took corrective action when they agreed they were in violation. The company also took action to improve processes in cases when it disputed the violation. Also, in February and December of last year, Graphic Packaging entered voluntary consent orders with the Michigan environmental department in which it agreed to pay fines of about $100,000 and make changes to processes and machines at the facility to reduce air and water emissions. Graphic Packaging in Waco A year ago, Graphic Packaging selected a Waco site at 2601 Gateway Blvd. for a $1 billion, 640,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that, like its sister site in Kalamazoo, will take in used cardboard packaging, grind it up and remanufacture it into paperboard boxes for consumer products like cereal. Before that selection, on Aug. 17, 2022, McLennan County Judge Scott Felton and Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kris Collins and others visited the Graphic Packaging paper plant in Kalamazoo. Both Collins and Felton said last week that when they visited the plant they smelled an odor of wet paper inside the facility. Both said they did not smell a foul odor outside the plant except on the side of the wastewater facility. Felton said he did not smell the foul odor when he walked up to the paper plant from the side away from the wastewater facility. "I only noticed the foul odor when I walked outside the paper plant on the same side as the Kalamazoo wastewater treatment plant," Felton said. Collins said she only smelled the odor when the visit group walked up to the property line that divides the paper plant from the wastewater facility. "The facility in Kalamazoo is a legacy facility more than 100 years old," Collins said. "Infrastructure and manufacturing processes have changed during that time. They're trying to make these new processes work on the old infrastructure." "While parts of the Waco facility are modeled after our recent expansion in Michigan, the Waco facility features many advancements," Graphic Packaging said in a statement. The Michigan facility is in full compliance with all state and federal environmental permits, and the company will ensure the Waco facility complies with Texas and federal environmental permits, according to the statement. "The City of Kalamazoo and the surrounding region have a long history of paper manufacturing going back more than a century," the city said in a statement responding to questions about air quality issues and the city's dealings with Graphic Packaging. "The City of Kalamazoo works closely with many corporate partners throughout the city to promote not only a strong economy for our residents, but also health, social equity, and environmental protection." Attorneys representing Graphic Packaging did not respond to phone and email requests for comment made last week. Plaintiffs' attorney Beason said he is waiting on a scheduling order and rulings on the defendants' motions to dismiss claims. If the judge dismisses some of the claims and leaves others, then he will file an amended complaint and the suit will move forward with discovery. EmpowerHER Summit EmpowerHER Summit, a fundraiser for Judys Helping Hands, will run from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Bellmead Civic Center, 3900 Parrish St. Free tickets are available at eventbrite.com. The event is dedicated to empowering and uplifting women from all walks of life. It aims to bring together inspiring speakers, workshops and resources to create a supportive community that fosters personal and professional growth. Womens clubs show, lunch The Waco Federation of Womens Clubs 2024 Styleshow and Luncheon will be held Thursday, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, call Valerie at 281-806-1355. DRT meeting The Sterling C. Robertson Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, 101 S. Third St. in downtown Waco. This meeting is free and open to the public. Prospective members are encouraged to attend. Instant Pot cooking Rachel Esquivel will lead an Instant Pot cooking class for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of McLennan County from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 12 at the Extension office, 4224 Cobbs Drive. Registration closes Thursday. Cost is $30. For more information, call 254-757-5180 or email Rachel.esquivel@ag.tamu.edu. Cooking Well with Diabetes Cooking Well with Diabetes, a four-lesson cooking school, will start March 14 at the McLennan County Extension Office, 4224 Cobbs Drive. Classes will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Thursday through April 4. Rachel Esquivel will lead the class. The goal of the program is to help people living with diabetes, family members or anyone just wanting to learn, how to make changes to the foods they eat and how their food is prepared. The four-lesson series examines carbohydrates, meal planning, and reducing fat and sodium while still maintaining flavorful dishes. Tp register, call 254-757-5180. Cost is $40. The registration deadline is Monday. Urban Homesteading 101 The South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St., is offering Urban Homesteading 101 classes on the second Saturday of each month. The class from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 9 will cover beekeeping. George Litton from Bens Bees in Robinson will discuss the importance of beekeeping and how to get started. At the end of the program, participants are invited to view his hives and learn about what he does. To register, go to calendar.wacolibrary.org. Space is limited. Lester Gibson Collection An unveiling event for the Lester Gibson Collection will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday at Baylor Universitys Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center, 905 S. University Parks Drive, hosted by the Baylor Collections of Political Materials at W. R. Poage Library. Former U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards will share remarks at 3:15 p.m. To RSVP, call 254-710-1268. Barbecue competition La Vega High School, 555 N. Loop 340, will host a regional high school barbecue competition from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Teams will cook porkchops, skirt steak, chicken, ribs and chili as they compete to advance to a state competition May 4 in Burnet. For more information, contact Slade Rodriguez at slade.rodriguez@lavegaisd.org or 254-299-8620. Spring break roundup The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum will hold its annual spring break roundup from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Activities will include Texas Ranger reenactors and a real Texas Ranger, with Texas Ranger Talks from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. District 1 cleanup The city of Wacos solid waste department will conduct a free curbside cleanup and collect bulky waste starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, only for residents of council District 1. To register for pickup, learn what items will be accepted and find council district boundaries, go to waco-texas.com/News/District-Cleanups. The site also includes dates for cleanups scheduled in other districts. District 1 neighborhoods include East Waco and Timbercrest, the Oakwood, Cameron Park and Cedar Ridge neighborhoods, plus the Texas State Technical College area. For more information, call 254-2992612. Star Party The Central Texas Astronomical Society will conduct a Star Party from 8 to 9 p.m. March 12 at the South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St. The event is intended to help participants start studying the sky before the April 8 solar eclipse. The Central Texas Astronomical Society will present a beginners guide to astronomy and the solar system. Following the presentation, everyone will go outside for the Star Party, in which they can observe the stars, Jupiter, and the moon through a telescope. While viewing the stars, experts from the society will highlight the constellations through a constellation tour and answer questions. The program is free and open to the public.(tncms-asset)e82d2e5e-f541-11ed-9557-2b01923419ab[1](/tncms-asset) Womens clubs show, lunch The Waco Federation of Womens Clubs 2024 Styleshow and Luncheon will be held Thursday, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, call Valerie at 281-806-1355. Instant Pot cooking Rachel Esquivel will lead an Instant Pot cooking class for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of McLennan County from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 12 at the Extension office, 4224 Cobbs Drive. Registration closes Thursday. Cost is $30. For more information, call 254-757-5180 or email Rachel.esquivel@ag.tamu.edu. Urban Homesteading 101 The South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St., is offering Urban Homesteading 101 classes on the second Saturday of each month. The class from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 9 will cover beekeeping. George Litton from Ben's Bees in Robinson will discuss the importance of beekeeping and how to get started. At the end of the program, participants are invited to view his hives and learn about what he does. To register, go to calendar.wacolibrary.org. Space is limited. Lester Gibson Collection An unveiling event for the Lester Gibson Collection will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday at Baylor Universitys Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center, 905 S. University Parks Drive, hosted by the Baylor Collections of Political Materials at W. R. Poage Library. Former U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards will share remarks at 3:15 p.m. To RSVP, call 254-710-1268. Barbecue competition La Vega High School, 555 N. Loop 340, will host a regional high school barbecue competition from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Teams will cook porkchops, skirt steak, chicken, ribs and chili as they compete to advance to a state competition May 4 in Burnet. For more information, contact Slade Rodriguez at slade.rodriguez@lavegaisd.org or 254-299-8620. Spring break roundup The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum will hold its annual spring break roundup from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Activities will include Texas Ranger reenactors and a real Texas Ranger, with Texas Ranger Talks from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. District 1 cleanup The city of Wacos solid waste department will conduct a free curbside cleanup and collect bulky waste starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, only for residents of council District 1. To register for pickup, learn what items will be accepted and find council district boundaries, go to waco-texas.com/News/District-Cleanups. The site also includes dates for cleanups scheduled in other districts. District 1 neighborhoods include East Waco and Timbercrest, the Oakwood, Cameron Park and Cedar Ridge neighborhoods, plus the Texas State Technical College area. For more information, call 254-2992612. Cooking Well with Diabetes Cooking Well with Diabetes, a four-lesson cooking school, will start March 14 at the McLennan County Extension Office, 4224 Cobbs Drive. Classes will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Thursday through April 4. Rachel Esquivel will lead the class. The goal of the program is to help people living with diabetes, family members or anyone just wanting to learn, how to make changes to the foods they eat and how their food is prepared. The four-lesson series examines carbohydrates, meal planning, and reducing fat and sodium while still maintaining flavorful dishes. Tp register, call 254-757-5180. Cost is $40. The registration deadline is March 11. Star Party Central Texas Astronomical Society will conduct a Star Party from 8 to 9 p.m. March 12, at the South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St. The event is intended to help participants start studying the sky before the April 8 solar eclipse. The Central Texas Astronomical Society will present a beginner's guide to astronomy and the solar system. Following the presentation, everyone will go outside for the Star Party, in which they can observe the stars, Jupiter, and the moon through a telescope. While viewing the stars, experts from the society will highlight the constellations through a constellation tour and answer questions. The program is free and open to the public. Tax help Students from La Vega High Schools business program will offer free tax preparation help from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26, March 11, March 18, March 25 and April 8 at the Waco-McLennan County Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave. People receiving help should bring all tax documents, ID and Social Security cards for everyone on the tax return. No registration or library card is required. St. Joseph's fish fry St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 9656 Elk Road, will hold its annual Lenten fish fry from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday. Dine-in or to-go plates including drink and dessert are $14 each. Knights fish fry Knights of Columbus No. 13902 in Westphalia will have a shrimp and fish fry from 3:30 to 7:15 p.m. Friday at the Westphalia Parrish Hall. Plates cost $12. WATERLOO Firefighters rescued a cat from a burning home Tuesday morning. Neighbors called 911 around 10 a.m. after seeing smoke and flames coming from the single-story house at 1125 Downing Ave. Firefighters said it appeared no one was home at the time, and fire crews found the cat behind a couch in the smoke-filled residence. Paramedics gave the cat supplemental oxygen, and the pet is expected to survive. The fire appears to have started in the area of the back porch and worked its way into the home and into an attic space. Firefighters extinguished the flames to keep the fire from spreading. Photos: House fire, Downing Ave., Waterloo March 5, 2024 030524jr-fire-downing-1 030524jr-fire-downing-2 030524jr-fire-downing-3 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 Erik Cantu, then 17, was critically injured when then-Police Officer James Brennand shot him on Oct. 2, 2022. =Cantu was discharged from University Hospital in November of that year. Brennand was fired from the police force and charged with aggravated assault. Courtesy of the Cantu family Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales announces on Dec. 1, 2022, that fired SAPD officer James Brennand has been indicted in the shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu. Sam Owens, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer James Brennand, right, with his father, Robert, during a ceremony before his graduation from the San Antonio Police Training Academy in March 2022. Seven months later, James Brennand shot and critically injured teenager Erik Cantu in a McDonald's parking lot. The officer was fired from the force and charged with aggravated assault. San Antonio Police Academy A judge has ordered the Bexar County District Attorneys Office to give lawyers for an indicted ex-police officer all communications about the case between DA Joe Gonzales and the Wren Collective, an Austin-based criminal justice reform group. The fired San Antonio police officer, James Brennand, is charged with aggravated assault in the 2022 shooting of teenager Erik Cantu, who was critically injured. Brennands defense team recently subpoenaed text messages, emails, social media messages and recorded conversations about the shooting between the DAs staff and the Wren Collective. The progressive groups founder, Jessica Brand, has served as an unpaid, unofficial adviser to the DAs office on criminal justice policy for the last five years. The relationship has become a political liability for Gonzales since excerpts of their extensive communications were disclosed by KSAT-12 and later the San Antonio Express-News. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a court filing, Brennands attorneys argued that the communications could be relevant to Brennands defense because, in one series of messages, Brand appeared to recommend that Gonzales drop criminal charges against Cantu and hold a news conference to say so. Cantu, then 17, was charged with evading arrest and assault on a peace officer after his encounter with Brennand outside a McDonalds restaurant on the North Side. Gonzales dropped the charges against Cantu after his staff received messages about the case from Brand. Brennands attorneys said those communications also could be relevant to a motion they filed last year requesting a change of venue on the ground that persistent inflammatory media coverage would prevent Brennand from receiving a fair trial in Bexar County. Prosecutors disagreed and sought to withhold copies of the communications from Brennands defense team. In a motion to quash the subpoena, they argued that Brennands attorneys were on a fishing expedition and that the records were not relevant to the change-of-venue motion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Wren Collective also sought to quash the subpoena, arguing in court papers that private communications between Brand and the DAs office could not influence the jury. On Monday, Bexar County Judge Joel Perez rejected the state's motion and ordered that all of the DA's communications about the case must be handed over to the defense, court records show. But at the same time, the judge upheld the Wren Collective's objection, meaning that while the DA has to comply with the defense subpoena, the Austin nonprofit does not. Since Gonzales took office in January 2019, Brand and her staff have sent hundreds of pages of text messages and emails to Gonzales and his top aide, Christian Henricksen, advising them on policy issues including bail reform and how to avoid prosecuting people accused of low-level drug offenses as well as trespassing, vandalism and other mostly nonviolent crimes. Brand and Henricksen also discussed a handful of high-profile cases, including the Cantu-Brennand case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The disclosures prompted questions from members of the legal community about whether it was appropriate for the DA to receive behind-the-scenes advice from an outside group with a progressive agenda. Gonzales, Henricksen and Brand say their communications were entirely appropriate and meant to help the DAs office make sound policy decisions. Henricksen said the office receives policy proposals from numerous outside groups. Any discussion of individual cases was solely about public messaging, Henricksen and Brand said, never about prosecutorial decisions. They helped us a lot, Henricksen said of the Wren Collective in an interview last month. Jessica, in particular, helped us put together a lot of the information that we needed to inform our decisions on criminal justice reform. Im proud of the work that weve done on criminal justice reform. They helped us get the information that we needed to make good decisions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bodycam video shows then-Police Officer James Brennand pointing a gun at teenager Erik Cantu outside a McDonalds on Oct. 2, 2022. Brennand shot and critically injured Cantu. The officer was later fired and charged with aggravated assault. San Antonio Police Department Cantu shooting On Oct. 2, 2022, Cantu was sitting in a maroon BMW outside a McDonalds in the 11700 block of Blanco Road, eating a hamburger. Brennand, a probationary officer with seven months on the job, saw the BMW and radioed to headquarters that he recognized it as a stolen vehicle whose driver previously had eluded him. In video footage, Brennand is seen approaching the car with his gun drawn, opening the drivers side door and telling a seemingly stunned Cantu, Get out of the car! He did not identify himself as a police officer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cantu reversed the car several feet, hitting Brennands leg with the open car door. The teen then sped toward the exit of the parking lot. Brennand fired at least 10 shots at the car, seriously injuring Cantu. Cantu was rushed to University Hospital, where he spent several weeks on a ventilator. Police Chief William McManus fired Brennand days later, and the ex-officer was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant. An arrest affidavit said Brennand was clearly not in danger of death or serious bodily injury when he shot Cantu. In text messages sent Oct. 7, 2022, five days after the shooting, Brand told Henricksen that she had been thinking about the case and the charges pending against Cantu. My guess is there will be a lot of misinformation out there, Brand wrote. If I were Joe Id probably have a press conference, maybe with the sheriff, explain you are dropping charges (and why they were ever filed), and then that obv the video is extremely disturbing, you cant say more because pending case, but are obv investigating, and you know this incident has harmed public. Im trying to get Joe in the phone now, Henricksen responded. Im going to advise we dismiss immediately. I agree with a press conference. Ill see what he says. Im rejecting the kids cases now, Henricksen texted Brand later that day. Joe wants to do press this afternoon. Henricksen told the Express-News he already planned to dismiss the charges against Cantu and that Brand knew as much when she texted him. We already knew that the cases against Cantu were not going to be triable cases, and that they would be dismissed, Henricksen said. We had reviewed the evidence that was available to us at the time, including the video, and did not see how we were ever going to be able to convince a jury to convict him on those cases. Around the same time, Henricksen said, Cantus attorney informed him that the teens parents could spend only limited time with their son in the hospital because he was technically in police custody. The attorney asked Henricksen if there was anything the DAs office could do. The doctors werent sure if Erik was going to make it through the night, Henricksen said. We were trying to figure out what we could do, so that the family could be in the room with him. Because I mean, thats what I would want, if I was his family, if that was my kid. Henricksen said the only way to ensure Cantus family could be with him in the hospital was to drop the charges. It didnt have anything to do with Wren or Wrens opinion about the case, Henricksen said. It was because we knew that the case wasnt going to be provable. Then, we did it quickly so that Eriks family could be in the room with him in the event that he were to die. On Oct. 7, the same day Henricksen and Brand discussed the case, Gonzales held a news conference to announce that he planned to dismiss the charges against Cantu. At the same news conference, Gonzales faulted Brennand, saying: What disturbs me from the video is that at the moment (Brennand) fired and then continued to fire, his life didnt appear to be in danger. Patrick Ballantyne, one of Brennands attorneys, argued in court that McManus and Gonzales' comments were calculated to taint the jury pool if we do go to trial in this case. Now it appears that the Wren Collective and one particular lady were delivering to the District Attorneys Office talking points apparently consulting them on whether to release the criminal charges against Erik Cantu and directing them on other matters relating to this case, Ballantyne said. EVANSDALE One person has been arrested for allegedly running over motorcycles parked in Evansdale during the weekend. Police arrested Ronald Lee Gilson, 61, of 4725 Millerdale Court, Waterloo, for four counts of second-degree criminal mischief and one count of reckless driving. Authorities said Gilson was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Blazer equipped with a snow plow blade when he struck the motorcycles in the 3500 block of Lafayette Road around 4:37 p.m. Saturday. The motorcycles belonged to two people from Fort Dodge, a person from Waterloo and person from Cedar Rapids. Police went to Gilsons home shortly after the incident and found his truck parked with a warm engine and transfer paint from the motorcycles, according to court records. CEDAR FALLS Disagreement, disconnect and distrust were on display Monday at City Hall over whether the City Council should formally call for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. It was the third straight meeting where a significant amount of time was devoted to the issue. The public comment portion of the meeting fueled chaos after Mayor Danny Laudick presided over a committee update on the subject and later offered a statement after the council again declined to act. The decision was in response to pressure from a large group that had requested a resolution be adopted. People in the group want the council to acknowledge a belief that the United States is funding genocide by supporting Israel. Close to 20 people spoke on the issue, which was more than the previous two meetings. They gathered outside City Hall on a chilly night during the meeting with signs and Palestinian flags. They had hoped the resolution would be given the same amount of time as issues such as trash collection were given during a committee meeting before the eruption of comments at the council meeting. Human Rights Commission Chairperson Sonja Bock, who applauded the Waterloo City Council for its work sessions and level of civic engagement on the issue, called out frustrations she had with Laudick. Some stemmed from an email the mayor sent commissioners expressing his understanding of the conversations hed had with Bock on the topic, according to Laudick. Im going to be far more respectful than the mayor was to me in the last 30 hours, she said. I just think that theres always a benefit in conversation, a benefit in exchange. Because where there is confusion, there isnt going to be any kind of moving forward. Bock and others called on the citys elected officials to represent all people including the majority of residents who didnt vote in the last election. She also referenced a collaboration the mayor supposedly failed to initiate between councilmembers and the commission despite spending hours trying to address what hes called important concerns around the issue. It was collaboration that didnt exist, she contended afterwards. The Human Rights Commission previously endorsed a resolution in support of a cease-fire. Many of those who spoke at the council meeting pushed for at least a work session and vote on such a measure. Some also responded to a remark made by Gil Schultz, one of the two councilmembers who spoke publicly on the issue Monday. Schultz referenced residents hed heard from who said they were scared to attend the city proceedings because of the protests. Im getting comments from my other citizens who are intimidated to come to council meetings and talk about things we just talked about that are direct city business, said Schultz. Bock deflected the comment, saying theyre not violent people. Several others took offense. Its shocking to hear City Council is hearing people are intimidated to be in this chamber with people who are engaging with democracy, said Amelia Gotera. Monday marked the first time that other residents disagreed during public comment with the protest groups rationale. Let the people who are in charge take care of the things that actually make a difference in this world. I dont think we need to spend our time and money making a proclamation that really wont serve anything, said Mary Carrell. Ive worked in the state capitol in Des Moines and in Washington, D.C., said Josh Wilson, and I can assure anyone in this room who thinks that Congress or the state Legislature is going to take a resolution from the Cedar Falls City Council and change the world that youre in for some heartbreak. Aliyah Rahman reported a brief confrontation with Wilson outside the chambers and disagreed with those who say people should not bother the local officials. You had someone in here who said that we should go to the Statehouse. We do that all the time, she said. Hundreds of calls have been made to Congress. Weve experienced our congressional representatives actually asking if we support terrorism. Their staff people say these kinds of things. Rahman also pushed back against Schultzs comments. I havent heard anything quite so dangerous yet as being willing to repeat constituents comments that they feel scared to come here because we are here, she added. Everybody I work with Ive not tolerated or even heard anyone trying to say they would like to do something intimidating, scary, illegal anything. Thats not what were doing. Councilmember Kelly Dunn also spoke on the topic, but the four other members of the council in attendance remained silent, as they have in past meetings. Councilmember Hannah Crisman, who recently gave birth to her first child, was absent. City statement Laudick reaffirmed a previous understanding: The council did not see a resolution on an international issue as appropriate action in unanimously representing the city of 41,000. The mayor again denounced hate speech, bigotry and Islamophobia, and noted that anyone who makes people feel unsafe as they criticize government will not be tolerated. He expressed support for the Human Rights Commission, as well. We do recognize that we have residents and community members who are directly and significantly impacted by the war happening in Gaza as well as some of the actions that have been taken by our state Legislature, said Laudick. He again left the door open to exploring other options to address concerns through educational events or support services. Approximately 20 protesters some who didnt stand for the Pledge of Allegiance vented frustration over elected leaders alleged lack of transparency and unwillingness to listen to what they say are the facts and discuss the difference of opinion. There are 80% of the people in our world who are dying of starvation 80% are in Gaza. It doesnt seem to matter how many facts I can put up here about the slaughter of the Palestinian people because the concern is clearly that it is not city business, said Gotera. But it does not sit well with me that all of us are showing up to your chambers respectfully and legally with a clear message for you to engage in democracy, but what you have done by not allowing this to go to work session and to even consider a vote on it, is effectively shutting down any kind of official dialogue about this important issue. Its important to your community. Councilmember Dustin Ganfield was critical after the meeting about how the protesters handled themselves. Ive responded to all the emails Ive received, but theres been no invites to have a conversation, he said. Theyve just talked at us. This story has been updated to clarify some participants statements. Photos: Fire on South Union Road, Cedar Falls March 3, 2024 030324jr-fire-cf-union-rd-1 030324jr-fire-cf-union-rd-2 030324jr-fire-cf-union-rd-3 030324jr-fire-cf-union-rd-5 030324jr-fire-cf-union-rd-4 WATERLOO Another former city councilmember is running for Iowas Senate District 38. Steve Schmitt, who served on the Waterloo City Council from 2008 until being ousted in 2019, announced Monday hes making the Republican primary a three-person race. The election is June 4. The longtime Waterloo businessman, currently director of telecommunications sales at the Gordon Flesch Company, thinks his long list of community and political involvement sets him up to be a contributor in Des Moines. I think whats going on down at the Statehouse right now demonstrates how Iowa is one of real examples of how things can work well, especially compared to some of the other states around us like Illinois, he said during a brief interview before heading off to his next endeavor. I think I can add to that, bring my experience to that, and help us continue in a very positive fashion. Iowa and South Dakota are states everybody else wants to be like. Schmitt will challenge Dave Sires, a businessman and former one-term Cedar Falls councilmember, and political novice James McCullagh, an electrical engineer and entrepreneur a competitive race he acknowledged is ultimately good for the party. All three will be hoping voters give them a shot in November to flip the seat previously District 30 before redistricting thats been held by Democrat Eric Giddens since 2019. Giddens is running for re-election. The district contains parts of Black Hawk, Tama and Benton counties, including Cedar Falls, spanning from Hudson and Evansdale to Gilbertville and La Porte City and south to Traer, Dysart, and Mt. Auburn. An Oelwein native, Schmitt, 74, has respect for the several Democrats representing the Cedar Valley at the state level, but thinks more Republicans need to be present, offering their side to the issues, especially with Republicans being the controlling party right now. The 1973 University of Northern Iowa graduate is no stranger to political campaigns, having run ones as well for Waterloo mayor and Black Hawk County supervisor. Additionally, he was the Black Hawk County Republican co-chair from 2002 until 2008. However, this is his first run for a state office. Schmitt will focus on tax relief and wont be pushing to spend reserves despite some pressure to do so, but admittedly will also spend money where money needs to be spent. My campaign will primarily be about the budget. I think the governor and the Statehouse have been doing a marvelous job, he said. We have all kinds of excess funds. I know there are some people who point out we have all this money and need to spend it, but if you look at my City Council record, Ive always been of the frame of my mind that Im elected to represent the taxpayer. Safe communities, career opportunities and UNI are top of mind, as well. But Schmitt says hes still very much in learning mode when it comes to newer issues, like those in education involving area education agencies and the idea of arming school staff for the sake of security. At the end of the day, he feels his candidacy boils down to his experience, headlined by his time on council and in business, and understanding the impacts locally. Some of the folks down in Des Moines, theyve never been on that side of the table, said Schmitt. If you look at my history, early on in my career, I was a union representative on the railroad and Ive always been a business owner or been on the management side for those conversations and then at City Council for 12 years. This is a culmination of all the things Ive been doing the last 15-20 years, he added. His volunteer experiences are extensive from time with the Waterloo Rotary Club and the Salvation Army to the Grow Cedar Valley Ambassadors, Black Hawk County Farm Bureau and Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, to name a few. PHOTOS: Lower Midwest Division III Regional Championship, March 1, 2024 WATERLOO Protesters lined the sidewalk along Mulberry Street on Monday waving Palestinian flags and signs condemning the City Councils unwillingness to take an official stance against the Israel-Hamas war. More than a dozen residents from Cedar Falls and Waterloo gathered outside City Hall during the council meeting to speak against the council not moving forward with a resolution asking for a cease-fire in Gaza. The same group also protested at the Cedar Falls City Hall to denounce how that City Council navigated the same issue. Activists wanted councilmembers to publicly discuss and vote on the proposed resolution. One sign stated Waterloo is complicit in genocide, while another altered one of Waterloo Mayor Quentin Harts old campaign signs to say No Hart for democracy. Protesters chanted, Mayor Hart, you cant hide, youre complicit in genocide. Hart read a proclamation that called for an immediate cease-fire in Israel and Gaza and affirmed the citys commitment to combat anti-Arab, antisemitic and Islamophobic actions. A copy of the proclamation will be sent to state and federal representatives as well as President Joe Biden. However, activists wanted more. They wanted the council to vote on a resolution condemning the killing of civilians and the U.S. sending funding and weapons to Israel. Had it passed, the resolution would have been sent to the state and federal governments stating the city condemns the killing of civilians in Gaza. The group didnt hear Harts proclamation because they were standing outside the council chamber windows with megaphones, a drum, signs and flags. As soon as people started chanting, someone in the room closed the window. One repeated chant was we had the vote. Protesters insisted that Hart, along with Ward 2 Councilmember Dave Boesen, said there was enough initial support to pass the resolution. Hart said he was not familiar with these conversations. Three of seven councilmembers previously expressed opposition to the resolution. Ward 1 Councilmember John Chiles, at-large Councilmember Steve Simon and Boesen made comments stating they did not support a resolution and favored some other way of showing support to the community. Ward 3 Councilmember Nia Wilder and Ward 4 Councilmember Belinda Creighton-Smith were supportive of the resolution. At-large Councilmember Rob Nichols said he would support the resolution if it included condemnation of Hamas. No comments were made by Ward 5 Councilmember Ray Feuss. The council had publicly discussed the resolution since Feb. 5 after the citys human rights commission unanimously approved it in early January. Following multiple work sessions, the council prompted Hart to work with Human Rights Director Abraham Funchess to figure out what to do next. Hart said Funchess wanted to move the proclamation forward. Through a press release, the activist group said the proclamation was self-drafted by Hart. Funchess later told The Courier that he worked with Hart on the proclamation and that a lot of the documents wording came from the proposed resolution drafted by the activist group. He also said the human rights commission supported a proclamation. We at least wanna start with a proclamation as opposed to not doing anything at all, he said. It just wasnt put to vote and may not have the same teeth, but it will let (legislators) know were concerned. One man braving the wind said he has been protesting social justice issues for 50 years. Byron Plumley of Cedar Falls was baffled that neither city jumped on the chance to pass a resolution. I was very naive, because I thought, Who doesnt want to stop a war? he said while holding a sign that read stop U.S.-Israel genocide in Gaza. Although it was not the outcome Plumley wanted, he believes the protests will show city officials that activists mean business. I think that it will say to both citys councilors they need to prepare themselves to deal with critical issues, and those critical issues might be more than road construction, he said. But what theyre saying to us is that they dont want to take on issues that are at the national level. Nasar Zahir, who walked through the protest on his way to the council meeting, told activists he was going to say something during the meeting. And he did. I implore you to keep considering that you put something on paper, he said at the podium. It does have an effect. It does say something to the world. Close A protester stands outside Waterloo City Hall with a modified Hart for Mayor campaign sign on Monday. Byron Plumley stands on Mulberry Street to protest the Waterloo City Council's decision to not vote on a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza on Monday. A group stood outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the City Council not voting on a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza on Monday. Activists stand outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the Waterloo City Council for not voting on a ceasefire resolution in Gaza on March 4, 2024. A group stood outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the City Council not voting on a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza on Monday. A protester speaks into a megaphone directed at the Waterloo City Council on Monday. A group of people gather at Waterloo City Hall to protest the City Council's decision to not vote on a ceasefire in Gaza resolution on Monday. A group stands outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the city council not voting on a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza on March 4. A child waves a Palestinian flag outside Waterloo City Hall during a protest on Monday. A group stands outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the city council not voting on a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza on March 4, 2024. Ceasefire protest in Waterloo on March 4, 2024 A group stood outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the city council not voting on a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza on March 4, 2024. A protester stands outside Waterloo City Hall with a modified Hart for Mayor campaign sign on Monday. Byron Plumley stands on Mulberry Street to protest the Waterloo City Council's decision to not vote on a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza on Monday. A group stood outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the City Council not voting on a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza on Monday. Activists stand outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the Waterloo City Council for not voting on a ceasefire resolution in Gaza on March 4, 2024. A group stood outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the City Council not voting on a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza on Monday. A protester speaks into a megaphone directed at the Waterloo City Council on Monday. A group of people gather at Waterloo City Hall to protest the City Council's decision to not vote on a ceasefire in Gaza resolution on Monday. A group stands outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the city council not voting on a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza on March 4. A child waves a Palestinian flag outside Waterloo City Hall during a protest on Monday. A group stands outside Waterloo City Hall to protest the city council not voting on a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza on March 4, 2024. The Iowa Supreme Court has suspended for two years the license of an attorney accused of dishonest behavior and attempting to swindle federal taxpayers. In January 2023, Grievance Commission of the Iowa Supreme Court recommended that the law license of David L. Leitner, now 68, be revoked by the court. That recommendation was based on charges made by the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board in March 2022, accusing Leitner of ethics violations related to four separate cases, and to an audit of client trust accounts. In making that recommendation, the commission cited Leitners potentially criminal act of helping a client hide assets from the federal government, and to what the commission called Leitners long pattern of deliberate misconduct and dishonesty. Leitner contested the commissions recommendation that his license be revoked, arguing that the disciplinary boards actions were abusive and had gone way too far. He has also argued that the board previously offered to resolve the case against him with a 60-day license suspension that he agreed to accept. The board, however, has called this a blatant misrepresentation of the facts, and showed evidence that Leitner had rejected the offer in writing, telling the board, I cannot survive financially without income for 60 days. In contesting his proposed license revocation, Leitner argued the Supreme Court should consider the fact that he has contributed to the legal profession by writing about ethics in various forums. The board counters that this claim is particularly eyebrow-raising when his misconduct involves financial fraud. The board said that while Leitner stood accused of wrongdoing in four separate cases, his conduct in just one of those cases warranted a license revocation on its own. Leitner, the board alleged, had helped defraud the federal government by hiding a clients assets and taking active steps to keep the government from ever finding out the money existed. Leitner, the board says, effectively swindled the federal government out of money that it rightfully should have possessed. The case in question involves Leitners representation of Iowa seed dealer Marvin Mitchell and the creation of a limited liability company called Foodprairie. In 2007, Mitchell was convicted of bankruptcy fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison after it was found that he had hidden assets from creditors by creating various business entities just before he declared bankruptcy. In 2013, while still owing at least $70,000 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and with federal liens against his properties, Mitchell allegedly hired Leitner to create Foodprairie and had Leitner declare himself to be the managing member of the corporation. Mitchell was selling seed at that time and allegedly routed his income from the business to Foodprairie, where he could access the money while concealing it from the federal government. The creation of a company to hide assets could be criminal and certainly fraudulent, dishonest (and) deceitful, the disciplinary board said. The whole point of Leitners Foodprairie scheme was to deprive the federal government of the funds to which it had rights. Other matters cited by the Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Grievance Commission included a divorce case in which Leitner allegedly made undisclosed alterations to a custody agreement. A district court judge then determined Leitner and his client had engaged in fraud by modifying the agreement with a specific intent to deceive. In deciding what sanctions to impose, the Iowa Supreme Court found that two aggravating factors in the case against Leitner were his refusal to admit wrongdoing and his attempt to mislead the commission about his actions. He takes no responsibility for his worst behavior, the court stated. Leitner has repeatedly breached his duty of honesty by assisting his clients efforts to mislead creditors, making false statements to the court, defrauding opposing counsel in a dissolution matter, knowingly providing a false answer on (a questionnaire), and trying to mislead the commission. This pattern of deceit raises an inference that Leitner is unfit to practice law. The court, however, ruled that Leitner was more deserving of a two-year license suspension than a license revocation, citing his lack of prior disciplinary history. The court also noted that while Leitner took steps to thwart the governments efforts to recover the money it was owed, there was no evidence to suggest anyone in the government had made such an effort. At worst, the court reasoned, Leitner had merely hoped to deceive the government should any collection efforts take place. Leitner could not be reached for comment, but in filings related to the proposed license revocation, he argued he had been open and had offered great assistance to the disciplinary boards investigators. I was being as honest and open as I could be, he told the Grievance Commission. I know its foolish to try and make stuff up or hide things because then you just dig yourself a hole. Leitner is a 1979 graduate of the University of Iowa Law School. He began practicing law in Iowa later that same year. Demand for these health care jobs is increasing most in Iowa Demand for these health care jobs is increasing most in Iowa #25. Family medicine physicians #24. Opticians, dispensing #23. Diagnostic medical sonographers #22. Occupational therapists #21. Respiratory therapists #20. Dentists, general #19. Chiropractors #18. Radiologic technologists #17. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians #16. Massage therapists #15. Physician assistants #14. Phlebotomists #13. Speech-language pathologists #12. Dental hygienists #11. Physical therapist assistants #10. Physical therapists #9. Pharmacy technicians #8. Dental assistants #7. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses #6. Nurse practitioners #5. Medical assistants #4. Medical and health services managers #3. Nursing assistants #2. Registered nurses #1. Home health and personal care aides Sonya McLean A Canadian national who brought almost 600,000 worth of cannabis into Ireland has been jailed for five years. Shane Romel Bullock (29), of Gibbs Road, Ontario, Toronto, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importation of 29.8kg of cannabis, worth 597,048 at Dublin Airport on July 28th, 2023. He has been in custody since his arrest. Garda Alex Murphy told Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting, that a sniffer dog with customs identified two suspicious pieces of luggage. The luggage bore the name and associated flight number of Romel Bullock, and he was taken in for questioning. He initially denied ownership of both bags but later acknowledged they were his. Romel Bullock said he did not know what was in the bags and had agreed to take them from Canada with the intention of bringing them to London after stopping over in Dublin. He said he had been promised 2,000 for his role. Gda Murphy agreed with Vincent Heneghan SC, defending, that his client was polite and answered all questions put to him. He accepted that Romel Bullock took a high risk carrying bags with that amount of drugs as cannabis is particularly pungent. Mr Heneghan handed in a letter from his client and a booklet of testimonials. He said his client had learned a great deal since his arrest and had accepted his stupidity. He did an awful stupid thing and he is ashamed and remorseful, Mr Heneghan submitted to the court. Judge Martin Nolan said Romel Bullock had control of the bags and had been asked to transport them for a certain reward. He knew there were illicit substances in the luggage or he was at least highly reckless as to the presence of drugs, the judge said before he accepted that otherwise Romel Bullock has many good characteristics. He is a mature man who took a risk and the court cannot condone that, Judge Nolan said before he jailed him for five years, backdated to when he was first remanded in custody last July. Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (5 March 2024) Part I (see Part II) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted fire damage on clusters of manpower and military hardware of the 60th mechanised, 25th airborne, and 68th infantry brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Yampolovka, Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Sverdlovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic). Moreover, the Russian troops repelled five attacks of the 41st mechanised and 57th motorised infantry brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The enemy lost up to 35 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles. In counter-battery warfare one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one Msta-B howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one Grad MLRS vehicle were destroyed. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions along the front line, and inflicted fire damage on the AFU 81st airmobile, 22nd, 33rd, and 42nd mechanised, 92nd assault brigades, as well as 241st Territorial Defence Brigade near Novomikhailovka, Pobeda, Belogorovka, Novoye, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Moreover, two enemys counter-attacks were repelled close to Kleshcheyevka and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 300 troops, two tanks, two armoured personnel carriers, and three motor vehicles. In counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M198 howitzer, two D-20 guns, one Msta-B howitzer, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one D-30 howitzer, and one Grad MLRS were neutralised. In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Groups units have taken more advantageous lines and positions. During the day, the Russian troops launched strikes at manpower and hardware of the AFU 24th, 31st, 47th, and 61st mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Netailovo, Novosyolovka, Pervaya, and Toretsk (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Three counter-attacks of the AFU units were repelled close to Kirovo, Berdychi, and Shumy, as well as 10 counter-attacks close to Tonenkoye, Orlovka, and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses amounted to up to 500 Ukrainian troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, including Bradley IFV and U.S.-made M113 APC, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer. Russian Defence Ministry Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (5 March 2024) Part II (see Part I) In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of AFU 102nd, 128th territorial defence brigades close to Vodyanoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Malinovka (Zaporozhye region). Up to 230 Ukrainian personnel, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one vehicle of the Stormer SAM system (UK) were neutralised. In Kherson direction, the Dnepr Group of Forces units inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware clusters of AFU 117th mechanised, 38th marines, and 121st territorial defence brigades, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Sadovoye, Mikhailovka (Kherson region), and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region). One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 118th Mechanised Brigade was repelled near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The enemy lost up to 25 Ukrainian troops and three motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroyed S-300 SAM launchers near Mayaki (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Buk near Vozdvizhenka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and an UAV command post near Novokalinovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic), as well as manpower and military hardware in 104 areas. Russian air defence systems have shot down one Mi-29 fighter jet of Ukrainian Air Force near Lyubomirovka (Nikolayev region). Air defence units have also intercepted four HIMARS projectiles over the past 24 hours. In addition, 112 unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed during the day near Peschanoye, Nikolskoye, Staromikhailovka, Latochkino (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Romanovskoye (Zaporozhye region). In total, 576 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 14,305 unmanned aerial vehicles, 479 air defence missile systems, 15,360 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,233 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,299 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 19,365 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. Russian Defence Ministry WtR Two Wisconsin lawsuits seeking to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot were dismissed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that only Congress, not states, can reverse candidates eligibility for participating in an insurrection. The Wisconsin lawsuits were launched as part of a nationwide effort to remove Trump under a provision of the U.S. Constitution prohibiting anyone who has engaged in an insurrection or rebellion against the country from holding federal office. The lawsuits alleged Trumps participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol amounted to an insurrection. Todays decision appears to put an end to all the pending litigation in Wisconsin and other states seeking to remove Trump from the ballot based on the Fourteenth Amendments insurrection clause, UW-Madison Law School associate law professor Rob Yablon said Monday. The Court is quite categorical in saying that states do not have the power to enforce that provision against candidates for federal office. Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Co., filed a lawsuit in January contending that Trump is disqualified from serving as president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, and is therefore also disqualified from appearing on the ballot in the 2024 Wisconsin Republican presidential preference primary election. Bangstad said Monday he was disappointed by the ruling. If the decision covers every single state going forward, then theres probably no reason to continue this lawsuit, Bangstad said. Bangstad initially filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, but the agency dismissed the complaint earlier this year because it was filed against members of the bipartisan agency. The commissions dismissal prompted Bangstads lawsuit, which was filed in Dane County Circuit Court. A separate Dane County case launched by a perennial Republican candidate sought to remove Trump from the ballot in over two dozen states. John Anthony Castro filed the lawsuit against Trump in August, representing himself, as he did around the country. Both cases were dismissed by the court on Monday. In a statement, Castro said he will abandon the state-level cases and seek to pursue a lawsuit to get Trump off the ballot in federal court. President Joe Biden, left, and former President Donald Trump, right, are of similar ages. Despite public perception about Biden's age, the two candidates have similar life expectancies. Associated Press Two older men are running for the U.S. presidency. But the age spotlight almost always shines on the slightly older of the two. According to a recent Qunnipiac poll, 67% of people surveyed feel Joe Biden is too old to serve as president, but only 57 percent feel the same about former President Donald Trump. Special counsel Robert Hurs personal views on Bidens mental acuity did little to help the presidents image. Still, both Trump and Biden have stumbled literally and figuratively, and both have forgotten or mixed up names and events, behaviors characteristic of most old people. Biden is 81, and Trump is 77. They are not that far apart in age, but the age factor has hounded Biden far more than Trump. Yet Bidens personal physician describes him in a recent report as a healthy, active, robust, 81-year-old male who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency, while a report issued last year by Trumps physician provided few specifics about his medical exam other than assessing his health as excellent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are certainly lots of opinions, posturing and shielding about the fitness of the two men for the presidency over the next four years. What do the data show? Lets look at data from the most versatile tool of demography a life table to assess the probabilities of Biden and Trump living another year and another five years. We used the latest U.S. life table to do our analysis. Rogelio Saenz is a professor of sociology and demography at the University of Texas at San Antonio Courtesy Dudley L. Poston, Jr. is a retired professor of sociology at Texas A&M University, College Station. Courtesy A 2021 life table provides survival probabilities for the population based on the age-specific death rates for the population that year. Because Biden and Trump are white men, the probabilities for them to live another year or another five years are based on the age-specific death rates of non-Hispanic white males in the U.S. in 2021. If the future year survival probabilities of Biden and Trump follow the age-specific death-rate patterns of non-Hispanic white males in the U.S. in 2021, there is a 92.9% probability that Biden will survive to age 82, and a 95.1% probability that Trump will survive to age 78. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There is a 63.3% probability that Biden will survive another five years to 86, compared to a 73.6% probability that Trump will survive to 82. The statistical odds are extremely good both would finish a four-year term as president, with the chances a bit more favorable for Trump given his younger age. Here are two more points that could influence their longevity and improve Bidens chances. First, demographers measure age as exact years, determined by the age of the person at the last birthday. So, Biden is 81 and Trump is 77. But, in fact, instead of a four-year age difference between the two, their age gap is 3.5 years; Biden was born on Nov. 20, 1942, and Trump on June 14, 1946. The almost 10-percent advantage of Trump over Biden surviving another five years is a percentage or two less owing to the smaller 3-year difference in age. Second, demographers have shown that people who attend church regularly live longer than those who dont. This is not necessarily because God favors churchgoers, but because issues associated with churchgoing, such as optimistic attitudes, a sense of purpose, and regular social interaction and connections, may account for the longer lives of those who attend church regularly versus those who dont. Biden is a Catholic who attends Mass once a week, sometimes more frequently. Trump was raised as a Presbyterian but now considers himself a nondenominational Christian, and he attends religious services irregularly. Biden also gets the survival advantage associated with churchgoing. People with college degrees live longer than those who didnt go to college. And married men live longer than single men. Biden and Trump have college degrees and are married. Their longevity advantages here are pretty much the same. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is very likely both men will be alive after another presidential four-year term. But it is also important to understand that as the U.S. becomes a country with an aging population of people who are long-lived, the age factor is likely to disappear in the future and could possibly be normalized. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese coast guard ship approaches a Philippine coast guard ship, foreground, causing a minor collision, in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea, slightly injuring four Filipino crewmen in a new confrontation that unfolded as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for an Asian summit where alarm over Beijings aggression at sea was expected to be raised. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP) Mourners carry the body of Amr al-Najjar, 11, draped in the Hamas flag, during his funeral in the West Bank village of Burin, near Nablus, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Palestinian media reports that he was shot during an Israeli military incursion into the village of Burin. The Israeli military says they opened fire in the village and are aware of reports of a minor being killed. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service, the child suffered a gunshot to the head before dying of his wounds. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) Benny Gantz, a key member of Israel's War Cabinet and the top political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leaves a meeting in the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, March 4, 2024. Gantz also met earlier with Vice President Kamala Harris and other top White House officials. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) FILE - Alexander Smirnov, second from right, leaves the courthouse on Feb. 20, 2024, in Las Vegas. The FBI informant who was once held up by Republicans as a credible source of information about Hunter Biden now finds himself charged with lying to federal authorities. Smirnov is accused of fabricating a tale of bribery and espionage involving the then-vice president and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma and has claimed to have ties to Russian intelligence operatives. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File) Suppose that you were in the midst of a presentation at your work when you were advised that your elderly mother whom you had been helping to caretake in your home for years was extremely ill. What would you do? For Gene Lanzoni, head of enterprise content at Guardian, this was a most painful reality in 2013. His decision to finish his presentation before leaving to tend to his ailing mom is what ultimately convinced him that something had to be done to change not only his own perspective but that of the workplace. I was struggling and I needed to leave, but at the time, I didnt think it was the best thing career-wise to step out, he says. Since then Lanzonis employer has helped to create and support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) which offer workers resources and services in the workplace and at home so that employees can problem-solve and share life experiences on a host of issues including caretaking for older adults and loved ones. The rise of ERGs in general a report from McKinsey & Co. and LeanIn.org notes that 35 percent of companies have added or expanded their support for ERGs since the start of 2020 including ones for caregiving make sense, especially since according to AARP research, 61 percent of family caregivers also hold down a job with the majority (60 percent) working more than 40 hours or more per week. Guardian now has nine ERGs for everything from workplace diversity to disability issues. And Lanzoni voluntarily stepped up to colead the caregiver ERG, aptly named CARE (Caregivers Advocating for Resources and Empowerment). The CARE ERG has more than 600 members, many of whom attend monthly informational meetings, share best-practice tips and support one another by normalizing workplace discussions about caretaking for older adults. Lanzoni says his role is to let as many employees as possible know that they have a place to go at work for caregiving help. ERGs normalize caregiving conversations at work Elder care has lagged behind child care in the employee space, says Tricia Sandiego, director of business integration at AARP Programs. Sometimes theres a stigma associated with elderly caregiving such as: Are you distracted and not able to focus on your job? Thanks, in part, to these ERGs, that misperception is changing. ERGs particularly those focused on helping employees care for aging parents or elderly spouses with special needs as they age are slowly transforming the dynamics of the American workplace. America has six generations of people in the workforce, so we have to acknowledge that elderly care is a reality for many of us, says Farzana Nayani, consultant and author of The Power of Employee Resource Groups: How People Create Authentic Change. Guardian has addressed that reality by hosting webinars with speakers, coffee chats, and lunchtime get-togethers replete with advice, tips, and a mutual sharing of caregiving experiences. The company has also partnered with caregiving specialist Bright Horizons to offer employees benefits, such as back-up care. How do you start a caregiving ERG? There are several steps employees can take to get a caregiving ERG off the ground at their workplace. World War II wasnt just a mans war. Nearly 350,000 American women served in vital roles, often going unrecognized for their contributions. Although they werent charging into battle, their work from piloting planes to managing communication networks was critical. A handful of their stories are documented in a special exhibit, Our War Too: Women in Service, at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans until July 21. It features artifacts from the museums collection, many on display for the first time, illuminating personal stories and motivations. The story of women veterans in World War II is really ongoing, says Kim Guise, the museums senior curator and director for curatorial affairs. You can see how the paths that they forged during the war are still being traveled by women in service today. World War II veterans take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the unveiling of 'Our War Too: Women in Service' National WWII Museum Among the artifacts on display: A flight jacket worn by Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) Dorothy Mann, an extremely rare item because only 1,000 women were trained to fly in the war. It bears the WASP insignia designed by Walt Disney. The standard combat boots and steel pot helmet worn by members of the Army Nurse Corps (USANC). A silk evening gown sewn from a parachute by a nurse who was tired of wearing everyday combat fatigues. Its the embodiment of a very feminine presentation yet also a warrior, Guise says. Few people are aware that women served in uniform for the first time in large numbers in World War II. Many of them did the same thing that men did in the military. Read on to learn more from Guise about some of the women featured in the exhibit. NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM; (background: GETTY IMAGES) Theresa Mae Bell, WAC 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion A dedicated teacher turned soldier, Theresa Mae Bell served with the Womens Army Corps (WAC) in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. Bell joined the WAC in 1943 and became part of the only all-women-of-color unit sent overseas. Stationed in England and France, the 6888th worked tirelessly to clear mail backlogs, processing an average of 65,000 pieces of mail per shift. Bell returned home in 1945 and resumed her teaching career. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar is seeking his third term in office. He has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement and has shown a willingness to take on issues at the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News Dennis Casillas retired as a deputy chief in the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and knows the department inside and out. Courtesy We recommend Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar for the Democratic nomination for the office hes held for two terms. His lone challenger is Sharon Rodriguez, who was one of four candidates to unsuccessfully challenge Salazar in the 2020 Democratic primary. She finished second with 17.6% of the vote to Salazars 53.8%. Rodriguez was briefly a sheriff's deputy and has served with the Hollywood Park Police Department. Her law enforcement credentials pale in comparison with Salazar, who has more than 30 years of experience in various roles with the San Antonio Police Department and running the sheriff's office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Salazars first term as sheriff was tumultuous, roiled by jail deaths, erroneous releases, unrelenting overtime issues for deputies and low morale. Hes been criticized, not without cause, for his lack of administrative skills and temperament. But to be fair, problems at the Bexar County jail and within the sheriffs department preceded Salazars tenure. The jail is now in compliance with state standards, and Salazar has been consistently forthright in demanding more professionalism and accountability in the department. He has strengthened internal affairs, and he has shown zero tolerance toward deputies accused of breaking the law. He has included Alcoholics Anonymous and domestic violence awareness as part of deputy training, hired a staff psychologist and been adamant in requesting more beds for inmates suffering with mental illness. Low pay has been a persistent issue for the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. This, obviously, plays a role in vacancies within the department, a lack of qualified applicants and the overtime crisis. Salazar has sought higher pay for deputies. Last summer, Commissioners Court provided a 9% raise, but that was inadequate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One consistent criticism of Salazar weve heard over the last two election cycles is the low morale in the sheriffs department. From the outside looking in, it's impossible to know how much of this is attributable to Salazar and how much is reflective of systemic issues, but it is clear Salazar has sought to raise standards and tackle problems. In the Republican primary for sheriff, we recommend Dennis Casillas. He is an outstanding candidate with an abundance of experience at the sheriff's office. He faces Victor Mendoza, who worked 19 years in the sheriffs department, and Nathan Buchanan, a former sheriffs deputy who has run multiple unsuccessful campaigns for other offices. Casillas, who retired from the sheriffs department in 2020 after a 37-year career, may have as impressive a resume as any previous candidate for this office. He was deputy chief at the time of his retirement. Before that he served as chief over the west patrol division, and commanded a strategic operations division that included SWAT negotiations, traffic safety, the K-9 unit and judicial services. Casillas expressed his dissatisfaction with the choices for sheriff during the 2020 general election by mounting a write-in candidacy for the office against Salazar and the Republican nominee, Gerry Rickhoff. He received 389 votes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since then, Casillas has been a sharp and consistent critic of Salazar, accusing the sheriff, among other things, of mismanagement and hurting morale in the department. Lala Lallia Star Dune in Erg Chebbi, Morocco. Credit: Prof C Bristow Scientists have solved the mysterious absence of star-shaped dunes from Earths geological history for the first time, dating one back thousands of years. The study by Aberystwyth University, Birkbeck and UCL academics is the first to date how long it took a star dune to form and examine its internal structure. Star dunes are massive sand dunes which owe their name to arms that spread from a central peak. These sand pyramids, which look like stars when viewed from above, are widespread in modern deserts including sand seas in Africa, Arabia, China, and North America. The research reveals the oldest parts of the base of the Moroccan dune are 13,000 years old. However, the discovery that it had formed rapidly in the last thousand years surprised scientists who had thought larger dunes were far older. Believed to be the tallest dunes on Earth - with one in the Badain Jaran Desert in China reaching 300 metres high - star dunes are also found elsewhere in the solar system, on Mars and on Saturns moon Titan. Despite being common today, star dunes have almost never been found in the geological record. Their absence has bemused scientists as past deserts are a common part of the history of Earth, preserved in rocks deep underground. Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the new study dated the foundations of a star dune in the southeast of Morocco known as Lala Lallia, meaning highest sacred point in the Berber language, to around 13,000 years old. The dune sits in the Erg Chebbi area of the Sahara Desert close to the border with Algeria, an area featured in TV series like SAS Rogue Heroes and blockbuster films such as The Mummy and Sahara. The research shows that the sand pyramid reached its current 100 metre height and 700 metre width due to rapid growth in the past thousand years as it shifted slowly to the west. Professor Geoff Duller, from the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, said: This research is really the case of the missing sand dune it had been a mystery why we could not see them in the geological record. Its only because of new technology that we can now start to uncover their secrets. These findings will probably surprise a lot of people as we can see how quickly this enormous dune formed, and that it is moving across the desert at about 50 cm a year. These fantastic star dunes are one of the natural wonders of the world. Professor Charlie Bristow of Birkbeck and UCL added: Using ground penetrating radar to look inside this star dune has allowed us to show how these immense dunes form, and to develop a new model so geologists know better what to look for in the rock record to identify these amazing desert features. The scientists breakthrough research suggests the star dune formed at around the same time as the Younger Dryas event, an abrupt cooling period in Earths history. It also reveals that the dune stopped growing for a period of 8,000 years. Pottery found at the site also suggests wetter conditions, perhaps an enlarged monsoon, that stabilised the dune before the onset of a great drought. The study used luminescence dating techniques developed at Aberystwyth University to discover the last time minerals in the sand were exposed to sunlight to determine their age. Professor Duller of Aberystwyth University added: Its quite a privilege to think that the luminescence dating techniques developed here in Aberystwyth are unlocking some of the secrets of the most challenging climates in the world. They are giving us an insight into geology that could have wider implications including geological deposits that are used for water resources and storing carbon. Professor Duller's latest discovery uses the same luminescent dating technique he used to discover the oldest wooden structure in the world - research published in the journal Nature last year. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales is facing questions about his communications with an outside criminal justice reform group. Kaylee Greenlee Beal As a candidate for Bexar County district attorney in 2018, Joe Gonzales was open with voters about wanting to change the criminal justice system and spare those accused of misdemeanor nonviolent crimes from the subsequent harms of incarceration. He was especially vocal about improving Bexar Countys cite-and-release program. He talked openly about the potential harms of pretrial incarceration for those accused of nonviolent misdemeanors. Locking up people clogs the jail and disconnects defendants from work and families, which can fuel recidivism. In our broken criminal justice system, some defendants plead guilty to secure their release even if they are innocent. So, voters in 2018 knew exactly what they were getting from Gonzales, a fairly progressive district attorney candidate who reflected a national movement to reform aspects of the criminal justice system. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From a policy perspective, then, Gonzales' communications with the Wren Collective, a progressive consulting firm seeking to reform the criminal justice system, are not controversial. His lack of transparency around these communications is controversial, raising the question of whether he is sufficiently independent. Put simply, voters elected Gonzales in 2018 and again in 2022. They did not elect the Wren Collective, or its founder Jessica Brand, a Harvard-educated public defender. Over the course of five years, Brand, Gonzales and First Assistant District Attorney Christian Henricksen exchanged 36 emails, totaling about 400 pages, including attachments, about policies and talking points. These exchanges, along with some text messages, have raised concerns about potential outside influence. In March 2019, for example, Brand sent Gonzales and Henrickson a 14-page plan to overhaul prosecution of low-level crimes. In April 2022, the three discussed drafting a statement in support of abortion rights and gender-affirming care for transgender children. Gonzales asked Brand if she wanted to try your hand at putting something together. Gonzales should have disclosed his work with the Wren Collective and formalized it through a consulting contract. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ABP Majha, the leading Marathi news channel, successfully hosted the latest edition of its signature event, "Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision 2024," on March 4, 2024, at Taj The Trees, Vikhroli, Mumbai. With the Lok Sabha 2024 elections round the corner, the event highlighted the political discourse of the day and presented diverse visions of diverse political parties and leaders for the future of Maharashtra. The event brought together influential leaders from various political parties, providing them with a platform to outline their plans for the state. The leaders who graced the event and laid out their vision included Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ashish Shelar, President Mumbai BJP, Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament representing the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) and Asaduddin Owaisi, President, AIMIM. Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision also witnessed the presence of Praful Patel, Working President of the Nationalist Congress Party, Aditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena UBT and Nana Patole, President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee who spoke about their plans for the state. Their presence underscored the event's importance and its relevance to the political landscape of Maharashtra. Themed around the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, this edition of "Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision" provided a comprehensive platform for leaders to express their views, insights, and proposed strategies for the advancement and prosperity of the state. The discussions were anchored towards addressing pertinent issues and understanding the agendas of various leaders in the context of the elections. ABP Majha's 'Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision' serves as a vital platform for nurturing political dialogue and understanding among the citizens of Maharashtra. By gathering state leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, the event facilitates insightful discussions on political developments, government matters, and key public issues. The show caters to the needs of the viewers who seek information about the progress on promised initiatives and planned strategies for the next term directly from the leaders themselves. Ultimately, it empowers citizens to make informed choices in the upcoming elections, contributing to the democratic process and the future trajectory of Maharashtra. Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision was presented by Badhekar Group, Kapila Pure Steel and MSRDC. It is powered by IIL Shinva. It was partnered with Rajashree Lottery, Paavak Foods, Skin City Pvt. Ltd and Gopuram. The events digital partner was ABP LIVE. JSF Holdings Pvt. Ltd proudly announces that Lazza, a leading name in the Indian ice cream industry, has been recognized as a 'Well-Known Trademark' by the Indian Trademark Registry. This milestone is a testament of Lazza's extensive and lasting appeal among the public. Notably, LAZZA has become the first FMCG brand from Kerala to attain this prestigious distinction, marking a significant achievement in the brand's illustrious journey. Only trademarks/brand names that enjoy substantial recognition among the public for its products are recognised as a well-known trademark. A Well-Known Trademark enjoys the highest level of protection in a country and across different categories of goods and services. It is an acknowledgement of the popularity and success of a brand and the appeal it has among its consumers and the public at large. The status the trademark LAZZA has attained is a confirmation that the vision of Mr. M C John of making ice cream more affordable and accessible to the public so that everyone may indulge in and experience the joy of ice creams has deeply resonated with the people. Lazza is a name that evokes cherished memories in every household and its ice creams are truly a decadent experience for all. Mr. Simon John, Chairman of JSF Holdings Pvt. Ltd, expressed his profound contentment at Lazza's notable achievement, remarking, "The acknowledgment of Lazza as a 'Well-Known Trademark' underscores the brand's steadfast dedication to excellence and consumer satisfaction. This prestigious designation reaffirms Lazza's stature as a pre-eminent entity in the industry and in the hearts and minds of our valuable customers." Mr. John Simon, Managing Director of JSF Holdings Pvt. Ltd, echoed these sentiments, adding, "We take immense pride in Lazza's journey and the trust bestowed upon us by millions of discerning consumers. This recognition not only validates our endeavours but also fortifies our determination to uphold the highest standards in delivering products of unparalleled quality." Abraham Cherian, Advocate and Managing Partner of law firm M/s. Cherian & Associates underscored the significance and the statutory protection that is accorded to a trademark which is included in the list of well known trademarks in India. He added that, once included in the list of well known trademarks, it gives protection against the registration or use of any identical or similar marks by others irrespective of the goods or services for which it has been adopted, if it is detrimental to the distinctive character or repute of the well known mark. The trademark Lazza now joins an elite cohort of brands in India as it has been granted this distinguished status and this marks a pivotal milestone in Lazzas pursuit of excellence and consumer trust. D2C meat and seafood brand Licious has been certified as 'India's Juiciest Chicken' by the ICAR - National Meat Research Institute. The certification is a testimony to the brand's constant efforts to elevate the Indian meat industry. To reiterate its proposition further of how Sundays are meant to be celebrated with the juiciness of Licious offerings, the brand also unveiled a heartwarming film starring Bollywood actors - Gajraj Rao and Sheeba Chaddha. Elaborating on the campaign and certification, Santosh Hegde, Vice President, Brand at Licious, said, Being recognized by ICAR-National Meat Research Institute is a huge honor for the brand. At Licious, every bite is an explosion of flavor, and being 'Certified Indias Juiciest Chicken is a proud moment for us and our customers. This certification affirms our dedication to providing unparalleled moments of satisfaction and culinary bliss. As you savor the succulence of Licious chicken, envision not just a meal but a celebration a celebration of richness, tenderness, and the joy that each bite brings. In line with this, weve also launched a new film that embodies the joy of relishing Licious offerings. This isn't just a campaign; it's an aspiration to elevate your Sundays to a symphony of taste and togetherness. So, what are you waiting for? Now certified bliss and juicy delight are just one click away." The vibrant film conceptualized by Sideways Consulting opens in a household starring charismatic Gajraj Rao as Mamaji and Sheeba Chaddha as Mami Ji. In the flavorful narrative of Licious, both embark on a delightful journey that goes beyond the dining table. As the male protagonist relishes the tangdi chicken to the bone, the revelation unfolds Licious is now officially 'Certified Indias Juiciest Chicken.' The film captures this declaration as the couple rejoices, but the female protagonist rather boasts that unofficially she had always known that Licious is the juiciest chicken, all thanks to the way her husband relishes the meaty meal at the table. The film ends on a humorous note as the husband chuckles as we can see the juices dripping from his fingers and mouth. The film will be aired on TV and digital platforms, and the brand is hopeful to partner with Sideways Consulting to extend the campaign platform into more exciting initiatives. In a recent exclusive interview with Adgully, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman, and the driving force behind Danube Properties, shared insights into his journey and the innovative strategies that have propelled Danube to the forefront of Dubais real estate market. "Danube was formed 30 years ago as a small building material company," reminisced Rizwan Sajan as he reflected on the humble beginnings of the company. Since its inception, Sajans entrepreneurial spirit was evident, propelling Danubes journey from a modest trading firm to a powerhouse in Dubais real estate sector. Sajans own trajectory within the company mirrors Danubes evolution. Starting as a building material company, Danube expanded into diverse ventures, including building materials and furnishing solutions. Sajans astute understanding of market dynamics and unwavering determination paved the way for Danubes foray into property development. The transformational moment came with the launch of Danube Properties, marking a new chapter in the company's history. Sajan's innovative payment plan, offering properties with down payment of 20%, and the remaining amount paid as 1% per month, earned him the moniker "1% Man." This revolutionary approach democratized property ownership in Dubai, making it accessible to a broader spectrum of investors, particularly expatriates. Despite facing challenges, including Dubais real estate crash in 2008-2009, Sajan remained resolute in his commitment to transparency and integrity. Whatever money any investor invests... goes into the escrow account... it is 100% transparent, he affirmed. This dedication to financial integrity has earned Danube Properties the trust and confidence of investors, solidifying its reputation as a reliable partner in real estate ventures. Danube Properties entry into the real estate sector marked a significant milestone, driven by a commitment to accessibility and innovation. Sajan outlines the companys unique approach of offering properties with a flexible payment plan, targeting not only affluent investors, but also expatriates seeking homeownership, particularly from India. We targeted not only affluent investors, but also expatriates seeking homeownership, Sajan noted, emphasising on Danubes inclusive approach to property ownership. In the age of social media dominance, Sajan recognised its pivotal role in business strategy. If you are not doing social media, youre not doing business, he asserted, underlining the importance of maintaining a strong online presence to engage with consumers effectively. Through platforms like Instagram, Sajan connects directly with customers, fostering a sense of trust and accessibility. With Dubais real estate market poised for growth, he sees immense potential for Danube to expand its footprint. Dubai is a market that offers tremendous opportunities, he noted, highlighting the citys vibrant economy and diverse investor base. Sajan has positioned Danube Properties as a pioneer in Dubais real estate landscape, offering affordable and innovative solutions to a diverse range of customers. As Dubais real estate sector continues to evolve, Sajan aims to continue revolutionising Dubais real estate landscape. His legacy as the 1% Man will endure, ensuring that the dream of owning a home remains attainable for all in Dubais dynamic market. Yara India, a subsidiary of Yara International and the world's leading crop nutrition company, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new digital campaign, "Kissan ka Sachcha Yaar". The campaign is aimed at highlighting Yara's commitment to empowering farmers to produce high-quality yields that are both nutritious and sustainable. The campaign coincides with the launch of FarmCare 2.0, an innovative app designed to support farming communities across India. The app provides farmers with real-time weather updates, soil management guidance, efficient fertilizer use, and a convenient online marketplace connecting them with nearby Yara Crop Nutrition Centers (YCNCs). In India where 43% of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture, farming is more than just an occupationit's a way of life deeply rooted in community and camaraderie. Farmers share a unique bond, characterized by their willingness to support each other at all times. Yara recognizes this bond and aims to strengthen it further through the "Kissan ka Sachcha Yaar" campaign. The visual language of the campaign draws inspiration from the deep sense of community among Indian farmers. It captures the spirit of collaboration and unity, symbolizing the everyday acts of kindness and support that define the farming brotherhood. From sowing seeds to reaping the harvest, Indian farmers work hand in hand, embodying the essence of true friendship. Moreover, the campaign emphasizes that Yara isn't just a supporter of farmers; it's also a friend to retailers. By empowering both farmers and retailers alike, Yara nurtures a relationship based on mutual growth and prosperity. Through collaborative efforts, Yara ensures that the farming ecosystem flourishes, benefiting all involved. Commenting on the occasion, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia said, "We are thrilled to launch our latest campaign, 'Kissan ka Sachcha Yaar'. It embodies Yara's unwavering dedication to strengthening the agricultural communities in India. This initiative underscores our pledge to forge enduring partnerships, drive sustainable growth, and pave the way for a prosperous tomorrow, together with our valued farming community and retailers. Yara's "Kissan ka Sachcha Yaar" campaign is a testament to the brand's commitment to supporting the farming community in India. By empowering farmers and retailers, Yara aims to create a sustainable future for all. As easy as it is to vote, it is a shame that more people don't show up and vote, says a reader. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images Every vote counts I am grateful to the Express-News Editorial Board for its help in vetting candidates who are up for election. It is hard to know what candidates stand for, who they are and for what office they are running. I am also grateful for early voting and being able to vote anywhere. I can remember a time when one had to vote in one's precinct only on the day of the election, and those places were not in the same place for every election. As easy as it is to vote, it is a shame that more people don't show up and vote. Every vote counts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Evangelina Saenz Vera U.S. has a drug problem In one of his campaign ads, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales states his support for designating Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations (HR 1564). The passage of this bill would be detrimental to U.S. national security. Whenever groups are designated as such, eventually the cruise missiles fly, special forces conduct raids and Apache gunships will attack. This designation conveniently gives the president the authority to launch a war, thus bypassing Article I Section 8 of the Constitution. That is the main reason for the designation. The Mexican government, and more importantly the people, would not appreciate another invasion by the U.S. There will be violent repercussions. We have enough trouble dealing with the problems of our allies abroad and dont need to needlessly instigate attacks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There is another cheaper alternative for stopping cartel drugs from flooding into the U.S. We need to admit that we have a drug problem. Blaming the supplier is foolish and will accomplish nothing. We need major taxpayer investments to fund rehabilitation centers throughout the country. Most drug addicts dont have a job, much less the insurance. There was a rehab on the South Side named the Patrician Movement, which took in those who didnt have insurance. It was shut down because of lack of funding. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 05.03.2024 - In 2023, Switzerland received enormous attention in the international media due to the collapse of Credit Suisse and its consequences. As in 2022, Switzerland's position regarding the war in Ukraine continued to receive regular media coverage. Switzerland's image among the general public abroad remained very good overall. However, in a number of countries Switzerland also faced some criticism. Against an international backdrop of ongoing geopolitical crises and tensions, two topics dominated foreign media coverage of Switzerland in 2023. First, the collapse of Credit Suisse and its takeover by UBS were in the media spotlight worldwide. This development temporarily led to record levels of coverage in foreign media, which was predominantly critical. It was often argued that the demise of Credit Suisse also meant serious reputational damage for the entire Swiss financial centre. However, the actions of the Swiss authorities in handling the crisis were assessed in a more nuanced manner. The volume of reporting levelled off significantly after a short time. The other topic which regularly dominated foreign media coverage especially in Europe, the United States and Russia was Switzerland's stance and actions regarding the war in Ukraine. The main areas covered were the prevention of arms transfers, neutrality, sanctions against Russia, and Switzerland's solidarity and reliability often with a rather critical tone. The foreign media also reported extensively on other events related to Switzerland in 2023, however. These included the scientific breakthrough in Lausanne that enabled a paraplegic to walk again, various criminal proceedings conducted in Switzerland on the basis of the principle of universal jurisdiction which makes it possible to hold perpetrators accountable for serious crimes committed abroad and the news that Toblerone had to remove the Matterhorn and the words 'Made in Switzerland' from its packaging. This way, also events in areas such as education, research and innovation, justice and 'Swissness' featured in international media coverage, shaping perceptions of Switzerland abroad. These were less extensively covered than the above-mentioned topics, but reporting was usually more positive in tone. Very positive and largely stable image of Switzerland Among the general public abroad, Switzerland's image remains very positive and largely stable overall, as in previous years. This is shown by the Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index 2023, a representative survey of the population in 20 countries, in which Switzerland's image achieved a very good 7th place overall. Its governance, its attractiveness as a location and its quality of life continue to be ranked very highly. However, perceptions of Switzerland in specific countries and with regard to individual aspects, such as sympathy, have worsened since 2021 (for example in Germany, Russia and Saudi Arabia). It is important to keep an eye on these developments. These are the key findings of Presence Switzerland's annual report on the image of Switzerland abroad. Presence Switzerland is part of the FDFA and is responsible for implementing the Federal Council's strategy for Switzerland's communication abroad. This includes monitoring other countries' perceptions of Switzerland based on coverage in traditional print media and on social media and analysing image studies on an ongoing basis. Presence Switzerland's activities are based on the Federal Act and the Ordinance on the Cultivation of Switzerland's Image Abroad. Address for enquiries Alexandre Edelmann, interim head of Presence Switzerland alexandre.edelmann@eda.admin.ch Tel.: +41 76 585 58 92 Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html Federal Department of Justice and Police Bern, 05.03.2024 - Federal Councillor Beat Jans attended the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) on 4 and 5 March in Brussels. The JHA Council is made up of the justice and home affairs ministers of all the EU member states and the four non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement, of which Switzerland is one. The talks focused on combating organised crime, drug trafficking, people smuggling and irregular migration. Mr Jans, who is head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), also took part on the fringes of the meeting in a round table discussion on cross-border data exchange and data protection. European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders invited to the meeting those 15 third countries whose data protection laws the EU recognises as being equivalent. The European Commission renewed its recognition of Swiss data protection legislation in January 2024, thus allowing the free flow of cross-border data. The round table discussion served as an initial exchange on the possibilities of closer cooperation in cross-border data exchange and data protection, and on the potential for harnessing network effects through the mutual recognition of equivalent legislation among third countries. The potential for cross-border cooperation between supervisory data protection authorities and in the field of artificial intelligence were also discussed. Fighting organised crime and drug trafficking The fight against organised crime and drug trafficking was once again one of the most important topics at the meeting. In January 2024, the European Commission adopted an evaluation report listing the best practices of the EU states in the fight against drug trafficking. These include identifying the flow of goods and destabilising criminal networks. The ministers discussed the recommendations of the evaluation report. The FDJP will analyse these recommendations in order to clarify whether and how these best practices can be implemented in Switzerland and whether an action plan is required for implementing the most important recommendations. Irregular migration and the efficient management of external borders were also discussed at the ministerial meeting. Among other things, a recent evaluation of the mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, confirmed that the legal basis for dealing with current and future challenges at the Schengen external borders is adequate. Mr Jans welcomed the emphasis at Frontex on protecting fundamental rights. Since 2021, Frontex has developed effective internal rules, procedures and training to improve the respect, protection and promotion of fundamental rights in its activities. Switzerland will continue to monitor this closely, said Mr Jans. He expressed reservations about the planned budget cuts in the area of return, which must continue to be a priority. He also emphasised the importance of using resources efficiently. Uniform rules against people smugglers The head of the FDJP welcomed the European Commission's plans to harmonise regulations to combat migrant smuggling. Uniform offences and penalties should help the authorities to take effective action against criminal networks. In addition, the jurisdiction of member states is to be extended to cases that do not occur on their territory but, for example, in international waters. It is still unclear to what extent exemptions from criminal liability are to be made for humanitarian reasons. Mr Jans also took the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts. For example, he exchanged views with Hungary's home affairs minister, Sandor Pinter, Austria's home affairs minister, Gerhard Karner, France's justice minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, and Frontex's executive director, Hans Leijtens. Address for enquiries FDJP Communication Service, T +41 58 462 18 18, info@gs-ejpd.admin.ch Publisher Federal Department of Justice and Police http://www.ejpd.admin.ch Whenever companies move ahead in introducing their lined-up product or service in the market, they dont directly enter the sphere. The procedure involves in-depth industry research that assists them in making better-informed business decisions that help in tackling the situation. If you are struggling with a similar ordeal then how about you read the benefits of industry research company South Africa: Businesses Can Strengthen Their Position Refrain from believing, that you are the best and the only company selling the specific product or service in the market. Many out there may offer a better value. Use your knowledge through industry research company South Africa and strengthen the businesss position. How? Companies can make the most out of market research to understand the target audience they are planning to amaze with their products and services. This way, the business will face no problems in discovering new target markets and introducing their products there. 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What exactly is industry research, and why is it important for businesses? Industry research involves gathering and analyzing data related to a specific market or sector. Its crucial for businesses as it helps them understand market trends, consumer behavior, competition, and potential opportunities or threats, enabling informed decision-making and strategy development. How does industry research help in reducing the risk of investment for businesses? Industry research allows businesses to assess market demand, competition, and consumer preferences before investing heavily in a new product or service. By conducting thorough research and testing, companies can minimize the risk of investment by ensuring that their offerings align with market needs and have a higher chance of success. Country fans have a new music festival to attend and this one will travel to seven cities. Rock the Country will tour small towns this spring and summer featuring artists such as Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. Note: Kid Rock and Jason Aldean will headline every show but the other dates will have a changing lineup so be sure to check the dates for your favorites. The festival will come to The Grounds in Mobile, Ala., June 21-22. The Alabama show will feature Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Randy Houser, Uncle Kracker, Tyler Farr and more. How to get tickets to the Mobile event Find tickets to the Alabama festival at StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Front Gate. In addition to Mobile, the Rock the Country Festival will also be in Gonzales, La., April 5-6; Ashland, Ky., April 19-20; Rome, Ga., May 10-11; Ocala, Fla., June 7-8; Poplar Bluff, Mo., June 28-29; Anderson, S.C., July 26-27. Artists rotating at these shows include: Miranda Lambert, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Koe Wetzel, Brantley Gilbert, Travis Tritt, Lee Brice, Nelly, Warren Zeiders, Big & Rich ft. Gretchen Wilson, Randy Houser, Uncle Kracker, Tyler Farr, Pecos & the Rooftops, Kolby Cooper, Colt Ford, Elvie Shane, Treaty Oak Revival, Gavin Adcock, Sadie Bass and Dee Jay Silver. Krispy Kreme is celebrating Super Tuesday by giving away two free doughnuts. Customers who visit Krispy Kreme shops in the United States on Tuesday, March 5, can receive two free original glazed doughnuts, no purchase necessary. Super Tuesday is the day the largest number of states in the nation hold presidential primary elections. This year, 15 states and one U.S. territory will hold caucuses and elections. READ MORE: Super Tuesday primaries: What time do polls open tomorrow? What time do they close? While encouraging everyone to vote, our primary role on Super TWOsday will be to sweeten your day, said Dave Skena, Global Chief Brand Officer for Krispy Kreme, in a press release. Krispy Kremes Super TWOsday offer is available nationwide, not just in states conducting primary elections in-shop and via drive-thru. Customers can also shop the promotion online and via the Krispy Kreme app using the promo code TWOSDAY. Authorities are searching for a 16-year-old boy in the shooting death of a 40-year-old Sylacauga woman. Jamir DeJawn JD Russ is charged with two counts of capital murder in the slaying of Temekia Fluker. The warrants were issued for charges of shooting from a vehicle and shooting into an occupied residence, both resulting in Flukers death, Sylacauga Police Chief Kelley Johnson announced Monday. The deadly shooting was the second in two years at the same home. Authorities said Fluker was not the intended target. The shooting happened one week ago today Feb. 26 - at 306 South Main Avenue. Officers arrived to find Fluker dead inside her home. She had been shot at least once. Investigators worked throughout the night taking statements from witnesses and collecting evidence from the crime scene. Johnson said several rounds had been fired into the home, striking Fluker. The chief said Flukers death is the second murder that has happened at or near the residence involving a member of the Fluker family. On July 1, 2022, 22-year-old, Nartavius Cortez Fluker-Smith was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle in front of this residence. He was Flukers brother. In the earlier case, 19-year-old Sheridan Rashon Clark is awaiting trial for capital murder and remains held without bond. Johnson said Flukers murder deeply saddened and shocked the community. The loss of Tamekia Fluker is a tragedy that has deeply affected our community, Johnson said. Our department has been working tirelessly to investigate this case. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial in helping to bring closure to the family of Tamekia Fluker and ensuring that justice is served, Johnson said. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 256-401-2464 or through the tip line at 256-249-4716. Tipsters can also call Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). The clouds seen over Texas in this weather satellite photo taken at 2:30 p.m. Monday are expected to clear out Tuesday, allowing daily temperatures to rise as high as 90 degrees in San Antonio. NOAA/National Weather Service If summer-like heat in the first week of March was on the ballot in Tuesdays Texas primary, conventional wisdom suggests it would face a landslide defeat. But Mother Nature rarely listens to the popular vote and San Antonio is set to have its hottest day of the year so far, with afternoon temperatures hitting 90 degrees. Looking at National Weather Service records for the city going back to the 1880s, 90-degree temperatures in early March happen more often than you might think. San Antonios first 90-degree day of 2023 arrived on March 11; in 2022 on March 26; in 2020 on March 24; and in 2016 on March 14 and thats just in the past 10 years. Temperatures have hit 90 as early as Feb 9, as they did in 1962. San Antonio International Airport, the citys official climate observation site, got close to 90 with a high temperature of 87 degrees on Feb. 22, the warmest day in 2024 to date. Whats pushing temperatures upward this time? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in New Braunfels point to a moving dry line cutting across Central and South Texas. The dry line, a boundary separating moist air from the Gulf of Mexico to the east and dry desert air from the west, will likely push eastward through the region on Tuesday, bringing clear skies and dry, downsloping winds, the weather service said in a forecast bulletin Monday. The combination of the two should allow temperatures to soar into the 80s to low 90s area-wide for the afternoon, weather service meteorologist Brandon Gale wrote. RH (relative humidity values) will likely drop into the teens for most areas west of I-35, though current forecasted wind speeds are generally at or below 10 knots. San Antonios forecast for Tuesday calls for morning temperatures in the low 60s before dawn, then rising to 90 degrees around 3 p.m. under sunny skies and balmy southerly winds. The dry line slowly retreats back west Tuesday night into Wednesday, the weather service forecast bulletin said. A weak cold front moves south into our area late Tuesday night, stalls near I-10 Wednesday morning, then lifts back north out of our area in the afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wednesday temperatures in San Antonio will start again in the low 60s but rise only to the lower to mid-80s. As winds begin blowing in from the southeast, carrying moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico, clouds will increase at night. Rain-inducing low atmospheric pressure moving through Texas and the Southern Plains will boost storm chances on Thursday, forecasters said. Then, the upper-level trough (of low pressure) moves across the Plains, forcing a cold front across our area, ending the (rain) chances by midday on Friday, the weather service said. For San Antonio, Thursday comes with a 40% chance of rain after 3 p.m. under mostly cloudy skies and afternoon temperatures that peak at 77 degrees. Southeast winds of 10 to 15 mph could include gusts as strong as 20 mph. At night, a 30% chance of rain persists, mainly after midnight. Southeast winds will become westerly after midnight. Temperatures remain above normal Thursday and Friday, forecasters said. Much drier air filters into our western areas on Friday and Saturday. A Bay Minette man is facing multiple charges in connection with a New Years Day crash near the FloraBama lounge which left another man dead. Caleb Jonathan Scott, 23, was arrested last week in Baldwin County and extradited to Escambia County, Fla., according to WEAR in Pensacola. Scott is charged with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, and DUI causing serious bodily injury. According to the report, the crash occurred just after midnight New Years Day as Scott was driving a Ford Bronco, with two other men inside, near the FloraBama. Police said investigation indicated the Bronco was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a speed bump and went airborne, striking a light pole on the shoulder of the roadway before bursting into flames. A 56-year-old Bay Minette man -- identified only as a relative of Scotts -- died in the crash, while the other passenger, a 23-year-old Gulf Shores resident, suffered serious injuries, as did Scott. As of Tuesday, Scott remained held without bond in the Escambia County Jail. Legislation intended to give in vitro fertilization clinics some legal protection moved closer to becoming law on Tuesday when Senate and House committees approved identical bills. Committee approval puts the bills in position for possible final passage on Wednesday. The bills are intended to allow IVF clinics to resume services after a Feb. 16 Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos held in storage have the same legal standing as children for the purposes of liability under Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. Several clinics have paused operations because of the legal risk. Families, doctors and advocates rallied and filled hallways and committee rooms at the State House last week urging lawmakers to find a solution. The House and Senate responded by passing similar bills last week. The bills were amended in committee Tuesday to make them identical. Sponsors of the legislation said it is intended to be an immediate fix to allow clinics to reopen but that they expect lawmakers to study the issues to see if more legislation is needed in the long term. Dr. Janet Bouknight of Alabama Fertility clinic said Tuesday that bills that came out of committee would provide the assurances the clinic needs to resume services. As currently drafted, this gets us back to taking care of our patients, Bouknight said. Bouknight, who said she has been working in the fertility practice for 15 years, said the last few weeks have been hard. She said it has been touching to hear patients come to the State House and share their private stories about their struggles with infertility. Our work is to help people have a family, Bouknight said. And I am very hopeful that by the end of this week well be back to being doctors. And our team is just motivated to providing the good care that we have done for all of the past years. The bill, HB237 by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, and SB159 by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, had strong bipartisan support last week. On Tuesday, the Senate Healthcare committee approved the bill by a vote of 7-1 with two abstentions. Voting in favor of the bill were the sponsor, Melson, and Republican senators Tom Butler, Donnie Chesteen, Sam Givhan, April Weaver, and Jack Williams, as well as Democratic senator Robert Stewart. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield, voted no. Stutts, who is an obstetrician, said he was concerned that restrictions on liability in the bill were too strict and would not allow patients who were harmed enough recourse. Republican senators Dan Roberts and Shay Shelnutt abstained. Roberts said he has been talking with others about the issues for 13 days. He said he supports IVF but was not sure the bill is the right approach. Were going at this rapidly and I understand the need for speed, Roberts said. I want to make sure we get it right. Democratic lawmakers proposed bills that would specifically state that embryos held in storage outside a womans uterus are not considered children for purposes of state law, directly addressing the Supreme Courts majority opinion, which determined that the frozen embryos are extrauterine children. The Democrats bills have not come up for consideration. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of three families who filed lawsuits under the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. The lawsuits were filed against the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center after a patient at the hospital wandered into the hospitals fertility clinic in 2020 and removed several embryos, dropped them, and destroyed them. The trial court dismissed the families lawsuits under the wrongful death act, finding that the embryos did not fit the definition of children under the law. But the Supreme Court decision reversed that. Collins, the sponsor of the House bill, reiterated Tuesday that the purpose of the legislation is to provide the immunity that clinics need to resume services for families. She said the question of whether embryos outside the womb are considered unborn children is one they Legislature may have to more directly address in future legislation. Im not sure whats needed and we cant determine that in these five legislative days were trying to solve this problem, Collins said. So this is the problem were trying to solve right now is to get those families back on a track to be moving forward as theyre trying to have children. Thats what were trying to do today. Will we need to address that issue? Probably, yes. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he is sending state troopers to assist local law enforcement in some of Floridas most-popular spring break spots -- including Panama City Beach. DeSantis made the announcement during a Tuesday morning appearance in Miami Beach, which will get about 45 of the 140 troopers being sent to assist the beach communities, according to the Miami Herald. Another 15 state troopers will be assigned in south Florida, with the remainder divided amongst other communities including Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach. The exact number assigned to Panama City Beach wasnt immediately available. DeSantis said 17 local law enforcement agencies requested assistance for spring break, the Panama City News Herald reported. You are going to pay the price and we will hold you accountable, because thats what we do here, DeSantis warned would-be spring break lawbreakers. Some people may be coming in from other jurisdictions where they can get away with this kind of activity. That is not going to fly in the Sunshine State. Twenty-four officers from the FHP Quick Response Force will be distributed in Bay County, along with Volusia, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, with drones and command vehicles used to monitor traffic. Troopers will also assist with crowd control, directing traffic, DUI checkpoints and providing security in residential neighborhoods. In the wake of what officials termed a lawless spring break in 2022, Panama City Beach adopted a series of so-called spring break laws for 2023. In 2022, more than 160 people were arrested and roughly 75 weapons confiscated. Half of those arrested in 2022 were Alabama residents. For the 2023 spring break season, Panama City Beach implemented a ban on alcohol sales from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Neighboring Panama City recently adopted the same policy to bring its regulations in line with Panama City Beach and Bay County. In addition, the consumption of alcohol on the sand beach is illegal for the entire month of March. A search is underway for a Birmingham man missing since the weekend. Jewel Jones Bendolph, 38, was last seen about 4 a.m. Sunday at the BP gas station in Birminghams Mason City which is near Ishkooda Road. Birmingham police said they believe Bendolph was seen arguing with someone before his disappearance. Family said his cell phone last pinged off a tower in the Center Point and Roebuck areas. Police are searching for Jewel Jones Bendolph who disappeared Sunday, March 3, 2024.(Contributed) Bendolphs vehicle is also missing. It is a 1999 silver, four-door Honda Civic with Alabama license plate number 1FB8610. Family said the car has a cracked windshield and a broken passengers side tail light. Bendolph is 6-feet, 2-inches tall and weights 180 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call 205-328-8311 or 911. The U.S. Department of Labor announced it has recovered $438,625 in back wages and penalties for two former Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama whose rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act the agency says were violated. The departments Wage and Hour Division found Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. illegally fired two production workers after they requested to use FMLA-protected leave. According to the department, one employee requested the leave for a qualifying health condition of a family member, and another worker did so for a serious personal health condition. However, according to DOL, Mercedes reprimanded the employees and denied monthly attendance bonuses because of absences, which led to their termination under the employers point system, although the leave was protected in both cases, the agency siad. A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said MBUSI voluntarily and fully cooperated with the investigation but denied that it violated the FMLA. Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) is fully committed to compliance with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and expends substantial resources to do so. In addition to Family Medical Leave, MBUSI provides its team members with leave benefits well beyond those required by the FMLA including, among other benefits, a short-term disability program that provides up to six months of paid leave, the spokesperson said in a statement. While MBUSI believes the referenced two team members were not wrongfully discharged and that its actions were taken in a good faith effort to comply with the FMLA, MBUSI voluntarily cooperated with the DOL and resolved this matter to avoid the future costs and expenses of litigation, as well as to avoid further disruption. In addition, investigators said Mercedes-Benz didnt: Inform employees that they may be eligible for FMLA leave within five business days of learning their requests could qualify. Reinstate the workers to the same or equivalent positions. Accurately record, maintain and calculate the amount of leave taken. Provide notice of FMLA rights and responsibilities, as required by law. Designate leave as FMLA-qualifying when appropriate. In addition to $219,312 in recovered pay for the former employees, the employees also received $219,312 in liquidated damages for the affected workers. Employers cannot deprive eligible workers of their legal right to family and medical leave and force them to make the hard choice between keeping their jobs and caring for themselves or their families, Wage and Hour Division District Director Kenneth Stripling said. Federal law allows for critically needed workplace flexibilities precisely when employees need them the most. The U.S. Department of Labor will defend workers rights and pursue all available remedies when those rights are violated. Last week, the United Auto Workers announced that more than half of the employees at Mercedes Vance plant have signed union cards, as part of an ongoing campaign to organize Southern auto plants. Mobile city officials are reconsidering how to regulate pre-dawn raids and no knock warrants in the coming two weeks, resurrecting an issue that put some council members at odds with the police department in December. At issue is whether the Mobile City Council will adopt an ordinance that codifies an existing police policy prohibiting the raids and warrants except when authorized by the police chief or executive director of public safety. The council is also weighing the adoption of a resolution requesting that any policy changes within the Police Department on no knock warrants and pre-dawn raids be immediately disclosed to them. The constituents see us first before they see the mayor or the chief of police, and we want to be able to answer those questions (about police policies), said Councilman Cory Penn, who is proposing the regulations. Penn said the council will wait until next week before receiving feedback from their attorney, Michael Linder, and City Attorney Ricardo Woods on whether the newly proposed ordinance which is an amendment from a previous ordinance considered in December and January -- is not a violation of the Zoghby Act, the 39-year-old Alabama state law that established Mobiles current form of government. Penn said the council will then vote on both the ordinance and resolution at its March 19 meeting. Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine said he supports the resolution but remains concerned over the adoption of a new ordinance, which is essentially a city law regulating policing. The ordinance, as proposed, pretty much represents the council being in agreement with current policy the police department has in place on pre-dawn raids and no-knock warrants. The thing to consider here is the state has given the police chief the authority to make policy changes, Prine said. As the new ordinance is concerned, I dont know if the council can give the chief of police the authority. Woods acknowledged in January that a previous ordinance that outright banned pre-dawn raids and no-knock warrants were representative of a policy that Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson put into place in mid-November following a tragic pre-dawn raid in which a 16-year-old who was not the person police were looking for was shot and killed. That ban is currently in effect. But Woods urged council members to seek clarity from Republican Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, which some council members balked at doing citing concerns over his political aspirations. Penn said the current version of the ordinance, if OKd by Woods and Linder, would not need to be forwarded to Marshall. The legal concerns focused on whether the council, by adopting an ordinance regulating policing, would be in violation of the 1985 Zoghby Act that specifies the councils legislative ability to set policy, but limits how much authority they have over subordinates within the mayors administration. The police department falls under the mayors purview. A large contingency of Mobile police officers, during a December meeting, showed up to a city council meeting in opposition to the previous ordinances. James Barber, the chief of staff to Stimpson, said in a statement that the administration continues to seek clarification on whether the ordinance would violate the Zoghby Act, or if it conflicts with other state laws that govern police procedures. Prine said he was supportive of the resolution and had no problems disclosing policy changes within his agency to elected council members. The only thing with the resolution is for the Police Department to notify the council if we decide to change policy, he said. That is not unreasonable. If its a concern for our councilors and the community, then its a concern for the department. Prine said his agency is willing to work in the spirit of cooperation with the council on the two matters. Penn said the ordinance and resolution, if adopted, would show a sign of unity between the council and the police department. The council has been exploring regulations on certain policing activities following a year filled with controversies involving police-citizen encounters. Those issues generated widespread attention last fall and winter stemming from the handling of the Jawan Dallas death following an encounter with two police officers in Theodore. The Dallas death is the subject of a federal lawsuit that has been filed against the city. A Mobile man who last month admitted he beat another man to death with a shovel was sentenced to life in prison Monday, according to court records. Morgan Daniel Barnhill, 29, admitted he attacked 25-year-old Etienne Murray at Barnhills Tillmans Corner home in March 2022, beating him with a shovel, as well as a pipe and a 2x4. Murray was left -- still alive, but unconscious -- on Barnhills property until police were notified several hours later. Murray was taken to University Hospital, where he died three days later. Barnhill had befriended Murray a couple of weeks prior to the murder, hiring him to do odd jobs around Barnhills home. But when Barnhill became suspicious Murray had stolen items from the home, Barnhill used his girlfriends phone to lure Murray to a BBQ, where Barnhill attacked him. During Mondays sentencing hearing, an outburst from Murrays mother led Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Brandy Hambright to briefly charge her with contempt of court and have her handcuffed, according to WALA. As the mother, Linda Gayle, spoke of the impact of losing her son, she said: I wish death upon every one of you, according to the report. Hambright took that as a threat and had Gayle placed in custody, according to the report. Hambright ordered the handcuffs removed about 30 minutes later. Under Alabama law, Barnhill will serve a minimum of 15 years before he can be considered for parole. A 16-year-old from Springville drowned Saturday at James H. Sloppy Floyd State Park in Georgia, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff. The sheriff identified the teen as Corbin Thornton. Corbin was a freshman at St. Clair County High School and a member of JROTC color guard, according to his obituary. With a grin of mischief, Corbin lived his life to the fullest, the obituary read. He was a handsome charmer, always acting goofy and making people laugh. His bright smile and beautiful blue eyes lit up any room that he stepped into. Sheriff Mark Schrader said first responders were called about 3 p.m. Saturday to the state park. Thornton, he said, was camping with family when he decided to go fishing. He was fishing in an area that had a steep bank,' Schrader said in his statement. It appears that he may have had a medical episode and fell into the water. A family that was walking a trail above him spotted the teen in the water. Unfortunately, he had already been in the water too long,' the sheriff said. Please be in prayer for this family as their planned weekend turned tragic. The high school is making support services available to students in the wake of Corbins death, the school announced on Facebook. Alabama voters will see one statewide constitutional amendment on the ballot Tuesday, a proposal to remove one step from the Legislatures process for passing local bills, which are bills that affect only one county or one city. Proposed Statewide Amendment Number 1 would tweak a constitutional amendment approved by voters in the early 1980s that was intended to make lawmakers pass the education and General Fund budgets before other legislation. For decades, the Legislature has worked around that requirement by using what is called the budget isolation resolution, or BIR, which allows lawmakers to consider other bills before the budgets. If the budgets have not yet passed, which typically happens late in the annual 15-week sessions, lawmakers in the House and the Senate must pass a BIR before they can vote on any bill. A BIR requires a three-fifths vote for approval. If lawmakers approve the BIR, debate on a bill continues, usually leading to a vote on the bill itself. The BIR is required for local bills, too, but legislators handle local bills differently than those of statewide impact, and that has caused uncertainty and lawsuits about the BIR. In most cases, legislators do not vote on local bills affecting counties other than their own. That tradition of local courtesy has raised the question of what qualifies as the three-fifths vote required for a BIR on a local bill. Is it three-fifths of those voting? Or three-fifths of a quorum, the minimum number present to conduct business? The constitution says, not less than three-fifths of a quorum present, which has proven confusing. That line has been interpreted different ways, said Sonny Brasfield, executive director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, which supports Statewide Amendment 1. And it has put in question local bills because of the application of the vote. This amendment would clear up a problem that has existed with local laws for years, Brasfield said. Lawmakers approved the bill to put the amendment on the ballot last year. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, passed almost unanimously in the Legislature. It just removes one of those, in my opinion, unnecessary hurdles, that has really had no effect on legislation, Chambliss said at the time. Last week, Chambliss explained Statewide Amendment Number 1 on Alabama Public Televisions Capitol Journal. The senator noted that local bills are generally noncontroversial from the Legislatures perspective because they do not reach the floor for a vote without unanimous approval from the lawmakers representing the affected city or county. If any one of those legislators, House or Senate, objects to that legislation, its dead, Chambliss said. You have to have 100% unanimous support among the local delegations. Chambliss said the practice that legislators generally do not vote on local bills that dont affect their districts has raised the question how to define the three-fifths vote required for the BIR. You get into this question of, three-fifths of what, Chambliss said. Three-fifths of the body, three-fifths of the quorum, three-fifths of those voting? And its been interpreted different ways by a lot of smart people over the years. This amendment would just clear all of that out. You have 100% agreement by your local delegation. It doesnt have to go through the BIR and it goes through the legislative process like any other bill. For another explanation of Statewide Amendment Number 1, read the ballot statement prepared by the Fair Ballot Commission, which was created to provide plain-language explanations of legislative proposals. The statement is on the Secretary of States website. Alabamas Super Tuesday primaries ended with an incumbent losing his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to another sitting Republican Congressman and setting the stage for April 16 Democrat and GOP runoffs for the redrawn District 2. Rep. Jerry Carl lost his re-election bid to Rep. Barry Moore for the District 1 seat after Carls District 2 was redrawn to give it a better shot at becoming a majority Black district. Moore is widely expected to defeat the lone Democrat in the race, Tom Holmes, in the November general election. If the winner of the District 2 runoff, either Democrat Shomari Figures or Anthony Daniels, defeats the winner of the districts Republican runoff, either Dick Brewbaker or Caroleene Dobson, Alabama will have two Black members of Congress. Twinkle Cavanaugh won the GOP primary in her re-election campaign for president of the Public Service Commission, defeating Robert L. McCollum. Kelly Mooney appeared to have avoided a GOP runoff with 51.4% of the vote in the District 3 Board of Education seat, defeating Ann Eubank, Melissa Snowden and Charlotte Meadows. With 61% of the vote, Allen Long defeated Oscar Mann and Doug Bachuss for the District 7 school board seat, which includes Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Morgan, Marion, Winston, Walker, Fayette, Lamar and parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties. There are no Democrats in either of those races. Voters also considered proposed Statewide Amendment Number 1, which failed 51% to 49%. If approved, it would have removed a step from the Legislatures process for passing local bills, which affect only one county or one city. Here is a look at updates throughout the day of voting: 11:30 p.m. Here is the latest on the state school board. 11:20 p.m. AP Race Call: Republican Caroleene Dobson advances to primary runoff election in Alabamas 2nd Congressional District. As of about 11 p.m., there was a total of 787,200 ballots cast for an overall voter turnout of 20.88%. How that breaks down along party lines was not immediately clear. Were still awaiting the outcome of the Amendment 1 vote. 11:10 p.m. Barry Moore won with a strong showing in the that were part of his 2nd congressional district, but which were added into the 1st district after a court-ordered redistricting in early October. He won with a whopping 76% support in Covington County, 77% in Houston County, and 83% in Coffee. It was good to be on the ground to let people know who we are and our conservative leanings, said Moore, who provided comments while in Washington, D.C. Jerry Carl polled strong in the counties hes represented in the 1st district -- Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. But turnout in the two big coastal counties of Mobile and Baldwin counties was weak by comparison of the Wiregrass counties. We came up a little bit short, Carl said. 10:56 p.m. Here is a look at some local races in Baldwin and Mobile counties. 10:54 p.m. AP Race Call: Christian Horn wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Alabamas 7th Congressional District. 10:49 p.m. AP Race Call: Barry Moore wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Alabamas 1st Congressional District, beating incumbent Jerry Carl. 10:28 p.m. AP Race Call: Republican Dick Brewbaker advances to primary runoff election in Alabamas 2nd Congressional District. 10:11 p.m. Shomari Figures and Anthony Daniels are headed for a runoff in the District 2 Democratic primary, AP reports. They will meet again in an April 16 runoff, and the winner will face the Republican nominee in November. 9:52 p.m. The Alabama GOP is congratulating Twinkle Cavanaugh for winning the primary in her re-Public Service Presidency re-election bid. According to the secretary of states office she has 61.65% of the vote, 244,899, while her challenger, Robert L. McCollum, has 38.35% -- 152,357 -- of the vote. 9:24 p.m. Montgomery voters approved a 3.5 mil school tax renewal. Today, Montgomery voters once again sent a strong message that we believe in a well-funded, high-quality public school system, said Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed. As a parent of students in public school, I am glad that their teachers and staff will continue to have the resources currently available to them for the next 30 years. However, I know this is still not enough to make Montgomery Public Schools the best system in the state. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Brown, the school board, and community partners to identify ways we can better support our students and teachers succeed. 9:22 p.m. While we celebrate our victory tonight, we know that our fight is not over. There is too much at stake for us to be on the sidelines. We have to keep working to lower costs and grow our economy. We have to keep working to make healthcare more affordable. We have to keep working to make our communities safer. And we have to protect our democracy and our sacred right to vote from those who seek to take us back, Rep. Terri Sewell said in response to her victory tonight. 9:10 p.m. At the Carl campaign headquarters where there are a host of local elected officials from Baldwin County feeling good right now. The county, the largest in #AL01, has Carl up with over 60% of the vote. But numbers are slow going tonight so a lot to be determined. #alpolitics John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) March 6, 2024 9:05 p.m. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen says the SPLC engaged in disinformation that is dangerous and potentially illegal when it issued a news release Monday blaming his office for a postcard sent to Montgomery County voters misidentifying their congressional district. The SPLC says any potential for confusion of Alabama voters lies at Secretary Allens doorstep, not SPLCs. 8:58 p.m. Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Sarah Stewart prevailed in Tuesdays Republican primary for chief justice on on the states highest court, defeating Bryan Taylor, a former state senator and legal adviser to two governors, according to preliminary results from the Associated Press. Stewart defeated Bryan Taylor, a former state senator and legal adviser to two governors, to secure the GOP nomination. She will face Circuit Judge Greg Griffin, a Democrat from Montgomery, in November. 8:53 p.m. AP Race Call: Gary Palmer wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Alabamas 6th Congressional District. 8:49 p.m. In another big event in a busy day of Alabama politics, a revised loan bill for the financially troubled Birmingham-Southern College has passed the Alabama Senate and will make its way to the House. 8:45 p.m. Less than two hours after polls closed across most of Alabama, voter participation is at 2.47% with 93,084 ballots cast. Turnout in the 2022 state primaries was 5% of registered voters in the Democratic primaries and 18% in the Republican primaries. 8:35 p.m. AP Race Call: Terri Sewell wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Alabamas 7th Congressional District. 8:34 p.m. AP Race Call: Robert Aderholt wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Alabamas 4th Congressional District. Thank you for the overwhelming support to serve you for another two years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Its the honor of my life to have your support and to work for you. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) March 6, 2024 8:18 p.m. AP race call: Mike Rogers wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Alabamas 3rd Congressional District. Rogers faced GOP challengers Barron Bevels and Bryan Newell. 8:07 p.m. No surprises so far with Biden and Trump winning their respective primaries in Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. 7:46 p.m. About 45 minutes after polls closed, the AP called the presidential primaries in Alabama for Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Ever wonder how AP calls a race so quickly? You can read more on that here. 7:33 p.m. AP race call: Trump and Biden win their primaries in Maine. 7:29 p.m. - Escambia County comes in with the first results in Alabama, though theres only 33% of boxes reporting. No surprises with Biden and Trump cruising. 7:19 p.m. AP race call: Trump and Biden win in their respective primaries in Oklahoma. Just as a reminder, 16 states - including Alabama - are holding primaries today, with about a third of all available delegates up for grabs in one day. 7:10 p.m. AP race call: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in Tennessee. AP has also called the Democratic primary race in Tennessee for Joe Biden. 7:03 p.m. AP race call: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in North Carolina. 7 p.m. Polls are closed in Alabama. If youre in line to vote, you will still be allowed to cast a ballot. 6:54 p.m. Polls are about to close in Alabama, as well as in Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Tennessee. 6:39 p.m. AP Race Call: Joe Biden wins the Democratic presidential primary in North Carolina. 6:30 p.m. In addition to the primary vote, its been an all-around busy day in Alabama politics. The CHOOSE Act passed a Senate committee after a surprise meeting Tuesday afternoon. The legislation provides up to $7,000 to children to spend on education-related expenses, including tuition. A bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state institutions was approved by the Senate and will now head to the Alabama House of Representatives. Legislation intended to give in vitro fertilization clinics some legal protection moved closer to becoming law when Senate and House committees approved identical bills. Also, lawmakers continue to work privately on legislation that would authorize a lottery, casinos, and sports betting if it is approved by voters. 6:28 p.m. AP Race Call: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in Virginia. 6:23 p.m. AP Race Call: Joe Biden wins the Democratic presidential primary in Vermont. 6:15 p.m. Theres still time to vote: ALERT: Polls across Alabama are set to close in 1 hour (7pm). If you are still in line when polls close, stay in line. You will still be allowed to vote. #alpolitics WSFA 12 News (@wsfa12news) March 6, 2024 6:10 p.m. AP Race Call: Joe Biden wins the Democratic presidential primary in Virginia. 4:50 p.m. AP Race Call: Joe Biden wins the Democratic presidential nominating contest in Iowa. 4:31 p.m. Two incumbent Alabama Congressmen, Jerry Carl and Barry Moore, have cast their ballots as redistricting pitted them against each other in the GOP primary: Tina and I just voted! Have you? Make your voice heard today. pic.twitter.com/SBkDcKjudx Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) March 5, 2024 Heather and I headed to the polls this morning before boarding a flight to represent you in Washington, D.C. for House votes. I hope youll brave the rain and make your voice heard! pic.twitter.com/j9RXS0BN05 Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) March 5, 2024 3:38 p.m. Will the recent state Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos have the same legal protections as children worry Alabamians as they head to the polls? The Montgomery Advertiser asked voters how the issue affected their votes, one said he was focusing on his position as pro-family above all else. The ruling probably didnt change the way I voted, but it made it feel even more important, Democrat voter Beth Wicker said. Our constitution says theres supposed to be separation of religion and law, and thats not happening. I dont think the people who are doing this understand. 3:31 p.m. Anyone running into problems at the polls? Reporter Mary Sell checked in with Alabamas secretary of state: Checked in with @alasecofstate about any Election Day issues. I havent heard of any major issues, Allen said. Its been a good day so far.#alpolitics Mary Sell (@MarySellQuillen) March 5, 2024 3:19 p.m. If youre interested in how other states are doing and the current delegate count for the presidential race, you can follow along here. And for Alabama voters, keep in mind polls close at 7 p.m. If youre in line at that time, you can vote. 1:43 p.m. Alabamas law prohibiting crossover voting - It wont come into play in the primary but can crop up in the primary runoff. Enacted in 2017, the law prohibits voters from casting a ballot for one party in a primary and then crossing over to vote in another partys runoff elections. In other words, if you voted in the Republican primary today, you cant cast a ballot in the Democratic runoff. The prohibition is the same for those who voted in the Democratic primary no voting in the Republican runoff. Primary runoffs are set for April 16th. 12:12 p.m. Zane Snipes, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Registrars, told Alabama Reflector that postcards reminding people of their voting precincts and districts misidentified people as living in the 7th Congressional District instead of the 2nd Congressional District. A certain number of days before the primary, we wanted to print postcards of all the active and inactive voters of Montgomery County, primarily to tell them they were all in District 2, Snipes said. Somewhere within our fixing of the system, we just had a computer glitch, or a software glitch, that picked on about 4,000 voters. AL.com reported on the situation Monday night. 12:08 p.m. Taylor Swift is urging her fans to go vote: In a post Tuesday on Instagram, Swift reminded her vast army of followers that the presidential primary is being held in Tennessee, where Swift lives, and elsewhere, AP reported. She wrote, I wanted to remind you guys to vote the people who most represent YOU into power. If you havent already, make a plan to vote today. Swift endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2020 and backed Democratic candidates in Tennessee in 2018 after breaking her longstanding refusal to discuss her political views. 11:51 a.m. Is this the end of Nikki Haleys run? Bloomberg reports: Haley made good on her promise to stay in the race through Super Tuesday. Barring an upset, Haley will face increasing pressure to exit the race, having lost nearly every contest so far by significant margins. A cross-country fundraising blitz has done little to keep big-money donors from turning elsewhere, calling into question the viability of her long-term strategy: Stick around in case Trump who has been indicted four times implodes. 11:37 a.m. A Jefferson County polling place will be open late due to a voting issue: BREAKING: An issue with ballots at Brighton Community Center delayed voting this morning for some people, precinct will now stay open until 9:30 p.m. This only impacts Brighton Community Center precinct - all other precincts in Jefferson County will close at 7 p.m. @WBRCnews Morgan Hightower (@mchightower) March 5, 2024 10:50 a.m. What to watch tonight in #AL01 and #AL02 congressional primaries: The fate of Mobile. The city and county could walk away today with the prospects of two homegrown members of Congress, or they could come away with none. Lots of scenarios w/geographical interests. #alpolitics John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) March 5, 2024 10:09 a.m. If the I voted sticker isnt incentive enough, you can also get free doughnuts on election day. And, in Alabama, employers are required to give you time off work to vote, with certain limitations. 9:19 a.m. From AP: Neither Trump nor Biden will be able to formally clinch their partys nominations on Super Tuesday. The earliest either can become his partys presumptive nominee is March 12 for Trump and March 19 for Biden. 8:58 a.m. Candidates today are heading to the polls. Heres a GOP candidate for House District 6 after casting his ballot: Its Super Tuesday and the polls are open! Join me in voting for change, securing the border & term limits. #VoteWilkins #SuperTuesday #ALPolitics pic.twitter.com/OE8MkIA58t Gerrick Wilkins (@GDWilkins) March 5, 2024 8:11 a.m. There have been some changes in polling locations throughout the state so its always best to check your spot before you go. You can do that here. 7:50 a.m. 7 a.m. Polls are now open. 6:36 a.m. Alabama Democrats are hoping the 2nd district congressional seat plays a role in flipping the U.S. House where Republicans currently hold a slim four-seat majority. The newly drawn district consisting of all or parts of 13 counties stretching from Mobile to Montgomery is considered a likely Democratic seat. The district vote -- almost certain to go into a primary runoff -- could make history by giving Alabama two Black members of Congress at the same time. 6:18 a.m. The Southern Poverty Law Center on Monday advised Montgomery County voters to verify which district they are in after a postcard was mailed out that incorrectly identified voters living in the newly drawn Second Congressional District as residing in the Seventh Congressional District. To find out which districts you live in, voters can go to https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview. 6 a.m. What can we expect in voter turnout and when will have results? According to the Associated Press, turnout in the 2022 state primaries was 5% of registered voters in the Democratic primaries for governor and U.S. Senate and 18% in the Republican primaries. With no Katie Britt-Mo Brooks matchup, the turnout could be considerably less. In the 2022 primary election, the AP first reported results at 7:23 p.m. CST. The election night tabulation ended at 2:06 a.m. with about 99% of total votes counted. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Poland has stated that a potential nuclear arms race could happen if the West does not provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to combat Vladimir Putin's army. Radek Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister, expressed concerns about the ongoing debate in the US regarding a $60bn aid package for Ukraine and the resistance of some European allies to provide military support, warning of a potential escalation towards nuclear proliferation. Poland's Foreign Minister Warns of Nuclear Arms Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radek Sikorski, has issued a warning, stating that the debate in Washington over the aid package and a perceived divide over Ukraine's defense might potentially set off an arms race. He states that this could be a potential outcome. It is possible that the democratic community will have to deal with fragmentation if the United States and Europe do not come together and assist Ukraine in its attempts to eject Putin. This will cause friends to look for alternative means to secure their security. It is likely that certain nations, such as South Korea and Japan, may make the decision to build nuclear weapons, which might potentially lead to a new nuclear arms race. Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine became a former nuclear power as a result of its acquisition of sovereignty of a portion of the nuclear arsenal that had been held by the Soviet Union. All of them were turned up by Kyiv in line with the terms of the Budapest Memorandum from 1994. In exchange, Kyiv received acknowledgment of its national borders, sovereignty, and independence. There is a notion that suggests Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if the nation had maintained its nuclear weapons. This idea is based on actual proof. It is believed that South Korea and Japan, two countries that are put at risk by North Korea that possess nuclear weapons, are aware of this, according to The Telegraph. Read Also: Europe Faces 'Uncontrollable' Migrant Surge If Russia Wins in War With Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Warns Poland Considers Nucllear Sharing Program Membership Within NATO Experts caution that autocratic nations may observe how Putin forced concessions from the West by risking nuclear war. If Russia succeeds in legalizing the use of nuclear fear as a weapon of foreign policy, many nations will soon be rushing to build up their own nuclear arsenals. Even if they are unable to acquire their own nuclear weapons, nations may still make a decision to seek refuge under the nuclear umbrella of another nation. An indication has been provided by Poland that it is considering becoming a member of the Nuclear Sharing program within NATO. This initiative would allow member states that do not possess nuclear weapons to get involved in preparations for the possibility of their use. This might include Poland receiving nuclear bombs launched from the air on American B61 planes or approving the F-35A aircraft to carry nuclear weapons, both of which many in Poland feel would contribute to the nation's security against what they see as an imperialist and expansionist Russia, Ukrinform reported. Related Article: EU To Send $54 Million Fund to Gaza Aid Agency After It Agrees to Audit Over Extremist Ties Allegations A suspect has been taken into custody in the 2023 shooting death of a 45-year-old man in Montgomery. Irvin Messino, 34, is charged with murder in the Aug. 19 slaying of Dario Juarez, Montgomery police announced Monday. The shooting happened just before 11 p.m. that Saturday in the 2500 block of Locust Street. Juarez was pronounced dead on the scene. Charging documents again Messino said Juarez was shot multiple times. A motive has not been disclosed. Messino was booked into the Montgomery County Detention Facility on Friday. Prior to his transport to Montgomery, Messino was being held in the Calhoun County Jail on drug and obstruction of justice charges. A Tuscaloosa County man who was supposed to be in court today on domestic violence charges is now behind bars after authorities said he killed his ex-girlfriend. Sheriffs deputies were dispatched at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday to perform a welfare check at a home in the 1700 block of 47th Avenue N.W. in the Holt community. They arrived to find 35-year-old Jessika Lyn Andrews dead inside. Tuscaloosa Violence Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy said Andrews appeared to have been beaten to death. Andrews children were home and told investigators that their moms ex-boyfriend had been there Monday night and left after the two argued. Andrews vehicle was also missing from the residence. The vehicle was found a few hours later. The suspect, 40-year-old Jarvos Jermaine Osborne, was in the vehicle, and quickly taken into custody. After interviewing the witnesses, several family members, and processing the residence, vehicle, and suspect for physical evidence, Osborne was charged with capital murder. The charge against Osborne is a capital crime because Andrews had two protective orders against him. According to court records, Osborne in January was arrested on charges of felony domestic violence and domestic violence/harassment involving Andrews. Charging documents against him in those cases said officers were called to Andrews home on Jan. 26 and found her to have several bruises, as wells as marks on her neck and face. The deposition states Osborne was intoxicated and irate, and that he had held her down and bitten her multiple times. Osborne was set to appear in court today for a preliminary hearing on those charges. Osborne has two previous domestic violence convictions out of Houston, Texas. He is being held without bond in the Tuscaloosa County Jail. Decatur police have arrested a man on multiple charges of possessing child pornography. Christopher Newell Schuknecht, 50, faces five charges of possession of obscene material, according to court records. He is being held in the Morgan County Jail on $250,000 bond. According to Decatur police, investigators in January received information about a Decatur resident in possession of child sexual abuse material. According to one charging document, an investigator received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a Google account storing child sexual abuse material. The tip provided the IP address used to access the material. The Decatur Police Departments Internet Crimes Against Children Unit began looking into the tip. Schuknecht was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his residence Monday. The investigation is continuing. This is a guest opinion column It is telling that those who have such a tight grip on Alabama politics are terrified of certain divisive topics being discussed in the states college classrooms This is because their power is not based on logic or reason but a very sophisticated propaganda that will eventually be found to be nonsense. I am sure that George Orwell has been blacklisted along with other writers that predicted the rise of a dystopic totalitarian state and predicted the recent attempts of certain legislators at policing the thoughts of college students and professors. While some are afraid of being linked to the evil slave trade of the past they are totally unaware that they have already proven to be the goons of a future catastrophe that will lead to the end of the republic. In his essay The Freedom of the Press, Orwell says: If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. Included in this is the right to speak, think and express ones self without being questioned by the state police. The federal courts are clear that college professors while bound to a curriculum are not mere mouthpieces of the state. However, if certain Alabama legislators succeed in their socialist agenda, the state will assume the responsibility of parenting adults in the conversations they have, the books they publish and the research that they conduct. The anti- divisive language bill marks the height of a statist regime. It is not enough to have a super majority in the legislature, the judiciary and the executive office, but to better insure social control, they must oversee discussion, debate and dialogue in the college classrooms, which the courts have called the market place of ideas. While supporters of these bills claim that various topics are divisive and make some students feel uncomfortable, the use of threats, intimidation and fear to stifle objective discussions is as oppressive as anything Stalin could have conceived. Some erroneously claim that those who teach African American history are socialist, yet they have offered no bill sponsoring the enhancement of the teaching of capitalist principles. The reason is clear; that if capitalist principles were to be taught in our schools, it would become glaringly clear that those so-called conservative legislators who so vehemently claim to be capitalist are not capitalist at all but shrewd appropriators of the state revenue. While claiming to be Christian, by eliminating bible study, prayer and free speech in schools, they have proven themselves to most apostate, baring the mark of the beast. Alabama ranks at the bottom of most negative social and economic indicators and in order for there to be free enterprise and good schools in Alabama there must be free thought. While obscenity and vulgarity should be censured in grade school environments, we feel it is unconstitutional to ban professors from expressing disfavored viewpoints in university classrooms while permitting unfettered expression of the opposite viewpoint, the later offering no solutions to existential problems and only replication of the same diminished ends of the past. Robert White II, with his wife, pastor the Montgomery City of Refuge and the Greenville City of Refuge. He has been a member of the faculty of Alabama State University for more than 20 years and serves as adjunct instructor for other local colleges. He is also part of the HBCU legal focus group created at ASU and other institutions of higher learning to provide support to aspiring law students who attend HBCUs. This is an opinion column. Two Alabama Republicans walk into a bar. One is a state lawmaker who gathers with fellow Republican lawmakers for a few weeks once each year, seemingly to fix what they (or their constituentsor ratherthose who voted for them) fear. The other is a mayor who governs year-round, who leads an increasingly diverse city of varied cultures, all vying for recognition and influence, to be seen and heard at city hall. Quickly, the topic turns to diversity, equity, and inclusionthree words that remain in the crosshairs of Republican state lawmakers who, as Ive noted, want you to believe DEI is a rabid beast hell-bent on tearing us apart. Last month, after six hours of debate, the Republican super-majority state Senate passed SB129. Mocking a similarly fear-not-fact-based bill passed last year in Oklahoma, my home state, it would prohibit state government institutionsincluding agencies, public schools, and collegesfrom utilizing state funds to support a diversity, equity, and inclusion office and from sponsoring DEI programs or any program that advocates for a divisive concept. The bill now sits in the House. Its divisive, charges the lawmaker in the bar, though without delineating or defining exactly what is divisive about diversity, equity, and inclusion (words that pretty much mean the opposite). The mayor listens, smiles, then counters. Well, in our city, the mayor begin Last week, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle touted the impact of the citys Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, an evolution of the Office of Multicultural Affairs he created 15 years ago. In 2021, it was rebranded by a unanimous vote of the city council, which also created positions of director and assistant director for the office. The City of Huntsville Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion has worked hard to make Huntsville a better and more inclusive place, Battle, a Republican, shared in a statement in which he cited a plethora of events and programs created and executed for Huntsville citizens. They are part of the bigger picture in Huntsville that ensures opportunity that is inclusive and easily accessed, he said, and works to ensure the Citys many cultures are welcomed and represented in our community. Welcomed. Represented. Not divided. The lawmaker grunts. And sips. Another Republican mayor, Mobiles Sandy Stimpson, wouldnt specifically speak to SB129 but said: Our mission is to ignite Mobilians through action to become One Mobilea safer, more business and family-friendly city. A core component of that mission is ensuring that all our citizens have equal access to opportunity and their city government. According to the most recent U.S. census, 53% of Mobile residents are Black, while whites comprise 44%. Across Mobile County, the composition shifts: 58% white, 36.7% Black. A Mobile spokesperson noted two government offices created to foster equitable access and spending: the Office of Community Affairs, which acts as a liaison to city government for all residents; and the Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD), which the spokesperson described as a big push the Stimpson administration over the past decade and a half [It has] helped ensure that businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans have an equal opportunity to contract with the City of Mobile. OSD includes various programs to connect historically disadvantaged businesses with resources and even capital to develop and grow their operations, the spokesperson said. Among them: the Micro-Enterprise Loan Program, which provides eligible contracting-related businesses to receive up to $2,500 that is forgivable if the business meets certain requirements; Contractors College, a partnership with historically Black Bishop State Community College that, according to the website, helps small businesses compete for, receive, and manage public contracts; and Building a Business Legacy (BBL), a partnership with Black-owned Commonweal National Bank that facilitates small business loans to local business. The City of Mobile and the bank each committed $2 million to BBL. In this video on BBL, Stimpson says the program is about helping young companies that need cash to grow. What were hoping to do, he adds, is jumpstart these new businesses to give them an opportunity ... to invest time and resources to grow a business that will make a difference for their whole family and their community. Collectively, the spokesperson said, the portfolio of programs allows more local companies to take advantage of opportunities to work with the city and other public agencies. We simply would not be able to handle all the projects were taking on without OSD helping us cast a wider net across the community. With a finger now plugging both ears, the Republican lawmaker in the bar is finding it difficult to drink. The mayor is undeterred, knowing the lawmaker really doesnt want to hear this: Mobiles city employees are required to go through DEI training annually to ensure we are fostering a workplace that allows all our employees to thrive and serve the community to the best of their ability, according to the spokesperson. Republican state lawmakers are adamant about eliminating mandatory DEI training because, well, again, they have no explanation other than: Its divisive. Moreover, the Stimpson administration uses diverse panels of employees and often brings in subject matter experts from outside agencies to evaluate and recommend potential candidates for appointed positions. This has led to one of the most diverse and accomplished executive leadership teams in the City of Mobiles history, the spokesperson shared. Stimpsons nine-member Executive Leadership Team (chief of staff, city attorney, and department executive directors) is 28 percent women and 42 percent minority, according to the spokesperson. (This currently comprises just seven people; one ED position is vacant and another is filled with an interim.) Across the entire administrative leadership team (33 positions, including all EDs and directors) the makeup is 51 percent women and 33 percent minority, the spokesperson noted. Mobile, Stimpsons statement added, is proving that the greatest successes are achieved when everyone has a seat at the table. Back at the bar, the lawmaker and mayor prepare to leave. Who pays the tab? If Republican legislators remain obstinate and tone-deaf to what DEI actually is and does versus what they at us to believe it does, the answer is clear: We do. Our young people do. Our future will pay dearly. Im a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, as well as the Lede. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj When I was a young man (a long time ago) I decided to be a political liberal, and this for two overlapping reasons. For one, I approved of the political values of liberals. They were pro-civil liberties (free speech, free press, etc.). They were pro-labor union. They were pro-equality for Blacks (Negroes as they were called in those days). And so was I. For another, liberals seemed to me to be intellectually and morally superior to political conservatives, who struck me as being, on average, rather stupid and rather morally insensitive. I wanted to belong to the class of people who were smart and good. If I were to become one of them, I too would be smart and good. I admired the intellect of liberals. They were broadminded, not narrow-minded like conservatives. Their minds were subtle and nuanced and complex, not simplistic like conservative minds. They were highly educated, well-informed. And they had good taste in music, painting, and literature. There was nothing boorish about them. The only really smart conservative I knew of was William F. Buckley; smart in the sense that he had a high IQ. But Buckley, as I saw things, used his ample brains to defend bad causes -- rather like John C. Calhoun defending slavery. Buckley, I thought, was little more than a clever sophist. When it came to the question of moral goodness, I confess that I had some doubts as to the wisdom of liberalisms tolerance of sexual freedom. Perhaps I had some intuitive understanding that the pending sexual revolution would end in catastrophe, which of course it has. But that was a small blemish. It was as nothing in comparison to liberalisms admirable sympathy and support for societys underdogs, especially blue-collar workers and, even more, Negroes, especially those of the racially segregated South. And so I became a liberal, and I was very pleased with myself. I was now a member of a culturally elite minority -- for thats what liberals were in those days, an elite minority. Due to the disproportionate influence that liberals had in the Democratic Party ever since FDR and the New Deal, vast numbers of ordinary Democrats gave support to certain liberal causes. But true liberals -- persons who were deeply liberal in mind and heart and spirit, liberal down to the very marrow of their bones -- were relatively rare. It is not so nowadays. If the typical liberal of my youth was in some real sense a superior person, the typical liberal today is just the opposite, a person of moral and intellectual inferiority -- at least so I judge. I am still as vain as I was in my youth; which is to say, I still wish to think of myself as a morally and intellectually superior person. In the old days that wish drew me to the then-current liberalism; today it drives me away from now-current liberalism. It commonly happens that a superior elite deteriorates in average quality when the doors of the elite are opened and the masses come rushing in. It happened, for instance, with the value of a high-school diploma. In the 1870s, when only a small fraction of all boys and girls graduated from high school, the average diploma indicated that the holder of the diploma was a rather well-educated human being. Today the average high-school diploma tells us nothing like that. In the Roman Empire prior to the coming of Constantine, the average Christian, who was the member of a disapproved-of and often-persecuted religion, was a person of superior quality. Once Constantine legalized Christianity and made it respectable and a thing advantageous to belong to, the masses rushed in -- and the quality of the average Christian went downhill. In reaction to this vulgarization (so to speak) of Christianity, monasticism began rapidly to spread, as if the monks and nuns were advertising to those who wished to be genuine Christians: Now that living a true Christian life is becoming nearly impossible in the secular world, come join us in our cloisters. Here you can be a true Christian. Analogous to this is the present-day phenomenon of parents pulling their kids out of deficient public schools and educating them instead via either home-schooling or private schools. One more example. Prior to the revolutions of 1917 and the subsequent civil war in Russia, the Bolsheviks (later renamed Communists) were, at least when measured by revolutionary standards, a superior elite. They were passionately dedicated to their cause; they conscientiously studied Marx and Lenin; they co-operated, often quite unselfishly, with their fellow Bolsheviks; they willingly served terms of exile in Siberia; and they were in some real sense idealists, believing that their sufferings and crimes would lead eventually to a greatly improved human race. But once the Communists were securely in power, now the established authority of the Soviet Union, in control of almost everything in that vast empire -- once this happened, membership in the party was opened up. And who came rushing in? The inevitable crowd: opportunists, time-servers, careerists, bullies, sadists, scoundrels, thieves, etc., plus no doubt some well-intentioned people. The average quality of the Russian Communist slid rapidly downhill. This decline is illustrated in Arthur Koestlers great novel, Darkness at Noon. Rubashovs first interrogator is an old Bolshevik, with some of the humanity that marked the old pre-revolutionary members of the party. Rubashovs second interrogator is a neo-Communist, much closer to a mere brute. In any case, people are still doing what I did many decades ago, becoming liberals in order to make themselves feel that they are morally and intellectually superior persons (which entitles them, among other things, to despise Trump and his fans). At least I had some excuse for this in the old days. Todays liberals have no excuse. You have to be (in my not-so-humble opinion) rather an imbecile to imagine that your present-day liberalism makes you a superior person. Image: FreeRange Stock/Ed Gregory A month ago, Texas became the epicenter of a confrontation between Democratic President Joe Biden and Republicans who disagree with his migration and Ukraine policies. The White House tried to continue pouring billions of dollars into the war in Europe while state authorities led by Governor Greg Abbott tried to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the country on their own. Biden decided, with the support of the Supreme Court, to issue an ultimatum and declare the actions of the state authorities unlawful. This happened after Republicans demanded to redirect some of the funds intended for assistance to Ukraine to protect the American border. Republican governors from 25 states stood up for Texas, accusing the president himself of "invading the state." Operation Lone Star Operation Lone Star was launched by the governor in 2021. The reason was a sharp increase in the flow of illegal migrants from Latin America after Biden relaxed migration laws. By order of Abbott, Texas law enforcement agencies received the right to independently protect the border with Mexico, which included the installation of razor wire, as well as the capture of refugees. After an open confrontation and a show of determination from Republicans, Democrats "backtracked," realizing that even the hypothetical loss of Texas would critically affect the stability of the country. The region is a cornerstone of American politics. It has great influence on the domestic political scene, ranking second after California in terms of electors and seats in the U.S. Congress. In addition, this state has a strong influence on border issues with Mexico, immigration policy, and national security. But the state is most notable for its economy. The Texas Economy Texas is the second most populated state in the U.S. It is home to more than 30 million people, making it the second most populous state in the United States. Texas is essential to the economy, labor market, and major industries. Without exaggeration, Texas is a key region with strategically important resources, enterprises, and powerful economic potential, without which it is impossible to imagine the modern American economy. Texas is the state with the highest standard of living in the U.S., with the highest level of economic growth in the country. If it were a separate country, it would rank eighth in the ranking of the largest economies on the planet, overtaking Russia, Spain, and Australia with a GDP per capita of $78,000. Also, Texas contributes greatly to America's economic strength and prosperity. It is the U.S. energy center, ranked first in the country (and third in the world) in both oil production and several other positions. It accounts for 42% of crude oil production and 27% of natural gas production nationwide. Texas also processes about a third of the oil in the U.S. each year. Renewable energy, biomedicine, various innovations, and high technologies are developing extremely quickly on its territory. It's worth noting the largest nuclear power plant in the U.S. and a huge nuclear weapons plant with part of the stockpile operated in Texas. However, in addition to production, there are other reasons for economic power. For example, Texas has invested heavily in education. More than 180 colleges and universities are located here. Texas has no income tax, making it an attractive place for workers and businesses. Companies can lure workers by further stimulating the economy and accelerating its growth. That is why several large companies have moved to this state in recent years, including Dell, Tesla, and Hewlett-Packard. Space as a Pride of Texas Texas is one of the most prominent U.S. states in space and aviation. About 150000 people are involved directly in the aviation and aerospace industries. Texas ranks first among states in terms of employment in these industries. The influence of the aerospace industry led to Texas becoming its cradle. Houston is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, NASA's center for human spaceflight. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong prepared for the Apollo 11 mission in Texas, which has now become the main center for training American astronauts. Large aviation and space companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as well as Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, are now based here. Also, Elon Musk's SpaceX company plans to build the world's first commercial spaceport in southern Texas, which will strengthen its position as a leading space state. Based on all of the Above, can the State Really Leave the United States? Certainly not. The ideas of regionalism are strong in Texas, but their followers do not aim to form an independent state. Some of the population also has separatist sentiments, but these views are not supported by most Texans or government officials. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, the American states a priori have no legal opportunity to leave the country. In 1869, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that such a division was impossible. Talking about the threat of civil war in the states is most often an exaggeration and sometimes conscious innuendo. No prerequisites for this are visible. The confrontation unfolds mainly in the legal and information fields. However, it shows how zealous the American people are about defending their freedom, even if it's being attacked by someone who currently occupies the Oval Office. Let's hope that at the end of 2024, a man will return to power who aims to make America great again, which is impossible without fortified borders and respect for the right of all citizens to security. Shawn Hodges lives in Jackson, OH. Proud husband and father of two, spending my free time trying to understand and dig into global politics. Image: PxHere The National Civic Art Society has long championed a revival of classical architecture and undoubtedly exerted influence on policy makers in connection with the Executive Order on Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture. In the proud youth of the republic, it was natural to draw government buildings as if they were destined to last forever, radiating the same kind of timeless authority that distinguished the prototypes of antiquity. Architecture, however, like most other institutions of Western civilization, has become a battleground for politicians, from the right and the left. Symbols of Greco-Roman legacy, together with Christianity the very foundations of our society are under attack. Some phenomena and trends in society are believed to portend the imminent demise of civilization. It is like interpreting the self-destructive, morbid behavior of a person. Observations may revolve around self-hatred, depraved excesses, and the ominous denial of everything that is good in life, e.g. the beauty of the world. As it happens, a striking aversion to beauty would seem to be at the root of twentieth-century modernismfrom the very beginning, modernism has behaved like a disease of the soul. As the symptom of an underlying, life-threatening melancholy. Our entire civilization is suffering. It is customary to date the aesthetic collapse of the West to the interwar years. Interpreted as a purgatory, disciplinary, and ultimately necessary retaliation against the intellectual avant-gardes for the atrocities of World War I, the implacable attack on tradition became a turning point in modern history. The motley crew of rebels, who came together to storm the existing culture, invoked the unforgivable sacrifice of young soldiers and the dream of a reborn world. Actually, however, the standard-bearers of (Italian) futurism anticipated the course of events just after the turn of the century, shaking up accustomed notions of sublimity and equanimity in academia. The ground was, so to speak, ripe for change before the war broke out. By all accounts, the West had already become unsure of itself and showed the first signs of fatigue. For the rest of society, the significance of this aesthetic rebellion against beauty is hard to exaggerate. Although ordinary people, busy with work and family affairs, took a long time to realize what was going on, intellectual positions in the public debate were sharply drawn. Manifestos against the aesthetic ideals of the past emanated from an elitist circle of politically inflamed architects and artists. In the West, the punishment for being reactionary and loyal to architectural or artistic traditionalism rather than a Jacobin death sentence fell in the form of biting sarcasm, ridicule, and ostracism from the exclusive society of good taste. The wide-ranging break-up was led by debauched eccentrics in false alliance with social entrepreneurs and totalitarians: the true pragmatists of this world. Much to the chagrin of the imagined saviors of humanity, who would free ordinary people from the shackles of the past, the modernist idiom is said to have driven a wedge between the elite and the people. In that sense, it is not particularly democratic or sympathetic, for that matter. Previously, well-known (originally Greco-Roman) stylistic elements, not least organic motifs with an intuitive appeal to the senses, were graciously presented to them, though in variable constellations, whether they were studying a building or a piece of art, and they were entitled to an opinion. After the breakthrough of modernism, ordinary people of the West, though citizens with civil and political rights, have been reduced to deplorable outsiders uninitiated as it were. Their choice is between feigning enthusiasm, being false to themselves, or speaking up and risking condemnation as ignorant. Since the Athenians convened to make political decisions in the 6th century BC, Westerners have trusted each other with the necessary abilities, regardless of education, to judge in both aesthetic and ethical matters. From early on, there has been an assumption that we, as humans (and citizens), have an equal right to interfere in public affairs and be consulted. Departing from aesthetic universalism, granting everybody an ability (and the right, not least) to judge the beautiful, the ugly, and everything in between, modernism introduced the conditional judgment: the requirement to have something like counter-intuitive, theoretical insight as an initiate for valid appreciation of a building or piece of art. With the rejection of immediate, sensual beauty in both architecture and art, as opposed to esoteric and nonsocial, eccentric experiences of geometric purity or whatever, intellectual classes of initiates and non-initiates, respectively, came into existence. It was all very snobbish and contrary to the political dogmas of the time. As indicated, the change in architecture and art did not take place in a cultural vacuum, but was part of a larger political-moral change in the West and Russia. For historical reasons, the eccentrics made common cause with the revolutionaries. People with a hostile attitude towards the West as the hearth of capitalism, imperialism, and colonialism were responsible for driving the revolutionary process. To be honest, it can really seem like a mystery what ensured the triumph of modernism in the West. A long time ago, some architects and artists imagined that they had to take personal responsibility, engage politically, and help transform society; seeking radical solutions, they allied themselves with the revolutionaries. Others refused to submit to party discipline and surrender their spiritual independence; in pursuit of self-gratification, they continued to struggle against authorities in the broadest sense. However, what could be the psychological explanation for the emergence of a consistently beauty-renouncing style within architecture and art? How did the idea arise for a human society deprived of the organic elements that, in a more or less stylized form, remind us of our origin in nature? Why at all subject humanity to a forced alienation in its immediate surroundings? Why, indeed, renounce beauty and deny ourselves? The majority of us are not robotic androids who can be stationed indefinitely on prefabricated, airtight, and sterile bases anywhere in space. As little as we tolerate long-term residence in suburban high-rises without losing sight of purpose and jeopardizing our equilibrium. In such environments, we become alienated, languish, and die. We love the dirty earth as we know it, with trees, leaves, and fruits. As humans, rooted in the earth and its crops, we depend on the experience of nature around us in order to thrive. It is about our well-being. We are constantly looking for the beauty in each other and the world around us. With our human emotionality intact, we refuse to settle for over-sized stables in concrete and steel as if we were speechless animals. When the Greeks and Romans laid the foundation for Western civilization, they were careful to integrate the forms of nature into the decoration of their cities. It was a source of harmony in the midst of metropolitan society. Thus, they never departed from nature, but took it with them. The spread of architectural modernism in the world may look like the result of an evil conspiracy. In the West, however, architects make a living by supplying the products that are in demand on the market; unlike the socially and politically engaged architects from the interwar period, they are not concerned with educating humanity, but with making money. If we are therefore to accuse somebody of the aesthetic impoverishment of our cities, it should be (1) the elected officials, who despise the symbols of Western civilization or simply continue to be snobbish about what they themselves do not understand, and (2) the private companies who put profit above all other considerations. Modern architecture is industrial architecture. It alienates and degrades ordinary people. The bloody war of attrition that, according to historians, gave the impetus to modernism was a tragedy. Banishing beauty from public space is one of the greatest disgraces of our time. It testifies to the melancholic weakness of our society and opens the West to the invasion of the barbarians. Interpreted in the right historical context, modernism is the face of cultural suicide. Its alien monoliths that rise above the ruins of our inner cities are like the sarcophagi of human spirit. Are we really witnesses to the last convulsions of civilization? Or could it still be in our power to reverse the trend and build beautifully anew? Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Border officials came across over 14,000 unauthorized migrants at the southern border from Saturday to Friday, as per sources from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Tucson, Arizona sector took the lead in the encounters, reporting more than 2,000 apprehensions of illegal immigrants, according to Fox News' Bill Melugin. Border Tensions Escalate Shelby Park, situated in the border town of Eagle Pass, has emerged as a central location in the ongoing border situation and political disputes between Republicans and the Biden administration. With migrants crossing the border from Mexico into the US, Governor Greg Abbott has sent thousands of state police officers and national guard troops to Eagle Pass to prevent illegal border crossings. Lt. Christopher Olivarez from the Texas Department of Public Safety provided insight into the state's stance on Border Patrol processing migrants in the park. The concern is that it might attract more migrants to cross the river, as they would know where to find support. Shelby Park is among a number of places along the Texas border where coils of sharp wire have been added since the initiation of Operation Lone Star in March of 2021. Since that time, numerous migrants have been captured and held on demands of violating. State troopers have taken action against human smuggling operations. The state has allocated over $150 million to transport migrants by bus to cities such as New York and Chicago, transforming the border issue into a political and financial challenge for Democratic mayors. The leader of The Council condemned Biden on Monday for what he described as obvious electioneering, alleging that he only chose to go to the southern border with Mexico because he is behind in the polls. This week saw Biden's second visit to the border during his presidency. In January of last year, he journeyed to El Paso following the cleanup of the migrant camps by local officials, according to CBS News. Read Also: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: What To Expect If Deal Has Been Reached? Despite Decreased Border Crossings While in Brownsville, Texas, Biden discussed the bipartisan immigration bill that did not pass in the Senate, placing the responsibility on former president Trump. Republicans have voiced reservations with the bill, arguing that it does not go far enough. In Brownsville, border crossings have significantly decreased in recent months, following the installation of miles of wire fencing as part of Operation Lone Star, signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in December. Information from internal CBP data for all border patrol stations in February, as acquired by Fox News, reveals that the Brownsville area recorded approximately 462 apprehensions, averaging around 17 per day. Brownsville, Texas is ranked as the 29th busiest border patrol station for the month. The top station was Three Points in Tucson, Arizona, sector, with over 13,900 apprehensions in February. Brownsville could give Biden a platform to argue illegal crossings have dropped dramatically given it was the busiest corridor for illegal crossings for nine years. But Republicans have called it something else: a 'photo-op.' Speaker Mike Johnson accused Biden of going merely for the optics. During a press conference held by House Republican leadership, several leaders criticized Biden for what they called a 'photo op.' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to GOP criticism of Biden's trip by bringing out that House Republicans declined to bring up a vote on a bipartisan border security bill following Trump's opposition, Daily Mail reported. Related Article: Biden Says Ceasefire is Near, But Hamas and Israel Aren't So Sure I used to think that Donald Trumps greatest accomplishment was banishing the Clintons from the political landscape. I was wrong. Sidelining the Clinton grifters is a distant second to his greatest feat -- showing us, in the starkest possible way, the political choice that we face. He has drawn the radicals into the open, to show us what they have been working towards since the administration of Barack Obama. Im an unapologetic Trump supporter, but even I must admit that he makes it easy for some to dislike him. Hes everything the social justice warriors insist that we despise. Hes a white male multi-billionaire who had a privileged childhood. He has a jaded history with the ladies, and is inclined to get into verbal battles that would be better avoided. In other words: hes just as flawed as the rest of us. But Im beginning to realize that his unlikability to some is actually his superpower. He causes the Left to act out a self-destructive demonstration of their corrosiveness to the American experiment. The radicals falsely perceive Trumps personality as a weakness, drawing them into attacks that reveal their true nature. Hes the cheese, which temps the rats into the transparency trap. He triggers them into openly demonstrating their utter disregard for basic fairness and the rule of law -- things which most Americans still hold dear. Blinded by their hatred, the radicals cant see that their actions offend most Americans, and result in unintended consequences. The Left demonizes Trump without realizing that we dont judge him by the contents of his heart. Thats Gods jurisdiction. We only care about his deeds -- which have been 100 percent beneficial to the citizens of the United States. We also dont care about whats in the hearts of his opponents. We instead are judging them by their deeds, and were finding those deeds very disturbing. They have: Trashed our civil rights, Corrupted any notion of due process, Weaponized the government against its citizens, and Destroyed civil debate (i.e., calling opponents fascists). It was all done to crush one man -- with no acknowledgement of the individual liberties which the Constitution guarantees. The attorney general of New York, Letitia James, found a friendly judge and got a $464.5 million settlement and a suspension of Trumps right to do business in New York. He was found guilty of defrauding banks, who claim they werent defrauded -- making it a victimless crime, if it was a crime at all. The Left attacked (action) and MAGA grew (unintended consequence). Advice columnist E. Jean Carroll got an $83 million settlement from Trump for the liable of denying that he had raped her -- even though she cant remember the year in which it supposedly happened. But she had a friendly New York jury, and she was relying on Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) to triumph over a preponderance of the evidence. The Left attacked (action) and MAGA grew (unintended consequence). New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump for a campaign finance violation, which the federal election commission ruled wasnt illegal, and for which the statute of limitations had expired. But by calling it a conspiracy, Bragg was able to extend the statute of limitations, even if the act still wasnt illegal. Bragg is counting on a TDS afflicted judge and jury also. Is that anyones idea of justice -- seeking a conviction because you can, rather than because you should? The Left attacked (action) and MAGA grew (unintended consequence). Special Counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump for the same crime that Joe Biden committed -- having classified documents in his possession (but without Presidential authority in Bidens case). Special Counsel Robert Hur explained that Biden wouldnt be indicted because the jury would find him a likeable old gentleman. Left unsaid is what that statement reveals: Trump was indicted because he would come across as unlikeable, while Biden was excused because a jury would find him likeable. Again, justice has been turned into the pursuit of the unlikeable, rather than the guilty. Is that what the Supreme Court building inscription Equal Justice Under Law intends? The Left attacked (action) and MAGA grew (unintended consequence). Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicted Trump for the same action that every losing Democrat since Al Gore has committed -- challenging the outcome of the election with every legal means available. When Al Franken overturned an election in Minnesota, it was a defense of democracy. When Donald Trump didnt overturn an election, it was a criminal conspiracy in violation of racketeering laws -- because he talked to people about his legal options. Were not supposed to notice that what is justice for a Democrat is conspiracy for a Republican. Fani got her mugshot, and Trumps campaign donations came rolling in. The Left attacked (action) and MAGA grew (unintended consequence). One must ask: why did the radicals think they would benefit from such public displays of raw political corruption? Was it because they presumed that our values were aligned with theirs? Did they think that we hated Donald Trump more than we loved our republic? Were they expecting us to celebrate the destruction of due process -- if it was to save our democracy? Surprise! The leftists were wrong. We value our country far more than any one man. We will not excuse them for trashing our justice system -- to save our democracy. Unlike them, we know that saving our republic depends on fairness -- especially towards those whom we may dislike. Lady Justice wears a blindfold for reasons which we understand -- and they clearly dont. The Lefts hatred of Donald Trump caused them to show the public their complete disdain for legal norms. In their lust to attack him, they revealed the lengths to which they are willing to go in attacking our republic. Considerations of justice, fairness, and the common good were of no consequence in their decision making. Leftists put the question to us: Do you dislike Donald Trump enough to excuse us for trashing legal norms to keep him out of office? We have given them a resounding: No! But rather than hear us, the radicals continue to do the same thing over and over, while expecting a different result. They refuse to accept reality -- that we prefer the America of our founding over the North Cuba which they are creating. So, they continue to attack, and MAGA continues to grow. With each indictment, Trumps chances of returning to the Oval Office have increased. He now beats Biden in national and swing state polling. His meteoric climb in the polls is not because we adore Donald Trump. Its because voting for him is the only way to express our displeasure with what they are doing to our republic. Its our means of delivering judgement on their actions. John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He is a staff writer for the American Free News Network and can be reached at greenjeg@gmail.com. Image: VectorPortal Well, well, well ... what have we here? Socialist squad leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is finding herself chased out of a theatre by a gaggle of even farther-left crazies for ... not being left-wing enough. #BREAKING: A Handful of Protesters Chase United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez out of a Movie Theater #Brooklyn | #NewYorkWatch as a handful of protesters chase United States Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a movie theater in pic.twitter.com/L3t2AaXzQE R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 5, 2024 They're yelling about Palestine and "genocide" as they always do, and she's trying to argue back that they "aren't helping them," as they bellow out Hamas-generated and probably phony statistics about civilian deaths in Gaza. She yells back that they are taking her statements "out of context" and they trade charges of 'liar' and it sounds like high school jackasses sniping and yelling at each other. Which is funny stuff, because not too long ago, Rep. AOC was defending just this kind of protest: Seen this @AOC ? Ironic no? (You may need to look that up). https://t.co/HyRd9sZrKK Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) March 5, 2024 "The whole point of protesting is to make ppl uncomfortable. To folks who complain protest demands make others uncomfortable... that's the point It was always O.K. when crazies were chasing Republicans out of restaurants, but now that the shoe is on the other tootsie, AOC seems a bit upset. That was back when she was putting out garbage like this: Twitter is forever, sweetie. What's more, as Mr. Rugg observes, this sort of chase-and-scream incident crushes the leftist "narrative" about all dangers to the Republic coming from MAGA: JUST IN: Pro-Palestine protesters chase Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez out of a movie theater, blasting her for not calling the Israel-Hamas war genocide. Notice how she isnt getting harassed by MAGA extremists. She is getting harassed by her own party. You refuse to call pic.twitter.com/tTv7Vqgn5O Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 5, 2024 MAGA doesn't even care about someone of this low caliber. Ocasio-Cortez is being batted around by the left -- which has become a bus with no brakes in its extremism. She made the bed, now she can lie in it. They'll chase her wherever she goes. But she's just dumb enough to still be blaming MAGA for all the dangers of harassment and censorship and ending freedom of movement. Nope, it's coming from her own fouled nest and now she can deal with it. Image: Twitter video screen shot Last month, the Nebraska legislature considered a series of tax reforms, including a bill that would raise the cigarette tax by a whopping 132% -- but that idea could go up in smoke. State lawmakers are eager to put property taxes on the chopping block this year, but in order to do that, theyll need to find another way for the government to generate revenue. Governor Jim Pillen wants to increase both cigarette taxes and sales taxes across the board. But the proposal is wildly unpopular. According to a new poll from Americans for Prosperity, 70% of Nebraskans oppose raising the sales tax as a trade to provide property tax relief while only 14% support it. While there are many good reforms currently under consideration in the Legislature, Nebraskans are right to reject higher sales taxes. The cigarette tax increase is especially egregious. Not only would the tax hike disproportionately harm lower-income Nebraskans (who are more likely to purchase cigarettes), its also fiscally unwise. Dramatically raising cigarette taxes will incentivize folks to either buy cigarettes that have been smuggled in or cross the state border themselves to purchase them. As such, it fails to provide a good revenue substitute for property taxes, which are less easily evaded. Thats not to say that comprehensive tax reform isnt sorely needed. As real estate values soared over the past few years, so have property taxes. Since the beginning of 2020, home prices in Nebraska have gone up nearly 39%, according to Zillow. Naturally, property assessments went up as well and county coffers have ballooned. In 2022, Nebraskans paid over $5 billion in property taxes. Governor Pillen recently said that hed like to see that number fall to $3 billion. To make up for lost revenue, Pillen suggested raising the cigarette excise, which the Legislature is now considering. The proposed tax increase is huge: an additional $1.50 per pack, for a total per pack excise of $2.14. This would catapult Nebraska, which currently has a very low cigarette tax, to the highest in the country. Such a dramatic increase is bound to have significant effects. First and foremost, raising cigarette taxes would disproportionately burden low-income individuals and exacerbate existing socioeconomic inequalities. Research consistently shows that cigarette taxes are regressive, meaning they take a larger percentage of income from low-income individuals, who are more likely to smoke than higher income earners. By targeting a behavior that is more prevalent among marginalized communities, this policy further impoverishes those who are already struggling to make ends meet. Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, who first introduced the cigarette tax bill last year, hopes that higher cigarette taxes will actually help lower-income smokers by incentivizing them to give up the unhealthy habit. But this could wind up counteracting the goal of recouping lost revenue from lower property taxes. The problem is obvious: if sales go down, then the higher excise may not be sufficient to bring in the expected revenue. The consumers who aren't induced by the higher tax to quit smoking will almost certainly seek out cheaper alternatives. In neighboring states with lower cigarette taxes, such as Iowa and Kansas, consumers who live close enough to these states borders may be incentivized to purchase cigarettes there, leading to revenue loss for both Nebraskas businesses and government. Entrepreneurial sellers will also likely smuggle cigarettes into the state and sell them illegally to avoid the excise. Data from across the country shows that smuggling is positively correlated with tax rates. Because of these issues, Adam Hoffer, the Director of Excise Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation concludes that cigarette tax revenue is too unstable to be a reliable source of government funding. Raising taxes on cigarettes in Nebraska is not the answer to the states fiscal challenges. Instead, policymakers should focus on reducing government spending, while simultaneously limiting the growth of property taxes by imposing levy limits, which automatically reduce the tax rate as property valuations rise. Doing so will provide Nebraskans will much needed tax relief without shifting the fiscal burden to more volatile, economically regressive, and unpopular sales taxes. Tyler Curtis is a contributor at Young Voices and works as a loan officer at a Missouri bank. Image: Marco Verch Professional Photographer Throughout the course of human history, political affairs have been governed by the strike while the iron is hot adage, and weakness, incompetence, or a perfect storm of illness, distraction, confusion or diminishing mental (or military) capacity have always been hot iron. In May of 2000 Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, speaking to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, warned that any premature withdrawal from Kosovo would be interpreted (in the Balkans) as a sign of weakness: We cannot afford that in a region where weakness attracts vultures. As some leading Democrats now admit, Joe Bidens severely diminished cognitive function is on full display, no doubt a sign of American vulnerability, and I fear the vultures of the world are circling. In years past, politicians removed from office by force have included Julius Caesar, a seriously twisted puppy named Caligula, dictators like Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, and a guy named Mussolini. Informed historians realize that some elected officials, showing signs of dementia, frailness, or mental decline, have actually been removed from office without using a knife, poison, or a D-Day invasion, but through peer pressure, concerned colleagues, friends, family members and ultimately by the voters. Most recently, Dianne Feinstein, Mitch McConnell, and several federal judges have been brave enough to admit that, due to age and diminishing cognitive abilities, it was time to hang up their gavel or titles. The major difference between these individuals and Biden though, is that the former did not have their fingers on nuclear launch codes, nor do they have the ability to de facto declare war. According to the NCIB, the number of elderly heads of state varies greatly according to country, but rulers in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa have a substantial number of senior citizen politicians (very few of whom have nuclear weapons). The article further describes how some deteriorating heads of state have, as a last-ditch effort, proclaimed their wives to be substitutes to avoid facing a medical coup detat: In Tunisia president Habib Bourguibas dementia became evident, and he fell victim to a medical coup detat, led by his own prime minister Ben Ali. Later Ben Alis failing mental powers were compensated by his wife Laila Trabelsi. In 2017, at the age of 93, Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe, was forced to step down due to an (almost instantaneous) impeachment process, with the accusation that he allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power. Its possible that chemo brain fog from Mugabes cancer treatments induced dementia or cognitive impairment, which may have been the major reason Mugabe allegedly outsourced political decisions to his wife, Gucci Grace, because he was unable to fulfill the physical and mental duties required. (Dont forget, Biden has undergone several surgeries for brain aneurysms he had in the Eighties.) Facing impeachment charges including the inability to perform the functions of the Office Mugabe resigned, but not before his luxurious wife negotiated a pre-resignation deal: Robert Mugabe and his wife will receive a golden handshake worth many millions of dollars as part of a deal negotiated before the resignation of the ageing [sic] autocrat last week. The exact sums to be paid to the former president and his wife Grace are still unclear, though one senior ruling party official with direct knowledge of the agreement said the total would not be less than $10m. The official said that Mugabe, who has been granted immunity from prosecution and a guarantee that no action will be taken against his familys extensive business interests, would receive a cash payment of $5m immediately, with more paid in coming months. The 93-year-olds $150,000 salary will also be paid until his death. The 52-year-old first lady, reviled for her extravagance and greed, will then receive half that amount for the rest of her life. Not bad for a Marxist dictator eh? It is certainly not in my wheelhouse to compare, contrast, or determine whether Biden resembles, in any way, Mugabe or Ben Ali, or whether Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden (PhD Education) has any semblance of the political ambitions held by Laila Trabelsi or Gucci Grace Mugabe; but, there are enough examples of cognitive decline and frailty in Biden to warrant an investigation, as well as into the possibility of elder abuse by his handlers. If a beloved family member with dementia forgot to get fully dressed before going outside, most would immediately stop them and help them put on proper attire. Seeing Joe Biden in the searing spotlight of global conflicts and the blood sport of politics, makes me wish someone, anyone, would keep him from walking around cognitively naked on the world stagefor everyones sake. Do friends and family members have any moral or legal responsibility to treat Joe with human dignity? If they continue to neglect him, what does that mean for the future and security of our country? Why hasnt anyone in the investigative journalism business asked Jill Biden if she might be enabling (or possibly committing) elder abuse? Maybe the first lady could lay her healing hands on a divided country and, speaking in tongues, deliver a nationally televised press conference on the importance of this topicId suggest that her sage advice be scheduled for Saturday, June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Until then, Ill be cautiously watching the circling vultures. Image: YouTube video screengrab. There is growing trepidation in Israel as the Biden administration begins to interfere in Israeli domestic politics. This was highlighted by the invitation to opposition leader, Benny Ganz, to visit he White House for a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris, and other officials on the side. This is seen as a deliberate snub against recently elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who publicly rejected U.S. State Department plans to create a coalition of Hamas and Fatah into a PLO Palestinian state even as Israel is completing its mission to eradicate the Hamas Islamic terror regime in Gaza. The American move is increasingly looking malevolent against the Israeli government rather than delusional. Or maybe its a mixture of both. From an Israeli perspective, it appears as if the Biden administration is blind to the negative implications of what they are doing. The American officials promoting this Palestinian coalition seem to have closed their eyes to the raw nature, exhibited over decades of murderous actions, of clearly expressed Palestinian motivations outlined by lethal anti-Semitism and a world without Israel by both sides of the Palestinian division. They behave as if the Hamas Charter does not exist. Or maybe they think that Hamas will toss it aside if the White House will deliver Israel to them on a silver plate. Lets put aside the Hamas Charter with its poetic vision of trees and rocks calling out to Muslims to come and kill Jews hiding behind them, and concentrate on the PLO Charter, for that is where the White House and State Department are placing their chips. Article 7 describes the national duty of the Palestinian revolutionary armed struggle in order to win back its homeland and bring about its liberation. They think this is limited to the territories they call the West Bank. Its not. This threat is further emphasized in Articles 10-15. If in any doubt, the armed struggle is repeated in Article 22 in which they openly claim that the international community will help them achieve their unrelenting goal that there can never be peace until the world has helped the Palestinians to wipe out the Jews and Israel off the map. Which is precisely what the White House and State Department, under Antony Blinken, are doing. But so is the Kremlin. More on this later. Palestinians believe their ultimate aims will be achieved with the naivety of liberal Western (read: delusional) governments which they will ditch after Israel has been diplomatically, geographically, topographically weakened for the Final Solution to the Jewish Problem, which this Palestinian coalition will achieve by turning to global bad actors to help them deliver the final coup de grace to their eternal enemy, Israel. Articles 16-18 of the PLO Charter calls on them to employ international support in their effort to eradicate Israel, claiming that the establishment of Israel is entirely illegal, regardless of the passage of time. This gives them the justification for the slaughter of Jews and the eradication of Israel as quoted in Article 24 of their Charter which they believe to be based on the principles of justice, freedom, sovereignty, self-determination, and human dignity. According to the working of the Blinken document, technocrats describe former terror enablers, as if this would reassure Israel. Notice that the U.S. administration is not conditioning their advancement of a Hamas-Fatah PLO state on a Palestinian signed statement cancelling their obnoxious PLO and Hamas charters and ending their staged destruction of Israel. They are not even demanding that Hamas and Fatah must acknowledge Israels right to exist. They are not demanding that no deal is possible until both sides of the Palestinian divide first agree to sit with Israel and agree to vital territorial concessions, on both sides. Without this, how can there be peace? The deviousness of Palestinian intentions can be seen by those willing to look at Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who hosted Fatah, Hamas, and even Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders in Moscow. And if anyone thinks that the Kremlin invited these people to help Biden-Blinken achieve their myopic Palestine-Israel peace, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Taking up the Biden initiative, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayeh announced the resignation of his government. He then headed first to Germany, then to Moscow, to attend the Russia-Palestinian summit calling for a Palestinian-Palestinian consensus based on Palestinian unity and the extension of unity of authority over the Land of Palestine. This Land of Palestine stretches from the River to the Sea. Biden-Blinken gives them the key. Russia and Iran will deliver them the goods. Israel really is Americas only ally in the Middle East. Its very real fears ought to be primary and acknowledged by any U.S. administration. Lose Israel, and you have no one else in the region you can rely on. Despite Ganzs White House dalliance with Kamala Harris, does anyone really think that this new Fatah-Hamas Palestine will link their future to Washington and peace with Israel? Or will they forge their future ties to Russia, Iran, Qatar, and other malevolent actors who will help them advance to the next stage of their clearly stated Chartered destiny? A world without Israel. I know where I would place my chips. Barry Shaw is a Senior Strategic Associate at the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies, and the author of Fighting Hamas, BDS & Anti-Semitism, and Israel Reclaiming the Narrative. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License America has been facing a helium crisis that goes far beyond balloons and threatens our medical care and military readiness. Thankfully, a new helium reservoir has just been discovered, but the ongoing helium shortage wont instantly go away and, combined with the Biden administrations many anti-military policies, still leaves us vulnerable to a military strike by a foreign actor. On Friday, news broke about the helium reservoir, along with the fact that (a) our national security depends on helium, (b) were dangerously low on that essential gas, and (c) a current reserve sell-out will reduce helium capacity going forward: A potential helium reservoir was discovered in Minnesota last week after drillers bored deep beneath the forest floor of the states Iron Range as supplies of the noble gas dwindle in the U.S. Pulsar Helium Inc., a Canadian-based company, announced in a news release on Thursday that its team encountered gases with concentrations of up to 12.4% helium when its drilling rig reached a total depth of 2,200 at the Topaz Project drill site. Helium concentrations above 0.3% are considered economically viable. [snip] Heliums unique qualities make the gas an important and desired resource. While known as a lightweight gas that can fill balloons and blimps, helium can also take a liquid form that acts as a coolant for superconducting magnets needed to operate MRI machines and in the manufacturing of semiconductors. The gas also has applications in the defense industry, from rocket engine testing to air-to-air missile guidance systems and more. In January, the Compressed Gas Association warned in a letter that the U.S. governments selling of its Federal Helium Reserve system (FHR) could lead to severe disruptions in the U.S. helium supply chain. If youre wondering what the governments selling of its Federal Helium Reserve means, the answer is that the U.S. just sold off part of its stockpile. On Thursday, the U.S. government sold the Federal Helium Reserve, a massive underground stockpile based in Amarillo, Texas, that supplies up to 30% of the countrys helium. Once the deal is finalized, the buyer which will likely be the highest bidder, the industrial gas company Messer will claim some 425 miles of pipelines spanning Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma, plus about 1 billion cubic feet of the only element on Earth cold enough to make an MRI machine work. [snip] The sale of the governments stockpile of the nonrenewable element could exacerbate an existing supply shortage, Saha said. Biden cannot be blamed for the sale. In 2013, there was already a helium shortage, and Congress hoped the private market might do better. It hasnt. Now, after 11 years, the Biden administration is finally selling the reserve. The problem is that the shortages that will arrive with this sell-off (which cannot instantly be offset by the Minnesota reservoir) will join the Biden administrations myriad deliberate actions affecting military readiness. (Note: I've been told that I was a bit confusing here. Let me rephrase it: I was trying to say that the sell-off wasn't Biden's policy. He's just doing what Congress instructed. Nevertheless, it seems that he did it in a bad way at a bad time.) This sell-off gets added to the Biden administrations decision to drain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in 2022, just in time for the midterms, to help offset the disastrous economic consequences of Bidens drilling bans. As William Duncan explained, it takes decades to replenish what Biden sold. So far as I know, Biden hasnt even attempted to refill the SPR now that hes drained it. Our modern military cannot function without petroleum resources. It is completely dependent on them for everything from food and uniforms to housing to transportation to communication to all weaponry. But wait! Theres more. Speaking of weaponry, who can forget the way the Biden administration has been giving our weapons away to Ukraine? Maybe it seemed like a good idea to clean out old supplies and make room for new ones, but the Pentagon is running out of money to replace whats been given away. Moreover, even if it were handed billions today (which Im sure the weapons manufacturers are urging Congress to do), we face the same problem we do with the SPR: You cannot replenish massive stockpiles overnight. Well be at a deficit for quite a while. Lastly, theres Bidens attack on our militarys human capital. Currently, the military is facing a dangerous recruiting crisisand its driven by the fact that whites, especially white men, no longer want to join the military. This isnt because this cohort is less patriotic than before. Its because the military has become a hostile environment for them. White men might be able to overlook accelerating transgender madness (although I doubt any women enjoy having a mentally ill man ogling them in the showers), but the open racism is intolerable. How open? Well, the mandatory training military members receive tells them that America is inherently racist and always has been: SCOOP: Mandatory training for military members teaches that America was founded on racism, and parents are too ignorant and dumb to teach their children about it. They think parents need to stay out of their kids' education and shouldn't have a say in what they learn. Only 'The pic.twitter.com/PGIfapYg13 Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 5, 2024 This kind of racist garbage tells whites theyre not welcome in the military because they are the living emblems of evil while telling minorities that the country they swore to defend isnt worth defending. I cant repeat often enough that this kind of training creates officers and troops who will think twice about firing on a foreign enemy but will instantly turn on the American peopleespecially the allegedly hate-filled, racist, paranoid, violent whites in Americas heartland. Taken alone, each of Bidens policies, whether vis-a-vis helium, petroleum, weapons, or transgenderism and racism in the military, is bad. Taken together, they leave America completely dead in the water should an external enemy launch a military attack against us. Image by AI. Ukraine is still experiencing invadedness, as our progressive wordsmiths -- they gave us experiencing homelessness for vagrants and involved in the justice system for thieves, etc. -- would say. Leaving aside for the moment the reasons for and impacts of Russias invasion (the reason is that Putin wanted to do it and thought Joe Biden would be a pushover, forgetting the, um, family ties to the nation that could be revealed if Putin won) the war, unlike the Israel-Hamas war for some reason, has been a cause celebre of the Left. This is because it was Putin who did it and Putin is evil and Putin got Trump elected and Putin gave Trump hookers and Putin loves Trump and Trump loves Putin and Trump wants to be Putin and Trump wants to rule the world as dictators and blah blah blah. But ask yourself: would the progressive world be so rabidly pro-Ukraine -- pro-Ukraine to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars -- if it had not been Putin who invaded? What if a coalition of Ukraines neighbors - Poland, Belarus, Moldova (Transnistria) Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania -- had invaded instead? In this scenario, do leftists still fly blue and yellow flags in front of their house, put blue and yellow markers on their social media accounts, donate to Ukrainian charities, and continue to push for more and more U.S. aid for the beleaguered but plucky nation? No, they do not. There would be nowhere near the level of intensity and commitment demanded and emotion in the discussion. The support of Ukraine is not about Ukraine, its about Putin and, therefore, because they colluded to win the 2016 election, about Trump, too. And therefore Ukraine must be supported. This is not to support the invasion: Putin is a power-mad nutjob with nukes and that is not at all a good thing. The invasion was wrong and Putins decision has cost thousands of lives. And our allies nearby (Poland, etc.) must be protected, so support for Ukraine is not an inherently bad thing. And it is in the national interest and it is the ethical thing to do. But the emotional attachment of those who are running the show (save the neocons who want the United States permanently at war with someone or other) is not based on wanting to help Ukraine -- its based on wanting to stop Putin and harm Trump. No matter how much money is spent and no matter how many Ukrainians die. Image: Barbel Miemietz What does the future look like under the Democrats? Day after day, we hear a lot about who is saying what about the 2024 election. It would be better if we heard more about the quality of life for Americans under the current Democrat administration. By any yardstick, it is not only worse; it is far worse. Why would any American who thinks without prejudice want more corruption, more crime, more terrorism, less safety in the air and anywhere on the ground? Its no longer just about the economy, stupid. Now, at this time, the moral concerns of the majority voter will be witnessed. Americans know about morals. They know about lying, cheating, racism, elitism, fraud, murder, battery, drug abuse, and pathology. All people know the ill results of these sorts of behavior. These are human issues with human outcomes and always have been. Next to the mantras about the evils of Donald Trump, which are quite clearly eclipsed at this point by the evils of his persecutors -- and compared to the many successes of his presidency, Trump is not entirely the point. Of course, he is far more suited to pull us out of the national chasm than any other contender. Yet will the Left ever let him? Or does the Left really prefer more of the same from its own party? Are leftists angling for more wars, more terrorism, more violent crime, more domestic insecurity and federal government coercion in every sort of natural and constitutional personal freedom? Where does all the screeching from the Left and its media come from? An inexact historical idea? No political education? For communism or socialism, or their own favorite, fascism -- are all failed systems, never having ever worked remotely well anywhere, at any time. The Left talks constantly about MAGA hatred but they are far and away the best at it. They lie about hatred because they do not want to admit their guilt in the BLM riots, the many unjust political and religious persecutions, the staggeringly corrupt DoJ and D.C. establishment, and the Democrats growing betrayal of fundamental moral justice for Israel. Perhaps the Left doesnt mind the prospect of reigning over a failing and fractured international landscape with their friends the globalists (who will betray them all in the end). Perhaps the Democrats really regard -- as do their leaders, the likes of the Obamas, Bidens, Soros family, the Clintons, and so on -- too many mansions and too many jets, too many vacations and podiums and books, as truly all requirements for happiness. A strong case is that it is fear, guilt, and terror that drives the Left now. We know that any person can be terribly wrong and change him or herself for the better. We see no sign today of a change of heart in the Left -- therefore, a change may be forced upon them. Or is the Left just simply stupid, writ large? Kamala Harris spoke in, effectively, complete support of the Hamas terrorism against Israel just two days ago. She is the Vice President of the United States. Where are they going with this? Does the Left really want to push the envelope further on geopolitical time bombs? The Democratic Party is increasingly being revealed, through lockstep daily events, decisions, and manipulated occasions, to be terribly wrongheaded and wickedly led. The Left and its party should opt for swallowing a corrective pill before their extreme disease brings us all down. Image: Kevin Rheese In 1842, British engineers William Samuel Henson and John Stringfellow received a patent for a flying machine. Unlike previous attempts made with gliders and hot-air balloons, Hensons and Stringfellows invention was unique because it was the first attempt to move towards powered flight. Just six years later, the worlds first steam powered airplane took flight. Remarkably, this happened more than half a century before the historic flight by the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk. A lithograph by Thomas Picken imagines Ariel flying over the Nile, with the pyramids in the background. Humans have been enamored with flight since antiquity. One of the earliest tales of flight is the Greek legend of Daedalus and Icarus, the father-son duo, who were imprisoned in a tall tower by King Minos. Daedalus and Icarus escaped the tower by using wings constructed from feathers attached to their arms with beeswax. Daedalus warned his son Icarus not to fly too close to the sun, lest the heat from the sun melted the wax in his wings. But Icarus ignored Daedaluss warning and plunged to his death. Echoing this ancient tale, the 9th century Islamic engineer Abbas ibn Firnas is reported to have fashioned wings using vulture feathers and achieved a brief flight before descending with injuries. A similar account from the 11th century states that the Benedictine monk Eilmer of Malmesbury attached wings to his hands and feet and flew a short distance before a rough landing left him injured. As late as the 19th century, a German tailor named Albrecht Berblinger constructed wings which he strapped on to his arms and jumped into the Danube, hoping to make it across, only to plop down into the water. The first major breakthrough in aviation was made by a Yorkshire Baronet Sir George Cayley, who first set forth the concept of the modern airplane as a fixed-wing flying machine as opposed to the comical flapping winged machines that many of his predecessors had imagined. It was George Cayley who proposed separate systems for lift, propulsion, and control, and it was he who first identified the four-vector forces that influence an aircraft: thrust, lift, drag, and weight. He also discovered the importance of cambered wings, the characteristic curved shape that is fundamental to flight. John Stringfellow Drawing inspiration from Cayley's work, John Stringfellow and his lace-making engineer William Samuel Henson designed a large passenger-carrying steam-powered monoplane. Named Aerial this grand aircraft was envisioned with a remarkable wingspan of 150 feet and a weight of 3,000 pounds. Its propulsion was to be driven by a lightweight steam engine, crafted by Henson, capable of generating 50 horsepower. Henson and his collaborator John Stringfellow even dreamed of the Aerial Transit Company with a fleet of such airplanes, each capable of carrying 10 to 12 passengers across the Atlantic Ocean to exotic locations like Egypt and China. In 1848, Henson and Stringfellow constructed a scaled-down version of their monoplane, with a wingspan of ten feet and two contra-rotating six-bladed propellers mounted in the rear in a push-type system. To prevent wind from destabilizing its flight, the engineers conducted their experiments within the confines of a disused lace factory in Chard. The testing space, measuring approximately 20 meters in length and 3.7 meters in height, provided a controlled environment for their endeavors. A guide wire was attached to prevent the airplane from veering off its course. This inclined wire occupied less than half the length of the room and left space at the end for the machine to clear the floor. When the steam engine was fired up, the machine started down the wire and gradually rose until it reached the farther end of the room, where it struck a sheet of canvas placed there to halt its progress. This was the first flight in history for a propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft. The Aerial Steam Carriage as imagined by the lithographer W. L Walton. Despite the initial success, subsequent endeavors were unfruitful. Later models built to larger dimensions failed to sustain flight, dashing hopes of realizing the grand vision of the Aerial Transit Company's passenger-carrying monoplane. Henson got disheartened and quit leading to the dissolution of the company in 1848. But Stringfellow persisted in his pursuit of powered flight alongside his son, constructing another 10-foot model propelled by a compact steam engine of his own design. It weighed just 9 pounds. Multiple witnesses attested to its gradual ascent upon launch during several instances in 1848. Stringfellow himself harbored confidence in these demonstrations, viewing them as proof of the viability of powered flight. Stringfellow built many more model airplanes and engines, before exhibiting a model steam-powered triplane and a model steam engine in the aeronautical exhibition at Crystal Palace in June 1868. He garnered acclaim from the Royal Aeronautical Society, which awarded his engine a prize of 100 for its outstanding power-to-weight ratio among the fifteen engines showcased. A model of Ariel in Chard, Somerset. Photo credit: mambo13/Flickr Although John Stringfellow's contributions have largely faded from the annals of history, a bronze model of his invention stands proudly in Chard's Fore Street in Somerset, with additional models preserved in the collection of the Science Museum in London. Notably, Chard's museum hosts a distinctive exhibition showcasing the evolution of flight predating the era of internal combustion engines and the iconic manned, powered flight pioneered by the Wright Brothers. Aside from aeronautics, Stringfellow persevered in many other fields, such as photography, becoming proficient enough to advertise himself as a professional portrait photographer at his studio near the family home in Chard High Street. The studios in Chard and in Crewkerne are where some of his flying vehicle machines were photographed. Stringfellow also invented and patented compact electric batteries, which were used in early medical treatment. Congressional lawmakers unveiled the details of the first six spending bills that would fund the government to avert a potential shutdown. On Sunday, officials announced a package of the half a dozen annual appropriation bills that are set to be voted on next week. The situation is crucial as it sets the stage for Congress to avoid a partial government shutdown that could come on Mar. 8 if officials do nothing. Averting a Government Shutdown Top Democratic and Republican lawmakers from both chambers announced agreements on bills that would fund a raft of less controversial government agency budgets until Sept. 30. The agencies that would be funded by the bills include the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Housing, and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs. The newly unveiled bills feature slight funding increases or reductions but overall avoid the drastic cuts that House Republican hardliners have been demanding. Despite the efforts, lawmakers have not announced agreement on the remaining six appropriation bills, as per Axios. These would include the massive and controversial budgets of the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services. The money that would go to fund those agencies is set to run out on Mar. 22, which gives Congress only a few weeks to work out the remaining disagreements and pass the bills. Democratic lawmakers celebrated the lack of significant cuts or right-wing policy riders. On the other hand, Republican officials touted the cuts to the EPA, FBI, and ATF, as well as certain environmental and law enforcement policy victories. In a statement, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said that even with a divided government and a historically small House majority, the GOP worked hard to successfully move the policy and spending priorities of the federal government away from the previous Pelosi-Schumer FY23 appropriations. Read Also: Donald Trump Supports Montana Sen. Steve Daines To Succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP Senate Leader Voting on the Appropriations Bills The partial budget deal is seen as a step forward in the efforts to secure a permanent budget plan for the rest of the fiscal year, which started on Oct. 1. Despite not having agreed on the second half of the bills, lawmakers touted the success of the first round of discussions for the appropriation bills, according to CNBC. Democratic lawmakers see the development as a victory for its continued full funding of a special food assistance program for women, infants, and children. They were also able to secure wins on rent assistance and pay for infrastructure employees such as air traffic controllers and railway inspectors. In a statement released on Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that throughout the negotiations, Democrats fought hard to protect against cuts to housing and nutrition programs and keep harmful provisions out of the way. The new package totals more than $459 billion and includes side adjustments such as emergency money. However, the second half of the appropriations bills contain roughly 70% of the overall funding and the most controversial policy decisions. Johnson, in touting the funding package, pointed to language that would block the Department of Justice (DOJ) from targeting parents who speak before school boards. The speaker also noted policy that would preserve gun rights for military veterans who need fiduciary help with their VA benefits, said Politico. Related Article: Nikki Haley Wins Washington Republican Primary Against Donald Trump Canadas Competition Bureau is expanding its probe into Googles digital advertising services business with a court order, per a press release. The order gives the Competition Bureau, which is an independent law enforcement agency in Canada, permission to continue its investigation. The antitrust review from Canada is just one of many from governments around the world. Following the Federal Court of Canada decision, Google will have to supply the Competition Bureau Canada with information and records that pertain to the probe. The scope of the investigation will be expanding due to the court order. The Competition Bureau initially opened the probe in 2020. It was centered around uncovering potential anti-competitive practices used by Google. As the dominant company in search, Google had a unique ability to scale its ad-tech businesses. Specifically, the agency was interested in whether Canadas online advertising industry was harmed by anti-competitive practices. That investigation is still ongoing today, around four years after it initially began. Advertisement Advertisement Now, the Competition Bureau will look at Googles advertising services holistically. The agency will also review Googles pricing for ad-tech services, and whether that pricing was predatory. This tactic of predatory pricing can be used by big companies to lower costs due to their massive scale. That way, competitors cant match the pricing due to their smaller customer base. Its important to note that no findings have been released yet. The investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time, the Competition Bureau Canada said in a statement regarding the probe. The agency notes that Google owns four major ad services used in Canada: DoubleClick for Publishers, AdX, Display & Video 360, and Google Ads. With this in mind, the Competition Bureau is trying to see if Google violated the Competition Act. What Google says about the Competition Bureau Canada probe Though the company hasnt publicly commented on the probes much, Google did provide Reuters with a statement. A spokesperson said that Google will continue to engage constructively with the Canadian Competition Bureau and demonstrate the benefits of our products to Canadian businesses and consumers. The company also claimed that Googles services work, which is why they are so ubiquitous. Canadian businesses choose to use our advertising products because theyre effective and reliable at helping them reach their customers and grow, the spokesperson added. Google is facing antitrust claims from nearly all fronts, as pointed out by The Register. Its up against a 2.1 billion lawsuit in the EU, among others. Earlier today, Samsung announced that the Gaalxy A55 and Galaxy A35 will debut on March 11. While the official launch is still a few days away, two European retailers have jumped the gun. French telecom company Orange and Polish electronics retailer RTV Euro AGD listed the upcoming devices on their websites with detailed specs. European retailers have prematurely listed the Galaxy A55 & A35 After a series of leaks, Samsung today confirmed that the Gaalxy A55 and Galaxy A35 will go official on Monday, March 11. The launch event will take place in India. The company didnt reveal the release date for the phones. It usually opens sales in most global markets about a week after the launch. The US release comes a week or two after that. Advertisement Advertisement While we wait for the official unveiling next Monday, some European retailers cant seem to wait. Orange and RTV Euro AGD have already published product pages for the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 on their official websites. The listings dont have a release date or price details but contain detailed specs of the duo. Orange has even named the unannounced Exynos 1480 processor powering the A55. If these listings are accurate, the Galaxy A55 wont bring a camera upgrade over the Galaxy A54 but will feature a larger display. It is said to come with a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 10802340 pixels resolution. Earlier leaks said the screen will boast a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,000 nits of peak brightness. The device measures 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm in dimension and is expected to feature a metallic frame. The Exynos 1480 chipset will be paired with at least 6GB of RAM, with leaks hinting at 8GB and 12GB RAM variants as well. Storage options may include 128GB and 256GB, though we wouldnt rule out the possibility of a 512GB model. The Galaxy A55 will pack a 5,000mAh battery, likely with 25W fast wired charging. You also get IP67 dust and water resistance and an under-display fingerprint scanner. Galaxy A35 gets a camera upgrade These leaks from European retailers confirm a camera upgrade for the Galaxy A35. It features a 50MP primary shooter (Galaxy A34 has a 48MP main camera). Samsung has equipped the device with the Galaxy A54s Exynos 1380 processor. The rest of the setup is largely unchanged, including the build quality. Unlike the Galaxy A55, it doesnt have a metallic frame. Stay tuned for the official launch next Monday. Google, once considered nearly an unstoppable force in Silicon Valley, has come down to earth a bit in recent months and years. There have been mass layoffs, drops in employee morale, and critical missteps in artificial intelligence. Google is trying to rapidly advance its AI developments and product offerings, but the company is still seen as lagging behind the likes of OpenAI and Microsoft. All these factors came to a head last month when Google pulled the plug on Geminis AI image generation tool after receiving national backlash. Thats why some well-respected members of the tech community are calling on Googles CEO to step down. One analyst, Ben Thompson, said as much in his Stratechery newsletter. Thompson described Google as needing a transformation. He compared the inflection point that Google faces now to the one that Microsoft faced years ago. Google, with a near-total monopoly in search, might think it is invincible. According to Thompson, the fix might be a massive leadership shakeup, including having the Google CEO step down. Advertisement Advertisement That means, first and foremost, excising the company of employees attracted to Googles power and its potential to help them execute their political program, and return decision-making to those who actually want to make a good product, said Thompson. That, by extension, must mean removing those who let the former run amok, up to and including CEO Sundar Pichai. Satya Nadella came into his post as CEO of Microsoft at a time when the company needed to reposition itself. A leader such as Nadella is what Google needs, according to Thompson. For that to happen, Googles current CEO Pichai might need to step down. Why are people calling for Googles CEO to step down? Google, like many tech companies right now, is struggling. However, compared to the rest of the industry, Pichais leadership has been specifically called into question. Thats because, at a time when layoffs are perpetual, Pichai hasnt done a great job at steadying the ship. In fact, when Google employees expressed concern about layoffs earlier this year, the CEO only told them to expect more. Advertisement But perhaps Googles biggest mistake of late was how it handled image generation in Gemini, the companys AI chatbot. Due to the predisposition for bias that comes with using AI, Google decided to overcompensate. Whenever it was asked to generate a person, Gemini actively created people of color. That led to situations where Gemini was consistently generating multicultural Nazi soldiers, among others. Google was forced to apologize and suspend image generation in Gemini indefinitely. Its the latest misstep for Google, with Pichai at the helm. Thats why were starting to see calls for the Google CEO to step down. Currently, Samsung is hosting its annual Discover Samsung Spring sale, which is seeing loads of great discounts across most of its products, including its newest pair of earbuds Galaxy Buds FE. These debuted last year, and we quite liked them. Today, you can save $10 off of the regular price, making them just $89. The Galaxy Buds FE (Fan Edition) represents Samsungs latest stride towards combining top-notch audio quality with affordability, offering a compelling choice for music enthusiasts and everyday users alike. These earbuds encapsulate the essence of what makes a great audio accessory: impeccable sound, seamless connectivity, and comfort, all wrapped up in a price point thats hard to overlook. Advertisement Advertisement One of the standout features of the Galaxy Buds FE is their sound quality. Tailored by audio experts, these buds deliver crisp, clear highs and deep, punchy lows, ensuring every note and beat of your favorite tracks are rendered with precision. Whether youre an audiophile or someone who enjoys casual listening, the audio experience is immersive, making every genre of music a pleasure to listen to. Moreover, the Galaxy Buds FE boasts an array of intelligent features that enhance user experiencefrom automatic wear detection, pausing your music as soon as you take it out, to ambient sound mode, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings without compromising on audio quality. These features, combined with customizable touch controls, make the Buds FE not just earbuds but a versatile tool for daily use. The aspect of connectivity is where the Galaxy Buds FE genuinely shines. With quick pairing to Samsung devices and a stable Bluetooth connection, switching between devices is seamless, making them an excellent choice for those entrenched in the Samsung ecosystem or even users with devices from other brands. Advertisement Comfort is another critical factor that the Galaxy Buds FE addresses with finesse. Designed to fit snugly in your ear, they come with multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a perfect fit for every user. This design consideration means you can wear them for extended periods, whether youre working out, commuting, or just relaxing at home, without experiencing discomfort. Finally, the price-to-performance ratio of the Galaxy Buds FE makes them a compelling purchase. Offering features and quality often reserved for higher-end models, the Buds FE provides exceptional value. They are an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their audio experience without breaking the bank, blending quality, functionality, and affordability in a way few others can match. Buy at Samsung Samsungs March update is widely rolling out to the Galaxy S24 series in the US. The update is available nationwide for carrier-locked and unlocked units across all major networks. It brings over 40 security fixes, including patches for at least two critical Android OS vulnerabilities. Galaxy S24 widely getting the March update in the US Samsung released the March 2024 security update for the GalaxyS 24 series on the first day of the month. The rollout began in Europe and soon expanded to other regions. While it isnt yet available globally, users in the US can now download the latest release regardless of their device variant or network provider. Advertisement Advertisement This update for the carrier-locked Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra bears the firmware build number S928USQS1AXBG in the US. It is S928U1UES1AXBG for unlocked units. International versions of the phones also received the same build (AXBG). Like in other regions, Samsungs official release notes in the US also only mention the latest security fixes. While patch details werent available on March 1, the company has now published the content of its latest SMR (Security Maintenance Release) for Galaxy devices. It patches two critical and more than 30 high-severity Android OS vulnerabilities. Additionally, the new security release contains patches for nine Samsung Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE) items. SVEs are security issues exclusively affecting Samsungs Android products. The Korean firm patched issues with AppLock, bootloader, CustomFrequencyManagerService, and other system services. If you have yet to receive this update on your Galaxy S24, you should soon. You can check for new updates from the Software update menu in the Settings app that comes preloaded on the phone. Advertisement Dont expect anything more than the latest security patches, though. The first update, which rolled out just a few weeks ago, brought camera improvements and other fixes to the Galaxy S24 lineup. Samsung may be working on a new feature update but this one is all about security enhancements. It will keep your Galaxy S24 safe from the latest Android OS and Galaxy vulnerabilities. Other Galaxy devices will soon get this update The Galaxy S24 series is the first to receive Samsungs March security update. The company has yet to expand the release to other models. However, it is just a matter of time now. The new SMR will soon roll out to the likes of the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy A54, and more. You can check for software updates anytime from the Settings app. Microsoft is tipped to launch the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 laptops, with two variants each. It seems that Microsoft is positioning its laptop as a rival to the recently launched M3 MacBook Air devices. Additionally, these laptops will be the debut platform for Snapdragon X Elite chips, positioned by Qualcomm as a competitor to Apple silicon. Crucially, Qualcomm has touted significant performance advancements, and these devices will demonstrate the extent to which they fulfill those promises. Microsoft Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 might launch soon Windows Central reports that there will be two variants each. The one that releases later this month on March 21, will run Intel Core Ultra processors. Meanwhile, Microsoft will announce the much-anticipated Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface devices in June. This hints that these will be the first laptops powering the Snapdragon X Elite processor. Reportedly, the Intel Core Ultra-powered Surface laptops could be better suited for businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Delving more into details, Microsoft will move the Surface Pro 10 to an OLED screen for a more premium experience. Additionally, the upcoming Surface Pro 10 (X Elite) version will have a wide webcam, NFC reader, and a screen that shows better colors. Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 6 gets a minor design overhaul with thinner bezels and rounded corners. Plus, theres a new haptic touchpad with two USB-C and one USB-A on the left, along with the magnetic Surface Connect charger port on the right. However, both the variants will have a special Copilot key allowing users to jump to Copilot with just a press. Microsoft is also planning to add more AI features to Windows 11, which they might discuss at the Build conference. Whats more in the pipeline includes an AI explorer similar to Windows 10s Timeline feature. You could search for stuff by using keywords, but smartly. Itll likely come with the Windows 11 24H2 update. Both the OnePlus 13 and the Xiaomi 15 series are said to utilize ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners. This information comes from two separate sources, Digital Chat Station and Smart Pikachu. Both of those are Chinese tipsters, and each of them tips that sensor for one of the two phones. The OnePlus 13 & Xiaomi 15 series are said to use ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners Both companies have been using in-display fingerprint scanners for a while. The thing is, both have been relying on optical in-display fingerprint scanners. That will change with the next generation of flagship phones, though, it seems. Advertisement Advertisement Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners are more advanced and more secure at the same time. There are a number of advantages, so its great to see that both companies are planning to take a step forward. Theyre not only more secure but can be activated while the display is off by simply playing your finger around the area where the scanner is placed. You dont need to previously tap the display. Theyre usually also more accurate, and so on. Do note that both companies are allegedly testing such fingerprint scanners for the aforementioned devices. Still, nothing guarantees that theyll actually be used. So well have to wait in order to be sure. The Xiaomi 15 will keep a flat display, while the Ultra will utilize a curved one One of the tipsters also mentioned that the Xiaomi 15 will keep a flat display. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra will go for a curved display just like its predecessor, it is said. Thats not surprising at all, Xiaomi is sticking with its practice. These two companies will also be amongst the first to utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. A recent report suggested that the OnePlus 13 will be the very first phone to use it. Xiaomi will not be far behind, as its usually the first to do so, as was last year with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 series are expected to launch in Q4 this year. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra will likely arrive in Q1 next year. The Oscars are right around the corner, and youre probably planning on what kind of snacks to buy during the event. However, what are you going to do in the lead-up to the event? If you dont know, Google TV will get you prepared for the Oscars by offering certain movies to watch living up to the event. In case you dont know, the Oscars are happening on March 10th, which is the upcoming Sunday. Because of this, Google is giving you access to a selection of movies to get you into the spirit. Starting off, youll get ad-supported access to 30 Oscar-winning movies from the past. Unfortunately, Google did not say which movies these are. Youre just going to have to log on to your Google TV device and find out. Advertisement Advertisement Along with those movies, Google TV is also going to showcase movies starring Oscar-winning women and female directors. Its doing this in observance of National Womens Month. So, if youre unfamiliar with all of the wonderful woman directors out there, this will allow you to discover them. Google TV is getting ready for the Oscars Whats perhaps the funnest part of this showcase is the fact that Google TV is going to be showing off movies that are currently running up for an Oscar. These movies include Barbie, Killer Of The Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, and others. These movies have made waves throughout the movie industry over the past year. Notably, Barbie and Oppenheimer, two of the most anticipated movies of 2023, were combined into Barbenheimer. Last, but not least, Google TV users will be able to watch the Countdown to Oscars: On the Red Carpet Live pre-show event. This will happen on the day of the Oscars, and it will be streamed through the ABC channel on Google TV. Advertisement Dont have Google TV? Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to watch Google TV is through a Chromecast dongle. Current Chromecast dongles come with Google TV loaded. If youre interested in getting a Chromecast dongle, there are two options. The HD option gives you streaming up to 1080p. This one cost $29.99. If you want a sharper image, then you can shell out for the 4K model. This model cost $49.99. Check out the Chromecast using the link below. Check out the Chromecast Wit Google TV dongles China should adopt regulations to address AI copyright infringements: CPPCC member Global Times) 10:10, March 05, 2024 China should adopt regulations to clarify the fundamental issues of copyright protection in the field of artificial intelligence, as copyright infringement is regarded as one of the biggest obstacles to promoting industry flourishing, a political advisor proposed at the annual two sessions. The explosive development of large generative artificial intelligence models represented by ChatGPT has brought unprecedented challenges to the copyright industry and artistic creation, and even poses a huge potential risk to the foundation of high-quality development of artistic creation and cultural prosperity, Qiu Huadong, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, wrote in his proposal. He noticed the fact that developers commonly use a large amount of copyrighted content in training activities without obtaining authorization from the rights holders or paying them compensation. At the same time, Qiu said rights holders are unable to clearly understand how artificial intelligence uses their works, which is also one of the biggest obstacles to protecting their rights. This violates the provisions of the Civil Code and the Copyright Law. In China, reactions to copyright of content generated by artificial intelligence have been mixed, Qiu said, adding that judgments of Chinese courts are not consistent either. Besides, the theoretical arguments are often lacking, failing to provide guidance to rights holders, developers, and users of artificial intelligence, and users of content generated by artificial intelligence, which has hindered the orderly and positive development of the related market, the CPPCC further noted. Using artificial intelligence programs to generate fake voices, and generate videos and audios could not only constitute serious infringement on natural persons' portrait rights, voice rights, name rights, and other personality rights and personal information but also pose a risk of confusing the public's visual and auditory perception through the use of deep synthesis techniques, he added. The Beijing Internet Court ruled in an initial decision that an AI-generated image in an intellectual property dispute was an artwork protected by copyright law, which is the first case of its kind ruled in China. The court recognized the picture generated via text-to-image AI image generator should be considered "artwork" under the protection of copyright laws based on the "originality" and intellectual input of its human creator. According to this announcement, the court ruled in the first-instance judgment requiring the defendant to issue a public apology and pay the plaintiff 500 yuan ($70.16) in compensation. The defendant did not seek to appeal the initial decision. However, the Global Times learned from some industry observers that the case emphasized whether the artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC) constitutes a work with copyright cannot be generalized but should be decided on a case-to-case basis. Most industry observers believed that writing prompts to generate a work is a simple task, resulting in minimal intellectual contribution to AI-generated image creation. To address the challenges brought by copyright infringement, Qiu proposed that the country should issue supporting regulations of the Copyright Law that clarify copyright infringements in the artificial intelligence industry. Without legal authorization, content protected by copyright and related rights should not be used in the training or pre-training process of artificial intelligence models, and it is not appropriate to include the training or pre-training activities of artificial intelligence models in the scope of fair use of copyright, he said. Those regulations should clearly stipulate that content generated solely by artificial intelligence without human creative participation should not be protected by copyright or related rights, Qiu noted. In addition, the standards for copyright protection of AI-generated works should be specified, such as the extent of human involvement and how to measure it (including but not limited to judicial practice activities). Furthermore, he said that China should issue relevant laws, regulations, and departmental rules that are able to ensure the use of copyright content can be traced. Apart from lawsuits relating to AI-generated images, China has also seen a first legal dispute over a virtual human. In July 2022, a technology company in Hangzhou uploaded a video to their Douyin account featuring Ada, a virtual human created by Shanghai-based Xmov Technology but failed to acknowledge Xmov as the original creators. The Hangzhou Internet Court later sided with Xmov, ordering the infringing company to pay 120,000 yuan in compensation. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Malaysian officials are reportedly in talks to renew efforts to search for the missing flight MH370, a decade after the aircraft's disappearance. The country's government said on Sunday that the discussions come after a United States technology firm proposed a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean. This is the region where the plane is believed to have crashed a decade ago. Finding Flight MH370 Anthony Loke, the transport minister of Malaysia, said that Texas-based Ocean Infinity has proposed another "no find, no fee" basis to search the seabeds and expands from the site where it first searched in 2018. The official said that he has invited the American company to meet him to evaluate new scientific evidence it has to find the plane's final resting place. He added that if the evidence is credible, he would seek the Cabinet's approval to sign a new contract with Ocean Infinity in order to resume the search for the missing aircraft, as per Politico. Loke said that the Malaysian government is steadfast in its resolve to locate flight MH370, adding that they are hoping the new search efforts can find the aircraft and provide truth to the next of kin. His remarks were made during a remembrance event to mark the 10th anniversary of the jet's disappearance. The controversial flight was a Boeing 777 plane that was carrying 239 people onboard, most of whom were Chinese nationals. It took off from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, and was heading to Beijing, It vanished from radar shortly after it took off on Mar. 8, 2014. Satellite data showed that the plane deviated from its flight path and was believed to have crashed somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean. Following the incident, the world over was rife with conspiracy theories and bizarre explanations for the disappearance of the aircraft. Read Also: Germany Accuses Russia of 'Hybrid Disinformation Attack' Over Military Audio Leak Malaysia's Renewal of Search Operations The families of the passengers of the missing plane have called for a renewed search operation as they gathered ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the incident. They argued that they needed answers for the future of flight safety, according to The Guardian. Hundreds of relatives and supporters gathered on Sunday at a shopping center near Kuala Lumpur to pay their respects to the victims of the incident. Jacquita Gonzales, whose husband Patrick Gomes was an inflight supervisor onboard MH370, said that every year when Mar. 8 draws near, all of what happened on the day of the incident rushes back to him. Gonzales recalled watching the television hoping for good news about her husband that never arrived. She said that the only way to solve the problem was to find the plane that her husband was on. She argued that this was why it was important to continue search efforts and not let the dead remain a mystery. Bai Zhong, who is from China and whose wife was on flight MH370, said that it did not matter whether it was 10 years or 20 years. He said that as long as they are alive, they will not stop to press for the truth behind the incident, said the Associated Press. Related Article: Chinese Politicians Hold 'Two Sessions' Meeting To Address Beijing's Lagging Economy The Afghan Youth Orchestra (AYO) will now be allowed to perform in the UK after the Home Office reversed its decision to deny the group visas for entry. The AYO was due to perform at the Southbank Centre in London on Thursday as part of its Breaking the Silence tour, and the venues South Asian Sounds festival, before going on to perform concerts in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. The Sama Arts Network, which organised the tour, confirmed that the Home Office had U-turned on its decision on Monday evening to deny the AYO entry visas. The group fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power (Afghan Youth Orchestra/PA) Sama artistic director Jay Visvadeva told BBC Radio 4s The World Tonight programme: The good news has travelled to me from Portugal, that the Home Office has finally seen light of the day. The group an ensemble of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) had expressed its profound disappointment over the visa refusal in a statement on ANIMs website, and called on the Government department to reconsider its decision. The statement added: The visa refusal not only dealt a significant blow to the young musicians aspirations but also deprived these young musicians an opportunity to raise awareness through music about the gender apartheid against Afghan women and denial of cultural rights of the Afghan people by the Taliban. Dr Ahmad Sarmast, head of ANIM, said he was delighted to learn of the U-turn, adding: The new decision of the Home Office will enable members of the AYO not only to share the beauty of Afghan music with the audiences in four UK cities, but also to make music with young British musicians who join us in each city and further this latest development allows these young musicians to raise awareness about the ban of music in Afghanistan and systematic denial women rights by the Taliban. The group fled Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban, and its musicians have lived and studied in Portugal, where they were granted asylum, since December 2021. The orchestra has toured in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Tajikistan in recent months. The group were due to perform at the Southbank Centre in London (Afghan Youth Orchestra/PA) Diana Johnson, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the reversal of the Home Office decision was excellent news. It is understood the Southbank Centre performance will be rearranged, with relevant organisations looking at a possible date next week. A Home Office spokesperson said: Musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture. Applications have to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules. It is understood that the Home Office is working with organisers to ensure that consent is obtained for the minors to travel. A Home Office spokesperson said: Musicians and performers are a valued and important part of UK culture. Applications must be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules. Whilst their initial applications were refused, after the provision of additional information we are pleased they will be able to travel as soon as possible. The Army is set to remove a claim made on its website that the Princess of Wales is reviewing Trooping the Colour in June, the PA news agency understands. Tickets were being sold on the official website for the June 8 military spectacle, advertising an appearance by Kate, as of 8.30pm on Tuesday. The PA news agency understands the event details were published because of Kates role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment which is trooping its colour this year. A screengrab from the Trooping the Colour ticket website on Tuesday night (PA) However, it is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website is due to be updated. It also names the King as attending the main Trooping ceremony on June 15 also known as the Birthday Parade, because it marks the sovereigns official anniversary with bookings being taken for a ballot for tickets. The announcement had caused confusion because there had been no official confirmation from Kensington Palace or Buckingham Palace. A screengrab from the Trooping the Colour ticket website on Tuesday night (PA) Charles is receiving treatment for cancer and Kate is recovering from abdominal surgery, but it is understood planning for major royal events continues, with organisers remaining flexible in the event of possible changes. The princess has been spotted being driven close to her home in Windsor following huge speculation on social media about the state of her health. Only Kensington Palace, Kates official office, can announce her attendance at a royal event and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time. The Princess of Wales presents the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patricks Day Parade, at Mons Barracks in Aldershot in 2023 (PA) Kate left hospital on January 29 and is recuperating at her Adelaide Cottage home close to Windsor Castle after undergoing abdominal surgery but is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter. An image circulating online shows the princess, wearing sunglasses, sitting in the front seat of a car being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton. Since his diagnosis, the King has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and some in-person meetings. Charles was pictured earlier on Tuesday during a pre-Budget audience with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace, ahead of the politicians major financial statement on Wednesday. A SpaceX rocket safely lifted off from Florida on Sunday night carrying a crew of three US astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut on their way to the International Space Station (ISS) to oversee the arrival of two new rocketships during their half-year stint. The autonomously operated Crew Dragon spacecraft, Endeavor, atop a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, was launched at 10:53 pm from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the Atlantic coast. 4 Astronauts Head To ISS The astronauts should arrive at the orbiting lab on Tuesday. They will replace a crew from the US, Denmark, Japan, and Russia who have been there since August. After three days of delay due to strong wind, space station commander Andreas Mogensen asked on X, formerly Twitter, "When are you getting here already?" According to SpaceX Launch Control, it was "fashionably late." On Sunday night, there was nearly another postponement. Despite a last-minute rush of assessments due to a minor breach in the hatch seal, the SpaceX spacecraft was deemed safe for the duration of the flight. NASA has ordered two rocketships, which will arrive during the new crew's six-month stay. Test pilots will board Boeing's new Starliner capsule in late April. Sierra Space's Dream Chaser is a mini-shuttle that should arrive in a month or two. Read Also: Trader Joe's Recalls Signature Chicken Soup Dumplings Due to Possible Sharpie-like Plastic Contamination Astronauts Share Experience Originally, NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps was supposed to pilot Boeing's Starliner, but the aircraft stalled due to technical issues. NASA finally switched her to SpaceX. When she arrived in orbit, she stated, "I am in a New York state of mind right now. It is amazing," referencing the Billy Joel song. Epps, a native of Syracuse, New York, is the second Black woman assigned to a lengthy station mission. She expressed before the flight that she is proud to serve as an example for Black girls and show them that spaceflight is an option for them, that this is not just for other people. She worked as an engineer in 2009 before joining the CIA and Ford Motor Company. Epps was replaced in 2018 for never made public reasons, but she was supposed to launch a Russian rocket to the space station. Grebenkin, a former Russian military officer, and Dominick, a pilot in the Navy, are both new to space. Barratt is the oldest full-time astronaut to travel in space and is a doctor now serving his third mission. He turns 65 in April. "It's kind of like a roller coaster ride with a bunch of really excited teenagers," Barratt said after reaching orbit. As for his age, he said before the flight, "As long as we stay healthy and fit and engaged, we're good to fly." On the Russian side of the space station, flight controllers are keeping an eye on a growing leak in the cabin. NASA program manager Joel Montalbano reported that the leak has increased in size in the last two weeks and the areas has been blocked off. Furthermore, he noted that there is no impact on station operations or crew safety. Related Article: [BREAKING] Intuitive Machines' Odysseus Successfully Lands on Moon, Transmits Signal The Policing Board has been asked to set up an inquiry into allegations that journalists in Northern Ireland were subject to unlawful covert surveillance by police. Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have written to the board, the oversight body for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), raising serious concerns over how widespread the practice of surveillance of journalists and others may have been. It comes after a tribunal was told that police mounted a covert surveillance operation following the arrest of two journalists in a bid to unmask one of their sources. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) was told last week that the arrest of film makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney in 2018 was a disruptive tactic to see if the reporters would reach out to the source after their release from custody. The tribunal is examining allegations that the award-winning journalists were subject to unlawful covert surveillance by UK authorities. In 2018, Northern Ireland-based Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney were controversially arrested as part of a police investigation into the alleged leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a documentary they made on a Troubles massacre. The following year, the two journalists lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them. Patrick Corrigan has expressed concerns over surveillance in a letter to the Policing Board (Amnesty International/PA) The letter to Policing Board chairwoman Deirdre Toner, seen by the PA news agency, has been sent by Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty and Daniel Holder from the CAJ. It states: Our organisations continue to share serious concerns about how widespread the practice of the use of covert surveillance powers against journalists and others may have been. As you will appreciate, the IPT will be limited to the particular circumstances of the specific case before it, rather than the question of wider PSNI practices in this area. Despite these limitations, this case has already revealed that such surveillance and has been deployed against multiple journalists on multiple occasions under multiple chief constables a pattern of potential unlawful activity and breach of the European Convention of Human Rights. Given this, we are writing to again press for action from the Policing Board. They continued: We repeat our request to the board to conduct an inquiry, under the powers vested in you under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, into PSNI use of surveillance powers against journalists, lawyers and other human rights defenders. Failing that, we wish to enquire how the board plans to fulfil its role effectively ensuring PSNI human rights compliance with respect to this matter which not only has the potential to undermine public confidence in policing but also in policing oversight mechanisms. A Policing Board spokesperson said: The Policing Board will consider the correspondence received from Amnesty at its monthly meeting on Thursday. A PSNI spokesperson said: As legal proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment. A bankrupt British socialite and art dealer is in a High Court dispute over whether he is the owner of a centuries-old painting. James Stunt, the former son-in-law of ex-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, was declared bankrupt in June 2019. A trial in London heard he purchased Sir Anthony Van Dycks portrait, The Cheeke Sisters, in 2013 for 600,000, but his father, Geoffrey Stunt, has since claimed ownership of the artwork which is now valued at up to 4 million. The trial is being held at the Rolls Building in London (Nick Ansell/PA) Barristers for the trustees of James Stunts bankruptcy claim he owns the painting, but James and Geoffrey Stunt claim that Geoffrey owns the artwork. Joseph Curl KC, representing the trustees, said that this represented a significant injustice to his creditors. He said on Tuesday: It is common ground that Fergus Hall Limited sold the painting in January 2013. What is in dispute is to whom Fergus Hall Limited sold it. Mr Curl told the court that the painting was sold to James Stunt, who was made bankrupt on June 6 2019, but that Geoffrey Stunt claimed ownership of the item in 2020. But he said documents related to the sale proved that the company selling the painting believed James Stunt became and was always intended to be the owner of the painting. James Stunt married Mr Ecclestones daughter Petra in 2011 at a multimillion-pound ceremony at Odescalchi Castle, Rome, when an array of pop stars entertained them and 350 guests. The couple split in 2017. James Stunt did not attend court on Tuesday, but is expected to give evidence on Wednesday. Geoffrey Stunt was present in court. His barrister, Lee Schama, said: The trustees contend that the painting was purchased by or for James Stunt, and Geoffrey Stunt says the painting was purchased by and for himself. He continued: The short answer to that case is there is no evidence that James was the real source of funds. Bank evidence turns very much the other way. What Geoffrey Stunt contends is that he bought the painting by and for himself. He used his own funds and he intended to own it himself. It is as simple as that. Mr Schama told the court that James Stunts art collection numbered over two hundred paintings, including more than 20 by Van Dyck. Van Dyck was born in modern-day Belgium and came to work in England in 1632 at the invitation of King Charles I. The Cheeke Sisters: Essex, Countess of Manchester and Anne, Lady Rich was painted around 1640 and is one of a small collection of double portraits painted by the artist. The trial before Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Clive Jones is due to conclude on Thursday, with a judgment expected at a later date. Former X Factor judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh have been reunited on TV as they became the first stars to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house. The revived series on ITV kicked off with a secret mission for Osbourne and Walsh, who appeared on The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell for many years. The pair were given a secret lair where they will judge which three celebrity housemates to put in the danger zone before choosing one housemate to automatically face the public vote this week. As the first celebrity lodger to enter the house, Osbourne described herself as the original reality star. I am good fun to live with, so my husband says. Chaos, I dont cause it, it just seems to go on around me even though I do have a big spoon to mix it, she said in a pre-recorded video. I definitely say what is on my mind, I think at my age I have earned it. I am so excited to be involved with Celebrity Big Brother because it is going to be a bumpy ride. Walsh greeted Osbourne, saying what are we doing?, before telling Big Brother he was absolutely delighted to be reunited with Osbourne, adding weve got loads to catch up on. The voice of Big Brother told the pair: Ive brought the two of you back together because I know you are used to judging people on first impressions. Sharon, you have a decision to make, and Louis you are here to help Sharon make that decision. Walsh said in a pre-recorded video: I say things I shouldnt say, my mouth has got me into trouble. Im not easy to live with, I get up late, I go to bed late. Celebrities have massive egos, I hope I get on with them because I have an ego too. Ive never done anything like this in my life Im here just to have fun. Osbourne and Walsh sat in their secret lair as celebrities began entering the house, with Osbourne commenting on Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmins good looks, while Walsh said Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu had been on every show. Osbourne later berated Walsh for saying Coronation Street star Colson Smith had big ears. The pair were unsure after the entry of ITV2 Ibiza Weekender star David Potts. Speaking about his outfit a short black dress Osbourne said: Hes wearing nothing I have to see whether (his personality) is put on or if its natural. She later added: His fruit and veg are hanging down in the front, and I find that a little bit disturbing. I wasnt looking, you cant help but see hes jumping up and down. Walsh said: Hes a bit much for me. He also recognised US star Marisha Wallace as she entered the house as the Broadway and West End star who has appeared in shows including Dream Girls. She sang And I Am Telling You to the live audience before entering the house. Osbourne and Walsh did not appear to initially recognise Gary Goldsmith, the uncle of the Princess of Wales. In a pre-recorded video, Goldsmith said the simply perfect Kate would be watching from behind a sofa, while also recalling the first time he met the Prince of Wales, who offered him a cup of tea. I often read that people think Im a bit of a bad boy, itll be lovely to put the record straight. But winding people up is probably my favourite hobby. Every part of me is riddled with mischief and danger. Im an absolute nightmare to live with, theres a reason Ive had four wives. Later, Walsh was trying to work out Goldsmiths relationship to British royalty, saying so her mother is his brother. He also seemed shocked that business owner and Dragons Den star Levi Roots knows everybodys names after he greeted all the housemates individually. Walsh said he was glad that the final housemate revealed was former This Morning presenter Fern Britton, who said she was excited for an adventure. Shes been on TV forever, they all recognise her shes a pro. Im glad shes in, she wont know the rest of them, Walsh said. Other celebrities who entered the house included British TV presenter Zeze Millz, Lauren Simon, who shot to fame on The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, and Heartstoppers Bradley Riches. Celebrity Big Brother will continue to air on ITV. The UK and France will lead a new customs partnership designed to disrupt the supply chain of small boats as part of measures to tackle crossings in the Channel. Home Secretary James Cleverly hosted a meeting in Brussels on Monday of the Calais Group of northern European countries, which are invited to join the initiative to prevent materials used in the vessels from being shipped to northern France from where they launch. The customs partnership demonstrates our enduring commitment to smashing the business model of criminal gangs and stopping the boats, Mr Cleverly said after the meeting to discuss further co-operation on curbing irregular immigration. It comes as more than 2,500 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel. The Cabinet minister also called for tougher legislation in Europe to crack down on criminal activity, such as tougher punishment for facilitating illegal migration, according to the Home Office. Under the new customs partnership, countries along the supply chain would share information in a bid to hamper the shipments of parts used in assembling dinghies that carry migrants from France to the UK, such as engines and inflatable materials. Britain and France, which will launch the partnership straightaway, have invited other Calais Group nations Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to discuss it in detail next month in the hope of getting them swiftly signed up. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, by a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) Ministers at the meeting also discussed their renewed commitment to ramp up work with social media firms to tackle online activity by people-smuggling networks. The Home Secretary also spoke about the implementation of the UKs recent deal with the EUs Frontex external border agency to exchange intelligence and collaborate on training, new technology and operations. Mr Cleverly said: Working closely with our European neighbours is fundamental to solving the illegal migration crisis. Global problems require global solutions, and the UK is leading the conversation around the changes needed to crack down on people smugglers and break their supply chains. The Calais Group is central to our mission, and we have already made significant progress by reducing small boat crossings by 36%. Our new customs partnership demonstrates our enduring commitment to smashing the business model of criminal gangs and stopping the boats. The grouping last met in December 2022. Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: For more than two years Labour has called on the Conservatives to work with France and other countries to smash the criminal smuggling gangs and to go after their supply chains in order to stop the boats reaching the French coast in the first place. But this catch-up announcement from the Home Secretary still goes nowhere near far enough. It only includes France when the supply chains stretch through many different European countries. It still doesnt include a proper data-sharing agreement on criminal information held by other European police forces, and there is no additional UK policing resources to work with Europol and others to crack down on the gangs in practice. Labour would use the money currently being wasted on the failing Rwanda plan to set up a new elite cross-border police unit, with officers posted directly to Europol to collaborate on joint investigations and to identify and seize boats upstream. France has been tasked with stepping up efforts to prevent Channel crossings in recent years by deploying more police and drawing on extra equipment and facilities after deals with the UK worth 191.3 million between 2018 and 2022, and 480 million that Rishi Sunak promised to spend between 2023 and 2026. Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel said France must take robust action to ensure taxpayers money invested in France is delivering the zero-tolerance approach to illegal migration we expect. She told the Express newspaper: I do think the French should do a lot more, quite frankly. Were paying them I think record sums of money. A former rough sleeper has told the homelessness minister not enough is being done to help people on the streets who he said were given false hope when the Government stepped up help temporarily during the pandemic. Felicity Buchan insisted tackling homelessness remains a huge priority for the Conservative Party, but acknowledged that a rise in rough sleeping confirmed by official figures last week was disappointing. Statistics showed that 3,898 people were estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 in England a rise of 27% from 2022 and an increase of 2,130 people since 2010 when the snapshot data was first recorded. Former rough sleeper Jamie Stockley spoke to Ms Buchan as she left an event at the Emmanuel Centre in London (Aine Fox/PA) Jamie Stockley approached the minister at an event for homeless charities and providers in Westminster on Tuesday and told her he had spent nine years sleeping rough whether that was in a tent or in a shop doorway. He said the UK is a top tier country where homelessness should not be a thing. As Ms Buchan exited the event at the Emmanuel Centre, the 35-year-old told her: Im sorry but the Conservatives are not doing enough, there isnt enough housing today. The minister replied: This is a huge priority for Government and our objective is to get people off the streets. Now clearly the numbers in the last count were 3,898. Every one is one too many. Were doing everything that we can in terms of outreach workers, hostel provision. Mr Stockley, who is based in St Albans and now volunteers with the housing association which helped him, interjected to say: But you housed everyone during Covid. Ive spent 9.5 years with the false hopes of the Government. You housed people through Covid and when Covid ended you took that away from them. They dont trust the Government because they were given false hope and it was taken away from them. They ended up back on the streets. He said he understood youre trying to help, but added: I just need to understand why its taken so long from there to get to this point, when theres so many people out there (sleeping rough). The Everyone In scheme was launched at the start of the pandemic to protect rough sleepers and helped thousands of people off the streets with many moving into longer-term accommodation. Ms Buchan restated that the Government is so focused on the issue, saying it has invested in more supported housing and more wraparound services. She added: Im sorry that youve had a bad experience but I just want to let you know that we are so focused on trying to solve these problems. Mr Stockley said: I get that and I do hope that it does get better because were in the United Kingdom, were supposed to be a top-tier country. Homelessness should not be a thing in this country regardless of who you are or where you come from. Ms Buchan replied: Absolutely, I completely agree. An expert group last year predicted the Government will not meet its target to end rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament, which was a 2019 manifesto commitment. Ms Buchan and her counterpart, shadow homelessness minister Mike Amesbury, both made speeches at the event, organised by Homeless Link and Riverside Housing Association, stating their commitment to tackling housing issues including temporary accommodation. But neither made a firm commitment to build 90,000 social homes a year, a pledge charities have said must be made by the next government. Fiona Colley, director of social change at Homeless Link, said while the commitment to work on the issue of homelessness from both politicians was welcome, details are necessary. She said: We now need details concrete and specific pledges that will be effective at reversing the current appalling trends and shifting the focus from crisis management to prevention, so that everyone has a safe, secure home and people are not subjected to the traumas of homelessness in the first place. John Glenton, executive director of care and support at Riverside, said he was heartened that politicians from both major parties showed they understand the need for more social homes today. He added: However, words must turn into action. We will be scrutinising the manifestos and progress on delivering more social homes in the coming months and years to make sure that more desperately needed social homes are delivered. New figures published by the Government on Tuesday showed there were 86,945 children aged under 10 in temporary accommodation in England at the end of June 2023. Some 19,430 of these children were under one-year-old. The data came a day after the Households in Temporary Accommodation All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) said 55 children had died between April 1 2019 and March 31 2023, where living in temporary accommodation was recorded as a possible contributory factor. The mother of murdered Emma Caldwell will meet First Minister Humza Yousaf on Tuesday and will attend further meetings with the chief constable of Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate to discuss the need for a public inquiry into the investigation of her killing. Margaret Caldwell, her family and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, will meet Mr Yousaf at Bute House on Tuesday afternoon. They will then meet with Chief Constable Jo Farrell, of Police Scotland, on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning, they will meet with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain. Mrs Caldwell has called for a criminal investigation into the handling of the case after it took almost 19 years to bring her daughters killer to justice. Emma Caldwell died in 2005 (Family handout/PA) Last Wednesday, Iain Packer was jailed for life with a recommendation that he serve at least 36 years after being found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of murdering 27-year-old Emma in 2005 and of multiple offences involving other women. However, Mrs Caldwell said an inquiry could take many years to set up and is also calling for a criminal investigation led by an outside police force and steered by independent prosecutors to scrutinise the conduct of authorities, the Sunday Post newspaper reported. Mrs Caldwell told the newspaper: The only thing the Crown Office should have been announcing after the trial was an immediate and independent criminal investigation. It is not just my family that needs reassurance about our justice system. Everyone in Scotland needs that reassurance. Packer was also convicted of 11 rapes and 21 further charges including sexual assaults and abduction, involving multiple women, over 26 years. The Crown Office said that following a full independent investigation, Crown Counsel concluded that there was insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwells murder. However, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available, as in all cases. First Minister Humza Yousaf has said a public inquiry into the investigation of Packer is not off the table. First Minister Humza Yousaf has not ruled out a public inquiry (PA) Mrs Caldwell welcomed the possibility of a public inquiry but said there can be no more delay. She told the newspaper: I was 57 when Emma died and Im 78 now. How long must I wait to be told exactly who failed Emma and why? I have no patience for more talk and empty promises. Only actions count now. Police Scotland has apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and Packers other victims, admitting they were let down by policing. Miss Caldwell was reported missing by her family in April 2005 and her body was found the following month in Limefield Woods, near Roberton, South Lanarkshire. In 2015, a Sunday Mail newspaper story branded Packer the forgotten suspect and Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case that year following instruction from the Lord Advocate. Mrs Caldwell said that her husband Willie died of cancer and with a broken heart in 2011 before seeing justice for his daughter. She said her daughter always said she would come home and sort herself out, adding every day it breaks my heart that she never got the chance. A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: This week, the Lord Advocate will meet with Emmas family and their solicitor to answer questions about the investigation and criminal proceedings. We feel that to respect this meeting it would not be appropriate to comment publicly on matters which should be discussed first with Emmas family. However, we can confirm a previous statement that, following a full independent investigation, Crown Counsel concluded that there was insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwells murder. As in all cases, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available. Iain Packer was jailed for life at the High Court in Glasgow (Police Scotland/PA) Following Packers conviction on Wednesday, Assistant Chief Constable for major crime and public protection Bex Smith said: Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case in 2015 after instruction from the Lord Advocate. It is clear that further investigations should have been carried out into Emmas murder following the initial inquiry in 2005. The lack of investigation until 2015 caused unnecessary distress to her family and all those women who had come forward to report sexual violence. Police said that, over seven years, a full review of the original inquiry by Strathclyde Police in 2005 was completed. A spokesperson said: As part of the re-investigation, a report was also sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to the Strathclyde Police investigation. Jeremy Hunt looks set to unveil a 2p cut to national insurance as he uses the Budget to woo voters ahead of this years general election. The Chancellor is widely reported to have decided to cut national insurance rather than the more expensive option of a 2p reduction in income tax. The move comes as he attempts to both revive the British economy and address an opinion poll deficit which suggests Rishi Sunaks party is on course to be ousted at the election. The final preparations are under way for the Spring Budget 2024. Watch Chancellor @Jeremy_Hunt deliver his speech to the @HouseofCommons live across HM Treasury channels tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/OGHpAK6hGa HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) March 5, 2024 Downing Street would not be drawn on the prospect of a cut to national insurance, with the Prime Ministers official spokesman saying: Im not going to get drawn on any of the Budget speculation. Treasury sources also refused to comment ahead of the Chancellors statement on Wednesday. But The Times said the cut, worth 450 on average, would come in from April and the decision was taken after Mr Hunt decided against reducing income tax. It said the decision was taken after the fiscal watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility downgraded the amount of headroom available for delivering tax cuts or spending commitments within the Chancellors rule of having debt falling as a share of gross domestic product by 2029. Experts warned that a 2p reduction in national insurance contributions would not by itself be enough to stop the tax burden reaching record levels by the end of this decade. The Chancellor will reportedly announce a 2p cut to National Insurance contributions in tomorrows Budget. Based on forecasts from last autumn, that tax cut would not by itself be enough to prevent taxes as a share of GDP from rising to record levels in 2028-29. pic.twitter.com/NQLqdl3aAr Institute for Fiscal Studies (@TheIFS) March 5, 2024 The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the measure would not prevent taxes rising to around 37% of GDP by 2028-29. The Resolution Foundation think tank said the combination of another 2p cut on top of the 2p reduction which came into effect in January would be worth up to 1,500 a year for employees. But, combined with freezes in the thresholds at which national insurance is paid, it will mean that the biggest net beneficiaries are those earning 50,000, who gain a net 1,200, the foundation said. Those earning 19,000 or less will actually be worse off overall as they lose more from the threshold freeze than they gain from rate cuts. The Resolution Foundation said the 20 billion of cuts to employee national insurance are set against the context of around 35 billion of tax rises through the six-year personal tax threshold freeze. Adam Corlett, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: There are huge questions about whether Britain can really afford 20 billion of tax cuts this year, given the insufficient outlook for public spending and the need to reduce our national debt. But the Chancellor has at least opted for a better approach than cutting income tax rates prioritising workers who face higher tax rates than landlords and pensioners. The King held a pre-Budget audience with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace (Aaron Chown/PA) But, while this is going to be a tax-cutting election year, it is sandwiched between significant past and future tax rises, with the Budget likely to only add to the number of tax increases coming in after the election. Options to raise money to fund a giveaway could include reducing the scope of non-dom tax relief, which Labour has said it would scrap to fund services such as the NHS. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told LBC Mr Hunt adopting the partys policy will cause us no grief whatsoever, because shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves is already several moves ahead of the Chancellor. But on Sky News, Mr Streeting said well have to look at other alternatives to fund Labours spending plans because weve already made those commitments. (PA Graphics) The Chancellor attended a pre-Budget audience with the King at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The audience is traditionally a private one but, this time, the King was photographed shaking hands with Mr Hunt in the Private Audience Room of the royal residence. The King is continuing with his official duties as he is treated for cancer. Trade minister Greg Hands insisted the UK is seeing economic better times coming up and the spring Budget will reflect that, despite warnings of real-terms cuts to NHS funding in the coming financial year. A responsible Budget would involve giving people a bit of a tax break this year and still keeping a record amount of funding into public services, he told Sky News. Appearing on ITVs Good Morning Britain, Mr Hands said: I think we are seeing economic better times coming up and I think the Budget will reflect that. The introduction of a national insurance cut in April will fuel speculation about a May general election, but Mr Hands suggested that is not on the cards. The Prime Minister has indicated his working assumption is for polling day to be in the second half of 2024. The latest round of Budget speculation came as economic think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said an already-strained health service could face a cut worth 2 billion in day-to-day spending in England the largest reduction since the 1970s. Mr Hunt on Monday indicated that a more efficient public sector could give him greater scope for tax cuts. The IFS urged him to deliver more top-up spending for the NHS in Wednesdays announcement, rather than hold back extra money until later in the year as he has done previously. Layla Davis, 3, is one of only 100 people in the world with 'uncombable hair syndrome. (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) A little girl, who has been nicknamed "Fluffy" by her preschool pals due to her frizzy hair, is one of only 100 people in the world with 'uncombable hair syndrome' a rare condition, which leaves her hair impossible to brush. Since she was a toddler Layla Davis has been attracting attention for her unusual blonde locks, which cannot be combed flat. Now three, she has just started at nursery where her soft, sticky-up hair has led to her being nicknamed 'Fluffy.' Layla has been diagnosed with uncombable hair syndrome (UHS) - a condition characterised by dry, frizzy hair which defies attempts to tame it. UHS develops in childhood, often between infancy and age three but can appear as late as twelve. Children who develop it tend to have light-coloured hair and there are only around 100 cases in the world. Layla's unique hair attracts attention. (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) Layla's mum, Charlotte Davis, 30, says that while her daughter's hair has grown a little longer, it hasn't really changed in the past year. "Her preschool friends call her 'Fluffy' because of her hair as there is another Layla in her class," she explains. Charlotte says the other children are never negative about Layla's hair, which has a knock on impact on her daughter's confidence. "She is a very happy girl - shes not shy and talks to everyone," her mum explains. Layla lives with her mum Charlotte, dad Kevin, 37, and brother Freddie four, in Great Blakenham, Suffolk. Layla has been diagnosed with uncombable hair syndrome (UHS) - a condition characterised by dry, frizzy hair which defies attempts to tame it.(Charlotte Davis/SWNS) (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) The hair condition is also known as spun glass hair and usually improves over time - normally by adolescence, but in the meantime they are looking after Layla's locks as best they can. "She had her first hair cut in February last year but it's still wild," Charlotte says. "We can plait it now but we don't do it too often as we don't want to pull it too hard - it's very fragile and can break off easily. "She has got to the age where she is starting to question things a bit more now like she wants her hair plaited every day and asks why we cant do it. "I have to tell her her hair is a little bit different and we need to take care of it." Layla pictured with dad Kevin, mum Charlotte, and brother Freddie. (Charlotte Davis/SWNS (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) Charlotte says her daughter's hair has previously earned her nicknames like Boris Johnson and also Albert Einstein. The family say is mainly adults who seem fascinated with Layla's unique hair and while it is mostly positive she has had a few instances where people have touched it without asking first. "People seem to think it is okay to reach out and touch her," Charlotte explains. "I have to teach her about consent, but it's tricky for a three-year-old to understand why people might want to touch her hair. "I also want to tell her it's not okay for people to touch her without asking but as she's only young I don't want to scare her. "People never mean anything bad by it but they sometimes just reach out, wanting to feel it." Layla has been diagnosed with uncombable hair syndrome (UHS) - a condition characterised by dry, frizzy hair which defies attempts to tame it. (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) ((Charlotte Davis/SWNS)) Despite some occasional, unwelcome attention, Charlotte said Layla is a happy-go-lucky little girl who loves singing and ballet dancing. The family have set up an Instagram account for Layla and say the support they've received and been able to give has been amazing. "We've had a lot of people message her from all over the world," her mum says of the response. "Because of Layla some others are now learning there is a name for their condition or that there is someone else out there with the same." Charlotte wants her daughter to grow up knowing her hair is "cool" even though she looks different to other children her age. "I hope her hair doesnt change and it gets a bit longer so we can put it in a pony tail one day," she says. "I just want her to love it as when she grows up kids will suddenly start to make comments. "It's your job as a mum to equip your kids for any situation so I just hope she thinks its cool like I do." Layla pictured with dad Kevin, mum Charlotte, and brother Freddie. (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) (Charlotte Davis/SWNS) What is Uncombable hair syndrome? According to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Center (GARD), Uncombable Hair Syndrome (UHS) is a rare disorder of the hair shaft of the scalp. It has been found to be caused by mutations in three genes that are involved in hair shaft formation. The condition is usually characterised by silvery-blond or straw-coloured hair that is disorderly; stands out from the scalp; and cannot be combed flat, with the signs typically becoming apparent from three months of age to 12. There is no definitive treatment for uncombable hair syndrome, but the condition usually improves or resolves on its own with the onset of puberty. In order to help manage the condition, the GARD suggests gentle hair care using conditioners and soft brushes, along with avoiding harsh hair treatments such as permanent waves (perms); chemical relaxants; or excessive brushing and blow drying. People with concerns about symptoms of UHS are encouraged to speak with their GP or dermatologist about being evaluated for the condition. Additional reporting SWNS. Parenting: Read more Watch: 'My girls both needed their legs amputating - despite one-in-a-billion odds' Lindsay Lohan has said the highly anticipated Freaky Friday sequel is in the process. The 2003 film starred Lohan and Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis as the body-switching mother-daughter duo. It was confirmed a sequel was in development last year, and Lohan has now offered an update on how the movie is shaping up. Jamie Lee Curtis (Aaron Chown/PA) She told US magazine People: Im just excited to work with Jamie again and see how much further we can take it. Because we talk almost every other day in general, so I think were going to have a lot of fun with this. Mean Girls star Lohan added she is excited to get back to work with Curtis and the new film is in the process, but she could not say when filming would start or if there even is a completed script. Last year, Curtis told the New York Times that she phoned Disney to discuss a sequel after numerous people asked her if it was a possibility. She said: As I went around the world with Halloween Ends, people wanted to know if there was going to be another Freaky Friday. Something really touched a chord. When I came back, I called my friends at Disney and said, It feels like theres a movie to be made. Freaky Friday, about a mother and daughter who switch bodies thanks to a magical Chinese fortune cookie, is based on the 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers. The 2003 film is the third adaptation of the story, with previous versions starring Jodie Foster and the late Barbara Harris and Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffman. The Curtis and Lohan version also starred NCIS actor Mark Harmon, One Tree Hills Chad Michael Murray and Sex And The Citys Willie Garson. Lohan will next be seen in the Netflix romantic comedy Irish Wish, while Curtis has recently starred in a trio of Halloween reboots. She won an Oscar last year for her supporting role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Welsh Parliament has approved the budget for the next year with last-minute extra funding for a range of services, but further changes could need to be made. Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, told the Senedd there were more changes than usual to the budget for 2024-25 after late information from the UK Government on how much money they would receive. In total, the Welsh Government has gained an extra 190 million in its final budget. But Ms Evans warned there could be further changes if Chancellor Jeremy Hunt adopts further changes in his own statement on Wednesday. The minister said the Welsh Government had listened to feedback during the scrutiny process and had focused funding to areas where pressures are most severe. She said: There will be 14.4 million extra for local government to help it meet pressures in social care and schools. Were reversing the cuts made to both the social care workforce grant and the children and communities grant of 10.5 million and 5 million respectively. The additional funding for local government means that no council will have less than a 2.3% uplift in their settlement. Ms Evans also said an extra 10 million will go towards apprenticeship and employability programmes, as part of an effort to support steelworkers if Tata closes the blast furnaces at Port Talbot. The budget will also provide: 5 million revenue to support homelessness prevention activities 5 million capital for the social housing grant 40 million of new capital funding to support the NHS 30 million funding package for the Holyhead Breakwater 20 million fund to help small and medium-sized businesses future-proof their businesses. The minister said she was confident the budget continues to maximise our available funding but said the UK spring statement could see further changes to our settlement. Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, described Waless financial situation as bleak and all too familiar, arguing the budget was constrained by the UK Governments austerity-driven agenda. However, he also said Welsh Labour was silent on whether funding would improve if the Labour Party got into power in the UK Parliament. He said: My sympathy for the Welsh Government is real, and yet it is also qualified. Operating within the fiscal straitjacket imposed upon it not only limits the money at ministers disposal, but also their spending flexibility. But what it doesnt do is blunt Labour ministers ability to secure a firm commitment that Wales will be funded fairly should there be a UK Labour government. The silence on that is still deafening. He also raised concerns the budget was failing to prepare for the future, particularly money lost from preventative programmes, and said that a lot of money was being put into Transport for Wales while other services were losing out. Peter Fox MS, the Welsh Conservatives shadow finance minister, welcomed the additional funding for health and social care services but said the budget fails to address the peoples priorities and lacked sound forward planning. He said: This budget fails to address many of the very real issues that families and businesses are facing. The Welsh Governments continuous blaming of everyone else except themselves for their poor record is holding the country back. The simple truth is that we as a country cannot hope to move forward until we see a government that is willing to accept responsibility for the results of its policy making. Our Welsh NHS is a case in point. After this budget, it will still be under mounting pressure, which it is not prepared for, as a direct result of decades of underfunding by successive Labour governments here. The budget was approved by 28 votes for, 15 against and 13 abstentions. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for Australia again on Sunday, March 3, to attend the special summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia to be held in Melbourne. The event is scheduled for March 4 to 6. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended an invitation to Marcos to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties between the two countries, which began in 1974. Marcos stated, "The summit presents an opportunity to reiterate the Philippines' national positions on regional and international issues and set the tone for ASEAN's Dialogue Partner Summits later in the year." He made these remarks before leaving Villamor Air Base, according to The Manila Times. Planned Endeavors Among other things, Marcos will restate the Philippines' stance on regional and international concerns, including its steadfast claim to sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. "The summit will be an opportunity for the Philippines to thank Australia, Asean's oldest Dialogue Partner, for its unwavering support for the rule of law, for the 1982 Unclos and the 2016 Arbitral Award, through timely statements of support as well as through capacity-building and academic initiatives to mainstream appreciation of international law," said the president. Moreover, Marcos is scheduled to have bilateral discussions with the prime leaders of Cambodia and New Zealand. Also, he has a speech set at the Lowy Institute, where he will speak about how the Philippines is involved in global events and how it contributes to the regional security architecture based on norms. While in Australia, Marcos will be able to see the development of the Victoria International Container Terminal--the country's first completely automated terminal--and take advantage of the opportunity to promote Philippine businesses at the Philippine Business Forum. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual coordinates the said forum. Also Read: Philippines, US Conduct Joint Air Patrol Over South China Sea Amid Maritime Tensions Diplomatic Ties Official diplomatic ties between Australia and the Philippines were established on July 4, 1946. Almost 408,000 people of Filipino ancestry call Australia home. Experts in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, as well as technicians, associate professionals, managers, and a variety of service and sales occupations, make up the majority. Australia sent $301.2 million in remittances to overseas Filipino workers in 2023. According to Hae Kyong Yu, the Australian ambassador to Manila, Marcos' recent visit to Australia served to further solidify the two nations' commitment as strategic allies in molding a peaceful, affluent, and open region. Also Read: Human Rights Abuses in Philippines, Including Journalists' Assassination Need Action, UN Expert Says A mother of three who vanished six months ago in Edinburgh may have come to harm, police have said. Khasha Smith, 35, has not been seen since October 10 and has not been in touch with her very close family since then, officers said. Her mother and daughter issued an appeal in a bid to trace Ms Smith, from Calder, Edinburgh. She is described as slim, about 5ft, with blue eyes and long, blonde hair and a tattoo on her right wrist which says Forever. Police Scotland have said they have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm and are considering all possibilities. Ms Smith was last seen during a Facetime call with a friend on October 10, and was reported missing by her family on January 5. A massive search has been launched for Ms Smith, including dog units, underwater teams and specialist officers, including areas she is known to frequent including Gorgie, Broomhouse and Wester Hailes. Ms Smith was described as a brilliant mum by her own mother, Nicola Neil, while her daughter, Calley Smith, 18, said the disappearance feels like the worst dream I could ever imagine. Ms Neil said: Khasha, we love you so much and just need to know you are safe. We need you home with us. If anyone, anywhere, knows where Khasha is please tell us. Please dont let us go on like this. Khasha is a brilliant mum to her three children and is loved by all our very close family. We are all sick with worry. Khasha is my friend as well as my daughter and we are living a nightmare. Its hard to find the words to explain the not knowing where she is and if anything has happened to her. These past few weeks have been horrendous and painful for us all. I would ask anyone out there even if we dont know you please come forward if you know anything at all. Please help us bring Khasha home. This waiting is unbearable. Im begging you from the bottom of my heart please get in touch. I miss her so much and we need to find her. Ms Smith said: I recently had my 18th birthday and didnt hear anything from my mum. She would never miss my birthday, my sisters birthdays, or Christmas. Missing mother Khasha Smith has not been seen since October last year (Police Scotland/PA) Its just not her. We miss her so much. We want nothing more than my mum to walk through the door and to be able to give her a massive hug. It feels like Im living the worst dream I could ever imagine. I cant express what it would mean to have my mum home. Even the smallest piece of information might be all we need to find her. So Im asking anyone with any information please come forward and help the police bring my mum home for me, my sisters and the rest of the family. Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: Khashas family are understandably extremely worried about her. We have a dedicated team of officers who are working around the clock to find her and get answers for her family. While we are keeping an open mind, and continue to hope Khasha will be found safe and well, we have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm. We must consider all possibilities. Our inquiries are ongoing and a key focus of our investigation is continuing to build up a picture of Khashas life in the months prior to her disappearance. We are keen to speak to any of Khashas friends who may have information about her whereabouts before the last known confirmed sighting of her on Tuesday, October 10 2023. An online portal for the major incident public portal (MIPP) was set up, to give the public access to a form so they can send information directly. Mr Williamson added: It is absolutely vital that we find Khasha and I would again ask anyone with information no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January, 2024. A row of such homes in Moss Hall Grove in Finchley was destroyed in June when a fire spread rapidly across the terrace. Photograph: London fire brigade A London council has warned of a potential new national fire safety crisis after it discovered hundreds of low-rise timber-frame homes had been fitted with plastic cladding that can spread fire. Barnet council has alerted the government and the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, that other homeowners in similar properties across the country could be affected. It said the 580 homes that needed fixing in its area were the tip of the iceberg. A row of such homes in Moss Hall Grove in Finchley was destroyed in June when a fire spread rapidly across the terrace, gutting the properties. Eight people escaped unhurt and 30 were evacuated from the surrounding area. The council has since found more homes with similar UPVC panels that were also not built with measures to stop the spread of fire. The one- and two-storey homes were built with timber frames from the 1930s to the 1960s but were retrofitted with UPVC cladding panels in the 1980s. Others have timber cladding, timber frames and inadequate fire compartmentation. The repair bill is estimated at close to 17m, of which 3.6m will be borne by the taxpayer to fix council houses. Works will start next month. The council has told occupiers that whilst their homes contain a significant hazard, there is no imminent risk. We believe the 580 affected homes in Barnet are just the tip of the iceberg across the country, said Ross Houston, the councils deputy leader. Were sharing details with other local authorities and DLUHC [the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] as clearly there is need for a national plan to raise awareness and work out how best to support homeowners. The potential new danger comes amid a continuing cladding crisis affecting tall apartment blocks found to be clad in combustible panels and insulation in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 72 lives in June 2017. So far the government, social landlords and private developers have allocated 11.8bn to fix the problems. Nearly 4,000 buildings over 11 metres in height in England have been identified with unsafe cladding, the latest government figures show. Only a fifth have been fully fixed, while works are under way on another fifth. About 80% of the buildings with the highly combustible Grenfell-style aluminium composite material cladding have been fixed. The latest development could increase costs, further squeezing budgets for building much-needed social housing or repairing substandard homes. The Local Government Association, which represents town hall leaders in England, said councils would look to identify whether they have timber-framed buildings of which external wall and cladding materials pose a particular risk. Darren Rodwell, the building safety spokesperson for the LGA, said: In light of other recent fires, its clear the government cannot risk any further delay the government should provide guidance to all owners, so they are aware of where they need to take action. The government should also make funding available to remediate problems where they are found so the cost of these works do not end up putting more pressure on already stretched council budgets. The London fire brigade said its borough commander for the Barnet area had been involved in discussions over the issue. A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the government was engaging closely with Barnet on the steps they were taking. The building safety regulator is aware and is keeping the situation under review, they added. We will continue to liaise with the BSR and local authorities as appropriate to determine whether further action is necessary. Officials said less than 4% of Englands housing stock was postwar timber framed construction, based on the 2020-21 English Housing Survey. The Princess Of Wales uncle has said he loves that his niece is putting family first and he believes she and the Prince of Wales will be the saviour of the royal family. Gary Goldsmith, who entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on Monday night, said it is difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times. Goldsmith is the brother of Kates mother Carole Middleton. Gary Goldsmith (Ray Burmiston/ITV) In scenes that will air on Tuesdays episode, former X Factor judge Louis Walsh asks him if it is difficult for him to be related to famous people. He replies: I didnt vote for it, it happened to me, and then suddenly theres a spotlight on you. He adds: They call me the buncle! Have you heard of a buncle? Bad uncle, apparently every family has them. He continues: Its difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times, and shes got children and I love the fact that shes putting family first. Goldsmith also asserts that he believes the Prince Of Wales and Kate will be the saviour of the royal family. The conversation then turns to the Duchess of Sussex, but Goldsmiths verdict on Meghan has not been revealed. Louis Walsh will ask about the Duchess of Sussex (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Elsewhere in the episode, Walshs former X Factor co-star Sharon Osbourne reveals she is planning to move back to the UK from Los Angeles from April, admitting: I miss it here, very very much. Talking to theatre star Marisha Wallace, Osbourne, the wife of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne, jokes she has lived in the US for a long-ass time, adding: I first moved to America in 75. And I stayed. Even though Ozzys from England we met over there. Asking how her husband, who has been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, is doing, Osbourne says: Hes doing okay, its hard for him but hes doing okay. Hes already started to complain. I had my last phone call with him on the way here and he was miserable. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne (Ian West/PA) The return of Celebrity Big Brother debuted to 2.8 million viewers, ITV has said. The reboot of the reality show peaked at 3.2 million viewers across all devices, according to overnight ratings. The celebrity version of Big Brother follows the rebooted civilian iteration, which launched on ITV in October 2023 after it was axed by Channel 5 amid a ratings slump in 2018. Celebrity Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. The uncle of the Princess of Wales has praised her as perfect as he entered the Big Brother house on the day she was pictured for first time since undergoing surgery. Gary Goldsmith said Kate could be watching ITVs Celebrity Big Brother from behind a sofa as the show kicked off on Monday. Earlier in the day, Kate was pictured near Windsor Castle in the passenger seat of a car, according to TMZ. The website showed a picture of the princess wearing dark sunglasses in the black Audi which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton. The photo understood to have been taken by unauthorised paparazzi is the first of Kate since she was pictured during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk. Asked by presenter AJ Odudu if Kate would be watching, 58-year-old Mr Goldsmith said: If she is it will be behind a sofa, I guess Itll be a nice one in a nice house, I can guarantee that. In a pre-recorded interview which aired before he entered the house, Goldsmith said: She is simply perfect. First time I met William, Catherine was cooking and William said, Hi, do you want a cup of tea? Very normal. Towards the end of the programme, he told fellow housemate Fern Britton I absolutely adore my family after the TV presenter praised his decision to come on the show. Speaking to The Sun before entering the house, Goldsmith described his niece as a doting mum. Shes beautiful on the outside, but more beautiful on the inside and really is a doting mum so the way the monarchy is moving, its family-centric. He added he became upset with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex because you dont put a stick into that spoke and reinvent history. The Princess of Wales (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) Throwing your family under the bus just seemed inappropriate, especially what was happening with the Queen. I just thought it was totally unnecessary, he added. Kate was admitted to the London Clinic for a planned operation on January 16 and left the hospital on January 29 almost two weeks later. The 42-year-old returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children, Kensington Palace said. Details of the princesss condition have not been revealed but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private. A week after she left hospital, the King announced he had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment. Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children. Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, were expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses. It would be a mistake for Ireland to boycott a shamrock presentation to the American president over US military aid in Israel, the Irish premier has said. Leo Varadkar will travel to Washington DC next week where he will present Joe Biden with shamrock as part of annual engagements on St Patricks Day. Some opposition politicians have called on the Irish leader to forego the tradition due to the conflict in Gaza. Speaking in the Irish parliament on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said he does not believe in boycotts in terms of international affairs. He said it would diminish Irelands influence in the world to refuse to engage with other countries. Mr Varadkar said: It is an opportunity to speak to leaders in the US on the Hill and also President Biden and Vice President Harris. Were one of only 200 countries in the world. There are not many countries in the world that are guaranteed a meeting once a year. It would be a big mistake for us to boycott that and to lose that important engagement that occurs every year since the 1980s. But I will use my opportunity both in private in the Oval Office and in public in the White House to make clear how the Irish people feel about the situation in Gaza and how we believe the US needs and ought to adopt an approach that will help to bring about a peace settlement in the region. Mr Varadkar said the Irish Government had called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at Government Buildings, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) We believe that a humanitarian ceasefire for a number of weeks can then lead to a permanent ceasefire. He said there had been a welcome shift in the US position demonstrated by recent comments from vice president Kamala Harris. Ms Harris said that, given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks. Mr Varadkar added: I hope we will see this further elaborated on in the days and weeks ahead. He was responding to a question from an opposition politician who said the World Health Organisation had discovered 15 children in Gazan hospitals who have starved to death. Solidarity TD Mick Barry (Brian Lawless/PA) Solidarity representative Mick Barry said that half a million people are one step away from starvation. He told the Dail: Hundreds of those people gathered in Gaza City last Thursday morning before the dawn. As they moved towards the aid trucks carrying flour, they were gunned down by Israeli soldiers 115 people died, more than 700 people were injured. It was a massacre. Mr Barry said the US was supplying weapons and bullets to Israel and is also aiming to ramp up military aid. He added: While it is true that the Biden administration is now pushing for a six-week pause in the fighting, there is no question but that Biden has armed and financed a campaign that the International Court of Justice itself believes worthy of investigation as possible genocide. Mr Barry said Mr Varadkar would soon be joining Mr Biden in celebration of St Patricks Day in Washington. He added: You plan to give him a bowl of shamrock on behalf of the Irish people. You plan to pose, no doubt, for photographs with a man who has armed and financed mass murder. Thats the truth. I believe that that is wrong. Mr Barry said: You have the opportunity to exert some real pressure here. Tell Biden there will be no shamrock when there is not a total ceasefire and an end to the bloody occupation. Mr Varadkar replied: You seem to be a little bit obsessed about the bowl of shamrock and that takes about 20 seconds. The real opportunity is the sit-down meeting in the Oval Office with President Biden and his team and also the opportunity to speak in the White House publicly in front of guests of the president and some from the Irish embassy as well. And thats the opportunity that I will take to reaffirm the importance of our relationship with the US economic, political, cultural. But also to say that there are issues on which we disagree. Mr Varadkar also said he shared the horror at the killings of civilians queuing up for aid, adding it was important that a full independent investigation be carried out. In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Mr Biden would host the Taoiseach for a bilateral meeting on March 15, followed by a St Patricks Day celebration on March 17. She said: The leaders will reaffirm the close and enduring partnership between the United States and Ireland and the extraordinary bonds between our people. They will discuss our countries shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russias brutal aggression, as well as our co-ordination on a range of other global issues, including the Middle East. They will reaffirm their steadfast support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement as we welcome the recent restoration of Northern Irelands Executive and Assembly. The reputation of the former chairwoman of RTE should not be tarnished, the Taoiseach has said. Siun Ni Raghallaigh released a statement on Monday saying her resignation last month was an enforced dismissal by Irish media minister Catherine Martin which was seemingly designed to traduce her reputation. It comes as the Government is set to name Terence ORourke as the new chairman of the board of the crisis-hit national broadcaster. Following a recommendation from the media minister, Mr ORourkes appointment was agreed by coalition leaders on Monday night. It will be announced, along with two other new board appointments, following approval from Cabinet on Tuesday. Mr ORourke, originally from Co Monaghan, is a former KPMG managing partner and the current chairman of ESB. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the reputation of former RTE chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh should not be tarnished (Brian Lawless/PA) It comes after the former chairwoman of the board hit out at Ms Martin, saying she had no option but to resign after the minister refused to express confidence in her during a television interview. On Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ms Ni Raghallaigh has admitted she gave the wrong information to the minister, who lost trust in what she was hearing. He said: I think theyre both women in good standing, in my view. What happened, essentially, between them is the relationship broke down, trust broke down. However, he added: I dont believe that Siun Ni Raghallaighs reputation should be tarnished by all of this. Sometimes these happen misunderstandings, relationships break down. It does not necessarily mean that anyone did anything wrong or lacked competence, in my view. Asked if Ms Martin should answer questions on the matter before Oireachtas committees, he told Morning Ireland: Im absolutely sure Ms Martin will be happy to respond to what the former RTE chair, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, has said. In her statement on Monday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh also criticised Ms Martin for actively taking a hands-off approach to the widening scandal at RTE and accused her of not assisting with falling TV licence revenues. Former RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh said her resignation was an enforced dismissal (Nick Bradshaw/PA) Appearing on Prime Time on February 22, the minister said she was disappointed in Ms Ni Raghallaigh, saying she had been misinformed about the chairwomans role in approving an exit package for former RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins. The minister was criticised for her handling of the situation, with opposition TDs claiming she had effectively sacked the chairwoman live on air. In a statement, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said: If the minister had decided that she no longer wanted me as chair, that is her privilege. However, I cannot remain silent about the manner of my enforced dismissal, which seemed designed to traduce my reputation. However, Ms Martin responded by saying she needed to be able to rely on getting clear, timely and accurate information from the former chairwoman of the RTE board. She added: This is particularly important at such a challenging time in RTEs history. Media Minister Catherine Martin said it is a challenging time in RTEs history (Niall Carson/PA) Commenting on the new appointments, Ms Martin said: An important step forward for RTE will be taken when I seek Government approval for the appointment of a new chair and additional board members. Upon appointment I will seek to meet the new chair and the director-general in the coming days. The Public Accounts Committee is to make its recommendations after months of controversy at the national broadcaster later on Tuesday. Mr Varadkar said it would be a good idea to put RTE under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. He said he hopes the Government will make a decision on that in the next few weeks. Mr Varadkar said the Government has also set a target for a decision on the future funding model of public service broadcasting by the summer recess. Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said that he has no doubt Ms Martin will want to address some of the issues raised by Ms Ni Raghallaigh. Speaking ahead of Cabinet, Mr McGrath added: I have confidence in Catherine Martin. She has been dealing with a very difficult situation over the last eight months in RTE and gave a very comprehensive account of her actions last week before the Oireachtas committee. I have no doubt really that she will address some of the issues that were raised in Ms Ni Raghallaigh statement. We, as a government, are trying to move forward on this process with the appointment of a new chair. We anxiously await the final two reports that are due so we have the complete picture that will enable us to make a collective agreement as a government in relation to future funding for RTE and public service content more generally. I think it is time to move on and over the weeks and months ahead we will make decisions and ensure that RTE is on sustainable footing going forward is what we want to see. The government is committed to making a decision over the months ahead. Here's exactly where you should go for a perfect lobster roll in the Pine Tree State. Getty Before I tried the lobster roll that I will refer to herein as The Best Lobster Roll of My Life, I had certain feelings about what a lobster roll should be. I grew up in coastal Massachusetts, five minutes from the New Hampshire border, and we New Englanders have standards when it comes to lobster rolls. We have rules. The proper lobster roll, for instance, comes cold and dressed with mayo (if youre looking for the warm, butter-doused type, head down to Connecticut, which may or may not be part of proper New England). For the past few years, Ive made it my unofficial mission to scour Maine for the best versions of the lobster roll. Like any inquisitive food mind, I waited in line for over an hour one July afternoon for a roll at Reds Eats in Wiscasset, only to be disappointed by meat that my New England-trained palate detected as (possibly) frozen and unacceptably overpriced. But across the street, there was no line at Spragues Lobster, the family-owned joint overlooking the Sheepscot River, where my roll was $6 cheaper and over six times more delicious: judicious mayonnaise, whip-fresh lobster, and a soft, butter-burnished bun. In Penobscot, on the Blue Hill Peninsula, where I spent time last Labor Day Weekend, I fell in love with the roll at Bagaduce Lunch. Some come for the ever-changing soft-serve swoops, but Im a fan of the no-fuss sando, which costs under $20 and offers everything you need: a view of the water from a picnic table, mayo-dressed lobster, and chunks big enough to chew. Related: These Are America's Best Lobster Rolls I found an overfilled roll at Claws in Rockland, which diners can gorge on between superlative meals at Primo and In Good Company. In nearby South Thomaston, at McLoons Lobster Shack, I sat outside at what is debatably the most beautiful place in Maine to eat a roll; its available in two sizes: the butter-bathed roll and the giant Rolls Royce. Those rolls? All life-changing, I swear, and, most would argue, relatively traditional. But my personal favorite is a deviation, a revelation, and not even off the beaten path. Take me straight to Kennebunk, Maine, on the bridge that leads right into neighboring Kennebunkport, for a roll at The Clam Shack, which opened in 1968. Served on a round burger bun, its a swipe of claw, knuckle, and impossibly large tail. Connoisseurs order it with both, meaning mayo and drawn butter. The tail the best part and absent on so many other rolls is served practically whole, dunked directly into warm butter. The rest of the roll receives the blessing of a squiggle of mayo. Not too much. Not too little. Its the Goldilocks of lobster rolls and, I must say, a sandwich that is gone far too quickly, making you wistful for it almost immediately. Its an apparition, just moments after it has arrived at your picnic table, which is probably the highest praise you can give this kind of perfect work of art: that it stays around just long enough to remind you that youll want another the next time you find yourself passing through town. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. A first-of-its kind fundraiser featuring three Democratic presidents this month is shaping up to be among the most lucrative in party history, according to a key organizer, forecast to raise more than $10 million and draw at least 3,000 people. In an interview, Biden Victory Fund national finance chair Chris Korge laid out specifics of the March 28 soiree at Radio City Music Hall in New York featuring President Joe Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. While tickets will sell for as little as $250, the premier perks will go to the high rollers. The cost for a chance to pose in a photo with all three Democratic presidents at once? $100,000 and up. Those who donate at the $250,000 and $500,000 levels will also have access to two separate receptions with the presidential trio. Stephen Colbert, the host of CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, is to hold what's expected to be a lively conversation with the three presidents as the centerpiece of the event. Musical guests are also in the works, as is a podcast tied to the event, according to a Democratic source who said an online component for a contest to win tickets and accommodations for the fundraiser is already driving smaller donations. Korge, a veteran Democratic fundraiser who was the national finance chair for Hillary Clintons campaign in 2016, said: This is going to be the biggest fundraising event that Joe Biden has done in his political career. I believe its the largest fundraising event in Democratic Party history. Its also the only time that three [Democratic] presidents have done a [campaign] fundraiser together. Korge said Conde Nast Editorial Director Anna Wintour is among those who have handled some of the behind-the-scenes planning. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Biden campaign fundraisers Michael Pratt and Colleen Coffey and Biden campaign finance chair Rufus Gifford have all been instrumental, he said. The idea to bring the three presidents together came from onetime Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, a longtime Democratic donor, and his son Alex, a onetime U.S. Senate candidate in Wisconsin, before Alex Lasry took a job in December with the Biden administration. In 2012, the Lasrys hosted Clinton and Obama at a joint New York fundraiser. In the coming event, a photo with the three presidents is expected to be the most sought-after prize among big donors, Korge said. Its not going to be like any other picture that they have on their wall, Korge said. While Trump and the RNC are struggling to raise money, I believe this is going to be a very hot ticket and this will be a sellout event. Theyll travel from as far away as possibly Asia. Democrats have outpaced Republicans in fundraising in recent months, even as former President Donald Trump also faces mounting legal costs. The Republican National Committee ended 2023 with an $8 million balance, while the Democratic National Committee closed out the year with $21 million on hand. Marc Lasry said Monday that after he and his son held an event in Milwaukee for Vice President Kamala Harris last year, they brainstormed about a unique event for Biden. Alex Lasry came up with the idea of having a presidential trifecta, recalling the success of their 2012 dual-presidential event, and then they pitched Democratic leaders. I think they're going to be turning away people," Marc Lasry said. "For people who are involved in politics, for people who love politics, the opportunity to be with the last three Democratic presidents is something that's unique. Itll be, for all of us, probably the only time we get to do that in our lifetime. In an interview Monday, Harrison chided Republicans, saying a fundraiser featuring three presidents shows a contrast between the two parties, with Democrats united and the GOP splintering. Nikki Haley has prolonged the Republican presidential primary campaign even as she has lost numerous state contests to Trump. And there has been upheaval at the RNC, whose former chair Ronna McDaniel was forced out as Trump loyalists took the reins. You will not see this happening on the other side, Harrison said. You will not see an event with Donald Trump and George W. Bush; its just not happening. Asked about recent polls showing Biden trailing Trump, Harrison argued that the fundraising clip is evidence that there's more Democratic energy for Biden than the polling numbers suggest. He said the not-yet-public February fundraising numbers will again show Democrats continue to raise money at a robust pace. He would not disclose the amount raised but said, If Ronna were doing as well as we were doing, she would not have been forced out. Trump's team took issue with the Democrats' remarks and noted that Biden has faced splintering on the left with voters who backed "uncommitted" on the ballot in Michigan. The uncommitted represented a protest vote for Biden's handling of the Israel-Gaza war. "Its no surprise the three Democrat stooges who have brought untold destruction to America are united by that misery," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said. "President Trump and Republicans are firmly united in the fight to beat Crooked Joe Biden." Three children were among five Canadian citizens who died when their small plane crashed near Nashville, Tennessee, authorities said Tuesday. The exact ages, names and genders of the five victims aboard the flight from Ontario weren't immediately available, National Transportation Safety Board air safety investigator Aaron McCarter told reporters in Nashville. The single-engine plane came down about 60 feet away from eastbound lanes of Interstate 40, near the Nashville suburb of Charlotte Park, just before 8 p.m. Monday, officials said. The plane had circled over John C. Tune Airport at 2,500 feet and briefly flown away, and it was coming back to the airport when it lost power, McCarter said. For reasons unknown, the aircraft descended and approached John C. Tune Airport and passed overhead at 2,500 feet," McCarter said. "The pilot reported that he was going to pass over the airport at 2,500 feet. Very quickly thereafter the pilot reported a catastrophic engine loss of power, a complete loss of power. The plane crashed about 3 miles from the airport. "We're still trying to determine why he decided to overfly the airport at 2,500 feet. I don't know that yet,'" McCarter said. "We are at the infancy of this investigation. These are all things that will come to light in subsequent days." The pilot appeared calm as he told air traffic controllers that his craft was dropping fast. "I'm declaring an emergency," he said, according to a recording on LiveATC.net. "My engine shut down." Runway 2 at John C. Tune Airport was cleared for the distressed craft, but the pilot said he had already descended to 1,600 feet and doubted he'd reach the airport: "I'm going to be landing; I don't know where." "Yes, I have it [the airport] in sight," he continued. "Im too far away; I wont make it." Increasingly concerned controllers told the pilot not to give up on reaching the airport. "Keep flying that airplane!" the tower said. "If you can glide in there, they're clearing the runway for you!" The plane had come from Ontario and made stops in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Mount Sterling, Kentucky, officials said. It had been cruising at about 10,500 feet for much of the journey, with no reported issues, McCarter said. It could take up to a year for the final NTSB report to identify a possible cause for Monday's crash. Luke Perry was called "the new James Dean" and he was haunted by it. The actor gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on "Beverly Hills, 90210." He was styled as a reincarnation of the late actor, who died in a car crash in 1955. The "Rebel Without a Cause" star was 24. Perry, who died in March 2019 at 52 years old, was 25 when the press began comparing him to Dean. BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN TEXTED LUKE PERRY AFTER HIS DEATH: 'HE'S HIDING SOMEWHERE' As he skyrocketed to fame in "Beverly Hills, 90210," Luke Perry, left, was often compared to doomed actor James Dean. "He didnt love it," Margaret Wappler told Fox News Digital. "He said, Im not like him. Im not him. He checked out early, and I dont want to check out early. I want to go on to work for the rest of my life and have a long, storied career.'" Wappler has written a new book, "A Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up." It explores the life and career of the TV loner, who died in 2019 at age 52. Wappler spoke to dozens of sources who knew Perry both personally and professionally. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP She described how the comparison early on in his career "spooked" him. Luke Perry, seen here with co-star Shannen Doherty, was "spooked" by the comparison to James Dean. "It was kind of cursing him or something," Wappler explained. "And I think too, he wanted to be his own man. He wanted to be his own person. And the James Dean comparison, there was some resonance to that. And I think it helped launch the show. I think it helped people culturally understand what the show [was] trying to do. But I think he felt a little strapped in by it." Dean was on his way to superstardom when he suffered a fatal crash in his brand-new Porsche Spyder convertible. He was on his way to a race in Salinas, California, 90 miles south of San Francisco. Dean only appeared in three films before his death, but dying young made him a legend. Even his car, nicknamed "Little Bastard," sparked conspiracy theories. After it was involved in several strange incidents and deadly crashes across the country, the remains of the vehicle vanished, History.com reported. According to the outlet, it has not been seen since. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER James Dean is seen here with "Little Bastard" just hours before his death. In a 1992 interview with "Today," Perry addressed the comparison. "I think that sort of in a way, if they make the association strong enough, Ill have to pay the price for the fact that he checked out early," Perry said at the time. "And I dont want to. I hope to still be working when Im 30 and 40 and 50 and [however] long I want to. I think when I can no longer fulfill that James Dean fantasy for them, theyll look and get it from someone else, and Ill be gone." "I want to do something with my life," Perry shared. "When my time here is up, I dont want to look back and see that I didnt do anything. And by that I mean I didnt have any effect on anything else. I see a lot of people [who] let their life happen to them I dont want my life to happen to me." Even as a young star, Luke Perry was already thinking about his future in Hollywood. The Ohio native starred in "Beverly Hills, 90210," a series that ran from 1990 to 2000. In a 2006 interview with The Associated Press, Perry recounted how he was partially inspired to pursue acting by another classic Hollywood legend Paul Newman. He described how his mother kept a photo of Newman in her mirror. He played out the memory of hearing his mother say, "Hes the most beautiful man in the world, honey hes a movie star." "I thought, OK, thats cool. I watched him and, Yeah, man, who didnt want to be Paul Newman!" The cast of "Beverly Hills, 90210," from left to right, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris, Luke Perry, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Shannen Doherty, Tori Spelling and Ian Ziering. In "90210," Perrys character went from loner to part of a close-knit circle that included twins Brenda and Brandon Walsh (Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley), but also endured a string of romantic, family and other setbacks, including drug addiction. Perry left the series in 1995 to pursue other roles, returning in 1998 for the rest of the shows run as a guest star. Wappler said that in his way, Perry embraced being compared to Dean at times. "He was no fool," said Wappler. "He knew when to lean into it a little bit. Theres an early 90210 episode where they film at the Griffith Observatory [where] the famous knife fight scene [in] Rebel Without a Cause' [was filmed]. And youre not going to do that unless you know that's tipping your cap to James Dean. So I think he understood when and how to acknowledge it, but not let it define him." Margaret Wappler's book, "A Good Bad Boy," hits bookshelves on March 5. While Perry "had fun" being a teen idol, he did struggle with the role, Wappler noted. "Who doesnt love the attention?" she asked. "He was an actor. He wanted to be successful. He wanted it. But at the same time, I think he was freaked out by it, especially when there were a number of really out-of-control mall events that happened in 90, 91, 92. The kids were getting stampeded. A girl broke her leg at a mall event. It was scary to him. And I think it was a little off-putting." "[When] he gets a little older, the show shifts away from the teenage world and goes into college," she explained. "I think he was sort of in a way relieved to get out of that teen idol mode and become more of this full-fleshed adult, not only in his own life, but in the perception of the show. But I think [being a teen idol] did box him in. I think it did limit him for a bit as an actor, and I think it took him some time and some moves to ultimately get away from that." LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Luke Perry at the premiere of "Oz" circa 2000. "I think thats why taking this role in Oz was a big step for him," Wappler continued. "It really said to the world, Im not that guy. Im not a teenage idol. Im not James Dean Light or whatever. I am my own man." Although Perry was best known for his role as McKay, he enjoyed a prolific film and TV career. At the time of his death, he played construction company owner Fred Andrews, father of main character Archie Andrews, for three seasons on "Riverdale," the CW series that gave a dark take on the "Archie" comics. A fourth season was slated. Perry had also wrapped his role in Quentin Tarantinos "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Despite his success in Hollywood, Perry expanded his interests far beyond acting. His family remained a priority. He is survived by two children with ex-wife Minnie Sharp. Luke Perry is seen here with his daughter Sophie and son Jack at the 2004 Target A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Wappler described Perrys final years as "a renaissance." "He was in the middle of a second act," she said. "Riverdale was a good role for him [The role] was a dad and a good dad. He really loved that about the character. He saw that [in] himself. He really took being a dad very seriously and loved being a good dad. He was close to his kids." "He was gearing up to go into a much bigger work cycle because his kids were not old enough," she shared. "When he died, his youngest was 18. He told friends, When my kids are ready, when my kids are in college Im going to really go back and do a lot of work. Im going to make a comeback. He was in the midst of that. It was happening to him He was early in his comeback. Had he lived, I think he wouldve really soared up." TORI SPELLING RECALLS LUKE PERRY GOING 'TO BRAWL' FOR HER AMID A 'VERBALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP' From left to right, K.J. Apa, Luke Perry and Cole Sprouse from the cast of "Riverdale." Perry was surrounded by family and friends when he died following a massive stroke. He was hospitalized after a 911 call summoned medical help to his home in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles. Wappler said she hopes her book will introduce readers to a new side of Perry. "He was a talented actor with a lot of range and ambition," she said. "He tried to do so many things. But he was also a good man I hope that, like Luke, people will value kindness in their lives and practice it, and embody a life you want for yourself." Original article source:'90210' star Luke Perry was 'spooked' by comparison to doomed James Dean: 'I don't want to check out early' Apple faced its first antitrust penalty from the European Union. The bloc accused the giant gadget maker of breaking its competition laws by having unfair music streaming business practices. The European Union confirmed this in its official press release, which was published on Monday, Mar. 4. The European Commission claims that Apple abused its dominant position in the market. Officials further stated that Apple broke EU's laws by unfairly distributing music streaming apps to its iPad and iPhone users through its App Store. Apple Faces 1st Antitrust Penalty From EU According to the Associated Press's latest report, the EU fined Apple almost $2 billion for breaking its competition laws. The bloc conducted an investigation and discovered that it is restricting other music apps. "Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app," said the European Commission via its official press release. EU officials said Apple's "anti-steering provisions" are against the bloc's competition policies. "This is illegal, and it has impacted millions of European consumers," said EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager during a news conference. The commission said that Apple has been doing this illegal business practice for the past decade, which clearly forced iOS users to significantly pay settle for higher prices for music streaming subscriptions. Read Also: Apple CEO Tim Cook to Reveal AI Strategy for 2024 What EU Discovers in Apple's Music Streaming Business Activities The European Commission discovered that Apple bans other streaming app developers from promoting their cheaper applications and stops them from providing the necessary instructions to guide customers to have a more affordable streaming app alternative. EU discovered that Apple's anti-steering provisions are banning app developers from doing the following: Informing iOS consumers about the price differences between Apple-owned and other alternative music applications. Information iPhone and iPad users from knowing the prices of cheaper music streaming alternatives on the internet. Including app links that would prevent iPhone and iPad owners from visiting app developers' websites. "Apple's anti-steering provisions led to non-monetary harm in the form of a degraded user experience," said the European Commission. EU officials said that what Apple did led to only two things: Users never subscribed to any service because they did not find the right one on their own. iOS users had to engage in a cumbersome search before they found their way to relevant offers outside the app Related Article: Meta Lead Zuckerberg Meets with LG, Samsung About Cooperation on AI-Powered Devices Portions of this article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform. The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial staff. Bitcoin flirted with a new all-time high on Monday when it hit $67,791.37 as of this writing, less than $2,000 off its historic peak. The cryptocurrency is in the midst of a rally, climbing 18 percent in just one week. Its been over two years since the most popular cryptocurrency by market share notched its record high of $68,999.99 in November 2021. The new year has been bright for Bitcoin, which climbed over 52 percent since Jan. 1 when it closed at $44,167.33. Experts point to one recent event the approval of Bitcoin ETFs and one upcoming event known as the halving as catalysts for Bitcoins recent run. Bitcoin ETFs are driving up demand In January, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the application of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs, giving investors a more accessible way to invest in the cryptocurrency. Big names like BlackRock and Fidelity have seen billions of dollars flow in from both retail and institutional investors seeking a more streamlined way to buy and sell the cryptocurrency. Now, investors can do so within their investment portfolios, alongside stocks and bonds. The approval of the spot bitcoin ETFs opened the doors to investment for financial advisors, retirement accounts and other brokerage accounts, says Adam Blumberg, co-founder of Interaxis, a firm that provides cryptocurrency and blockchain education for financial advisors. Investors no longer need to set up an account at an exchange like Coinbase or Kraken. Approval by the SEC also opened up more potential demand from 401(k) sponsors, companies looking to allocate on their balance sheets and other institutions that Blumberg says may have been waiting for an official green light from U.S. regulators. At the same time, the halving will shrink the supply of Bitcoin Another potential cause for Bitcoins recent price surge is the impending halving, or the cryptocurrencys intrinsic function that systematically cuts down the influx of fresh coins into circulation. Specifically, its when the block reward, or the incentive for miners to process transactions, gets cut in half. A halving occurs roughly every four years, and theoretically drives up the price of Bitcoin due to an increased scarcity. The next halving is estimated to take place in mid-April. History shows that halving events typically lead to a noteworthy boost in Bitcoins value. So, the current surge in Bitcoins price is likely driven by investors anticipating the upcoming halving, coupled with the growing acceptance of cryptocurrency by regulators and traditional markets. More demand plus lower supply should mean the price goes up, says Blumberg. While Bitcoin is enjoying a solid bull run that might eclipse its former all-time high, it remains a volatile asset. It isnt backed by the cash flow of an underlying company, the way stocks are, meaning that the only thing holding up Bitcoins value is the mood of other traders. The cryptocurrency is notorious for boom-bust cycles throughout its 15-year history. Because its not backstopped by anything fundamental such as cash or a companys profit, Bitcoin is the definition of a sentiment-based trade, says James Royal, principal writer on investing at Bankrate. As traders gyrate between optimism and pessimism, as they have in the last few years, Bitcoin has gone parabolic in both directions. One incredibly fortunate cat owner from South Carolina is celebrating being reunited with her beautiful cat Feya, five years after Feya went missing. After Feya got outside and her owner, Alexandra Struthers, was unable to find her, Struthers , got married, got two other pets and tried to move on. That's when she received a phone call from the Charleston Animal Society in late February. WebcenterFairbanks reports, "Feya was found on Johns Island, 15 miles away from where she went missing. Her fur was scabby and patchy maybe from an allergy or stress and she had a new pooch on her belly, but otherwise, she was in good shape. The moment I touched her, I just couldnt stop crying, Alexandra Struthers said. Related: Lost Long Island Cat Returns Home in Hilarious and Unexpected Way The shelter tracked Feyas owner down through the cats microchip. It had an outdated number for the owner, but they were able to reach her sister, who was listed as the emergency contact. And yet another example of how important it is to microchip your dog or cat! We are so happy that beautiful Feya is back home with her owner who loves her so much! What To Do If You Lose Your Cat Losing your cat can be such a scary experience, and according to the ASPCA, 85 percent of lost dogs and cats are eventually recovered, but cat guardians were less likely to find their cat only 74 percent of lost cats were recovered This is why one very important thing you can do is have your cat microchipped like in the above story, so that if they are lost and they end brought to a vet it can be determined that you are the actual owner. Make sure your cat always wears a collar with your name and contact information on it. It's also a good idea to take current photographs of your cat in case they do go missing, and photographs of you with your cat in case you need further proof of ownership. If your cat has a keen nose, they might be able to sniff their way back to you. Take something that smells like you, such as a worn shirt, a blanket, a toy, or a crate. Leave the items where you last saw your cat. Some cat owners also suggest leaving their litter box in your yard on on your stoop because your cat will be able to recognize their scent and find their way home. Other people say that this only will attract other cats to your cat's litter box, and may hinder your own cat from returning home. Contact friends and family immediately, the non-emergency number of your local police department, as well as your veterinarian, your local Humane Society and Animal Shelters, and make postings on social media lost and found groups for your area. Create flyers with your contact information plus a current photo of your pet and distribute them to local businesses and neighbors. Hopefully your cat will be at home with you safe and sound in no time! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal Hoda Kotb is dipping her toe back into the dating pool. I do have to say something, something did happen the other day that hasnt happened in two years, Kotb, 59, said on the Tuesday, March 5, episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. I had a date! I had a date. Kelly Clarkson appeared shocked by Kotbs admission and replied, Thats huge. Thats huge even to be in a place to do that. While appreciating her pals praise, Kotb clarified it was nothing but a date. The romantic update comes two years after Kotb and Joel Schiffman called off their engagement. The pair, who had been together for eight years, share daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 4. Hoda Kotb Calls Ex Joel Schiffman a 'Great Dad' in Sweet Tribute Kotb announced their split during a January 2022 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, saying, Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and really meaningful conversations over the holidays, and we decided that were better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple. So we decided that we are going to start this new year and begin it kind of on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends. After sharing on Tuesday that shes getting back out there, Kotb then asked Clarkson, 41, whether she had ever contemplated dating again. (Clarkson finalized her divorce from Brandon Blackstock in 2022. The pair share daughter River, 9, and son Remington, 7.) Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal Not at all. Not even a little bit. I am really loving not having a man in my life. Like, its just too hard. Theres too much, Clarkson replied. Theres all the jobs, plus the kids, plus being present for the kids while youre there. Cause sometimes people will still email you, and Im like, No, no, no, were home now. Were not doing this. After laughing, Kotb praised the former American Idol winner for pulling herself up by her roots. Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstocks Relationship Highs and Lows All of a sudden, you brought those roots to New York City. You stuck em in fertile ground. Look what has happened to you since you moved here, Kotb said. Like, everything has changed. I feel like Im watching this in slow motion. She continued to praise Clarksons progress, adding, You are flourishing in a way that I did not see all those years ago. You are flourishing, my girl, and Im so proud of you. Two months after Clarkson settled her divorce with Blackstock, 47, in March 2022, she announced that she was moving her family and The Kelly Clarkson Show from Los Angeles to New York City. After Clarkson said goodbye to Hollywood, a source exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2023 that the move wouldnt have much of an impact on her and Blackstocks coparenting relationship since they already live in different states and she has primary custody. Breaking Down Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstocks Divorce Settlement Kelly is really excited for this next chapter and looking forward to a fresh start, the insider said. In addition to building her new home in NYC, she also closed a chapter in her financial relationship with her ex. Earlier this year, Clarkson made her final spousal support payment to Blackstock. (Per court documents obtained by Us, Clarkson agreed to pay Blackstock spousal support of $115,000 monthly until January 2024 and was asked to pay a one-time, tax-free fee of $1,326,161.) Kelly is feeling relieved that her spousal support to Brandon has come to an end, a source told Us. Shes been ready for this for a while now and is so happy her payments to Brandon will be complete. Its so nice knowing that this chapter of her life can close with the new year. Diego Ibarra The brother of the alleged killer of a nursing student on the campus of the University of Georgia made a brief court appearance Monday in a federal magistrate courtroom in Macon, but the hearing did not materialize. The bail hearing was pushed to 10 a.m. Thursday. Key legal issues between defense attorneys and federal prosecutors necessitated the delay, according to WMAZ in Macon. Diego Ibarra, 29, and his brother, Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, the murder suspect, are both described by federal authorities as undocumented immigrants from Venezuela. Diego Ibarra is charged with having a fake green card. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Diego Ibarra was arrested the same day as his brother on Feb. 23, but police have not linked him to the Feb. 22 slaying of Laken Hope Riley, the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student slain while jogging on the UGA intramural field complex. The brothers lived in an apartment complex off South Milledge Avenue. WMAZ reported that Diego Ibarra entered the courtroom shackled at the waist and legs and wearing an orange Butts County inmate outfit. Prior to the hearing, federal prosecutors filed notice they would request the defendant be denied bond and remain in federal custody citing that his future presence in court could not be assured and the safety of others was a concern. According to the federal complaint, Homeland Security Investigations was made aware of Diego Ibarras presence in the U.S. on Feb. 23 after his arrest by an Athens-Clarke officer assisting in the investigation of Rileys death. Campus Crime: Athens Hispanic community reacts to immigration debate after Laken Riley's killing Immigration: House passes bill to restrict funding to Georgia law enforcement that fail to work with ICE Diego Ibarra's criminal history Since entering the U.S., federal agents said Diego Ibarra has been arrested three times by Athens officers. On Sept. 25, 2023, he was arrested for DUI and driving without a license. In that case, police reported he was stopped for driving 80 mph in a 40 mph zone. He had to be forced out of the vehicle and handcuffed, according to the report. The officer determined Ibarra had been drinking, did not speak English, and had symptoms of being under the influence. On Oct. 27, 2023, he and his brother, Jose Ibarra, were arrested for shoplifting at Walmart on Lexington Road as both were seen stuffing items into a book bag. After their apprehension, Diego was found with T-shirts, mens shorts, and a jacket. On Dec. 8, 2023, he was detained again for shoplifting at Walmart after a loss prevention officer observed him put two T-shirts in a bag and leaving without paying. The officer advised Ibarra of a pending warrant against him for failing to appear in court for the DUI charge. He was also barred from Walmart after this second incident. Diego Ibarra also had contact with police on Sept. 26, 2023, after a 29-year-old woman called police with a domestic complaint that stemmed from an argument in which she said he took her phone, according to the report. She described a struggle between the two. Under questioning by police, Ibarra said the woman ignored him and thats why he took her phone and that she bit him during the struggle, according to the report. The officer reported he was unable to determine the predominant aggressor in the dispute, so neither was arrested. However, the officer reported he told the woman about the process to get a temporary restraining order against Ibarra. . This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Diego Ibarra federal hearing delayed in Macon, Georgia The value of the cryptocurrency bitcoin has reached a record high. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters Bitcoin hit a record high on Tuesday as the price of the cryptocurrency rose above $69,000. The milestone eclipses a previous high-water mark that bitcoin set in November 2021, and comes after a long rally which has increased its value by 190% over the last year. The former record high for bitcoin was $68,990.90, according to the cryptocurrency news site CoinDesk. Bitcoin hitting its peak was followed almost immediately by a sharp drop off as the cryptocurrency fell back down below its opening price of about $66,000. The cryptocurrencys record price marks a remarkable resurgence after a string of bankruptcies, fraud cases and crashes over the past two years. Several other cryptocurrencies, such as ethereum, have also increased their price amid a general rally in the crypto market. The surge coincides with US regulators approving a number of new exchange-traded funds earlier this year that track the price of bitcoin, some of which are being offered by big financial players such as Fidelity and BlackRock. Crypto advocates celebrated the Securities and Exchange Commissions approvals as a sign of legitimacy and staying power. This week, the ETFs saw a spike in trading activity as the price of bitcoin grew. Bitcoin is also approaching an event known as the halving, which happens every four years and reduces the rewards for bitcoin miners in an attempt to control the overall supply of the cryptocurrency that is available to trade. Halvings generally give way to increased speculation around the cryptocurrency and activity from investors. Bitcoin has been historically extremely volatile, and the implosion of the major crypto exchange FTX in late 2022 after its CEO Sam Bankman-Fried committed multibillion-dollar fraud brought additional scrutiny to the industry. Bankman-Fried, once the face of crypto in the US, will face a potential 110-year maximum sentence for his crimes during a sentencing in March. There has also been increasing concern over cryptocurrencies environmental impact, and the US Department of Energy has recently faced off against the crypto industry as regulators attempt to investigate the technologys immense energy consumption. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also filed lawsuits against multiple crypto exchanges including Coinbase, the largest US exchange alleging that they are selling unregistered securities. Lawyers for Coinbase argued earlier this year that cryptocurrencies should not be considered securities, and are closer to buying a collectible such as beanie babies. Bitcoin retained its value amid the various cryptocurrency scandals and investigations of the past year, however, as big investors bought up tens of millions worth of the token. Bitcoin advocates have argued that the emergence of ETFs and entrance of major financial firms would be a boon for the crypto industry, giving investors of all kinds more reason to purchase bitcoin and subsequently drive up the price. The day before bitcoin reached its all-time high, gold futures also hit their own record peak. Gold futures ended Monday trading above $2,100, the highest since the introduction of the contract in 1974. The dean of Wall Street CEOs is green. JPMorgan Chase today struck an agreement with three New York City pension funds with investments in the bank valued at $478 million to disclose the ratio of its clean energy to fossil fuel financing. According to the NYC funds, the metric will give investors a more comprehensive view as to how the bank is progressing on its net-zero emissions goals and whether it is ratcheting up its clean-energy financing activities over time. JPMorgans settlement with the three NYC funds, which manage a combined $193 billion in assets, will result in the withdrawal of their shareholder proposal, which they have levied against six major banks. It makes JPMorgan the first of these banks to strike a deal with investors. The othersBank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Royal Bank of Canadastill have proposals pending and the NYC Comptrollers office has been engaging with them. The pension funds in January announced that they were launching the drive to prod the banks to offer up more data on their climate transition commitments. Bloomberg New Energy Finance research found that in order for average global temperature increases to remain below 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is optimum, the ratio of investments in low-carbon energy to fossil fuels needs to reach a minimum of 4 to 1 by 2030. From there, the ratio needs to increase to 6 to 10 in the subsequent decade, and 10 to 1 afterward. In 2021, Bloomberg research found that for every dollar spent supporting fossil fuels, 0.8 supported low-carbon energy. JPMorgans estimated ratio was 0.7. A JPMorgan spokesperson said it would take time to figure out how best to disclose the metric investors are asking for. We found common ground with the NYC Comptroller on disclosing a clean energy financing ratio with an understanding that it is going to take us some time and resources to develop a decision useful approach, said a spokesperson in a statement to Fortune. We will engage with NYC and our shareholders to provide the market more clarity and transparency about our activities and what financing the transition truly looks like. The bank in 2021 announced a $1 trillion target to finance initiatives to help foster the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, the funds pointed out in their proposal that JPMorgan offers more financing to fossil fuels than other banks, ponying up $434 billion since 2016, despite a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, said the NYC funds. The move comes just weeks after J.P. Morgan Asset Management and State Street were roundly criticized for leaving the Climate Action 100+, a coalition of investors focused on working collaboratively to target the companies that are also the heaviest emitters of greenhouse gasses. Since then, Pacific Investment Management Company (Pimco) announced that it would also depart the group, bringing the total assets under management that have departed to $19 trillion. (BlackRock shifted its participation in C100+ to BlackRock International.) The asset management firms pointed to their independence in withdrawing from C100+, noting that the group was previously focused on agitating for clearer disclosure and not seeking specific action from. That strategy is set to change with the second phase strategy this year. It also coincides with a movement toward anti-ESG proposals and rhetoric that have led conservative groups and politicians to criticize financial services firms for catering to wokeness to the detriment of financial returns. A Climate Action spokesperson told Fortune that antitrust laws arent meant to stop investors or companies from working together on goals found not to be anti-competitive that they have each independently decided is in their interest. The group cited an analysis from the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment that found that antitrust law was having a chilling effect on necessary private-sector action to address climate and other sustainability-related challenges. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that BlackRock has abandoned the term ESG from its public statements and that CEO Larry Fink isnt using it in his annual letters anymore. Instead, transition investing is the new work-around for talking about ESG, the Journal reported. Still, regardless of the words companies use to discuss it, investorsparticularly pension fundsremain focused on climate-change risk and engaging with companies on their net-zero commitments. In 2023, there were a record 643 environmental or social related shareholder proposals filed at public companies, a high-water mark that is expected to persist in 2024, according to a report from investor advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services. Climate change-related issues are expected to generate the most proposals from shareholders to companies, the ISS report found, and some investors are asking financial services firms to report any misalignment between client greenhouse gas emissions and 2030 net-zero targets. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Forget the Egg McMuffin. Brits are going crazy for the bacon and sausage buns offered by Greggs, an 85-year-old chain of budget bakeries that just posted its best-ever performance. The company said Tuesday that it had taken 19.6% of the food-to-go breakfast market in the United Kingdom last year knocking McDonalds (MCD) off the top spot and snagged 8.2% of the overall market for takeaway food. That share is at an all-time high and up from 7.7% in 2022. Pre-tax profit also jumped more than 13% last year to a record high of nearly 168 million ($213 million). Greggs is expanding quickly: it had nearly 2,500 stores across the UK at the end of 2023 significantly more than the 1,450 stores McDonalds has in the UK and its neighbor Ireland and plans to open as many as 160 this year. McDonalds UK did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Greggs started out as a family-run business delivering bread and other baked goods to mining communities in Newcastle, a city in the northeast of England, drawing cost-conscious consumers to its stores ever since. But following a string of partnerships with supermarkets, food delivery apps and even a major clothing retailer and a cost-of-living crisis that forced many Brits to tighten their belts the chains popularity has skyrocketed. Its stock has risen 57% in the past five years. Greggs breakfast meal deal which includes a sausage, bacon or omelette-filled bun and a drink starts at 2.85 ($3.62), and is particularly popular with customers, a company spokesperson told CNN. The companys ambition, set out in 2021, to double sales by 2026 is very much on track, chief executive Roisin Currie said in a statement Tuesday. Sales grew to a record 1.8 billion ($2.3 billion) last year, up from 1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) in 2021. Greggs is far more than just a treat, and its value offering puts it in a sweet spot with consumers still battling higher living costs, Matt Britzman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, wrote in a note Tuesday. Maintaining that price point is key, and, with cost inflation easing, Greggs is making sure customers feel the benefit too. Nostalgic The companys recipe for success has included humorous, attention-grabbing collaborations designed to broaden its customer base. In 2022, Greggs rolled out its first ever line of clothing with Primark, selling everything from bucket hats to t-shirts and leggings dubbed greggings emblazoned with its familiar blue-and-yellow logo. Greggs cafe, Tasty by Greggs, inside Primark's Oxford Street store in London in October 2022. - John Nguyen/Press Association/AP In December, Greggs launched a pop-up restaurant in Fenwick, an up-market department store in Newcastle, where it served its popular sausage rolls and Steak Bakes under silver cloches, as well as its own spin on eggs benedict Greggs Benedict. Still, the chains main appeal is its no-frills convenience, says Alex Morton, a recruiter from London, who told CNN she had been visiting its stores on her lunch breaks since high school. Greggs is a national institution and makes me feel nostalgic, she said. These days, the main appeal is how quick and convenient it is. If Im on the go, I grab a Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Soldiers have been deployed to guard the international airport Soldiers have been deployed to defend the airport of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, from an assault by armed gangs. Witnesses reported hearing shots ringing out in the vicinity of Toussaint Louverture Airport as security forces clashed with armed men. The gangs' aim is to prevent the return to Haiti of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is believed to be abroad. Violence has spiralled in his absence with the gangs demanding he resign. Mr Henry left Haiti last week to attend a regional summit in Guyana. From there, he travelled to Kenya to sign a deal on the deployment of a multinational police force to Haiti. His more recent whereabouts had been unknown but local media reported on Tuesday that he landed in Puerto Rico after the Dominican Republic closed its airspace. Earlier, a spokesman for the US state department said: "It's our understanding that the prime minister is returning to the country [Haiti]". While Mr Henry was in Kenya, a coalition of gangs led by a former police officer, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, went on the offensive, attacking police stations and storming two of Haiti's biggest prisons. About a dozen people were killed in the attack on the prisons. Thousands of inmates escaped and remain on the loose. A minister standing in for Mr Henry declared a 72-hour state of emergency. Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste reports that both international and national commercial flights have been suspended for the past days due to the violence. Le Nouvelliste added that no private planes had landed or taken off from the airport either. An attempt by gunmen to breach the airport compound through a hole in a wall was reportedly repelled by security forces. Control of the airport is key to the gangs' aim of stopping Prime Minister Henry from coming back to the country. The gang leader known as Barbecue has been calling for his ouster since the prime minister was sworn in as the successor to President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. Already rampant gang violence was further fuelled by the murder of President Moise by Colombian mercenaries, which left a power vacuum in the country. Armed gangs, wielding weapons smuggled in from the US, have gained control of an estimated 80% of the capital in recent years. Prime Minister Henry has asked the international community to send troops to help fight the gangs. But a plan for Kenya to send 1,000 police officers to help contain the violence stalled after the Kenyan High Court blocked it. Mr Henry was in Nairobi for talks with Kenyan President William Ruto to try to salvage the deployment, when the latest violence flared. In a video posted on social media, Barbecue declared last week that "the first objective of our fight is to ensure that Ariel Henry's government does not remain in power". On Saturday, his gang attacked several police stations before freeing thousands of prisoners from the National Penitentiary and from the Croix des Bouquets jail. Only about 100 prisoners remained in their cells at the National Penitentiary, prison officials said. Among those who stayed put were 17 Colombian ex-soldiers suspected of having carried out the assassination of President Moise. In a video, they pleaded for help, saying that other inmates were trying to get them to leave their cells and were going to use them "as cannon fodder". The Colombian foreign ministry later announced that the 17 had been transferred to a different prison. Thousands of Haitians have had to flee their homes in recent weeks and are sheltering in schools and other public buildings Residents of the capital mainly stayed at home on Monday with only a few people venturing out to get drinking water or food, the AFP news agency reported. Speaking from Haiti, Serge Dalexis from the International Rescue Committee said it had become extremely difficult for people to access basic services such as health care, food and water. "There's a lack of everything now in Port-au-Prince," Mr Dalexis said, adding that shooting was being reported in many areas of the city. An estimated 15,000 people have been displaced from their homes over recent weeks due to the violence. Haiti: The basics Population: 11.5 million (estimate) Area: 27,800 sq km (slightly smaller than Belgium, about the same size as the state of Maryland in the US) Location: Caribbean country sharing a border with the Dominican Republic Languages: French, Haitian Creole By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) -The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for top Russian commanders Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov for suspected war crimes in Ukraine, it said in a statement on Tuesday. The ICC, based in The Hague, said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the two were responsible for "missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023". "All wars have rules. Those rules bind all without exception", ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said, adding that he would continue to seek cooperation from Russia, which has so far refused to engage with the ICC. This is the second set of warrants for the arrest of Russian officials related to the war in Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In March last year, the ICC issued warrants for the arrest of President Vladimir Putin and Children's Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova on war crimes charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. Moscow denies war crimes in Ukraine and has dismissed previous ICC war crime arrest warrants as part of a biased Western campaign to discredit Russia. Russian officials say such warrants have little real world impact as Moscow is not a member of the court and neither are other major powers, such as the United States and China. Kobylash, 58, was the commander of the so-called long-range aviation of the Russian air force at the time of the alleged crimes. Ukrainian military intelligence has said Russian strikes on the densely populated areas in the city of Mariupol were conducted under his command. Sokolov, 61, was an admiral in the Russian navy who commanded the Black Sea Fleet during the period to which the charges relate, according to the ICC. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the arrest warrants. "Every Russian commander who orders strikes against Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure must know that justice will be served. Every perpetrator of such crimes must know that they will be held accountable," he said on the social media platform X. The ICC on Tuesday said the attacks on Ukraine's electrical grid caused civilian harm and damage that would have been clearly excessive to any expected military advantage. Exact details of specific incidents and possible victims have been kept secret to protect witnesses and safeguard the ongoing investigations, the statement added. ICC Prosecutor Khan visited Ukraine in March last year to investigate Russia's campaign of missile and drone attacks on power plants and other infrastructure that killed hundreds of civilians and left millions with no electricity or water. The Geneva conventions and additional protocols shaped by international courts say that parties involved in a military conflict must distinguish between "civilian objects and military objectives" and that attacks on civilian objects are forbidden. The ICC prosecutors also want the charges to label the strikes not only as war crimes but also as crimes against humanity because they say they were part of a state policy of widespread attacks on the civilian population. (Reporting by Bart Meijers, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Stephanie van den Berg, additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa in Kyiv and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton, Ros Russell and Nick Macfie) Less than two months after the Los Angeles Innocence Project took up the case of convicted murderer Scott Peterson, a judge in San Mateo County, California, has scheduled a status hearing. The court confirmed Peterson will be represented by the LA Innocence Project, and it is believed the status hearing will be in response to the group requesting new evidence from the original trial in an attempt to exonerate Peterson. Peterson will appear remotely for the hearing, according to the court. His LA Innocence Project counsel will be in person before Judge Elizabeth Hill. Laci Peterson, who was 27 years old and eight months pregnant, disappeared on Christmas Eve in 2002. Her body was found in San Francisco Bay in April 2003. Scott Peterson, 51, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife and second-degree murder in the death of their unborn son. He was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to death in 2005. He was later sentenced to life in prison without parole. PHOTO: Scott Peterson listens during a a hearing at the San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2022. (Jeff Chiu/AP) MORE: 4 California sheriff's deputies hurt in shootout, chase with rifle-wielding suspect In their filing, which ABC News reported on in January, attorneys with the LA Innocence Project claimed that Scott Peterson's state and federal constitutional rights were violated, including a "claim of actual innocence that is supported by newly discovered evidence," according to the court filings. "New evidence now supports Mr. Peterson's longstanding claim of innocence and raises many questions into who abducted and killed Laci and Conner Peterson," the filings state. His attorneys are seeking dozens of items they say they could not locate after reviewing the trial files from his prior counsel "after a thorough search," according to the filings. The items include evidence from the investigations into a December 2002 burglary of a home across the street from the Petersons' in Modesto in Stanislaus County, Laci Peterson's missing Croton watch, and a van fire in the Airport District on Dec. 25, 2002, according to the filings. They are also seeking documents from interviews with several witnesses. Paula Mitchell, the director of the LA Innocence Project, previously said she found "deficiencies" while reviewing the discovery of Scott Peterson's case and sent a letter to Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero on Nov. 14, 2023, "seeking informal production of numerous specific items of post-conviction discovery," according to a declaration included in the filings. MORE: Slain Amish woman was found with throat cut, court documents show The letter "includes private identifying information concerning numerous citizens, potential material witnesses, and possible suspects -- as well as sensitive investigative leads relating to Mr. Peterson's claim of innocence-information that was referenced throughout various police reports, tip sheets, and other investigative materials from both the prosecution and the defense that I reviewed," she said in her declaration. Mitchell also said during her investigation, she had come across "numerous witnesses" who have expressed hesitation or "outright unwillingness" to provide information due to the high-profile nature of the case. Scott Peterson, who pleaded not guilty, has maintained his innocence and claimed he received an unfair trial based on possible jury misconduct. His lawyers have previously claimed that a woman, known as Juror 7, had not disclosed involvement in other legal proceedings. In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned Scott Peterson's death sentence, citing that his jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty, according to court documents. He was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in December 2021 and moved off death row in October 2022. In December 2022, Superior Court Judge Anne-Christine Massullo denied Scott Peterson "relief" in his appeal based on stealth juror accusations. Scott Peterson's attorney, Pat Harris, previously said in a statement to ABC News that they are "thrilled to have the incredibly skilled attorneys at the LA Innocence Project and their expertise becoming involved in the efforts to prove Scott's innocence." The LA Innocence Project -- which provides pro bono legal services to people incarcerated in Central and Southern California who may have been wrongfully convicted -- said in a statement in January that it was representing Peterson and "investigating his claim of actual innocence." Judge grants Scott Peterson status hearing after LA Innocence Project filings originally appeared on abcnews.go.com An autistic teenager named Dakota has allegedly been assaulted by a group of girls at Altona Pier in Melbourne last week, which left her with two black eyes and a trauma of leaving home. Australian outlet 9News reported that the alleged attack that happened on Wednesday last week (Feb. 28) was posted by the group to the victim's sister. The 14-year-old victim, who was strolling along the pier with a friend, was allegedly punched over 50 times and was left helpless and with serious injuries. She was also pulled by the hair by one of the assailants and had an energy drink poured over her head. The attack only stopped when a man nearby intervened. Dakota spent the night at the hospital for treatment. Read Also: Autistic Girl, Grandmother Taken Hostage by Hamas Killed, Israeli Officials Say The victim's mother told 9News on the condition of anonymity that emergency service crews counted the head blows her daughter received at "over 55." "They thought it was funny," she said, referring to the attackers. "She could have been killed." Dakota's mother added that, aside from physical injuries, she also struggled with her confidence prior to the incident, and her confidence was shattered as a result of it to the point that she became too scared to leave her home. "To see your daughter go through that and you're just helpless," she added. "My daughter won't even go back to school now." Police said that the attackers were known to the victim, but no arrests have been made as investigations are underway. Related Article: Oklahoma Students Stage Walkout Following Trans Classmate's Death, Demand Action Against Bullying Corrections and clarifications: This story, reposted from the Austin-American Statesman, has been updated to reflect that "Gender Queer" is a book recommended for ages 15 and above. A previous version of the story incorrectly referred to it as a childrens book. AUSTIN, Texas A librarian is suing a Texas county for firing her after she refused to remove books with content related to race and LGBTQ+ experiences, according to a complaint obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network. Plaintiff Suzette Baker, a Texas native, was the head librarian at the Kingsland Public Library in Llano County, about 65 miles northwest of Austin. She is suing the county, the county Commissioners Court, County Judge Ron Cunningham and several community activists who were appointed to the Library Advisory Board during a push for book removals. Baker is arguing that terminating her employment constitutes discrimination against minority groups through book bans, suppressing her First Amendment rights as well as those of other residents. The complaint seeks back pay, attorney's fees and an injunction ordering the county to cease behavior that discriminates against minorities and suppresses residents' First Amendment rights. A veteran and mother of five adult children, Baker had more than a decade of experience as a librarian before joining the library and loved her job, which she considered her lifes calling. Baker, 57, now works as a cashier at a hardware store in town, she said, "trying to make ends meet." Reading "teaches you empathy. It teaches you how to be a human," she said in a phone interview with the Statesman. The lawsuit highlights the impact of increased censorship of literature across the country in rural communities such as Llano County, where free access to information remains in jeopardy despite a federal court's 2023 order that the county restore titles it had removed from its shelves. It is the latest legal battle over what content children should have access to in public libraries, especially books that touch on race or LGBTQ+ issues. Since 2021, the United States has seen an escalation in book bans and attempted bans. And last year, those challenges in public libraries and school-based libraries hit record highs, according to the American Library Association and PEN America, a free speech advocacy group. Iris Halpern, right, an attorney and partner at Edwards Law, looks through one of the books removed from the Kingsland Public Library in Llano County, where her client, Suzette Baker, left, was the head librarian before being fired in 2022. Group of community activists demanded book removals According to the lawsuit, tension over library materials in Llano County began when a group of community activists demanded that the library remove several specific titles from the children's and teens' sections during the summer of 2021, deeming them "inappropriate." In November 2021, community member Bonnie Wallace sent a spreadsheet with about 60 books to Llano County Library Director Amber Milum and asked that librarians remove "all books that depict any type of sexual activity or questionable nudity" entirely. Milum directed Baker to remove the books, but Baker refused. The group's efforts to have books on racial or LGBTQ+ topics removed from the public library continued to escalate. Some were children's books they deemed inappropriate, such as "I Broke My Butt." Others were award-winning adult nonfiction books, including "They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents." Another was "Gender Queer," a book recommended for ages 15 and above. The library serves community members of all ages and books are labeled to indicate recommended age range. In January 2022, the Commissioners Court, Cunningham and Commissioner Jerry Don Moss voted to dissolve the county's library advisory board and appoint 12 new members, all of whom were part of the community group pushing for book removals, the lawsuit says. Milum told librarians they were prohibited from attending public meetings, even during their time off. The lawsuit argues that such a prohibition constituted suppression of Baker's First Amendment rights. In March 2022, Baker put up a display showing historically banned books such as "How to be an Anti-Racist," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Between the World and Me," and some books from the group's spreadsheet. She also spelled out "We put the 'lit' in literature," on a marquee in front of the library, which the lawsuit describes as "a double entendre referring to 'lit' as both the slang word for fun and to the historical burning of books." Milum asked Baker to remove the books on the spreadsheet from the display and terminated Baker's employment shortly thereafter, according to the lawsuit. She cited "insubordination," "failure to follow instructions" and "allowing personal opinions to interfere with job duties and procedures" among the reasons Baker was removed. Milum and Cunningham did not immediately respond to the Statesman's requests for comment. 'Woke' censorship or safety? Florida lawmakers want to ban social media for minors County Commissioners Court did not vote on book removals Moss, a defendant in the lawsuit, said the Commissioners Court does not determine whether librarians are hired or fired and that he had no role in or knowledge of the decision. "The first thing I heard about Ms. Baker being terminated was on Facebook," he said in a phone call with the Statesman. Moss said the Commissioners Court never voted to have books removed. He also said the court was not aware of books being removed, and that he had not seen any of the 17 books listed in the federal lawsuit before he was served with the papers. The lawsuit says Milum removed books based on their content, violating the library system's weeding policies, by which books that have not been checked out for several years, are in poor physical condition or are outdated are taken out of circulation. Moss said the commissioners had no part in the weeding process. A group of Llano County residents who opposed the censorship filed a lawsuit in April 2022. A judge for the Western District of Texas ruled the court had violated First Amendment rights and issued a preliminary injunction that ordered the county to replace numerous books in April 2023. The county appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, where the case remains pending. After the court order came down, members of the pro-removal group demanded that the county close the libraries altogether to prevent children from accessing what they called "pornographic filth," the Statesman reported. Dozens of people attended a Commissioners Court meeting convened by Cunningham over the issue, with more than half urging the county to keep the public institutions open. The libraries remained open, but Baker said she has watched as the library has become less accessible to the public. The county has not hired a new librarian to replace Baker and operates with one full-time and one part-time librarian, compared with three full-time librarians in 2021. And though the libraries used to be open on Saturdays, they are now closed on weekends. "The library cannot function with the skeletal staff that it has now," Baker said. The county also has frozen book purchases since 2021 and blocked access to more than 17,000 digital titles, the lawsuit states. 8 states restricted sex ed last year. More could join amid growing parents' rights activism 'Deprive people of information' Incidents in recent years have drawn national attention and scrutiny from advocates who say book bans are an attack on students' freedoms and people's constitutional rights. Attorney Iris Halpern, who represented a Colorado librarian in a successful wrongful termination suit under similar circumstances, said Llano County's tactics represent a dangerous disregard for residents' access to information. "This is incredibly dangerous because it seems the larger agenda here is to just deprive people of information, period," Halpern said. "There is no investment in making sure that we have a healthy democracy and healthy communication and sharing of ideas, healthy spaces for learning about new topics, or to engage in debate." Educators and librarians have been put in the spotlight over book censorship disputes. In 2023, some faced attacks or threats for publicly defending access to these materials. At Chapin High School in South Carolina, some students alleged that a teacher made them feel "ashamed to be Caucasian" for assigning Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me," a letter to his son about his perception of being Black in America. The school removed the book from the syllabus and placed a formal letter of reprimand in the teacher's file, the Washington Post reported. At Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District in Texas, a teacher was removed from an eighth-grade classroom after allowing students to read an adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank," which included sexual content. The district said the book was not approved to be read in the class. Contributing: Tony Plohetski and Niki Griswold, Austin American-Statesman; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas librarian sues county that fired her for refusing to ban books "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Cillian Murphy had a momentous 2023, thanks to his acclaimed performance as the titular nuclear physicist in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, which has thus far earned him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and an Oscar nomination. But despite the Irish actors status as one of the biggest movie stars working in Hollywood today, not much is known about his decades-long marriage to visual artist Yvonne McGuinness. The two have been married since 2004 and have always kept a tight lid on information about their personal family life. Earl Gibson III/Golden Globes 2024 - Getty Images That work-life balance thing is hard, the actor previously told GQ of his unique career demands. I have an amazing wife and I couldn't do this without her and her understanding. But it is a struggleI think it is for any dad whose work takes him away, which it generally does, and which consumes him, which my work does. Ahead, we break down everything we know about McGuinness, from her career to how she first met the Peaky Blinders star. She is a visual artist. The Irish-born artist has worked within various mediums across film, performance, sculptural and textile elements, sound and writing, according to her website. Her immersive work focuses on the embodied experience of place and belonging by staging live, public, interventions and performances which create surreal and dynamic moments of interaction and connection to place, time and communities. Recent exhibitions include Rehearsals (2023), a work of film that contends with her family's legacy of political and civic engagement in her hometown of Kilkenny, and The Well (2018), a live public performance inspired by the 19th-century murder of Bridget Cleary. She met Cillian before he became famous. McGuinness and Murphy first met when he joined the production of Disco Pigs, a 1996 play that ended up being adapted into a 2001 film. Murphy reflected on the breakout role in a 2016 interview with the Guardian. It was like being in a band again. Except that people actually came to the shows, he said. That time, making Disco Pigs, was kind of the most important period of my life. The people I met there remain my closest friends. Enda Walsh. Pat Kiernan [its director]. Eileen Walsh [his co-star]. They shaped me in terms of my tastes, in terms of what I wanted to do with my life. He added, And it was around the same time I met my wife. She came on tour with us. It was so exciting, 20 years ago or whatever it waswe were all just kids, trying to find our waybut such a special, special time. They share two sons. The couple have two sons together: Malachy, 18, and Aran, 16. Aran will soon make his feature film debut, having recently been cast in Taika Waititi's adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun. The movie will also star Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams. Christopher Polk - Getty Images They live in Dublin. Although the pair lived in London for years, they ultimately decided to move their family to Dublin, Ireland. I loved living in London in my 20s and 30s, but after a while you kind of go, Right, is this it? Is this it for the rest of my days? Or is there some other possibility? Murphy explained in his interview with the Guardian. Their sons influenced their decision, he adds: We wanted them to be Irish, I suppose. Its amazing how quickly their accents have adapted. Even within a year of moving back, they are fading into this rakish west Brit kind of thing. Which I think, hopefully, will get them lots of girls when theyre 15. Cillian credits Yvonne for keeping him grounded. In a 2005 interview with People, the actor praised his wife for keeping his head on his shoulders amid the pressures of Hollywood. Its very important to have somebody like that, he told the outlet. My life hasnt changed in any way, really. I still have the same friends and we go to the same places. You Might Also Like It's been a punishing year so far for media workers, where layoffs already measure in the thousands. Journalists and staffers at the Wall Street Journal (NWS), Vice Media, the Washington Post, Business Insider, BuzzFeed (BZFD), Sports Illustrated, and many other outlets were among the brutal wave of cutbacks, accelerated by an online ad market that's oppressive to publishers outside of Big Tech. The explosion of audience traffic that defined the COVID era has subsided, along with venture capital funding, as hopes of a digital resurgence of the news business falter. What's next for an industry recoiling from the pandemic boom and cratered ad revenues? More malaise, and the near certainty that most of the jobs are not coming back. View of the Los Angeles Times headquarters following the media company's announcement of newsroom layoffs at the newspaper in El Segundo, Calif., on June 7, 2023. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) (PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images) Whats happening here is the ad revenue business model has collapsed," said Victor Pickard, professor of media policy and political economy at the University of Pennsylvanias Annenberg School for Communication. "Once that fell apart, there was no replacement. Paywalls aren't going to make up that revenue." The industry had already been upended by the shift from print to online consumption of content. Social media feeds algorithmically turning users away from news sites, as well as ad dollars flowing to Google (GOOG, GOOGL), Meta (META), and increasingly Amazon (AMZN), have driven the most recent retreat. While cases of mismanagement and strategic blunders have colored high-profile catastrophes in the media world, Pickard notes these are subplots to the root cause of the problem. Niche-oriented outlets have found some success, as has the New York Times (NYT), he said, but newsrooms of every other scale will confront the same dilemma of making money off sinking ad revenue. "The industry has reached a point of no return," Pickard said. "Unless we come up with a structural alternative that is not based on standard commercial market mechanisms, I don't see the market supporting this level of journalism ever again." My own journalism career tracks the earlier excitement of a digital-first, social-led era, followed by convulsions across the industry, a decline of local news publishers, and most recently a sharp retrenchment. BuzzFeed News hired me in 2015 as part of an expansion of its tech coverage and the launch of its San Francisco Bureau. But what was once thought of as a symbiotic relationship between digital outlets and mega tech platforms eventually dissolved, as the model failed to provide the financial support and dependable audience to sustain journalism built for the social web. BuzzFeed shuttered its news division in 2023, marking the end of an era. And the already greatly diminished company announced another extensive round of layoffs last month. I joined the Washington Post in 2017 as the legacy paper geared up for a rapid expansion of its newsroom. Unending controversies and scandals of the Trump years gripped the national conversation and didn't let go. The Post was ascendant even before the public health emergency of the COVID years kept audiences fixed to their screens. But the web traffic and subscriber growth didn't last. After an initial round of layoffs last year, the Post shed roughly 10% of its staff through buyouts. The bout of retrenchment also put to rest the fantasy that ultra-wealthy patrons would save the news business. Cuts at Time and the Post and one of the largest workforce reductions in the history of the Los Angeles Times underscore that even billionaire owners Jeff Bezos bought the Post in 2013; Patrick Soon-Shiong took over the LA Times in 2018; and Marc Benioff acquired Time the same year won't always cover their newsrooms' losses. The collapse of the Messenger, whose business plan involved attracting massive web traffic from social and search and relying on digital ad revenue, further emphasized the difficulty of pursuing an outdated model. "Advertising itself has been a game of bottom feeding for all publishers," said Gabriel Kahn, professor of professional practice of journalism at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. "As currently constructed this is what I would call a failed market not for advertisers, but for the publishers this ad market is not constructed to give them any kind of real return and it's getting worse and worse," he said. Social platforms have become more fractured and less hospitable to news, denying outlets what used to be gushes of traffic. Search is changing too. Updated displays for search results can eliminate the need to click through to a publisher's website, severing the relationship between a reader and a news source. Google last month tested removing the News search tab. The rise of AI tools could exacerbate that problem, further alienating news consumers from the outlets that unearth the information they seek. That's one of the arguments advanced by the New York Times in its lawsuit against ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Microsoft (MSFT). Why subscribe to a newspaper when a chatbot (or a search engine or a TikTok influencer) can narrate the news for free? The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement late last year. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/REUTERS) (REUTERS / Reuters) A new generation of worker-owned, reader-supported ventures offers glimmers of hope. Or at least a different way of doing things. Instead of styling themselves as tech companies like the last iteration of media startups, chasing colossal growth with the pressures and conflicting mandates that come from corporate managers, investors, and debt financing, a new crop of independent outlets are relying on subscriber support. "The readers have to realize that this work isn't free," said Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media, the new tech publication that's owned by four journalists formerly of Motherboard. Koebler said he's optimistic that sites like Defector, Hell Gate, Racket, and Aftermath can succeed, freed from burdensome overhead and driven by focused editorial missions. The disintegration of the last wave of outlets offers a key lesson for Koebler: "We want to be ambitious with the journalism, but with the business we are conservative and very focused on being sustainable before we grow." Part of the appeal of subscription-based websites is bringing back an older web spirit, liberated from algorithmic sludge, of creating a destination again, said Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath, an outlet run by journalists hit by layoffs and site closures who reunited to cover video games and internet culture. Grayson and others are under no illusion that smaller outlets will replace the staggering losses at much larger publications. "Things are taking on a new shape and new form and we don't know what that looks like in a handful of years," he said. But proving out a new paradigm in journalism can be its own success. "Even if it seems like journalism is dying," he said, "the necessity of doing it will not go away." Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on Twitter @hshaban. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance On February 29, 1984, the legendary Canadian prime minister, Pierre Trudeau, the dad of the current prime minister, resigned from his position after having held it for 15 years, not 40-plus. At the time, he was 64. But he looked much younger. Asked by reporters why he picked a leap day to make the announcement, the quick-witted leader said he didnt want to give his opponents the pleasure of yearly celebration of his resignation. I heartily thank Sen. Mitch McConnell for not depriving us of a yearly celebration, having announced his decision to leave his Senate leadership position on Feb. 28. One more day, and he could have pulled a Trudeau on us. Nay, not a chance; McConnell has the wit of a robot low on batteries. What took Mitch McConnell so long? McConnells minions are admiring him for showing the wisdom of having decided to leave his position at the end of 2024. The question should be what took him so long? The man is 82. He has been freezing right in the middle of a conversation. Did they want him to mimic Dianne Feinstein or Franklin D. Roosevelt? Some Republicans would rather die than mimic a Democrat and vice versa. Even if McConnell was still as young, healthy and physically active as was Trudeau on the leap day of 1984, what else could he have given to America after 40 plus years of self-centered politicking? More self-centered politicking, I suppose! The divisiveness and senseless partisanship that mar Washington today are partly because of ego-trips shamelessly and selfishly taken by McConnell and his ilk from both parties over the decades. We can do with one less perpetrator. Al Cross: McConnells announcement makes whatever endorsement he might deliver to Trump less consequential McConnell's politics were about power McConnell's politicking was all about his self-aggrandizement and addiction to power. America fared in his thought processes, but only if it did not stymie his lust for power. In the run-up to the 2006 mid-term elections, he saw President George W. Bush with a request to withdraw some troops from Iraq, to help their party do well in the elections. Bush shot him down. I would set troops levels to achieve victory in Iraq, not victory at the polls, responded the 43rd president. Texas Gov. and presidential hopeful George W. Bush goes to bat Friday, July 23, 1999, with a Louisville Slugger baseball bat given to him by a YMCA little league team as Bush greets supporters in Louisville, Ky., on his way to a $1,000 a plate private fundraiser. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, in blue shirt, stands behind the little league team looking on. In fairness to McConnell, the news from Iraq in those days was grim. Several politicians from both parties were asking for a drawdown of troops, perhaps more to impress the voters than out of concern for national security. Cheap politicking is a way of political dwarfs. But when the Republican Whip in the Senate takes his addiction to power to the presidential ears, its horrible. When McConnells Democratic challenger, Amy McGrath, in an election campaign ad, criticized him over his dereliction on China, an important area in the domain of American foreign policy, he, instead of rebutting the points the ad raised, called it racist. His reasoning: His wife, Elaine Chao, is of Chinese descent. It was like saying that Americans of Russian heritage will feel offended if we condemn Vladimir Putins aggression against Ukraine. What an idiocy! China has claimed virtual ownership of international waters in the South China Sea. It has built an artificial island there, on which it is maintaining a giant military base. American allies in the region are tense. But the legislators from both parties, seem indifferent to it, barring their muted comments. That seemed to have eluded McConnell, too, when he saw McGraths ad. McConnell is devoid of leadership The reality is McConnell is devoid of leadership, as is every power-hungry politician, be it a democracy like America or a dictatorship. If you have lacked leadership traits throughout your political career, you will lack them during a few additional years, too. 'God's plan': Mitch McConnell championed America, GOP and Kentucky Leadership is more than getting reelected based on millions you can raise through the power cult you have engendered and nurtured in your career. It is being able to see beyond yourself and strengthen the institutions of democracy. Far from strengthening them, McConnell weakened them. His filthy politicking on judicial nominations undermined the delicate relationship between the three branches of government. It will take posterity decades to recover from it. Being an ego-maniac is not being a leader. Savior complex is a trait of dictators, not leaders. Otherwise, George Washington would have remained in office until the day he died, as would have Trudeau and Nelson Mandela. Leaders are cognizant of powers corrosiveness. Mitt Romney proved that. And dwarfs like Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan would not have had to amend their constitutions, just to extend their stay in power. Thank God amending the Constitution is not an easy bet in America. Otherwise, probably even Bill Clinton would have tried it, let alone Donald Trump. The framers of the Constitution were visionary leaders, who bequeathed stability to posterity. Speaking of Trudeau, he gave Canada its constitution. Before that, Canadian constitution resided in England, as an act of the British parliament. Through his selfless and tireless efforts, Trudeau garnered the consensus of all provinces on a draft that took effect as Canadas constitution, on April 17, 1982. I was among the audience when that happened at the Canadian parliament. Even a giant like Trudeau resigned after leading Canada for just 15 years. He was a student of history. I am sure he knew of George Washington. Nay, McConnell doesnt know leadership. Siddique Malik is an observer of sociopolitical affairs. Siddique Malik is an observer of sociopolitical affairs. Find him @The SummerOf1787. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: McConnell retires from Senate leadership. He never was a true leader This year marks four decades since President Ronald Reagans landslide reelection victory in 1984, and my first election to the U.S. Senate. Just four years into Reagans presidency, his administration had already turned the corner on the malaise of the Carter era, reinvested in American hard power, and worked to set the conditions to win the Cold War. Reagans doctrine of peace through strength and his firm conviction in freedoms power to unleash peace and prosperity captivated the American people. And his relentless optimism revitalized a nation and restored faith in American leadership. Today, much like in the Washington President Reagan faced, it has become popular in some circles to bet against American resolve and bemoan the global responsibilities that come with global power. Loud voices peddle the short-sighted and ahistorical notion that Americas interests do not extend beyond the waters edge, and that abandoning our friends is the price of restoring order at home. WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: The U.S. Capitol building is seen past a cloud of steam rising from a vent on Capitol Hill on February 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate is convening for a rare Sunday session to vote on a supplementary spending bill that includes military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan without addressing border security after Republicans in the House abandoned an agreement that they initially agreed to. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776104902 ORIG FILE ID: 1995705993 For months now, my colleagues and I have considered these weighty responsibilities. And in measuring the costs of America neglecting its leading role, the Senate chose to address the growing threats facing our nation and our closest allies around the globe. The national security bill passed in the Senate will help rebuild and modernize our military, restore our credibility on the world stage, and give the current Commander-in-Chief, as well as the next, more tools to face growing coordination among our adversaries. Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are engaged in an active campaign to undermine the U.S.-led order that has underpinned Western peace and prosperity for almost a century. From Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine to Irans persistent proxy violence against American servicemembers and our installations to growing Chinese aggression against Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific partners, these threats are serious, and they are linked. President Xi Jinping has said that Russia and China are engaged in a "friendship without limits," and Tehran has joined in this unsavory union, supplying Vladimir Putins invasion with Iranian missiles and suicide drones. The Russian autocrat understands, as some in Washington fail to, that victory in Ukraine would hasten the rise of this authoritarian alignment. Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Oct. 17, 2023. Thats precisely why our friends and allies are making historic investments in the Ukrainian peoples fight. Thats why Taiwans leaders recognize that "Ukraines survival is Taiwans survival" and Japans leaders say that "security in Europe and security in the Indo-Pacific are inseparable." The Senate understands that what happens in Ukraine sends a strong signal to aggressive regimes who are calculating their own authoritarian ambitions. Unfortunately, President Joe Bidens inaction and hesitation in the face of these mounting threats has only compounded the challenges to American interests. From a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan to a halting response in the earliest days of Putins escalation in Ukraine to second-guessing our ally, Israel, hesitating in the face of at least 170 provocations from Irans proxies in the Middle East, the presidents failures have put Americas credibility in question and the lives of our servicemembers at stake. Many Kentuckians felt the consequences of this inaction close to home when Iran-backed proxies attacked Tower 22 in Jordan, killing three U.S. servicemembers and wounding several Kentuckians stationed at the American outpost. The Senates national security bill does much to give this Commander-in-Chief and his successor new tools and options to defend Americas interests. It will help rebuild our degraded defense industrial base, and to replenish the U.S. arsenal with modern and advanced weaponry. It provides desperately needed resources and equipment to our troops stationed in harm's way, including thousands of Kentuckys servicemembers from Fort Knox, Fort Campbell and the Kentucky National Guard. It provides critical assistance to Israels necessary military operation to root out Hamas terrorists and restore peace to the region. And it helps Taiwan and our other Asian partners deter an increasingly aggressive and increasingly advanced China, our top strategic adversary in the Indo-Pacific. It directs lethal assistance to support Ukraines defense while shrinking economic aid, prioritizing hard power over direct budget support. And it expands unprecedented oversight into how and where assistance for Ukraine is used. The Senates bill also importantly requires the president provide Congress with a detailed strategy for Ukrainian victory. Ukrainian soldiers fire a cannon near the eastern city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on May 15, 2023. This legislation makes overdue investments in American hard power and helps rectify shortcomings in President Bidens initial request for U.S. defense needs. Today, our defense spending as a percentage of GDP still sits at roughly half of what it was during the Reagan-era buildup. Even accounting for direct assistance to our allies, which constitutes a fraction of our defense spending today, more than 75% of this legislation will make a direct investment here in America. Of just the funds this supplemental designates to support Ukraines defense, $19.85 billion will be spent here in America on replenishing our own arsenal. Another $3.5 billion will be spent to expand our industrial bases capacity to produce artillery, air defense, and long-range weapons. And $15.4 billion will be spent here at home on American-made weapons for Ukraine to continue its battle against Russian aggression. For many hardworking Kentuckians, this legislation could mean investments in substantial, new artillery and equipment production right here in the Commonwealth. Already, Kentucky has proven itself vital to our defense industrial base, producing the munitions that supply our troops and our allies overseas. What has been lost in all of the debate over the Senates legislation is this simple truth: By standing with our friend Ukraine and supporting their fight for freedom, we can degrade Russias military capabilities, the third-largest military force in the world, without risking the life of a single American soldier. And in the process, we can deter our adversaries, like Iran and North Korea, invest urgent resources into Americas defense, and sustain long-term competition with China, our greatest strategic threat. So this is not charity, but an investment in cold, hard U.S. interests. Backing down from our duty to preserve American strength, security, and peace will only embolden our enemies and greenlight future acts of force against America and our allies. This is a decision not just for my colleagues in the Senate but for you, the people of Kentucky, as well. We have a duty to protect these enduring values and interests that we, as Americans, all share. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, is the U.S. Senate Republican Leader. Mitch McConnell This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Senate's national security bill provides tools to defend US interests Super Tuesday isnt just the biggest day on the presidential primary calendar. Its also the first major down-ballot primary day of the year, setting up matchups for critical races for Senate, House and governor across the country. Voters in five states California, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas will head to the polls to decide the Democratic and Republican nominees in a slew of notable contests. Follow live updates on Super Tuesday 2024 In some cases, those primaries could continue after Tuesday all but California have runoff provisions if a candidate does not win a certain percentage of the primary vote. And California has a primary system in which candidates from all parties compete on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters advance to the November election. Here are 10 key races beyond the presidential contest to watch Super Tuesday: 1. Californias primary for a rare open Senate seat Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinsteins retirement announcement before her death last year sparked a competitive race to replace her, with three Democratic House members jumping into the race: Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. Schiff has led the field in fundraising and ad spending. And hes even used some of his campaign cash to boost Republican Steve Garvey, a former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, in an apparent attempt to prevent another Democrat from advancing to the November ballot. Polls show Schiff is well-positioned to advance to the November election. But its unclear whether hell face Garvey or Porter, who is using her formidable war chest to try to advance. Progressives, who count Porter and Lee as members of their congressional caucus, could risk locking themselves out if they split their votes between those two candidates. The deep-blue state is all but guaranteed to send a Democrat to the Senate. The question is whether California voters choice this fall will be between a Democrat and a Republican, or between two Democrats. 2. Texas Democratic primary to take on Ted Cruz The Lone Star State is the Democrats white whale. Can they finally capture it in 2024? Democrats believe the state is trending in their direction and they argue that Cruz is vulnerable, especially after he won re-election in 2018 by just 3 percentage points. But that was a banner election year for Democrats, and Cruz faced a historically well-funded candidate in Beto ORourke. Democratic Rep. Colin Allred is viewed as a strong recruit, and hes led the primary field in fundraising and public polling. But if he falls short of the majority-vote threshold Tuesday, hed head to a May 28 runoff against the second-place candidate. Thats expected to be state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who has cast himself as the true progressive in the race and has built a national profile as a vocal gun control advocate following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is in his district. 3. North Carolinas gubernatorial race Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is term-limited, so this open-seat race in a presidential battleground state is expected to be the premier gubernatorial contest this year. Both sides have heavy favorites in their respective primaries. Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein, backed by most of the party power brokers in the state, is expected to win his primary. His top challenger is former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Morgan. The GOP favorite is state Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump and has stoked significant controversy during his tenure. Deep-pocketed former prosecutor Bill Graham and state Treasurer Dale Folwell are also running for the Republican nomination. 4. Alabamas incumbent vs. incumbent GOP primary Two incumbent Republican congress members, Jerry Carl and Barry Moore, are vying for their partys nomination after the states court-ordered redistricting placed them both in the 1st District. House Freedom Action, a group tied to the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, and School Freedom Fund, which is tied to the Club for Growth, have aired ads boosting Moore, who is a member of the caucus. But Moore has also faced opposition on the airwaves from a super PAC funded by some GOP megadonors. This safe-red district is all but out of reach for Democrats this fall, so whoever wins the Republican primary is expected to return to Congress. 5. Texas state House speakers challenge This is the only state legislative race on the list for a reason it embodies the huge divide in the Texas Republican Party and has some major parallels to the dynamics playing out at the national level State House Speaker Dade Phelan is in a fight for his political life after he helped lead the impeachment effort against GOP state Attorney General Ken Paxton. The state House voted to impeach Paxton on corruption charges last year, but the state Senate acquitted him. Paxton is now on a revenge tour, backing Republican primary challengers to the lawmakers who voted to impeach him. And Phelan is his top target. Paxton has campaigned with and appeared in ads for activist David Covey, who also has the backing of Trump in his bid against Phelan. 6. Republican who voted to impeach Trump on the defense in California California Rep. David Valadao is one of two House Republicans still in Congress who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Tuesdays primary will determine if Valadao will face a challenge from the right or the left in November. If the two Democrats in the race split the vote enough, it could allow a Republican to advance past the states top-two primary system along with Valadao. Such a shutout would rob Democrats of a prime pickup opportunity in Californias competitive 22nd District. Republican Chris Mathys, a former Fresno City councilman, is running for the seat again after an unsuccessful bid in 2022. GOP outside groups, including the Congressional Leadership Fund, are working to keep Mathys off the November ballot by launching ads against him. On the Democratic side, former Assembly member Rudy Salas and state Sen. Melissa Hurtado are competing for one of the top two spots. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the House Majority PAC have launched ads boosting Salas, who lost to Valadao by 3 points in 2022. 7. North Carolinas attorney general primary Two U.S. House members from North Carolina are looking to return home, running for the open-seat race with the current attorney general, Stein, campaigning for the governorship. Rep. Dan Bishop, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, is the only GOP contender. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jeff Jackson is running for the statewide post after a GOP-led redraw of the states congressional map made his seat much more Republican. Hes competing with two other Democrats for the nomination: attorney Tim Dunn and Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry. 8. Mark Harris attempts a comeback in North Carolina Bishops decision to run for state attorney general opened up the deeply Republican 8th Congressional District in the southern part of North Carolina. A crowded field of Republicans is vying to replace him, including pastor Mark Harris, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2018 in an election that had to be redone after one of his operatives committed ballot fraud. If no candidate wins more than 30% of the vote, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff May 14. 9. Crowded Texas GOP primary with Trump-backed candidate GOP Rep. Michael Burgess retirement opens up this ruby-red north Texas seat. The Republican primary features some notable candidates, including Brandon Gill, a 29 year-old businessman and activist whose father-in-law is far-right activist Dinesh DSouza, and John Huffman, mayor of Southlake, a town at the center of a fight over critical race theory. The race has attracted outside groups attention with some GOP megadonors funding two super PACs targeting Gill, who is backed by Trump and Cruz. Gill has also had air cover from a group tied to the Club for Growth. This race could head to a runoff because of the crowded field. 10. Porters open House seat in California sparks AIPAC intervention This Orange County seat, which Porter is vacating to run for Senate, is the only competitive House district in California without an incumbent. Republican Scott Baugh is running in the 47th District again after losing to Porter by less than 4 points in 2022. He has consolidated GOP support, while four Democrats are competing to replace Porter. The ones who have received the most attention are state Sen. Dave Min and attorney Joanna Weiss, who has received a boost from EMILYs List, which backs female candidates who support abortion rights. An outside group tied to the pro-Israel group AIPAC has jumped in to try and influence the Democratic contest by spending to sink Min. The group, United Democracy Project, did not respond to a request for comment about its spending in the race. But Mins campaign manager Dan Driscoll told Politico last month that a number of Republican donors at AIPAC are upset that he has called for Bibi Netanyahu to be held accountable for the security failures on October 7th and Netanyahus failure of leadership during this crisis. Driscoll also noted that Min does not believe in the annexation of West Bank settlements. UPDATE: 18-year-old Mimmi Huria has been safely located, according to a March 4 Facebook post by Massachusetts officials. The original story is below. An 18-year-old vanished from a bus station as she traveled to meet her family, Massachusetts officials said. Mimmi Huria, a student at a boarding school in Maine, hopped on a bus to Milton to meet her family on March 2, according to a Facebook post by police. But the bus dropped her off at a different location than usual, Hurias father, Tony Ngaira-Huria, told WBZ News. Huria had plans to meet her family at the South Station since her spring break was starting, police said. She was last seen near Dewey Square wearing a black coat and khaki pants after getting off the bus at the station, officers said. Huria, described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall with dark eyes and black medium length hair, was traveling with two pieces of luggage and a guitar case, police said. We just want her to know, wherever she is, we are not mad with her, Hurias father told the outlet. We love her so much. We just want to have her home safe and sound. Anyone with information on Hurias whereabouts is asked to call 617-698-1212, police said. Milton is about 10 miles south of Boston. Missing kids found with dad 150 miles away from moms suspicious death, NH cops say Man, 55, mysteriously vanishes, cops say. Then a piece of apparent flesh is found Missing 6-year-old found over 1,000 miles away from home on Maine island, cops say WASHINGTON Before Vice President Kamala Harris delivered pointed remarks Sunday about the need for an immediate six-week cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as part of a deal to release hostages, officials at the National Security Council toned down parts of her speech, three current U.S. officials and a former U.S. official familiar with the speech told NBC News. The original draft of Harris speech, when it was sent to the National Security Council for review, was harsher on Israel about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the need for more aid than were the remarks she ultimately delivered, according to one of the current officials and the former official. Two of the U.S. officials said the initial draft specifically called out Israel more directly about the need to immediately allow additional aid trucks in. One of them described Harris original language as strong but not controversial. The move to soften Harris comments highlights how reluctant the White House still is to aggressively criticize Israel in public as President Joe Biden tries to maintain some influence over the Israeli government and secure a hostage deal. The current officials said that the changes were tonal, rather than shifts in policy, and that Harris comments about a cease-fire which were widely covered reiterated Bidens remarks two days earlier and the administrations position on the war. Asked about reports that the speech Sunday was watered down and made to be less aggressive, Kirsten Allen, Harris communications director, said, That is inaccurate. Allen also provided NBC News with a separate statement explaining Harris stance on her remarks. The Vice President felt it was important to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, given recent developments, and to reiterate our Administrations call on Hamas to accept the terms of the hostage deal, she said. As is protocol for most high-level White House principals giving speeches about foreign policy, Harris speech was submitted to the National Security Council and West Wing staff members for review, and a number of changes were made, said several officials, including two from Harris office. Edits were made up until the last minute, as is often the case with a live foreign policy issue, the officials said. An administration official disputed the idea that Harris speech was watered down, saying that the key language and core message were left intact. The National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Harris comments about the Middle East came at the beginning of a speech she delivered on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to mark the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday when civil rights activists, including the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., were beaten by law enforcement officers for demanding racial justice. Harris stressed, among other things, the need for Israel to allow aid into Gaza to help what she called clearly a humanitarian catastrophe. She noted that last week, the Defense Department carried out its first airdrop of humanitarian aid into Gaza and said the U.S. will continue such assistance. She also said the Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. They must open new borders for aid, Harris said. They must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid. They must ensure humanitarian personnel, sites and convoys are not targeted. And they must work to restore basic services and promote order in Gaza so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need. But her comments on a cease-fire drew the most attention. And given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate cease-fire for at least six weeks as is what is currently on the table, Harris said to loud, sustained applause. This will get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in. This will allow us to build something more enduring to ensure Israel is secure and to respect the right of the Palestinian people to dignity, freedom and self-determination. Even though Harris was restating the policy position the Biden administration has held in recent weeks, her forceful delivery went viral, with thousands of people posting her comments online and a number of media outlets writing about them. It was a notable moment for Harris, who has long been criticized for not being visible enough as vice president. A number of activists and faith leaders have been pushing Biden to call for a permanent cease-fire, but so far, the administration has not done so. Even as it became clear that Harris was not saying something new, her words continued to get attention. Those close to her believe her words stuck out both because of her delivery and because she delivered them while marking the anniversary of a key chapter in the Civil Rights Movement. Others said her message that emphasized what civilians in Gaza are facing was especially effective. She did what she does best, which is to take the policy issues, break them down in a way that people can understand them and then address it with her own passion and her own sense of whats right, said Leah Daughtry, a Democratic political strategist with close ties to Harris office who is a co-founder of Black Church PAC, an organization of clergy members and Black church leaders who have been pushing for a permanent cease-fire. It all came together in a way that were still talking about it. An official in Harris office said she decided she wanted to talk about Gaza in her speech in Selma after Biden said Friday that the administration would back an immediate six-week cease-fire as part of a hostage deal. Were trying to work out a deal between Israel and Hamas, Biden said in the Oval Office. The hostages being returned and, and immediate cease-fire in Gaza for at least the next six weeks. And to allow the surge of aid through the entire Gaza Strip, not just the south, but the entire Gaza Strip. On Monday, Harris team made sure to stress that there was no disagreement between her and Biden. After she delivered remarks at the firefighters union conference at a Washington hotel, reporters were taken to the hallway where Harris was exiting close enough to be able to ask about the reaction to her remarks. The president and I have been aligned and consistent from the very beginning, Harris told reporters. Israel has the right to defend itself. Far too many Palestinian civilians, innocent civilians have been killed. A senior Biden administration official echoed that sentiment Monday. Shes on the same page as the president, the person said. Still, the public took notice of Harris. Christopher Huntley, a Democratic strategist who worked as a speechwriter for Harris last year, said he thinks her speech struck a chord because of her delivery and the setting of the speech. There was a clear choice to use the words immediate cease-fire, he said. It broke through because it was very clear language, it was direct, and it spoke specifically to the hearts of young, Black and brown folks and younger voters who are really, really upset about this issue. It was also apt that it happened at Selma, right at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where the fight for justice, equality, civil and human rights was defined in that generation," he added. "For that legacy to be the place where she addresses this made a lot of sense to folks. Even before Harris called for a six-week cease-fire, people inside and outside the Biden administration who are critical of Bidens handling of the war viewed Harris as wanting, but unable, to take a more forceful stance against the fighting in Gaza, a Democrat who helped elect Biden in 2020 told NBC News. The person said Harris had gone to great lengths to show up as a more empathetic voice in her outreach to Muslim and Arab Americans, as well as other Democrats, who are disturbed by the worsening situation after months of bombardments. Her hands are tied, the person said. People are not attacking her because they know that this is not her policy. This is Bidens war. This is Bidens failure. I think she would have asked for a cease-fire a long time ago, the person added. By Yelin Mo and Brenda Goh BEIJING (Reuters) -Apple's iPhone sales in China fell 24% year-on-year in the first six weeks of 2024, according to research firm Counterpoint, as the U.S. company faced increased competition from domestic rivals such as Huawei. The U.S. tech giant's chief competitor in China in premium smartphones, Huawei, saw unit sales rise by 64% in the period, according to the report. This could fan fears of a slowdown in demand for the U.S. company, whose revenue forecast for the current quarter was $6 billion below Wall Street expectations. Shares of the iPhone maker closed 2.8% lower on Tuesday and have lost about 12% of their value so far this year, underperforming their big tech peers in the United States. Counterpoint's report said Apple's share of the Chinese smartphone market dropped to 15.7%, putting it in fourth place, compared with second place in the year-ago period when it had 19% market share. Huawei rose to second place as its market share expanded to 16.5% from 9.4% a year earlier. The overall smartphone market in China shrank 7%, the report said. Apple "faced stiff competition at the high end from a resurgent Huawei while getting squeezed in the middle on aggressive pricing from the likes of OPPO, Vivo and Xiaomi," Counterpoint's senior analyst Mengmeng Zhang said. Apple began subsidizing certain iPhone models by as much as 1,300 yuan ($180.68) last week through flagship stores on Tmall, Alibaba's major marketplace platform. It had already offered iPhone discounts of up to 500 yuan on its official sites last month. Huawei has seen a resurgence in its premium smartphone sales since it released its Mate 60 series in August after struggling for years with U.S. curbs on the exports of key components to the company. Honor, the smartphone brand spun off from Huawei in 2020, was the only other top-five brand to see unit sales increase during the first six weeks of the year, up 2%. Chinese brands Vivo, Xiaomi and Oppo dropped 15%, 7% and 29%, respectively. (Reporting by Yelin Mo and Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by Aditya Soni and Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Kirsten Donovan, Arun Koyyur and Krishna Chandra Eluri) Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/TNS/Newscom Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have enacted sweeping restrictions on minors' ability to use social media. However, DeSantis' veto appears to be less about a commitment to keep the state out of parenting decisionslike whether to let a teenager on social mediaand more about the bill's likelihood of being overturned after a legal challenge. The original bill, House Bill 1, would have banned those younger than 16 from making an account on most social media sites and required companies to delete accounts that they believe could bebut not necessarily confirmed to beowned by users under 16. The bill would also have required social media sites to use a third-party to verify users' age. Companies that violated the law could have been fined up to $50,000 per incident. The bill was broadly popular and passed the Florida Senate with a 305 vote. But DeSantis vetoed the bill last week. In a post to X (formerly Twitter), DeSantis wrote that he vetoed the bill to make way for a superior proposal. "I have vetoed HB 1 because the Legislature is about to produce a different, superior bill," DeSantis wrote on Friday. "Protecting children from harms associated with social media is important, as is supporting parents' rights and maintaining the ability of adults to engage in anonymous speech." The alternate bill, H.B. 3, keeps many of the provisions as H.B. 1, though the updated bill does not include a provision requiring the deletion of possibly underage accounts. Additionally, an amendment recently approved by the state Senate would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to make social media accounts with a parent's permission but keep a blanket ban for younger children. Even with a lowered age restriction, Florida's newest social media age verification bill will still likely face legal challenges, as several other states that have enacted similar laws have. While forcing social media companies to kick kids off their platforms has become an increasingly popular proposal across state legislatures, such restrictions almost inevitably end up violating minors' First Amendment rights to access social media content. The post DeSantis Vetoed a Social Media Age-Verification Law, but That Doesn't Mean He Won't Sign a New One appeared first on Reason.com. JetBlue and Spirit Airlines announced on Monday, Mar. 4, the end of their $3.8 billion merger campaign after a court ruling blocked the proposal. JetBlue said that even though both companies still believed in the benefits of a merger, they felt they were unlikely to meet the required closing conditions before the July 24 deadline and mutually agreed that terminating the deal was the best decision for both firms. "We are proud of the work we did with Spirit to lay out a vision to challenge the status quo, but given the hurdles to closing that remain, we decided together that both airlines' interests are better served by moving forward independently," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said in a statement. On the other hand, Spirit would receive a $69 million termination fee from JetBlue. "We are disappointed we cannot move forward with a deal that would save hundreds of millions for consumers and create a real challenger to the dominant 'Big 4' U.S. airlines," Spirit CEO Ted Christie said in a separate statement. "However, we remain confident in our future as a successful independent airline." Read Also: Nikkei Closes Above 40,000; Chip Stocks, China's 'Two Sessions' Credited for Score JetBlue, Spirit to Appeal Ruling The Associated Press reported that the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block a merger last year, saying it would reduce competition and drive up fares, especially for travelers who depend on low-fare Spirit. A federal district judge in Boston sided with the government and blocked the deal in a ruling last January, saying it violated antitrust laws. The airlines have since appealed the ruling, with a hearing set for June. New York-based JetBlue had argued that the merger would help it compete more effectively against bigger airlines. But there were continuing losses and other problems at Miramar, Florida-based Spirit. Last week, JetBlue had previously warned that it might terminate the agreement. JetBlue's shares rose more than 5% before the market opened, while Spirit's stock slipped more than 13%. Related Article: JetBlue Prioritizes Spirit Airlines Acquisition Over American Airlines Alliance How far have we come? And how far have we yet to go? In the 1940s, Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, saw our Japanese American neighbors rounded up and put into internment camps. Their lives were upended, and many lost large parts of their wealth. Suddenly, Japanese Americans who had lived in the U.S. for years couldnt be trusted. Fear again gripped our nation shortly afterwards with the communist Red Scare. When the Soviets developed nuclear capability, Sen. Joseph McCarthy found the right environment for his fear-mongering to flourish, setting off a storm with unsubstantiated claims such as that the State Department was being infested with communists. His message? Fear them, and loyal Americans must work to expose them. Fast forward to January 2024, the largest conference of Muslims here in South Florida was sabotaged, because the hotel succumbed to protest calls fueled by a hate-sourced article on a local Coral Springs news outlet. The event was eventually held at a Fort Lauderdale hotel. We believe the article was based on a campaign by the Middle East Forum (MEF), a longtime anti-Muslim group as described by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Their message? Those people are not to be trusted. They are terrorist sympathizers. They are not loyal Americans. Fear them. Sound familiar? One cant help but wonder whether that Coral Springs news outlet would have given a platform to a KKK-sourced article. Thats precisely what MEF is to the Muslim community a hate group. (Islamophobic, in this case.) Like other forms of hate, Islamophobia divides our society and puts our community in danger. A social media post last month stated that the proposed Coral Springs hotel venue should be bombed with the sympathizers in it. In actuality, conflating support for Palestinians with supporting terrorism is what is shameful and unAmerican. Wanting freedom for Palestinians doesnt make you a terrorist it makes you human. Weaponizing words like terrorist or Hamas against the Muslim community is no different than using any other racist trope targeting other communities. Hate crimes such as the recent stabbing in Texas show us how real and harsh the consequences are for spreading Islamophobia. We all must reject this form of hatred, just as we must reject racism, antisemitism and all other forms of hatred that seek to divide us through fear and prejudice. Disagreement is OK dehumanizing is not. Our conference was rescheduled and held on Feb. 23-24 with tremendous success and over 1000 attendees. It was a labor of love, and the organizers put their heart and soul into it. The gathering allowed the families of the South Florida Muslim Federations 32 member organizations to learn about our faith, get closer to God and tackle social problems such as divorce, drug addiction and mental health challenges. At the conference we celebrated our diverse cultures including African American, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Turkish, Caribbean and more. Our kids played, we trained our youth, and experts and scholars discussed solutions for the problems of the world starting with our own homes. We mourned the more than 30,000 people killed in Gaza, and discussed how we can accomplish a cease-fire (something that majority of Americans want). People of all faiths and backgrounds attended, just as all faiths have been welcomed at South Florida mosques for over a decade. We will not be silenced and are here to stay. Our simple request to the reader: Hate and injustice thrive on misinformation. Before you make hurtful decisions based on hate-filled articles, do your own research. Better yet, find someone in the local Muslim community and ask us, or find a mosque nearby and attend an open house this upcoming Ramadan. Together, we can work for a better America. Samir Kakli is the president of the South Florida Muslim Federation, an umbrella of more than 30 mosques and Muslim organizations throughout Florida. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this op-ed made an incorrect and potentially misleading characterization of the Middle East Forum in an article by the Southern Poverty Law Center. SPLC does not have an official designation for the group. The article, which was published online in SPLCs Hatewatch section, described MEF as anti-Muslim. One person was killed after an enormous fire Monday night at a suburban Detroit warehouse, known to stock combustible materials, ignited explosions, shook homes and rained down debris as far as a mile away, officials and residents said. Emergency services were called at 8:50 p.m. to a building in Clinton Township shared by a business named Goo and a distribution company named Select Distributors. On its website, Select Distributors says it supplies novelty items and phone accessories to dollar stores, and sells vape products, nitrous oxide and CBD oils. Goo calls itself a smoke shop and sells tobacco, smoking paraphernalia and other items, according to NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit. The fire sent debris flying into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion site, the Clinton Township Police Department said. A 19-year-old man about a quarter-mile down the road from the site suffered a fatal injury from a flying canister, Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan said at a Tuesday morning news conference. Officials said the man was hit in the head and taken to the hospital, where he later died. One firefighter was injured by debris that flew through his windshield and struck him on the side of his face, according to officials. The firefighter was treated at the hospital and released. WDIV reported that it received calls from viewers who said they heard explosions as far as the town of Troy, 15 miles to the west, in neighboring Oakland County. Clinton Township is in Macomb County. Some callers said that items inside their homes rattled and shook from the vibrations. Eyewitnesses captured the scene from afar and posted footage to social media with the sound of multiple, sustained explosions as projectiles shot out into the sky. One person said the explosions continued for more than half an hour. One witness, Marie Ainsworth, said she had just sat down in her basement when she felt "the whole world, earth shaking." "I didnt know if we were at war," she added. When Ainsworth went outside, she saw thick smoke billowing in the air. "It was pretty bad and it was scary," she said. "It never stopped, it never stopped. The explosions never stopped." Ainsworth said at one point she was worried the flames would hit the roof of her home. "Ive never been so afraid," she said. "Im still shaken." Robert Cannon, Clinton Township supervisor, told reporters that he lives 5 miles away and the explosion sounded like "thunder right over our home." "That's 5 miles away so think about the people that were near the site," he said. "It was horrible. The ground was shaking. Our trucks were going to the site and the trucks were shaking. That's how bad it was." Duncan said that traffic in the area would be limited due to an explosion that occurred shortly before the Tuesday morning news conference. "At this stage, were not thinking that there should be any danger to the community," Duncan said. "Thats why were trying to keep people as far away as we possibly can." No one was in the building at the time of the fire, according to Duncan, who said the building was almost completely burned down. The debris primarily came from 12-inch metal canisters, each weighing a few pounds. He said firefighters had trouble accessing the building "due to the hundreds, if not thousands of explosions" that occurred. Two business owners were taken to the police department Monday night and interviewed by the fire prevention division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Duncan said. He told reporters that the business had recently received a semiload of butane containers and had "over half of that still left." There were also pallets of nitrous, lighter fluid, and over 100,000 vape pens that had lithium batteries inside of them, according to Duncan. Officials told residents to stay inside with their windows closed. A Macomb County hazmat team did air monitoring Monday night "with negative results, so the air is fine," said Paul Brouwer, the emergency management coordinator for Clinton Township. Brouwer said the water was also "absolutely perfect." Police and the fire service requested the help of other local police agencies and the ATF because the business was "known to stock combustible materials." Police and firefighters were on the scene through the early hours of Tuesday removing debris from surrounding roads. TEL AVIV, IsraelEarly last week, President Joe Biden made an optimistic prediction: Were close, he said of progress toward a temporary truce in Gaza to secure the release of additional Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity. My hope is by next Monday well have a ceasefire. But Monday has come and gone, as Hamas negotiators rejected Israels proposed framework, doubling down on the terrorist groups demands for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Days later, in Cairo, Israels delegation sat out U.S.- and Qatar-brokered talks after Hamas refused to provide a list of the hostages who are still alive. The temporary ceasefire on the table would secure the release of up to 40 of the estimated 100 living hostages in various phases. In exchange, Israel would halt its advances for six weeks, release at least 300 Palestinian prisoners from its jails, increase humanitarian aid deliveries, and allow displaced Gazans to return to specified areas in the northern part of the Strip. International intermediaries continue to project confidence that an agreement will soon come to pass, but, for now, the decision appears to be Hamas to make. Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire, Vice President Kamala Harris said Sunday. Well, there is a deal on the table. Now the Biden administration is angling for an agreement by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is set to begin Sunday, but Hamas may be thwarting its plans by insisting on guarantees that the war wont start up again after the truce expires. Counterintuitive though it may seem, Hamas maximalist demands come as it continues to suffer losses on the battlefield. The terrorist groups military capabilities in the central and northern parts of the Strip have all but collapsed as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) captures strongholds and kills fighters by the dozens. Where it once carried out coordinated attacks against advancing troops, Hamas is now resorting to guerilla warfare on its home turf. Israel says 18 of the groups 24 battalions have been destroyed. So why does Hamas seem to be dragging out negotiations to stop, at least temporarily, a war that its badly losing? On Day 150, the group appears to be relying on its tactic from Day 1: buying time so that international resentment toward Israels war effort will ensure Hamas survival and eventual reconstitution. Israeli officials say its a miscalculation, vowing to uproot the terrorist group despite mounting internationaland brewing domesticpressure to end its campaign in Gaza. Hamas was never looking for a quick deal. They were looking for an Israeli surrender, for a ceasefire that would be unilateral, and for Israel to pull out of the Gaza Strip completely, Nadav Eyal, a prominent Middle East political commentator at Israeli news outlets Yediot and Ynet, said in an interview. To that end, he added, Hamas is still betting that [Hamas Gaza leader Yahya] Sinwar and his terrorists can survive more time underneath the ground than the IDF can above the ground. And this basic gamble has not changed since the beginning of the war. The Biden administration isnt so fond of the waiting game. U.S. officials on Saturday reiterated Washingtons goal of brokering a temporary truce by Ramadana deadline fast approaching. The Muslim fasting month has long been a flashpoint for religious tensions in Jerusalem, in which different faiths vie for access to their respective places of worship. Riots and clashes between Arab Israelis and security forces are an annual concern, particularly in the Al-Aqsa compound, or Temple Mount, where Muslims and Jews both have holy sites. This year, Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas hope to exploit the charged occasion by turning it into the second stage of October 7, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned last week. It wouldnt be the first time Hamas has capitalized on religious strife between Jews and Muslims living in Israel. In 2021, an 11-day war broke out after the Gazan group responded to clashes at the Al-Aqsa compound with rocket fire into Israel. Hamas branded its attack on Israel last October as the Al-Aqsa Flood, calling on Arab-Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem to rise up against Israel. So far, theyve refrained from joining in on attacks in great numbers. But the forthcoming holy month could change that. Ramadan and Al-Aqsa are a rallying call for Palestinian Jerusalemites, West Bankers, Israeli-Arabs, and Muslims and Arabs in general. It gives a much wider resonance to what Hamas seeks to expand far beyond just the Gaza Strip, Assaf Orion, a brigadier general in the IDF reserves and defense strategist at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, told The Dispatch. Its another chance to try to draw in additional parties and theaters to expand the war. American negotiators want to reach a deal before Ramadan to avoid such an escalation, but also to discourage the IDF from expanding the scope of the war in Gaza. Israel has in recent weeks indicated its plans to push into Rafahthe southernmost city in Gaza thats currently housing 2.3 million people, many of whom are displaced from elsewhere in the Stripto destroy the Hamas battalions hiding beneath the civilian population. The U.S. has discouraged the maneuver, particularly in the absence of a clear plan for how to relocate civilians to safe zones. A new deal could forestall an offensive into Rafah, particularly as a growing number of Israelis call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize the return of hostages over the war effort. An estimated 130 hostages, 100 living, have now been in Hamas captivity for 150 days. Mass demonstrations by their families and supporters are a regular feature on Israeli streets amid fear that their plight has been forgotten by the government. Securing the release of Israeli abductees should be the governments main priority, Yuval Sharon, a young man from a village south of Tel Aviv, said during a protest in Israels second largest city last week. The most important thing should be bringing them back home, and if this doesnt happen, it will be a failure of the war. Anti-government protesters block traffic in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, calling for the safe release of hostages and the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo by Charlotte Lawson) We have to make an agreement, to stop the war and to bring back the kidnapped, another protester, Tsfira Geva, told The Dispatch. Because soldiers are killed every day. But Hamas has yet to signal that its prepared to release all of the hostagesperhaps the only offer that would see Israel willingly abandon its goal of eliminating the armed group. While the immediate fate of Gaza remains in limbo, Israels plans for its governance post-Hamas are equally unknown. Its a question of growing importance as Hamas defeats begin to create power vacuums in the central and northern areas of the enclave. The humanitarian fallout from those voids was on full display on Thursday, when dozens of Gazans were killed after swarming an aid convoy in northern Gaza. Conflicting accounts of the deadly incident followed, but it laid bare the deteriorating law and order that has allowed gunmen to loot food supplies from a desperate population. In an effort to mitigate the humanitarian crisis, the U.S. military carried out its first airdrop of aid over the weekend, delivering more than 35,000 meals. But a more robust, long-term governing solution is required. Whats the plan? Whats going to happen now? This is exactly the question that the White House has been asking since the beginning of the war, Eyal told The Dispatch. The IDF is an extremely powerful army and its winning the military battle. The problem is that Israel might lose the war if it pulls out without having a political alternative, with military power, to Hamas. Right now, it doesnt have one. We are at the day after. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. A federal judge on Monday rejected Sen. Bob Menendezs (D-N.J.) claims that the search warrants executed on his home were unconstitutional. Judge Sidney H. Stein ruled Monday that the search warrants used to investigate Menendezs emails and search his home in 2022 were not unconstitutional, according to court filings. Menendezs lawyers had previously argued the evidence collected was illegally obtained and alleged that prosecutors actively distorted the evidence. Attorneys for Menendez said the warrants were riddled with material misrepresentation and omissions that deceived the authorizing magistrate judge, according to court documents. Stein rejected this argument, ruling that Menendez failed to prove that the warrants were purposefully misleading. Prosecutors said FBI agents discovered $100,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in hidden cash while executing a search of Menendezs home. He was indicted on bribery charges last fall that accused him and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, of accepting more than $600,000 in bribes from a group of New Jersey businessmen on behalf of interests in Egypt. Menendez is also accused of acting as a foreign agent of Egypt between June 2018 and June 2022. Earlier this year, a second superseding indictment alleged he accepted gifts for aiding a foreign government. The New Jersey Democrat and his wife have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Stein also rejected arguments by one of the three businessmen charged in the case, Wael Hana, who had also raised a challenge to one of the search warrants. Menendez and Hana have failed to make a substantial preliminary showing of material misrepresentations or omissions that, based on credible evidence, are deliberately or recklessly misleading, Stein wrote. Stein also noted in his ruling that the affidavits that backed requests for a search warrant only needed to show probable cause. As the government assertsand Menendez does not contestthe affidavit need only establish probable cause that the evidence, fruits, or instrumentalities of a crime would be found in the search, even if the crime was only perpetrated among Nadine, Hana, and the New Jersey Defendant, Stein wrote, noting that the threshold is amply satisfied by the documentary evidence described in the affidavit. Jose Uribe, one of the businessmen charged in the case, pleaded guilty Friday to charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion, according to court filings. Hana and another businessman charged, Fred Daibes, have pleaded not guilty. A spokesperson for the prosecutors office decline to comment. The Hill has reached out to Menendezs legal team for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By David Shepardson and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on Tuesday to give China's ByteDance about six months to divest popular short video app TikTok or face a U.S. ban, seeking to tackle national security concerns about its Chinese ownership. The bill is the first significant legislative move in nearly a year toward banning or forcing ByteDance to divest the popular app, after senate legislation to ban it stalled in Congress last year in the face of heavy lobbying by TikTok. Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the House of Representatives' select China committee and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat, are among more than a dozen lawmakers introducing the measure, which is expected to see an initial vote on Thursday. "This is my message to TikTok: break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users," Gallagher said. "Americas foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States." The bill would give ByteDance 165 days to divest TikTok, which is used by more than 170 million Americans, or make it unlawful for app stores run by Apple, Google and others to offer TikTok or provide web hosting services to apps controlled by ByteDance. The bill would not authorize any enforcement against individual users of an affected app, however. "This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it," a company spokesperson said on Tuesday. "This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs." A White House National Security Council spokesperson called the bill "an important and welcome step" adding that the Biden administration would work with Congress "to further strengthen this legislation and put it on the strongest possible legal footing." The administration has worked with lawmakers from both parties to counter threats of tech services operating in the United States that pose risks to Americans sensitive data and broader national security, the official added. TikTok says it has not, and would not, share U.S. user data with the Chinese government. The American Civil Liberties Union called the bill unconstitutional, saying lawmakers were "once again attempting to trade our First Amendment rights for cheap political points during an election year." The bill, which would required companion legislation in the Senate, will be considered at an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Thursday for a vote. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs that committee, said the bill would "prevent foreign adversaries, such as China, from surveilling and manipulating the American people" via online applications such as TikTok. Still, the popularity of the app could make it tough to get legislation approved in an election year. Last month, Democratic President Joe Biden's re-election campaign joined TikTok. The bill would give the president new powers to designate apps of concern posing national security risks and subject them to the risk of bans or curbs unless ownership was divested. It would cover apps with more than a million annual active users and under control of a foreign adversary entity, the bill says. Concerns about Chinese-owned TikTok sparked efforts in Congress last year to tackle the risks from the short video sharing app or potentially ban it. Late in 2022, Congress barred federal employees from using it on government devices. Last year the administration backed legislation sponsored by Senator Mark Warner and more than two dozen senators to give it new powers to ban TikTok and other foreign-based technologies if they pose national security threats. That bill has never been voted on. The U.S. Treasury-led Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in March 2023 demanded that TikTok's Chinese owners sell their shares, or face the possibility of the app being banned, Reuters and other news providers reported, but the administration has taken no action. The new bill aims at bolstering the legal authority to address TikTok concerns. U.S. courts blocked an effort by previous President Donald Trump to ban TikTok in 2020. Late in November, a U.S. judge blocked Montana's first-of-its kind state ban on TikTok, saying it violated users' free speech rights. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Clarence Fernandez) Ever since Nikki Haley announced that she was running for president, public curiosity about her personal and professional life has been at an all-time high. Then again, that's nothing new for the politician, who previously served as the governor of South Carolina and the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. While voters have been learning more about the presidential candidate's campaign, they've also been curious to know about her husband, Michael Haley, and what role he's played in her political career. On the eve of Super Tuesday, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the man who has stood by Nikki Haley's side through the highs and lows. Michael Haleys real name is Bill When Nikki Haley first met her husband, he was going by the nickname of Bill, which was short for his full first name, William. However, the name didnt sit right with the future politician. In her 2012 memoir, "Cant Is Not an Option: My American Story," she recalled a conversation she had with her future husband in college. You just dont look like a Bill. Whats your whole name? she asked, according to the book. Michael Haley (Meg Kinnard / AP) When she learned that his full name was William Michael, Nikki Haley decided she liked the name Michael better. From that point on, I started calling him Michael, and all my friends did the same, she wrote. From there, his new name was official. Everyone who knew him before I did knows him as Bill, and everyone who met him after I did knows him as Michael. He looks like a Michael, Nikki Haley wrote. Michael Haley was adopted In her 2012 memoir, Nikki Haley described her husbands challenging early childhood. His biological father was an alcoholic who had trouble with the law. His family lived in a house in Ohio with no electricity and no running water. When Bill was three, he and his four siblings were removed from their home by the state," she wrote. "The weekend before his biological mother was going to regain custody of the kids, she got in a car accident and suffered a brain injury. She was no longer able to care for the kids, so Bill and his two sisters were put in foster care in one home, and his older brother and sister went to different homes nearby, she said in the book. Nikki Haley and Michael Haley in 2010, when Nikki Haley was a candidate for governor. (Brett Flashnick / AP) When he was 4 years old, Michael Haley and his younger sister were adopted by Bill and Carole Haley. At the time, the couple wasn't aware that there were more siblings to adopt. Fifteen years later, Michael Haley tracked down his other siblings. Nikki and Michael met in college Nikki and Michael Haley were college sweethearts. The couple met when Nikki Haley was 17 and Michael Haley was 19. She was a freshman at Clemson University and he was a student at Anderson University. We became friends immediately, she wrote in her memoir, describing her future husband as fun and interesting. Posted by Nikki Haley on Monday, September 7, 2015We met 26 years ago at Clemson. I was 17 and Michael Haley was 19. Today we are celebrating 19 years of marriage. We... At the time, Nikki Haley was new to college and had never had the opportunity to date before so she wasnt ready to like him too much, she wrote in her memoir. Michael Haley then told her he had a girlfriend. One day, he asked if shed be interested in dating him while he dated another girl. In her 2012 memoir, Nikki Haley recalled her response. I gave him points for honesty, but thats about it. So I told him (with a smile, of course), I think thats great that youre dating again. But I dont date people who also date other people, so why dont you just go date her? Good luck! I hope it works out for you!'" she said, according to the book. In the end, Michael Haley never dated the other girl and he went on to date Nikki Haley for the next seven years. Nikki and Michael Haley have two children The couple has two children: a 25-year-old daughter named Rena and a 22-year-old son named Nalin. During a 2023 interview with TODAY's Craig Melvin, Nikki Haley expressed her gratitude for her family's support of her presidential campaign. "You can't do this without your family. You just can't. And so to have them there for support is everything," she said. Nikki Haley family (Bill Clark / AP) The presidential candidate said her son has "always been very involved in everything I do politically" and was very supportive of her idea to run for president. She also shared her daughter's comedic response. Renas response was, Why do you want to live in someone elses house again? she said. When asked to describe their mother's parenting style, both Rena and Nalin said she was "tough" but "loving." Michael Haley is a member of South Carolina's National Guard In 2006, Michael Haley joined South Carolina's National Guard and now works as a major. He is currently serving a yearlong tour in Africa. This is at least his second active-duty overseas deployment, as he previously spent time in Afghanistan. When Nikki Haley announced that her husband would be deployed during her presidential campaign, she offered the following statement. Our family, like every military family, is ready to make personal sacrifices when our loved one answers the call, she said. We could not be prouder of Michael and his military brothers and sisters. Their commitment to protecting our freedom is a reminder of how blessed we are to live in America. The couple had two wedding ceremonies In a 2010 article, The New York Times noted that Nikki and Michael Haley had two wedding ceremonies: one in both the Sikh and Methodist faiths. Joni Ernst's Roast And Ride (Scott Olson / Getty Images) Nikki Haley grew up in the Sikh faith but converted to Christianity. She spoke about the decision in a New York Times interview in 2012. "We chose Christianity because of the way we wanted to live our life and raise our children it had nothing to do with me thinking there was anything wrong with the way I was raised, and everything to do with the fact that I am moving forward in my life and had to find a path I felt was right for me," she said. This article was originally published on TODAY.com By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea's defence ministry urged South Korea and the United States to stop military drills, saying they are rehearsals of war and warning of consequences, KCNA reported on Tuesday. South Korean and U.S. militaries kicked off their annual spring exercises on Monday with twice the number of troops joining compared to last year, seeking to improve their responses to North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. An unnamed spokesperson of Pyongyang's defence ministry said it strongly denounces what it called "frantic, reckless" military drills, urging them to stop, KCNA said. The exercises can never be defensive but are an attempt to invade the North, the spokesperson said, pointing to their increased scale and the participation of 11 member countries of the United Nations Command. "A nuclear war may be ignited even with a spark," KCNA quoted the spokesperson as saying. The U.S. and South Korea will have to "pay a dear price for their false choice," the official added, vowing to conduct "military activities to strongly control the unstable security environment." South Korea's defence ministry dismissed the North's statement, saying the exercises are defensive and meant to fend off the North's provocations and aggression. "If North Korea makes a direct provocation using the exercises as an excuse, we will make overwhelming responses immediately, strongly and until the end," it said in a statement. The Freedom Shield exercises, set to end on March 14, came as North Korea pushes to develop its nuclear capabilities with missile and other weapons tests. The exercises are primarily designed to neutralise the North's nuclear threats, including by "identifying and striking" cruise missiles, which Pyongyang had indicated could carry nuclear warheads, Seoul military officials said. (Reporting by Hyonhee ShinEditing by Sandra Maler and Lincoln Feast.) INDIAN FALLS, Calif. (AP) Flames racing through rugged terrain in Northern California destroyed multiple homes Saturday as the state's largest wildfire intensified and numerous other blazes battered the U.S. West. The Dixie fire, which started July 14, had already leveled over a dozen houses and other structures when it tore through the tiny community of Indian Falls after dark. An updated damage estimate was not immediately available, though fire officials said the blaze has charred more than 181,000 acres (73,200 hectares) in Plumas and Butte counties and was 20% contained. The fire was burning in a remote area with limited access, hampering firefighters efforts as it charged eastward, fire officials said. It has prompted evacuation orders in several small communities and along the west shore of Lake Almanor, a popular area getaway. Meanwhile, the nation's largest wildfire, southern Oregons Bootleg fire, was nearly halfway surrounded Saturday as more than 2,200 crew members worked to corral it in the heat and wind, fire officials said. The growth of the sprawling blaze had slowed, but thousands of homes remained threatened on its eastern side, authorities said. This fire is resistant to stopping at dozer lines, Jim Hanson, fire behavior analyst, said in a news release from the Oregon Department of Forestry. With the critically dry weather and fuels we are experiencing, firefighters are having to constantly reevaluate their control lines and look for contingency options. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for four northern counties because of wildfires that he said were causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property. The proclamation opened the way for more state support. Such conditions are often from a combination of unusual random, short-term and natural weather patterns heightened by long-term, human-caused climate change. Global warming has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years. On Saturday, fire crews from California and Utah headed to Montana, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced. Five firefighters were injured Thursday when swirling winds blew flames back on them as they worked on the Devils Creek fire burning in rough, steep terrain near the rural town of Jordan, in the northeast part of the state. They remained hospitalized Friday. Bureau of Land Management spokesperson Mark Jacobsen declined to release the extent of their injuries, and attempts to learn their conditions Saturday were unsuccessful. Three of the firefighters are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service crew members from North Dakota, and the other two are U.S. Forest Service firefighters from New Mexico. Another high-priority blaze, the Alder Creek fire in southwest Montana, had charred over 6,800 acres (2,750 hectares) and was 10% contained Saturday night. It was threatening nearly 240 homes. Elsewhere in California, the Tamarack fire south of Lake Tahoe continued to burn through timber and chaparral and threatened communities on both sides of the California-Nevada state line. The fire, sparked by lightning July 4 in Alpine County, has destroyed at least 10 buildings. Heavy smoke from that blaze and the Dixie fire lowered visibility and may at times ground aircraft providing support for fire crews. The air quality south of Lake Tahoe and across the state line into Nevada deteriorated to very unhealthy levels. In north-central Washington, firefighters battled two blazes in Okanogan County that threatened hundreds of homes and again caused hazardous air quality conditions Saturday. And in northern Idaho, east of Spokane, Washington, a small fire near the Silverwood Theme Park prompted evacuations Friday evening at the park and in the surrounding area. The theme park was back open on Saturday with the fire half contained. Although hot weather with afternoon winds posed a continued threat of spreading blazes, weekend forecasts also called for a chance of scattered thunderstorms in California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and other states. However, forecasters said some could be dry thunderstorms that produce little rain but a lot of lightning, which can spark new blazes. More than 85 large wildfires were burning around the country, most of them in Western states, and they had burned over 1.4 million acres (2,135 square miles, or more than 553,000 hectares). Scrolling through TikTok, you might find your feed saturated with viral beauty tips and tricks that claim to enhance features and help people look their best. While thousands of users are hitting like on these appearance-centric posts, others are raising a skeptical eyebrow at their claims. One of those users, TikTok creator Sharon Amy Wu (@sourandnasty), posted a video in response to a viral filter that claims to help users determine if they have a low or high visual weight that is, if they have softer or more prominent features relative to their facial size. Figuring out visual weight, according to some creators, will better inform how you should apply makeup in a way that most flatters your face. But, according to Wu in a post from Jan. 18, you dont need any filters. In fact, she adds in her Jan. 18 post, What you can do is put on light or heavy makeup, look in the mirror and ask yourself, Do I look good? Do I like the way that I look right now? Thats it. Basically, its not a beauty influencer or beauty brands call. Its yours. Give it a try and decide for yourself While beauty trends like visual weight or color theory (which claims to help people decipher which colors best compliment their skin tones) may have started out with good intentions, Wu told Yahoo News, they [can] get twisted around to a point where they hold users to an arguably unattainable beauty standard and negatively impact mental health in the process. Since makeup is so closely tied with your physical appearance, it quickly turns into people uplifting certain features/face types above others, and people who may not fit into what [is] trendy [end up] feeling left out. A lot of times it leads to people feeling like they shouldnt participate in certain trends [or] use certain products when it may be something they would otherwise enjoy, she said. Wu added, When I was growing up, makeup was all about experimentation and fun. Sometimes you try something new and it doesnt look that great. You can just wipe it off and try again. I feel like a lot of these trends make people feel restricted, and some of them even contradict each other. ... At the end of the day, the best way to find out is just to give it a try and decide for yourself. being a teenage girl now must be so exhausting. constantly held to a beauty standard beyond any reasonableness. high visual weight, low visual weight, a bombardment of anti-aging, trend upon trend upon trend upon trend. beauty standards, living standards, fitting in, a dellers (@bertiecauld) January 14, 2024 How does the beauty industry contribute to these standards? Gia Rutkowski (@attemptedsoc), who dedicates her platform to dissecting online behavior, echoed Wus sentiment and called out the beauty industrys role in bolstering the virality of these beauty standards. So these beauty standards, for context, when we find the root, it's usually to sell something, whether it be a major corporation selling something or even an influencer coming up with a new trend to sell for a product or sell her course, Rutkowski told Yahoo News. What is going to be more profitable for a major company? Is it going to be a happy, confident demographic that feels fulfilled with their looks? Or an insecure group of people who are looking to buy the new product to make themselves feel better? According to a 2023 report from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the "Sephora Tween" phenomenon and TikTok's "Get Ready with Me" videos are influencing Gen Z's decisions when it comes to "prioritizing aesthetics." "This generation is growing up with a greater awareness of what is possible when it comes to aesthetic treatments thanks to the normalization online, Dr. Sherard Tatum, president of the AAFPRS, said in a statement about the report. In a 2024 study, researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine found a direct correlation between social media engagement and an increased desire to get cosmetic treatments. Patients who follow social media accounts of celebrities that have gotten cosmetic procedures or plastic surgeons who show "before" and "after" images of cosmetic procedures they've performed are "significantly" influenced to undergo a procedure themselves, the study showed. Rutkowski added that the desire to improve oneself doesnt always yield a positive outcome. It can, she said, lead people to feel even more dissatisfied with themselves. I think there's a really big focus right now on self-progression and self-help, she said. And that's what I feel like a lot of these trends [focus on]. You can sit there and say how [you] want to make [yourself] more appealing to the conventional beauty standard. ... [But] once you start, you dont stop. ... Youre never satisfied. Self-esteem and the effects of hyper-reflection Julia Baum, a licensed therapist in New York and California, told Yahoo News that those who choose to try a beauty trend should look inward and assess their intention for doing so. She said that hyper-reflection, which is the act of thinking about oneself and one's appearance more than is healthy and subsequently neglect other areas of existence plays a big role as well. Many people are easily influenced to hyper-reflect on their appearance, which can lead to feeling dehumanized. It's not inevitable that watching these videos will impact one's self-esteem, but it's more a matter of what you take away from them and how those messages affect you, she said. For example, That's an interesting technique, I'd like to try it vs. This beauty practice will make me a more worthy person. It depends on the meaning one finds in these trends. If it's about enhancing and taking pleasure in the process, that's very different than seeking to fix or change aspects of oneself that have been criticized. While these viral beauty trends may feel essential to follow, Wu suggests practicing the look on yourself and seeing how you feel about it apart from any outside influence. In my opinion, Wu told Yahoo News, you dont need to listen to people on the internet tell you whether or not youll look good [with] a smoky eye when you can just try a smoky eye on yourself and decide for yourself if you like it or not. (Editor's note: This story has been updated to include information from the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine research study.) Owners of XL bully dogs will have to register them with authorities New rules are being introduced in Northern Ireland to restrict the ownership of XL bully dogs, Andrew Muir has said. They will have to be muzzled and on a lead in public. New legislation will also require owners to get an exemption certificate for their XL bully. The breeding and selling of XL bullies will be banned, the Stormont agriculture and rural affairs minister has said. Similar moves have already been introduced in the rest of the UK. Andrew Muir also said a new scheme will be set up requiring owners to register their dog with the authorities. The legislation was brought in as the government faced pressure to act, after the breed was linked to a string of serious and sometimes fatal attacks. What is an XL bully? Defra previously released guidelines on defining and recognising an XL bully Speaking at Stormont on Tuesday, Mr Muir said he had not taken the decision lightly. "There are 140 XL Bully breed type dogs licensed right now, up from around 90 last October," he added. "Therefore it is time to act, whilst numbers remain manageable and while we can - in the main - track where these dogs are." It is understood the move will require legislation that could come before the assembly in summer or early autumn. The new scheme will require owners of XL bullys to: Appropriately record and account for their dog, with the relevant authorities Keep their dog muzzled and on a lead at all times in public The new rules will also make it illegal to abandon, rehome, sell, buy, or transfer ownership of an XL bully. Dogs will also have to be neutered. Responsible owners The department said if an owner of an XL bully does not want to follow the measures and no longer wishes to keep their dog, it will have to be put down. Mr Muir said: "No owner will be forced to give up their dog or made to hand over their dog. "I am giving the owners of XL bully breed type dogs the ability to be responsible and compassionate owners." He added that he was aware of calls to deal with "the deed not the breed", but had to act in light of safety risks. There are four breeds of dogs that are banned in Northern Ireland: Pit Bull terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino Fila Braziliero The minister said that in the five months since measures had been announced in Great Britain, there has been a rise of more than 50% in the number of XL Bully breed type dogs licenced by councils in Northern Ireland. "I cannot rule out that the significant uplift in XL bully dogs finding a home here is due to displacement from England, Scotland and Wales," he added. He said he was concerned that the figure could also be under-reported. The USPCA said it was disappointed in the minister's announcement. "Promoting responsible pet ownership is crucial and helping people to understand these dogs will mean that more and more people might think twice about buying a dog like this to own," said Chief Executive Nora Smith. "We already have legislation at our disposal to be respond to irresponsible dog owners, that is what we should be focussing on, better enforcement." Ms Smith added that the USPCA would continue to work with the department to "tackle long-standing dog breeding issues that exacerbate the problems associated with dog attacks". 'Mass euthanasia' Tara Cunningham from Causeway Dog Rescue said the charity was "deeply disappointed that this is the minister's first action for animal welfare". Ms Cunningham accused Mr Muir of "doing the bare minimum and then handing it over to local government to enforce". She said she worried it would lead to many dogs being euthanised. Former Trump Organization CFO, Allen Weisselberg, surrendered to the Manhattan DA on Monday (Mar. 4) to face new criminal charges and is anticipated to plead guilty to perjury. The prosecutor's office did not provide any further details about the nature of the charge, but people familiar with the investigation previously told the Associated Press and other reporters - on the condition of anonymity - that prosecutors were charging the 76-year-old former CFO with perjury when he answered questions at former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in October about allegations that Trump lied about his wealth on financial statements. Weisselberg's lawyer, Seth Rosenberg, did not immediately return to reporters' requests for comment. Weisselberg is on probation, previously serving 100 days in jail last year after pleading guilty to dodging taxes on $1.7 million in off-the-books compensation from the Trump Organization. Prior to that he had no criminal record. He left New York City's Rikers Island in April, days after Trump was indicted in his New York hush money criminal case. Under that plea deal, Weisselberg was required to testify as a prosecution witness when the Trump Organization was put on trial for helping executives evade taxes. He did so carefully, laying out the facts of his own involvement in evading taxes but taking care not to implicate Trump, telling jurors that his boss was unaware of the scheme. Read Also: Trump's Classified Documents Trial: Judge Calls Special Counsel Jack Smith's Proposed Schedule 'Unrealistic' Weisselberg's new criminal case comes just weeks before Trump is scheduled to stand trial on separate allegations that he falsified business records, which involved allegations that Trump falsified company records to cover up hush money payments made in the 2016 campaign to bury allegations that he had extramarital sexual encounters. Trump pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing about the matter. Last month, the New York Times reported that Weisselberg was in negotiations to plead guilty to perjury, and Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the fraud trial, ordered attorneys to provide details related to the Times' report. Trump is scheduled to appeal Engoron's judgment ordering him to pay more than $454 million in fines and interest for submitting fraudulent information about his asset values on years of financial records. Former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen said Weisselberg had a role in creating and managing the payments, but he has not been charged in that case, and neither prosecutors nor Trump's lawyers have indicated they would call him as a witness. That trial is scheduled to begin on March 25. Related Article: Allen Weisselberg, Former Trump Executive, Sentenced to 5 Months in Jail in Relation to Trump Organization Tax Fraud Scheme This photo provided by David Clohessy shows the entrance of ABM Ministries, a Christian boarding school in Piedmont, Mo. The owners of ABM Ministries were arrested over the weekend and charged with kidnapping. The arrest followed allegations of abuse by several former students who attended the school. The owners of a Christian boys boarding school in Missouri were charged with first-degree kidnapping following an investigation, authorities said. Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch announced that deputies arrested Larry Musgraves Jr., 57, on Friday evening on the ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy campus in Piedmont, Missouri, a small town roughly 130 miles south of St. Louis. His wife, Carmen Musgraves, 64, was arrested when she went to the jail to check on her husband at around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday. Both are being held without bond. ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy is a private Christian boarding school for boys ages 10 to 13. According to its website, the 25,000-square-foot campus is located on 25 acres tucked away in the Ozarks. The school has around 40 students enrolled each year. In a statement, Finch said the sheriff's department began an investigation months ago after a former student contacted them. Finch traveled to Alabama to interview the former student, then began interviewing other former students, then current students. He added that the office has also received several calls of students running away from the facility. Finch said the sheriff's office anticipates more charges as the investigation continues, with more alleged victims coming forward." The arrests come nearly two weeks after the Kansas City Star published a report detailing how several boys had run away from the school since early January. Camper found dead: Officials tell NC wilderness camp to stop admissions after 12-year-old boy found dead Multiple runaways in recent months In one instance reported by the Kansas City Star, a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old had run away from the facility, and walked for miles without coats in the cold temperature before flagging down a driver for help. They were screaming, hands up in the air, trying to get me to stop, Cierra Osborn, 20, the woman whose car the boys flagged down on Jan. 28, told the Star. The older boy told Osborn: Maam, we just need you to call 911. Osborn told the outlet that the boys were "terrified" and spoke of staff hitting and berating them for things like not getting their chores done quickly. According to the Star, the Missouri Highway Patrol assisted Wayne County authorities several times since Jan. 13 as several boys were reported missing. I dont remember seeing this many runaways (from ABM Ministries) so close together, Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott, a public information officer for the patrol in the area told the outlet. In his statement, Finch acknowledged growing community concern over the recent spike in runaways and asked for the public to be patient and "rest assured that all crimes are and will continue to be investigated. When it comes to children, Sheriff Finch will leave no stone unturned until all victims are interviewed. We know the citizens are concerned as well that nothing was being done, however we cant disclose what we are doing on cases, Finch wrote in the news release. ABM Ministries did not respond to USA TODAY's call for comment. Sarah Al-Arshani covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at salarshani@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lighthouse Christian Academy: ABM Ministries school owners arrested EXETER, N.H. Its become a familiar ritual for Amy Klobuchar an impressive debate followed by a rush of fundraising and national media attention, then nothing. The political establishment swoons. America passes her by. But whether its because the election is in full swing now or because two other candidates Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren appear to be fading, Klobuchar is gaining traction in New Hampshire. Fire officials at least twice on Sunday and Monday barred doors to Klobuchars rallies after crowds swelled to capacity. A Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll put her in third place in the state, ahead of both Biden and Warren, and an expanding pool of TV cameras circled her campaign. Hours after The Boston Globe polls release, Klobuchar said to cheers at a rally in Keene that we are now No. 3. Finishing in front of either Biden or Warren in Tuesdays primary would add new life to Klobuchars candidacy, following a fifth-place result in Iowa. Finishing in front of both of them would almost certainly have a catalytic effect on the Minnesota senators campaign. I dont have the biggest bank account in this race, I didnt have the biggest name ID going into this, Klobuchar said at a rally Monday. But what I have is grit. It is possible that Klobuchars late surge is coming too late. She is polling in low single digits in the next two nominating states, Nevada and South Carolina, where her competitors have been amassing organizations for months. It is unclear whether Klobuchar will have the money or the time to catch up, or an organization that can capitalize. In campaign appearances in recent days, Klobuchar has described her disappointment about the outcome of President Donald Trumps impeachment trial, while celebrating the moments of bravery she witnessed, including Republican Sen. Mitt Romneys vote to convict. Her description of the proceedings at times grows emotional. And it is not hard to imagine that Klobuchar is in the midst of her own brave, but ultimately unsuccessful endeavor. Yet following the Iowa caucuses, Klobuchars advisers dispatched staffers to Nevada. And her performance in the debate on Friday resulted in another infusion of money more than $3 million in two days. As you probably heard, were on a bit of a surge, she told a large crowd at the historic Exeter Town Hall. Renewed interest in Klobuchar here has stemmed largely from the Friday debate, at which she derided Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Ind., mayor, as a cool newcomer and suggested it was more difficult to govern than to lob insults at Washington politicians. Klobuchars supporters see in her a Midwestern moderate who is well positioned to win over independent voters and disaffected Republicans in swing states in November. And New Hampshire is well positioned to receive this message. Klobuchar is aggressively courting independent voters in a state where nonaffiliated voters traditionally account for more than a third of the vote in Democratic presidential primaries. Stopping for an interview with Fox News Bret Baier over the weekend, Klobuchar quickly volunteered that among the many newspaper endorsements she has received was one from the New Hampshire Union Leader, a traditionally conservative newspaper. That was especially for Fox News, she joked. But it is not Klobuchars ideology that she is selling principally to make a visceral connection here. It is her hardiness in the debates, in her campaign announcement in a Minnesota blizzard last year (which she playfully tells crowds was meant to impress New Hampshire). It is an effort to portray Klobuchar as tough enough to defeat Trump, inviting viewers to envision her running not against other Democrats, but him. Imagine me up on that debate stage with him, Klobuchar urged her audience in Exeter. For the moment, at least, her crowds like the idea. Supporters hoist signs that read Iron Range Amy, Grit of a MN blizzard and a drawing of Trumps face, a soda bottle and the caption, Amy is our Orange Crush. Somethings happening, New Hampshire state Rep. Willis Griffith, a supporter, said on the sidelines of a Klobuchar rally in Manchester on Sunday. Our trajectory is going up, while a couple of others are going down. Klobuchar, like Warren and Bernie Sanders, was sidelined from the campaign during Trumps impeachment trial, and acknowledges that being bolted to that desk kept her from the campaign at a critical time. Though Klobuchar outperformed public opinion polls in Iowa, it was also her neighboring state and one where she had traveled extensively. But her fifth-place finish was close enough to Biden to be credible, and in New Hampshire she may eclipse him. Griffith, who had been driving throughout the state for surrogate events with Klobuchars husband, John Bessler, said, The timing is great. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." After over two decades of being together, Robery Downey Jr. and Susan Downey are more in love than ever. The couple are a rare testament to long-lasting love in Hollywood, with the two frequently singing each others praises to the press and working on a multitude of projects together through their production company, Team Downey. There was something magical there, something we couldnt put our finger on, Susan said of their relationship in a 2009 interview with Harper's Bazaar. He always says that we became this third thing when we got togethersomething that neither of us could have become by ourselvesand I think thats true. Ahead, we break down in reverse chronological order everything to know about their decades-spanning romance, from their quick engagement to their two children. Michael Buckner - Getty Images March 10, 2024: Robert says Susan loved me back to life in his first-ever Oscars acceptance speech. Robert wins his first-ever Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Oppenheimer, and in his speech, he pays tribute to wife Susan: I'd like to thank my veterinarianI mean wifeSusan Downey over there. She found me a snarly rescue pet and she loved me back to life. Thats why Im here. Mike Coppola - Getty Images February 24, 2024: Robert expresses his gratitude to Susan in SAG Award acceptance speech. The actor thanks his wife while accepting the SAG Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture. For 22 years, she has flawlessly portrayed a sane and rational individual who is happily married to an actor, he says. He also shouts out their son, adding, Exton Elias, this ones for you. JanuaryFebruary 2024: Susan supports Robert during the 2024 awards circuit. As Robert sweeps awards season with his performance as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolans acclaimed historical drama Oppenheimer, Susan joins her husband for the buzzy red-carpet circuit. The couple are seen at a multitude of starry awards ceremonies, including the BAFTAs, the Critics Choice Awards, the Governors Awards, and the Golden Globes. Joe Maher/BAFTA - Getty Images February 14, 2023: Robert pledges his undying love to Susan. Robert posts a series of sweet photos of himself and Susan for a Valentines Day Instagram tribute. In the caption, he writes, To she who lovingly tolerates my many shenanigans, I pledge my undying love.. November 6, 2021: Robert shares the sweetest birthday tribute for Susan. For his wifes birthday, the actor shares a photo of himself gesturing around the top of Susans head on Instagram. He explains in the caption, Adjusting the halo on my heaven sent partner Mrs D.. you are my everything, and November 6th, Always a day of gratitude, for your blessed birth. P.S. I will never watch ahead on a co-viewed streaming show..That is my eternal vow August 27, 2015: They celebrate 10 years of marriage. Robert commemorates their 10-year anniversary with a sweet Instagram post, featuring a photo of the couple posing in coordinating outfits on the beach. A perfect 10. Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Downey, he writes in the caption. November 4, 2014: They welcome their second child. Susan gives birth to daughter Avri Roel Downey. Robert confirms the happy news in a Facebook post. After 9 months of intensive development, Team Downey is pleased to announce our 2014 fall/winter project, he writes. Principal photography commenced 11-14 and will continue until she says, Dad! You are embarrassing me...I'm 30, this has gotta stop. Yep...Avri Roel Downey joined the party @ 3:22 a.m. on November 4th...she's 7lbs even, spans 20 inches, and is accompanied by a variety of Susans traits that have seemingly overwritten my junk DNA. February 7, 2012: They welcome their first child. Susan gives birth to a baby boy, whom they name Exton Elias Downey. Lester Cohen - Getty Images June 2010: They co-found a production company. The two launch Team Downey, a production company originally based at Warner Bros. At the 2020 Fast Company Innovation Festival, Susan describes Team Downey as a mom-and-pop organization. That doesn't mean that the scope of what we do is small, she says. It just means the way in which we do it is very hands-on. She adds, You ultimately realize if youre going to take the time to do something, you have to love it. You have to be willing to know where those hours are going to go, because theyre not going to go to something else. January 17, 2010: Robert thanks Susan while accepting a Golden Globe. Robert wins the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in Sherlock Holmes, which Susan produced. During his acceptance speech, the actor expresses thanks to his wifes support. First of all, Id like to thank Susan Downey for telling me that Matt Damon was going to win so dont bother to prepare a speech, he jokes. That was at about 10 a.m. He sarcastically adds later in his speech, I really dont want to thank my wife because I could be bussing tables at the Daily Grill right now, if not for her. Jesus, what a gig thatd be. Kevin Winter - Getty Images December 9, 2009: The couple talk about overcoming Roberts lifelong drug addiction together. Speaking with Harper's Bazaar, Susan and Robert offer up candid details about their romance. I guess the only way to explain it is that Ive become more like her. Im still trying to figure out what happened, says Robert, who has dealt with a lifelong addiction to drugs. Whatever I was hungry for when I met Susan, I couldn't have known how much more satisfying what I got would be. While Susan admits that she found Robert to be strange when she first met himand still thinks he is very strangeshe also says, Hes this incredible amalgam of contradictory traits that is never boring. Hes completely eccentric but grounded. Hes someone who has lived so much life yet has almost a Peter Pan kind of never-grow-up quality. Evan Agostini - Getty Images At the beginning of their relationship, Susan says she had extreme naivete and ignorance about what it means to deal with drug addiction. I don't have a history of making bad choices, she explains. And if my parents had any reservationswhether they were scared about [his being] an actor or an addict or that hed gone to prison or had a kid and an ex-wife, the whole shebang of things I claimed I would never want in a guy, and add some new things to itthey never shared them with me. They saw how happy I was. She gave Robert an ultimatum. I did meet Darth Vader, for like a minute, she says, referring to the name that Robert uses for his darker habits. Right after the movie wrapped, and I said immediately, This isn't gonna work. I made it clear that to stay with me, nothing could happen. The actor ultimately threw out his drugs into the ocean and decided to get sober. Reflecting on that pivotal decision, Susan says, I think he saw what we had. There was something magical there, something we couldnt put our finger on. He always says that we became this third thing when we got togethersomething that neither of us could have become by ourselvesand I think thats true. Susan also opens up about her relationship to stepson Indio, whom Robert shares with ex-wife Deborah Falconer. With stepkids, its hard at first, she says. But, like anything, my approach was to just be honest about it and not try and force anythingnot act like we were a big family right away. Whats come from that is a really great relationship with Indio, because I didnt try to make it into something it wasnt...until one day, it was. August 27, 2005: They get married. Robert and Susan tie the knot in a star-studded wedding ceremony held in the Hamptons, which features performances from Sting and Billy Joel. November 5, 2003: They get engaged. Steve Granitz - Getty Images The couple announce their engagement just a few months after they first met. Robert describes his fiancee in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying, I just feel like shes my best friend and we really get along well. And she also just calls me on everything. And she's multi-tasking squared. Shes doing this and shes doing that. Shes reading a script. Shes pinning her hair. And it just blows my mind how capable she is in functioning in life. And she has a great sense of humor and shes a little bit crazy, too, because shes sitting right here next to me. Were getting married. October 9, 2003: They make their red-carpet debut. They make their first red carpet appearance at the New York premiere of The Singing Detective, a crime-comedy-musical that starred Robert alongside Katie Holmes, Adrien Brody, and Mel Gibson. Arnaldo Magnani - Getty Images 2003: They meet. Robert and Susan meet on the set of Gothika, the 2003 psychological thriller that Susan produced through Silver Pictures and which starred Robert opposite Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz. Susan later recalls her first impression of him in a 2009 interview with Harpers Bazaar,confessing that there were no sparks right off the bat. I thought he was a brilliant actor, but it didnt go beyond that. I saw him more like a professor or someones older brother, she says. But, their relationship soon took a romantic turn. Four of us would work out together after the shoot, and one day, when we were on the treadmills, Robert goes, Levin, you wanna go to dinner? and I said, Eh, Ill grab something to eat, so we agreed to go change and meet in the lobby. And as he walked down the stairs toward me, I remember looking up at him and suddenly thinking, Hes really cute. She adds, There was something in my gut that knew really quickly. I knew three months in that this was it. You Might Also Like Satellite images released Monday show the devastation wrought by a series of wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, including that of the largest wildfire in state history, which is still largely uncontained. Two people have died and an estimated 500 structures have been destroyed in the fires, some of which broke out last week and were fueled by high temperatures and winds, officials said. The largest fire in state records is among the blazes: the so-called Smokehouse Creek Fire, which began Feb. 26 and has grown to around 1,076,638 acres. It was 15% contained Monday. Some of the increase was due to more accurate mapping, and the numbers could change, the Texas A&M Forest Service has said. texas panhandle fire damage satellite view (Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies) The Smokehouse Creek Fire became the largest in state history Thursday. The largest before had been the East Amarillo Fire of 2006, which was around 907,000 acres, according to statistics from the Texas A&M Forest Service, which is a state agency. Among the other fires currently burning is the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County, which is around 144,000 acres, officials said. It was 55% contained Monday. The Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County was 34,882 acres and 60% contained. Temperatures in the region were forecast to increase this week, but then a cold front is likely to bring a chance of precipitation starting Friday, the National Weather Service in Amarillo said. The moisture in the grass has increased, the Texas A&M Forest Service said in an update Monday, meaning it will be easier to fight the fires. "Overall, burn conditions are markedly improved from yesterdays weather and the ability to fight fire on the ground is greatly enhanced," the agency said. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration because of the fires, and a request for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been approved. President Joe Biden said late last week that FEMA will guarantee that Texas, as well Oklahoma, will be reimbursed for firefighting efforts. Federal help has included 500 federal personnel in Texas, including over 100 federal firefighters, and more are on the way, Biden said Friday in Brownsville. Aircraft and other equipment have also been sent. aerial satellite smoke fire (Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies) "Were standing with everyone everyone affected by these wildfires. And were going to continue to help you respond and recover," Biden said then. Abbott's disaster declaration last week covers 60 of the state's 254 counties, or around one-quarter of them. More counties could be added, he said. Abbott called the wildfires a crisis in an update Monday and said they were the state's top priority. VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. A refrigerator-sized satellite designed to measure emissions of climate-changing methane gas was shot more than 300 miles above the Earth's surface Monday on the back of a SpaceX rocket. Known as "MethaneSAT," the $88 million spacecraft was designed and built for the international nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund, which will use the data in part to "name and shame" large-scale polluters, including oil-and-gas drilling companies, large livestock operations and even landfills, along with the governments that are supposed be regulating them. Although other satellites can track overall methane emissions, and airplanes can measure small areas accurately, MethaneSAT will provide a comprehensive overview of methane emissions globally including from countries typically unwilling to permit scientific observation, like Russia, Venezuela and Brazil. "For the first time we have a tool that is not only going to be able to hold industry accountable, but also for the first time hold governments accountable," said Mark Brownstein of EDF. "This information will enable us all of to know whether the government is doing what it is supposed to be doing." A rendering of the Environmental Defense Fund's MethaneSAT satellite, which was launched into space March 4. A colorless, odorless gas, methane is the primary component of natural gas, which many utilities burn as a cleaner alternative to coal or oil. But it also is a potent greenhouse gas that escapes from oil wells and pipelines, and is also released by livestock and decaying organic matter in landfills. EDF plans to publicly post the data online. Many governments, including the United States and some individual states, regulate methane emissions but lack the data to make realtime enforcement possible. A company, for instance, might not recognize for months that its methane-capture system has stopped working. New Zealand helped fund the satellite launch, along with private donors to EDF. Experts say methane could cause more climate change over the next decade than the carbon released from burning fossil fuels. Built in Colorado, the satellite roared into space Monday afternoon atop a SpaceX rocket launched from the California coast. EDF officials said it will likely take several months for them to get the satellite fully operational. Once running, it will be able to measure emissions in 30 target areas daily, allowing scientists to quickly model how emissions are changing over time. Experts say reducing the amount of methane released into the atmosphere can slow climate change. Internationally, more than 100 countries have pledged to reduce their methane emissions by 30% by 2030. China, India, the United States, Russia and Brazil are among the largest methane emitters, according to the International Energy Agency. In many cases, methane emitters can cheaply and easily stop their leaks, EDF said, but have typically lacked solid data on which to act. And because methane isn't easily visible to the human eye, regulators may have a harder time stopping leaks as compared to a visible oil spill. You cant manage what you cant measure, and thats certainly true when it comes to cutting methane, one of the biggest drivers of climate change, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is now the U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solution, said in a statement. Data from this satellite will help us to better measure methane emissions and target their sources, bringing more transparency to the problem, giving companies and investors the information they need to take action, and empowering the public to hold people accountable. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Satellite will track emissions, 'name and shame' large-scale polluters Searches of the rural Crawford County home where a 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman was found murdered on Feb. 26 yielded the Pennsylvania State Police evidence including spent shell casings, firearms and broken pieces of at least one knife, according to inventory records released by state court officials on Tuesday. The state police are not commenting on any of the evidence collected during the searches at 21845 Fish Flats Road in Sparta Township, including whether they believe any of the spent casings or other weapons collected were used to kill Rebekah A. Byler, Lt. Mark Weindorf, crime section supervisor for state police Troop E in Lawrence Park Township, said Tuesday. The Pennsylvania State Police seized evidence including broken knife pieces, firearms and spent shell casings in their search of a Fish Flats Road home in Sparta Township, Crawford County, where a 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman was killed on Feb. 26, according to inventory lists released on Tuesday. Byler was found dead inside of her home, with two uninjured toddlers also present, when Byler's husband and a family friend returned to the residence following an outing earlier in the day on Feb. 26. Byler was found with a "scalping type" wound to her head, and she had a laceration on the front side of her neck, according to information in the search warrants. State police early Saturday morning charged Corry resident Shawn C. Cranston, 52, with shooting Byler and slashing her throat. Authorities have not released a possible motive in the killing, but said Cranston was known to some in the Amish community around Spartansburg where Byler lived with her family. Wealth of evidence from victim's home State police have not commented on any of the evidence they collected during searches of the Byler home on Feb. 26-27 and of Cranston's home in the 400 block of East Main Street in Corry on Friday night and Saturday morning. But the inventory lists of seized property that state police returned following two searches of the Fish Flats Road home, which the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts released late Tuesday morning, contain a variety of items of potentially evidentiary value that troopers removed from the residence. The 32 items listed on the inventory include a broken orange knife handle and a broken knife blade; muzzleloader projectile; a discharged "F" .22-caliber LR cartridge case; a discharged 6.5 Creedmoor casing; a bone-handled knife; and an Outdoor Edge knife sheath. Also listed as seized on the inventory were a Henry Repeating Arms rifle; a Break Action shotgun; a Forehand Arms Co. shotgun; and a variety of ammunition, including undischarged .22LR and 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition. State police also seized a partially smoked cigarette and an ashtray and its contents; a black hair of unknown origin; an empty Mountain Dew bottle; and a hand towel, paper towels, trash can contents, candy referred to as gummies and a white bonnet. A cotton-tipped applicator used for a DNA swab containing possible DNA was included on the inventory list. Both searches of the Byler residence began mid-afternoon on Feb. 26, less than three hours after authorities said the family friend who was with Byler's husband when he returned home and discovered Byler's body called 911. Police continued to hold the Byler home and to search the residence and other areas of the property until Feb. 27. Investigation ongoing as court date awaits Weindorf said Tuesday that state police are still actively investigating the homicide. He said over the weekend that numerous interviews were conducted in the days after Byler's death, including interviews with members of the Amish community, and through those interviews and other evidence Cranston surfaced as a suspect in the crime. State police took Cranston into custody in Corry on Friday night. He was arraigned early Saturday morning by Titusville District Judge Amy Nicols on charges of criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass. Cranston is in the Crawford County Correctional Facility without bond. He is tentatively scheduled to appear before Nicols for his preliminary hearing on March 15 at 2 p.m. A lawyer for Cranston was not listed on his online court docket sheet Tuesday. Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNhahn. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Knife pieces, other evidence seized at dead Amish woman's PA home Taraji P. Henson is continuing to be a voice for the voiceless Black actors and creators struggling for equity in Hollywood. On Sunday, "The Color Purple" star accepted the excellence in the arts award at the American Black Film Festival Honors where she emphasized the importance of telling your truth. "If you are alive and God blessed you with another day to live, it is your job to tell your truth," Henson said as she pointed to her bicep tattoo that reads "the truth," according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. "Because by you telling your truth, you set yourself free and somebody else free." She added: "When we stay quiet, nothing changes. The squeaky wheel gets fixed." Taraji P. Henson attends the 6th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Black Excellence in Hollywood on March 3, 2024. Henson told the crowd to rely on their joy to "give you the ammo to continue to fight" for equity. "If you need a soldier by your side, I'm here. Keep telling your truth, because that's all we have." The Oscar-nominee's comments about pay inequity while doing press for "The Color Purple" continued conversation about the fiscal worth Hollywood has placed on successful Black women. "I almost had to walk away from 'The Color Purple,'" Henson said during an interview with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in December, adding that she hadn't received a pay "raise" since her 2018 performance in "Proud Mary." Of her pay dispute, the actress said, "Im getting to a point where I just want to be 10 toes down on an island somewhere. Because (of) the fight as a Black woman. We do it with so much grace and get paid half the price of what were worth and that becomes difficult." Last month, Time unveiled its 12 picks for the Women of the Year issue, which included Henson. The actress said she felt compelled to push the discussion forward in public spaces, because "if we stay talking in small little circles, that's not going to change anything." "But we do have allies out there, which I've found out by telling my truth," she added. Henson likened her experience to that of the characters in "The Color Purple." "I'm in a movie about women who don't have a voice and are trying to find it. So who's going to stand up for them?" Taraji P. Henson in "The Color Purple" as Shug Avery. Time Women of the Year: Greta Gerwig says 'Barbie' movie success 'was not guaranteed' It's also a part of the reason she's spent time on other streams of income outside of acting, including a production company and her hair-care brand TPH. "I'm 53, and I'm getting tired," she told Time. "And then the disrespect: If there's a playground no one wants you to play on, are you going to keep showing up and hurting yourself?" Henson has often portrayed characters dealing with the intersection between racism and sexism, from Shug Avery in "The Color Purple" to NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson in "Hidden Figures." While it's important to share those stories, she noted that she has to be "conscious of making sure Im not losing myself" when her characters experiences overlap with her own. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taraji P. Henson urges 'truth' after 'The Color Purple' pay dispute A group of far-left activists has claimed it was behind an arson attack on a high-voltage electricity pylon Tuesday that cut off the power supply to Teslas factory in Germany. The activists, calling themselves the Volcano Group, claimed responsibility for the fire in a letter published on the alternative German media website Kontrapolis. Police in the German state of Brandenburg told CNN Wednesday that they believe that the letter is authentic. The group wrote that it had sabotaged Tesla (TSLA) because its plant near the German capital Berlin consumes Earth, resources, people, labor and spits out 6,000 SUVs, killer cars and monster trucks per week. The factory contaminates the groundwater and consumes huge amounts of the already scarce drinking water resource for its products, the activists said in the letter. German public broadcaster ZDF reported that the factory had been evacuated and its workers sent home, adding that it was unclear when production would restart. Tesla has not responded to a CNN request for comment. Commenting on the letter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote on X: These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or theyre puppets of those who dont have good environmental goals. Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm. Production at the factory is not expected to resume before next week, Reuters quoted plant manager Andre Thierig as saying. Shares in the maker of electric cars took a beating Tuesday, falling 4.6% in late morning trade in New York. The attack on the transmission tower also cut off power supply to villages near the factory. Thousands of people have been cut off from their basic supply and put in danger. The rule of law will react to such an act of sabotage with the utmost severity, Michael Stuebgen, the interior minister for Brandenburg, said in a statement, adding that a criminal investigation had begun. If the initial findings are confirmed, this is a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure. This will have consequences, he said. Fire engines parked on the site of the Tesla car factory near Berlin on March 5, 2024. - Sebastian Gollnow/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Teslas huge plant located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of the German capital is its only one in Europe and is currently capable of producing 375,000 electric cars a year. Last year, the company lodged an application to ramp up the factorys production capacity to 1 million electric vehicles a year, which would make it Europes biggest car plant. But in February, local residents voted against a motion to clear enough forest for Tesla to expand the site, leaving it to local authorities to decide how to proceed, according to Reuters. Since Thursday, around 80-100 environmental activists have been occupying part of the forest near the plant, which Tesla wants to clear for the expansion, ZDF reported Tuesday. Robin Wood, one of the environmental groups taking part in the occupation of the forest, said it had no information about the reasons for the power outage. We firmly reject any connection with Robin Woods activities, it added in a statement. In another setback earlier this year, Tesla said it would pause most production at the Berlin plant for two weeks because attacks on container ships in the Red Sea had delayed the delivery of components. Production was due to resume on February 12, according to CNN affiliate RTL. This article has been updated with additional information. Stephanie Halasz in London and Chris Stern in Berlin contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Kenneth Chesebro in Atlanta, Georgia, on 10 October 2023. Photograph: Alyssa Pointer/AP Kenneth Chesebro was eager to help. It was five days after the 2020 presidential election and Joe Biden was projected to defeat Donald Trump and win Wisconsins 10 electoral votes. Trumps campaign was requesting a recount. Chesebro, a little-known Harvard-educated lawyer, believed there were abnormalities in the election and emailed Jim Troupis, a friend and former Wisconsin judge, to offer to help with any of the campaigns legal efforts. Chesebro tacked on a thought at the end of his message. If there were still questions about irregularities while Wisconsins members of the electoral college cast their votes for Joe Biden, Congress might not have to accept the result of the election. Related: It baffles me: what drew a mild lawyer with a liberal past into Trumps election plot? If these various systemic abuses can be proven, and found to be pivotal in a court decision and/or detailed legislative findings, I dont see why electoral votes certified by Evers (at least if court proceedings are still pending on the safe harbor days) should be counted over an alternative slate sent in by the legislature, whose decisions should have primacy, he wrote in an email on 8 November 2020. At minimum, with such a cloud of confusion, no votes from WI (and perhaps also MI and PA) should be counted, perhaps enough to throw the election to the House. The short email, released Monday as part of a civil suit settlement, was the earliest seed of what would come to be known as the fake electors scheme a national effort led by Chesebro to get Congress to reject legitimate slates of electors in favor of pro-Trump slates. It was a critical piece of Trumps anti-democratic effort to overturn the 2020 election and now lies at the center of two criminal cases against the former president. Chesebro has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to file false documents, a felony, in Georgia, and was sentenced to five years of probation and $5,000 restitution. He is an unnamed and unindicted co-conspirator in the federal election interference case against Trump. Troupis, who sits on a judicial ethics panel in Wisconsin, has not been criminally charged for his role in the scheme. The resolution of this litigation provides much-needed transparency into how the fraudulent electors scheme was conceived and developed, and it exposes the key roles both Troupis and Chesebro played not only in executing the scheme in Wisconsin, but also around the nation, Law Forward, Georgetown University Law Centers Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) and Stafford Rosenbaum, the legal groups who brought the civil case, said in a statement. Chesebro did not immediately return a request for comment. It is the duty of lawyers to vigorously represent their clients, regardless of their popularity, within the bounds of the law. Our representation was vigorous and ethically appropriate, Troupis said in a statement. Five days after his email, on 13 November, Troupis invited Chesebro to be part of the legal briefing team. Chesebro, who had been peppering Troupis with tweets he came across, replied that he was available to join any call today on 20 mins notice. In the meantime, Im still reading up on election law, he added. Five days later, Chesebro sent what is now a well-known memo outlining the fake elector scheme. With the subject line The Real Deadline for Settling a States Electoral Votes, the document offered a legal justification to throwing out the valid votes of Americans across the country and would become a roadmap for what was to unfold over the next few weeks. In the emails, Chesebro floated multiple avenues to challenge the election in Wisconsin attempting to solve the puzzle of actually getting a court to side with them. I should add a note about a more aggressive version of this strategy, he wrote to Troupis on 19 November, arguing that the state legislature could justify choosing its own electors by casting doubt on the official process which had changed during the pandemic to expand absentee voting. The beauty of this is that the Republican legislators, if they adhere carefully to this theory, can emphasize that theyre simply acting in the interests of the State, he added. Clever legal arguments would be important, but so would the perception, among Republican voters, that the 2020 election had been tainted by rampant fraud. The whole idea is a long shot. Probably it would only be viable if by early December there was a palpable sense among conservatives that there was a concerted effort by Democrats to steal this election in multiple states, he wrote. Chesebro pointed to numerous pandemic-era practices as potential legal challenges: Democracy in the Park events staffed by poll workers in Madison parks where voters could drop off their ballots ahead of election day and the use of ballot drop boxes were two particularly troubling practices, in Chesebros mind, and could form the basis for an objection. The documents also show how Chesebro sought to use conservative media to get the attention of conservatives on the Wisconsin supreme court. As they discussed various theories of wrongdoing in 18 November, Chesebro suggested tipping off conservative radio hosts. Mostly to maximize the chance that [supreme court of Wisconsin] justices hear about this quickly and prejudge the case? he wrote, adding a winking emoji to the text. In mid-December, after the Wisconsin supreme court declined to overturn the states election results, Chesebro sent Troupis a screenshot of a text that appears to joke about killing Brian Hagedorn, a conservative justice who cast a critical vote in the case. Were thinking of inviting Hagedorn on the plane and solving that problem at high altitude, over water the message says. Its not clear who the message is from. Outside of the legal strategy, the documents also show how Chesebro was willing to assist with any detail, no matter how small from brainstorming a media strategy to offering to coordinate on logistics. He drafted a press release on the Wisconsin alternate electors meeting, only backtracking when Michael Roman, a top Trump aide, made clear in a 14 December email that the plan was not to be shared with the media. Chesebro offered an alternative idea rather than a local media blitz, a message about their effort could come from the top Like a tweeted statement by Ellis, and follow up on-camera explanation by RG, and or follow up tweet by the President? he replied, apparently in reference to Trump campaign lawyers Jenna Ellis and Rudy Giuliani. Much wiser heads on that sort of thing than me! Later, as he and Roman tried to figure out how to get the fake electors documents to the Capitol on January 6, Chesebro offered different flights and routes a congressional aide could take to fly into Washington. Those who know Chesebro have been baffled at how he got caught up in the fake electors scheme. The messages hint at a sense of excitement in being involved with Trump and his closest aides. After Troupis and Chesebro met with Trump in the Oval Office on 15 December, Chesebro texted Troupis a picture of Troupis on what appears to be a private plane. A few days after that meeting, Trump sent out a tweet inviting supporters to Washington on January 6. Be there, will be wild, Trump said. Chesebro sent the tweet to Troupis and wrote: Wow. Based on 3 days ago, I think we have a unique understanding of this. And on January 6, Troupis praised Chesebros work as senators began to object to the electoral college vote. You got Arizona. Well done Ken! History is made, he wrote in a text message. Chesebro replied with a picture of him on the mall smiling in front of the Washington monument. He later followed up with a smiling selfie of him and the far-right host Alex Jones. Hanging with Alex Jones, Chesebro wrote. Lol. I told him to put you on his show. The next morning, after the attack on the Capitol, Chesebro suggested Trump surrogates should lay blame on antifa and poor security that was under the control of Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi. He also suggested Trump could put the episode behind him by inviting Biden and Harris over for coffee on the morning of the inauguration. He could lighten it up with a couple of well-placed jokes. Related: Donald Trump case tracker: where does each investigation stand? About an hour later, he said it was stupid to have a rally on Jan. 6. Original plan was Jan. 5 right? Would have been perfect to have a Jan. 5 rally, then told people to go home, so focus would be on debate in Congress. He also added Mike Pence was to blame for giving Trump hope of overturning the election and then not following through. On 22 February, the US supreme court dismissed a request filed by Troupis and Chesebro on behalf of the Trump campaign to revisit the Wisconsin election results. So sorry, Chesebro wrote. Youre [sic] work was incredible Ken. I am honored to have been a part of it, Troupis replied. I am honored you invited me to help at all. Would have been worth it even if wed gotten no votes and had never met the President just being on a team with the guts to represent someone with an important case who other lawyers shunned was worth it, Chesebro said. High winds caused tumbleweeds to engulf streets, highways and neighborhoods in parts of Utah and Nevada over the weekend. Videos shared online show massive amounts of tumbleweeds swarming parts of Utah, even stacking several feet high around homes. In Pahrump just outside of Death Valley National Park tumbleweeds could be seen sweeping roads in every direction. Severe weather brought wind gusts of over 60 mph to the western U.S., knocking down trees, damaging infrastructure and causing power outages. Residents of South Jordan, south of Salt Lake City, were among the people forced to plough the mess before city officials arrived with support. Tumbleweeds overwhelm a Utah town. Officials provide dumpsters to dispose tumbleweeds South Jordan officials set up several dumpster locations dedicated exclusively to tumbleweeds as they worked on clearing roads. A city representative told USA TODAY on Monday that the situation is being managed with a solid rotation of the designated dumpsters. Farther south, roads and neighborhoods in Eagle Mountain were also flooded by the prickly debris. City officials said residents are responsible for clearing tumbleweeds off their property but could ask for assistance if the quantity is excessive. "The city strongly discourages pushing the tumbleweeds into the street. This will not get them cleared any faster and creates traffic safety issues in the community," officials wrote on Facebook. Incident named 'tumble-mageddon' and 'tumbleweed takeover' The invasion has left many referring to the incident as "tumble-mageddon' or 'tumbleweed takeover." One X user said on Sunday that South Jordan looked like a scene of a Western movie and called it "Mother nature's tumbleweed takeover." Luckily, its something we can handle, South Jordan communications manager Rachel Van Cleave told local outlet KSL-TV. "This is not our first tumble-megaddon." March blizzard: Over 10 feet of snow in Tahoe brings snowfall totals above average What is a tumbleweed made of Tumbleweeds start out as a bright green thistle that is popular among mice, pronghorns and bighorn sheep. After maturing and dying, the remains the succulent plant break off at the root and are blown away by wind. As they moves wherever the wind takes them, tumbleweeds disperse as many as 250,000 seeds. Unlike most seeds, these weeds don't have a protective cover or stored food reserves but rather contain a coiled, miniature plant in a thin membrane. Contributing: Clay Thompson, The Arizona Republic This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tumbleweed takes over Utah neighborhoods, roads in 'tumble-mageddon' On Monday, Jack Teixeira, the 22-year-old accused of leaking classified U.S. military documents and images to gaming users on a social media platform, agreed to a 16-year prison sentence. A member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Teixeira, pleaded guilty to all six counts charging him with willful retention and transmission of national defense information, according to a signed court filing obtained by ABC News. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to charge him with additional counts under the Espionage Act. What Does The Plea Deal Entail? Under a plea agreement, he must give a debrief in a sit-down with the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Justice. He is also under direct order to return any sensitive materials that may be in his possession. A defense official confirmed to ABC News that Teixeira remains on active duty in the Air Force and could face U.S. military charges after the civilian criminal charges have been adjudicated. As a Massachusetts Air National guardsman, he had been placed on Title 10 active duty status in the Air Force, which would determine if Teixeira should also face military criminal charges. Teixeira was arrested at his mother's house in North Dighton, Massachusetts, and has remained in custody since April 2023 after leaking classified records to gamers on the Discord messaging app. At the time, he worked as a cyber defense operations journeyman with a rank of airman 1st class at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Pentagon leak suspect began collecting secret military documents in January 2022 and continued to do so even after his superiors remanded him for his handling of classified records in September and October 2022, as reported by The Guardian. Among the data he was accused of releasing to the general public were detailed intelligence assessments of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including "how the equipment would be transferred, and how the equipment would be used upon receipt," disclosed the New York Post. The leak was allegedly to impress fellow gamers in the Discord app and is considered to be the most serious breach of U.S. national security since the 2010 WikiLeaks publication of more than 700,000 classified documents. Furthermore, his unit's commanding officer, Sean Riley, was removed from post while 14 other officers and enlisted personnel with the Air National Guard were berated for their involvement. Ukraine said Tuesday it had sunk a Russian patrol ship off the coast of occupied Crimea, claiming another victory over the Kremlin's forces in the hotly contested waters of the Black Sea. Moscow did not confirm the claim, which would represent the latest blow to its naval power as Kyiv strikes targets deep behind the war's front lines, even as its army suffers setbacks on the battlefield. Ukraines military intelligence agency said that it had used high-tech sea drones in an overnight attack on the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait, which separates the annexed peninsulas eastern coast from mainland Russia. The agency published a video purporting to show the ship being blown up and going up in flames. It did not say anything about the fate of the ships crew. NBC News could not independently verify the video, or confirm the extent of the damage to the ship or personnel losses. The ship can reportedly carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew, according to The Associated Press. A Telegram channel tracking traffic on the nearby Kerch Bridge said traffic was temporarily suspended overnight, without specifying the reason. The traffic on the bridge resumed early Tuesday. Ukraine has dealt Russia's Black Sea Fleet a number of costly blows in the last year, despite an unsuccessful counteroffensive on the ground. Russia Regions Navy Day (Vitaly Timkiv / Sputnik via AP file) Its been losing territory to new Russian offensives in recent weeks, hampered by ammunition shortages and stalled Western aid, but Kyiv appears to still be able to mount operations at sea. In the early months of the war, Ukraine sank the flagship Moskva with hundreds of crew on board. More recently, Kyiv has deployed its own uncrewed sea drones laden with explosives to threaten Russian vessels. The attacks around Crimea have helped push Moscows naval forces back to their own Black Sea ports, allowing Kyiv more freedom of navigation and control of an area crucial to exporting grain. Just last month, Ukraine claimed it sank the Caesar Kunikov landing ship off the coast of Crimea. Two weeks before that, its military intelligence claimed to have sunk the corvette Ivanovets, also off the peninsulas coast. Those attacks were never acknowledged by Russia. There was no immediate reaction from the Russian Defense Ministry to Tuesdays sinking either. It did not return NBC News request for comment. However, some Russian military bloggers reported that the ship was destroyed, with conflicting information about the crew. Sergey Kotov appears to be one of Russias newest, state-of-the-art ships. It was only launched in 2021, according to the Defense Ministry. Ukraine said it had cost about $65 million. In an apparent reference to the attack Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, called the Russian Black Sea Fleet a symbol of occupation that does not belong in Crimea. A United Nations team has found clear and convincing information that hostages in Gaza were sexually abused and there are reasonable grounds to believe the sexual violence is ongoing. Pramila Patten, the UN special envoy on sexual violence in conflict, said the team had found reasonable grounds to believe that conflict related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape occurred during Hamas October 7 terror attack in Israel. It amounted to UNs most definitive finding on allegations of sexual assault in the aftermath of the attack. The UN team, which was led by Patten, visited Israel between January 29 to February 14 for a mission aimed at gathering, analyzing, and verifying information on conflict-related sexual violence during October 7 and its aftermath, according to a 24-page report. The team also went to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank where it received allegations of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment including the increased use of various forms of sexual violence, namely invasive body searches; threats of rape; and prolonged forced nudity on Palestinians in detention, the UN report wrote. Patten stressed on Monday that the mission was neither intended nor mandated to be investigative in nature, adding that the team had 33 meetings with Israeli institutions while in Israel, interviewed 34 people, including survivors and witnesses to the October 7 attack, and released hostages, as well as reviewed 50 hours of footage of the attacks. The mission was not able to meet with any victims of sexual violence on October 7 despite our efforts, Patten said. On the very first day, I made a call for survivors to come forward. But we received information that a handful of them were receiving very specialized trauma treatment and were not prepared to come forward, she said. Hamas has previously denied that its militants committed rape during the October 7 attack. We strongly reject and denounce the coordination of some Western media outlets with the Zionist misleading campaigns that promote unfounded lies and allegations aimed at demonizing the Palestinian resistance, the latest of which is the allegation that resistance members committed sexual violence during the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th, Hamas political office said in a statement on Telegram in December. Findings in Israel and the West Bank The report said that the mission team found that, across various locations in Israel, several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered mostly women with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head. Although circumstantial, the report continued, such a pattern of undressing and restraining of victims may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence. Patten said grave violations, most involving rape, were identified in at least three locations, namely the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, Road 232, and Kibbutz Reim. The mission, however, had challenges in both the gathering and verification of incidents of sexual violence Patten noted. She highlighted the limited professionally gathered forensic material and inaccurate and unreliable forensic interpretation by some non-professionals at the crime scenes. The UN teams research was also constrained by the extremely limited availability of victims, survivors and witnesses of sexual violence due partly to the internal displacement of affected communities, the lack of public trust and confidence in national and international institutions, including the UN, she said. Some widely reported alleged incidences were also determined by the mission to be unfounded, she said. These included an unverified claim of a gruesome attack on a pregnant woman and her fetus. An official from an Israeli search and rescue organization told CNN in October that they had found a pregnant woman shot from behind and stabbed in the stomach. The report also said the team was unable to verify a reported case of rape in Nahal Oz military base and genital mutilation. With respect to the latter instance, while the forensic analysis reviewed injuries to intimate body parts, no discernible pattern could be identified, against either female or male soldiers. However, seven female soldiers were abducted from this base into Gaza, the report wrote. While in the West Bank, the mission said they were told of the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment Palestinian women and men faced while in detention. The mission were told that Palestinian detainees faced various forms of sexual violence, from unwanted touching of intimate areas and forced unveiling of women wearing Hijab; beatings, including in the genital areas; threats of rape against women and threats of rape against female family members (wives, sisters, daughters) in the case of men. The report said that concerns were also raised about the circulation of pictures of women detainees in and depriving women of menstruation products. CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously rejected efforts by some states to declare former President Donald Trump ineligible to run again but was more divided over whether and how anyone else could do so. The justices also didnt weigh in on a central finding of Colorados now-reversed decision: that he cant run because he engaged in insurrection by trying to overturn the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021. Former President Donald Trump declared the decision a big win while the challengers called the ruling a narrow, technical offramp that doesnt tell the full story. Here are the top takeaways. Former President and Donald Trump gestures during a "Get Out the Vote" rally for his 2024 campaign at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia, on March 2, 2024. An ideologically divided court agreed on a politically charged issue Unlike in 2000, when the court split along ideological lines in stopping Floridas recount of the presidential contest, handing that election to George W. Bush, all nine justices agreed Monday to overturn the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling that an anti-insurrectionist provision of the Constitution made Trump ineligible to appear on Colorados primary ballot. The justices did not want to enable a state-by-state patchwork of decisions on Trumps candidacy. It had been clear from the oral arguments that thats where the court was heading. But the 9-0 agreement on that aspect of the decision was still notable, in part because of the widening political divisions in the country since Bush v. Gore, the last big presidential election case before the court. This artist sketch depicts the scene in the Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments about the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling that former President Donald Trump should be removed from the primary ballot on Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. Jonathan Mitchell, right, a former Texas solicitor general, argues on behalf of former President Donald Trump. Listening from left are Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The justices didn't agree on everything The liberal justices and, separately, Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not want to go as far as the majority did in ruling for Trump. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson took the majority to task for, in their view, going beyond what was necessary to block states from acting unilaterally on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a provision enacted after the Civil War to keep insurrectionists from holding office. In doing so, the majority shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement, they wrote in a six-page opinion. In making that case, the three liberal justices referred to Chief Justice John Roberts departure from the courts June 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett, left, and Sonia Sotomayor speak with retired U.S. Appeals Court Judge Thomas Griffith, not shown, during a panel discussion at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) ORG XMIT: DCMS103 Roberts had agreed with upholding a Mississippi law restricting abortion. But he disagreed with overturning Roe v. Wade, a 50-year precedent, unnecessarily, writing: If it is not necessary to decide more to dispose of a case, then it is necessary not to decide more. The three liberals also quoted from Justice Stephen Breyer's dissent in Bush v. Gore: "What it does today, the Court should have left undone." Barrett likewise said the Colorado case had not required the justices to address the complicated question of whether the only way to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is through congressional legislation. But she emphasized our differences are far less important than our unanimity. For their part, the majority said they went further than the others wanted in order to provide a complete explanation for their opinion. Feb 8, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Protestors gather outside the United States Supreme Court as the court reviews a ruling by a Colorado court that barred former President Donald Trump from appearing on the states Republican primary ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-748055 ORIG FILE ID: 20240208_ajw_dy8_010.JPG The Supreme Court didn't say if Trump is an insurrectionist During oral arguments, the justices spent little time debating whether the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol qualified as an insurrection and whether Trump played a critical role. The Colorado Supreme Court had concluded Trump did not merely incite the insurrectionhe continued to support it. Trumps lawyers had told the high court there was no insurrection and Trump did not `incite anything. Whatever the justices may have thought about the merits of that claim, they left it out of their decision. They also didnt address some of Trumps other arguments, including that the anti-insurrectionist provision of the Constitution doesnt apply to the presidency or to former presidents like himself who never held a previous office that would have required him to swear an oath to support the Constitution rather than the presidential oath he took to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. Protestors gather outside the United States Supreme Court as the court reviews a ruling by a Colorado court that barred former President Donald Trump from appearing on the states Republican primary ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. Decision bars states from knocking Trump off ballots The lawyers who lost the case acknowledged that the decision appears to prevent states from pursuing similar lawsuits this year to block Trump from state ballots. Were still digesting this, said Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. What they seemed to say is that there cant be enforcement in court unless Congress specifically authorizes it through legislation. The justices who wrote opinions that agreed with the overall decision Sotomayor, Kagan and Brown Jackson, and Coney Barrett seemed to leave open the possibility of a federal lawsuit challenging Trumps eligibility, Bookbinder said. But getting action through Congress in an election year with a Republican-controlled House and Democratic-led Senate would be difficult. You could certainly make the argument that that has the effect, understanding the makeup of the current Congress and the kind of supermajority you likely need to pass this type of legislation, of insulating Donald Trump at least long enough to let him run in the election in 2024, Bookbinder said. Decision may rule out Congress rejecting electoral college votes for Trump The Supreme Court also appeared to rule out Congress blocking Trump from office by rejecting his Electoral College votes when certifying the election in January 2025, according to legal experts studying the opinion. The high courts decision seemed to say that only congressional legislation can authorize enforcement of the 14th Amendment to block a candidate who was found to be an insurrectionist, legal experts said. The Constitution empowers Congress to prescribe how those determinations should be made, the decision said. Three of the justices Sotomayor, Kagan and Brown Jackson added in a concurring opinion that the majority seemed to require tailoring new legislation to block an insurrectionist and ruled out enforcement under general federal statutes requiring the government to comply with the law. President Donald Trump listens during a news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ORG XMIT: DCAH203 If that interpretation is correct, legal experts said the decision seemed to rule out congressional Democrats turning the tables on Trump and using his 2020 strategy to try to change the 2024 outcome if Trump wins a majority of Electoral College votes. The Electoral College selects the president by casting votes for the winning candidate in each state comparable to the states representation in Congress. Trump faces federal charges in Washington, D.C., and state charges in Georgia in part because of his strategy in 2020 to have Congress reject Electoral College votes for President Joe Biden in key swing states. It does seem to be at least implicit in the ruling today that trying to enforce Section 3 through other means than specifically enumerated legislation would raise serious legal questions under the decision today, said Jason Murray, a lawyer who argued the Colorado case before the Supreme Court. Were continuing to look at that. Trump declares the decision is a `big win' Trump described the decision as a "Big win for America!!!" and called the unanimous portion of the ruling "both unifying and inspirational." While disappointed in the outcome, the challengers said winning at the Supreme Court wasn't their only aim. "The other goal of our suit was to make sure that everyone knows that this portion of the Constitution exists, has power and force, which the court acknowledged that it did," said Eric Olson, one of the attorneys for the six Colorado voters who challenged Trump's eligibility. But Trump is already looking ahead to the Supreme Court's consideration next month of whether he can be criminally charged for trying to overturn the 2020 election. The decision the justices will make about any immunity Trump has for his actions while in office are "equally important for our country," Trump told Fox News Digital. Also in April, the court will consider a challenge to how federal prosecutors are going after Jan. 6 rioters in a case that could also affect the federal charges against Trump for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election. President Joe Biden said the U.S. is working on a plan to airdrop humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. Biden campaign dismisses decision as irrelevant The Department of Justice did not weigh in on the Colorado case as it was being argued. And, unlike in other high-profile cases involving federal issues, the Supreme Court did not ask for the executive branchs views. After the decision, a top Biden campaign official dismissed it as irrelevant. "We don't really care," Quentin Fulks, principal deputy campaign manager, told MSNBC. "It's not the way we've been planning to beat Donald Trump. Our focus since day one of launching this campaign has been to defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box." A landmark case? Takeaways from Trump's immunity claim at Supreme Court This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump stays on Colorado ballot: What to know from Supreme Court ruling WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris met Monday with Benny Gantz, a member of Israels wartime Cabinet and centrist political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a sign of growing White House frustration with the Israeli government. The White House meeting, which was not authorized by Netanyahu, marked a major test for President Joe Biden's relationship with the Netanyahu. The U.S has become increasingly at odds with Netanyahu over Israel's refusal to scale back the war in Gaza and its efforts to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. The meeting came one day after Harris on Sunday called for an "immediate cease-fire" of at least six weeks between Israel and Hamas the most pointed statement yet by a member of the Biden administration on the need for an immediate pause in the fighting in Gaza. "The message is both that the White House is fed up with Netanyahu, and perhaps has lost some faith in him, to put it mildly," said Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. "And moreover, that they see Benny Gantz as the potential interlocutor going forward, especially if the government changes in Israel." Vice President Kamala Harris walks to the stage before people walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge commemorating the 59th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday voting rights march in 1965, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Selma, Ala. During the meeting, Harris reiterated U.S. support for Israel to defend itself against Hamas but "expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza," the White House said, referring to the death of more than 100 Palestinians after Israeli troops opened fire on people waiting for food in Gaza City. Harris and Gantz discussed the need for a "credible and implementable humanitarian plan" prior to any major military escalation in Rafah in southern Gaza, the White House said, and Harris urged Israel to "take additional measures" to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Harris also emphasized "the urgency" of finalizing a deal to release Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza and called on Hamas to accept the six-week cease-fire truce, the White House said. John Kirby, the White House's national security communications advisor, said Gantz requested the meeting. Kirby downplayed Netanyahu's resistance to it, saying "we certainly recognize Prime Minister Netanyahu as the elected prime minister." "Minister Gantz is a member of the War Cabinet in the middle of a war a war in which we're trying to help Israel," Kirby said. "It was an opportunity not only to hear from him, but also to relay our continued concerns about humanitarian assistance, about the importance of getting this hostage deal over the finish line." Biden, who was at the Camp David presidential retreat during the meeting, has faced heightened criticism domestically from progressive allies for his steadfast support of Israel in its war against Hamas. The number of civilian deaths in Gaza has surpassed 30,000, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. "People in Gaza are starving," Harris said in a speech Sunday in Selma, Ala., while marking the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when Alabama state troopers savagely clubbed peaceful civil rights marchers as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. "The conditions are inhumane, and our common humanity compels us to act," she said. Netanyahu has refused global demands for a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis and has pledged to continue the war in Gaza until Hamas is crushed. Benny Gantz speaks at the announcement of former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot's election bid in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Aug. 14, 2022. Gantz, Netanyahu has also seen his approval numbers plummet in Israel in the months after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Gantz, a retired general and leader of the National Unity Party, is Netanyahu's most likely election challenger, with polls giving him a commanding lead over Netanyahu in a hypothetical matchup. Sachs said Harris' meeting with Gantz was "a signal not just to Bibi but to the (Israeli) public and the rest of the politicians that Netanyahu's run out of credit in Washington and that Washington is looking forward to a day after." Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address Thursday before a joint Congress, giving him a primetime audience to reestablish his administration's goals in Gaza. The U.S. has conducted air drops to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The Biden administration has also been working on securing a six-week pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas that would include the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. U.S. officials said Saturday that Israel has essentially agreed to the deal, but Hamas still needs to sign off. Biden met with Netanyahu last September in New York, a week before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and subsequently in Israel following the attack. But Gantz, not Netanyahu, is the first to meet with Biden administration officials in the White House since Biden took office. An official from Netanyahus far-right Likud party, who spoke with the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Gantzs trip was not authorized by Netanyahu. The prime minister chastised Gantz, telling him the country has just one prime minister, AP reported. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Gantz is helping the U.S. "drive a wedge between Israelis" while advancing the two-state solution plan. While in Washington this week, Gantz will also meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk and Jake Sullivan, the White House's national security adviser. Super Tuesday live updates: What's at stake for Trump, Haley on massive day of primaries Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks to journalist next to his wife Sara during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on January 25, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Contributing: Associated Press; Michael Collins and John Bacon, USA TODAY Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: VP Harris meets Netanyahu rival, signaling growing Israel frustration 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. On Monday, France enshrined a woman's right to an abortion in its constitution, which made it the first country in the world to do so. The move has been both celebrated by women's rights groups and criticized by anti-abortion groups. The senators and members of parliament ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the measure by a vote of 480 to 72 in a special vote of the two houses of parliament in Versailles Palace outside of Paris. Abortion rights groups gathered in Paris and cheered the decision as the Eiffel Tower provided the backdrop, displaying the message "MyBodyMyChoice" as the result of the vote was announced on a giant screen. What Does This Mean? Abortion rights are said to be more accepted by the population than in the United States and other Western countries. Reuters quoted a poll showing approximately 80% of French citizens are okay with abortion being legal. "We're sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you," Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told lawmakers ahead of the vote. Women in France have had the legal right to abortion since the French passed the law in 1974. This recent measure makes it, in effect, an inalienable right. In the United States, the Supreme Court's decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, the ruling that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion, was a key catalyst in activists pushing France to become the first country to have it protected as basic law. "This right (to abortion) has retreated in the United States. And so nothing authorized us to think that France was exempt from this risk," said Laura Slimani, from the Fondation des Femmes rights group. Women's abortion rights in France are enshrined under Article 34 of the French constitution, which determines the conditions under which a woman has the guaranteed freedom to have an abortion. "France is at the forefront," said the head of the lower house of parliament, Yael Braun-Pivet, from French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party. BEIJING, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Chinas economic growth goal for 2024 is around 5 percent, Premier Li Qiang told legislators while presenting the government report at the opening session of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas national legislature at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President of China Xi Jinping and other top government officials attended the opening meeting. We secured a smooth transition in epidemic response following a major, decisive victory in the fight against Covid-19. The main goals and tasks for economic and social development in 2023 were accomplished, and we made steady progress in pursuing high-quality development, maintained overall social stability, and made solid advances in building a modern socialist country in all respects, Li Qiang said in the report. According to the report submitted to lawmakers, the government of China targets economic growth of around 5% in 2024. It plans to create more than 12 million jobs in urban areas. The ratio of deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) is set at 3 percent. China will see 3.9 trillion yuan of special-purpose bonds for local governments to be issued this year, up by 100 billion yuan from last year. Defense spending will increase 7,2% and comprise 1.5537 trillion yuan (about 224.79 billion U.S. dollars). We will stay committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and to peaceful development. We will remain firm in pursuing a strategy of opening up for mutual benefit. We call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and we are committed to promoting a new type of international relations. We will remain firm in opposing all hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying acts and upholding international fairness and justice, the Chinese Premier said. The National Peoples Congress started its weeklong session Tuesday, while the concurrent meeting of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, a top advisory body, began Monday. This article has been written within the framework of the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) 2024 media exchange program. YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS/BTA. The Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism (BUBST) will officially present this country as a destination for year-round health tourism and the possibilities for prevention and rehabilitation, the funds for which will be reimbursed by the German health funds, the BUBST said. The event is under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and will take place during the largest international tourism exhibition in the world, ITB Berlin. Guests at the event include Tourism Ministrer Zaritsa Dinkova, the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Germany Grigor Porozhanov and the Secretary Generalof the European SPA Csilla Mezosi. The evenet will be moderated by the official BUBST representative in Germany, Carmen Struck. The German market is key for Bulgarian health tourism, because more than 20 million people annually use the opportunities for outpatient prophylaxis in the country and abroad, provided to them by their health insurance, said BUBST. In 2019, the German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds included Bulgaria in the list of countries in which it recognizes and reimburses the costs of prevention and rehabilitation. Tuesday's event in Berlin is part of the programme and consistent policy of the Bulgarian Balneology and Spa Tourism Union for positioning and rebranding this country on the German market as a destination for year-round quality health tourism. The President of the Union, the Secretary General, members of the Management Board, mayors of municipalities and the investors of the largest Bulgarian Medical/SPA and SPA sites, providing high-quality year-round health tourism service, arrived in Berlin to participate. The exhibition will lasts until March 7. Bulgaria will be represented by 35 Bulgarian tourism companies and 9 municipal administrations, who will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and make business contacts by holding meetings in specially designed and branded individual workplaces. The Bulgarian stand, with an area of 500 square metres, will be opened by Minister Dinkova, the Ministry of Tourism said. (This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.) YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived in Egypt on an official visit, met with the country's president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. According to the readout issued by the Prime Minister's office, first, a private conversation between the leaders of the two countries took place, and then the discussions continued in an expanded format. The President of Egypt welcomed the official visit of Prime Minister Pashinyan and emphasized that it will give a new impetus to the development and expansion of multi-sectoral cooperation between Egypt and Armenia. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized the fact of centuries-old close ties between the Armenian and Egyptian peoples, adding that the Armenian community of Egypt has its o unique role in the development of various fields. Prime Minister Pashinyan thanked for the warm reception, adding that the Armenian government is interested in expanding and deepening relations with Egypt. The Prime Minister attached importance to the expansion and deepening of trade and economic cooperation and emphasized the need to develop business ties for realizing the existing potential. The Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Egypt discussed a number of issues related to the implementation of new joint programs in the fields of economy, infrastructure, tourism, aviation, high technologies, agriculture, environment, education, and culture. The interlocutors also discussed issues related to the processes taking place in the regions of the South Caucasus and the Middle East. The sides emphasized the strengthening of peace and stability and the implementation of consistent steps in that direction. Prime Minister Pashinyan presented details regarding the ongoing discussions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty to his Egyptian counterpart, touching upon the principled positions of the Armenian side. Reference was also made to the "Crossroads of Peace" project of the Armenian government and its principles. Nikol Pashinyan also referred to the humanitarian problems of people forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh and the steps taken by the Armenian government to solve them. After the meeting of Nikol Pashinyan and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in the presence of the leaders of the two countries, the ceremony of signing documents between Armenia and Egypt took place. In particular, a memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation, which was signed by Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia Rafayel Gevorgyan and Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt Rania Al-Mashat. The 2024-2026 implementation plan on scientific and technical cooperation in the field of agriculture was signed between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Egypt, which was signed by Rafayel Gevorgyan and Egyptian Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation El Sayed El Quseir. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of environment protection was signed between the Ministries of Environment of Armenia and Egypt. YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Due to the tensions and unfolding processes in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the meeting touched on security, political and regional issues, as well as the efforts of Armenia and Egypt aimed at establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, respectively, the PM's Office said in a readout. Emphasizing the support of international partners for establishing peace in the South Caucasus, I expressed to President el-Sisi Armenia's high appreciation for the balanced and constructive position adopted by Egypt in this matter. I presented my colleague with the latest developments in the negotiations with Azerbaijan, reaffirming the readiness of the Armenian government to normalize relations based on the recognition of the territorial integrity of the two countries and the implementation of the border demarcation process in accordance with the 1991 Declaration of Alma-Ata. For the stability of the South Caucasus and the wider region, the unblocking of regional infrastructures is also of key importance, based on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of states, reciprocity and equality. In this regard, we developed and presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project, the implementation of which can completely change the situation in the region and establish mutually beneficial cooperation, connecting the East to the West and the North to the South, the Prime Minister said. Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, for the invitation to pay an official visit to Egypt, as well as for the warm hospitality shown to me and the delegation led by me. Egypt is one of Armenia's key partners in the Middle East, and I appreciate this opportunity to meet. The frequency of contacts between the top political leaders of our countries, the mutually beneficial multi-sector cooperation are not only the evidence of warm relations between our countries, but also testify to a joint vision for the future, the PM said. Armenia expresses regret for tens of thousands of innocent victims as a result of escalation of military operations in Gaza. We have also experienced the horror of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and we join the calls of the international community for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. In this regard, we highly praise the steps taken by Egypt to ensure uninterrupted access of humanitarian aid to Gaza, to receive wounded Palestinians and to evacuate foreigners. We also discussed and need the support and advice of our Egyptian partners regarding our delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and I express gratitude to President el-Sisi for his willingness to help in this matter. Our foreign ministers will deal with this issue. As for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Armenia has always supported the "two states" principle adopted by the international community. I would like to note with satisfaction that today Armenia and Egypt are effectively cooperating in the fields of politics, economy, science, high technologies, education, culture, tourism and other fields. Effective cooperation has also been formed in a number of multilateral platforms. Egypt is also a reliable partner for us in our relations and dialogue with the Islamic world. I cannot fail to mention that the Egyptian-Armenian community has a special role in the relations between Armenia and Egypt, which for centuries has contributed both to the development of Egypt and to the strengthening of ties between our countries. In this regard, I must express special thanks for the care that our compatriots living in Egypt have always enjoyed and continue to enjoy at the state level, noted Pashinyan. According to the Prime Minister, following Egypt presidents visit to Armenia, the increase in the interest of Egyptian investors towards Armenia has become noticeable. Managers and representatives of famous Egyptian companies visited the country in order to get acquainted with investment opportunities on the spot. I hope that during the meeting with Egyptian businessmen within the framework of this visit, we will give an additional impetus to economic relations. At present, practical steps are being taken in the direction of the development of trade and economic relations. In the current year, it is planned to hold the regular session of the intergovernmental joint commission between the Republic of Armenia and the Arab Republic of Egypt, which will also include a business forum. During the year, it is expected to hold two more sector-specific business conferences. The Armenian government will encourage Armenian businessmen to participate in the mentioned conferences to be held in Cairo. Tourism is developing dynamically in bilateral relations. Egypt has been one of the preferred vacation destinations for our citizens for years, and the number of our tourists is growing significantly every year. Summarizing my speech, I would like to emphasize again the importance of high-level mutual visits in the last two years and wish our states strong relations and new achievements in joint work for the welfare of our peoples. Thank you once again for your warm reception. Thank you," concluded the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. In Cairo, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Secretary General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The latter emphasized cooperation with the Armenian government on various international issues, including for the purpose of presenting positions and views. Ahmed Aboul Gheit mentioned the centuries-old close ties between the Armenian and Arab peoples, which is a good basis for the development of cooperation, the Prime Minister's office said. According to the readout issued by the PM's office, in his speech, Nikol Pashinyan referred to the processes taking place in the South Caucasus region, the discussions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, and the humanitarian problems of people forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh. Nikol Pashinyan presented details about the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Armenian government and added that based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, reciprocity and equality, Armenia is ready to unblock regional transport communications. The interlocutors also discussed the situation in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The sides attached importance to the implementation of consistent steps towards the establishment of peace and stability. According to the press release dated March 5, 2024, the European Commission has made a decisive turn in strengthening the Union's defense industry with the unveiling of its new defense industrial strategy. Orchestrated by Commissioner Thierry Breton, this initiative aims to fill the Union's gaps in defense capabilities, an urgency highlighted by the current difficulties in providing adequate military support to Ukraine. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link SCAF Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS) Featuring Eurofighter and Unmanned Aerial Platforms (Picture source: Airbus) First announced by Ursula von der Leyen during her State of the Union address in September 2023, and reiterated at the Munich conference, the strategy calls for increased investment, improved coordination, and the consolidation of Europe's defense. The European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP) will be at the heart of the European Defence Industry Strategy (EDIS), succeeding existing programs such as ASAP and EDIRPA, which are endowed with 470 million and 300 million euros, respectively. The European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) is the legislative initiative that will bridge the gap between short-term emergency measures adopted in 2023 and a more structural, long-term approach. With a budget of 1.5 billion euros planned for the period 2025 to 2027, and Commissioner Breton advocating for a colossal 100 billion euro fund, the Union commits to vigorously supporting its defense industry. This strategy aims to reduce European dependence on imports while facilitating joint and coordinated purchases, which could be exempt from VAT. In this regard, Ukraine could be associated with the procurement program, while measures are contemplated to encourage arms exports to third countries, thus offering new markets to European industries. On the regulatory front, for example, EDIP introduces new solutions, including a new legal framework, the Structure for European Armament Programme (SEAP), to facilitate and intensify Member States' cooperation on defense equipment. However, facing a defense industry that struggles to produce in sufficient quantity and speed to meet urgent needs, particularly in Ukraine, a consensus emerges on the need to authorize the purchase of non-European ammunition. This approach marks a departure from the previous "buy European" doctrine, notably defended by France, despite the risk of not meeting the goal of delivering 1 million shells by March 2024. To overcome budgetary constraints limiting this strategic ambition, voices are raised in favor of joint European debt. Among them, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and the French President have proposed an amount of 100 billion euros. Although this position does not have unanimous support, Poland, Estonia, and France position themselves as leaders of nations supporting significant expenditures, as evidenced by a recently published joint note. Defense News March 2024 Clear Dynamics CEO Dimitri Lanssens said McMurchy's appointment was a coup as it looks to scale the business 10 years after it was founded in Bendigo, Victoria. "Neil is an expert at scaling emerging technology firms and understands the nuances in the various go to market strategies," Lanssens said. "Having someone of Neils stature join our board, knowing he could have joined just about any board, really validates our approach. Neil shares our dedication to breathing new life into old systems and unshackling organisations from the complexity that has been holding them back." Lanssens said McMurchy's initial priority would be advising the company on building out a partner program that would serve as the engine room of its scale-up strategy. "Our future is partner led," Lanssens said. "We've spent the past decade perfecting the technology, securing some of Australia's best-known brands, but it will only be with a strong partner ecosystem that we reach the next phase of our journey. McMurchy said he was drawn to the company as its technology helps solve a "black hole" in enterprise IT - modernising business-critical legacy applications. "After three decades in the IT industry I thought I'd seen it all, that was until I saw Clear Dynamics," McMurchy said. "The problem they help solve is one that plagues almost every major enterprise and public sector agency, one that until now has never had a simple solution - transforming the truly business critical applications that organisations live or die on. Turnout in Iran's parliamentary election was around 41%, the lowest participation since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, according to the country's interior minister. Amid mounting economic struggles and a lack of electoral options for a predominately young population at odds with political and social restrictions, Friday's election represented a test of the establishment's legitimacy. "Some 25 million people out of over 61 million eligible Iranians voted in the March 1 election for the 290-seat legislature," Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told a televised news conference. Reuters reported turnout in the 2020 parliamentary election was 42.5%, whereas 62% of voters participated in 2016. Authorities deemed the turnout a show of lack of trust for the sacred system of the Islamic Republic. Vahidi said invalid votes made up 5% of the total vote count while several Iranian media outlets reported the number as high as 30%, indicating delusion among loyal supporters of the Islamic Republic. "Authorities should listen to the silent majority ... and reform the governance method ... I hope they realize before it's too late to reverse the damage and harm this path will cause," state media quoted reformist politician Azar Mansouri. According to The Associated Press, it took days for Iran to announce the turnout statistics and offered no explanation behind the holdout. Seeing that the Interior Ministry runs the elections in Iran, there is no significant international observation to account for the provided data. Authorities kept polls open an additional six hours on Friday. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf even posted online urging people to call "their friends or acquaintances right now and convince them to participate in the elections." Iranians Boycott Elections Imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi among many other Iranians, has publicly pushed for the boycott of elections. The vote also marks the first since the 2022 mass protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and killed over allegedly not wearing her required hijab to "the liking of authorities." The boycott places immense pressure on Iran's government as Iran's theocracy has revolved its legitimacy on turnout in elections ever since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Reformists were prohibited from running in this year's election as authorities condemned calls for change within the country's government. The current parliament includes 18 pro-reform politicians and 38 others identified as independents. Of those winning seats, only 11 were women, reported the AP. The failure of any candidate to get 20% of the vote is highly likely to happen as many votes are voided or because too many candidates were in the running. Iran's 2021 presidential election witnessed a high number of votes, mostly from citizens who felt obliged to cast a ballot and showed any interest in the government-approved candidates. Ebrahim Raisi won the majority vote in that election. "The Friday elections appear to have reaffirmed that Iranian policies will not change in the foreseeable future, but the vote demonstrated the Iranian public is broadly dissatisfied with the course the Islamic Republic is taking," the New York-based Soufan Center think tank said in an analysis Monday. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani rejected criticism by the U.S. government over the vote. "If U.S government officials are concerned about democracies and votes of nations, they should first find a fix for their own country and election system's health in America itself as we are seeing strange stories in every U.S election," Kanaani said, without elaborating. Iranian state media prominently features any negative story about America, particularly during U.S. elections. Raisi, a protege of Khamenei and considered his possible successor, reclaimed his seat. Says Oppn live for their own families, he lives for countrymen Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday tore into the Congress and the INDI alliance as he dubbed them political entities which always focused on irregularities and nepotism. Addressing a mammoth public rally at Chandikhole in Odishas Jajpur district, Modi said the Congress and I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders indulged in corruption to fill their coffers and promote family members in politics. The Congress and INDI alliance leaders have started attacking me as I exposed their parivarvaad (promotion of family interests). In fact, the whole of India has seen how they always promoted their own family members in politics and looted the public exchequer to accumulate wealth. For Modi, all the poor, destitute, farmers and 140 crore people of India are family members. Jiska koi nahin, uska Modi hai (whosoever has nobody, Modi is there to support them, said the Prime Minister. My slogan Mera Bharat, Mera Parivar' troubles the INDI alliance leaders. So, they are making personal attacks. But the people across the country including poor, youths, farmers and others have started staying they belong to Modi Ka Parivar, he said. He raked up the UPA-period urea scam issue and said it reflected how the previous Congress-led government was anti-farmer. The Prime Minister said the youths, and tribals were filled with mistrust and were asked to bring some guarantee whenever they went to the Congress government for some work. Be it banks or jobs, the Congress used to tell them to bring guarantees. But today, things have changed and I stand as a guarantor for them, said Modi. Moved by the enthusiasm of the crowd, Modi said, It is only due to Lord Jagannaths blessings that I can get massive love and response in Odisha. It shows the mood of the east and the resolve of Odisha. Ab ki baar 400 paar sankalp will make India the worlds third-largest economy and ensure a strong government, said Modi. Hinting about his governments plan for aggressive harnessing of solar energy in Odisha which has great exposure to sunlight because of its geographical advantage, Modi said 300 units of solar units will be provided free to farmers. Modi tried to strike a chord with the people of the state by starting his address in Odia and chanting Jay Jagannath. He also paid tribute to legendary and former Odisha CM Biju Patnaik on his 108th birth anniversary. It was Prime Minister Modis second visit to the state in the last two months. On February 3, he had visited Sambalpur. The Centre is investing a lot in Odisha so that it becomes the gateway of Viksit Bharat. Gas-based industries and other industries are being set up in Odisha. The gas pipelines will extend to other eastern States. Odisha is going to be a big hub for polyester and raw materials. In the petrochemicals sector, there have been investments of over Rs 2 lakh crore. More investment means it creates more employment for people, the Prime Minister said. Prior to his public rally, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore. He also flagged off the MEMU train between Haridaspur and Paradip. While passing the order, a division bench also directed the state police to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI by 4.30 pm on Tuesday CBI officials leave without taking custody of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused in the Sandeshkhali case, after West Bengal Government refused to hand over his custody to the CBI, at the Bhavani Bhawan (West Bengal Police headquarters), in Kolkata, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (PTI Photo) Kolkata: Dealing yet another major blow to the Trinamul Congress government in West Bengal over the Sandeshkhali violence, the Calcutta high court on Tuesday ordered the CBI to probe the mob attack on an ED team during its raid at the house of TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh in the ration scam on January 5. While passing the order, a division bench, comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, also directed the state police to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI by 4.30 pm on Tuesday. The Mamata Banerjee government, however, moved the Supreme Court against the high court order immediately. It sought an urgent hearing into the matter but suffered loss of face there too. Meanwhile, a CBI team visited the CID headquarters at Bhawani Bhavan in south Kolkata to take Shahjahan, who is the prime accused of orchestrating the mob attack, into custody and get the case documents from the state CID. The expelled TMC leader was lodged at Bhawani Bhawan under a 10-day police remand after the CID took over the case against him following his arrest from Minakhan in North 24 Parganas on February 29. The CBI team later returned empty-handed as the state police did not hand over custody of the accused. Earlier in the day, the division bench set aside the previous order constituting a special investigation team with the state police personnel and instructed the state police to hand over Shahjahan and the documents of three cases, filed at the Nyajat police station about the attack. The bench observed: It was made explicitly clear that the West Bengal state police are restrained from proceeding with the investigation in the cases which have been registered by them. Despite such an order, the one case stood transferred to the CID, West Bengal, who has issued notices dated 01.03.2024 under Section 91 and Section 160 CrPC. It added: Thus, this act of the state police would be sufficient to hold that the state police are totally biased and every attempt is being made to delay the investigation in order to protect the accused who has been absconding for more than 50 days. Later the state governments counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, orally appealed to Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Supreme Court for an urgent intervention against the HC order. The judge, however, directed the papers to be placed before Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud for further instructions. The Maha Yuti is expected to finalise its seat sharing for the Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra after the meeting Mumbai: Union home minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Maharashtra alliance partners in Mumbai late night on Tuesday. The Maha Yuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP is expected to finalise its seat sharing for the Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra after the meeting. Mr. Shah reached Sahyadri government guest house at Malabar Hill at around 10.15pm. Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of BJP and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the NCP, attended the meeting. The three parties are likely to make formal announcement of their alliance for Lok Sabha on Wednesday. According to reports, the BJP wants to contest more than 30 seats, Shiv Sena wants more than 20 while the NCP has claimed 12 seats out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. However, consensus will be formed after Mr. Shah speaks to Shiv Sena and NCP leaders, a BJP leader said. Mr. Shah is on a two-day tour of Maharashtra. Before coming to Mumbai, he also held meetings and rallies in Akola, Jalgaon and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Addressing BJPs Yuva Sammelan at Jalgaon, the Union home minister said that the 2024 election is crucial for making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047. He also ridiculed INDIA bloc leaders and said that they have come together to secure future of their sons, daughters and nephews. Leaders of INDIA bloc parties have limited objective to promote their individual son, daughters political career. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wants to make Rahul Gandhi the next PM. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray wants to make son Aaditya Thackeray as the next CM. NCPs Sharad Pawar is keen to make his daughter Supriya Sule the next CM. M.K. Stalin of DMK wants his son as the next CM. Trinamool Congress CM Mamata Banerjee is working to see nephew (Abhijit Banerjee) as her successor. How can INDIA whose leaders are serving vested interests safeguard democracy and national interest? Those who are so tied up with familys vested interests cannot uphold democracy. Whereas, Modis leadership which is relentlessly striving for the well-being and future of 130 crore people of India will alone ensure that democracy thrives and gets stronger, Mr. Shah said. Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul, Mr Shah said that Rahulyaan has failed to take off 19 times and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections would be the 20th launch. Vote for the BJP means a vote for Bharat and making Narendra Modi Prime Minister for the third time, he said. According to media reports from Jerusalem, the deceased has been identified as Pat Nibin Maxwell, a resident of Kerala's Kollam district Youths inspect a damaged ambulance at the site of an Israeli airstrike a day earlier in the southern Lebanese village of Odaisseh near the border with Israel on March 5, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions as fighting continues between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (AFP) New Delhi: An Indian national was killed and two others were injured on Monday when an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah militants struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot, officials said. Reacting, India on Tuesday issued an advisory to its citizens in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, to relocate to safe areas within Israel. According to media reports from Jerusalem, the deceased has been identified as Pat Nibin Maxwell, a resident of Kerala's Kollam district who was near the orchard when the anti-tank missile hit the Israel border. His mortal remains were identified at the Ziv hospital. Two other Indian nationals, also from Kerala -- identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin -- were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. According to reports, the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community) in the Galilee region in the north of Israel, around 11 am on Monday. Blaming the Hezbollah militia, Israel meanwhile said it was "deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by the Hezbollah militia on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon". The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv said: In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indian nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel. The embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals. In a statement, the Israeli embassy in New Delhi said, Our prayers and thoughts naturally go to the families of the bereaved and those of the injured. Israeli medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured, who are being treated by our very best medical staff. Israel regards equally all nationals, Israeli or foreign, who are injured or killed due to terrorism. We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance. Our countries, who are sadly well versed in civilian loss, stand united in hopes of a speedy recovery for the injured and solace for the family of the bereaved," the Israeli statement said. by Steve Suwannarat Located in Laos but controlled by Thai companies, the plant burns lignite to generate energy exported to Thailand. Early studies conducted on Lua populations found high levels of mercury in their bodies, confirming prior fears about the plants impact on the environment. Bangkok (AsiaNews) Thailands northern regions are home to a variety of ethnic groups that are only partially integrated in the country; here, several initiatives aimed at environmental sustainability have been undertaken to avoid emigration. The Thai royal family is also involved in various laudable activities meant to convert opium plantations into profitable productions like growing coffee, flowers, tapioca, and mulberry that are economically profitable but less socially disruptive. However, at both local and national levels, growing environmental awareness is challenged by large scale monopolistic groups and environmental damage that come outside Thailand. One example is the use of the upper and middle course of the Mekong River for hydroelectric development, especially by China, with dams and plants in China but also in Laos. Another example is resource development in northern Myanmar, largely led by Chinese groups. As a result, not only is the flow rate of various rivers considerably reduced or irregular to satisfy the demands of hydroelectric production, but the water itself is being contaminated directly or indirectly, including through air pollution. A case in point is the Hongsa Mine Mouth Power Project, a coal-fired power plant in Xayaboury province, Laos, whose emissions know no border, local media have reported. Inaugurated in 2015, it is 80 per cent controlled by Thai interests, burning 15 million tonnes of lignite annually to produce energy exported largely to Thailand. For five months of the year, the winds carry and deposit mercury particles over a large area of Thailand's Nan province, home to the Lua people. After warnings were issued for years, the first studies by major research institutes have confirmed the relationship between emissions from the Laotian plant and accumulation of heavy metals on the ground and the increasing soil acidity. The concentration of mercury is of particular concern given its toxicity, with levels in living organisms up to 12,000 times greater than those normally found in the environment. In just a few years, this level of contamination has hit humans as well. After complaining for years, residents have been finally vindicated when the authorities issued advisories warning locals to be careful about what they drink. Respiratory diseases are also on the rise, especially among the young. Field research found elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, formed by the burning of coal at the plant. This has resulted in highly acidic soil and crop diseases, affecting especially rice, coffee, and mulberry. A World Bank 2020 report also showed that CO2 emissions in Laos grew by nearly five times in the four years after the Hongsa plant began operations. The victim, 31-year-old Pat Nibin Maxwell from Kerala, arrived in northern Israel just two months ago to work on a farm. He had a five-year-old daughter and his wife is expecting a second child. Two other Indian nationals were wounded. The Israeli embassy in Delhi extended its condolences to the victims family and slammed the "cowardly" attack that puts the spotlight back on the fate of migrant workers, the wars "forgotten victims. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) An Indian migrant worker was killed yesterday and two others were wounded in Israel by an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah against the Jewish states so-called northern front in the war with Hamas in Gaza after the latters terror attack on 7 October. The missile hit an orchard in Margaliot, near the border with Lebanon, striking migrant workers from Kerala, southern India, raising the number of forgotten victims killed, wounded or held hostage by the radical Palestinian movement. The man who was killed was called Pat Nibin Maxwell, 31, from Kollam; he had arrived in Israel just two months ago to be employed as a farm worker despite the war. His remains are being kept at Israel's Ziv hospital awaiting orders by Israeli authorities and the Indian embassy. He leaves behind a five-year-old daughter and his wife, who is pregnant with their second child. Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), Zaki Heller, spokesman for Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross), said the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, near a moshav (collective agricultural community) in the Galilee region, around 11 am. The other two wounded men are Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin, who were also hospitalised. George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body. He underwent an operation, is recovering well, and has been kept under observation," an official source said, adding that he had already been able to speak with his family in India." Melvin was slightly injured and is being treated at the Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed. He is originally from the Idukki district, Kerala. Pathrose Maxwell, the victim's father, said he received a phone call from his daughter-in-law yesterday at around 4:30 pm, informing him that his son had been in an accident. Later, at around half past midnight, he was informed of his son's death. "I have three children, while two are in Israel, one is working in Abu Dhabi," the victim's father said reacting to the news. "Pat Nibin has one daughter. She is five years old. His wife is seven months pregnant," he added. Meanwhile, the Israeli embassy in Delhi expressed its sorrow over the death of the Indian national and said that the wounded were receiving medical treatment. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the diplomatic mission said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" by Hezbollahs cowardly terror attack" against "peaceful agricultural workers who were cultivating an orchard. Asian migrant workers, from Thailand to Nepal, are the "forgotten face" of the war in the Holy Land between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the 7 October attack that caused 1,200 casualties on the Israeli side and more than 31,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, including women and children. To date, at least three Thai migrants (who do not have dual passports) remain in the hands of the radical movement that controls Gaza, but the real number is uncertain, and their fate unknown. The situation of abducted migrant workers has elicited less media coverage than that of other hostages with fewer diplomatic efforts made to secure their release. With 24 migrants killed, Thailand has paid the greatest toll in blood in the war between Israel and Ham, while another 21 of its citizens are missing. Government sources in Bangkok say that, to date, at least 8,160 Thais living in Israel have applied for repatriation. Some Thai workers were employed on farms near the Gaza border when the attack took place in early October. (Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article) Today's news: in China military spending will increase again by 7.2%; Taiwan forced to apologize to India for some statements by the Minister of Labor on the color of migrants' skin; From July, entry costs 13 dollars to follow the path that goes up Mount Fuji; Fear but little significant damage in the earthquake in Astana. IRAN Iran carried out a "staggering" total of at least 834 death sentences during 2023, the highest number since 2015, according to a joint report by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Together Against the Death Penalty, based in Paris. It is only the second time in the last twenty years that more than 800 executions have been recorded in the space of twelve months: the only precedent was 972 in 2015. The groups have accused Iran of using the death penalty to spread fear in society, in the wake of the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 in police custody. CHINA Despite the economic difficulties, military spending in China will still increase by 7.2% this year. According to the government work report delivered on Tuesday by Premier Li Qiang, the defense budget has been set at 1.665 trillion yuan (over 213 trillion euros). This is the ninth consecutive increase: military spending increased by 7.2% in 2023 as well. TAIWAN-INDIA Taiwan's Foreign Ministry has expressed a "sincere apology" to New Delhi after statements by its labor minister suggesting that labor from India in Taipei would be recruited from northeastern states due to similarities in "color of the skin", in eating habits and in religion. On February 29, Hsu Ming-chun was asked about the recently signed workforce mobility agreement with India on an online YouTube program. JAPAN Hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji in Japan from July will have to pay each, with a cap to ease crowding and improve safety. This was announced by a local government official. A growing crowd of tourists climbs Japan's highest mountain, which is covered in snow most of the year but attracts more than 220,000 visitors from July to September. AFGHANISTAN-GREAT BRITAIN After initially denying it, the British Home Office was forced by a wave of protests to grant an entry visa to the Afghan Youth Orchestra, an orchestra of young Afghan musicians aged between 14 and 22 who live in exile in Portugal with refugee status since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul. They will perform on March 7 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London as part of a tour entitled Breaking the Silence which aims to raise awareness of the plight of Afghan women and girls. RUSSIA Authorities in the Russian republic of Ingushetia in the North Caucasus said they had eliminated a group of six ISIS terrorists who had barricaded themselves inside an apartment building in the city of Karabulak, from where they were preparing a series of attacks. A passer-by was also killed and a guard injured in the armed clash. KAZAKHSTAN The city of Almaty in Kazakhstan was hit yesterday by some earthquakes which were then assessed as having an intensity of the fifth degree on the Mercalli scale. This is the second episode since the beginning of the year, fortunately without serious consequences. As a precaution, the subway was closed and people poured into the streets and into the 400 shelter locations. Wakeel Hasan was among the "rat-men" who dug up the earth by hand last November to reach workers trapped in a tunnel under construction. Despite praise and accolades, his home was bulldozed. According to the authorities, it was built illegally on government land, but Hasan had been forced to pay bribes to local officials in the past. New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) From national hero to homeless is the sad tale of Wakeel Hasan, one of the "rat-miners" who in November rescued 41 workers trapped in a tunnel under construction in Indias Himalayan region. His house in Khajuri Khas, a densely populated neighbourhood in New Delhi, was demolished last week. The next day, he was seen rummaging through the rubble looking for the textbooks of his 15-year-old daughter, Aliza. I cant even look at this demolished home and not cry, Hasan told Al Jazeera. The team of miners had been called to the northern state of Uttarakhand after all other rescue attempts by professional rescuers had failed. "Rat-hole mining" is an expression used in India to refer to the manual extraction of coal, a practice that is officially banned, but one that still employs many people, including women and children, from disadvantaged backgrounds. After the feat, Hasan and the rest of the team received several national accolades, including praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In just three months, however, his life was turned upside down. He was shopping when Aliza called him to tell him they wanted to tear down their house. Together with Azeem, her older brother, she tried to stop the police from entering the house, without success. I was slapped by the female police personnel and Azeem was pushed around, slapped and verbally abused. We were then dragged out of the house and thrown into a police car, Aliza told Al Jazeera. By the time their father arrived home, it was too late; before he could intervene, bulldozers from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the government agency responsible for planning and developing infrastructure projects in the capital, had already begun razing the house. According to the DDA, the house was built illegally on land owned by the government. For the "rat-man", who had the documents to prove that the house was his property, this is a lie. They claim the act was part of a demolition drive of illegal properties, yet they only demolished one property: mine, he said. He and his wife, Shabana, bought the house in 2013 for 3.3 million rupees (US$ 39,800). I dont understand why I was targeted, wonders Hasan, a Muslim in a predominantly Hindu country. Was it because I am from a minority community? The DDA and the New Delhi police answer to the central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the capital is governed by another party. According to activist Sucheta De, the demolition was illegal and criminal. If we see the past instances of demolitions, it looks targeted, anti-poor and anti-minority, she noted. Since the BJP came to power in 2014, anti-Muslim propaganda has increased. In Delhi, they represent up 12 per cent of its population of 30 million. Many of them live in "irregular" neighbourhoods. Even if residents have ownership papers, the creation of informal settlements, unregulated by the law, gives local officials the power to decide what to tear down and what to spare. A large section of the population in Delhi is always under the threat of demolition, De explained. According to Amnesty International, 128 Muslim properties were demolished between April and June 2022 alone, and more than 600 people were left homeless or without livelihoods as a result. Often, the only way to avoid the problem is by paying bribes, as is often the case in Khajuri Khas, Hasan said. In 2016 he was forced to pay authorities about US$ 9,500 to prevent bulldozers from razing everything. Unable to pay any more during last week's demolition, Hasan tried to call all the local politicians he knew, but to no avail. I contacted everyone, but they did not return my calls. Manoj Tiwari had felicitated me and even came to my residence. I called him multiple times. Even after a day of the demolition, he has not returned my calls, Hasan said. Tiwari represents the local constituency for the BJP. Hasan seems determined to face a long battle in court. I am not very hopeful but we wont move an inch until we are given our house back, he said, as his family ate on a bed on the side of the road, under a tarpaulin donated by neighbours. Meanwhile, all the trophies he received after the rescue in Uttarakhand now lie under the rubble. by Vladimir Rozanskij Defence Minister Sojgu - lashing out against those who oppose Moscow's presence "in countries traditionally our friends" - equates Isis terrorists and large pro-Western NGOs. While Kyrgyzstan approves a law "on non-commercial organisations" that is a photocopy of the Russian one and puts foreign financing in the crosshairs. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu railed during a meeting of the Defense College in the Kremlin against Central Asian NGOs, guilty in his opinion of "continuously increasing hostile activities against Russia", especially in the "creation of new initiatives and structures aimed at discrediting and countering the Russian presence in countries traditionally our friends". According to the Russian defense chief, the situation in this region is "very delicate", recalling the contemporary threat of the Afghan Taliban and ISIS terrorists, to which he equates the works of non-governmental organizations. Sojgu recalls that "over 100 large pro-Western NGOs operate in these countries, which have more than 16 thousand representations and branches, which aim to weaken the technical-military, economic and cultural collaboration with the Russian Federation, against the background of the operation special military, and we have to do something." The minister is in some ways a specialist in the sector, having already held the role of head of civil protection in Russia since Yeltsin's time, and in the early Putin years he dedicated himself specifically to the "liberation" of Russia from the many assistance and volunteering supported and financed by Westerners, considered a danger to the security and internal stability of the country. Today Shoigu is one of the main Russian figures "sanctioned" by the West. Now it is not clear what type of initiatives the Russians intend to pour into these realities, in foreign countries such as those of Central Asia, although still very tied to Moscow. According to the Norwegian councilor of the Helsinki Committee Ivar Dale "to lump together humanitarian activists with terrorists is a ridiculous statement, which does not deserve to be commented on". According to the expert, speaking of the effects of Shoigu's pressure on Kyrgyzstan, "in Bishkek they understand very well what he is talking about", as the organizations he attacks against "do not work against Russia, but in defense of human rights , and Russia is precisely one of the countries where these rights are systematically violated." The Helsinki Committee analyzed in a recent report the flow of sanctioned items, which reach Russia via Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and other countries. This information was transmitted to Brussels, discussed with the authorities in Kiev and the former Soviet CIS countries. Dale states that we are pleased that civil society in Europe and Kyrgyzstan are in dialogue with the aim of identifying the gaps in the network of the sanctions regime. Today, however, he is worried about Bishkek's attempt to impose a law "on foreign representatives" similar to that of inoagents in Russia, and it is clear that "Moscow is behind this much discussed law". On February 22, the Zogorku Kenes, the Kyrgyz parliament, approved another law "on non-commercial organizations", linked to the one on foreign representatives, which could greatly limit the activities of associations operating in the education and training sector, touching on delicate issues such as gender equality and many other social issues, despite the formal assurances of the authors of the law. According to political scientist Emil Dzuraev, Shoigu's words demonstrate "coincidentally or intentionally" Russia's interest in this debate within Kyrgyz society, even without naming the bills. The Adilet legal analysis institute in Bishkek confirms that "the law currently under discussion is 98% similar to the Russian one", approved in Moscow in 2012 and made increasingly stringent in subsequent amendments, and which concerns any non-commercial activity that exploits foreign funding , even more so if it carries out activities of social and political importance. Jurists observe that in this punitive approach it is not specified which criteria identify dependence on foreign sources, which gives local authorities wide discretion in the application of restrictive measures, affecting every type of activity up to those of charitable assistance or environmental and ecological care. In addition to Kyrgyzstan, repressions against "foreign agents" develop to varying degrees in all Central Asian countries, even without explicit laws as in Kazakhstan, and with initiatives of different levels in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, always with great push by Russia to defend friendly countries from invasion. Traditional Chinese medicine brings hope to Zimbabwean patients Xinhua) 10:12, March 05, 2024 HARARE, March 4 (Xinhua) -- In Zimbabwe, the ancient Chinese healing technique of acupuncture is proving to be a beacon of hope for patients seeking relief from various ailments. The Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, the capital, has been thronged with locals eager to experience the magic of acupuncture needles. "Those needles, I don't know what's the magic, but they work wonderfully in the body," said Martha Tsiga, who was on her seventh session to treat her back problem resulting from a fall. "Once those needles were inserted, I just relaxed, and I slept," she said. "For those 10 to 15 minutes, my body was just responding positively. It's magical... it heals perfectly." "I am now able to walk. I wasn't even able to walk for about a kilometer or so. I would just sit down and start crying, but right now I can drive, I can walk, I can do even my daily chores," Tsiga said. A patient receives acupuncture treatment at the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center under Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe on Feb. 29, 2024. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a medical system with a history of over 2,000 years that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses. Traditional Chinese medicine also employs techniques such as moxibustion, cupping, and uses herbal products and mind-body practices. Charlotte Muziri, the current Miss Zimbabwe International, decided to volunteer at the hospital after witnessing the healing power of acupuncture on her father, who suffered a stroke. His condition improved markedly after just two sessions of the procedure. "Acupuncture, for me, has been a miracle that has been given to the people of Zimbabwe," she said. "It's really working wonders." "I have seen many patients who have been healed. Some of them no longer come for treatment because they are now okay," Muziri said. Wang Zhiming provides acupuncture treatment to a patient at the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe on Feb. 29, 2024. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) Wang Zhiming, a TCM doctor at the center, said many people have been healed by the ancient technique. "Every day, many patients come to our clinic for acupuncture treatment because acupuncture is very effective for lots of conditions and diseases such as acute and chronic pain, stroke, facial palsy, insomnia and headaches, which are very common in Zimbabwe," he said. Wang said more locals will be trained in traditional Chinese medicine to ensure that Zimbabweans continue to benefit from the ancient practice. "We want to train a group of local doctors who can independently do acupuncture and moxibustion... to benefit more Zimbabweans," he said. Hu Sha, another TCM doctor at the center, said the number of people seeking treatment has been growing. "There are more than 30 to 60 patients each working day in our clinic. We treated more than 18,000 patients last year, and our current appointments have been scheduled up to July 2024," Hu said. The Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center was set up in 2021 to provide free services to locals. China and Zimbabwe share a long history of health cooperation. Since 1985, China has dispatched 20 batches of medical teams to Zimbabwe. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A United Nations report released on Monday claims it has found grounds to support the sexual violence allegations believed to have occurred against women during the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel, as well as evidence to show the hostages being held in the Gaza Strip were also assaulted. The report is calling for a full investigation, said The New York Times. Issued by the U.N. Secretary General's special envoy on sexual violence under conflict, the report comes in response to several accounts of sexual violence during the Oct. 7 attack led by Hamas. It also includes allegations by Palestinian officials that Palestinian women in detention and the West Bank had been assaulted. The report is asking for Israel's permission to grant U.N. officials access to work through the investigation of the Palestinian accounts. Vice President Kamala Harris, one of the leading voices for Palestinians in closed-door meetings as of late, is expected to broker a temporary ceasefire in Gaza with Benny Grantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet and opponent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the White House Monday afternoon. An anonymous White House official shared that Harris is expected to discuss immediate steps to securing a hostage deal and minimizing the humanitarian crisis that has swept Gaza alongside Israel's war on Hamas. The vice president is also said to be discussing postwar plans for Gaza to include the Palestinian Authority and reiterate U.S. goals to heighten aid efforts to the region. Harris expressed concern for the more than one million displaced Palestinians in Rafah amid U.S. airdrops of food that began on Saturday. Directing her remarks at Hamas, she stressed that she and the president remained "unwavering in our commitment to Israel's security." What Does This Mean For The Biden-Harris Re-election Campaign? As elections in the United States draw closer, Harris has started to emphasize the urgency to the administration not to dismiss the anger of Palestinian-Americans and others opposed to Biden's handling of the war. The quick shift in remarks to the administration's public position on Gaza is to address the growing political divide over Biden's commitment to Israel as he campaigns for reelection this year. Her direct focus on Israel and the Middle East is a means to support her minimal foreign policy credentials as concern deepens over Biden and her readiness to take over should something happen to the president. Harris' slight change in tune comes on the heels of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza that only seems to worsen. She issued a statement after 100 Palestinians were targeted and killed in a massacre while attempting to reach a food convoy. "Just a few days ago, we saw hungry, desperate people approach aid trucks, simply trying to secure food for their families after weeks of nearly no aid reaching Northern Gaza," she said. "And they were met with gunfire and chaos." On Sunday, she said that "people in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane. And our common humanity compels us to act." Later, she added that the "Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses." Gantz, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, is due to meet separately with national security adviser Jake Sullivan, according to a statement from his office, members of Congress, and pro-Israeli lobbyists. The U.S. declared negotiations are underway, and Israel has "more or less accepted" a proposal for the hostage deal, but also that Hamas has yet to agree to it. Both Israel and Hamas have failed to broker a peace deal over the last five months, as they continue to reject proposals from one another amidst the help of foreign mediators. Mr. Netanyahu's office revealed in a statement that the prime minister had not approved Gantz's travel to Washington and that he did not represent the government on his trip to Washington. The Israeli official insists that Netanyahu is in communication and good standing with President Biden. Several groups that have called for a permanent ceasefire don't think Harris has gone far enough and said her remarks don't signal a radical shift in policy that may help the situation. Layla Elabed, campaign manager of Listen to Michigan, the group behind 100,000 Michigan voters marking "uncommitted" against Biden in the Michigan primary, recently affirmed in a statement: "But let's be clear: This is a temporary ceasefire, or what they used to call a humanitarian pause. Our movement's demands have been clear: a lasting ceasefire and an end to U.S. funding for Israel's war and occupation against the Palestinian people." by Angeline Tan As early as 2019, the city-state government was planning to raise the retirement age by 2030 to ensure the labour market remained resilient. Singapore has the third highest employment rate for workers aged 65-69 among OECD countries. Other incentives to employers and employees announced by the Ministry of Manpower. Singapore (AsiaNews) - From July 2026, the retirement age in Singapore will rise to 64, while the re-employment age will go from 68 to 69. The announcement was made yesterday by Labour Minister, Tan See Leng, after discussions with unions and employers. In 2019 the government declared for the first time its intention to raise the retirement age to 65 and the re-employment age to 70 by 2030, and then raised the maximum thresholds in 2022 to give companies the time to prepare for change. More than nine out of ten senior workers who qualified and wanted to continue working were offered reemployment in 2023, said Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Workforce, adding that hiring older workers would not it will weigh on employers, but the ministry will deploy resources to update skills. Under the Senior Hiring Credit Scheme, the government compensates the wages of workers aged 60 and over. Furthermore, a rehiring grant will offer up to 125 thousand Singapore dollars (about 85,700 thousand euros) for companies that hire part-time workers who are above retirement age and the funds can also be used for professional training. The employment rate of workers aged 55 to 64 increased from 66.8% to 70%. However, of the 315 complaints submitted between 2018 and 2022 to the agency that handles workplace disputes of the Ministry of Manpower, 24% related to old age prejudice. Safeguarding workers from layoffs before their legal retirement age is part of the ministry's efforts to create fair and inclusive workplaces, Tan said, outlining the government's goals for 2024. Others include improving the employability of local employees and company productivity. "Many have asked what keeps me up at night," Tan said, referring to the difficulties the country is facing such as declining birth rates and an aging population, which will weigh on the job market. If we fail to sustain our productivity over the next 10 years, my concern is that we will face a real decline in economic growth. Singapore, which will have one in four citizens aged 65 or older by 2030, has the third-highest employment rate for workers aged 65 to 69 among Organization for Co-operation and Economic Cooperation countries. economic development, added the minister. More and more workers in this age group are joining the workforce, pushing the employment rate up five percentage points over five years, to 48.3 percent in 2023. To encourage more segments of the population to join the workforce, the Manpower Ministry is taking a multi-pronged approach. Two bills expected to pass in 2024 will discourage discrimination based on traits such as age, race and disability. Furthermore, guidelines regarding flexible working arrangements are expected to be released this year. Minister Tan then revealed policies that will balance the demand for foreign talent and the greater competitiveness of local employees. A whole series of incentives will be given to employers, who will receive funds not only for worker training, but also for career conversion. Support for unemployed workers will be increased, from 6 thousand to 7,500 Singapore dollars (4,100 - 5,140 euros) The program will also be open to managers who want to retrain their workers for new roles in the company, and not just to workers who are on the verge of being made redundant. Regarding the involuntarily unemployed looking for work, the minister reiterated that financial aid is being prepared to support these workers during the job search period: We are close to defining the parameters of the program and I want to assure the Assembly that we have taken into account best practices around the world, Tan said. For example, our payments will be contingent on job seekers committing to actively seeking employment. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has suffered his heaviest loss in the House of Lords after the archbishop of Canterbury and former Conservative ministers joined forces with the opposition to push through five amendments to the Rwanda deportation bill. The legislation that intends to clear the way to send asylum seekers on a one-way flight to Kigali will have to return to the Commons due to a series of setbacks for the government, most passed by unusually large margins of about 100 votes. Sunak's Rwanda Bill Suffers Defeat The prime minister has previously warned the unelected chamber to prevent the "will of the people" from being frustrated by hampering the passage of his safety of Rwanda (asylum and immigration) bill, which MPs have approved. Sunak has made "stopping the boats" a major leadership commitment. However, he has seen several obstacles, such as the bill facing legal challenges. According to official auditors last week, it would cost $32,130 to send each of the 300 migrants to Rwanda. The draft legislation and a treaty with Rwanda intend to avert further legal challenges to the deportation plan, which was put on hold after the supreme court ruled the plan was unlawful. Furthermore, compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe would give ministers the authority to disregard emergency orders. It has been warned that the law would violate international law and is "fundamentally incompatible" with the UK's human rights obligations. However, Downing Street has said the government is still planning to send flights to Rwanda "in the spring." On Monday night, peers approved five amendments to the bill, including ensuring it adheres to the rule of law and that parliament cannot declare Rwanda safe until the treaty with its promised protections is completely implemented. The Lords also backed a move that would allow the presumption the country is a secure haven to be challenged in the courts. The Most Rev. Justin Welby and prominent Conservatives Ken Clarke, Lord Deben, and Viscount Hailsham, who had previously served in the Cabinet, were among those who voted against the government. The magnitude of the losses suggests the possibility of an extended brawl between the Commons and Lords during "ping-pong," in which legislation is battled between the two houses until an agreement is achieved. Read Also: University of Maryland Suspends Fraternity, Sorority Social Events Over Hazing, Misconduct Allegations Peers Criticize Rwanda Bill David Anderson, an independent crossbencher and attorney, argued that the provision in the bill requiring Rwanda to be seen as safe "takes us for fools." Anderson proposed an amendment allowing the presumption to be challenged in court. He said that if Rwanda is safe, as the government would have them declare, it has nothing to fear from such scrutiny. "Yet we are invited to adopt a fiction, to wrap it in the cloak of parliamentary sovereignty and to grant it permanent immunity from challenge. To tell an untruth and call it truth. Why would we go along with that?" he continued. According to Welby, international human rights legislation was created as a "fallback" and "stop" on governments in the wake of the atrocities carried out by Nazi Germany. The archbishop has cleared that they are not in any situation remotely like that. He claimed that the government is not doing something on the scale of what they saw at that stage but noted that the government is challenging the right of international law to constrain their actions. Former chancellor Clarke hoped that if the law were passed, it would be challenged in court. He said that he cannot recall a precedent in his time where a government of any complexion have produced a bill which asserts a matter of fact. Later, Home Office minister Andrew Sharpe addressed worries regarding the mental health care that asylum seekers would receive in Rwanda, saying that it would be far in the best interests and mental health interests of those seeking asylum and who are victims to seek asylum in the first safe country they came to. The government could face further defeats on Wednesday when the bill returns before the Lords. Furthermore, the UK and France intend to establish a new customs partnership to disrupt the supply chain of small boats in the Channel. The Calais Group of northern European nations convened in Brussels Monday with Home Secretary James Cleverly. They plan to disrupt the supply chain for boat parts, which includes building supplies and engines. Related Article: British Law to Send English Channel Migrants to Rwanda Hits a Snag in House of Lords Closely related to the Tundra pickup truck, the Sequoia comes with hybrid assistance by default. With 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet (790 Nm) at its disposal, the body-on-frame sport utility vehicle should be relatively fast over the quarter. SUV kilowatt Photo: Sam CarLegion on YouTube 4WD Pictured at the Dunnville Autodrome, the Sequoia has to prove itself against two polar opposites. Namely, a luxury-oriented unibodywith an inline-six engine and a body-on-frame SUV with half-ton pickup truck underpinnings and a small-block V8. The challengers in question are the Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound and the GMC Yukon Denali.In stark comparison to the previous-gen Sequoia, the current model packs a twin-turbo V6, an electric drive unit built into the ten-speed automatic transmission, and a high-voltage battery with 1.87hours to its name. This, in turn, makes the Sequoia TRD Pro in the video below tremendously heavy. Think just around 6,150 pounds/2,790 kgs.Equipped with road tires rather than off-road tires, the Yukon Denali also happens to be a heavy son of a gun at circa 6,000 lbs or 2,720 kilograms. Also connected to a ten-speed automatic, the free-breathing V8 hiding under the hood is the largest engine of the lot. But alas, 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet (624 Nm) don't really pose a threat to the Sequoia. How the tables would've turned had it been the supercharged V8 of the Cadillac Escalade-VFor the final entry, the numbers are 395 horsepower, 406 pound-feet (550 Nm), eight speeds instead of ten, and something in the ballpark of 5,800 pounds (2,630 kilograms) for this configuration of the Defender 130. Electronically limited to 119 miles per hour (191 kilometers per hour) from the factory, the Land Rover is theoretically capable of 144 miles per hour (231 kilometers per hour) at full chatter.The ZF-supplied transmission also happens to be pretty good from a standstill and from a rolling start. The white-painted Defender 130 squeezed out a best of 6.2 seconds from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), whereas the quarter mile was dealt with in 14.9 seconds. With Sam CarLegion driving, the Sequoia clocked 6.3 and 14.8 seconds.As for the Goliath versus Goliath showdown, the Sequoia improves to 14.7 seconds in the quarter mile. GMC's luxury-oriented SUV couldn't do better than 14.9 seconds, with 60 miles per hour arriving in a respectable 6.4 seconds. It goes without saying that its top speed pales in comparison to that of the Defender 130, a sad reality that applies to the Sequoia as well. Then again, the Yukon and Sequoia were not designed for outright speedToyota's large sport utility vehicle carries a starting price of $61,275 before destination, while a loaded TRD Pro can set you back over 80,000 freedom eagles. The Yukon isnt exactly affordable either, with prices kicking off at $58,200 with 2WD and the standard wheelbase. A Denali Ultimatewith the 6.2-liter V8 costs in excess of $100,000.It gets even crazier at Land Rover: $56,400 for the short-wheelbase 90, $60,600 for the 110, and $69,100 for the 130. Prospective customers who prefer the V8 over the mild-hybrid I6 have to shell out at least $116,600, with said powertrain listed by Land Rover with limited availability for MY24. Following last weekends Bahrain opener, it looks as though nobody will be able to stay in front of Max Verstappen this year. Fortunately for Aston Martin, one of their road cars might just have a chance at that, as long as theres an incident on-track. AMG Photo: Aston Martin All levity aside, Aston Martin have just unveiled a fresh official FIA Safety Car for F1 purposes, and its based on the all-new 2025 Vantage. The new Safety Car will make its debut at this upcoming weekends Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 9, when it will lead all 20 F1 cars on a formation lap, before taking its place at the exit of the pit lane awaiting instructions.Of course, to see more of it, there would have to be an incident on the track, which is likely when it comes to narrow/street circuits such as Jeddah Corniche.The all-new Vantage is animated by a hand-built 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine, featuring a 30% power increase over its predecessor. Basically, its got an extra 153 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque, for a total of 656 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of pulling power. With the help of its 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, the 2025 Vantage can rocket to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, before maxing out at 202 mph (325 kph).Aston Martin pointed out that to adapt to this role as FIA Safety Car, the new Vantage required no engine upgrade, no changes to its cooling system, or upgrade in braking performance. This sounds pretty impressive, although we can already hear Max complaining over team radio about the Safety Car needing to speed up if you recall, drivers often complained about the old Vantage Safety Car, which couldnt corner as hard as its Mercedes-GT FIA co-worker.Naturally, changes were made to the Vantage road car to prepare it for FIA Safety Car duties. Its got new underfloor dynamics, an extended and profiled front splitter, a new rear wing (fitted in a bespoke position with a tuned Gurney), a more aerodynamic FIA lightbar, plus a series of modifications to the interior.Among those, we count new seats for keeping FIA Safety Car driver Bernd Maylander firmly secured, and a bespoke center console with custom switchgear and custom screens for showing live lap times and track positioning.It is a pleasure to drive the Aston Martin. The car comes from an incredible bloodline and this newest version is the fastest yet, said Maylander.My first impressions were very positive as I could immediately feel the improvement in handling and, of course, power. We need a car that is fast and focused so we can respond quickly and safely when we receive the call for on-track deployment and Vantage provides that. The Artemis II mission to the Moon will be the first crewed one of the new lunar exploration program. After the delay announced at the beginning of the year, it is now scheduled to lift off sometime in 2025, and it will be followed a year later by Artemis III, a mission whose crew will actually land on the Moon. Photo: NASA/Isaac Watson Photo: NASA/Jamie Peer Photo: NASA/Kenny Allen Many of the Artemis II mission details are already known. The hardware that will take the astronauts to the Moon comprises the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion capsule, which will take off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.The crew is made up of four people, including the first person of color, the first Canadian, and the first woman to travel to the Moon: Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist).After liftoff, the Orion spaceship carrying these four brave souls will spend two days orbiting Earth in relatively close proximity as the systems are tested and a lunar targeting demo is performed.The next four days of the mission will be spent approaching the Moon, but also circumventing it and going to a distance of about 230,000 miles (370,000 km) beyond the far side. That would effectively send these four into the history books as the humans who traveled the farthest from our planet to that date.And then the trip home will begin, covering the remaining time to the estimated 10-day total duration of the mission. Like many others before them, the astronauts will splash down in their spacecraft 60 miles (97 km) off the coast of San Diego, in the Pacific Ocean. They will be intercepted and rescued by NASA and military teams that are already hard at work practicing what they're going to do out there.And that brings us to our topic today. Although the recovery mission is insanely complex, NASA decided at the end of February to give us the short version of how these efforts will unfold.First up, who will take part. NASA says the astronaut recovery mission will be a joint effort between the space agency and the Department of Defense (DoD), which is the natural way of things. On NASA's behalf, the heavy lifting falls on the people from the Exploration Ground Systems Program.The DoD will, naturally, be on the water with Navy ships, but it's unclear at this point exactly which vessel will assist with the recovery. During the mission to retrieve the Orion of Artemis I the USS Portland (LPD 27) was used, while two test runs for Artemis II were performed with the USS San Diego (LPD 22).But we're here to see how this whole process is going to go, so let's get into it.As it returns from space, the Orion will approach our planet fast. The spaceship starts braking hard as soon as it enters the atmosphere, by essentially rubbing itself against it as it descends, slowing from a top speed of 25,000 mph (40,233 kph) to just 300 mph (483 kph).Once that happens a total of 11 parachutes will activate in a set sequence, helping the ship slow down even further, to just 20 mph (32 kph).That's what we'll all probably see and experience on TV, but work behind the scenes will be a lot more intense, especially given how the splashdown, an apparently clean operation, will leave quite a mess in its wake.On its way down, the Orion capsule will get rid of the forward bay cover, drogue parachutes, and mortars, and all these items will have to be located as they come down. The task of learning where they will fall rests on the shoulders of a NASA team at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.The team is named Sasquatch after the software it uses to map where Orion hardware will drop. This is a very important step of the mission because it will allow the ships in the area to steer clear of potential dangers.Once the detached hardware is out of the way and the capsule itself is on the water, helicopters carrying Navy divers will move to intercept. If everything around the capsule is clear (meaning there is no debris or other dangers), divers will drop into the water and stabilize the Orion.Once the capsule's hatch is removed, the astronauts inside will climb out and step into the open, supported by an inflatable collar installed by the divers. The Navy people will also inflate a raft, which they aptly call the front porch, and fit it under the hatch.When the entire crew is clear of the capsule, the front porch will be moved some 100 yards (91 meters) from the capsule and each astronaut will be lifted into one of the two helicopters dedicated to them. The aircraft will transport them in pairs of two to the ship, where they will be medically evaluated.If all is clear, they will once again board helicopters and they will be moved ashore, and from there they will be transported through unspecified means to the Johnson Space Center. The agency expects the procedure from splashdown to medical evaluation to not last longer than two hours, even if the Artemis II crew arrives at night.As for the capsule, it too will be recovered and towed into the well deck of the ship that will be on location. Once there, the Orion will be positioned and then secured by means of a winch, ropes, and connection points on top of a stand. The Orion will eventually arrive at Naval Base San Diego, where NASA technicians will really begin tearing into it.And that's about it. Although simple on paper , the procedure requires a lot of coordination, and for the astronauts on board it might just be harder to endure than the trip to the Moon and back. The Barbie-mania has died down a bit following the release of the eponymous movie, which turned out to be the biggest box-office draw of the year 2023. But that's not to say it has gone away for good it couldn't have because this is Barbie we're talking about. Photo: Barbie The Movie So, if you're still feeling the Barbie spirit live on in your heart and might want to show it off to the world, this could be one way of doing it: a Barbie-inspired vanity license plate. Unmistakably Barbie but definitely not Barbie pink, this vanity plate also comes with the (probably desirable) distinction of being the most expensive in the UK."BAR 8IE" has been listed for sale on a specialized website, with an asking of 1,048,125, which is a hair over $1.32 million at the current exchange rate. The plate isn't pink but can go on any vehicle registered after January 1, 1967. If the sale goes through, this plate will become Britain's most expensive at nearly double the amount of the current record holder.Make no mistake about it, the timing of the listing and the timing of the 2024 Oscars is no coincidence. The awards show will take place on March 10, and Barbie, with Margot Robbie as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as Ken who is never Kenough, is one of the night's biggest contenders. The movie is also a favorite to win in several major categories, so the seller is hoping to ride that wave to a finalized transaction.Even with the Barbiecore frenzy settling down a bit, the love humanity has for Barbie is an enduring one. The Mattel toy doll is well into her 60s, but she remains the most recognizable and beloved toy including her vast collection of vehicles that includes everything from the iconic pink '56 Chevrolet Corvette to monster trucks, trailers, and campervans. Barbie is a very complex woman with a wide array of life interests, and her vehicles reflect that. Yes, we're still talking about the doll.As for the "BAR 8IE" license plate, it might be a potential record holder in its home country, but it can't hold a candle to the kind of money single-digit plates command in Dubai, the true land of all possibilities. Almost one year ago, the "P7" plate sold at auction for the equivalent of $15 million, setting a new world record.In the super-exclusive social circles of Dubai, vanity license plates like the one reading "BAR 8IE" will get you banned from hotels and restaurants because only single- or double-digit plates will do. A vanity plate like this one, even if ridiculously expensive for us normies, is ridiculous and perhaps a tell-tale sign that you're too poor to afford a single-digit one . How's that for putting things into perspective? $20,000 doesn't mean all that much anymore in the automotive industry. When in the market for a new vehicle, for instance, that amount of cash only lands you the cars at the bottom of the pyramid, while when it comes to motorcycles it is about as much as most of them, fully loaded, go for. So hearing it's also the sum for which a very special British-made motorcycle plus an accompanying guitar went it's kind of a letdown. Especially considering how the special part of it comes thanks to a triple connection to Elvis Presley.The bike itself is a Triumph T120 , and it was made special by styling it in such a way as to be reminiscent of the Bonneville Desert Sled that appeared in the 1968 movie Stay Away, Joe. The film stars Elvis himself, and that's connection number one.The second tie to the King of Rock and Roll is the fact the bike's colors (red, silver, and gold), applied by J Daar Customs, draws inspiration from the Comeback Special concert that aired the same year on NBC, marking the Elvis' return to live music after a seven-year hiatus.The third and last connection is the bike itself. Although Elvis did not touch this particular example, the King was so impressed with the T120 Bonneville that he ordered "one for all the guys," meaning his friends. The Elvis crew, known back in the 1960s as the Memphis Mafia, got their hands on seven such new motorcycles.Shown for the first time in October 2023 at the Barber Vintage Festival, the motorcycle was later taken to the Presley Motors Automobile Museum at Graceland for display purposes, and it finally landed in February 2024 at the Amelia Island Auction, where auction house Bonhams sold it for the rather disappointing sum of $20k.I say disappointing because the bike was also accompanied on the lot by a Gibson Les Paul guitar. It too was painted by J Daar, and it was meant to make the connection with the Comeback Special even more obvious, because a Les Paul was what Elvis used in the concert back then.The sellers of the pair of items seem pleased with the amount raised, calling the sum a "fantastic figure," as all the money will go to the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.For reference, Triumps is still selling the T120 Bonneville as part of its Modern Classics range, and it does so in exchange for $12,895. Separately, a Gibson Les Paul goes for anywhere between $1,000 and $8,000, so if you really want to split hairs, the bidders for the Elvis combo of items didn't really go out of their way to get their hands on them. The Gigafactory near Berlin was evacuated on Tuesday morning after the entire plant was left without electricity. Production at Tesla's only European factory had to be paused for hours. The power cut was caused by an electricity pylon reportedly set on fire by environmental activists who are furious at Tesla's plant expansion plans. #GigaBerlinBrandenburg Tesla Gigafactory in has been without power for hours, production is at a standstill. The reason is said to be an arson attack on an electricity pylon. Presumably this is an attack by the " climate activists " The police have not yet commented on these pic.twitter.com/VedH6EewfK Gigafactory Berlin News (@Gf4Tesla) March 5, 2024 These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or theyre puppets of those who dont have good environmental goals. Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2024 The Tesla plant in Germany was temporarily shut down. The facility was reportedly the victim of a suspected arson attack, which was carried out by environmental activists. The fire broke out early Tuesday morning in the vicinity of the plant. Bomb disposal units were called in after the emergency crew found a sign that read "ordnance buried here." It was, though, a false alarm.The German police say that they received a call that alerted them in relation to a burning high-voltage pylon near the Tesla plant, but the fire did not extend to the plant itself. The fire caused power outages in the Freiernbrink area, located about 30 miles southeast of Berlin, and forced the Giga Berlin plant to halt completely halt production.At the time of the fire, a Tesla spokesperson said that production was not expected to restart quickly. Experts from the energy company E.ON, which is in charge of the plant's grid connection, are working to fix the issues caused by the fire.The State Office of Criminal Investigation confirmed they are conducting an investigation but cannot yet confirm that the environmental activists are to blame for the incident. However, environmental protests have been slamming Tesla's plans of expansion for the Giga Berlin.The American carmaker intends to double the capacity of the production center to 100 gigawatt hours of battery production, rolling out one million cars per year, in an attempt to dominate the European market. For the first time, the plant produced 6,000 cars per week in January, proving that Tesla has ramped up production.In 2023, the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in Europe, with more than 250,000 registrations. So, Tesla's plans are completely justified.Local media published a letter by a far-left activist organization called the Volcano Group that claimed responsibility for the incident. The Brandenburg police are checking its authenticity.Elon Musk heard the news about the attack supposedly carried out by environmentalists who are trying to sabotage Tesla's manufacturing process and called them the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or or theyre puppets of those who dont have good environmental goals.Musk labels their attempt to stop the production of electric vehicles rather than fossil fuel vehicles "ist extrem dumm," which is German for "extremely dumb."Several dozen protesters have camped out in a forested area near the plant that Tesla is planning to expand in their attempt to change the carmaker's strategy. Photo: autoevolution edit/Android Police It does all these by providing turn-by-turn guidance so you know precisely where to make a turn to arrive at your destination.The main shortcoming comes down to the spot where Google Maps drops you off.If you've already used Google Maps, you probably experienced this, too. Say you're on vacation and want to navigate to a hotel. You search for the hotel's name in Google Maps and set directions to this address. While Google Maps is a fantastic app to get you there, it sometimes sends you to the wrong side of the building, so you'll need to go around it, either on foot or by driving a couple of minutes more, to find the entrance.It's happening because Google Maps doesn't know where the building entrance is located, so it offers navigation to the building's address.The search giant has recently started work on addressing this shortcoming.An early implementation of this update has recently been spotted online , showing how Google Maps will mark building entrances on the map. Each building, including hotels and restaurants, will display an additional icon on the map when you explore it at the maximum zoom level so you can see where the entrance is located. You can configure navigation to the entrance, though you must remember that you won't necessarily find a place to park in front of the entrance.Many restaurants and hotels don't allow you to park in the front, as they have dedicated parking places or an underground facility, so you must look for more information on Google Maps. However, the feature can also come in handy after you park the vehicle, as you can walk directly to the building's entrance using the information displayed within the app. Google Maps can also offer step-by-step guidance if you park on another street and want to walk to the entrance.The feature is still in its early days, so the existing version is an early test I didn't receive on my iPhone. It's only enabled on a small set of Android devices, but Google will probably ship it to all users later this year. The search giant has remained tight-lipped on its availability, possibly because the data is incomplete to show entrances for all buildings. The feature requires tremendous work to cover all large buildings and businesses worldwide, though I'd expect Google to require business owners to define the entrance on the map.The feature will likely begin rolling out gradually, starting with the largest cities in the world typically supported by Google's most innovative ideas, including London, Las Vegas, New York, Tokyo, and Paris. When the Japanese automaker announced late last summer that its iconic Toyota Land Cruiser was returning to the Americas, it also revealed it would be a bargain in the US compared to its predecessors. The catch was simple instead of the J300 full-size Land Cruiser, fans are getting the all-new J250 Land Cruiser (Prado or LC 250 in some markets) twinned with the 2024 Lexus GX 550 instead of the Lexus LX 600.Naturally, that sparked an ample debate about who's better . Toyota and Lexus, on their part, worked hard to separate the models. So, the Land Cruiser got a retro-modern design reminiscent of the original with round LEDs or the 1980s versions with squared lights, depending on the chosen grade. Meanwhile, Lexus decided on a fresh design statement for the GX 550 and also equipped it with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 349 hp instead of a 2.4-liter hybrid turbo inline-four (326-hp i-Force Max) like Toyota does.Still, you can't work your way around the pricing difference so easily, even though some of the Land Cruisers reach the GX pricing when comparing the top with the base tiers. Instead, if anyone wants a solution, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has found a workaround for this potential MSRP-related conundrum the first-ever three-door 2025 Lexus GX 550.This idea comes courtesy of the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube, who have imagined the CGI looks of the hypothetical 2025 Lexus GX SWB (short wheelbase) after previously doing the same thing for the 2024 Land Cruiser. While the latter probably dreamt of fighting all Jeep Wranglers and Ford Broncos on and off the trail, this Lexus GX 3-Door could easily take on the likes of Land Rover's Defender 90, which starts from $56,400, exactly around the pricing range of the Land Cruiser.According to the channel's host, Lexus could quickly get rid of two doors and the third row of seats by cutting into the chassis of the 2024 Lexus GX and the resident pixel master put that imagined design project into the proper perspective by making the rear doors and rear-most seats disappear before our eyes. Naturally, the traditional color reel is also present and accounted for, along with a quick comparison with the previously rendered three-door Toyota Land Cruiser Back in the real world, anyone interested in the 2024 Lexus GX 550 can select no less than six grades Premium, Overtrail, and Luxury with + versions for each from $64,250 and going all the way up to $81,250 without the destination charge and other fees or optional goodies. With no trace of modesty bike maker Indian calls its FTR model an American original. Offered all by itself in a category Indian calls Standard, the family of FTR bikes comes as a compelling offering for anyone who is in the market for a ride that both impresses and delivers. There are six FTRs to be had at the moment on the American market, namely the FTR, FTR Sport, FTR R Carbon, FTR Rally, FTR x 100% R Carbon, and FTR x RSD Super Hooligan . Except for the Rally and the two x special editions, the range just got refreshed with new color choices for the 2024 model year.The standard version of the bike is now available in a single color combination, bright Indy Red on the fuel tank, sitting on top of a black frame and wheels. The FTR logo can be seen proudly displayed on the sides of the fuel tank, and for this entire setup the bike maker is charging at least $13,499.The slightly more aggressive FTR Sport offers two new color choices for the new model year, Granite Gray Blue and Granite Gray. The former is backed by a "stealthy bodywork, while the latter is offset by a contrasting blue on the fuel tank (in the form of the logo), wheels, and shock spring. The existing paint scheme, Storm Gray and red, continues to be offered as well. Indian has set the price tag for the FTR Sport in the new color scheme at $15,749.Last but not least, the FTR R Carbon was gifted for 2024 with a new carbon fiber body set adorned by the FTR logo in the usual position on the fuel tank a feature this model did not display before. The rather dull colors of the bodywork are offset by gold on the Ohlins suspension gear, red on the frame and wheels, and yellow on the shock spring. This one is priced at $17,249 over at Indian in its standard configuration.All FTR models remain powered by the same engine, the 1,203c liquid-cooled V-twin that delivers 120 horsepower and an equal Nm of torque. They also share the same wheels, 17-inch cast pieces of hardware wrapped in Metzeler Sportec tires. Stopping power is ensured by means of Brembo brakes.Indian has fitted all of these new FTR motorcycles, but also the x special editions, with traction and cruise control, a four-inch touchscreen running the bike maker's Ride Command and turn-by-turn navigation.Indian says the new colors for the range are now available on international markets as well, but for people living outside the U.S. a call to the local dealer is advised for those wishing to learn more about availability and price. Donald Trump's supporters are now encouraging Black voters to choose their candidate by sharing fake AI-generated images of the former POTUS with people of color. With months away before the U.S. presidential election, which is scheduled in November, supporters of presidential candidates are doing their best to encourage more voters to choose their sides. But, is the AI-image-sharing tactic linked to Donald Trump's official presidential campaign team? Here's what Americans need to know. Donald Trump Supporters Encourage Black Voters by Sharing Fake AI Images To clarify things, there's no evidence proving that the AI-generated images are shared or linked to Trump's official campaign team. These deepfakes portraying the former American leader with Black people were discovered by BBC Panorama. Black Voters Matter group's co-founder explained that these manipulated photos are pushing a strategic narrative that shows Trump's popularity among Black voters. According to The Guardian's latest report, one of the AI images' creators is Mark Kaye: a Florida-based conservative radio show host. He clarified that he wasn't out there taking pictures of what was really happening. The radio host explained that he's a storyteller and doesn't claim that the photos he shares are accurate. "I'm not saying, 'Hey, look, Donald Trump was at this party with all of these African American voters. Look how much they love him,'" said Kaye. Read Also: [POLL] More Americans See Joe Biden Incompetent for Presidency; 60% of Voters Say POTUS Lacks Mental Ability Importance of Black Voters for Trump Ever since Donald Trump decided to run for the presidency again, he has been making efforts to court Black voters. Political analysts said that this is because Black voters were key to Joe Biden's victory in the U.S. presidential election 2020. Although the AI-generated images aren't proven to be linked to Donald Trump's campaign efforts, these deepfakes certainly benefit him. A taxi driver named Douglas (in Atlanta) shared that he originally believed one of the deepfakes before sources confirmed that they were fake. He explained that seeing these images bolstered his view that the former POTUS was supportive of the Black Community. Unfortunately, this is a negative campaign since it capitalizes on fooling Americans using fake photos. "Well, that's the thing about social media. It's so easy to fool people," said Douglas. The use of AI tools in elections is no longer new. Some use artificial intelligence to help their preferred candidates while others are leveraging AI to discourage people from voting for their candidates' rivals. This is why it is important to be more vigilant when sharing images and videos about the U.S. election. Related Article: Donald Trump's Age Questioned After Confusing Obama for Joe Biden at Virginia Campaign Rally Last year, the first seven best-selling nameplates across the US automotive market were trucks, crossovers, and SUVs. As for passenger cars, there were just five of them in the Top 25 for 2023! SUV As such, it is no wonder that everyone wants a piece of the action. Hyundai , for example, even dared to resuscitate the compact American pickup truck sector in a bid to take advantage of a possible niche where the Big Detroit Three or the major Japanese automakers hadn't taken over the proceeds.Unfortunately for them, their Hyundai Santa Cruz unibody compact pickup truck took a lot of time between concept introduced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show with the same name and reality. That gave enough time to the corner office head honchos over at Ford Motor Company to decide that a competitor was a good idea to oppose the Tucson-based model produced in Montgomery, Alabama (HMMA).Looking a bit more rugged in line with its bigger siblings, Ranger and F-150, the Ford Maverick was also cheaper as it is manufactured in Mexico and also comes with two excellent powertrains hybrid and turbocharged. Hence, it is no wonder that Ford sold 94k Maverick units compared to Hyundai's 37k Santa Cruz examples. For sure, the South Korean automaker is not slouching around our spy photographer partners have caught the 2025MY testing alongside its current sibling, and it's pretty clear the South Korean automaker will kick off manufacturing of a facelifted Santa Cruz later this year at HMMA.But what if the company also brought a surprise and made the Santa Cruz a rugged adventure? Well, that's hardly an option in the real world because of Tucson's existence and recent facelift. Alas, anything is possible across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Meet Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, who thinks now is the right CGI time to play with the Santa Cruz pickup truck again.This is not his first SUV-morphing attempt with the compact model, but it might be his best to date. Based on the Santa Cruz Night Edition, which has a $38,460 starting MSRP, the pixel master reworked its rear panels and roof, beginning with the C-pillar, into an SUV with ample storage space behind the rear bench seats. It also comes with a modern full-width taillight treatment, and the black Y-spoke aftermarket wheels are much larger than stock, lending it a muscle pickup truck appearance.It's too bad this is merely wishful thinking, and Hyundai won't dare bring another SUV into the American lineup. On the other hand, we heard that Kia is bringing to market an old-school mid-size pickup truck that might make it to America and perhaps there's hope for a Hyundai version, too. EV fires are not the easiest missions for firefighters. They need special techniques to put them out and to keep everyone safe. To give them a helping hand, Tesla has donated a Model 3 that was destroyed by fire to an organization specializing in EV fire safety. EV How did the Tesla Model 3 catch fire? Electric Vehicle The Model 3 is one of the six electric cars that caught fire in Australia over the past 14 years. The car that Tesla donated was engulfed by flames after a traffic incident that took place on the Hume Highway near Goulburn, in New South Wales, Australia, back in September.Conducting an investigation in partnership with Tesla and the Victorian County Fire Authority, theFireSafe team spent six whole hours to take the damaged battery pack out of the electric sedan. The EV FireSafe organization dubbed the totaled Model 3 "Testla," pointing out that it is a test car.They are tearing down the entire vehicle to get information about the way it burned and how fires can be prevented or put out in the future. They also showed photos of the crash from September 2023, during a 78-minute long video presentation, carried out by EV FireSafe.Hundreds of fire investigators and experts tuned in to watch the video of the Tesla being dismantled. The wreck provided significant information to those working on it and to the viewers.The Tesla Model 3 reportedly ran over an 18-kilogram (40-pound) truck tail shaft that had fallen out from a truck driving nearby. The shaft penetrated the battery pack and caused thermal runaway, catching fire, as shown in the live video presentation.The Penrose Rural Fire Brigade arrived at the scene and put out the fire in around half an hour.The investigation that followed showed that 95 percent of the battery pack had burned out, thus eliminating the risk of a secondary ignition.The head of theCouncil, Ross De Range, reports that only six EV fires have been recorded in Australia since 2010. One of them was deliberately set on fire, another caught fire following a crash, and three burned in a fire that engulfed several vehicles.While the numbers are very low in Australia, we have been reporting EV fires at least once a month, happening in the US or in Europe.Compared to petrol and diesel vehicle fires, EV fires have quite a low rate. Fire Rescue NSW reports that around 2,500 internal combustion engine-powered cars catch fire in Australia every year.For the past few years, fire brigades have been searching for new methods to extinguish fires, with the car being sunk in a water bin being the most common. Burying it or covering it with an especially developed blanket that supresses the oxygen are also modern ways to put out the blaze. Drive-thrus are apparently very dangerous places. You buy some fast food, you get a coffee, and you flip over. At least, that is the worst-case scenario, and the driver of a Mazda CX-5 has one hell of a tale to tell. SUV AMG Back in December, a Back in December, a Tesla Model Y climbed on a power box at a McDonald's drive-thru, leaving an entire neighborhood without electricity. The driver explained that her Tesla just started driving at 70 mph (112 kph). She had to get the front axle off the ground to stop the car. The incident took place in Londonderry, New Hampshire, right at the entrance of a drive-thru, near a gas station. The Londonderry Police Department shared photos of the aftermath, captioning the post with humor: "Life happens, but coffee helps." It would have probably helped, but the driver did not get there.The Mazda CX-5 they were driving now lays on one side as if it's taking a nap. Of course, the drive-thru is no place for a nap, and that's not why it ended up in that very unusual position.The driver must have hit a curb located at the entrance of the drive-thru. A yellow pole on the passenger's side looks as if it got hit by the Mazda, as it stands inclined to the ground.All visible parts of the body of the car seem intact, and so does the undercarriage, so there was obviously no large obstacle that the SUV hit before it flipped over. The only suspects are the curb and the yellow pole.The driver's side, the one that hit the tarmac, probably does not look that good. Most likely, the windows on that side were shattered on impact, and the door panels were badly bruised and dented.Considering that the entrance of a drive-thru is no area where you can drive at high speed, it is strange that such obstacles forced the SUV to flip over. But, well, some drivers have their ways of doing things. And this one right here, we must admit, is one of a kind.The model does not wear a registration plate. There is just a plate displaying the name of a dealership at the front, which might indicate that the vehicle had just left the showroom.Police, fire crews, and paramedics arrived at the scene. However, the driver was extracted from the car and walked away unharmed. There is no reporter related to the presence of a passenger on board the Mazda CX-5 at the moment of the crash.However, the accident is going to cost the dealership. Since the brand-new Mazda CX-5 is not registered yet, it might not even have an insurance policy. Besides, it shouldn't even be on public roads without registration plates.Drive-thrus can, indeed, be dangerous places. Not even actors can escape them. Two years ago, Hollywood star Ben Affleck hit a Starbucks sign with his then brand-new V8-powered Mercedes-S 63. His then-fiancee, now wife Jennifer Lopez was in the passenger seat at the moment. Military drones are being made in large numbers now, and that means that somewhere on this Earth there are production lines for them. But the aircraft that rolls off these production lines, no matter their kind, are specialized at performing a specific task. That may change, as the U.S. is working on a common platform that can be adapted to serve more varied needs. About a decade ago the American military kicked off an initiative called Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technologies (LCAAT). It was an effort meant to come up with an aircraft production method called genus/species.What that meant was the military was looking for a flying autonomous collaborative platform, the genus, from which a series of varied aircraft, the species, could be derived. As Doug Meador, autonomous collaborative platform capability lead with the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Aerospace Systems Directorate said, it would be pretty much like in the automotive industry, where the same platform is often used to assemble different kinds of vehicles.In the case of these drones, a common chassis could receive different aircraft kits, allowing for the rapid and less costly production of a specific machine.The AFRL already tested such a design, the XQ-58A Valkyrie . Developed by defense contractor Kratos, the drone last flew in the summer of 2022, proving drones designed to support the operations of military aircraft the likes of the F-35 and F-22 fighter jets have merit.At the end of February 2024, however, a so-called second generation of an autonomous collaborative platform stepped into the spotlight. It's called XQ-67A and it is made by General Atomics using the Valkyrie platform.The exact specifications of this drone are not known, aside from the fact it is derived from the Valkyrie. In the standard configuration, the Kratos drone is capable of flying at speeds of 652 mph (1,050 kph) and reaching targets as much as 2,449 miles (3,941 km) miles away. It can carry weapons, in the form of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and small-diameter bombs.In XQ-67A clothes, "the first aircraft type built and flown using a common core chassis," the drone was flown in an Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) configuration, meaning with no weapons.What OBSS means is that the platform could gather data that is not used by the drone itself but by the aircraft and other systems it is supposed to serve. A sort of remote touching arm, if you will, wirelessly attached to its body.The test flight took place at the General Atomics Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California at the end of February, and it was deemed a success, even if we're not told exactly what that means.The success of the flight is crucial, according to AFRL, as it now "paves the way for other aircraft species to be rapidly replicated on a standard genus chassis." And that, in a nutshell, means that the cost of making drones will decrease, and the speed of production will increase.There is no mention from either of the parties involved on when a production version of these drones will make it into the open. The Vista Cruiser production numbers remained steady throughout the entire second generation, despite the 1971 model year bringing a small decline for both the 6- and the 8-passenger versions. The first year of the generation brought us 13,375 Vista Cruisers with enough room for six passengers and 22,768 models for eight passengers. 1971 brought a small decline to 9,317 and 20,566 units, respectively, but production figures rebounded the next year.As a result, not too many Vista Cruisers saw daylight in 1971, so finding one in good shape today is rare. The owner of this wagon claims their Vista Cruiser is even rarer than a split-window Corvette, as a quick search online retrieves more Chevy coupes than the rare Oldsmobile model.While a split-window Corvette is insanely more desirable than a 1971 Vista Cruiser, the production numbers confirm you'll probably find a coupe easier than a six-passenger wagon. Chevrolet produced 10,594 Corvettes with a coupe body style in 1963.Leaving aside the unusual comparison, this 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser is solid restoration material. The wagon is still entirely original and now comes with a redone interior. eBay seller garylighting says the vehicle received the cabin work five years ago, but the owner suffered eye surgery and can no longer drive.The metal requires some attention, as you'll find the typical rust, but an all-original Vista Cruiser is still an intriguing project. Not to mention that it still comes with a 350 V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, though it's unclear if the engine starts and runs. However, the owner says the tank must be flushed as it contains old gas. The fuel pump, the spark plugs, the fuel filter, and other parts have already been replaced, so the current owner jumpstarted the restoration process.The 350 Rocket V8 was the most popular choice on the second-generation Vista Cruiser, but the 455 installed by Hurst Performance in 1972 was the icing on the cake. The 350 still does its job, especially as finding a 455-powered Vista Cruiser in an all-original configuration is rarer than Hen's teeth.The bidding for this 1971 Vista Cruiser is underway, with 29 bids received at the time of writing. The top offer is approaching $1,100, but the reserve is still in place. The owner didn't share any information about the reserve's value, so you must bid in the blind, albeit I don't expect it to be much higher than the current top bid today.You can find the wagon in Kent, Washington, and you'll need a trailer to take it home. However, make sure you order a third-party inspection or check out the car yourselves before committing to a purchase, with the owner ready to answer any question you might have on the phone. 5 March 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more One of Azerbaijan's notable successes is hosting COP29. Azerbaijan once again proved its sensibility towards the environmental issue by securing the hosting rights for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29). The decision to entrust Azerbaijan with this prestigious event underscores the nation's commitment to environmental sustainability and positions it as a global player in addressing climate change challenges. The bidding process for hosting major international conferences is highly competitive, with countries around the world competing for the opportunity to showcase their capabilities and contribute to global discussions. Azerbaijan's successful bid for COP29 reflects not only the nation's diplomatic prowess but also its dedication to environmental issues. Hosting COP29 places Azerbaijan at the forefront of global efforts to address climate change and implement sustainable practices. This conference serves as a platform for nations to come together, share insights, and formulate strategies to combat the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Beyond its environmental significance, hosting COP29 will have a positive impact on Azerbaijan's economy and cultural exchange. The influx of international delegates, media coverage, and associated events will enhance the country's global visibility. Moreover, the exchange of ideas and perspectives during the conference will contribute to cultural enrichment and mutual understanding. The projects associated with COP29 cover a wide spectrum, ranging from renewable energy infrastructure to sustainable transportation solutions, and from environmental conservation initiatives to green technology development. Foreign investors have the chance to participate in projects aligned with their expertise and interests, providing a platform for collaboration that extends beyond the conference. To implement COP29 projects, Azerbaijan will need the support of not only its domestic resources but also additional assistance from foreign investors. So, what is the Azerbaijani government doing to attract foreign investors to the country? Generally, what steps should be taken to attract foreign investors to the country? Answering the above questions, economist Natig Jafarly told Azernews that the Azerbaijani government has taken certain steps to promote investments and is still taking many decisive steps in this field. But these steps are not enough. The expert said that in order to attract more investment in the country, taxation, customs, and the judicial system need to be smooth. He added that these three main issues are what mainly interest foreign investors. "These are tax and customs policies, the rule of law. That is, one of the foremost desires of foreign investors is to ensure their quick and fair resolution by law when their issues go to court. We have done some work and progress in these three fields, but we will need to look through them once again as we are looking forward to attracting further investments in the country," he said. Moreover, the expert emphasised the importance of Azerbaijan joining international conventions, including the World Trade Organisation, in order to attract foreign investment more quickly. In that case, investors will feel more comfortable knowing that during any economic disputes, both local and international legal frameworks will quickly and fairly protect their rights. These are the issues that concern investors the most." According to Jafarly, from an investment perspective, Azerbaijan is a very attractive country. "Azerbaijan is very favourably located in terms of its geographical position, access to diverse markets, and logistical capabilities. If we strengthen investment promotion, it can lead to a significant influx of capital into Azerbaijan. This means new jobs, manufacturing sectors, and export potential." Economist Rashad Hasanov also agrees with the idea of Azerbaijan's being sufficiently attractive for foreign investment. "Because it is a raw economy and there is a huge investment potential in all areas. This also applies to the liberated territories in the Garabagh and the Eastern Zangazur regions. And in relation to the liberated territories, in addition to all of these, I also think that the acceleration of the peace agreement can also contribute. In this case, the interest of foreign investors in the region will grow to a significant level, which is very important for us," the expert concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 14:19 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Although the cleansing of Garabagh from Armenia's separatist regime has been completed, the existing illegal buildings and inadequate infrastructure in the area still remain issues. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan started taking measures to eliminate such problems in its fully sovereign territories. First of all, the demolition of two buildings in Khankendi, which Armenia calls monuments, is included in the plan. The building of the "Fighters who liberated Artsakh" union With 3 floorsthe basement, half-basement, and mezzanine floorsthe total area of this building is 1,886 sq. m., and the construction area is 811 sq.m. That is, this building in the central square of the once occupied city of Khankendi was symbolised by the name of the occupying regime that existed in Garabagh at that time. When looking at the building from above, it resembles the sign of the cross. In addition, the building does not have any strategic importance. The opening of the building took place on May 9, 2013. Former President of Armenia Serzh Sagsyan and head of the so-called regime Bako Sahakyan took part in the ceremony. The opening of the building was deliberately scheduled for May 9, the next anniversary of the occupation of Shusha, and the opening took place within the framework of the "holiday events" organised in Khankendi on this occasion. The construction of the building was supported by the "Ministry of Defence" of the separatist regime and the charity fund of one of the richest representatives of the Armenian diaspora, Levon Ayrapetyan, who was arrested in Russia for financial fraud in 2014, died in prison, and owned VALLEX-group. Ayrapetyan made a large amount of "investment" in the occupied territories, together with the representatives of the Armenian diaspora in Moscow and Stavropol, Russia. Another so-called monument is the building of the "Artsakh parliament" located in the centre of Khankendi city. The opening of the building with a total area of 1,350 square metres took place on September 2, 2007, the 16th anniversary of the declaration of the separatist regime. Tigran Torosyan, the former speaker of the Armenian Parliament, who participated in the ceremony, called this building "another proof that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is standing" and a symbol of "a beautiful event." It should be noted that there are facts about embezzlement during the construction of the building. For example, according to the numbers heard in the meetings of the so-called "parliament", 586 thousand US dollars were allocated for the construction of the building in 2006, but these funds were "not enough", so in 2007, up to 985 thousand US dollars were allocated. However, funds were also taken from unnamed sponsors to complete the construction of the building. Armenia is trying to politically dress up the demolition of these buildings, but this is groundless. The master plan of Khankendi was approved by the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Soviet era, and extensive construction works were carried out in the city by the Azerbaijan SSR. However, after the occupation, the entire landscape of the city was disturbed, and awkward buildings were built that did not match the master plan. Let's pay special attention to the symbolic meaning of these buildings: the building called "Parliament" was a terrorist nest where invasion and genocide plans against Azerbaijan were drawn and decisions were made. The terrorist groups of YERKRAPAH, which are still wreaking havoc on the conventional border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, operated in this building. Let's add that the organization consists of terrorist groups and has a hand in the deaths of thousands of Azerbaijanis. Yerkrapah was founded by one of the former defense ministers of Armenia, and the organisation has always been somehow connected to the army. Currently, it is reported that Yerkrapah has more than 10,000 members, most of whom are veterans of the First Garabagh War. In general, the Republic of Azerbaijan considers any building built by such a terrorist and separatist regime on its sovereign territory as unequivocally illegal, and such buildings are demolished in any city of Azerbaijan. It should be noted that during the occupation, the construction of the "parliament building" was also underway in Shusha. However, the Patriotic War and the victory of Azerbaijan against the Armenian occupation resulted in the destruction of another building that was to be laid in the city of Shusha. On the site of the building, the construction of the Shusha Hotel-Congress Central Complex was started by order of President Ilham Aliyev. At that time, the head of state took part in the groundbreaking ceremony of the building and said the following words about the prevention of the next illegal building that the separatist regime wanted to build: "The so-called regime declared that it would move the "parliament" of the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" to the city of Shusha. Thus, another attempt had to be made to Armenianize the city of Shusha. See, they started building this building as the "parliament" building of the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic". But they could not deliver. We came, the owners of this land came, drove them out of here, and thus their dirty deeds did not come true," President Ilham Aliyev underscored. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 19:27 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Cooperation memoranda signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the military field and joint steps taken have led to considerable progress in the defense industry of Azerbaijan. Covering more than two-decades of history, this cooperation still continues today between the defense ministries of the two states. It should be noted that working meetings were held between the Pakistani military delegation and high-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. During the meetings, in addition to a number of important issues, negotiations were held on the holding of trilateral military exercises between Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Pakistan. Pakistan is the second country after Turkiye which defended Azerbaijan during the Patriotic War, and it is the only country that does not recognize Armenia as a state since the occupation period back in 1990s. Pakistan-Azerbaijani military cooperation is also seen as a threat to India and France, which is arming Armenia in the region. Pakistani political expert Shazia Anwer Cheema, who commented on the issue to Azernews, spoke about the history of military cooperation between the two states. She then emphasized the importance of military weapons. Pakistan and Azerbaijan share deep defence ties following the signing of a military agreement between the two countries in 2003. This was followed by a decision to conduct joint military drills starting in 2016, she said. On this topic, the expert reminded Azerbaijan of weapons imported from Pakistan into the joint military sphere, including warplanes that were recently purchased. In February 2024, Pakistan and Azerbaijan inked a deal worth $1.6 billion to export JF-17C Block-III warplanes to Azerbaijan. The deal indicates that Azerbaijan would buy eight JF-17C Block-III aircraft equipped with air-to-surface missiles, she added. The professor stated that with this decision, Azerbaijan will have more air supremacy over Armenia, which is using old-aged Russian-design fighter jets. This will provide Azerbaijan air supremacy over Armenian old-aged Russian-designed fighter jets, she noted. But Azerbaijans successes are not the source of happiness for every country in the world. Countries such as France and India, which provided the Armenian army with weapons, are not happy enough since the last provocations that Armenia made on the conventional border with Azerbaijan. In the new stage of the Azerbaijani-Pakistani joint military field, India's aggression is quite obvious. Given this situation, the expert shared her opinion about it and said that India wants to equip Armenia to harm Azerbaijan and meddle in the South Caucasus. India has already been supplying weapons to Armenia for a long time and even supplying arms on a credit basis instead of hard cash because India wants to equip Armenia to harm Azerbaijan, she stated. Indian media was shaken by Pakistans latest contract with Azerbaijan over the JF-17 Thunder because India knows that it is a matchless fighter jet, the expert added. She presumed that India has probably been feeling rancour against Pakistan since its defeat in the war five years ago. And according to her, that is the reason why India hardly digests Pakistan's selling the jet to Azerbaijan. India will never forget how the Pakistan Air Force, equipped with JF-17 Thunders and F-16, shot down two Indian Air Force fighter jets in February 2019 and launched air strikes at six targets in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan also captured one Indian pilot during these strikes. The Indian Air Force MiG-21 was shot down over Pakistani airspace, the professor added. As regards the technical specifications and power of these weapons, military expert Ramil Mammadli noted that Pakistani warplanes are incredibly powerful. Especially JF-17 is very multifunctional and sophisticated because it combines lots of countries' experiences in itself. The JF-17 is a successful and problem-free procurement project for Azerbaijan, which combines the most modern technologies of Russia, China, and Pakistan, and the right decision has been made in this regard, and this process is being continued, he added. Speaking about the deal on JF-17 Block-III fighter jets, the expert stated that this project between Azerbaijan and Pakistan has been planned since 2007. He added that the main reason for this time lapse was especially France. The projects between Azerbaijan and Pakistan regarding the purchase of JF-17s from Pakistan were started in 2007-2008. The main problem here was the participation of companies from France and several other countries in the process of creating this aircraft. Although the fact that the JF-17's radar system belongs to France made this process somewhat longer, in the end, this issue was resolved. From this point of view, this was not unexpected news, and it was the final result of negotiations conducted for many years, Ramil Mammadli said. Commenting on the characteristics of the aircraft, the military expert explained its difference from other combat aircraft. The expert said that the plane can perform both fighter and bomber functions. The main feature of this warplane is that it is lightweight, single-engined, and can be used for multiple purposes. The fourth generation can perform both fighter and bomber functions. From this point of view, it can be considered successful, he added. Comparing the Turkish Akinci aircraft with the FJ-17, the military expert emphasised that the JF-17 surpasses many of its rivals in terms of flight altitude and the loads of the weapons it carries. If we compare Aknc and JF-17 purchased from Turkiye, we will see that they are aviation vehicles with different purposes. However, we can say that the JF-17's flight altitude and the power of the weapons it carries are greater than Akinci's. As a drone, the Akinci is better at reconnaissance and surveillance. On the battlefield, while the JF-17 is unbeatable, R. Mammadli underlined. The expert drew attention to the Armenian, French, and Indian unions in the military corporation. He said that Azerbaijan neither measures its defence capabilities based on the weapons that Armenia bought nor makes any comparison. India's arming of Armenia has nothing to do with the signing of the agreement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan on the purchase of Jeff 17 fighter jets. Azerbaijan does not measure its military strength by the number of weapons of Armenia., he stated. Ramil Mammadli stressed that like all military formations and structures in the world, Azerbaijan's current combat aviation vehicles needed to be updated. The airplanes used in Azerbaijan's current combat aviation vehicles have been among the best airplanes in the world for many years. Just like all military formations and structures, it needed to be updated, he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 11:10 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more The 20th session of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation kicks off in Astana today, Azernews reports. Before the meeting, there was a bilateral meeting between the co-chairs of the Commission, Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, and Kazakhstan's Transport Minister Marat Karabayev. Besides, the sides exchanged views on steps taken to strengthen mutual activity in all directions of cooperation between the two countries, including the expansion of the nomenclature of export-import goods and the development of priority projects in the fields of energy, investment, and transport logistics. At the meeting of the commission, the multifaceted cooperation agenda, goals, commercial-economic, energy, transport, logistics, industry, construction, agriculture, health, food safety, space activities, and digitalization, which ensure the development of high-level Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations based on brotherhood and friendship in a new historical stage, were discussed. Moreover, information technologies, science and education, culture, youth policy, tourism, sports, ecology, environment, and other works and perspectives were reviewed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 15:16 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Discussions on cooperation in the financial sector were held between the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the Qatar Financial Centre, Azernews reports, citing the President of the CBA, Taleh Kazimov, as he shared this on his "X" social media account. "We had a meeting with Yusuf Mohammad Al-Jaida, the head of the Qatar Financial Centre, as part of our official visit to Qatar. During the meeting, we exchanged views on the activities of the Centre, its role in the development of the financial sector in Qatar, as well as the opportunities and cooperation agreements available for companies," he noted. Azerbaijan and Qatar, two nations rich in natural resources and strategic positioning, have been fostering economic ties over the years. Both countries have significant reserves of oil and natural gas, which form the backbone of their economies. Although trade volumes between Azerbaijan and Qatar are relatively modest, there is potential for expansion. Both countries can explore opportunities for bilateral trade in non-energy sectors such as agriculture, technology, and tourism. Azerbaijan and Qatar can deepen their economic partnership for mutual benefit. Ongoing dialogue, investment promotion, and trade facilitation measures will be essential in realising the full potential of their economic relations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz (Photo : JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images) TOPSHOT - A man collects trash while wearing a jacket bearing the logo of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), along a street in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on January 30, 2024. At least 12 countries -- with top donors the United States and Germany joined by New Zealand on January 30 -- have suspended their funding to UNRWA over Israeli claims that some of its staff members were involved in the October 7 attack. On Monday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees accused Israel of detaining and torturing some of its employees, forcing them to make false confessions about the agency's connections to Hamas. Some staff members have reported to UNRWA teams that they were compelled to provide confessions under torture and ill-treatment. According to a statement from UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma, the false confessions were made during questioning about the relationship between UNRWA and Hamas and their alleged involvement in the 7 October attack against Israel. Israel has made allegations against 12 UN Relief and Works Agency employees for their alleged involvement in the October 7 terrorist attacks. It is claimed that approximately 12% of UNRWA's 13,000 employees are affiliated with Hamas or other Palestinian militant organizations. Israeli officials have stated that some of the information about the 12 staffers involved in October 7 was gathered through cell phone data and other sources. UNRWA has terminated 10 of the 12 accused employees, while the remaining two are deceased. Per Barrtons, the claims are detailed in a report that has not been published yet by UNRWA. It accuses Israel of mistreating Palestinians detained in Gaza during the conflict, including 21 UNRWA employees who reported being physically and mentally abused. The Israeli military did not provide an immediate response to the accusations regarding the mistreatment and detention of UNRWA employees. However, they stated in a release that any form of mistreatment of detainees goes against IDF values and regulations, and is strictly forbidden. Investigations into the deaths of detainees are being handled by the military police and are currently pending. The Israeli military strongly refuted allegations of sexual abuse of detainees, dismissing them as a manipulative effort to draw a false comparison with the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war by Hamas. The statement also refuted any claims of sleep deprivation among detainees and assured that they receive proper medical attention. According to UNRWA, approximately 4,000 individuals from Gaza have been taken into custody by the Israeli military since the conflict began. As of February 19, the organization had recorded the confinement of 29 children and 80 women, along with elderly individuals with Alzheimer's and people with intellectual disabilities. Read Also: Europe Faces 'Uncontrollable' Migrant Surge If Russia Wins in War With Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Warns Un Agency Chief Seeks General Assembly Support Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini expressed concern in a letter to the General Assembly's president about the UNRWA reaching a critical juncture due to frozen funding, pressure from Israel, and increasing humanitarian needs. The UNRWA's capacity to fulfill its mandate is at risk, according to Lazzarini, who called on member states to offer the required political backing to ensure the agency's continuity. The recent Israeli military operation in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 30,500 individuals, with 70% of the casualties being women and children, as reported by the Palestinian health ministry. Lazzarini mentioned that Israel has not presented any evidence against his former employees. Several countries, such as the United States, Britain, Germany, and Japan, halted funding to the UNRWA after the Israeli accusations. The total frozen amounts to $450 million, which is more than half of the funds UNRWA received in 2023. The United Nations terminated the employees accused by Israel and has initiated an internal investigation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres assigned an independent panel to evaluate if UNRWA operates in a neutral manner in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The European Commission acknowledged the efforts made by the UN and its refugee agency and announced on Friday that it would provide $54 million in UNRWA funding. The United States, the leading supporter of the chronically underfunded agency, was one of the first nations to halt assistance. Funds were redirected to support other UN operations. However, Guterres has emphasized that no other organization is equipped to take over UNRWA's role, which includes not only delivering aid but also overseeing educational and medical facilities. Israel maintained its accusations, as its UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan emphasized on Monday that the agency has consistently been a part of the problem and not the solution. There are around 30,000 individuals employed by the UNRWA in the occupied territories, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, with approximately 13,000 employees stationed in the Gaza Strip, Ahram reported. Related Article: EU To Send $54 Million Fund to Gaza Aid Agency After It Agrees to Audit Over Extremist Ties Allegations 5 March 2024 11:21 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Ganja State Philharmonic Hall has hosted an evening dedicated to an outstanding representative of Azerbaijani ashiq art, saz performer Ashiq Alasgar, as part of the project "Our Musical Identity". From February 29 to March 2, a series of concert programs of ashiqs were presented within the project, jointly organized by the Culture Ministry, Ganja-Dashkesan Regional Department of Culture, Ganja State Philharmonic Hall, and the Azerbaijan Ashiqs Union, Azernews reports. At the opening of the scientific conference "Azerbaijani Ashiqs", the director of the Ganja State Philharmonic Hall, Honoured Artist Ramil Gasimov, stressed the importance of implementing the project in order to promote Azerbaijani historical traditions and transfer the subtleties of ashiq art to today's generation. As part of the project, evenings were held dedicated to ashiq art and epics with a centuries-old history. Ashiq art, which is the basis of national folk art, is included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The goal of the project is to promote national values among young people and present the ancient heritage to the general public. Chairman of the Azerbaijani Ashiqs Union, Honoured Artist Maharram Gasimli, noted that this project, carried out for the first time, is a great contribution to ashiq art and creativity. The conference participants made presentations on the lives and works of various representatives of ashiq art. Further to the event, a literary and artistic evening was also held dedicated to the work of the outstanding representative of ashiq art, Ashiq Alasgar. Chairman of Dd lsgr Ocag Khatai Alasgarli expressed gratitude to the organisers of the project. Thanks to his bright talent and passionate, uncompromising work, he managed to rise to the top of Azerbaijani ashiq poetry. Ashiq Alasgar wrote poems, created ashiq melodies on them, and himself masterfully performed them on the saz. He was fluent in the forms of ashiq poetry. The themes of Ashiq Alasgar's poetry are varied. Social motives intensified over time in his work. Ashiq Alasgar was the creator and bright leader of the Goychay Ashiq School in Azerbaijan. His teacher was the most famous poet of that time - Ashiq Ali. Ashiq Alasgar's repertoire consisted of many classical dastans and ashiq melodies, the essence of which was to describe the plight of the working people, the revolutionary events of those years, scenes from peasant life and the beauty of nature. The theme of love and friendship occupies an important place in Ashiq Alasgar's work. The world of his lyrics is rich and varied. Ashiq Alasgar's lyrical goshma, soulful love poetry are also varied. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 15:53 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more People's Artist Rasim Balayev has been elected chairman of the newly-established Azerbaijan Cinematographers Union. The decision was announced at the conference of cinematographers held in Baku, Azernews reports. The issue of the merger of the two film unions came up last year. On July 26, 2023, a joint meeting of both unions' management boards was held, and a joint statement on the merger of both organisations was adopted. In his speech, People's Artist Rasim Balayev Rasim Balayev expressed his hope that the Azerbaijani film industry will further develop. "Azerbaijani cinema is in resuscitation. It is possible to revive it. I believe that. We all have to believe," he said. The conference discusses the creation of the United Cinema Union and approving the charter, as well as the issues of electing its chairman and board of directors. The board of the newly created union included more than 30 filmmakers. Among them are People's Artists Shafiga Mammadova, Vagif Mustafayev, People's Writer Anar Rzayev, Honoured Artist Jamil Guliyev, and others. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 14:58 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Germany will continue to support Azerbaijan and Armenia in their efforts to achieve peace. According to Azernews, the German Embassy in Baku said this in a statement about the plans to hold a pro-Armenian event called "Protection of the endangered cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh" in Berlin, which has a separatist nature. The diplomatic mission emphasized that the event was organized by German non-governmental organizations and had no connection with the country's authorities. The embassy expressed its desire to support both sides to realise the peace talks in the region. "Regarding the position of the German government in the resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Germany will continue to support both countries to achieve peace." It is worth noting that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in her meeting with Azerbaijan and Armenia's Foreign Ministers Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan, that after many years of painful conflict, Armenia and Azerbaijan now have an opportunity to achieve long-term peace. Recall that the organisers of the event are the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. According to DGAP's financial report, the council also receives grants from the federal government for its operations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 21:43 (UTC+04:00) Since the 19th century, Armenians have pursued aggressive actions, employing various devious methods to realize their aspiration of establishing a "Great Armenia" in the historical lands of Azerbaijan, while also perpetrating ruthless genocides against Turkic peoples. Towards the end of the 20th century, separatist tendencies in Armenia manifested in large-scale military clashes against Azerbaijan. This military aggression, aided by certain Western countries, global power circles, and Christian centers, led to the occupation of sovereign Azerbaijani territories, including Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur. Armenians, lacking a tradition of statehood, opted for separatism, terrorism, and vandalism in their quest to carve out the second state in the Caucasus, thus casting a shadow on the future of Turkic peoples. Today, it is possible to clearly see traces of the vandalism of the Armenian armed forces in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from thirty years of occupation. During the period of occupation, they not only neglected to engage in any constructive activities but, conversely, systematically destroyed all cultural monuments, graves, homes, and mosques in the occupied territories, resulting in significant environmental damage. Furthermore, upon their retreat, they left behind mined areas. These widespread acts of vandalism underscore the ethnic and psychological situation prevailing in Armenia. The structures built by the deceitful neighbors using Armenian architectural styles in Azerbaijan's historic lands during the years of occupation signify their designs to usurp those territories. Hence, the process of dismantling the edifices erected by the junta regime during the occupation of Khankendi has begun. Azernews reports, citing Azertag that the dismantling of the parliament building, constructed by the separatist junta regime in Khankendi in 1994 and later underwent reconstruction works in 2009, has begun in accordance with the directives of the Azerbaijani Government. This three-story building, covering an area of 1,350 square meters, served as the venue for 33 "MPs" of the so-called regime who supported the separatist agenda. Currently, significant historical processes are unfolding in Azerbaijan. The leaders of the junta regime, who sought to establish a second Armenian state within our country's territory, were apprehended one by one as a result of last year's anti-terrorism measures. Now, the seeds of separatism they sowed are being eradicated. Another structure of the despicable enemy a building constructed in the form of a cross when viewed from above, known as the "veterans" building, has also begun to be dismantled. Armenia's leadership must clarify which veterans they are commemorating with this structure. However, it must be reiterated that those who brazenly trespass into the territory of another sovereign state, commit mass atrocities and acts of vandalism, and promote a policy of separatism, cannot be rightfully labeled as veterans under any circumstances! It is time for them to be held accountable for the crimes they have instigated and perpetuated over the years, and to face legal consequences accordingly. The Azerbaijani government has consistently pursued a policy of tolerance and has reiterated its commitment to diplomatically resolving the remnants of separatism in Karabakh at various international forums. Despite this, the Armenian authorities, along with their supporters, notably France under President Macron, made a grave error by underestimating the seriousness of the situation, the strength of Azerbaijan, and the determination of President Ilham Aliyev. Although the signing of a peace agreement between the two nations and the restoration of regional stability do not align with the political stance of biased global power centers, they are essential for Armenia, the country that suffered defeat in the war and lacks a clear political direction. We hope that Armenia will come to understand this before it is too late. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 16:39 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more In anticipation of the Novruz spring holiday, the Azerbaijani people recall the centuries-old traditions associated with the four elements of the universe: Water, Fire, Earth and Air. The four Tuesdays before the Novruz holiday symbolise the four elements: Su Charshanbasi (Water Tuesday), Od Charshanbasi (Fire Tuesday), Torpaq Charshanbasi (Earth Tuesday), and Hava or Akhir Charshanba (Wind or Last Tuesday). Each Tuesday has its own traditions, Azernews reports. Everlasting fire sources have long been a source of fame for Azerbaijan. On this day, Azerbaijanis light bonfires in their courtyards and public spaces, jumping over the flames to symbolise the leaving behind of winter's cold and darkness. The tradition of celebrating Fire Tuesday dates back to ancient Zoroastrian beliefs, where fire was seen as a symbol of purification and renewal. Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster (who claimed to be a prophet) in ancient Iran approximately 3,500 years ago and revolves around the worship of fire. The Absheron Peninsula and Baku were centres of Zoroastrianism in ancient times. Four centuries-old traditions and beliefs. Its traces can be found in the Baku, Shamakhi, Nakhchivan, Mingechaur, and Talysh-Mugan areas. One of the most famous and popular tourist attractions of the "eternal flame" in Azerbaijan is Yanar Dag. This magical place is associated with many legends. Since ancient times, fire worshippers have gathered in these places. Yanar Dag is a natural gas fire that blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea near Baku. Unlike mud volcanoes, the Yanar Dag flame burns fairly steadily, as it involves a steady flow of gas from the subsurface. The flames emanate from vents in sandstone formations and rise to a height of 10 metres. Ateshgah, or Fire Temple, is another significant Zoroastrian site in Azerbaijan. Constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, this temple is an ancient Hindu castle-like religious edifice in a suburb of greater Baku that was initially recognised as a Zoroastrian fire worship place. Moreover, Azerbaijan's ancient epic "The Book of Dede Gorgud" provides insight into the fire's role in the history of the Oghuz Turks. Even the number of fires lit had specific symbolism. If one fire was lit on a high hill, it called for unity among the Oghuz Turks; two fires warned of danger over their native land and called for a fight against the enemy, but if three fires were lit over the mountain, this meant victory over the enemy and national triumph. A similar respect given to the fire element can be traced in the rituals associated with the Novruz holiday. According to the ancient beliefs of Azerbaijanis, once a year, the spirits of deceased ancestors visited their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This arrival coincided with the last Tuesday of the year. If the spirits of the dead saw that there was no light (fire) burning in the hearths they left behind, then they left, offended by their descendants, and never returned. According to this belief, on the last Tuesdays of the outgoing year, bonfires were lit, around which the whole family gathered, jumped over the fire, and asked the Creator for health and prosperity. Today, Fire Tuesday, is a festive occasion marked by dancing, singing, and feasting with family and friends. One of the most popular traditions on Fire Tuesday is the preparation and consumption of a special dish like pilaf with beans or chicken. Fire Tuesday is a joyous and colourful celebration that brings people together to welcome the arrival of spring. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin begins a two-day working visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. During the visit, Mishustin will hold meetings with Azerbaijani officials. They are expected to consider a range of issues related to the development of Russian-Azerbaijani trade and economic cooperation. Particular attention will be paid to promoting joint projects in the energy, transport, industrial, cultural and humanitarian fields. Several intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents are expected to be signed as a result of the meetings and negotiations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 12:00 (UTC+04:00) In 2023, 29,411 appeals were received by the Azerbaijani ombudsman. These appeals were reviewed and answered in accordance with constitutional law, Azernews reports, citing Sabina Aliyeva, the human rights commissioner (ombudsman) of the Azerbaijani Republic, as she said in an interview with journalists. "In February of this year, under the Constitutional law, the report of the human rights commissioner (ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan on human rights activities conducted last year was submitted to the head of state. I will present that report in the Milli Majlis (Parliament) today," Sabina Aliyeva said. She said that 76 proposals and recommendations were mentioned in the report. These proposals and recommendations effectively ensure and reliably protect the rights of various population groups. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 15:35 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more The 15th meeting of the Council of Elders of the Organisation of Turkic States will be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on March 11-13, Azernews reports. Hasan Hasanov will represent Azerbaijan in the Council of Elders. It is worth noting that the last, 14th meeting of the OTS Council of Elders was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in October 2023. Members of the Council of Elders discussed the upcoming Summit of the OTS to be convened in Astana on November 3, 2023, as well as various areas of cooperation undertaken within the framework of the OTS. Moreover, the Secretariat informed the Council about the realisation of their recommendations put forth in their last meeting held in Bishkek in August 2022 as well. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 4 March 2024 15:15 (UTC+04:00) Filippo Tamagnini and Gaetano Troina, Captains Regent of the Republic of San Marino have sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. President, On behalf of the government authorities and the people of the Republic of San Marino, we extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to you on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the commencement of your duties in this high state post. Your Excellency, we wish the people of Azerbaijan well-being and prosperity. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest esteem and consideration. Respectfully, Filippo Tamagnini and Gaetano Troina Captains Regent of the Republic of San Marino" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 16:18 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans First Deputy Minister of Defense Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, has met with a delegation led by Lieutenant General Ahsan Gulrez, Director General of Joint Staff Headquarters, who is on a visit to the country, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Defence. First, the Pakistani delegation visited the Alley of Shehids and paid tribute to the memory of Shehids (Martyrs), who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as well as laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame memorial. Welcoming the guests, Colonel General Karim Valiyev expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan and emphasised that friendly and fraternal ties between the two countries, as well as Azerbaijani-Pakistani relations and strategic partnership, are developing steadily. The Chief of the General Staff stressed the importance of trilateral joint military exercises held with the participation of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye in terms of exchanging experience between the armies of the three countries and further improving the professionalism of servicemen. Expressing gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality, Lieutenant General Gulrez highlighted the necessity of holding such meetings and expanding mutual relations to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. In the end, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for the development of Azerbaijani-Pakistani military cooperation and other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan issued a report that warns mass violence and gross human rights violations continue in the region unabated. The chaotic situation in the region comes ahead of landmark elections that are scheduled to take place in December later this year. The report warned that patterns of violence, violations, and entrenched impunity continue to plague the lives of an extremely vulnerable population. Violence in South Sudan The report also warned that the already dire humanitarian situation in the nation will only deteriorate even further. The country's elections, which are the first to be held since independence from Sudan in 2011, should signify a milestone in efforts to secure a lasting peace since the end of the civil war. In 2018, officials reached a peace deal but its implementation has been sluggish and violence continued to persist in several parts of the nation. The report that was presented to the UN Human Rights Council on Friday in Geneva said that the region's elections face severe political and logistical challenges, as per the Associated Press. There were crucial steps taken in the 2018 peace deal, which include the adoption of a permanent constitution, the unification of armed forces, and the establishment of transitional justice institutions that "remain outstanding or incomplete." In a statement, Commissioner Barney Afako said that time is already running out for South Sudan's leaders to implement key commitments. He said that these are considered to be the building blocks for peace, holding the country together, and advancing human rights beyond the elections. While the nation's elections were originally supposed to take place in early 2023, they were postponed for 18 months due to a variety of factors. The report claimed that various nation and state-building efforts have already faltered while predation and repression have been entrenched. The members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan expressed hope that the local government would live up to the commitments of the 2020 revitalized peace agreement, according to the Voice of America News. Read Also: U.N. Inquiry Finds Evidence of Sexual Assault in Attack on Israel Humanitarian Conditions Afako said that in April last year, they named senior officials who were responsible for serious crimes, including extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and sexual violence. He noted that all of them retain their positions, including the governor of Unity State, Joseph Monytuil, and the Koch County commissioner Gordon Koang. The report also noted that children in South Sudan were being recruited into the army and militias and armed cattle keepers encroach upon and grab the land of farmers, conducting sexual violence as well as mass abductions on women and children. The UN commission has documented various cases of young girls and women who were taken and were then held as sexual slaves. Afako also noted that many of the victims who were affected by the situation testified that they were regularly beaten, continuously raped, and threatened to be killed. The Human Rights Watch also issued a statement on the matter, where it said that it shared the UN commission's concerns over "entrenched systematic repression." The agency noted that authorities in South Sudan are still failing to provide accountability for grave abuses, said HRW. Related Article: Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill Suffers Major Defeat in UK House of Lords 5 March 2024 17:36 (UTC+04:00) The Ombudsperson for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, addressed the National Assembly on March 5, 2023, with her report on "The protection of human rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan" for the year 2023, Azernews reports. Prior to her address, the Ombudsperson and her staff visited the grave of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, paying deep respect to his memory. The honourable memory of the distinguished ophthalmologist-scientist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, was also respectfully commemorated in the Alley of Honour. Then, they visited the Martyrs' Alley, where they paid tribute to the memory of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the homeland. Later, Sabina Aliyeva, who gave an interview to the media representatives, gave information about the issues to be touched upon during the presentation of the annual report in the Milli Majlis and pointed out that the proposals and recommendations presented in the report served to effectively protect the rights of various population groups. During her speech at the National Assembly, the Ombudsperson provided information on the situation regarding the protection of human rights and freedoms in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2023, the activities carried out, current problems, and upcoming tasks. The Ombudsperson presented a number of proposals and recommendations in her report for the more effective provision and protection of human rights and freedoms in our country last year. It should be noted that the Ombudsperson's report for the year 2023 has been posted on the official website of the institution and submitted to the relevant media outlets for wide dissemination to the public. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 15:50 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani serviceman Ruslan Panahov thanked the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. "I knew President Ilham Aliyev would liberate me from captivity. I am very happy to return to my homeland. My health is fine, and I feel good," he told reporters in Baku. A serviceman of the Azerbaijani Army, detained by Armenia for crossing the conditional border, has been returned to Azerbaijan. The aircraft that transported Panahov has just landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Recall that on the morning of February 28, a serviceman of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Ruslan Panahov, moving between service positions in the Lachin region, got lost, losing the direction of movement under unfavourable weather conditions. The Armenian side soon issued a statement in which it announced the detention of an Azerbaijani soldier who had crossed the conditional border. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 6 March 2024 00:18 (UTC+04:00) Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov has today met with visiting Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin. The Prime Ministers initially held a one-on-one meeting, which was later continued in an expanded format with the participation of delegations from both countries. During the meeting, the parties acknowledged the strong Azerbaijani-Russian strategic partnership across various domains, emphasizing the dynamic growth of bilateral relations driven by close communication and joint initiatives led by the presidents of both countries. The meeting also saw discussions on topical issues of the economic, trade and investment cooperation. They also highlighted the implementation of the joint projects in energy, industry, transport, agriculture, culture and humanitarian spheres aligned with the agreements and instructions of the both countries heads of state. Emphasizing the importance of progressive development of trade and economic cooperation, the parties hailed the record level of mutual trade reached in 2023, exceeding 4.3 billion US dollars. They also expressed confidence that the trend of increasing trade turnover will be sustained. The prime ministers also emphasized the expansion of the mutual investment activity, affirming the interest in continuing cooperation in priority investment projects. The sides highlighted high dynamics of successful implementation of joint projects related industrial cooperation, including the production and assembly of trucks and commercial vehicles in Azerbaijan, and the manufacturing of medicines. Transport and transit were emphasized as pivotal aspects of Azerbaijan-Russia cooperation, with both parties noting a more than 11 percent increase in cargo transportation volume between the two countries in 2023. The North-South International Transport Corridor was also highlighted for its importance, with commendation for joint efforts to maximize its potential. Improving infrastructure, including roads, railways, and border crossing points, was identified as crucial for the corridor's development. The leaders also applauded the longstanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries, highlighting the growing interaction between regions. Ali Asadov and Mikhail Mishustin explored future prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and affirmed their commitment to combined efforts on various mutual interests. The meeting concluded with the signing of several agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in tourism, culture, and the development of state border crossing points and highway infrastructure between Azerbaijan and Russia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 10:20 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Azerbaijan imported a total of 1.51 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan for the entire year 2023, Azernews reports. According to the data of the Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee, during the specified period, natural gas imports from Turkmenistan are 77 percent higher than in 2022 (857 million cubic meters). In value terms, Azerbaijan's imports of natural gas from Turkmenistan for the whole of last year amounted to $218.22 million, which is 96.8 percent more than in the same period of 2022, when it amounted to $110.87 million. Furthermore, in the whole of 2023, Azerbaijan purchased more than 2.33 billion cubic meters of natural gas from foreign countries for a total amount of $361.99 million. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for the whole of 2023 reached $773.9 million, which is 44.5 percent more than in the same period of 2022 ($535.39 million). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The armed forces of the Korean Republic and the United States have begun military exercises "Freedom Shield", which will last until March 14, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. According to the American military contingent in the Republic of Korea, during the exercises, they will practice actions on land, at sea, in the air and cyberspace, as well as the use of "space assets" to respond to enemy nuclear forces. Representatives of 12 countries belonging to the UN command will also take part in the exercises as observers. The official representative of the Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea, Lee Song-jung, said that during the maneuvers, the practice of detecting and intercepting North Korean cruise missiles will be worked out. At the beginning of the year, North Korea tested the Hwasal-2 (Strela-2) and Pulhwasal-3-31 (Fire Arrow-3-31) cruise missiles. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 19:10 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Beijing plans to build 100 more smart factories and digital workshops over the next three years, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. Information about this is included in the action plan of the Bureau of Economics and Information Technology of the Beijing City Hall for 2024-2026 on digitalization in the manufacturing sector of the city. According to the plan, all major manufacturing enterprises in the Chinese capital will be digitized. Authorities noted that 103 smart factories and digital workshops have been built in the city since 2021. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China said that China has become the world's largest smart manufacturing market with more than 10,000 digital workshops and smart factories. It is worth noting that last month, smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi launched a new factory in Beijing equipped with the most modern intelligent technologies and producing about 10 million phones per year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 22:55 (UTC+04:00) The office of Honorary Consul of Belarus with a consular district within Kakheti Region Irakli Shioshvili has opened in Telavi, Georgia, Azernews reports, citing BelTa news agency. The event was attended by Belarusian Ambassador to Georgia Anatoly Lis, employees of the Belarusian diplomatic mission, representatives of political and business circles, mass media and regional public organizations. During the ceremony Irakli Shioshvili was presented with a consular patent, Belarusian paraphernalia and souvenirs. Introducing Irakli Shioshvili as Honorary Consul, Anatoly Lis expressed confidence in his fruitful activities to strengthen and develop Belarusian-Georgian cooperation in economy and humanitarian activities. The ambassador emphasized the importance of providing timely assistance to Belarusian citizens in Georgia and wished him success in the fulfillment of the functions entrusted to him. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 March 2024 20:15 (UTC+04:00) An 8,600-year-old piece of bread has been found in a structure resembling an oven in Catalhoyuk, south-central Turkiye, one of the first places in the world where urban settlement has been recorded, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. Located in the Cumra district of Konya, Catalhoyuk, where approximately 8,000 people lived together during the Neolithic period, a structure resembling an oven was discovered in an area known as "Space 66," characterized by adobe houses with interconnected roofs accessed from above. Near the severely damaged oven, a palm-sized artifact was found containing wheat, barley, and pea seeds, likely used for food. Analyses conducted at the Science and Technology Research and Application Center (BITAM) of Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya revealed that the spongy residue identified as leavened bread dates back to 6600 BC. Ali Umut Turkcan, Head of the Excavation Team at Anadolu University, told Anadolu that "archaeology" often brings structures, monuments, and artifacts to mind. Turkcan noted the emergence of food archaeology within modern archaeology, emphasizing Anatolia's significance, particularly Catalhoyuk. He highlighted the discovery in 2021, showcasing Turkish excavations' ability to identify organic residues through "meticulous documentation and detailed studies." He highlighted Catalhoyuk Neolithic City's importance by stating, "With meticulous documentation, we identified the small, round, spongy artifact found in the oven corner as bread. The thin clay covering preserved wood and bread, allowing all organic residues to endure. Radiocarbon tests at TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) suggested our sample could date back to around 6600 BC." Oldest bread in the world Turkcan mentioned that the earliest examples of leavened bread were found in Egypt. He said, "We can say that this finding in Catalhoyuk is the world's oldest bread. Considering observations, analyses, and dating, we estimate this organic residue to be approximately 8,600 years old. "It's a miniature version of a loaf of bread. It hasn't been baked in the oven but has fermented, preserving the starches. Such an example hasn't existed until now. Catalhoyuk has always been the center of many firsts. "Even in its early excavation years, the world's first textiles were found here. Wooden artifacts were also discovered in Catalhoyuk. This adds to the wall paintings and drawings. In this regard, Konya and Turkiye are very fortunate." Turkcan emphasized the importance of analysis studies, noting that the university's laboratories' capability to conduct all analyses is a "significant advantage." He also highlighted the significance of this capability being established for the first time in Turkish laboratories. Cereal residues excites Salih Kavak, a lecturer at Gaziantep University, expressed excitement for his contribution to the analysis and evaluation of the "Catalhoyuk Space 66 Neolithic Period Bread Discovery," stating it's the most exciting study in archaeo-botany to date. Kavak recounted being informed of the organic discovery while examining plant residues in the laboratory. He expressed surprise upon receiving it, initially pondering whether such a form could indeed be "dough, bread, or an organic residue." "Upon a visual morphological diagnosis and subsequent microscopic examination, the most exciting aspect was the presence of cereal residues," he stressed. Adding that the discovery of ground or broken pieces belonging to plants like barley, wheat, and peas "immediately strengthened" the possibility of it being bread. Kavak highlighted the need for chemical and physical analyses of the discovery to confirm their hypothesis. He stressed that directed to BITAM for analysis by Oguz Dogan, a detailed examination, including SEM images, revealed air pockets and plant residues. "Chemical analyses indicated signs of fermentation, suggesting the mixture had been prepared but not baked," he said. Kavak concluded that this "unprecedented discovery" marks the oldest known bread-like specimen, sparking excitement in Turkiye and worldwide. BITAM's Deputy Director, Yasin Ramazan Eker, told Anadolu that he emphasized the center's capability to analyze archaeological findings and noted that they "could determine the chemical and physical structures of samples and interpret their significance." "With advanced technology, we could conduct these analyses at the BITAM central laboratory, leading to more accurate diagnoses," he said. He added that the discovery of an 8,600-year-old bread residue at Catalhoyuk raised suspicions, which were confirmed through the analyses, indicating the sample's unbaked nature. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis attended the 46th Regular Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Georgetown, Guyana February 25th-28th accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Labour and Public Service, Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of State for the Office of the Prime Minister Hon. Leon Lundy, and H.E. Leslia Miller-Brice, Ambassador of The Bahamas to CARICOM. Prime Minister Davis and The Bahamas Delegation focused on advancing the key priority areas of Food Security, Climate Change/Finance, and Stabilizing the Situation in Haiti. Addressing the regional goal to reduce Food imports by 25% by the year 2025, Minister Glover-Rolle delivered an intervention on behalf of the Prime Minister and the nation summarizing the progress The Bahamas has made toward greater food security, especially in the area of poultry farming, and outlining the countrys strategy to promote greater results such as the partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to promote inclusive digital integration in the sector and the Ministry of Agricultures partnership with NGOs to support community and backyard farming, the largest initiative of its kind in the history of The Bahamas. Min. Glover-Rolle also outlined challenges the industry is facing, such as the aging labour force of the farming sector, where the majority of farmers are over the age of 60, and the challenge of attracting women and new generations to the industry. In response to this contribution, President Irfaan Ali of Guyana announced his countrys commitment to collaborate with The Bahamas to address the nations farming age and gender gaps, a challenge Guyana has already successfully addressed in its agricultural sector. In a continuation of his advocacy for justice for Small Island Developing States like The Bahamas in Climate Justice and Finance Prime Minister implored CARICOM leaders to stand firm in the face of perceived efforts to diminish the special circumstances and considerations for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in global climate change conversations. He advocated for a unified strategy heading into the SIDS4 conference to be held in May of this year, sentiments which were echoed throughout the room and CARICOMs communique on the subject. He urged leaders of the region to band together to activate and provide financing for the United Nations Loss and Damage Fund, which would release financial support for countries, like The Bahamas, who have experienced losses due to extreme climate events, like hurricanes. The fund, though established at COP28, has yet to be fully operationalized due to a lack of nominations to its Board By developed country groups. The Prime Minister enjoined his colleagues to urge developed country partners to promptly submit their nominations stating that, though the Funds establishment is crucial, it is for naught without a robust, driven board and effective financing provisions. The issue of Haitian stability loomed large within the regional blocs discussion, with representatives from Brazil, Canada, and USA, joining the Caribbean leaders in the discussions. Prime Minister Davis took a leading role, initiating a call for greater international commitment to set a timeline for free and fair elections in Haiti, stating, Without a political solution A Haitian Led Solution there cannot be a security solution, and Haiti cannot have stability. In response to this call and the urgent need to make progress in Haitis security, The CARICOM Heads resolved to hold a meeting with Haiti stakeholders facilitated by the Eminent Stakeholders Group within two (2) weeks in Jamaica. They furthermore resolved to assemble an Electoral Needs Assessment Group by 31 March, facilitated by CARICOM, Canada, USA, France, and OAS. The Delegation also engaged in a robust schedule of bilateral meetings including with The United States, The United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Republic of Ghana, and The Commonwealth Secretariat. In addition, The Bahamas had brush-bys with BVI, Martinique, and New Zealand amongst others. Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis attended the 46th Regular Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Georgetown, Guyana February 25th-28th accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Labour and Public Service, Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of State for the Office of the Prime Minister Hon. Leon Lundy, and H.E. Leslia Miller-Brice, Ambassador of The Bahamas to CARICOM. Prime Minister Davis and The Bahamas Delegation focused on advancing the key priority areas of Food Security, Climate Change/Finance, and Stabilizing the Situation in Haiti. Addressing the regional goal to reduce Food imports by 25% by the year 2025, Minister Glover-Rolle delivered an intervention on behalf of the Prime Minister and the nation summarizing the progress The Bahamas has made toward greater food security, especially in the area of poultry farming, and outlining the countrys strategy to promote greater results such as the partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to promote inclusive digital integration in the sector and the Ministry of Agricultures partnership with NGOs to support community and backyard farming, the largest initiative of its kind in the history of The Bahamas. Min. Glover-Rolle also outlined challenges the industry is facing, such as the aging labour force of the farming sector, where the majority of farmers are over the age of 60, and the challenge of attracting women and new generations to the industry. In response to this contribution, President Irfaan Ali of Guyana announced his countrys commitment to collaborate with The Bahamas to address the nations farming age and gender gaps, a challenge Guyana has already successfully addressed in its agricultural sector. In a continuation of his advocacy for justice for Small Island Developing States like The Bahamas in Climate Justice and Finance Prime Minister implored CARICOM leaders to stand firm in the face of perceived efforts to diminish the special circumstances and considerations for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in global climate change conversations. He advocated for a unified strategy heading into the SIDS4 conference to be held in May of this year, sentiments which were echoed throughout the room and CARICOMs communique on the subject. He urged leaders of the region to band together to activate and provide financing for the United Nations Loss and Damage Fund, which would release financial support for countries, like The Bahamas, who have experienced losses due to extreme climate events, like hurricanes. The fund, though established at COP28, has yet to be fully operationalized due to a lack of nominations to its Board By developed country groups. The Prime Minister enjoined his colleagues to urge developed country partners to promptly submit their nominations stating that, though the Funds establishment is crucial, it is for naught without a robust, driven board and effective financing provisions. The issue of Haitian stability loomed large within the regional blocs discussion, with representatives from Brazil, Canada, and USA, joining the Caribbean leaders in the discussions. Prime Minister Davis took a leading role, initiating a call for greater international commitment to set a timeline for free and fair elections in Haiti, stating, Without a political solution A Haitian Led Solution there cannot be a security solution, and Haiti cannot have stability. In response to this call and the urgent need to make progress in Haitis security, The CARICOM Heads resolved to hold a meeting with Haiti stakeholders facilitated by the Eminent Stakeholders Group within two (2) weeks in Jamaica. They furthermore resolved to assemble an Electoral Needs Assessment Group by 31 March, facilitated by CARICOM, Canada, USA, France, and OAS. The Delegation also engaged in a robust schedule of bilateral meetings including with The United States, The United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Republic of Ghana, and The Commonwealth Secretariat. In addition, The Bahamas had brush-bys with BVI, Martinique, and New Zealand amongst others. South Korea and the United States began their annual military exercises on Monday to enhance their preparedness against North Korean nuclear threats following increased tensions due to missile tests and aggressive language from the North earlier this year. The South Korean and US forces initiated a computer-simulated command post training known as the Freedom Shield exercise and various field exercises for an 11-day duration, as reported by the South Korean Defense Ministry. Us-South Korea Annual Military Drills In response to joint drills by its adversaries, the North has conducted provocative weapons tests in the past. Last week, South Korea's military announced plans to increase the number of field exercises with US forces this spring. The exercises will include live-firing, bombing, air assault, and missile interception drills. Since early 2022, North Korea has carried out over 100 rounds of missile tests to upgrade its arsenal while discussions with the United States and South Korea have remained at a standstill for a prolonged period. As a reaction, the United States and South Korea have broadened their training exercises and boosted the deployment of potent US military assets like aircraft carriers and long-range nuclear-capable bombers. The 11-day drills will combine live exercises with constructive simulations, as stated by United States Forces Korea (USFK) and South Korea's Defense Ministry. Last week, it was mentioned that the exercises will be centered around preventing the nuclear threats posed by North Korea, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun. In a statement, USFK mentioned that the drills will cover lessons learned from current conflicts to enhance combat readiness, strengthen defense posture, and promote security and stability in the region. Aside from Freedom Shield, the two allies are engaging in multiple smaller field training exercises to improve their defense posture and cooperation across various domains, as stated by the USFK. North Korea has criticized previous US and South Korea joint military drills, but has not issued any official statement regarding the current exercises. Read Also: Germany Accuses Russia of 'Hybrid Disinformation Attack' Over Military Audio Leak North-South Korea Escalating Tension In recent months, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken a tougher stance against South Korea, stating that the North will no longer pursue reconciliation and reunification with the South. He has directed the country's army, munitions industry, nuclear weapons, and civil defense sectors to speed up war preparations in response to perceived "confrontation moves" by the US. Back in January, Kim declared the South as the North's main adversary and unchanging primary opponent, instructing the demolition of a reunification monument in the North Korean capital, as per CNN. Meanwhile, North Korea has strengthened its relationship with Russia by supplying Moscow with weapons for its conflict in Ukraine. According to Western analysts, Russia may provide technology and expertise to Kim as he develops a nuclear-capable missile program that could pose a threat to his neighbors in East Asia and even the mainland United States with intercontinental ballistic missiles. This year's military exercises coincide with North Korea's increased weapons testing, including the launch of cruise missiles from both land and sea, as well as artillery firing near the tense western sea border. South Korean and US reconnaissance aircraft conducted a flight on Monday to observe North Korea. Amid the military exercise, it is expected that the United States will deploy its strategic military assets to the Korean Peninsula as a demonstration of strength. According to Korea Times, Pyongyang has consistently criticized the allies' joint military exercises as practice for an invasion and has used them as a reason for provocations. Seoul and Washington have emphasized that their military exercises are defensive in nature. Related Article: North Korea Halts Sending Artillery Shells to Russia Amid Alleged Arms Trade North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood announced Wednesday at the end of a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing that she is not seeking re-election in 2024.she announced during the hearing on the NC Department of Commerce Employment Security Division payment of unemployment insurance payments.Wood, a Democrat, has faced much controversy after she left the the scene of an accident for an incident that occurred on Dec. 8. near the intersection of Salisbury and Hargett streets in downtown Raleigh.She was charged on Dec. 12 with a misdemeanor for hit-and-run, leaving the scene, property damage, and an infraction for unsafe movement.Wood was driving a state vehicle at the time when she hit a parked car owned by Chris Valverde, of Pinehurst.Wood was at a Christmas party that night. Video obtained by WRAL shows Wood being led into the law office of Rufus Edmisten, a former N.C. secretary of state and Watergate lawyer, while her car remains in the intersection on top of Valverde's car.Valverde lent the car to his daughter so she could get to work that night.In March, Wood pleaded guilty to the hit-and-run charge. WNCN - CBS 17 reported that Wood appeared with her attorney, Roger Smith Jr, in court. The infraction citation was dropped. The report said that Wood told the judge that she was not impaired the night of the crash but that she had two glasses of wine at a previous Christmas party. She paid $11,000 in restitution and a $300 court fine.Wood issued a statement in January about the incident:The N.C. Republican Party, among others, called on Wood to resign, and a billboard had gone up in Youngsville making the same demand.Wood had told several news outlets that she had no plans to resign.Another controversy surrounded Wood being sued in August by Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright.Wood's office told the sheriff's office last October that they wanted to investigate his office but would not give the reason why, including if the investigation involved looking at any criminal activity.Wright's office did send public records that the auditor's office requested but refused to give records that he deemed protected under state law, according to a report from WRAL.The report said the two offices held discussions in the ensuing months before Wood's office subpoenaed Wright in March, requesting a personnel file of the sheriff's office chaplain Mark Rowden, documents to a citation, and documents related to improvements at the county shooting range, according to the lawsuit. Auditors also wanted to be able to question all employees of the county's crime scene investigative unit.Wright had concerns, still not knowing the reason behind the investigation, and questioned Wood's authority to investigate his office. It prompted him to file a lawsuit in May in Cumberland County Superior Court.A slate of Republican candidates have announced their intention to run for the auditor's office, including former UNC Board Chair David Boliek; CPA Jack Clark; businessman Charles Dingee; A.J. Daoud; former Greensboro city council member Jim Kee, and Guilford County Commissioner James Upchurch.North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a press release reacting to Wood's announcement.Wood reminded committee members at the end of her announcement, Former United States President Donald Trump won the North Dakota caucuses, which makes him closer to becoming the Republican presidential nominee. The Republican businessman handily won the state but the number of delegates has not yet been announced. However, if the former president wins them all, his total number would rise to 276 across the United States, compared to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's 43 delegates. North Dakota Caucuses The sites were kept open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and included Trump, Haley, and long-shot candidate Ryan Binkley. The latter recently officially ended his presidential campaign. The race also had David Stuckenberg on the ballot. Additionally, former presidential candidate Gov. Doug Burgum, who dropped out to endorse the former president, is expected to speak on Trump's behalf virtually. The results of the North Dakota caucuses were not surprising as Trump is widely expected to win by a large margin in the race, similar to what he did in nearly all other contests so far, as per the Washington Examiner. On the other hand, Haley won her first primary victory in Washington, D.C. on Sunday and was able to win all 19 delegates. However, she still needs to have a massive showing on Super Tuesday in order to give the former president a challenge in the race to become the GOP presidential nominee. The caucuses in North Dakota are considered a prelude to the most important primary contest, Super Tuesday, in which 865 delegates are available. The former president is expected to win the overwhelming majority of the delegates. In order to win the GOP nomination, a candidate has to have 1,215 delegates out of the total 2,429 that are available. Trump is dominating the Republican races similar to how his former rival, President Joe Biden, is dominating the Democratic races. In a statement on Monday, retired music teacher and librarian Karen Groninger said that she voted for Trump, saying that he was the best choice. Read Also: First U.S. Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pill Arrives Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign The 76-year-old Almont resident also cited Trump's 2020 speech during the annual March for Life anti-abortion event that was held in Washington, D.C., which was the first made by a sitting president, as well as his border policies, according to the Associated Press. On the other hand, Sen. Dick Dever said that he voted for Haley, but noted that he believes she is unlikely to win the GOP nomination. The 72-year-old said that he heard a lot of people say that they really liked Trump's policies but did not like how he conducted himself. Despite Trump's victories, a small but substantial chunk of Republican primary and caucus voters said that they would not vote for the former president if he becomes the GOP nominee for the presidential race. Surveys of the first three head-to-head Republican contests, two in 10 Iowa voters, one-third of New Hampshire voters, and one-quarter of South Carolina voters would be so disappointed by the former president's renomination that they would refuse to vote for him in the November general elections, said Yahoo News. Related Article: Florida Senate Passes Revised Social Media Ban for Minors Following DeSantis Veto Under the cover of Covid, and now in the shadow of the infamous Election Irregularities of that fated 2020 presidential election, with current emerging alleged election fraud in Nevada and Pennsylvania inconveniently slipping into the public discourse, there is proved a colluded ongoing Election Interference in the nomination of the Republican candidate, the likes of which has never occurred in our Constitutional Republic's history, albeit, the question remains: Do you support the plain-sight Election Interference of the Democratic Socialist party, employing its minions in their Propagandistic Media, and their Two Tiered Justice System? 98.21% No, I do not support Election Interference; I am a patriot unto our Constitution.1.79% Yes, I do support Election Interference; the alternative, Donald Trump, to this mentally diminished president is far worse.0% "What, me worry" if elections are rigged? Anesthesia is facing provider shortages and reimbursement declines, affecting ASCs, physicians and hospitals across the country. Three ASC leaders joined Becker's to discuss what they think should be done to address the anesthesiologist shortage. Editor's note: These responses were edited lightly for clarity and length. Joseph C. Mazzola. Vice President of Medical Affairs at Iredell Health System (Statesville, N.C.): Three key strategies can be used to address physician shortages: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services needs to reassess the 1997 Balanced Budget Act provision that limits funding for training of physician residents. Health systems with resident and fellowship programs cannot increase the size of their training programs without sufficient funding to provide that training. Medical school student debt relief programs should be created that will be allocated to physicians who train in high shortage area specialties in exchange for substantial repayment of their student loans Federal funds need to be attributed to hospitals and health systems to offset the financial burden of expanding or creating residency and fellowship training programs. According to a 2021 Government Accountability Office report, hospitals starting their first graduate medical education training program spend an estimated $2 million to $8 million over three to seven years to establish GME programs prior to receiving any reimbursement for the program. Javier Marull, MD. Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas): To address this, there's a need to boost training opportunities by expanding residency programs and encouraging more medical students to choose anesthesiology. Smart scheduling can help manage patient loads more effectively and efficiently. Embracing a team-based approach, where anesthesiologists work closely with nurse anesthetists, is also beneficial. Moreover, changes in policies to enhance working conditions, as well as supporting the well-being of current staff through a healthy work environment and access to mental health resources, are key to preventing burnout. Alan Zneimer, MD. Private Practice Anesthesiologist in San Leandro, Calif.: We need more anesthesia residencies, so we are training more anesthesiologists. The government needs to address this issue. We are actually turning away medical school graduates who cannot get into anesthesia training programs because they are filled. Springfield Township, Pa.-based Crozer Health has nixed plans to reopen its shuttered Springfield campus's emergency department and medical center as an orthopedic ASC, according to a March 5 report from the Philadelphia Business Journal. Crozer initially announced plans for the ASC partnership in July following an $87.2 million loss in 2022. The system was in talks to finalize a joint venture deal with Newtown Square, Pa.-based Premier Orthopedics, an operator of three dozen practices in the region, to establish an ASC by converting former hospital rooms for outpatient procedures. The emergency department originally closed its doors in January 2022 amid staffing shortages. For the past two years, the facility has been operating as an outpatient care center. Now, the facility is expected to reopen as a micro-hospital with an emergency department as part of its ongoing fiscal turnaround efforts. Ongoing ASC conversations happened for a year before the health system changed plans, according to the report. "We had to pivot on that," Anthony Esposito, CEO of Crozer, told the Journal. "We had the engineers and architects look at [converting hospital space] for a surgery center and when all the costs came back, it was really cost prohibitive to shoehorn it into the hospital." Crozer is still looking at the option of opening an ASC on the third floor of a vacant medical office building next door to the Springfield campus that was previously occupied by the health system's executive offices. In the last six months, health systems and the U.S. Justice Department have filed antitrust lawsuits and launched investigations, alleging monopolies against insurance providers, anesthesia providers and more. Here are four antitrust cases to know: 1. Two hospitals are alleging North American Partners in Anesthesia's noncompete clauses violate antitrust laws. The two hospitals, St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y., and Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., are affiliates of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health. The suits allege NAPA uses noncompete clauses to restrict competition and "demand exorbitant payments for critical and understaffed patient services." 2. UnitedHealth Group is the target of a Justice Department antitrust investigation. Investigators are zeroing in on the company's ownership across sectors, including physician groups, pharmacy drug benefits and a major health plan. UnitedHealth Group has two main divisions: UnitedHealthcare, its health plan, and Optum, which includes its pharmacy and physician services groups. 3. Emanate Health has filed a suit against Optum, alleging the company steered patients away from physicians who left Optum to join the Covina, Calif.-based health system. The suit, which was filed in federal court in California, accuses Optum of anticompetitive practices such as preventing patients from contacting their physicians who left to join other medical groups. 4. The Justice Department filed to dismiss the government's indictment against Deerfield, Ill.-based ASC chain SCA Health, formerly Surgical Care Affiliates, for allegedly agreeing with competitors to not poach senior-level employees. In a filing in a federal court in Dallas, the department asked a judge to dismiss the charges, saying it would "allow the conservation of this court's time and resources." A Florida man pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme that defrauded Medicare and other benefit programs of at least $3.6 million. Conspirators including Steve Chicoye, 55, of Orlando, received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing durable medical equipment companies with completed physician's orders for medically unnecessary medical equipment, according to a March 1 news release from the Justice Department. Mr. Chicoye and others involved used telemedicine companies to relieve the prescriptions, which were then fraudulently billed to Medicare and other healthcare programs. Mr. Chicoye and his conspirators were paid approximately $2.1 million in kickbacks for the orders and defrauded Medicare of at least $3.6 million, according to the release. Mr. Chicoye pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, which is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greater, according to the release. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6. The Center for Modern Surgery in Secaucus, N.J., has been fined $76,500 by the state Department of Health for more than a dozen safety violations, according to a March 4 report from NJ.com. The center was presented with a 12-page penalty letter citing 14 different violations. It has 30 days to appeal the findings, which were discovered during inspections in June and September. The facility "put patients at an immediate risk of serious harm" when three physicians performed 13 surgeries they were not approved to do "through credentialing, in accordance with the facility's bylaws," according to the letter. Four of 11 patients whose records were reviewed were transferred to a hospital after complications arose from their procedures. The penalty for the 13 violations totaled $32,500. Multiple violations involved allowing procedures to be performed by physicians whose certifications had expired or who lacked clinical privileges, according to the report. Others involved the failure to enter physicians' orders into patients' records. The center is also accused of failing to identify an alternate administrator and an alternate director of nursing. It was charged an additional $12,500 for failure to "ensure that adequate post-surgical assessments were conducted in five of 11 reviewed medical records," according to the letter. The facility also allegedly does not have a policy in place or written emergency guidelines for when to call 911. The Center for Modern Surgery is a freestanding outpatient multispecialty surgical facility and claims it has the distinction of being one of only "a few surgery centers in the U.S. that performs major Gynecologic procedures safely and effectively," according to its website. A former physician in California was sentenced to 37 months in prison for illegally dispensing prescriptions for controlled substances during telemedicine sessions. From at least December 2019 to August 2021, Raphael Malikian, MD, who owned and operated a medical clinic, issued prescriptions to customers without obtaining the person's full medical history, conducting a physical examination, requiring medical testing or using diagnostic tools, according to a March 4 news release from the Justice Department. According to the release, Dr. Malikian also did not verify his customers' identities before prescribing controlled substances and allowed customers to obtain prescriptions in the names of others. Among other allegations, Dr. Malikian prescribed 702 pills of 10 milligrams oxycodone and 240 milliliters of promethazine with codeine from April to July of 2020 to an undercover law enforcement officer without conducting proper evaluations or verifying their identity. He must also pay a fine of $20,000. Here are five physicians who have been arrested or charged with crimes, pleaded guilty or been sentenced recently, as reported by Becker's since Feb. 23: 1. Thomas Webster, MD, pleaded guilty to accepting kickbacks in a telemarketing and medical supply scheme throughout Washington that defrauded Medicare and Tricare of more than $13.7 million. He also admitted to receiving at least $839,565 from Medicare and Tricare for fraudulent physician visits and exams. 2. Omar Marar, MD, a colorectal surgeon, was arrested and is facing felony charges after authorities said he threatened to detonate a bomb at Ascension St. Marys Hospital in Saginaw, Mich., over a malfunctioning carbon dioxide tank during surgery. 3. Melissa Barrett, MD, of Baton Rouge, La., who owned and operated two urgent care clinics, was sentenced to 52 months in prison and fined $200,000 for tax evasion. She underreported her income and assets to the IRS to avoid paying approximately $1.6 million in income taxes. 4. Alexander Baldonado, MD, a New York City physician, was charged for allegedly receiving kickbacks from a laboratory representative and others in exchange for approving orders for tests billed to Medicare, defrauding the federal healthcare program of $20.7 million. 5. Nitesh Ratnakar, MD, a gastroenterologist in Wheeling, W.Va., was indicted on charges of tax fraud and obstructing justice after authorities said he failed to pay more than $2.4 million in payroll taxes. A former U.S. Air Force employee shared classified information about the Russia-Ukraine war. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that the ex-Air Force staff has been charged in federal court in Nebraska. David Franklin Slater (63-year-old) was a civilian employee at Offutt Air Force Base. He worked in a classified space with USSTRATCOM (U.S. Strategic Command) from August 2021 until August 2022. However, he was indicted after he was discovered to be sending classified NDI (National Defense Information) to another individual on a foreign dating app. US Air Force Employee Shares Classified Russia-Ukraine War Info According to ABC News' latest report, Slater retired as an Army lieutenant colonel. Authorities stated that after he retired, he was assigned to USSTRATCOM. While serving as a USSTRATCOM employee, he attended briefings between February and April 2022. These briefings focused on the war between Russia and Ukraine. Before attending them, he signed paperwork pledging that he would not disclose classified information regarding the meetings. However, the Department of Justice said that he breached the agreement by sharing details on an online dating platform with an unindicted co-conspirator. The unknown individual with who he shared the classified Russia-Ukraine war information was claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. Prosecutors said that the unnamed woman repeatedly asked Slater for details regarding the briefings. They added that the woman described the ex-Air Force employee as her "secret informant love." Read Also: Alleged Pentagon Leaker Jack Teixeira Set to Plead Guilty in Federal Case What Russia-Ukraine War Details Were Shared Prosecutors said that David Franklin Slater disclosed classified details about military targets, Russian capabilities, and other sensitive information to the Ukrainian woman. They claimed that the former Air Force employee "willingly, improperly, and unlawfully' sent NDI via an online dating platform. Officials warned that these classified details could be used against the United States or aid a foreign country. DOJ National Security Division Assistant Attorney-General Matthew G. Olsen accused Slater of disregarding his own country's safety. "As alleged, Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets," said the official. "The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information," he added via Fox News. David Franklin Slater is expected to be trialed in court on Mar. 5 in the District of Nebraska. If he's found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000 for each count, and three years of supervised release. Related Article: US DOJ Files War Crime Charges Against Russians; American Victim Shares His Traumatizing Experience During Captivity A Fond du Lac, Wis.-based psychiatrist was sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for illegally distributing controlled substances and lying to federal agents. John Whelan, MD, made more than $250,000 in a scheme in which he distributed controlled substance prescriptions in exchange for cash, according to a March 5 news release from the Justice Department. He sold patients controlled substances regardless of medical need, the release said. As medical office building transactions heat up in 2024, here are seven Midwestern transactions to know: 1. A Florida-based real estate company purchased a Brownsburg, Ind.-based medical office building for $39 million. The 56,000-square-foot space is fully leased to Community Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital West a joint venture between Indianapolis-based Community Health Network and Lifepoint Rehabilitation. 2. A building with 104,000 square feet of medical office space in Chicago sold at auction for a little over $20 million. 3. A 160,000-square-foot medical office building and ASC in Hudson, Wis., sold to Hammes Partners for $72 million. In addition to an ASC, the building also houses an orthopedic field house. 4. A Midland, Mich.-based building housing the Great Lakes Bay Surgery & Endoscopy Center sold for $9.8 million. 5. A two-building medical office portfolio in Carmel, Ind., sold with just a 25% occupancy rate. The three-story buildings total 58,158 square feet and sold for an undisclosed price to a private investor. 6. The 86,000-square-foot University Hospitals Wellness Campus medical office building in Mentor, Ohio, sold. Lake Health, part of the University Hospitals system, occupies 100% of the facility. Gastroenterology physicians and practices are facing a major challenge: increased demand for colonoscopies amid declining reimbursements. Gastroenterologists are facing low reimbursement rates, affecting the financial stability of their practices as procedure demand continues to grow. From 2007 to 2022, unadjusted and adjusted average reimbursement for GI procedures dropped by 7% and 33%, respectively, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Reimbursements for colonoscopy and biopsy decreased 38% during that period. "There is the well-known issue of decreasing reimbursement over time for procedures that already have existing CPT codes, and that too in the face of the post-pandemic increased demand, higher costs of doing business and staffing issues," Vivek Kaul, MD, gastroenterology professor at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, told Becker's last year. "In addition, a real challenge we are facing is the inability to get reimbursed for a host of relatively newer (but well-established) endoscopic procedures that have emerged in the last decade or so. Oftentimes, these are minimally invasive, transformational interventions for our patients that help reduce morbidity, length of stay and overall healthcare costs but are poorly reimbursed or not reimbursed at all, in some cases." Prior authorizations can be another obstacle for gastroenterologists looking to secure reimbursements. "The most challenging payer trends affecting ASCs right now are the policies that require prior authorization or advanced notification for colonoscopies and other relatively routine endoscopic procedures," Eugenio Hernandez, MD, senior vice president of clinical affairs for Miami-based Gastro Health, told Becker's. "While these policies place an additional administrative burden on ASCs, the bigger issue is that they could potentially harm patients because of limited, delayed or denied care." While reimbursements are declining, demand for colonoscopies is on the rise. In 2021, an advisory panel lowered the recommended age for when people should begin colon cancer screenings from 50 to 45, and CMS said Nov. 1 it is expanding Medicare coverage for certain colorectal cancer screening tests by reducing the minimum age payment and coverage limitation from 50 to 45. Colon cancer diagnoses among people younger than 55 increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Additionally, colon and rectal cancer rates are expected to grow 8% among men and 7% among women in 2024. "Now, to see someone in their 20s and 30s [being diagnosed with cancer], it doesn't wow us anymore," Nancy You, MD, a professor of colon and rectal surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told Becker's. "Even when I was a fellow in 2008 at Mayo Clinic, we were already seeing young patients with colorectal cancer, and even then we were writing about the increased rates." Omar Khokhar, MD, a gastroenterologist at Illinois GastroHealth in Bloomington, told Becker's he is holding out hope that 2024 might see more successful payer negotiations. "I would love to see payers and clinicians sit down at a table and have a conversation about the benefit of early endoscopy for diagnosis and screening," he said. "In particular, how EGD/colonoscopy can potentially prevent patient morbidity and decrease downstream cost to the healthcare system. Yes, endoscopy isn't cheap, but cancer is a bad diagnosis and is more expensive." Salem (Ohio) Regional Medical Center plans to launch a phased opening of its new SRMC Surgery & Outpatient Pavilion in Columbiana, Ohio, beginning at the end of March, according to a March 5 report from CBS affiliate WKBN. The 76,000-square-foot facility will be one of the largest medical facilities in the area. A grand opening will happen on March 20. The center will provide medical imaging, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and outpatient intravenous therapies. Starting in April, the SRMC Medical Group physician offices will open on the first and third floors of the building. A Connecticut dentist was sentenced March 4 for defrauding the state's Medicaid program. Christian O'Connor, DMD, was accused in 2021 of billing Medicaid for more than $200,000 in services he didn't perform. In November, Dr. O'Connor agreed to a plea deal to help him avoid prison time. Dr. O'Connor was sentenced to five years in prison, which was suspended, and three years of conditional discharge, according to a March 4 news release from the Connecticut State Division of Criminal Justice. He also paid $200,484.52 in restitution and was ordered not to act as a provider in the state's Medicaid program. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Chicago, and the University of Chicago Medical Center, have shared plans to expand healthcare programs and facilities on the city's South Side. Under the partnership, Kennedy-King College, located in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, will offer an associate degree in nursing and a licensed practical nursing program run by Kennedy-King College's Malcolm X College. General education courses and a basic nursing assistant program will also be operated by Kennedy-King College, according to a March 5 news release obtained by Becker's. The Kennedy-King College nursing programs are expected to pave the way for around 50 basic nursing assistant students by this fall, 50 future nursing associate degree earners by 2026, 10 licensed practical nurse students by 2026, and 100 nursing associate degree earners by 2028. The construction of two new facilities is also part of the expanded partnership. The facilities are UChicago Medicine Clinical Labs, which is owned and operated by UChicago Medicine, and the Malcolm X College Learning Center, which is owned and operated by City Colleges. The facilities, which will be located in Chicago's Washington Park, will bring around 600 new jobs. San Francisco-based UCSF Health is expanding its collaboration with Hawai'i Pacific Health and Hilo (Hawaii) Medical Center after the two received a combined $150 million donation. The donation, provided by Lynne and Marc Benioff, aims to increase Hawaii resident healthcare access through improving facilities and infrastructure, addressing care gaps, and strengthening the state's healthcare safety net, according to a March 5 UCSF news release. Mr. Benioff is CEO of Salesforce, a cloud-based software company. "As part of its vision, the contribution calls upon the hospitals to expand the existing specialty care relationship between UCSF Health and Hawai'i Pacific Health," the release said. "UCSF also will work with the hospital systems to support other specialty areas in the future to help meet Hawaii's needs." Hawai'i Pacific Health received $100 million from the donation as part of a renovation project for its Honolulu-based Straub Medical Center, which will triple the facility's size. The center will be renamed the Straub Benioff Medical Center. The donation also provided $50 million to Hilo Medical Center, which matched an additional $50 million provided by the state. The Hilo project will include a new birthing center, intensive care unit, neurosurgery and behavioral health services. The funding will also go to physician recruitment for the facility, which will be renamed the Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Honolulu-based Hawai'i Pacific Health is a nonprofit healthcare system that comprises four medical centers. Hilo Medical Center has 166 acute care beds and 45 long-term care beds. It has 1,500 employees, including 250 physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses across 33 specialties, according to its website. Some larger health systems are losing more than $100 million a day due to the Change Healthcare cyberattack, one cybersecurity firm estimated, causing industry associations to continue to urge action. The American Hospital Association wrote to Congressional leaders March 4 to urge HHS to take action and to consider any "statutory limitations" that exist for federal agencies to help hospitals, while the American Medical Association asked HHS to issue guidance and provide emergency funding to providers unable to get paid because of the IT outage. "This is an immense crisis demanding immediate attention," AMA President Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, said in a March 4 news release. Some larger health systems are bleeding over $100 million daily because of the interruptions to the Optum subsidiary's payer systems, cybersecurity company First Health Advisory told multiple news outlets. Change Healthcare set up a temporary funding assistance program for providers facing cash-flow issues because of the cyberattack, but the AHA called the measure inadequate. Three months into the year, one health system CIO is warning healthcare organizations to double their cybersecurity spending amid the Change Healthcare ransomware incident. What else have become top priorities for the next 12 months? Here's what 29 healthcare leaders are focusing on. The executives featured in this article are all speaking at Becker's 9th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Meeting: The Future of Business and Clinical Technologies which will take place Oct. 1-4, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. If you would like to join this event as a speaker, contact Randi Haseman at rhaseman@beckershealthcare.com. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who will speak at our conference. The following are answers from our speakers at the event. Question: What are your top priorities for the next 12 months? Tina Esposito. Senior vice president and chief data officer at Advocate Health (Charlotte, N.C.): Given recent events, we would be remiss not to mention cybersecurity. This will remain a priority for all as we continue to grapple with evolving threats and the increasing magnitude of implications. Another area of focus for Advocate Health will be artificial intelligence from the lens of how best to harness for enterprise value. AI can certainly do a lot, but the question we will be looking to answer is: What can it do for us? Patrick Healy. IT Director, Digital Engagement at Mount Sinai Health System (New York City): Creating and clarifying the business case for all of our digital efforts Gaining alignment on the performance metrics we are tracking that define project success Critically assessing our efforts with respect to the two points above to prove our impact or build a case for divestment Ruth Schleyer. Vice president and chief nursing informatics officer at Legacy Health (Portland, Ore.): Across Legacy Healths clinical, nursing and provider informatics teams, shared top priorities are to enhance our customers experience with the EHR and rekindle their joy in practice by decreasing burden, optimizing efficiency and supporting safety. For our nursing team system-wide, this includes a multi-faceted improvement plan in response to key findings from a recent KLAS Arch Collaborative Nurse EHR Experience survey which identified documentation burden reduction as the respondents top priority. A provider-focused top priority is exploring use of AI-assisted tools, including launch of a targeted Dragon Ambient eXperience Copilot project for employed primary care and specialty providers designed to improve the patient-provider experience and save clinical documentation time. Our clinical informatics Thrive team's work continues to prioritize optimization for outpatient clinic care teams and hosting intensive training conferences for ambulatory providers. Mac Marlow. CIO at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern Health Resources (Dallas): At Southwestern Health Resources, we have been reviewing our business model to ensure that we are properly serving the needs of northern Texas. From an IT priority perspective, we are focused on the following: Overall clinical network and operations efficiency, inclusive of process improvements and cost avoidance/savings Product and service alignment with our outstanding parent organizations, UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources Strengthening the position and placement of our Medicare Advantage health plan, Care N Care and our CMS ACO program Unlocking the potential and leveraging the responsible use of automation and artificial intelligence within existing platforms Evaluating and refreshing our multi-year strategic plan to ensure proper protection, sustainability and growth for the future Ann Cappellari, MD. System vice president and chief medical information officer at SSM Health (St. Louis): Establishing two to three generative AI solutions to test, pilot and expand while leveraging a system-wide multidisciplinary governance group to solidify our technology strategy to support healthcare initiatives. With these initiatives we will continue to explore and educate our business to promote safe but continued use. There continues to be significant and appropriate reticence with what feels like a lot of unknown while recognizing the amazing potential of these innovations. Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc. Vice president of digital products and innovation at BJC HealthCare (St. Louis) and Washington University School of Medicine: Expansion of our virtual nursing program is a key priority. Its been very effective in helping with our bedside nurses workload and experience, and we are excited to expand it further. We are also focused on innovations to improve patient throughput in our EDs and inpatient units. We see many options to improve the visibility and efficiency of moving patients through our inpatient environment in a clinically appropriate, but efficient, way. Finally, we are investing in the use of AI for both clinical care and healthcare 'back office' operations. The initial efforts will focus on AI-assisted documentation, coding and other administrative tasks that create unnecessary workforce burdens and errors. Will Landry. Senior vice president and CIO at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (Baton Rouge, La.): Improve user experience across all platforms and revenue cycle technology optimizations. MariJo Rugh. Vice president and CIO at UCHealth Affiliates (Aurora, Colo.): Improving our employee experience by making it simpler and easier for our employees to do their job. Were going to start by implementing an enterprise service management platform that will provide a single front door for employees to get service for whatever they need. Ebrahim Barkoudah, MD. System chief and regional chief medical officer at Baystate Health (Springfield, Mass.): In the coming 12 months, my primary focus will be on leveraging advanced healthcare IT, digital health solutions and robust revenue cycle management systems to enhance patient care, streamline workflows and optimize resources. Recognizing the transformative potential of these technologies, my team is committed to implementing data-driven strategies to address current healthcare challenges. This includes harnessing artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve diagnostic accuracy and incorporating blockchain technology to secure patient data. In terms of RCM, the goal is to achieve greater financial efficiency, minimize billing errors and enhance the transparency of medical transactions. As we navigate these priorities, we should focus on ensuring that technological advancements align with our overarching objective of improving patient outcomes and provider satisfaction. Ultimately, the integration of business and clinical technologies presents an exciting opportunity to redefine healthcare delivery. Jasmine Bishop. Managing director of MedStar Telehealth Innovation Center at MedStar Health with Ethan Booker. Chief medical officer for telehealth at MedStar Health (Columbia, Md.): Over the next year, MedStar Healths telehealth and care innovation priorities will further enhance access, reliability, equity and user experience through the work of our MedStar Institute for Innovation and its MedStar Telehealth Innovation Center. Alongside our system and external collaborators, operationally our teams advance: Intuitive, multi-channel and on-demand digital care delivery resources that support patients and providers Post-acute care continuity through messaging, video, virtual monitoring and in-home visits Automations that provide critical support given national workforce challenges Leading research, education and training efforts We are also developing new competencies with remote monitoring via wearables, asynchronous peer consultation and an ecosystem of patient-facing messaging tools to more reliably reach patients where they are. To inform regulatory and reimbursement decisions across the nation and within the communities we serve, we continue to actively engage in advocacy and policy efforts Jeffrey M. Hoffman, MD. Chief medical information officer at Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio): One of my most important priorities for 2024 is finding new and creative ways to decrease provider burden when using the EHR and other health information technologies. These systems have become pervasive throughout a providers professional life and often bleed into personal time outside of normal work hours. The amount of time and effort required to interact with these systems and satisfy all of the requirements of these systems, often placed on the shoulders of providers, has become difficult for many and intolerable for some. This contributes to the current epidemic of provider burnout and leading many to leave medicine altogether. My physician informatics team is working to better quantify individual provider burden, identify those providers who show significant inefficiencies and develop targeted interventions with an eye towards lessening the likelihood of burnout among our provider community. While large scale provider wellness programs are already in full swing at my institution, I have found that it is often the dozens of little annoyances that occur throughout the day ('pebbles in ones shoes') that do the most damage and are often the easiest to relieve with concerted effort. In furthering those goals, we are actively exploring how best to implement the latest AI tools to streamline and automate clinical workflows to further reduce the burdens placed on providers and staff. For many years, we have leveraged our in-house clinical informaticists and data scientists to develop a number of highly effective predictive algorithms currently in active use across our organization. However, the new generative AI tools weve seen explode onto the scene over the past year or so have turbocharged our efforts. In addition to AI tools now being baked into everything from routine business applications to the EHR itself, our teams are working on developing our own generative AI tools specific to the unique and often nuanced needs of pediatric healthcare. We hope to have our first generative AI tools deployed later this year with many more ideas and plans in the work after that. Scott MacLean. Senior vice president and CIO at MedStar Health (Columbia, Md.): Our top priorities for the next 12 months are to ensure resiliency in our technical infrastructure and applications. Like others, we are now building higher-order clinical and workflow interventions on our platforms. We are doing this methodically and helping our business and clinical people solve problems. We know there needs to be time and support for adoption, so we can obtain full value of our investments. Tom Consalvo. Vice president and site CIO at Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): My main priority is getting our organization ready for EPIC in which we are in the first wave for Northwell (early 2025). We are also going live with a new cancer center and women and newborn buildings in a few months, so getting all the IT, telecom and communications in place has been a top priority. Robert Flannery. CFO at UW Health (Madison, Wis.): A top priority for UW Health in the next 12 months is to open and operationalize a new 470,000 sq ft. ambulatory facility on the east side of Madison, Wis. We continue to focus efforts on clinical documentation that reflects the care and condition of the patients that we are privileged to serve. We continue to look for efficiencies in the way we deliver care to increase quality and/or lower cost. We will continue to make needed investments in workforce innovation. Stephen DelRossi, MSA. CFO and Interim CEO at Northern Inyo Healthcare District (Bishop, Calif.): The main trend is reimbursement and reimbursement trends. A hospitals lifeline is cash, and insurers are making reimbursements extremely difficult lower reimbursements, higher denials, longer waits for reimbursements. I am bringing in experts to fully analyze denials and to appeal wrong decisions. The second trend that I am watching is artificial intelligence. Currently, the market is too immature for a small hospital to invest, with some carve-outs (documentation support and patient access). As the market matures, we will vet the appropriate technologies. Shefali Mookencherry. Chief information security officer and chief privacy officer at University of Illinois Chicago: AI security/privacy tools and workflows Identity, access and management processes Strengthen security operations center capabilities Phishing campaigns Security and privacy education, training and awareness Move towards zero trust Jeanne de Vries Sands. CIO at Summit Behavioral Healthcare (Redlands, Calif.): At Summit BHC, our top priorities for the next 12 months focus on leveraging the capabilities of technology to deliver increased value and to uncover new opportunities. Storytelling will be key as we continue to mature our systems and environments to take advantage of emerging technologies like AI. Significant investments have been made in our core systems (CRM, HCM, EHR and ERP), and we will optimize and extend these platforms to continue to meet maturing workflows and changing regulations while reducing our overall application portfolio. Mandy McGowan, RN, BA. Director of home-based care programs at UWHealth (Madison, Wis.): For the past several years, the priority has been to build and launch a successful home-based hospital care program. With the launch behind us, we now turn our focus to scaling our program and increasing the positive impact that we can have on constrained capacity. Our team knows that providing acute care in the home produces positive clinical outcomes and provides a high level of patient and provider experience. For a subset of patients, we should be flipping the admission conversation and proving why the patient needs a bed in the brick and mortar, not the other way around. Our team will be there to provide the education and spark the conversations to move us in that direction. Zafar Chaudry, MD, MS, MIS, MBA, CITP. Senior vice president, chief digital officer and CIO at Seattle Children's: Here are some of my top priorities in the next 12 months. Enhancing patient experience and access including addressing health equity to bridge the digital divide and ensuring technology solutions are inclusive for all patients, regardless of socioeconomic background or geographical location Data-driven transformation to include data interoperability Advanced analytics, cybersecurity and cloud adoption Workforce challenges and talent acquisition; clinician burnout and IT talent shortages as well as green IT initiatives Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things John Prunskis, MD, FIPP. Medical director and principal at DxTx Pain & Spine (Chicago): My top priorities over the next 12 months are to focus on solutions for the rising rates of insurance, company denials and delays in pre-certification and payment. Insurance companies are enjoying record profits at the expense of physicians and patients. Monique Diaz, MD. Chief medical information officer for physician enterprise at West CommonSpirit Health (Chicago): My top priorities for the next 12 months are: RPA implementation to close ambulatory care gaps and address PCP burnout Building up our cross-venue services to provide TCM visits and minimize readmissions Last, but definitely not least, ensuring equitable quality care delivery with respect to race and ethnicity Nasim Eftekhari, MS. Executive director for applied AI and data science at City of Hope (Duarte, Calif.): Over the next 12 months, my top priorities are to integrate and apply City of Hope's oncology-specific large language model into our patient care frameworks, precision medicine initiative and daily operations. These key areas have the potential to transform healthcare through improved efficiency and precise, real-time decisions. At the same time, I aim to establish a comprehensive mechanism for continuously monitoring the performance, success and real-world impact of this next-generation technology. Another significant area of focus for me and my team over the next 12 months will be AI governance and leading the way in establishing policies, guidelines and best practices for responsible and ethical use of AI in healthcare. Jeetu Nanda, MD. Senior vice president and chief medical information officer at Cone Health (Greensboro, N.C.): Some of my priorities are: AI-driven auto scribe solution for our providers AI-driven point of care decision support tool Referral management platform to facilitate referrals into our system (imaging, specialty consults, procedures) Push for payers to join a payer platform to streamline prior authorization and monitoring of the requests and include denial management Tinu Tadese, MD, FACHE. Chief medical information officer at UH Lake Health (Lake County, Ohio); associate chief medical information officer at Community Hospitals, University Hospitals (Cleveland): This year, as the associate CMIO for our community medical centers within an integrated academic health system, my focus is on striking a careful balance between innovation and tradition. I aim to ensure that the academic environment enriches our community centers without overwhelming them, fostering an atmosphere where the unique cultures of these centers are preserved and celebrated. Central to my role is enhancing the adoption and optimization of the EMR system, positioning it as a tool for empowerment rather than a hurdle. By thoughtfully integrating academic advancements, my goal is to improve patient care in a collaborative manner that honors and leverages the distinct identities of our community centers. Judith Wolfe, MD. Enterprise associate chief experience officer and academic emergency physician at Cleveland Clinic: The patient experience team at Cleveland Clinic is redefining performance metrics with a fresh perspective. Since 2020, we've been diligently evaluating the 'ease to get care at Cleveland Clinic' across all care settings, making it a central focus this year. While concepts like ease and effort have long been staples in tech, hospitality and retail sectors, they are relatively novel in healthcare. We thoroughly reviewed our scores and assessed their impact on traditional performance metrics. Furthermore, our team delved into tens of thousands of patient comments, leveraging large language models to discern the factors contributing to easy care and how this ease influences patient trust and loyalty within the system. Our mission involves enlightening the organization about the significance of ease and actively working towards empowering caregivers of all types to facilitate high-quality, safe, and easy-to-get care. Carol Yarbrough. Business operations manager for Telehealth Resource Center at UCSF Health System (San Francisco): Top priorities: Continuing to communicate with our federal legislators the importance of telehealth and their need to act prior to the extensions afforded the CAA of 2023 expiration in December of this year. Telehealth in all its forms needs to continue in all geographic locations and in patients homes Id like to see a new place of service for 100% of virtual providers: the current POSs= do not work for CCM and other care management services for vendors who do not have contractual agreements with PCPs who work out of POS 11, 21 and 22 Karyn Baum, MD, MSEd, MHA, FHM. Adjunct professor for medicine and adjunct professor for the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis): My top priorities over the next 12 months are likely no different than many of us in healthcare to work on delivering care in our new world of fewer front-line staff, cost constraints and emerging (though not emerged) AI. How can we, for example, help people who face barriers obtaining care when we are not always able to have an individual on-site with that person? When, where and under what circumstances can we use AI to help with relatively automated data gathering and patient aid? Where must a person be in the loop? Crystal Broj. Chief digital transformation officer at Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, S.C): Our main goals are making it easier for patients to book appointments and get the info they need online, straight up and simple. We're also bringing in AI, like ambient scribes, to cut down on the paperwork and make things run smoother in the clinic. Plus, we're ramping up our use of RPA robots for the behind-the-scenes stuff to make our operations slicker, cut down on mistakes and let our team focus on what really matters. All this is about making our healthcare system quicker, smarter and more tuned in to what our consumers need. Joe Hurshe, former COO of Ascension Michigan, has accepted a new role as president of Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich. Mr. Hurshe served St. Louis-based Ascension for 14 years, according to a March 5 news release from Munson Health. Prior to becoming the system's regional COO, he served as president and CEO of Ascension Providence hospitals in both Southfield and Novi, Mich. His new role is effective April 1. Munson Healthcare is based in Traverse City. The United States (US) Supreme Court has intervened in a contentious legal battle, temporarily blocking a Texas law that would empower state law enforcement officers to arrest individuals suspected of illegally crossing the US-Mexico border. The decision, issued by Justice Samuel Alito, halts the implementation of the law until March 13, granting time for further legal deliberation. Texas Border Law Temporarily Halted Amid Legal Controversy The law, signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last December, aimed to address what state officials termed a crisis at the southern border by granting broad arrest powers to Texas law enforcement. Under the legislation, any Texas law enforcement officer could arrest individuals suspected of entering the country illegally, subjecting them to potential deportation or misdemeanor charges for "illegal entry." The recently introduced state crime could result in a sentence of up to six months in prison. Individuals with prior entries into the US or previous deportations may face incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years if arrested. Had the Supreme Court not issued its recent order to temporarily halt the Texas border law, it would have taken effect on March 10, 2024. Prior to the Supreme Court's ruling, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted an announcement on X, formerly Twitter. "Federal appeals court allows Texas immigration law to take effect. Law enforcement officers in Texas are now authorized to arrest and jail any illegal immigrants crossing the border." The move sparked immediate controversy and legal challenges from the Biden administration, which argued that the law violated federal immigration policies and undermined established legal frameworks. The temporary halt comes as a response to the Justice Department's request to suspend the implementation of the law. The department filed on Monday an emergency request with the Supreme Court, urging its intervention. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Justice Department, emphasized the potential adverse effects on federal interests and US foreign relations, stating that the law would disrupt the longstanding balance between federal and state authorities in immigration matters. Read Also: Joe Biden Considers Plans To Prevent Migrants From Claiming Asylum After Crossing Border Supreme Court Steps into Legal Battle Over Texas Border Law The legal battle escalated when a federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction against the law after Gov. Abbot signed it. Later, a New Orleans Court of Appeals reversed that ruling, prompting the emergency intervention of the Supreme Court. The temporary block by Justice Alito preserves the status quo while legal proceedings unfold, with implications for the broader debate over immigration policy and state authority. In response to the Supreme Court's action, advocates and opponents of the law voiced contrasting perspectives. Immigrant rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), condemned the legislation as extreme and unconstitutional, expressing concerns about potential racial profiling and family separations. Meanwhile, supporters of the law, including Gov. Abbott, underscored its necessity in addressing what they perceive as federal inaction on border security. As the legal battle continues, the Supreme Court's eventual ruling will have significant implications for immigration enforcement practices and the ongoing debate over border security. Related Article: Surge in Illegal Border Crossings Tops 14,000, Border Officials Report The Bellevue (Ohio) Hospital has named Sara Brokaw, MSN, RN, its next president in addition to her current role as chief nursing officer. Ms. Brokaw most recently served as the hospital's joint chief operating officer and chief nursing officer. She joined the hospital in 2013 and has overseen every clinical department during her employment, according to a March 1 news release. Previously, she served as chief nursing officer of Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain, Ohio. Meghan Aldrich, DNP, was named president of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Sisters of Charity Hospital and its Cheektowaga, N.Y.-based St. Joseph Campus, effective April 15. Dr. Aldrich brings nearly two decades of healthcare experience to the role, according to a March 5 news release. Most recently, she was COO of Heritage Ministries, a senior services provider with locations in New York and Pennsylvania, according to the release. She also previously held nursing leadership and administrative positions at Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health, including chief administrative officer and chief nursing officer for specialty medicine and surgery. Sisters of Charity Hospital and St. Joseph Campus are part of Buffalo-based Catholic Health. Dartmouth Health's New London (N.H.) Hospital has tapped Lauren Geddes Wirth, MD, to serve as interim president and CEO. Dr. Geddes Wirth currently serves as the hospital's chief medical officer and will continue to do so as she temporarily takes the helm, according to a March 5 news release shared with Becker's. She joined the hospital in September from the Boston-based Mass General Brigham system. She will succeed Tom Manion who recently accepted a new role as COO of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. effective April 3. Cincinnati Children's has signed a letter of intent with Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Parkview Health to expand their partnership for pediatric healthcare access across Fort Wayne and surrounding areas. The partnership initiative would combine Parkview's pediatric hospital services, pediatric primary care, and pediatric specialty services with Cincinnati Children's. The letter of intent also mentions plans to build a pediatric hospital on Parkview Regional Medical Center's campus in Fort Wayne, which would require philanthropic support, according to a March 5 joint news release shared with Becker's. The two health systems have worked in partnership for more than 10 years to improve healthcare outcomes for children and their families in the Fort Wayne area. "As we define a new vision for pediatric specialty care in the region, we'll continue to leverage our existing partnership to enhance quality, helping patients today," Raymond Dusman, MD, president of physician and clinical enterprise at Parkview Health, said in the release. Cincinnati Children's and Parkview Health have also expanded their telehealth collaboration, with Parkview patients and their families now able to consult experts in pediatric rheumatology, preventive cardiology, drug-resistant epilepsy and neurosurgery at Cincinnati Children's. Parkview Health is a nonprofit, community-based health system that comprises 13 hospitals and has more than 16,000 employees. Cincinnati Children's is a nonprofit, academic health system that comprises 19,000 employees. The United Nurses and Allied Professionals has urged the Rhode Island attorney general and state department of health to reject the Centurion Foundation's plan to acquire two Providence, R.I., hospitals from Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings. UNAP is a union that represents nearly 1,000 employees at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, Roger Williams Medical Center and Prospect Home Health and Hospice in Providence. The union argues the business model is "not credible or viable" as Centurion, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, has never owned or operated a hospital or healthcare facility. UNAP also noted that Centurion will not be bringing any new capital to these facilities at a time when that's what is needed most. "There are a number of significant issues in Centurion's application, with the most glaring being the fact that they are an unknown entity that has never owned or operated a hospital or healthcare facility," UNAP General Counsel Chris Callaci said in a March 4 news release. "They are not bringing any capital to the table and plan to saddle our community hospitals with more than $133 million in debt money they aren't on the hook to pay back. The closer we look, the worse this application gets." UNAP cited several concerns within the proposed acquisition, including: Centurion knows that CharterCare Health Partners (Roger Williams Medical Center, Fatima Hospital and Prospect Home Health and Hospice) continues to lose money, but has not made any financial commitments to those facilities, according to UNAP. Centurion is not putting up any of its own money in this sale and expects the hospitals and healthcare facilities to borrow more than $133 million to stay afloat. Since these community hospitals operate at a loss, there are no revenues to pay this debt down, UNAP said. UNAP also alleges that Centurion insists on making the hospitals and facilities pay it several fees and charges, but refuses to outline what the fees and charges are for, or how much they will be. "We are going to do all we can to secure the future of CharterCARE. But having an out-of-state corporation from Georgia come to Rhode Island to take advantage of us is not the answer," Mr. Callaci said. "This company wants to make us borrow a ton of money we can't pay back. This doesn't get us anywhere. In fact, it makes our financial situation much worse than it already is." UNAP President Lynn Blais, RN, a nurse at Fatima Hospital, called on state regulators to dismiss the application, arguing that the model does not work for patients, employees or the community. "Coming on the heels of Prospects' disastrous ownership of these important community hospitals and healthcare facilities, it is imperative that the next owner is willing to put healthcare first and be a true community partner someone who is willing to invest in the patients, the workforce, the hospitals and our community," Ms. Blais said. "Based on this application, Centurion clearly does not fit that bill." Becker's has reached out to Centurion and will update this story when more information becomes available. Members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, are set to hold a one-day strike March 14 at UChicago Medicine. The union represents 2,800 nurses at UChicago Medicine, according to a union news release. UChicago Medicine, which includes the flagship 811-bed University of Chicago Medical Center, has roughly 13,000 employees total. Union members voted to authorize a strike in February. Management and nurses began negotiating a new labor contract in October. The University of Chicago Medical Center is committed to continuing negotiations to reach an agreement and avoid a strike, according to a March 5 statement shared with Becker's. The system said it hopes to have more bargaining dates in March but has contracted with replacement nurses to provide care in the event of a strike. "Patient care and safety are UCMC's top priority. We are repeatedly recognized as among the safest hospitals in the nation, and recently received our 24th consecutive A grade in safety from the prestigious, independent Leapfrog Group. We've developed new processes to make sure we're continuing to work collaboratively with nurses to develop staffing plans to meet patients' needs, in real time," the University of Chicago Medical Center's statement reads. Nurses are calling on the health system to make safety and staffing improvements. The union is calling for charge nurses to not have patient assignments as well as a clinically trained professional in the staffing office to weigh in on staffing decisions. Six women who received ultrasounds between 2020 and 2022 at Sutter Health's Memorial Hospital in Los Banos, Calif., allege an ultrasound technician sexually assaulted them. Despite complaints and two police investigations, the technician remained employed, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. Henry Nweke was reportedly the only on-duty ultrasound technician at the Sutter hospital overnight. The women filed a lawsuit against Sutter and Mr. Nweke and are seeking financial compensation. In their accounts of interactions with Mr. Nweke, one victim told The Chronicle the technician simulated sex with the ultrasound probe, another said he touched her breasts unnecessarily during what was supposed to be an ultrasound of her liver. Two women immediately contacted police following their ultrasound procedures with Mr. Nweke, but reports on those investigations found that the claims against him were "unsubstantiated," according to The Chronicle. Following the accounts, Mr. Nweke was placed on leave temporarily two times, but after both instances was able to return to work without additional oversight. In court documents, Mr. Nweke denies the allegations. However, Sutter Health confirmed to Becker's he is no longer employed at the hospital or any other Sutter facility. "We investigate concerns raised regarding an employee's conduct. We take appropriate action as soon as possible," a Sutter Health spokesperson told Becker's. "Our commitment to patient privacy and related legal requirements prevents us from giving specific information. We can state Mr. Neweke no longer works at Memorial Hospital Los Banos or at any Sutter facilities." A nurse practitioner is accused of writing fake prescriptions for thousands of oxycodone pills while unemployed, TribLive reported March. 4. Joseph Sapp, 55, of Penn Township, Pa., allegedly wrote prescriptions for existing people who were not his patients and nonexistent people over the course of years. He allegedly worked with another 55-year-old man to collect pills at pharmacies in two Pennsylvania counties, authorities said. He reportedly used the names of physicians who he had worked with in the past to authorize the prescriptions, since as a nurse practitioner he is only allowed to practice under supervision. Mr. Sapp admitted to writing the fake prescriptions. He is charged with acquisition by misrepresentation, forgery, criminal use of a communication facility and related offenses. Addison, Texas-based LifeCare Health, a long-term acute care provider, is closing its Fort Worth,Texas, hospital and consolidating services into its two other hospital locations in Dallas and Plano, Texas. "This was a very carefully considered decision," Rebecca Black, vice president of marketing and communications for LifeCare, told Becker's. "It was a very hard decision, but a necessary decision to better serve patients going forward in the current healthcare climate." The 45-bed hospital, which comprises 10 ICU beds and 35 regular beds, does not have a set closure date and is waiting until all its patients are safely discharged to begin looking at next steps for care. "We are also evaluating which of our employees may be relocated to different campuses, to our Dallas or to our Plano campus," Ms. Black said. "There will definitely be layoffs. With the consolidation we just can't double up everywhere. Our human resources teams are really trying to pinpoint where to best utilize people that can be relocated." Mimi Hedgecock, vice president of government and North Texas health system relations at LifeCare, pointed to a change in Medicare criteria to enter a long-term acute care hospital as one of the reasons that fueled the closure decision. "[Long-term acute hospitals] need short term relief until a health care legislative vehicle can move through the legislative process," Ms. Hedgecock told Becker's. "We are asking Congress to reinstate the waiver implemented during COVID, removing the requirement for a patient to come directly from a subsection D hospital within three ICU days. This will let doctors with medical knowledge of their patients determine where their patients will receive the best care to meet their needs." Ms. Hedgecock said LifeCare would like to see Congress act so that physicians and registered nurses can continue their patient care successfully. Lehigh Valley Health Network signed a yearslong agreement for Medline to exclusively service medical supplies to the system's 13 hospital campuses. The Allentown, Pa.-based system chose the medical supply company to "create a leaner, more efficient supply chain" through cost-saving initiatives, according to a March 5 news release from Medline. Medline's 1-million-square-foot distribution center in Perryville, Md., will allow Lehigh Valley Health Network to order daily shipments for each hospital's expected needs. The Church of England is planning to raise a $1.27-billion fund that would work to address the religious institution's past links to slavery. The idea to create the billion-dollar fund was made by the church's advisory panel, which shared its idea on Monday. The amount that was recommended was 10 times the amount that the church had previously set aside. Church of England Seeks To Address Links to Slavery The church-established independent oversight group said that the $127 million fund that was announced last year was not enough. This was when it was compared to the wealth of the church and "the moral sin and crime of African chattel enslavement." The church's financial arm, the Church Commissioners, said that it accepted the group's recommendations. These include a target of $1.27 billion "and above" for a pool of funds that would be known as the Fund for Healing, Repair, and Justice. The religious institution added that it would not immediately add to its previous $127-million commitment. However, it noted that it would spend the initial money over the court of five years rather than the nine that was originally planned, as per ABC News. Church Commissioners Chief Executive Gareth Mostyn added that they had hoped to start distributing the money by the end of the year. He also said that other institutions or individuals who wished to address their own slavery links could add to the fund and "join us on this journey." The church's fund was established as part of efforts by the Anglican church to reckon with its historic complicity in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. In 2019, the Church Commissioners hired forensic accounts to dig through the church's archives for evidence of slave trade links. The accountants discovered that the church's huge assets had their roots in Queen Anne's Bounty, which was a fund that was established in 1704. It was made to help support impoverished clergy. Read Also: Israel Tortures, Detains UN Staff Over 'False' Accusations About Ties to Hamas, Agency Claims Atoning for Historical Involvement The one who leads the oversight group, Barbados-born Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, said that no amount of money can fully atone or fully redress the impact of African chattel enslavement. She added that the effects of this are still felt around the world to this day, according to CNN. Mallett said that the implementation of the recommendations will show the commitment of the Church Commissioners in supporting the process of healing, repair, and justice. The situation comes as Britain had enslaved 3.1 million Africans between 1640 and 1807. They transported them to colonies worldwide and many of these people were taken to the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations. That particular career made their owners very wealthy through the export of sugar, molasses, and rum. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said that the latest report was the start of a "multi-generational response" to the "appalling evil" of slavery. He previously called the report's interim findings a "source of shame" for the church. The oversight group's report also reiterated calls for the church to fully acknowledge its involvement in the slave trade. This was after the archbishop said that he was "deeply sorry for the kinks" in 2022, said BBC. Related Article: UN Report Warns of South Sudan's Deteriorating Humanitarian Conditions Jeffrey Carlson, MD, performed the first cervical disc replacement with the Prodisc C Vivo implant in the Hampton Roads region in Virginia. He performed the case Feb. 26 at Coastal Virginia Surgery Center in Newport News, Va., according to a March 4 news release shared with Becker's. The patient was a 56-year-old man with a cervical disc herniation. His surgery took an hour, and he went home the same day. Prodisc C Vivo is from Centinel Spine and has been used globally since 2009. The Kia Sportage has been Northern Ireland's best-selling car so far in 2024 New car registrations in Northern Ireland climbed almost 9% year on year in January and February, a report has said. And the Kia Sportage is the most popular new car sold in 2024 so far, with 304 driven off forecourts, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). SMMT said that in the first few months of 2024, there were 8,890 new cars registered in NI, an increase of 8.9% on the same period last year. In February alone, there had been 3,691 new cars registered, up 6% on the same month in 2023. Following the Kia Sportage in pole position are the Hyundai Tucson in second place and the Ford Puma in third, with 300 and 257 sales respectively. The three models were also the most popular in February, with 136, 119 and 102 sold, respectively. But growth in the new car market in Northern Ireland is being dwarfed by the UKs more rapid expansion. Across the UK, new car registrations have shot up 14.2% to reach 84,695, marking the strongest February in two decades. And among devolved nations, Northern Irelands 6.1% growth in February was anaemic compared to 15% growth in England, 11% in Scotland and 12.9% in Wales. However, the regions 8.9% new car market growth in January and February was surpassed by 10.6% expansion in England and 10.3% expansion in Scotland. But Northern Irelands January and February growth was healthier than Wales, where the market grew by 8.6%. The SMMT said February had been the 19th consecutive month of growth in new car registrations UK-wide. However, it said the expansion had been driven by fleets investing in the latest vehicles, rather than by private owners. Fleet and business registrations accounted for growth of 25.2% and 15.5% respectively. In contrast, private uptake continued to struggle, with a -2.6% decline giving the market a 33.7% market share. UK-wide, electrified vehicles recorded strong growth, with hybrid electric vehicle sales up 12.1%. Plug-in hybrids recorded the largest proportional growth for the month, rising 29.1% to reach 7.2% of the market. Battery electric vehicle uptake similarly outpaced the rest of the market, rising 21.8% to account for 17.7% of registrations, an improvement on last years 16.5%. And the SMMT said the Budget on Wednesday would give the Chancellor an opportunity to stimulate the EV market by halving Vat on new EVs for three years, amending proposed Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) changes, and reducing Vat on public charging in line with home charging. It pointed out that while consumers do not pay Vat on technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels, private EV buyers pay the full 20% Vat on all cars. The SMMT said halving Vat on new EV purchases would save the average buyer around 4,000 off the purchase price. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: The new car markets ability to deliver growth continues with its best February for 20 years, and this weeks Budget is an opportunity to ensure that growth is greener." How Belfast business chief used desire for public good to launch new tech company Maria Diffley and the team at SustainIQ are now looking to help companies with the mammoth task of hitting sustainability targets. Maria Diffley, co-founder and director of SustainIQ. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph. Flavia Gouveia Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 08:45 The pursuit of net zero by 2050 means that companies and government bodies are under growing pressure to examine their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. The Welsh Parliament has approved the budget for the next year with last-minute extra funding for a range of services, but further changes could need to be made. Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, told the Senedd there were more changes than usual to the budget for 2024-25 after late information from the UK Government on how much money they would receive. In total, the Welsh Government has gained an extra 190 million in its final budget. But Ms Evans warned there could be further changes if Chancellor Jeremy Hunt adopts further changes in his own statement on Wednesday. The minister said the Welsh Government had listened to feedback during the scrutiny process and had focused funding to areas where pressures are most severe. She said: There will be 14.4 million extra for local government to help it meet pressures in social care and schools. Were reversing the cuts made to both the social care workforce grant and the children and communities grant of 10.5 million and 5 million respectively. The additional funding for local government means that no council will have less than a 2.3% uplift in their settlement. Ms Evans also said an extra 10 million will go towards apprenticeship and employability programmes, as part of an effort to support steelworkers if Tata closes the blast furnaces at Port Talbot. The budget will also provide: 5 million revenue to support homelessness prevention activities 5 million capital for the social housing grant 40 million of new capital funding to support the NHS 30 million funding package for the Holyhead Breakwater 20 million fund to help small and medium-sized businesses future-proof their businesses. The minister said she was confident the budget continues to maximise our available funding but said the UK spring statement could see further changes to our settlement. Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, described Waless financial situation as bleak and all too familiar, arguing the budget was constrained by the UK Governments austerity-driven agenda. However, he also said Welsh Labour was silent on whether funding would improve if the Labour Party got into power in the UK Parliament. He said: My sympathy for the Welsh Government is real, and yet it is also qualified. Operating within the fiscal straitjacket imposed upon it not only limits the money at ministers disposal, but also their spending flexibility. But what it doesnt do is blunt Labour ministers ability to secure a firm commitment that Wales will be funded fairly should there be a UK Labour government. The silence on that is still deafening. He also raised concerns the budget was failing to prepare for the future, particularly money lost from preventative programmes, and said that a lot of money was being put into Transport for Wales while other services were losing out. Peter Fox MS, the Welsh Conservatives shadow finance minister, welcomed the additional funding for health and social care services but said the budget fails to address the peoples priorities and lacked sound forward planning. He said: This budget fails to address many of the very real issues that families and businesses are facing. The Welsh Governments continuous blaming of everyone else except themselves for their poor record is holding the country back. The simple truth is that we as a country cannot hope to move forward until we see a government that is willing to accept responsibility for the results of its policy making. Our Welsh NHS is a case in point. After this budget, it will still be under mounting pressure, which it is not prepared for, as a direct result of decades of underfunding by successive Labour governments here. The budget was approved by 28 votes for, 15 against and 13 abstentions. Amidst the outpouring of grief over the death of 33-year-old Sarah Everard murdered in 2021 by off duty police officer Wayne Couzens a sense of momentum began to build. Vigils, demonstrations and wipe-out media coverage there was a sense that time to address systemic misogyny within our police forces (misogyny which had, for far too long, been written off as a case of just a few bad apples), as well as the wider societal issue of violence against women and girls, was finally here. Three years after her death, the resounding message from Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice, a stark but sensitively handled new BBC documentary, is that little has been achieved to further either cause. The 75 minute documentary opens with CCTV footage of Everards last movements a mundane trip to Tesco, a walk along a well-lit street, a phone call with her boyfriend all rendered horrible by our knowledge of the story about to unfold. Largely told by the investigating officers who worked the case, and through astonishing CCTV and police body-cam footage, what the documentary lacks in terms of visual flair (there are lots of lingering stock shots of the London skyline, for instance), it makes up for in access. At one point, for instance, were taken into Couzens house on the night of his arrest, and hear first hand the strange and convoluted story he tells in an attempt to cover his tracks. What the documentary makers do particularly well is set up and knock down the idea that the crime was perpetrated under unique circumstances. In one respect it's true in the middle of the pandemic, our right to free movement was temporarily suspended in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus which had, by that point, already killed tens of thousands of people (Couzens, it is believed, stopped Everard under the pretence that he was arresting her for breaking lockdown rules). As the story of her disappearance and the subsequent arrest of Couzens unfurls over the next 45 minutes, though, we are forced to grapple with the idea that the circumstances werent so unique. Rather, it suggests, regardless of what we'd like to believe in or out of lockdown our rights and freedoms are both fragile, and rife for exploitation. Its a theme that the documentary makers return to again and again: we know from Sarah's friends and family that she is someone who would have been compliant, an investigating officer tells us, about how Everard might have behaved if shed been stopped by a police officer. Later, we are reminded of the advice that the Met issued to women in case they were stopped by a male police officer who they feared might not be genuine: wave down a bus. What freedom can any of us claim to have if our own compliance with the law is so easily weaponised against us and if those whore meant to protect them use their authority to violate our rights in the most brutal ways possible? The final third of the documentary feels something like a whistle stop tour of the furore which followed Everards vigil a period in which ever more officers came under scrutiny and in which police forces across the country were shown to be harbouring predators in their ranks. The pace is perhaps unsatisfyingly quick for such a big topic but maybe thats the point? Anyone who has read the findings from the Angiolini Inquiry, released last Thursday evening, will have come to the conclusion that despite all the bluster, very little of note has happened to make women feel any safer. The damning report, compiled by Lady Elish Angiolini, showed that Couzens crimes were "the culmination of a trajectory of sexually motivated behaviour and offending", including sexual assault on a child and multiple counts of indecent exposure, as well as other crimes, spanning some twenty years before he even joined the police service. As Lady Angiolini said: "without a significant overhaul, there is nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sightNow is the time for change Words which sound hauntingly similar to those uttered three years ago, in the wake of Sarahs death. Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice airs on BBC One tonight at 9pm. Sponsor of the Excellence in Exporting Award As the primary gateway to Northern Ireland and a key hub for trade, Belfast Harbour handles more than 70% of the regions imported and exported goods transported by sea. The 2,000-acre Harbour Estate also hosts more than 5m visits annually, including 2m ferry and cruise ship passengers. As the sponsor of the Excellence in Exporting Award at this years Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, in partnership with Ulster Bank, Belfast Harbour is a gateway to millions of tonnes of cargo that come in and out of NI by sea including stone for road building, fresh produce, Baileys, Bushmills, screening and quarry equipment and manufactured products such as Wrightbuses, to name but a few. Belfast Harbour Estate, at the heart of the citys Innovation District, is also home to more than 760 businesses, including manufacturing businesses, innovative industries such as film and media, financial and legal services, cybersecurity and software development companies many of whom produce and manufacture products and services which are exported around the world. Belfast Harbour works closely with its customers and tenants to fulfil the exporting and entrepreneurial potential of businesses in NI and recognises that supporting and growing its exporting businesses is important for stimulating economic growth. In doing this, Belfast Harbour is not only providing a gateway to trade, but it also providing a gateway to opportunity for businesses, people and communities. Whilst Belfast Harbour is first and foremost a port, it is much more. Business Awards As a trust port that invests in its stakeholders, it is passionate about ensuring that the economic growth delivered by Belfast Harbour is mirrored in its responsible business activity and engagement with local communities. Delivering a positive social impact is at the heart of Belfast Harbours decision making, as it develops sustainably, protects our environment and connects communities. Social responsibility has been embedded in Belfast Harbours DNA for generations. Its ambition is to be a port that delivers for everyone in NI and provides a gateway to opportunity for all. It is committed to engaging with and supporting communities in Belfast and surrounding areas, supporting employability and skills and supporting our environment. Its ambition to become a green port is underpinned by its wide-reaching sustainability activity in both the marine environment and in its developments which are constructed to BREEAM Excellent standard. As an employer it is committed to improving diversity and inclusion at all levels within Belfast Harbour. Its significant investment each year in grassroots community engagement and local charities is another key strand of Belfast Harbours responsible business activity in action. Belfast Harbour would encourage innovative exporting businesses across NI to make the most of this opportunity to showcase their success and continued growth within the export markets. Belfast Harbour looks forward to recognising and celebrating the impact and contribution of these businesses at this years Belfast Telegraph Business Awards. To enter, go to www.belfasttelegraph/buisnessawards/enter Kerry Morgan tells Stephanie Bell why shes calling for better services for patients Kerry on one of her better days at a wedding with her boyfriend Niall Tennyson and his father Damian Co Down woman Kerry Morgan has no idea what it is like to live without unbearable pain. Thats why she is adding her voice today to growing calls for better services for endometriosis patients as well as improved education on the condition for health professionals in Northern Ireland. Since graduating from St Marys College three years ago, the 26-year-old has spent most of her time bedridden by a disabling pain which she has suffered from the age of just 12. She says she has lost count of the number of times over the years that her symptoms were dismissed by doctors. She was told that the pain was in her head and it took 10 years before she was finally diagnosed. This week during Endometriosis Awareness Week she called for more understanding from GPs about the condition as well as the establishment of a specialist treatment centre for patients in Northern Ireland. She said: It is crazy how many patients in our local support group have said they were told by their doctors that their pain was all in their head. Your doctor should be telling you they believe you when you explain how bad the pain is. As a child of 12 when my symptoms started I didnt know enough about it and I couldnt articulate what was happening to me. I think if I had known the condition existed I would have fought harder for treatment and a diagnosis. There should be better awareness in the health service as well as education in schools. The pain level Kerry lives with daily is so severe, most days she cant get out of bed. When it does ease enough to allow her to go out, she can only walk with the aid of a stick. Her biggest battle though was getting a diagnosis and finding a medical professional who took her pain seriously. Endometriosis causes tissue like the lining of the womb to grow in other parts of the body and if left untreated can invade other organs. It can have a significant, sometimes devastating impact on all aspects of life: education, career, relationships, sexual relationships, fertility and quality of life. Despite this, it is a disease that the majority of people have never heard of. Without awareness, pain and symptoms can be dismissed and brushed aside as normal when they are anything but. Without a diagnosis, treatment cant be accessed, and the disease may progress. It cant be picked up by a scan or blood test which makes it hard to diagnose but members of the Northern Ireland Endometriosis support group say doctors dont even consider it a cause of their pain. One in 10 women is affected and a new survey published this week by Endometriosis UK shows that waiting times in Northern Ireland have increased to nine years and five months since 2020. This lengthy wait means a delay in accessing treatment, during which the disease may progress, leading to worsening physical symptoms and a risk of permanent organ damage. Kerry from Carryduff is typical of many patients in Northern Ireland who battled for years to be heard. Her 10-year wait for a diagnosis left her completely bedridden. Her symptoms started when she had her first period at the age of 12 and have gradually worsened over the years; overshadowing her life ever since. She explains: The pain was so bad that when I was 13 it was thought I had appendicitis. When you are that young you are not taken seriously enough and they dont go down the route of it being related to your womb. I didnt know about endometriosis and I was too young to explain how bad the pain was. There is so much taboo around speaking about periods and what is normal or not. I think if I had been given more information in school I would have fought earlier for a diagnosis. When you see your friends coping with their periods and you are not, you start to think that you are really weak and have a low pain threshold. I dont think I even knew how to explain it to my mum. The pain was excruciating then, it affected my whole lower abdomen. I would have been curled up on the sofa crying my eyes out, bent over in pain. At 16 I was put on the pill to try and help but it gave me headaches so I had to come off it. By the age of 20 the pain was so bad I would have spent whole weeks in bed and I realised I had to get something done. By that stage I had been to so many GPs who said I was perfectly healthy and the pain was in my head. I did get an ultrasound but ultrasounds dont pick endometriosis up so I was told there was nothing wrong with me. Kerry started to research her symptoms online. Kerry on one of her better days at a wedding with her boyfriend Niall Tennyson and his father Damian She came across the Endometriosis UK website and finally was able to put a name to what had been destroying the quality of her life. She says: That was a light bulb moment. I had all the symptoms and it was such a relief to finally know what was wrong but I needed to get a diagnosis. I read that it takes eight years to get diagnosed on the NHS and I knew I couldnt wait that long. I was lucky I was able to go private through my parents health insurance. The first gynaecologist I saw told me my pain was not gynae related. I had so many doctors telling me there was nothing wrong with me and here was a specialist saying the same thing, I couldnt believe it. Kerry persevered and saw another consultant who recommended a laparoscopy, a surgical procedure that examines the organs inside the abdomen. That was September 2021 and during the procedure she had scar tissue caused by the endometriosis removed. She enjoyed one year relatively free of pain before her symptoms came back and she is now waiting on a second surgery. Just being diagnosed has made all the difference to how she copes with the condition: One of my biggest fears was people not believing me. It is an invisible illness and when people are telling you its in your head that messes with your mental health. When you are feeling that pain you just want answers. The diagnosis is bittersweet because it validates the pain you are in but then you have to deal with the knowledge that you have a condition that is going to be with you for life and that is hard. Kerry pictured at Christmas with her brother Connor Kerry is now hoping her second surgery will give her enough relief that she will finally be able to consider starting her longed-for career as a teacher. She now manages her condition with heat pads and physiotherapy and believes that there should be an Endometriosis Centre of Care for sufferers. She adds: There is no real aftercare and I have been on the list for pain management since 2021. There is a lot of self-management too but we really need a dedicated centre to help patients who have to live with this lifelong condition. Awareness is growing and hopefully that will spread through the health profession and patients will be taken seriously and more done to help before it becomes debilitating. Dr Lisa Neligan, Clinical Lead GP at Kingsbridge Private Hospital also called on better services to treat patients as well as a clear pathway in the health service. Dr. Lisa Neligan, Clinical Lead GP at Kingsbridge Private Hospital Dr Neligan, who has a special interest in womens health, said: I think GPs should always have it in the back of their minds that women presenting with this type of severe pain could have endometriosis. Endometriosis is one of the most painful, debilitating conditions which has a significant impact on young women and prevents them from having a normal life. It can be tricky to diagnose and tends to present quite young. Most pelvic pain is caused by fibroids, followed by endometriosis. An MRI can show endometriosis deposits at a late stage and a laparoscopy is the gold standard for treatment. It is a debilitating condition and diagnosis is a huge thing and currently the waiting lists for that are shocking. My heart goes out to sufferers. Northern Ireland needs an endometriosis pathway and a womens health strategy. Patients do need early advice and intervention as the longer they have the condition the more the scar tissue builds up. Endometriosis UK also said governments are failing to recognise the impact of endometriosis or allocate sufficient resources to diagnosing it, with many healthcare practitioners lacking an understanding of the disease. Emma Cox, CEO of the charity comments: Taking almost nine years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis is unacceptable. The theme of Endometriosis Action Month 2024 is could it be endometriosis?. Raising awareness of the symptoms of endometriosis with the general public, along with healthcare practitioners and those in charge of health services, will be a step towards shortening very lengthy waits. Our finding that it now takes even longer to get a diagnosis of endometriosis must be a wake-up call to decision-makers to stop minimising or ignoring the significant impact endometriosis can have on both physical and mental health. Now is the time to reverse the trend and make commitments to drive down diagnosis time for endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions. For support from other patients go to Endometriosis UK Northern Ireland Support Group on Facebook. A Belfast man appeared in court today charged with trying to blackmail 16 women into providing sexual videos and images. Christopher Morrow is accused of targeting the complainants as part of a four-month online campaign. The 27-year-old, of Rochester Road in the city, was ordered to stand trial for the alleged offences. Morrow faces 16 counts of blackmail and two further charges of harassment and possessing an extreme pornographic image. It is claimed that he made unwarranted demands with menaces for sexual images or videos from the women on dates between January and April last year. During a preliminary enquiry hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court, Morrow confirmed that he understood the charges against him. No further details about the alleged offences were disclosed. Morrow declined when asked if he wanted to give evidence or call any witnesses at this stage in the proceedings. Defence solicitor Hamill Clawson did not contest submissions by a Crown lawyer that his client has a prima facie case to answer. Granting the prosecutions application, District Judge Steven Keown told the accused: You will be returned to Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed. Morrow was released on bail under a condition that he must not contact any of the alleged victims. Judge Keown also gave approval for two defence barristers to represent him at trial, citing the seriousness and complexities of the case. India's anti-terror agency to investigate Bengaluru cafe blast Xinhua) 10:13, March 05, 2024 NEW DELHI, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has asked the country's anti-terror agency National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the recent blast at a popular eatery in the southern city of Bengaluru, state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Monday. The low-intensity blast went off at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru during the lunch hour on Friday, injuring 10 people. "Ministry of Home Affairs has handed over Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe blast probe to the NIA," the broadcaster said. Closed-circuit television camera footage accessed by the police in Bengaluru and aired by local television news channels shows a man wearing a face mask, glasses and a cap carrying a bag inside the cafe's premises in the Whitefield locality. Police suspected the man placed the bag near the eatery's handwash area and then left before the blast took place. Police said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device fitted with a timer. Bengaluru is India's technology hub. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Israel increased its criticism of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Monday, claiming that 450 of its employees were members of militant groups in the Gaza Strip. However, no evidence was provided to support this accusation. Several major international funders have suspended funding to the agency, UNRWA, following accusations by Israel that 12 of its employees were involved in the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. Israel: 450 UNNRWA Workers Are Terrorists The attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage situation of around 250 others in Gaza, as reported by Israeli authorities. Pramila Patten, the UN envoy addressing sexual violence in conflict, stated on Monday that there were sufficient reasons to believe that Hamas had carried out rape, sexualized torture, and other forms of cruel and inhuman treatment of women during the attack. An attack led to an Israeli incursion into the enclave of 2.3 million individuals, resulting in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Aid organizations report that the conflict has led to the displacement of the majority of the region's residents and triggered a humanitarian crisis. UNRWA, with approximately 13,000 employees in Gaza, is the largest aid provider in the enclave. Monday's allegations marked a notable increase in the accusations against the agency. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel's chief military spokesperson, did not provide names or other evidence to support the significantly higher number of UNRWA employees it claimed were militants. In a recent statement, UNRWA accused Israel of detaining multiple staff members and coercing them into providing false confessions through torture and mistreatment. The confessions were allegedly related to the connections between the agency, Hamas, and the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Read Also: Israel Tortures, Detains UN Staff Over 'False' Accusations About Ties to Hamas, Agency Claims Israel, UN Trade Accusations of 'Terrorism' Following Israel's initial accusation against UNRWA, the agency terminated the employees in question, leading to over a dozen countries halting funding totaling approximately $450 million, nearly half of its annual budget. Juliette Touma, director of communications for UNRWA, refrained from providing a direct response to the new Israeli allegations. "UNRWA encourages any organization with information on the allegations against UNRWA staff to share it with the current UN investigation," she stated. There were already two ongoing UN investigations into Israel's claims when the EU announced on Friday that it would provide $54 million to UNRWA. This funding comes after the agency agreed to allow experts appointed by the EU to review its procedures for identifying extremists among its staff. Hagari also shared a recording of a call he claimed was of a UNRWA teacher discussing his involvement in the Oct. 7 attack. "We have female captives. I caught one," the man's voice said in Arabic. During a second call, a man, who Israel also claimed was a UNRWA teacher, allegedly affiliated with Islamic Jihad, is heard stating, "I'm inside with the Jews." The military disclosed the identities of the men, even though the man in the initial call introduced himself using a different name in the recording. According to military sources, the name in question might have been a nickname. No evidence was provided by the military regarding their employment with UNRWA. Amidst Benny Gantz's meeting with US officials in Washington, accusations surfaced as talks were ongoing in Egypt to facilitate a cease-fire in Gaza ahead of the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. UNRWA stated that it welcomed all information that could be included in an independent UN investigation currently in progress. Palestinian leaders have alleged that Israel is targeting UNRWA politically and are demanding the restoration of its funding. Israel has committed to persist with its aggressive campaign until it eradicates Hamas and ensures the safe return of more than 100 Israeli captives in Gaza, according to Reuters. Related Article: EU To Send $54 Million Fund to Gaza Aid Agency After It Agrees to Audit Over Extremist Ties Allegations A prisoner who went on the run while serving a sentence for killing a police officer has lost a legal battle over being denied periods of temporary release. Shane Frane, 36, challenged an alleged failure to provide him with previous opportunities to demonstrate he could be freed safely. But judges at the Court of Appeal dismissed his case today after citing the two-week period earlier this year when he was unlawfully at large. Lord Justice McCloskey ruled: It has been rendered academic by supervening events. Frane, originally from Limerick, is serving an indeterminate sentence for the manslaughter of PSNI Constable Philippa Reynolds in a road crash. The 27-year-old female officer died after a stolen vehicle driven by Frane struck her police car in the Waterside area of Derry on February 9, 2013. Although Franes minimum six-year tariff expired in 2019, he has remained behind bars. In 2022 the authorities refused to free him because they could not be satisfied his imprisonment was no longer necessary to protect the public from serious harm. Frane mounted a legal challenge against the Probation Board and the Prison Service for alleged failures to provide him with the purposeful periods of temporary release. He claimed a breach of his right to liberty under European law. Previous courts heard that in the past he completed both accompanied and unaccompanied temporary periods outside jail. Following a failed drugs test his pre-release testing (PRT) was temporarily suspended but later reinstated. In 2022 the High Court rejected Franes case after finding that it was his own personal misconduct which led to the PRT being put on hold. An appeal was subsequently lodged in a bid to have that ruling overturned. However, in January this year police declared Frane unlawfully at large after he breached the conditions of a further unaccompanied temporary release. He was arrested in the Republic of Ireland the following month on an extradition warrant sought by the PSNI. Formally dismissing Franes legal action, Lord Justice McCloskey said those events meant the circumstances of the case had been altered significantly. He added: The notice of appeal discloses no coherent grounds of challenge to the order and judgment at first instance. A man accused of stabbing a woman to death during a sexual exchange in Limerick is set to discover next month if he will stand trial in Belfast. Habib Shamel, 33, remains in custody at HMP Maghaberry charged with murdering Geila Ibram on April 4 last year. Belfast Magistrates Court heard today that prosecutors hope to be ready for a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) in five weeks time. Shamel would be informed at that stage if the case against him is to proceed to trial. Ms Ibrams mutilated body was discovered at an apartment block in the Dock Road area of Limerick. Originally from Romania, the 27-year-old victim died from multiple stab wounds inflicted to the neck, face and abdomen in what police described as a vicious and frenzied attack. Shamel, an Afghani national with an address at Cecil Street in Limerick, was later arrested in the Malone area of south Belfast. He is charged with Ms Ibrams murder under the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975, which allows the PSNI to prosecute in Northern Ireland if a suspect has travelled from another jurisdiction. A previous court heard claims that he had arranged a sexual exchange with the victim on the day she died. CCTV footage allegedly showed him arriving at her property and then leaving again less than two minutes later. Detectives claim he injured his hand during the suspected encounter and attended hospital in Limerick before travelling north by bus. With the PSNI providing assistance in the murder investigation, a formal International Letter of Request (ILOR) was sent to the Republic of Ireland. A joint investigation team comprising agencies from both jurisdictions was also set up. Part of the process also involved setting up a meeting in The Hague, the Dutch city where the International Criminal Court is seated. With all evidential material now obtained, a Crown lawyer told the court today that papers are expected to be processed in time for PE scheduled to take place on April 9. Shamels lawyer indicated that if there is any delay he will be mounting an application to be released on bail. Adjourning the case, District Judge Steven Keown stressed that the focus should remain firmly on being ready. David Douglas admitted he would attempt to get eye contact with young girls while he masturbated A man who twice travelled from his home in Northern Ireland to a Dublin shopping centre in order to masturbate in the view of young girls has been jailed for a year. David Douglas (65) formerly of Park Drive, Bangor, Co Down, but who is now living in rented accommodation in Hillsborough just outside Belfast, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of masturbation in a public place at Dundrum Town Centre on March 24 and March 27, 2022. The court heard that Douglas later admitted that he played an eye contact game during which he would attempt to get eye contact with young girls while he masturbated outside of his clothing. He said he had been doing this for about 20 years but initially his focus had been on women rather than young girls. During one incident in March 2022, an off-duty garda said that she and her 11-year-old daughter had changed where they were sitting three times in the food court in Dundrum Town Centre because she became aware of Douglas sitting close by and found his behaviour strange. She later reported that she left her daughter alone at a table while she went to collect their food order when she saw Douglas sitting at the table beside them. She thought this quite strange as there were loads of vacant tables in the food court and Douglas only had an almost empty bottle of water with him. She moved with her daughter but Douglas moved to sit right behind them so she moved a second time. The woman then saw that Douglas was again sitting nearby and was continually looking at them. The woman ultimately left the food court because she felt so uncomfortable. Garda Linda Byrne told Shaun Smyth BL, prosecuting, that she and a colleague were patrolling Dundrum Town Centre on March 27 when a security guard alerted them to a male acting inappropriately in the food court in the presence of young girls. The gardai responded and Douglas ran off when he spotted them but they caught up with him. He was cautioned and later interviewed. Gardai secured CCTV footage from the food court and Douglas could be seen masturbating outside of his clothing in close proximity to where young girls were sitting with their families. It was evident that Douglas was focusing his attention on the girls. Gda Byrne said gardai then became aware of the complaint that had been made by the off-duty garda three days earlier. Two months later, Douglas was interviewed and admitted that he got sexual gratification from making eye contact with young girls while masturbating. He explained that he would drink alcohol in order to reduce his inhibitions and in these incidents in Dundrum, he had had been drinking vodka and white lemonade. He said he never had any intention to have any physical contact with the young girls. Douglas has five previous convictions from Ireland for road traffic offences and a further 28 convictions from Northern Ireland which included offences of indecency and breaches of the sexual offenders act. Gda Byrne agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending, that Douglas has no previous convictions that involve making physical contact with someone. She agreed that the masturbation was on the outside of his clothing and Douglas told gardai he needed alcohol to basically facilitate the offence as it reduces his inhibitions so he can maintain eye contact. Mr Spencer said his client is aware that what he is doing is wrong and deplorable and that he is addicted to carrying out this behaviour. It has brought him shame and remorse but is always linked to alcohol, Mr Spencer said. Mr Spencer said his client was oversexualised at a young age having been exposed to pornographic material when he was a young teenager. He was married with three children but he is now separated from his wife. Judge Orla Crowe accepted that Douglas had a problem with drink. She said she found it hugely concerning that Douglas had travelled twice from Northern Ireland to engage in this behaviour. He is a danger to the public at large and a danger to girls who are unfortunate enough to catch his eye. It is reprehensible. He has been punished in the past for similar behaviour but it has not impacted on him, Judge Crowe said. She said the offence warranted a headline sentence of 18 months before she reduced that to 15 months. Judge Crowe suspended the final three months of that term on strict conditions including that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months upon his release from custody. Thousands of results are going to be checked. Stock image About 11,000 women in Northern Ireland are yet to have their smear tests re-checked as part of a major review of cervical screening, it has been revealed. The Southern Health Trust said it has reviewed more than a third of smear tests - almost 6,500 or 37% - dating back to 2008. It was announced last year 17,500 women would have their tests reviewed after a damning report by the Royal College of Pathologists. For those women whose reviews have been completed, the trust said they should receive updated letters in the post this week. Dr Clare McGalie, clinical director for laboratories in the South Health Trust, said they have had "a slow start" but expect to have the review completed by the summer. "We have taken great care to make sure every part of this review is robust and accurate," she said. "We anticipated at the start of the review that for the majority of women their result would not change." While it's too early to provide complete feedback, this has been the case for the vast majority of results, she said. Currently no high-grade abnormalities have been found, she added. High-grade abnormalities are cell changes that could progress to cancer if left unchecked or untreated. Other labs in other health trusts are now on board to help with the review and they are "now going to be able to go through the slides much faster", she added. "I want to reassure everybody that when your [smear test] is being reviewed, we will contact you directly with the outcome of your findings," said Dr McGalie. The Southern Health Trust aims to have all slides reviewed by the end of June and anybody who needs a repeat smear should have it completed by the end of August. Revealed | Third incident at RVH: Dad died after '95-minute wait to be resuscitated after heart alarm sounded PSNI notified and family calls for probe after third incident at Royal Victoria Hospital emerges The Royal Victoria Hospital Brett Campbell Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 07:20 The family of a man who died after being left lying unattended for more than 90 minutes despite his heart monitor alarm going off has called for a review into practices at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Former officers and families carried placards outside Stormont on Tuesday. The group protested to show support for the 183 individuals over 3 years for their ill Health Retirement appeals to be considered by the Department of Justice. Pic: Peter Morrison Former police officers and first responders who have suffered from various medical conditions like PTSD and anxiety protest at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Pic: Peter Morrison A delay in processing ill-health retirement appeals from some former PSNI officers is having a debilitating effect on those affected, a campaign group has said. BlueLights held a protest outside Stormont buildings on Tuesday, with protestors holding banners and posters criticising the Department of Justices handling of the appeals. In a letter addressed to The Executive Office, the group said some of the 183 applicants had been waiting over three years. "Those individuals waiting are unable to have closure from their lives of service, it said. "Many of these retired first responders continue to suffer the effects of PTSD. "The anxiety and paranoia this continued delay creates is debilitating to those who have been failed by the Department of Justices ability to provide continuity for a contract for doctors to manage these appeals. "Recent research shows that one in five police officers are living with some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused through public service, yet there is little progress in the way of support to aid and assist those who spend their days attending and protecting the public. Those who have given so much to public service have earned the right to demand better support mechanisms both for those serving and retired. The group protested to show support for the 183 individuals over 3 years for their ill Health Retirement appeals to be considered by the Department of Justice. Pic: Peter Morrison "We look forward to this matter being dealt with expeditiously, given the continued embarrassing situation of reputational damage to the police, the NIPB and Department of Justice with their failed support for injured first responders they are ultimately responsible and accountable for. It comes after the disciplining of one of the two constables involved in a controversial incident on the Ormeau Road three years ago prompted dismay among serving PSNI officers. The two probationary officers, one of whom was from the Republic, were left alone to police a memorial event for the loyalist massacre of civilians at Sean Grahams bookmaker shop on the lower Ormeau. Last year the High Court found previous disciplinary action had been unlawful because it was driven by political considerations a desire to satisfy demands from Sinn Fein. On Monday, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that after the disciplinary process was re-run, one of the officers has been disciplined. The young officer has been given a written warning, a sanction which is at the lower end of possible sanctions, but nevertheless has implications for his career. The disciplinary decision is now being appealed internally the final chance for the officer to have it dropped. Allister thanks former MEP Habib for building relationship between parties Reform UK leader Richard Tice is to address the TUV annual conference next weekend. Up to 200 TUV members are expected at the gathering in Kells, where Jim Allister will outline his position on running candidates in this years Westminster election. The TUV strongly opposes Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons deal to restore Stormont, and if it stands in certain constituencies, it could put some DUP MPs seats at risk. Former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib, who has addressed anti-protocol rallies, will also attend the conference. Mr Allister said: TUV is looking forward to welcoming Richard Tice on Saturday March 16. TUV has never been an Ulster nationalist party. We have always valued our place in the UK as something which can be sustained by strengthening our links with likeminded unionists Mr Allister said the TUV had much in common with Reform UK, and Mr Habib who is now its deputy leader had been instrumental in building a relationship between the two parties. The inspirational stand of Ben Habib on the side of unionism and against the protocol has led to a relationship with Reform UK, which, like TUV, is not afraid to take on the establishment and put principle before power, he said. TUV deputy leader and Belfast councillor Ron McDowell will also address the conference, as will party president and former UUP MP Willie Ross. Mr Tice has pledged that Reform UK will stand in every constituency in the general election. He said he would be delighted if he could help punish the utter failure of the Conservative Party. He has labelled a potential Labour win Starmergeddon. The Reform UK leader describes himself as a no-nonsense, can-do type of person. He co-founded the group Leave.EU with fellow businessman Arron Banks, who labelled the members of the organisation the bad boys of Brexit. Mr Tice was a member of the Conservatives for most of his adult life until he joined the Brexit Party as chairman in 2019. It became Reform UK the following year to reflect its new goal of campaigning for changes to the electoral system. Mr Farage, who is its honorary president, is expected to run for a Westminster seat. The party secured 13% of the vote and came third in the Wellingborough by-election last month. The previously safe Tory seat was won by Labour. Reform UK managed only sixth place in last weeks Rochdale by-election, which was won by George Galloway. Counter proposal was made to illuminate City Hall in white to mark Apprentice Boys as well Belfast City Hall is often lit in various colours for special occasions A motion by a TUV councillor to stop Belfast City Hall being illuminated in green, white and orange for the Irish Presidents birthday has failed. An attempt to overturn a committee decision to illuminate City Hall in the colours of the Irish tricolour on April 18 was defeated at the monthly meeting of Belfast City Council. Councillor Ron McDowell forwarded an amendment to share the celebration of the Presidents birthday with a commemoration of the closing of the gates of Derry in 1689, as well as the creation of the Apprentice Boys, and to illuminate City Hall in white. The proposal fell with 16 votes in favour from the DUP, UUP and TUV, and 39 votes against from Sinn Fein, Alliance, the SDLP, People Before Profit and the Green Party. There was one abstention. As it stands City Hall will be lit up for Mr Higgins birthday. The City Council has not confirmed exactly what colours the building will be lit on that date until the outcome of correspondence between city solicitor Nora Largey and the Irish Presidents office in Dublin are clear. Mr Higgins was admitted to St Jamess Hospital in Dublin last Thursday after what has been described as a transient illness. Tests have been described as positive and he will remain in hospital for a further few days for blood pressure monitoring. Councillors at last Fridays meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee unanimously accepted the request. The committee report states: This request has been received by a member of the public who noted City Hall is illuminated for HM King Charles birthday. In recent years members have approved previous illuminations received from members of the public that do not meet the criteria approved by members (four in 2021, one in 2022 and one in 2023). The report states the colours were not stated in request but added council officers were presuming green, white and orange. But on Monday Mr McDowell told the chamber: I am surprised that it has got this far. I agree with concerns (expressed) about a member of the public bringing this forward. When you agree to light up City Hall in colours of green, white and orange, and it comes from a member of the public, it can open the floodgates. We could get all sections of the public writing to City Hall, for King Billys birthday, Carsons birthday, James Craigs birthday, and we will be stuck at (committee) for days and days, never mind hours. He added: I think there is an opportunity here for something that can be for everybody. When we come to April 18 there are two other notable (events). April 18 was the date the closing of the gates of Derry took place, and also marks the 335th anniversary of the Apprentice Boys. There is the likelihood we could have parading from the loyal orders on April 18, when City Hall is lit up green, white and orange. He added: Rather than going for a partisan, pro-union approach to dilute a green, white and orange City Hall, my proposal is that on April 18, to both mark the anniversary of the closing of the gates in Derry 335 years ago and the birth of President Higgins, that the City Hall is lit up white. Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie said: The minute clearly outlines this is not a first. "In terms of a member of the public writing in, this has happened before. The building has been lit up for King Charles on his birthday, which is important (to a part of the community). The reality is President Higgins is important to a lot of people in this city too, and he is entitled to be treated the same way, and people are entitled to make their own opinion on that. This isnt a precedent, so why is it an issue when it is for the President of Ireland? Is it because he is Irish? Do we not play the same card for everyone? Mr McDowell said: I didnt take the proposal to light up City Hall for President Higgins off the table, it is still there. Mr Beattie replied: But you are changing the colours. And you are including Derry. What does this building have to do with Derry? He added: If there are any future requests that come in, we would consider them. What is important to you and your culture, we will always consider them. Alliance councillor Eric Hanvey said: In the report we had it presumed we would light up in green, white and orange, but it didnt state it. Basically what I asked was that we would speak to the Presidents office and ask what the norm would be in this situation. "Have we got a response for this? Do we know whether the President wants us to light it up (in these colours)? The councils chief executive John Walsh said the city solicitor was pursuing contact with the Presidents Office but added she was not present to give an update. SDLP councillor Seamas de Faoite said: It is totally unedifying we are having a debate, which has been totally politicised out of proportion, whilst the individual we are talking about, the President, is in hospital and is unwell. Councillor McDowell is quite happy to politicise this situation at the moment. Both councillor Hanvey and Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn referred to the Irish national flag colours as green, white and gold, and the former was quickly corrected from the nationalist benches. Lawyer for families of IRA men killed in operation urge ex-SAS member to purge his contempt by agreeing to appear at hearing The car in which three IRA men died after being ambushed by the SAS in Coagh, Co Tyrone, in 1991 An ex-soldier sentenced to six months in prison for refusal to give evidence at an inquest into the deaths of three IRA men in 1991 still has time to attend, the families lawyer has said. The former SAS member was involved in the alleged shoot-to-kill operation that led to the deaths of Peter Ryan (35), Tony Doris (21) and Lawrence McNally (39) in Coagh, Co Tyrone. The three men were on their way to murder an off-duty UDR member. A Special Branch officer later claimed McNally and Ryan could be linked to 43 killings. Doris was a cousin of Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill. More than 150 bullets were fired at them, causing their stolen car to burst into flames. Relatives of the men allege that soldiers unlawfully opened fire and intended to kill, claiming the men could have been arrested. An inquest is examining whether the use of lethal force was justified. The ex-serviceman Soldier F had been asked to give his account to the inquest, but refused. That led to a judge in an Edinburgh court imposing the jail term for contempt of court. Madam Justice McBride had previously refused a request from his lawyers to exempt him from giving evidence due to his poor mental health, ruling his evidence was crucial. Tony Doris (21) He did not attend court, leading Coroner Mr Justice Humphries to approach the supreme civil court of Scotland, with Judge Lady Carmichael finding him in contempt last month. A number of hearings have been held since the finding of contempt, but reporting restrictions were in place. Those restrictions were removed following a hearing in Edinburgh on Friday. The man is not the same Soldier F facing two charges of murder over Bloody Sunday. However, nothing that can identify him can be published. Padraig O Muirigh, lawyer for the families of Ryan and Doris, said: Soldier F, who fired shots in the incident which led to the deaths of Peter Ryan, Lawrence McNally and Tony Doris, was a compellable witness in the inquest into their deaths. Soldier F also had an important role in the planning of the military operation. The families were anxious to hear from him and disappointed with his refusal to attend. The families consider that the conviction and the sentence which has been imposed by the Scottish court offer an opportunity for Soldier F to purge his contempt and to attend the inquest to give his evidence. There is still time for him to attend and give his account of his actions in the lead-up to the shooting and during the shooting itself. To that end we have written to the coroner and invited the coroner to engage with Soldier F, giving him an opportunity to purge his contempt with a view to his giving evidence. The families do welcome the seriousness with which the Scottish court has treated the refusal of Soldier F to attend to give evidence and hope that it encourages not just Soldier F, but other soldiers to co-operate with inquests in the future. Ex-Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, a former soldier, described the jail sentence as appalling. This is a very political move, which we have seen already many times with British soldiers, he told the Daily Mail. The evidence he gives in sworn testimony must surely be enough. What is actually being planned is some kind of personal humiliation. I am concerned that what is going on now isnt about evidence but its about persecution. Soldier Fs legal team are appealing the sentence handed out by Lady Carmichael, with the matter to be heard later this month. The scene of a suspected arson attack at a vacant house in Co Kildare, which was wrongly rumoured to be planned accommodation for asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) It is fortunate there has been no loss of life caused by a spate of arson attacks on buildings earmarked or rumoured to be used for housing asylum seekers, a senior Garda officer has said. During an appearance before the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Deputy Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon said that a number of properties had been targeted due to unfounded rumours that they were International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centres. The committee is investigating a number of recent arson attacks. There have been more than 20 fires at properties associated, sometimes incorrectly, with accommodating asylum seekers in 2023 and 2024. Ms Coxon told the members that gardai take every arson or attempted arson seriously. Garda Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon (Brian Lawless/PA) She said: This being the case with the arson attacks on International Protection Accommodation Services centres or property rumoured to become Ipas centres or property housing refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. In each incident a senior investigation officer is appointed, an investigation team of detectives is formed and an incident room created, technical examinations are undertaken and evidence gathered. As would be standard practice when similar crimes occur in different parts of the country, there is national, regional and local co-ordination between investigative teams. At a national level the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to national security is examining all of these incidents along with national intelligence to determine if there is any commonality in terms of modus operandi and/or individuals. At the moment there is nothing to suggest there is an over-arching conspiracy involved in these attacks, though we will continue to keep an open mind on this based on the evidence. Ms Coxon said arson attacks are difficult to investigate as evidence can often literally, be burnt to cinders. She said a total of 11 people have been arrested since May last year in connection with arson attacks or criminal damage of Ipas centres, or suspected Ipas locations. She added: Criminal investigations are also ongoing into a large number of different potential criminal incidents, including activities at public gatherings, potential harassment at public facilities, including libraries and online incitement. We have also seen a significant amount of mis- and disinformation circulating in relation to properties that are rumoured to become Ipas centres. In most cases those rumours turn out not to be true. Several properties have been targeted that werent planned to be Ipas centres at all. We informed local protesters and communities of this but it did not persuade some people from continuing their protest. This meant that garda resources that could have been deployed in preventing and tackling local crime were diverted to patrolling around these locations. Even more concerning are the incidents of mis- and disinformation that have directly caused safety concerns for local people. For instance, a leaflet circulated in a local area by a so-called community group that had a photo of a house it claimed was going to become an Ipas centre. This property was actually a private residence with a family living in it. We liaised with the family and provided them with security advice. Serious public disorder flared in Dublin city centre in November following a stabbing attack near a school (Brian Lawless/PA) The senior officer also provided the committee with an update into the policing operation which followed serious public disorder in Dublin city centre on November 23. The violence flared following a stabbing attack near a school. She said: To date we have arrested 37 individuals for offences such as arson, violent disorder and thefts. We are currently reviewing over 20,000 hours of footage from 140 different CCTV feeds and we expect to make further arrests. Our investigation into those who allegedly incited such shocking and disgraceful criminal action via social media also continues. Ms Coxon said: This country has been fortunate so far that it has not suffered a death or deaths as a result of these arson attacks. We remain determined to bring the perpetrators of these highly dangerous criminal acts to justice. China is reportedly taking a tougher stance on Taiwan independence as Beijing is increasing its defense spending by 7.2% this year. Under President Xi Jinping's more than a decade in office, the Asian nation's military budget has more than doubled. The development also reflects the rate that Beijing officials presented during last year's budget and also comes in above the government's economic growth forecast this year. China's Tougher Stance on Taiwan Independence China's adoption of tougher language on Taiwan was seen in the release of the budget figures where officials seemed to have dropped the mention of the term "peaceful reunification" in a government work report. It was delivered by Premier Li Qiang during the opening of the National People's Congress (NPC), which is the country's rubber-stamp parliament, on Tuesday. In the past few years, tensions have risen sharply in regard to Taiwan, which is the democratically ruled island that China claims is part of its territory. A defense scholar at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, Li Mingjiang, said that despite a struggling Chinese economy, Taiwan is a major consideration for Beijing's defense spending, as per Reuters. He added that China is showing that in the coming decade, it is looking to grow its military to the point that it can be prepared to win a war if it is forced into such a position. Since Xi became the president of China, the country's defense budget has risen to $230.60 billion this year from $100 billion in 2013. The rate of increase in China's military spending has been seen to consistently surpass the country's annual domestic economic growth target during Persident Xi's time in office. This year, the growth target for 2024 is roughly 5%, which is similar to the goal for last year. China's neighbors as well as the United States have closely watched the Asian nation's defense budget as the latter is particularly wary of Beijing's strategic intentions and the development of its armed forces. Read Also: Philippines, US Conduct Joint Air Patrol Over South China Sea Amid Maritime Tensions Growing International Relations Last month, China's Communist Party (CCP) also sharpened its rhetoric towards the self-governed island nation and raised the pressure as Taiwan's president-elect, Lai Ching-te, is preparing to take office in May. Wang Huning, who is the country's most senior official in charge of Taiwan policy, said that Beijing "must resolutely fight" against Taiwan independence separatism, according to the Financial Times. He also said that China should further grasp the strategic initiative to achieve the complete unification of the motherland. Political analysts have argued that Wang's language was tougher than last year's pronouncements. They noted that the statement confirmed expectations that Beijing would ramp up efforts to take control of Taiwan. On the other hand, the U.S. is said to be adopting asymmetric strategies to counter China's military expansion, particularly around Taiwan. The American nation is now emphasizing missiles and drones to offset Beijing's numerical superiority. Despite rapid technological advancements, the sustainability of U.S. regional influence hinges on reviving its defense industrial base. This comes as large stockpiles of advanced weaponry are essential for maintaining a strategy parity. These various developments underscore a strategic pivot, which focuses on innovative solutions to counterbalance China's continuously expanding military capabilities, said the National Interest. Related Article: Chinese Politicians Hold 'Two Sessions' Meeting To Address Beijing's Lagging Economy Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl of Shamrock last year (Niall Carson/PA) It would be a mistake for Ireland to boycott a shamrock presentation to the American president over US military aid in Israel, the Irish premier has said. Leo Varadkar will travel to Washington DC next week where he will present Joe Biden with shamrock as part of annual engagements on St Patricks Day. Some opposition politicians have called on the Irish leader to forego the tradition due to the conflict in Gaza. Speaking in the Irish parliament on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said he does not believe in boycotts in terms of international affairs. He said it would diminish Irelands influence in the world to refuse to engage with other countries. Mr Varadkar said: It is an opportunity to speak to leaders in the US on the Hill and also President Biden and Vice President Harris. Were one of only 200 countries in the world. There are not many countries in the world that are guaranteed a meeting once a year. It would be a big mistake for us to boycott that and to lose that important engagement that occurs every year since the 1980s. But I will use my opportunity both in private in the Oval Office and in public in the White House to make clear how the Irish people feel about the situation in Gaza and how we believe the US needs and ought to adopt an approach that will help to bring about a peace settlement in the region. Mr Varadkar said the Irish Government had called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at Government Buildings, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) We believe that a humanitarian ceasefire for a number of weeks can then lead to a permanent ceasefire. He said there had been a welcome shift in the US position demonstrated by recent comments from vice president Kamala Harris. Ms Harris said that, given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks. Mr Varadkar added: I hope we will see this further elaborated on in the days and weeks ahead. He was responding to a question from an opposition politician who said the World Health Organisation had discovered 15 children in Gazan hospitals who have starved to death. Solidarity TD Mick Barry (Brian Lawless/PA) Solidarity representative Mick Barry said that half a million people are one step away from starvation. He told the Dail: Hundreds of those people gathered in Gaza City last Thursday morning before the dawn. As they moved towards the aid trucks carrying flour, they were gunned down by Israeli soldiers 115 people died, more than 700 people were injured. It was a massacre. Mr Barry said the US was supplying weapons and bullets to Israel and is also aiming to ramp up military aid. He added: While it is true that the Biden administration is now pushing for a six-week pause in the fighting, there is no question but that Biden has armed and financed a campaign that the International Court of Justice itself believes worthy of investigation as possible genocide. Mr Barry said Mr Varadkar would soon be joining Mr Biden in celebration of St Patricks Day in Washington. He added: You plan to give him a bowl of shamrock on behalf of the Irish people. You plan to pose, no doubt, for photographs with a man who has armed and financed mass murder. Thats the truth. I believe that that is wrong. Mr Barry said: You have the opportunity to exert some real pressure here. Tell Biden there will be no shamrock when there is not a total ceasefire and an end to the bloody occupation. Mr Varadkar replied: You seem to be a little bit obsessed about the bowl of shamrock and that takes about 20 seconds. The real opportunity is the sit-down meeting in the Oval Office with President Biden and his team and also the opportunity to speak in the White House publicly in front of guests of the president and some from the Irish embassy as well. And thats the opportunity that I will take to reaffirm the importance of our relationship with the US economic, political, cultural. But also to say that there are issues on which we disagree. Mr Varadkar also said he shared the horror at the killings of civilians queuing up for aid, adding it was important that a full independent investigation be carried out. In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Mr Biden would host the Taoiseach for a bilateral meeting on March 15, followed by a St Patricks Day celebration on March 17. She said: The leaders will reaffirm the close and enduring partnership between the United States and Ireland and the extraordinary bonds between our people. They will discuss our countries shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russias brutal aggression, as well as our co-ordination on a range of other global issues, including the Middle East. They will reaffirm their steadfast support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement as we welcome the recent restoration of Northern Irelands Executive and Assembly. An ammunition supplier testified at trial on Monday that he only provided inert dummy rounds to the western film Rust, where actor Alex Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. However, he was also handling live rounds from another production. Albuquerque-based movie firearms and ammunition supplier Seth Kenney took the stand at the trial of Rust movie armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the death of the cinematographer. Mr Kenney told a jury he cleaned and repackaged ammunition to Rust that was previously supplied to a production in Texas, handing off a box of 50 inert dummy rounds containing no gunpower to the Rust props supervisor on October 12, 2021. Santa Fe County Sheriffs office footage showing actor Alec Baldwin practicing drawing his revolver on the set of the Rust movie (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) Mr Kenney also said he scrubbed the exterior of the rounds and cleaned out residue inside each of them to ensure the tell-tale rattle of a metal pellet inside dummy rounds could be heard for safety purposes. The outcome of the trial may hinge on testimony about the source of six live rounds discovered on the Rust set including the one from Mr Baldwins gun. The industry and union guidelines expressly prohibited live ammunition on movie sets. Prosecutors say Gutierrez-Reed is to blame for unwittingly bringing live ammunition on set and that she flouted basic safety protocols for weapons handling. She has pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyers say their client is being smeared and unfairly scapegoated for problems beyond her control, including Mr Baldwins handling of the weapons. On Monday, they highlighted images of Mr Kenneys cluttered business, a storage system without written inventories, and his hazy recollection of his timeline for receiving live rounds for another production. Mr Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on Rust, was separately indicted by a grand jury last month on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the fatal shooting of Ms Hutchins. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for July. Mr Baldwin was pointing the gun at Ms Hutchins during a rehearsal on the set outside of Santa Fe when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. In Mondays testimony, Mr Kenney said he provided Rust props master Sarah Zachry, who also managed weapons and ammunition for the production, with dummy ammunition retrieved from a props storage truck on the Texas set of the television series 1883. Did you ever give any live ammunition to Sarah Zachry? prosecutor Kari Morrissey asked Mr Kenney. He responded: No. Responding to additional questions, Mr Kenney said on Monday that he did not have any ammunition that looked like the live rounds investigators found on the set of Rust. Santa Fe County Sheriffs office footage showing actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie Rust following the shooting of Halyna Hutchins (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA) At the same time, Mr Kenney acknowledged he stored live rounds that were used in a live-ammunition shooting exercise for actors on 1883, arranged at a private ranch of series creator Taylor Sheridan. Mr Kenney said the live rounds from that shooting exercise were brought back to his shop and stored in a bathroom in a grey plastic container marked live rounds outside. The live rounds were initially provided to 1883 by Gutierrez-Reeds step-father, the Hollywood sharpshooter and weapons consultant Thell Reed. Investigators from the Santa Fe sheriffs office searched Mr Kenneys Albuquerque supply shop several weeks after the fatal shooting, seizing live rounds that were sent to the FBI for analysis and comparison with live rounds discovered on the set of Rust. Defence lawyer Jason Bowles has argued that Mr Kenney was not adequately investigated for his role as a Rust supplier. Mr Bowles on Monday highlighted the fact that the search of Mr Kenneys business took place about a month after the fatal shooting. Mr Kenneys testimony also delved into his disagreements with Gutierrez-Reed about her job performance on the set of Rust in connection with a gun misfire before the fatal shooting. Ghanas president said his government will wait for a Supreme Court ruling before taking action on a bill that would further criminalise members of the LGBTQ+ community in the West African nation. President Nana Akufo-Addo said he sought to reassure the diplomatic community that Ghana would not be turning its back on its long-standing human rights record. Gay sex is illegal in Ghana, carrying a three-year prison sentence, but the new bill could imprison people for more than a decade for activities including public displays of affection and promotion and funding of LGBTQ+ activities. The president said a citizen mounted a constitutional challenge to the bill in court. The bill has sparked condemnation from rights groups and some in the international community, who have been concerned about similar efforts by other African governments. The anti-LGBT rights bill is inconsistent with Ghanas longstanding tradition of peace, tolerance, and hospitality and flies in the face of the countrys international human rights obligations, said Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoue. Sponsors of the bill have said it seeks to protect children and people who are victims of abuse. On Monday, Ghanas Ministry of Finance warned that the bill puts 3.8 billion dollars in World Bank funding at risk and likely would derail the 3 billion dollar International Monetary Fund bailout programme agreed to in 2023 and negatively affect the local currencys exchange rate. Ghanas economy is recovering from its worst recession in decades. In 2023, the World Bank said it would not consider new funding for Uganda after it enacted anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are poised to move much closer to winning their partys nominations during the biggest day of the primary campaign, setting up a historic rematch that many voters would rather not endure. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory from Alaska and California to Vermont and Virginia. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on any single day. While much of the focus is on the presidential race, there are also other important contests taking place. California voters will choose candidates who will compete to fill the Senate seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. The governors race will take shape in North Carolina, a state that both parties are fiercely contesting ahead of November. And in Los Angeles, a progressive prosecutor is attempting to fend off an intense re-election challenge in a race that could serve as a barometer of the politics of crime. Neither Mr Trump nor Mr Biden will be able to formally clinch their partys nominations on Super Tuesday (AP) But the premier races centre on Mr Biden and Mr Trump. And in a dramatic departure from past Super Tuesdays, both the Democratic and Republican contests are effectively sealed this year. The two men have easily repelled challengers in the opening rounds of the campaign and are in full command of their bids despite polls making it clear that voters do not want this years general election to be identical to the 2020 race. We have to beat Biden he is the worst president in history, Mr Trump said on Tuesday on the Fox & Friends cable morning show. Mr Biden countered with a pair of radio interviews aimed at shoring up his support among black voters, who helped anchor his 2020 coalition. If we lose this election, youre going to be back with Donald Trump, Mr Biden said on DeDe In The Morning hosted by DeDe McGuire. The way he talks about, the way he acted, the way he has dealt with the African-American community, I think, has been shameful. Voters cast their ballot on Super Tuesday (Richard Vogel/AP) A new AP-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research poll finds a majority of Americans do not think either Mr Biden or Mr Trump has the necessary mental acuity for the job. Both of them failed, in my opinion, to unify this country, said Brian Hadley, 66, of Raleigh, North Carolina. Neither Mr Trump nor Mr Biden will be able to formally clinch their partys nominations on Super Tuesday. The earliest either can become his partys presumptive nominee is March 12 for Mr Trump and March 19 for Mr Biden. The final days before Tuesday demonstrated the unique nature of this years campaign. Rather than barnstorming the states holding primaries, Mr Biden and Mr Trump held rival events last week along the US-Mexico border, each seeking to gain an advantage in the increasingly fraught immigration debate. After the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 on Monday to restore Mr Trump to primary ballots following attempts to ban him for his role in helping spark the Capitol riot, Mr Trump pointed to the 91 criminal counts against him to accuse Mr Biden of weaponising the courts. Mr Biden delivers the State of the Union address on Thursday, then will campaign in the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. (AP) Fight your fight yourself, Mr Trump said. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent. Mr Biden delivers the State of the Union address on Thursday, then will campaign in the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. The president will defend policies responsible for record job creation, the strongest economy in the world, increased wages and household wealth, and lower prescription drug and energy costs, White House communications director Ben LaBolt said in a statement. That is in contrast, Mr LaBolt continued, to Mr Trumps Make America Great Again movement, which consists of rewarding billionaires and corporations with tax breaks, taking away rights and freedoms, and undermining our democracy. Mr Bidens campaign called extra attention to Mr Trumps most provocative utterances on the campaign trail, like when he evoked Adolf Hitler in suggesting that immigrants were poisoning the blood of the US and said he would seek to serve as a dictator during his first day back in the White House. Mr Trump recently told a gala for black conservatives that he believed African Americans empathised with his four criminal indictments, drawing a sharp rebuke from the Biden campaign and top Democrats around the country for comparing personal legal struggles to the historical injustices black people have faced in the US. Mr Trump has nonetheless already vanquished more than a dozen major Republican challengers and now has only one left: Nikki Haley, the former presidents onetime UN ambassador who was also twice elected governor of her home state of South Carolina. Ms Haley has travelled across the country, visiting at least one Super Tuesday state almost daily for more than a week and arguing that her base of support while far smaller than Mr Trumps suggests the former president will lose to Mr Biden. We can do better than two 80-year-old candidates for president, Ms Haley said at a rally on Monday in the Houston suburbs. Ms Haley has maintained strong fundraising and notched her first primary victory over the weekend in Washington, DC, a Democrat-run city with few registered Republicans. Mr Trump tried to turn that victory into a loss for her overall campaign, scoffing that Ms Haley had been crowned queen of the swamp. Though Mr Trump has dominated the early Republican primary calendar, his victories have shown vulnerabilities with some influential voter blocs, especially in college towns such as Hanover, New Hampshire, home to Dartmouth College, or Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan is located, as well as in some areas with high concentrations of independents. Nikki Haley notched her first primary victory over the weekend in Washington, DC (Tony Gutierrez/AP) The slate on Tuesday also includes Minnesota, a state Mr Trump did not carry in his otherwise dominant Super Tuesday performance in 2016. Seth De Penning, a self-described conservative-leaning independent, voted Tuesday morning in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for Ms Haley, he said, because the Republican party needs a course correction. Mr De Penning, 40, called his choice a vote of conscience and said he has never voted for Mr Trump because of concerns about his temperament and character. Still, Ms Haley winning any of Super Tuesdays contests would take an upset, and a Trump sweep would only intensify pressure on her to leave the race. Mr Biden has his own problems, including low approval ratings and polls suggesting that many Americans, even a majority of Democrats, do not want to see the 81-year-old running again. The presidents easy Michigan primary win last week was spoiled slightly by an uncommitted campaign organised by activists who disapprove of the presidents handling of Israels war in Gaza. While Mr Biden is the oldest president in US history, his re-election campaign argues that sceptics will come around once it is clear it will be him or Mr Trump in November. Mr Trump is 77 and also faces questions about age that have been exacerbated by mistakes such as over the weekend when he mistakenly suggested he was running against Barack Obama. That has not shaken Mr Trumps ardent supporters faith in him. Trump would eat him up, Ken Ballos, a retired police officer who attended a weekend Trump rally in Virginia, said of a November rematch, adding that Mr Biden would look like a fool up there. Puzzle pieces bearing the names of passengers and crew of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 are displayed during a ceremony in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, marking the 10th anniversary of the planes disappearance, March 3, 2024. Ten years have passed since Jacquita Gonzales hugged her husband, Malaysia Airlines flight supervisor Patrick Gomes, before he left their Petaling Jaya home on March 8, 2014. Gomes was among the 239 passengers and crew who were on board MH370, a Beijing-bound flight operated by the Malaysian flag carrier that disappeared from radar not long after taking off from Kuala Lumpur that night. Still fresh in my memory, but time flies. My grandkid who was only 3 years old at the time has grown up to become a 13-year-old teenager. I still pine for closure, but I have to face the reality that he is no longer with us, she told BenarNews. A decade on, the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines flight remains unsolved. In the hours, days and weeks after the Boeing 777 vanished, a massive multinational sea-and-air search ensued in Indian Ocean waters off western Australia, where the plane is believed to have crashed after veering off course and running out of fuel. Jacquita said the disappearance of MH370 led to widespread speculation, searches and investigations but no conclusive answers other than a few pieces of wreckage found washed ashore on islands in the Indian Ocean and along the African coast. Jacquita Gonzales shows a photo of her husband, MH370 flight supervisor Patrick Gomes, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Feb. 26, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews] During a ceremony on Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the flights disappearance, hundreds of next of kin, relatives and supporters gathered at a shopping center in Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur. They said their hope was renewed after Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook assured them that searches for the aircraft might resume. Loke said he would meet the U.S.-based seabed exploration company Ocean Infinity Ltd., which had conducted a four-month fruitless search in 2018, as soon as possible before bringing the proposal to the cabinet for approval of the cost, incurred only if the vanished airliner is located. If they can find the place, the cost is something the government has to bear. I dont see any hindrance, Loke said. Disappearance MH370s pilot made his final contact with air traffic control at 1:19 a.m. while flying over the South China Sea. His final words were Good night, Malaysian Three Seven Zero. No distress signals were received. After it veered off course, the plane appears to have passed over the northern tip of Sumatra and traveled in a southerly direction until it ran out of fuel. A three-year joint probe by Malaysia, Australia and China was suspended in January 2017. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (center) speaks to journalists during a ceremony in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, marking the 10th anniversary of its disappearance, March 3, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews] The Malaysian governments Flight 370 Safety Investigation team released a 495-page report which found that MH370 flew for almost 20 minutes unmonitored by air traffic centers as it crossed between Malaysian and Vietnamese airspace. In addition, Kuala Lumpur air traffic control failed to initiate the required emergency phases and contact the Royal Malaysian Air Force in a timely manner after realizing that something was amiss. The report acknowledged there were 27 significant debris recovered including debris confirmed to be from the aircraft along with 15 others labeled as almost certain and highly likely. The debris were found as far as north as the eastern coast of Tanzania and far south as the eastern coast of South Africa. Earlier reports claimed the flights transponder had been turned off 40 minutes into what was to be a six-hour flight. Instead it flew for nearly eight hours and its last transmission showed it flying south over the Indian Ocean. On Monday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that a search would be renewed if there was a compelling case and evidence on the missing aircraft. It is an issue affecting the lives of people and whatever needs to be done must be done, he said during a joint news conference in Melbourne with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The flight carried 153 Chinese nationals along with 38 from Malaysia, seven from Indonesia, six from Australia, five from India, and four from France along with other nationalities. Candles honor passengers and crew of MH370 during a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of its disappearance, in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, March 3, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews] In a statement Sunday night after the anniversary ceremony, Oliver Plunkett, CEO of Ocean Infinity, said his company felt it was now in a position to return to the search for MH370. He said it submitted a proposal to the Malaysian government to resume operations. We hope to get back to the search soon, Plunkett said. In January 2018, the government agreed to pay Ocean Infinity up to U.S. $70 million (280 million ringgit) to find wreckage of MH370. Impact seen years later Calvin Shim, 48, whose wife Christine Tan was a crew member on MH370, said his familys grief remains. Nothing prepares you for the effect of experiencing a high-profile tragedy like this. The impact can only be seen years later, he told BenarNews. He said he had tried to hide his grief for the sake of his children, who were 6 and 8 years old at the time. [But] I was told by our specialist, she is experiencing the sudden loss of emotional support from her mother, said Shim of his daughter, adding that both children continue to be treated for emotional distress. Jacquita Gonzales speaks during the ceremony in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, marking the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of MH370, March 3, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews] Jacquita, 61, who battled breast cancer twice first in 2006 and then again in 2016 has decided it is time for closure. Her cancer is in remission. Next month, she will be holding a memorial for Patrick at St Xaviers Church in Petaling Jaya. They were married at the church in 1985, so this will bring their journey full circle. Since there are no ashes, no final resting place the wedding ring is symbolic. At least the family would have a place to light a candle during his birthday or anniversaries, she said, adding that she had given most of Patricks clothes away. I have kept his luggage bag, his name tag and work shoes, she said, adding he was not wearing his wedding band so she has that as well. Bai Shuan Fu, a Chinese man whose wife, Han Ai Chin was on the plane, urged the Malaysian government to continue its efforts. We dont want more speculation. We want evidence and truth, he told BenarNews. A second air disaster Four months after MH370 vanished, Malaysia became the center of the aviation world again. On July 17, 2014, a missile fired from territory in eastern Ukraine then controlled by Russian-backed rebels downed a second Malaysia Airlines plane, flight MH17, as it flew to Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Amsterdam, killing all 298 people on board. Fuad Sharuji, a former crisis director at Malaysia Airlines, had to face both of those back-to-back air disasters when he was still performing that job in 2014. One was wrapped in mystery, conspiracy theories, lots of unknowns and no real answers, he told BenarNews. MH17, on the other hand, wreckage, bodies ... it was gruesome, yes, but we could do the recovery work, identify the victims, facilitate all those post-mortem procedures and help with the burials and cremations. We could be hands-on, he said. People inspect the crash site of MH17 after it was shot down over Ukraine, July 17, 2014. [Dmitry Lovetsky/AP] Fuad, 68, keeps in touch with aviation industry officials and with families who lost loved ones on MH370 and MH17. Fuad supports the governments commitment to keep searching for MH370. Getting the cabinet approvals is a positive step. The planes been gone for a decade, but this renewed effort gives us hope, he said. Doesnt mean its going to be easy, but at least theres a chance. China Coast Guard ships (left and right) deploy water cannons at the Philippine military-chartered civilian boat Unaizah May 4 (center) during its supply mission near Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea in this frame grab from aerial video footage taken on March 5, 2024. Four Filipino crew members were injured Tuesday when China Coast Guard ships used water cannons to block Philippine vessels taking supplies to Manilas military outpost at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the South China Sea, Filipino officials said. Chinese and Philippine ships have engaged in a cat-and-mouse chase in waters around the shoal for more than a year, with Manila accusing Beijing of aggressively trying to stop its vessels from delivering supplies to Filipino troops stationed at Ayungin. Tuesdays incident marked the first time that Manila said that people had been injured in these maneuvers. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, while the Philippines maintains that the shoal is located inside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the waterway. On Tuesday, China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and China Maritime Militia vessels were again attempting to block a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War II-era navy ship that the Philippines grounded on the shoal to serve as its outpost in the disputed waters, Philippine officials said. A CCG vessel early Tuesday morning executed dangerous blocking maneuvers against the PCG vessel MRRV 4407, resulting in a minor collision and slight damage, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement. About two hours later, two CCG vessels fired water cannons at the Filipino supply boat, Uniza May 4, causing minor injuries to at least four personnel on board, the task force added. The West Philippine Sea is Manilas name for South China Sea waters that lie within its EEZ. The supply boat was forced to turn back, but its sister vessel, Uniza May 1, was able to reach the BRP Sierra Madre and complete the resupply mission, the task force said. The systematic and consistent manner in which the Peoples Republic of China carries out illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening tensions, it said. Later in the day, the Philippines government summoned the Chinese deputy chief of mission in Manila to convey a diplomatic protest over the incident, said Philippine foreign affairs spokeswoman Ma. Teresita Daza. During the meeting, the Philippines stressed, among other [things], that Chinas interference with the Philippines routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable, she said. The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal immediately. In Beijing, Chinas foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Philippine vessels had intruded into the waters of the shoal without permission from the Chinese government. [The] China Coast Guard took necessary measures toward Philippine vessels in accordance with [the] law. The actions taken at the scene were professional, restrained, justified and lawful, Mao said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged serious representations to the Philippine side to express strong protest. The latest tense incident at sea occurred less than 24 hours after Enrique Manalo, the Philippines top diplomat, called for countries to respect the international rule of law in the South China Sea and other maritime regions. The shared stewardship of the seas and oceans in the region behooves us to unite in preserving the primacy of international law so we can ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes for all, Manalo said Monday during a speech in Melbourne on the sidelines of a summit marking the 50th anniversary of relations between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It also calls for us to stand firmly together in opposing actions that contradict or are inconsistent with international law. Peacetime blockade Maritime security expert Ray Powell said China had demonstrated that it would enforce its blockade with violence. This incident in which four Filipinos were injured aboard a civilian vessel on a legitimate resupply mission to a Philippine outpost within that countrys own exclusive economic zone should awaken the outrage of the international community that proclaims its concern over the rules-based order, Powell, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, told BenarNews. There is no other place on the planet in which one country is carrying out a peacetime blockade of another countrys outpost in broad daylight. This should invite more than mere finger-wagging from the international community. Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Australian lawmakers that his administration would resist any effort by a foreign power to infringe upon the Philippines sovereignty. I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory, Marcos told Australian legislators, without naming China. China lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, but its claims overlap with those of Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark case in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that threw out Chinas expansive claims. Beijing, however, has ignored the ruling and carried on with its military expansionism in the strategic waterway, including building artificial islands. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Carlson spoke out strongly against the latest incident in the South China Sea. We strongly condemn [Chinas] dangerous maneuvers at Second Thomas Shoal, which endangered lives, resulted in injuries and damaged Philippine Coast Guard vessels, Carlson said. The U.S. stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Jason Gutierrez and Jeoffrey Maitem in Manila contributed to this report. Supporters of Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, hold a prayer rally at a park in Manila, March 4, 2024, as the Philippines said it would file sexual abuse charges against the pastor, who is wanted in the United States on suspicion of child-sex trafficking. The Philippine Senate on Tuesday ordered the immediate arrest of ex-President Rodrigo Dutertes spiritual adviser to face questions over allegations of widespread sexual abuse, after the pastor again failed to show up for testimony before lawmakers. Apollo Quiboloy, a Filipino televangelist preacher and founder of a mega-church who is already wanted in the United States on suspicion of sexual trafficking and fraud but who has enjoyed a certain amount of political protection in his home country, was held in contempt by a Senate committee investigating alleged criminal acts by his sect. Quiboloy had been summoned to appear on Tuesday before the committee, which is chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, one of foremost President Dutertes staunchest critics. But the pastor, who refers to himself as the appointed son of God, failed to appear. It was the second time in six weeks that Quiboloy did not show up in response to a committee summons. It is within the Senates power to make anyone who refuses to obey the power of the Senate to be held accountable. This includes the refusal to a senate investigation despite a valid subpoena, Hontiveros told reporters. It is very simple. The power of the Senate to conduct investigations in aid of legislation has long been settled by the Supreme Court, she said. Hontiveros said that Quiboloys legal counsel had sent a letter saying his client had other pressing matters to attend to and that the Senate would be violating the pastors constitutional rights by compelling him to testify. [I] cite in contempt Apollo Carreon Quiboloy for his refusal to be sworn or to testify before this investigation, Sen. Hontiveros said, referring to Senate rules. This committee requests the Senate President to order his arrest so that he may be brought to testify. Quiboloy founded the Kingdom of Jesus Church in 1985 in the southern Philippines, after claiming he had discovered spiritual salvation in the mountains. In all his religious pamphlets, he claims that God came to his mother as a cloud to declare him as his own. The church grew in numbers about 4 million in the Philippines and 2 million abroad, including in the United States and with it, Quiboloys political clout. The sect, and his name, grew in national prominence when his friend, Rodrigo Duterte, was elected president of the Philippines in 2016. When the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced in November 2021 that it had launched an investigation on Quiboloy, Duterte, who was an anti-U.S. president, defended him. Quiboloys media arm, the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), acted as a propaganda vehicle for Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022. The ex-leaders once publicly admitted that he had received expensive cars and property from Quiboloy when he was mayor of Davao, although he claimed to have returned them. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (second from right) prays with then-presidential hopeful Rodrigo Duterte (to Quiboloys right) at a birthday celebration during a thanksgiving worship service in Lingayen, a town in Pangasinan province, northern Philippines, March 27, 2016. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] In Manila this week, Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered the filing of sexual abuse charges against Quiboloy. Upon reevaluation, it has been determined that there exists probable cause against Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy for the crime of sexual abuse of a minor as well as against Quiboloy and co- respondents for qualified human trafficking and other acts of child abuse, the Philippine Department of Justice said in a statement. A separate human trafficking case would be filed before a Pasig court, according to Remulla. He said that the prosecutors office in Davao Duterte and Quiboloys bailiwick had earlier thrown a case against the pastor. (But) upon closer examination, we have seen that the reason is indeed significant, to pursue the case, Remulla said. Quiboloy has rejected the allegations and went on the lam in February. But in a taped message, he alleged that these accusations had been concocted by U.S. security agencies together with President Ferdinand Marcos, and said they were plotting to kidnap him and eliminate him. The claim has been denied by Philippine security agencies. I am under surveillance in the Philippines by the CIA and the FBI. In my own country I am hiding because they can pick me up just like that, Quiboloy said in a 36-minute voice recording uploaded on YouTube and Facebook last month. The allegations against him surfaced publicly in 2021 when a federal grand jury in the U.S., as part of a 42-count indictment, charged Quiboloy on suspicion of orchestrating a sex-trafficking operation that coerced girls as young as 12 to have sex with him or risk eternal damnation. Under the charges brought against him by U.S. authorities, Quiboloy faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of sex-trafficking, and five to 20 years if convicted of fraud and money laundering. But the Philippines has yet to extradite him to face the charges in a U.S. court, and it is believed that Quiboloy is at large in the Southeast Asian country. In December 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Quiboloy, accusing him of raping women and children. Jeoffrey Maitem and Mark Navales contributed to this report from Manila and Cotabato City, southern Philippines. UNICEF spokesman James Elder warns that the number of children in Gaza facing dehydration and malnutrition will dramatically increase without a ceasefire. An authority pointed out the tragic deaths of children due to dehydration and malnutrition, which UNICEF is currently observing in Gaza, as completely avoidable, caused by humans, and able to be stopped. UNICEF Warns Rapid Increase in Gaza Child Deaths Over the weekend, in response to the increasing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the United States of America began the first extend of assistance airdrops into the region. While this was going on, the White House launched an appeal for a critical ceasefire in order to alleviate the grave situation that was occurring in the region. Gaza's health ministry expressed deep concerns about the well-being of other children hospitalized due to malnutrition and dehydration. UNICEF's Regional Director in the Middle East, Adele Khodr, reported ten recent deaths and emphasized the severity of the situation. Ms. Khodr labeled these deaths as "man-made, predictable, and entirely preventable." As part of a sustained effort to increase aid to Gaza, the US dropped approximately 38,000 meals into the embattled territory. Despite this move, critics argue that airdrops are merely symbolic. Janti Soeripto, the head of Save the Children, stated that opening crossings and facilitating the steady flow of supplies are more crucial. A call for an immediate ceasefire gained momentum when Vice President Kamala Harris urged for a swift resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the immense suffering in Gaza. Alarming numbers were released by UNICEF, which indicated that over sixteen percent of children under the age of two in the northern part of Gaza are suffering from acute malnutrition. In Rafah, which is located in the southern part of Gaza, five percent of children are in a similar situation, according to Independent. Read Also: U.N. Inquiry Finds Evidence of Sexual Assault in Attack on Israel Aid Impact on Gaza's Malnutrition Crisis Ms. Khodr brought attention to the apparent discrepancy that is present between the north and the south, and she related it to assistance limits, which she asserts are causing people to lose their lives. Malnutrition screenings conducted by UNICEF and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in January further illuminated the severity of the crisis. In the north, one in six children aged two and under were found to be acutely malnourished. In the comparatively more accessible south, in Rafah, the figure stood at 5 percent. Ms. Khodr stressed the need for humanitarian aid agencies, like UNICEF, to have multiple reliable entry points, ensuring the distribution of aid across Gaza without denials, delays, or access impediments. UNICEF has been sounding the alarm since October, warning of an exponential increase in the death toll in Gaza if the humanitarian crisis persisted. The situation has indeed worsened, and last week, the agency predicted a rapid surge in child deaths if the nutrition crisis remains unresolved. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is in the vanguard of measures to prevent an impending disaster for the children of Gaza. As the world cautions, the pressure for a ceasefire and adequate emergency assistance is increasing, United Nation reported. Related Article: Israel Launches Massive Raid on Ramallah BENNINGTON One of the defendants in a gang-related homicide in Danby in 2022 was arraigned Monday on a re-opened count of accessory to first-degree murder, a charge that was initially erased after a Bennington judge found it lacked probable cause. Bennington Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady found in early January that two counts in a three-count case did not hold up to probable cause after determining defendant Ashley Wicks did not have prior knowledge of the murder of Isaiah Rodriguez. According to the judge, after reading the police affidavit, she felt there were insufficient facts to support both the aiding in the commission of murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges. She stated at the time that there wasnt enough evidence that Wicks shared any preconceived plan with a criminal objective to commit the killing of Rodriguez. Wicks was only charged with one count accessory after the fact with both the conspiracy and aiding charges erased. Wicks was then allowed to leave without bail on a curfew and ordered to stay away from any related co-defendants. Prosecutor Jared Bianchi challenged the judges finding of no probable cause in late January, reissued all three charges, and included additional affidavits from the investigation. Again, the court found only probable cause for accessory after the fact charge. Bianchi again challenged the courts finding just days later. For the first time, according to Judge McDonald-Cady in her written decision, Bianchi argued that the States theory for count three based on accessory to felony murder with a qualifying felony of robbery during the commission of the murder could stick. According to Vermont law, if a death occurs during the commission of another felony (in this case robbery) then even if the death was an accident or otherwise unintentional, accessory charges can occur. The doctrine not only applies to the person who caused the death but also to all accomplices in the underlying felony. McDonald-Cady, however, did not find that the conspiracy charge had any factual basis. That charge was dismissed. Immediately after Wicks was arraigned Monday, the judge issued an order rescinding Wicks's release and ordered her held without bail due to the seriousness of charges. Wicks faces a possible life sentence if found guilty of the aiding charge. She is currently held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland while she awaits trial, which is scheduled for a jury draw in January 2025. Wicks is also facing two counts of violating her conditions of release related to the murder case. She was supposed to abide by a 24/7 curfew at her residence and not have contact with Shawn Bulson, a co-defendant in the murder case and Wicks's boyfriend. She is also facing aggravated vehicle operation without owners consent, possessing stolen property, and petty larceny charges. Rodriguezs body was found by a passerby 10 feet from the roadway in the snow in early February 2022. He was found wearing a winter down coat and summer slide sandals on his feet. An affidavit in the case stated that the persons responsible for the murder stole Rodriguezs shoes just before shooting him. The plan was, at first, to rob and scare Rodriguez. However, that changed and he was shot. Detectives with the VSP determined the homicide arose from a dispute about a possible stolen firearm related to drug trafficking among gang members from the 03 Gang based in Springfield, Mass., and set up for business in Bennington. Two individuals besides Wicks are currently charged in the murder. Two others are incarcerated in Vermont's state and federal correctional facilities on unrelated charges. State prosecutors confirm that more arrests are pending. Bennington, VT (05201) Today More clouds than sun. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High around 40F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High near 40F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Darrel A. Galorenzo, 35, of Readsboro, Vt., was back in court Wednesday with his attorney asking a judge to lower his bail from $250,000 to $25,000 in connection with the death of his 2-year-old son on Saturday. This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle. Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed a Republican measure Monday that greatly boosts the state child care tax credit, days after vetoing three GOP initiatives that would have reduced taxes by $800 million. The governor shared on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, that he approved the child care measure due to the high cost of child care, as per Fox News. Gov. Evers Expands Child Care Tax Credit Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed a significant bill aimed at providing relief to families grappling with the soaring costs of child care. The move comes as a response to the escalating financial burden on families and the urgent need for early support and care for children. Governor Evers highlighted the beneficial effects of the measure, which addresses the urgent problem of child care costs, on family finances. Last year, the median child care cost in Milwaukee County, the state's most populous county, was $19,096, which made up around 26% of the median family income. Similarly, in Dane County, the second-most populous county, child care costs were $19,586, equivalent to about 17.6% of the median family income of $94,813. The newly signed bill expands the state child care tax credit to 100% of the claimants' federal child care tax credit, a substantial increase from the previous 50% limit on state taxes. This expansion is expected to ease the financial burden on families, allowing them to claim higher amounts for eligible expenses, reaching up to $10,000 for one qualifying dependent and $20,000 for two or more dependents. Although the state is expected to lose around $73 million in annual revenue due to this decision, it is one of several tax cuts proposed by Republicans. The extensive bill incorporates provisions like broadening the second income tax bracket, boosting the marriage tax credit, and elevating income exemptions for retirees. These bills are expected to decrease state tax revenue by $2 billion in 2024-25 and around $1.4 billion each year after that, according to AP News. Read Also: Cease-Fire Negotiations Initiated in Egypt as Israeli Official Convenes with US Diplomats Child Care Funding Challenges Despite Advocacy Governor Evers, however, vetoed all the bills except the child care tax credit expansion, citing concerns about the potential depletion of the state's reserves. In his statement, Evers highlighted the importance of this specific provision, emphasizing its role in addressing the financial challenges faced by families in Wisconsin. The bill signing follows Governor Evers' ongoing efforts to secure additional funding for child care. The governor previously proposed a similar provision in the 2023-25 budget, but it was removed by Republicans in the Legislature's budget committee. Acknowledging the need for sustained public funding for child care, Evers has advocated for ongoing support, pointing to federally funded programs like Child Care Counts. This program, which initially granted $20 million a month to the state's child care providers, faced reductions to $10 million a month starting in June. Despite attempts to restore the funding through state and federal channels, challenges persist. Child care advocates, including the Evers administration, Democratic lawmakers, and providers, stress the importance of addressing the financial strain on child care teachers. While the newly expanded tax credit offers some relief, critics argue that it falls short of meeting the immediate needs of families, as the benefits will not be realized until the following spring when income taxes are filed, Wisconsin Examiner reported. Related Article: 'Month of Terror': Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad Call for Escalation During Ramadan 2024 LENOX The town police department is taking steps to ramp up its ability to respond to calls involving mental health crises. The department is adding three officers, increasing the size of the force to 12, and has recently enlisted the help of a mental health specialist to assist with calls as part of a shared agreement with Lee and Stockbridge. The department will be up to its new full strength when the last of the three recently hired officers completes training at the Massachusetts Police Academy in Springfield. At a recent briefing for the Finance Committees review of town department budgets, Police Chief Stephen OBrien pointed to a surge in mental health issues requiring a crisis response from officers and a mental health specialist, as well as a dramatic increase in drunken driving cases so far this year, compared to 2023. Since Jan. 1, the department has handled eight incidents involving drivers under the influence, compared to six for all of 2023, OBrien noted. Somethings going off the rails there; most of them have been crashes," he said. "It just takes up a lot of time. Were busier than we should be. Its been a bad [fiscal] year, thats all I can say. In one recent case, a motorist caused two accidents on Pittsfield Road. In another, a driver ran a red light and collided with a firetruck at the intersection of Route 7/20 and Walker Street. No serious injuries were reported in those incidents. In the U.S., 30 percent of fatal traffic accidents involve driving under the influence, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To assist police officers in Lenox, Lee and Stockbridge on calls involving mental health, a co-responder, Ivy Goodwin, is available by shared arrangement with Tri-Town Health, the regional health agencys Executive Director Jim Wilusz said. The grant-funded position currently is paid by the three departments to Tri-Town Health. Goodwin is a longtime mental health clinician and previously worked for the Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Pittsfield. She works closely with the three police departments to support those who need assistance, and does many other things, Wilusz told The Eagle. If were in a situation where we think a civilian can help, she comes out with us, OBrien said. If we have a case where she cant come out to it, we will have her deal with it later. The co-responder program, added recently, has been very successful and useful, O'Brien said. He also cited an increasing number of calls reflecting mental health issues, which take an awful lot of time and patience. The position requires a master's in social work, counseling education, counseling psychology, rehabilitation counseling or a related field, at least two years of crisis experience with target population and at least two years of experience working with populations specific to substance use and mental health specific needs. Crisis response ... Crisis response . . . The Tri-Town co-responder clinician is a collaboration between Tri-Town Health Department and the Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge police departments. The clinician responds with law enforcement to 911 and calls for services to people in the community who are experiencing a crisis. Essential functions include: Actively participate in the ride-along function of the co-response model. Provides behavioral health assessments to individuals and families in crisis who encounter the police. Serve as primary liaison to law enforcement on assigned shift. Accompany first-responding officers to call out situations. Provide initial crisis intervention services to individuals in need, along with crisis case management and short-term crisis counseling as follow-up from initial intervention, when appropriate. Maintain linkages with law enforcement and community agencies by providing documented case consultation, program development and problem resolution. Provide information and referral services to individuals and families. Participate in cross-training of law enforcement and psychiatric emergency service staff. Assist with development and administration of community substance use programs. Source: Tri-Town Health Department (Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge) The co-responder program emphasizes a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations and requires working knowledge of current version of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The expanded Lenox police staff will allow the department to schedule three officers per shift, compared to two currently, OBrien said, potentially including one supervisor to cover the evening and overnight shifts. Possible future plans include a full-time school resource officer for the Lenox district and a full-time investigator, he said. The chief also predicted that with call volume rising and staffing levels increasing, a full-time administrative position may be needed in future years. Meanwhile, the proposed police budget for 2024-25 totals just over $1.6 million, an 8.9 percent increase over the current year. Total town spending is expected to be $35.1 million before revenue and available free cash, resulting in a tax impact of 7.1 percent, said Town Manager Christopher Ketchen. OBrien acknowledged continuing hiring challenges for staffing police forces not just in Lenox but everywhere. As you all know, we are seen in a very negative light, a lot of the time, he said. Start the day with the latest headlines Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter E.J. Dionne Jr. is a Washington Post columnist as well as a professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Follow him @EJDionne on X (formerly Twitter). Its compact design and lightweight construction make it easily transportable Backed by Pune-based startup Mylab Discovery Solutions, health tech brand Sanskritech has announced the launch of Swandook, the world's first ultra-portable, ultra-smart Anytime Health Monitoring Bag. Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Swandook represents a pioneering leap in healthcare technology, offering users convenience and accessibility in monitoring their health. Swandook's versality extends across multiple sectors, including military/defence, public health coverage extension, CSR-driven social health initiatives, health check-up camps, corporate wellness programs, and rural health initiatives. With a commitment to accessibility, Swandook serves as a comprehensive point-of-care diagnostics platform, capable of conducting over 60 invasive and non-invasive health tests in real-time. This comprehensive array of tests provides users with a complete assessment of their health status, empowering them to take proactive measures towards their well-being. Swandook's cutting-edge technology ensures instant and accurate reports, facilitating prompt analysis and action based on the screening results. Moreover, the platform includes an integrated telemedicine feature complete with a webcam, dermascope, otoscope, and stethoscope. This enables users to engage in remote consultations and follow-ups with healthcare professionals, further enhancing the accessibility of healthcare services. Expanding reach in India's interior regions by establishing additional centres Apollo Diagnostics, a division of Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited (AHLL), has launched four new centres across Pune, Maharashtra in Kalyani Nagar, Baner, Ravet and Kothrud. With a total of 1700 centres operational across India & 150 centres now in operation Pune, Apollo Diagnostics is demonstrating its commitment in providing accessible and quality diagnostic services to a larger population in Pune. This expansion will likely enhance healthcare accessibility and contribute positively to the overall well-being of the community. A precise diagnosis is crucial for promptly identifying illnesses, allowing doctors to accurately diagnose health conditions and administer appropriate treatments for improved quality of life. The recently opened centre serves as a comprehensive hub across Kalyani Nagar, Baner, Ravet and Kothrud for various intricate pathology tests, ensuring reliable and high-quality reports, swift testing, and top-notch services for all individuals. Patients can conveniently opt for home sample collection through a simple 6-step procedure and easily access their reports whenever needed. Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, has proposed a bill that would mandate ICE to detain undocumented individuals facing charges of local theft or burglary. This comes after an immigrant accused of these crimes was released and subsequently charged with the murder of a college student in the United States. The Laken Riley Act is dedicated to 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, a college nursing student who passed away her life on the campus of University of Georgia. Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela accused of a violent homicide, had been taken into custody on several occasions before the crime, yet was not held by ICE, as per Fox News. Lawnaker Proposes Laken Riley Act The recent murder of Laken Riley has caused regained talks about immigration policies, with a focus on the alleged killer's immigration status and criminal record. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national, is said to be in the US without legal status, and has avoided removal despite a history of criminal activities. Since his entry into the country in 2022, Ibarra has been involved in various criminal activities, including shoplifting and child endangerment. The shocking details of his actions have prompted calls for a reevaluation of existing immigration policies. Representative Mike Collins of Georgia has introduced new legislation, named the Laken Riley Act, aimed at addressing the gaps in current immigration protocols. The proposed law would mandate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals like Ibarra after their first offense, providing a preventive measure before potential further criminal activities. Collins, who represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, the same community where Riley met her tragic end, emphasizes the urgency of the proposed legislation. The bill seeks to hold the Secretary of Homeland Security accountable for taking custody of aliens charged with theft and other specified crimes. The recent suspicion of Ibarra, only five months back, brought attention to the deficiencies in the system. Accused of endangering a child and a motor vehicle license violation, he was let go by the NYPD before ICE could give him a detainer. Adding to the problem, New York City's policy as a 'sanctuary city' usually restricts law enforcement's collaboration with ICE detainers, according to Daily Mail. Read Also: [POLL] More Americans See Joe Biden Incompetent for Presidency; 60% of Voters Say POTUS Lacks Mental Ability Laken Riley Act Targets Immigration Flaws The proposed legislation doesn't solely focus on individual cases but addresses systemic flaws. Collins points out that the Laken Riley Act responds to a broader failure in federal law, particularly regarding the issuance of detainers for certain crimes. He emphasizes that the bill's provisions aim to fill these gaps, ensuring that individuals charged with crimes like theft are subject to appropriate immigration actions. Collins criticizes President Joe Biden's administration for its perceived laxity on border control, citing Riley's tragic murder as evidence of an "illegal alien crime wave." He calls for a comprehensive approach, not only condemning border policies but also pushing for legislative changes that would compel ICE to act in cases like Ibarra's. The legislation includes a provision allowing states to sue the federal government if they or their citizens suffer harm due to immigration-related actions. Collins sees this as a necessary mechanism to hold the federal government accountable when its failures result in tragic outcomes. As the country eagerly anticipates President Biden's State of the Union address, Collins commits that the House will act to address the perceived damage caused by the administration's immigration policies. The Laken Riley Act, created in memory of the victim, is a proposed solution with the objective of improving public safety and addressing concerns about the immigration system, The Western Journal reported. Related Article: Haiti: State of Emergency Declared, Curfew Enforced After Prison Break My wife Doreen and I recently returned from a tour of the southern border in the Douglas, Arizona area. Since we once lived there and managed a Registered Charolais ranch between Douglas and Bisbee, we wanted to see for ourselves the differences from when we were there. The evening we arrived in Douglas we stopped at a convenience store and by chance ran into three Border Patrol agents with three horses in a horse trailer just going out on patrol. We had a conversation on the part they play intervening with those illegally coming across and moving through the rough desert area filled with mesquite bushes. The next day we travelled with the Border Patrol along the border wall. The wall there was a combination of three different styles. When we were there in the 70's I don't remember much of a wall at all. The main port in Douglas is very well staffed and maintained. We were able to visit on the many challenges they deal with. The wall across the desert at Douglas is partly a wall approximately 18 feet tall and then blends into a 27 foot steel wall with wire at the top that is very intimidating to view. Even then, the cartels have strategies to get people to our side of the wall with a lot of effort on their part and at great peril to the ones being trafficked. It is such a profitable business for the cartel they are willing to risk the lives and well-being of those they are bringing into our country. The next day, Doreen and I were allowed to attend a round table discussion among 24 community members in the Cochise area and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Each member had five minutes to describe the effect the current border policies are having on the area, economy, schools, hospitals, law enforcement, public safety, etc. Kennedy took meticulous notes and asked detailed questions to clarify certain statements. We also had lunch together and watched presentations of real-life situations. We were treated to an evening with friends we met along the way. One was a Border Patrol agent, his wife a teacher in an elementary school. Here again we had enlightening conversations, and were invited to her school the next day, visiting with the vice superintendent and one of the principals. Having served as a School board member in the 90's, it was helpful to understand some of the dilemmas they face. We visited with a lady Doreen met in New Mexico. Her husband was killed along with his dog, by the cartel, as he was out checking on water for his cows. We also had a morning visit with a young rancher still trying to survive in the same area. I will conclude with how serious this is. It is imperative we change course quickly. This will haunt us for decades to come. ***** Senator Bruce "Butch" Gillespie, R-Ethridge, represents Montana Senate District 9 in the Montana Legislature. It first appeared under the headline "Alleged audio of German officers discussing Crimean Bridge attack leaked" - as it featured top ranking Germany military officials in a private discussion of "a potential German operation to bomb the Crimean Bridge in Russia," as it was initially described by RT. Russian media is now openly admitting that the call was in fact intercepted by Russia. Moscow is now saying this shows "direct" German involvement in the war. Last year's major Ukraine attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge, which severely damaged a portion of it, but did not put it out of commission. The audio could have easily been dismissed in the West as simply Russian-sourced propaganda or even an AI fake; however, in an unexpected development the highest levels of the German government have now confirmed that the audio is indeed real and Berlin launched an investigation into the "serious" breach of secured communications. "What is being reported is a very serious matter and that is why it is now being investigated very carefully, very intensively and very quickly," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in Rome. Germany's military has also confirmed the leaked recording, but officials have avoided weighing in the actual content of what was said pending an internal investigation: A German defense ministry spokeswoman confimed to AFP that the ministry believes a conversation in the air force division was "intercepted". "We are currently unable to say for certain whether changes were made to the recorded or transcribed version that is circulating on social media," the spokeswoman said. Experts consulted by Der Spiegel magazine said they believed the recording was authentic. Germanys Ministry of Defense said per the country's dpa: "According to our assessment, a conversation within the Air Force was intercepted. We cannot currently say with certainty whether changes have been made to the recorded or written version that is circulating on social media." AFP further writes that "Topics include aiming the missiles at targets such as a key bridge over the Kerch strait linking the Russian mainland to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014." Taurus missile, South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images Additionally the potential supply of Taurus long-range air-to-surface missile to Kiev is a major focus of the conversation. The Franco-British cruise missile Storm Shadow also receives mention. Importantly, it seems none other than Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz the commander of the national air force, is among the four voices heard in the audio among top generals within the Bundeswehr, Germanys armed forces. A particularly damning section of the audio for which Moscow is currently demanding answers from German leaders... Germany Planned a Crimea Attack German military officials reportedly planned to attack Russia's Crimea bridge, aiming for strategic and political impact, stressing non-direct involvement. "The target is not only of military-strategic importance, but also political good. We pic.twitter.com/rfIjC8E7eo Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 1, 2024 They are heard openly discussing "interesting targets" including the "bridge in the east" and nearby "ammunition depots". Of course, the vital 12-mile bridge which spans the Kerch Strait and connects Crimea with mainland Russia was already previously severely damaged and briefly knocked out of commission in a major July 2023 missile or drone attack from Ukraine. Prior to that in October 2022 a truck bomb detonated on the bridge, resulting in parts of the roadway collapsing into the water below. Those prior attacks were suspected to have had Western intelligence help, given the sophistication of the operations. Are the German officers caught in the audio possibly plotting another future attack? (Or alternately some of the contents or references could predate the prior attacks on the bridge, timeline-wise). Third time's a charm? Most likely, this is a very recent conversation wherein they talk about a future potential attack: In the 38-minute recording, military officers discuss the question of how the Taurus long-range cruise missiles could be used by Ukraine. A debate has been taking place in Germany over whether to supply the missiles as Ukraine faced setbacks on the battlefield after two years of war, and with military aid from the United States being held up in Congress. Earlier this week Scholz said he remains reluctant to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, pointing to a risk of Germany becoming directly involved in the war. His hesitancy is a source of friction in his three-party coalition and also annoyed Germanys conservative opposition. But in the purported audio recording, German officers discuss the theoretical possibility of the missiles being used in Ukraine. Listen to more snippets from the Crimean Bridge section of the recording: RT has compiled a timeline of reporting and outline of what has been learned about the leaked audio recording, including initial international reactions, some of which is reproduced below: * * * A transcript and an audio recording, made public Simonyan posted the transcript of the February 19 phone call on her VK page, identifying the participants as the head of the German air force (Luftwaffe), General Ingo Gerhartz, the branchs deputy chief of staff for operations, Brigadier-General Frank Graefe, and two others. Soon afterward, Simonyan published the audio recording of the discussion as well, in German, on her Telegram channel. What was said in the call The officers discussed the operational and targeting details of Taurus long-range missiles that Germany was debating sending to Ukraine, as if this had already been agreed upon and how to maintain plausible deniability so that Germany could avoid crossing the red line of direct involvement. Gerhartz brought up various tricks that the Luftwaffe could use, including relying on many people [in Ukraine] in civilian clothes who speak with an American accent, but Graefe insisted that there is no language that makes us a party to the conflict. Other officers spoke about providing the Ukrainians with both the missiles and the training to use them, as well as the satellite targeting information, possibly via Poland. Obsession with the Kerch Strait Bridge The Germans noted the Ukrainians fixation on the Crimean Bridge, mainly for political reasons. They noted that the bridge was sturdy enough that not even 20 missiles would be able to destroy it. The 50 or so missiles Berlin could provide Kiev in batches wont change the course of the war, Gerhartz himself admitted. Russian reactions We demand an explanation from Germany. Official Berlin must provide it immediately. Attempts to dodge the question will be considered an admission of guilt, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that NATO had egg on its face due to the recording. He also noted that the German officers knew perfectly well that they were discussing direct involvement, as evidenced by attempts to disguise or hide it, and highlighted the part about Americans operating in Ukraine. Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin said the legislature will address the recording when it reconvenes on March 11. The matter deserves the most serious discussion and Moscow certainly needs to send a demand to the Bundestag to conduct an investigation, he added. Germans have once again turned into our archenemies, said former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Just take a look at how thoroughly and in what detail the Krauts are discussing long-range missile strikes on Russias territory, and are picking out targets and the most workable ways to harm our Motherland and our people. He ended his post with the WWII-era slogan, Death to the Fascists! Western reactions When asked about the recording and the transcript on Friday, the Pentagon declined to comment, telling American reporters to reach out to the German military instead. German officials have responded to the revelation by launching an investigation into how the recording got out. Speaking to Bild, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry declined to say anything about the content of the communications that were apparently intercepted. However, multiple German media outlets have reported that a preliminary probe appeared to conclude that the recording was authentic. In light of this, Bundeswehr has resorted to censorship, with multiple accounts on X (formerly Twitter) that distributed the material being blocked in Germany, according to Bild. * * * Listen to the full leaked audio below (without translation from the German): The UK has a new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Tech and the Digital Economy, Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti, and the politician seems very enthusiastic when talking about things like cooperation with Big Tech, particularly in terms of elections. Thats because, critics will say, those in power want to absolutely control the conversation, what can and cant be said online, and thus directly influence the vote; whereas those in power say, its all just a perfectly benevolent effort to make sure misinformation plays no part in the campaign. One persons cooperation is anothers collusion. And so Bhatti hinted in a recent interview that ahead of the UKs upcoming general election a key task to be achieved is to have the government and Big Tech reconvene for another round of misinformation tackling. And that, as easy as not, may mean aggressive online censorship of views critical of the ruling party. After possibly offending any real tech geek by calling himself that Bhatti in time revealed that actual technology is not the most important thing a person in charge of Tech and the Digital Economy, as well those in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), have to work on in the UK. No instead, its misinformation and disinformation. A very succinct way of demonstrating that those in power think about staying in power far more energetically than they consider things such as innovation, economic progress tied to digital tech, and even properly regulating the field. And so people who call themselves tech geeks are deeply involved in making sure moderation (i.e., censorship) is alive and well on major platforms, and also, framing all this as a crucial battle for democracy. Its all politics in other words and no tech. In October, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, hosted a roundtable with the UK leaders of social media companies Google, Meta, X, TikTok, and Snapchat to discuss the spread of antisemitism, violent content, and misinformation following the Hamas attack on Israel, one report said. And Bhatti, the tech nerd, thinks another such intervention could be needed this time related to the general election. Bhattis by no means an outlier here this is clearly the current UK governments policy. Only this week, Home Secretary James Cleverly was in the US, to convene with Apple, Google, Meta, and X. Why? Said a government source: [To make sure there are] safeguards against attempts at malign influence in the democratic process. Nothing good can come from allowing the government to sidestep the Constitution. Unfortunately, the government has become an expert at disregarding constitutional roadblocks intended to protect the rights of the citizenry. When these end-runs dont suffice, the government hides behind the covert, clandestine, classified language of national security; or obfuscates, complicates, stymies, and bamboozles; or creates manufactured diversions to keep the citizenry in the dark; or works through private third parties not traditionally bound by the Constitution. This last tactic is increasingly how the government gets away with butchering our freedoms, by having its corporate partners serve as a front for its nefarious deeds. This is how the police state has managed to carry out an illegal secret dragnet surveillance program on the American people over the course of multiple presidential administrations. Relying on a set of privacy loopholes, the White House (under Presidents Obama, Trump and now Biden) has been sidestepping the Fourth Amendment by paying AT&T to allow federal, state, and local law enforcement to accesswithout a warrantthe phone records of Americans who are not suspected of a crime. The government used a similar playbook to get around the First Amendment, packaged as an effort to control the spread of speculative or false information in the name of national security. As the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government revealed, the Biden administration worked in tandem with social media companies to censor content related to COVID-19, including humorous jokes, credible information and so-called disinformation. Likening the governments heavy-handed attempts to pressure social media companies to suppress content critical of COVID vaccines or the election to an almost dystopian scenario, Judge Terry Doughty warned that the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth. Restricting access to social media has become a popular means of internet censorship. Dare to voice politically incorrect views in anything louder than a whisper on social media and you might find yourself suspended on Twitter, shut out of Facebook, and banned across various social media platforms. This authoritarian intolerance masquerading as tolerance, civility and love is what comedian George Carlin referred to as fascism pretending to be manners. Social media censorship runs the gamut from content blocking, throttling, and filtering to lockouts, shutdowns, shadow banning and de-platforming. In fact, these tactics are at the heart of several critical cases before the U.S. Supreme Court over who gets to control, regulate or remove what content is shared on the internet: the individual, corporate censors or the government. Yet what those who typically champion the right of corporations to be free from government meddling get wrong about these cases is that there can be no free speech when corporations such as Facebook, Google or YouTube become a front foror extensions ofgovernment censors. This is the very definition of technocensorship. On paperunder the First Amendment, at leastwe are technically free to speak. In reality, however, we are now only as free to speak as a government officialor corporate entities such as Facebook, Google or YouTubemay allow. Clothed in tyrannical self-righteousness, technocensorship is powered by technological behemoths (both corporate and governmental) working in tandem to achieve a common goal: to muzzle, silence and altogether eradicate any speech that runs afoul of the governments own approved narrative. This is political correctness taken to its most chilling and oppressive extreme. This authoritarian impulse to censor and silence dangerous speech masquerading as tolerance, civility and a concern for safety (what comedian George Carlin referred to as fascism pretending to be manners) is the end result of a politically correct culture that has become radicalized, institutionalized and tyrannical. You see, the government is not protecting us from dangerous disinformation campaigns. It is laying the groundwork to insulate us from dangerous ideas that might cause us to think for ourselves and, in so doing, challenge the power elites stranglehold over our lives. Thus far, the tech giants have been able to sidestep the First Amendment by virtue of their non-governmental status, but its a dubious distinction at best when they are marching in lockstep with the governments dictates. As Philip Hamburger and Jenin Younes write for The Wall Street Journal: The First Amendment prohibits the government from abridging the freedom of speech. Supreme Court doctrine makes clear that government cant constitutionally evade the amendment by working through private companies. It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court can see itself clear to recognizing that censorship by social media companies acting at the behest of the government runs afoul of the First Amendment. Bottom line: either we believe in free speech or we dont. The answer to the political, legal and moral challenges of our day should always be more speech, not less. Any individual or groupprominent or notwho is censored, silenced and made to disappear from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram for voicing ideas that are deemed politically incorrect, hateful, dangerous or conspiratorial should be cause for alarm across the entire political spectrum. To ignore the long-term ramifications of such censorship is dangerously naive, because whatever powers the government and its corporate operatives are allowed to claim now will eventually be used against the populace at large. These social shunning tactics borrow heavily from the mind control tactics used by authoritarian cults as a means of controlling its members. As Dr. Steven Hassan writes in Psychology Today: By ordering members to be cut off, they can no longer participate. Information and sharing of thoughts, feelings, and experiences are stifled. Thought-stopping and use of loaded terms keep a person constrained into a black-and-white, all-or-nothing world. This controls members through fear and guilt. This mind control can take many forms, but the end result is an enslaved, compliant populace incapable of challenging tyranny. As Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone, once observed, Were developing a new citizenry, one that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but wont be able to think. The problem is that weve allowed ourselves to be persuaded that we need someone else to think and speak for us, and weve bought into the idea that we need the government and its corporate partners to shield us from that which is ugly or upsetting or mean. The result is a society in which weve stopped debating among ourselves, stopped thinking for ourselves, and stopped believing that we can fix our own problems and resolve our own differences. In short, we have reduced ourselves to a largely silent, passive, polarized populace incapable of working through our own problems and reliant on the government to protect us from our fears. As Nat Hentoff, that inveterate champion of the First Amendment, once observed, The quintessential difference between a free nation, as we profess to be, and a totalitarian state, is that here everyone, including a foe of democracy, has the right to speak his mind. What this means is championing the free speech rights of those with whom we might disagree. Thats why James Madison, the author of the Bill of Rights, fought for a First Amendment that protected the minority against the majority, ensuring that even in the face of overwhelming pressure, a minority of oneeven one who espouses distasteful viewpointswould still have the right to speak freely, pray freely, assemble freely, challenge the government freely, and broadcast his views in the press freely. He understood that freedom for those in the unpopular minority constitutes the ultimate tolerance in a free society. The government has no tolerance for freedom or free speech of any kind that challenges its chokehold on power. At some point or another, depending on how the government and its corporate allies define what constitutes disinformation, hate or extremism, we the people might all be considered guilty of some thought crime or speech transgression or other. Yet as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, its a slippery slope from censoring so-called illegitimate ideas to silencing truth. Eventually, as George Orwell predicted, telling the truth will become a revolutionary act. Ultimately, the governments war on free speechand thats exactly what it isis a war that is driven by a government fearful of its people. As President John F. Kennedy observed, [A] nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD This article begins with a short video based on an interview with researcher Sandi Adams, who describes the plans for agriculture in the rural county of Somerset in south-west England and the UK in general. Its an important clip because what she describes appears to be part of a wider United Nations agenda handed down by an extremely wealthy unaccountable, unelected elite. This elite thinks it can do a better job than nature by changing the essence of food and the genetic core of the food supply (via synthetic biology and genetic engineering). The plan also involves removing farmers from the land (AI-driven farmerless farms) and filling much of the countryside with wind farms and solar panels. Although the food system has problems that need addressing, this misguided agenda is a recipe for food insecurity that no one voted for. Throughout the world, from the Netherlands to India, farmers are protesting. The protests might appear to have little in common. But they do. Farmers are increasingly finding it difficult to make a living, whether, for instance, because of neoliberal trade policies that lead to the import of produce that undermines domestic production and undercuts prices, the withdrawal of state support or the implementation of net-zero emissions policies that set unrealistic targets. The common thread is that, by one way or another, farming is deliberately being made impossible or financially non-viable. The aim is to drive most farmers off the land and ram through an agenda that by its very nature seems likely to produce shortages and undermine food security. A one world agriculture global agenda is being promoted by the likes of the Gates Foundation and the World Economic Forum. It involves a vision of food and farming that sees companies such as Bayer, Corteva, Syngenta and Cargill working with Microsoft, Google and the big-tech giants to facilitate AI-driven farmerless farms, laboratory engineered food and retail dominated by the likes of Amazon and Walmart. A cartel of data owners, proprietary input suppliers and e-commerce platforms at the commanding heights of the economy. The agenda is the brainchild of a digital-corporate-financial complex that wants to transform and control all aspects of life and human behaviour. This complex forms part of an authoritarian global elite that has the ability to coordinate its agenda globally via the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other supranational organisations, including influential think tanks and foundations (Gates, Rockefeller etc). Its agenda for food and farming is euphemistically called a food transition. Big agribusiness and philanthropic foundations position themselves as the saviours of humanity due to their much-promoted plans to feed the world with high-tech precision farming, data-driven agriculture and green (net-zero) production with sustainability being the mantra. Integral to this food transition is the climate emergency narrative, a commentary that has been carefully constructed and promoted (see the work of investigative journalist Cory Morningstar), and net-zero ideology tied to carbon farming and carbon trading. The food transition involves locking farmers (at least those farmers who will remain in farming) further into a corporate-controlled agriculture that extracts wealth and serves the market needs of global corporations, carbon trading Ponzi schemes and institutional investors and speculators with no connection to farming who regard agriculture, food commodities and agricultural land as mere financial assets. These farmers will be reduced to corporate profit-extracting agents who bear all of the risks. This predatory commercialisation of the countryside uses flawed premises and climate alarmism to legitimise the roll-out of technologies to supposedly deliver us all from climate breakdown and Malthusian catastrophe. In society in general, we also see the questioning of official narratives discouraged, censored and marginalised. We saw this with the policies and the science that were used to legitimise COVID-related state actions. A wealthy elite increasingly funds science, determines what should be studied, how it should be studied and how the findings are disseminated and how the technology produced is to be used. This elite has the power to shut down genuine debate and to smear and censor others who question the dominant narrative. The prevailing thinking is that the problems humanity face are all to be solved through technical innovation determined by plutocrats and centralised power. This haughty mindset (or outright arrogance) leads to and is symptomatic of an authoritarianism that seeks to impose a range of technologies on humanity with no democratic oversight. This includes self-transmitting vaccines, the genetic engineering of plants and humans, synthetic food, geoengineering and transhumanism. What we see is a misguided eco-modernist paradigm that concentrates power and privileges techno-scientific expertise (a form of technocratic exceptionalism). At the same time, historical power relations (often rooted in agriculture and colonialism) and their legacies within and between societies across the world are conveniently ignored and depoliticised. Technology is not the cure-all for the destructive impacts of poverty, inequality, dispossession, imperialism or class exploitation. When it comes to the technologies and policies being rolled out in the agriculture sector, these phenomena will be reinforced and further entrenched and that includes illness and poor health, which have markedly increased as a result of the modern food we eat and the agrochemicals and practices already used by the corporations pushing for the food transition. However, that then opens up other money-spinning techno-fix opportunities in the life sciences sector for investors like BlackRock that invest in both agriculture and pharmaceuticals. But in a neoliberal privatised economy that has often facilitated the rise of members of the controlling wealthy elite, it is reasonable to assume that its members possess certain assumptions of how the world works and should continue to work: a world based on deregulation with limited oversight and the hegemony of private capital and a world led by private individuals like Bill Gates who think they know best. Whether through, for instance, the patenting of life forms, carbon trading, entrenching market (corporate) dependency or land investments, their eco-modern policies serve as cover for generating and amassing further wealth and for cementing their control. So, it should come as little surprise that powerful people who have contempt for democratic principles (and by implication, ordinary people) believe they have some divine right to undermine food security, close down debate, enrich themselves further courtesy of their technologies and policies and gamble with humanitys future. Colin Todhunter specialises in development, food and agriculture and is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization in Montreal. You can read his free e-books Academia.edu or the e-book section on the Centre for Research on Globalization homepage. Surveying the latest transgressions against decency, morality, and humanity itself by artificial intelligence and its biological architects. The Science proposes launching space dust from moon to black out sun for Climate Change The Experts have an excellent new solution for controlling carbon emissions, an essential element of life on Earth, by blocking out another essential element for life on Earth. Because they love us and want us to be happy. Via Washington Post: Imagine a world where global warming on Earth has meaningfully diminished. Fossil fuels are on the back burner. Affordable renewable energy sources run most of our activities. Oh, and theres a cannon on the moon shooting lunar dust into space to help partially shield sunlight to Earth. Thats one eyebrow-raising approach for cooling our planet proposed by a group of astrophysicists in a study published Wednesday in PLOS Climate. The team used computer simulations to model various scenarios where massive quantities of dust (and we mean a lot of dust) in space can reduce the amount of Earthbound sunlight by 1 to 2 percent, or up to about six days of an obscured sun in a year. Their cheapest and most efficient idea is to launch dust from the moon, which would land into orbit between the sun and Earth and create a sunshade. Yes, the idea sounds like science fiction. Yes, it would require (a lot of) new engineering. Yes, there are more feasible climate mitigation tactics that can be employed now and in the near future. But the researchers view this rigorous physics experiment as a backup option that could aid not replace existing strategies to help humankind live on a more comfortable Earth. We cannot as humanity let go of our primary goal* of reducing greenhouse gas emissions here on our planet. Thats got to be the first job, said Ben Bromley, the studys lead author and an astrophysicist at University of Utah. Our idea is one and its a very, very intensive one to contribute to climate change mitigation, if we need more time here at home. *Our primary goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, you say? Or a means to an end? Related: World Economic Forum Futurist: We Just Dont Need the Vast Majority of the Population Innocent man gang-raped in prison after AI fingers him in Sunglass Hut robbery Very Pulp Fiction. Via Vice: In January of 2022, Harvey Murphy was arrested and thrown in jail while trying to get his drivers license renewed at a local DMV. According to a $10 million lawsuit Murphy has since filed, a loss prevention agent working for a Sunglass Hut retail store used facial recognition software to accuse Murphy of perpetrating an armed robbery at a store in Houston, Texas. In reality, Murphy was more than 2,000 miles away at the time of the robbery. According to a lawsuit 61-year-old Murphy has filed against Macys and Sunglass Hut, he was arrested and put into an overcrowded maximum-security jail with violent criminals. While in jail trying to prove his innocence, he was beaten, gang-raped, and left with permanent and awful life-long injuries. Hours after being beaten and gang-raped, the charges against him were dropped and he was released. Bill Gates pledges to use AI to rescue Democracy By rescue, of course, Bill Gates means run a coup against and permanently subvert. Transitive verbs mean different things to different people in our postmodern world. Via Reclaim the Net: The notion that whoever controls and shapes AI could potentially wield significant influence over large swathes of society could be one of the most alarming and prominent over the next few years. In a recent episode of Unconfuse Me with Bill Gates, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and tech billionaire Bill Gates controversially delved into the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for maintaining democracy and promoting world peace The conversation explored the idea of using artificial intelligence as an instrument to foster unity in society, enhance global amity, and help overcome geopolitical polarization. Microsoft, founded by Gates, and OpenAI, whose CEO Altman is currently working closely with Microsoft, are promoters of using AI to solve global issues. Via Gates Notes: BILL GATES: I do think AI, in the best case, can help us with some hard problems. SAM ALTMAN: For sure. BILL GATES: Including polarization because potentially that breaks democracy and that would be a super-bad thing. Right now, were looking at a lot of productivity improvement from AI, which is overwhelmingly a very good thing. Which areas are you most excited about? Nothing, obviously, screams Democracy quite like using AI to suppress wrongthink for the sake of engineering unipolarity of thought. Inception-esque Neuro-tech brain implants go commercial, developers claim they can induce sleep, induce memory formation None of this technology will be abused, of course, by the technocrats with a direct line to the peasants brains; they respect Democracy too much for that. Via Boston Globe: Can brain wave stimulation, delivered via a headband-style wearable device, calm nerves, jog memory, and help people fall asleep? A neuro-tech startup, based in Cambridge and founded by scientists from MIT, Harvard Medical School, Imperial College London, and the University of California Berkeley, is trying to prove that it can. Elemind Technologies emerged from stealth mode Tuesday, disclosing that it has closed on a seed round of $12 million in funding from a consortium that includes Village Global, an early-stage venture fund backed by high-tech billionaires Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates., Reid Hoffman, and Ann Wojcicki. Among other notable investors are the life sciences fund LDV Partners and E14 fund, an MIT-affiliated investment fund. The company is designing products based on electric medicine, an approach that redirects brain waves through non-invasive stimulation using sound, light, touch, and electrical pulses to potentially address a range of neurological conditions in a more targeted way than drugs. Weve shown through our research that were able to stop tremor for people with essential tremors, said Elemind cofounder and chief executive Meredith Perry. Weve also shown that we can rapidly induce sleep, faster than leading sleep drugs. [And] we can induce memory formation and increase pain threshold. The companys seed money will help bankroll its first product, which she said will be announced in the coming months. Ben Bartee, author of Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile, is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff Substack. Also, keep tabs via Twitter. For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store. Support always welcome via insta-tip jar. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. California party candidates are seeking to shore up support during the state's Senate primary in an attempt to fill late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat. The race includes two prominent House Democrats who are scrambling after a late surge by a Republican former Dodgers star. Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff have the opportunity to bring their national profiles into full view in the Senate. California State Primary In particular, Schiff could solidly position himself as the premier foil to a potential second Trump administration. On the other hand, Porter would probably join the economic reform wing of the Senate and criticize former United States President Donald Trump's choices for the Fed, Treasury, and Commerce. Among the two, Schiff more be considered a more mainstream Democratic voice in the Senate. He also has the endorsement of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic power brokers. On the other hand, Porter would be one of the most progressive senators as she has the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and many other progressive organizations. The Senate seat is currently held by Sen. Laphonza Butler, as per Axios. Butler was appointed into his position following the death of Feinstein and he is not running for re-election in the November election. The state runs a non-partisan top-two primary, which means that a long and ugly fight could be observed if two Democrats qualify and a relatively easy win for a Democrat if a Republican makes the cut. Amid the race, Schiff is leading the RealClearPolitics average of polls, followed by Republican Steve Garvey, who previously played first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the 1970s and 1980s. Schiff and a super PAC that supports his campaign have already spent millions of dollars attacking Garvey in an attempt to push the Republican into the top two. The California Senate seat would provide whoever gets elected with massive potential power, prestige, and visibility. Read Also: Donald Trump Supporters Encourage Black Voters by Sharing Fake AI Images-Will This Tactic Work? Lawmakers Seek Dianne Feinstein's Seat Garvey previously warned that voters in the Golden State have been "suppressed" by Democratic lawmakers. The former 10-time MLB All-Star discussed his candidacy during an interview and explained why he believes California voters are "mad" about the state's Democratic leadership, according to Fox News. On Monday, he said that the people of the state will not take it anymore, adding that voters know "his heart" and believe that he will represent their best interests. The Republican said that career politicians have failed the people of California, arguing that it was now time for a change, a fresh young face, and somebody who had new ideas. California is a state where a Republican has not won a Senate race since 1988 and Democrats are expected to easily hold the seat in the November general elections. Schiff has, for months, had the fundraising and polling edge. However, it is possible for Garvey to claim the second spot on the November ballot. In a fundraising plea in the election's final days, Porter wrote that polls are predicting that they are going to lose and that her time in Congress will end for good, said The Hill. Related Article: Donald Trump Wins North Dakota Caucuses, Bolstering Presidential Campaign Nintendo has won its lawsuit against Switch emulator creator Yuzu and will receive $2.4 million from the developers, forcing them to shut down the free emulator service. The gaming company's legal victory comes as it has a history of not just stopping video game pirates but also ruining their lives. Nintendo's lawsuit against Yuzu came last week, and on Monday, the free emulator's developers agreed to shut down the website entirely and pay up. Nintendo Wins Switch Emulator Lawsuit On top of Yuzu, Citra, which is another free and open-source emulator for Nintendo's 3DS that the same company runs, will also be shut down. In a Monday post, Bunnei, a lead contributor on the emulators, said that they were informing the public that Yuzu and its support of Citra were being discontinued, effective immediately. He said that they started the projects in good faith and out of passion for Nintendo and the company's consoles and games, adding that they never intended to cause harm. As per Gizmodo, Tropic Haze, the developers behind the emulators, were video game lovers and made products to enable greater access to the company's games. However, the court said that the operations involved piracy and theft. Now, the website yuzu-emu.org will be immediately transferred to Nintendo, and the emulators' creators are legally barred from creating anything similar to it in the future. Read Also: Apple Faces 1st Antitrust Penalty from EU; Tech Giant Fined $2 Billion Over Unfair Music Streaming Practice The developers behind the emulator did not put up much of a fight in the highly controversial legal battle with the gaming company. The code repositories behind Citra and Yuzu have already been removed from GitHub. While the open-sourced project can be replicated by other actors, doing so could land someone else in a similar situation to Tropic Haze. Following the lawsuit, users in the subreddit r/yuzu rushed to quickly download and save the latest versions of Yuzu before they were removed permanently. The subreddit, which was seen to have more than 86,000 members, was then filled with farewell messages to the beloved platform on Monday. Yuzu To Pay Nintendo $2.4 Million It remains unclear whether or not the results of the lawsuit mark the literal end of Citra or Yuzu since copies of both emulators and their source code are available somewhere online. Some supporters specifically mentioned backing up the Yuzu code after the initial announcement of Nintendo's lawsuit, according to The Verge. Additionally, it is unclear whether or not the result of the lawsuit could impact other emulators beyond Citra and Yuzu. One of the biggest questions if Yuzu chose to fight the lawsuit in court is if the emulator actually circumvented Nintendo's protections. This is because the emulator itself does not contain Nintendo's keys, as Yuzu is a "bring-your-own-BIOS" emulator. A business attorney who hosts the Virtual Legality podcast, Richard Hoeg, said that the good news is that the settlements are not legal determinations, so they are not legally precedential. Before the latest legal challenge, Nintendo had won several lawsuits targeting pirated game sites such as RomUniverse. Polygon said that the gaming company was paid more than $2 million in damages in that particular incident. Related Article: Florida Senate Passes Revised Social Media Ban for Minors Following DeSantis Veto NEW DELHI (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top commanders of the Indian Navy will carry out a comprehensive review of India's maritime security challenges at a key conclave onboard one of the two aircraft carriers of the Navy in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday. On the first day of the biannual naval commanders' conference, Singh will also witness combat prowess of aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in a "twin carrier operation" that is aimed at projecting India's growing naval prowess, officials said. The naval commanders are likely to deliberate on a host of crucial issues including China's growing military forays into the Indian Ocean as well as the situation arising out of the Houthi militants targeting various cargo vessels in the Red Sea and adjoining areas. In the course of the three-day conference, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan along with Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will engage with the naval commanders on a wide range of issues including ways to boost tri-services convergence. "They will explore avenues to enhance tri-service synergy and readiness in defence of the nation and India's national interests," Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said. "By fostering strategic clarity, operational excellence, technological innovation, and international cooperation, the conference reaffirms the Navy's commitment to safeguarding India's maritime interests and upholding its status as a responsible maritime power in the region," he said. 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 under an institutionalised framework. "The inaugural session of the conference will have the defence minister embarking at sea to witness both aircraft carriers demonstrating the Indian Navy's ability to conduct 'twin carrier operations'," Madhwal said. In March last year too, the first part of the naval commanders' conference had taken place on board indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. "The last six months have witnessed significant changes in the geo-political landscape in the Indian Ocean Region due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict," the Navy spokesperson said. He said the strategic alignment of the nations has resulted in a spillover of the kinetic actions on land into the maritime domain. "Along with the drone and missile attacks on mercantile shipping, a resurgence of piracy has also been witnessed. The Indian Navy has responded to the emerging threats with strength and resolve demonstrating its capability as a first responder and its commitment as a 'preferred security partner'," he added. "The Indian Navy's cornerstone event -- commanders conference -- serves as a crucible for charting the course of the Navy's future amidst a rapidly evolving maritime environment," the spokesperson said in a statement. The price of bitcoin has hit an all-time high as the worlds largest cryptocurrency has been buoyed by growing demand from investors. It surpassed the $69,000 (63,500) mark during the day, topping a previous high in November 2021 where it was just a fraction below that level. Advertisement The rally follows the cryptocurrency being given the green light to be adopted into more mainstream investment products in the US last month. The US Securities and Exchange Commission reluctantly approved trading of the first bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in early January. An ETF tracks the price of an asset such as gold, bonds or cryptocurrencies, meaning people can invest without having to buy the asset themselves. Advertisement Advertisement But the US regulator remained sceptical about cryptocurrencies, saying it did not approve or endorse bitcoin in its decision. Nevertheless, the move prompted a wave of investors pouring money into spot bitcoin ETFs launched by major investment firms such as BlackRock and Fidelity. Furthermore, bitcoin is approaching its next halving event in April which limits the rate of new coins being released, and happens roughly every four years. The expectation of limited supply alongside growing investor demand has helped inflate prices, experts said. Advertisement Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell, said the surge in bitcoin reflects a broader rally in risk assets, including tech stocks. He added: The rise in bitcoin has also been galvanised by the launch of spot ETFs in the US, which is seen as a crucial step towards integrating bitcoin and cryptocurrencies into the mainstream financial ecosystem, and potentially paving the way for a global rollout. The regulatory approval of these products also adds a layer of legitimacy to bitcoin, amidst concerns raised by policymakers. But Mr Khalaf said bitcoin is largely driven by sentiment, adding: If you buy some, youre relying on someone paying more than you further down the line to turn a profit. Advertisement Advertisement The long-term adoption of cryptocurrencies by consumers, businesses, and investors remains highly uncertain, he added. The price of bitcoin reached around $69,170 on Tuesday afternoon, according to data from crypto exchange Binance. Patsy Palmers character Bianca Jackson caused havoc by throwing a brick through a window as she returned to EastEnders following a four-year absence. In Mondays episode of the London-based soap opera, Bianca, who now lives in Milton Keynes, is visited by her step-daughter Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and her partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar) following her off-screen break-up with Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton). Advertisement After spending some time with her step-daughter, Bianca is delighted to learn of Whitneys pregnancy and comforts her as they both reflect on the babies they have lost. Bianca aborted her daughter Natasha in the late 1990s when she learned she had spina bifida, which is when a babys spine and spinal cord does not develop properly. Advertisement Whitney terminated a pregnancy in 2023 after her unborn daughter Peach was diagnosed with Edwards syndrome, a rare but serious condition which most babies die from before or shortly after being born. Advertisement Also in the episode, Whitney learns Bianca is helping to feed a young girl called Britney who is being neglected by her drug-addicted mother. As she finds her house to confront the mother she is followed by Bianca who throws a brick through a window after she is taunted by Britneys mother who tells her the smartest thing he (Biancas ex Terry) ever did was leaving you. Biance responds by saying youre looking for a smack before she gets restrained by Zack whilst trying to start a physical altercation. The following scenes get increasingly dramatic as Whitney follows Britney, who flees the scene. Advertisement The episode ends as Britney is about to be run over by a car before Whitney pushes her out the way and is hit herself. Bianca was last seen in Walford in September 2019 when she attended the ill-fated wedding of step-daughter Whitney to Callum Highway (Tony Clay) amid the latters relationship with Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden). Advertisement She arrived in Albert Square in 1993 as the daughter of Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) and is best known for her tumultuous romantic relationship with Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), who she yelled Rickaaaaaaay at. Her storylines also involved finding out that David Wicks (Michael French) was her father and discovering the abuse of Whitney at the hands of her partner Tony King. Palmer (51) has been DJing since 2012 and competed in BBC Ones Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 with professional dancer Anton Du Beke, and last year featured on ITV1s Dancing On Ice where she was partnered with skater Matt Evers. Former X Factor judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh have been reunited on TV as they became the first stars to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house. The revived reality series kicked off with a secret mission for Osbourne and Walsh, who appeared on The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell for many years. Advertisement The pair were given a secret lair where they will judge which three celebrity housemates to put in the danger zone before choosing one housemate to automatically face the public vote this week. View this post on Instagram Advertisement A post shared by Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) As the first celebrity lodger to enter the house, Osbourne described herself as the original reality star. Advertisement I am good fun to live with, so my husband says. Chaos, I dont cause it, it just seems to go on around me even though I do have a big spoon to mix it, she said in a pre-recorded video. Advertisement I definitely say what is on my mind, I think at my age I have earned it. I am so excited to be involved with Celebrity Big Brother because it is going to be a bumpy ride. Walsh greeted Osbourne, saying what are we doing?, before telling Big Brother he was absolutely delighted to be reunited with Osbourne, adding weve got loads to catch up on. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) Advertisement The voice of Big Brother told the pair: Ive brought the two of you back together because I know you are used to judging people on first impressions. Sharon, you have a decision to make, and Louis you are here to help Sharon make that decision. Walsh said in a pre-recorded video: I say things I shouldnt say, my mouth has got me into trouble. Im not easy to live with, I get up late, I go to bed late. Celebrities have massive egos, I hope I get on with them because I have an ego too. Ive never done anything like this in my life Im here just to have fun. Osbourne and Walsh sat in their secret lair as celebrities began entering the house, with Osbourne commenting on Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmins good looks, while Walsh said Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu had been on every show. Dune: Part Two star Lea Seydoux has said she finds the US film industry to be harsh on women and being a woman on screen is easier in Europe. The French actress, 38, known for her role in the award-winning 2013 film Blue Is The Warmest Colour, spoke to Harpers Bazaar UK about the way actresses are treated as they age. Advertisement She said: The industry in America I find it harsh on women. Its hard for women to age. I dont want to be afraid not to be desirable or to lose my contract. Lea Seydoux on the cover of Harpers Bazaar UK (Harpers Bazaar UK/Alexi Lubomirski/PA) Advertisement In America its economic, and when it becomes a matter of making money, you lose your freedom. I dont feel comfortable with the fact that you have to tick all the boxes. Being a woman on screen is easier in Europe. Advertisement I have more freedom because Im a European actress, which suits me. Im not trying to be popular, Im just trying to enjoy myself. Advertisement In America you have to conform. I dont want to adapt myself to the system, I want the system to adapt to me! The actress stars in Dune: Part Two (Harpers Bazaar UK/Alexi Lubomirski/PA) Speaking about the films she likes to act in, she said: It has to be intellectually stimulating. Advertisement Many times Ive said yes to films and I dont know what the result will be. If I enjoy doing the film, then its a success for me. Ive never done a movie for money in my life. Like, never. Seydoux stars as Lady Margot Fenring in the sequel to Denis Villeneuves Dune, which was released on March 1, and is also playing Gabrielle Monnier in upcoming sci-fi drama The Beast. Advertisement The actress from Paris is also known for films including James Bond movie No Time To Die (2021), The French Dispatch (2021) and Midnight In Paris (2011). The April issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from March 7th. Kate Middletons uncle has said he loves that his niece is putting family first and he believes she and Prince William will be the saviour of the royal family. Gary Goldsmith, who entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on Monday night, said it is difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times. Advertisement Goldsmith is the brother of Kates mother Carole Middleton. Gary Goldsmith (Ray Burmiston/ITV) In scenes that will air on Tuesdays episode, former X Factor judge Louis Walsh asks him if it is difficult for him to be related to famous people. Advertisement He replies: I didnt vote for it, it happened to me, and then suddenly theres a spotlight on you. He adds: They call me the buncle! Have you heard of a buncle? Bad uncle, apparently every family has them. Advertisement He continues: Its difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times, and shes got children and I love the fact that shes putting family first. Goldsmith also asserts that he believes William and Kate will be the saviour of the royal family. Advertisement The conversation then turns to Meghan Markle, but Goldsmiths verdict on Meghan has not been revealed. Louis Walsh will ask about Meghan Markle. Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Elsewhere in the episode, Walshs former X Factor co-star Sharon Osbourne reveals she is planning to move back to the UK from Los Angeles from April, admitting: I miss it here, very very much. Advertisement Talking to theatre star Marisha Wallace, Osbourne, the wife of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne, jokes she has lived in the US for a long-ass time, adding: I first moved to America in 75. And I stayed. Even though Ozzys from England we met over there. Asking how her husband, who has been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, is doing, Osbourne says: Hes doing okay, its hard for him but hes doing okay. Hes already started to complain. I had my last phone call with him on the way here and he was miserable. Advertisement Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne (Ian West/PA) The return of Celebrity Big Brother debuted to 2.8 million viewers in the UK, ITV has said. Advertisement The reboot of the reality show peaked at 3.2 million viewers across all devices, according to overnight ratings. The celebrity version of Big Brother follows the rebooted civilian iteration, which launched on ITV in October 2023 after it was axed by Channel 5 amid a ratings slump in 2018. Celebrity Big Brother continues at 9pm on Virgin Media Two. A Co Down novelist has been announced as the new Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland. Shirley-Anne McMillan will take up the role that was created as part of Queens University Belfast and the Arts Council of Northern Irelands (ACNI) joint 10-year Seamus Heaney Legacy Project, supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies. Advertisement She will be based at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens for two years, working with students and engaging in outreach activities. Ms McMillan said: I am delighted to be appointed the new Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland at Queens, following the success of previous fellows, Maire Zepf, Kelly McCaughrain and Paul Howard. Damian Smyth, joint head of literature at the Arts Council of NI; Professor Glenn Patterson, director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens; Shirley-Anne McMillan, new Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland; and Paul Howard, former childrens writing fellow for Northern Ireland (Brian Morrison/ACNI/PA) Advertisement My field of interest is young adult writing and Im passionate about helping young adults engage with reading and creative writing in order to find ways to tell their own truths. Advertisement Over the term of my fellowship I hope to work with young people to encourage literacy and confidence in writing, particularly within groups which have traditionally been marginalised in Northern Ireland. I also hope to work with teachers of creative writing and to create opportunities for adult writers of childrens fiction to sharpen their craft. The author, whose novels are all set in Northern Ireland, previously worked as a school teacher and online writer in residence for the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin and now teaches creative writing at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast, and offers mentoring through the Irish Writers Centre. Advertisement Speaking on behalf of the Estate of Seamus Heaney, Catherine Heaney said: With her years of experience in the classroom, we are sure Shirley-Anne will bring her own energy, vision and passion to the role, and help and encourage young people to share their own stories. Professor Glenn Patterson, director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens University Belfast, said: Shirley-Annes work speaks compellingly (and beautifully) to readers in the later school years. Advertisement Damian Smyth, joint head of literature at the Arts Council for NI, said: In this role, Shirley-Anne will act as an ambassador and mentor for young people, hosting creative writing workshops, readings and events over the next two years. Advertisement She brings with her a background in teaching, her own experiences of writing for YA audiences and, most importantly, an infectious passion for books and stories. McMillan will take up her post as the Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland in the spring. Accumulated profits at the media company operated by author, podcaster and economist, David McWilliams last year increased to 1.2 million. New accounts lodged by McWilliamss Iconic Media Ltd with the Companies Office show that accumulated profits at the company increased by 228,182 from 979,378 at the end of March 2022 to 1.2 million at the end of March 31st last. Advertisement In a buoyant year for the business, the firms cash funds more than doubled rising from 158,421 to 376,869. The value of the companys unlisted investments remained at the same level at 685,661. The amount owed to the company by debtors increased marginally to 239,581. The post tax profits for the company last year are down slightly on the post tax profits of 229,582 in the 12 months to the end of March 2022. The strong profits of the past two years follow more modest post tax profits at Iconic Media of 65,531 and 4,196 during the two Covid-19 hit years of 2021 and 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Numbers employed by the company, including directors, remained static at four last year made up of three in administration and one under the heading of consultancy. The remuneration for directors is not contained in the new accounts but the prior accounts for 2022 show that directors remuneration that year was 173,603 and 200,849 in 2021. The accounts are abridged as they are for a small company and there is no requirement to provide the companys revenues for the year. Mr McWilliams (57) is arguably the countrys best known economist and has 334,000 followers on 'X' the social media platform formerly known as Twitter The Dubliner has written five books and writes a weekly column for The Irish Times and contributes regularly to the Financial Times. Along with his prolific writing, Mr McWilliams also hosts The David McWilliams podcast which generates income through ads and an optional no-ads 5 per month membership. Away from the activities of Iconic Media, Mr McWilliams is also the founder of the world's only economics and stand-up comedy festival Kilkenomics and a co-founder of the successful Dalkey Book Festival. Super Tuesday is scheduled on Mar. 5, 2024, and is considered to be a highly-contested presidential primary day as it is when the largest number of states will be holding primaries or caucuses. More than a third of all the available delegates for both Democratic and Republican presidential nominations are at stake. United States President Joe Biden is currently the leading contender for his party's nomination. Additionally, he has no substantial primary challenger. What Is Super Tuesday On the other hand, the Republican Party's frontrunner is former United States President Donald Trump, who has a substantial lead against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. In two of the Super Tuesday states, Colorado and Maine, the former president was found to have engaged in insurrection related to the post-2020 election period. He was then disqualified from the primary ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. However, on Monday, the United States Supreme Court ruled that only Congress, not states, is authorized to enforce Section 3. This means that votes for Trump in those particular states will still count, as per CBS News. Additionally, the Republican businessman is facing federal indictments in Washington, D.C., and Florida, as well as state charges in New York and Georgia. It remains unclear just how many of the cases against Trump will go to trial before the presidential election later this November. Read Also: Donald Trump Wins North Dakota Caucuses, Bolstering Presidential Campaign There are concerns among Democrats regarding President Bidens' age, his handling of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Hamas war, and voter apathy. Super Tuesday works by having registered voters in the states that hold presidential nominating contests go to the polls and vote on Mar. 5. On that day, 15 states will hold GOP contests, 13 of which will hold primaries, namely Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia. The remaining two, Alaska and Utah, will be holding caucuses. How Important is the Primary Day? For Republicans so far, Trump has won 244 delegates while Haley has only gotten 43 delegates. In order to become the GOP presidential nominee, a candidate must acquire at least 1,215 delegates, according to the Hindustan Times. On the other hand, for Democrats, Biden has won the support of 206 delegates and would need at least 1,918 delegates in order to become his party's presidential nominee. During Super Tuesday, tens of millions of American voters will be eligible to cast ballots in primaries and caucuses. The vote among Republicans is expected to be more closely watched than Democrats as Super Tuesday marks Haley's D-day. There will be 874 delegates up for grabs, and Trump's campaign expects the former president to win at least 773 delegates on Mar. 5, 2024. On the other hand, Democrats will be fighting for a total of 1,420 delegates. In 2020, Biden was counted out of the race after dismal showings in early primaries. He then went on to win the South Carolina primary, and a few days later, he mounted a swift and stunning comeback on Super Tuesday. He won 10 of the 14 states, and other candidates dropped out of the race, said the Associated Press. Related Article: California Party Candidates Seek To Shore Up Support in Senate Primary To Fill Diane Feinstein's Seat It is fortunate there has been no loss of life caused by a spate of arson attacks on buildings earmarked or rumoured to be used for housing asylum seekers, a senior Garda officer has said. During an appearance before the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Deputy Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon said that a number of properties had been targeted due to unfounded rumours that they were International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) centres. Advertisement The committee is investigating a number of recent arson attacks. There have been more than 20 fires at properties associated, sometimes incorrectly, with accommodating asylum seekers in 2023 and 2024. Ms Coxon told the members that gardai take every arson or attempted arson seriously. Garda Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Advertisement She said: This being the case with the arson attacks on International Protection Accommodation Services centres or property rumoured to become Ipas centres or property housing refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. Advertisement In each incident a senior investigation officer is appointed, an investigation team of detectives is formed and an incident room created, technical examinations are undertaken and evidence gathered. As would be standard practice when similar crimes occur in different parts of the country, there is national, regional and local co-ordination between investigative teams. At a national level the Special Detective Unit (SDU) which is responsible for the investigation of threats to national security is examining all of these incidents along with national intelligence to determine if there is any commonality in terms of modus operandi and/or individuals. Advertisement At the moment there is nothing to suggest there is an over-arching conspiracy involved in these attacks, though we will continue to keep an open mind on this based on the evidence. Advertisement Ms Coxon said arson attacks are difficult to investigate as evidence can often literally, be burnt to cinders. She said a total of 11 people have been arrested since May last year in connection with arson attacks or criminal damage of Ipas centres, or suspected Ipas locations. She added: Criminal investigations are also ongoing into a large number of different potential criminal incidents, including activities at public gatherings, potential harassment at public facilities, including libraries and online incitement. Advertisement We have also seen a significant amount of mis- and disinformation circulating in relation to properties that are rumoured to become Ipas centres. Advertisement In most cases those rumours turn out not to be true. Several properties have been targeted that werent planned to be Ipas centres at all. We informed local protesters and communities of this but it did not persuade some people from continuing their protest. This meant that garda resources that could have been deployed in preventing and tackling local crime were diverted to patrolling around these locations. Even more concerning are the incidents of mis- and disinformation that have directly caused safety concerns for local people. For instance, a leaflet circulated in a local area by a so-called community group that had a photo of a house it claimed was going to become an Ipas centre. This property was actually a private residence with a family living in it. We liaised with the family and provided them with security advice. Serious public disorder flared in Dublin city centre in November following a stabbing attack near a school. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. The senior officer also provided the committee with an update into the policing operation which followed serious public disorder in Dublin city centre on November 23rd. The violence flared following a stabbing attack near a school. Advertisement She said: To date we have arrested 37 individuals for offences such as arson, violent disorder and thefts. We are currently reviewing over 20,000 hours of footage from 140 different CCTV feeds and we expect to make further arrests. Our investigation into those who allegedly incited such shocking and disgraceful criminal action via social media also continues. Ms Coxon said: This country has been fortunate so far that it has not suffered a death or deaths as a result of these arson attacks. We remain determined to bring the perpetrators of these highly dangerous criminal acts to justice. Proposed restrictions and safeguards on owning XL bully dogs in Northern Ireland have been announced. Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said he was bringing forward legislation requiring people to register their ownership of the breed and obtain an exemption certification, and also to keep them on a lead and muzzled while in public. Advertisement There would also be a ban on breeding, selling, abandoning or giving away XL bully dogs in the North. XL bullies would also have to be neutered under the planned law changes, Mr Muir said. Agriculture minister Andrew Muir said he did not want to expose the public to an exacerbated level of risk (Brian Lawless/PA) Advertisement Additionally, owners would be required to obtain a form of public liability insurance and ensure the animals were kept in secure conditions. People who chose not to keep their XL bullies would have the option of surrendering the animals to the authorities to be euthanised. Advertisement Similar moves to place restrictions on XL bullies have been introduced in England, Wales and Scotland in recent months following a spate of attacks linked to the breed. Mr Muir told the Stormont Assembly there had been a 50 per cent spike in the number of XL bully owners applying for a dog licence with Northern Ireland councils since plans were announced to restrict the breed in England five months ago. Advertisement The Alliance Party minister expressed concern that Northern Ireland remained the only place in the UK without such restrictions and was potentially becoming a home for XL bullies displaced from Great Britain. Advertisement Mr Muir said there were countless genuine owners of XL bullies who looked after their dogs with boundless love and dedication. Breeds of this size and nature require careful, experienced and dedicated training by owners who understand their characteristics and temperament, he said. The level of risk associated with XL bully breed-type dogs is however well known, with a concerning number of attacks resulting in serious and fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the development of these dogs has sometimes suffered at the hands of the wrong types of owners with dogs bred to have exaggerated features or to be overtly aggressive. Advertisement Mr Muir added: I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that I have not rushed into a decision. I have carefully considered all aspects and I have not taken this decision lightly. It became clear quickly that there was no perfect solution to this problem. Advertisement I do not want to expose the public to an exacerbated level of risk. There are 140 XL bully breed-type dogs licensed right now, up from around 90 last October. Therefore, it is time to act, whilst numbers remain manageable and we can, in the main, track where these dogs are. The minister insisted no owner would be forced to give their dog up. I am giving the owners of XL bully breed-type dogs the ability to be responsible and compassionate owners, he said. I am offering them a pathway to enduring and lasting ownership of their valued dog. I am announcing these measures now so that people thinking of obtaining or breeding an XL bully breed-type dog in the near future know that their responsibilities and obligations will shortly change. Mr Muir said he appreciated his announcement would prompt calls for more information. My department will develop guidance and practical support to allow owners to understand the impending legislative changes, including how to identify an XL bully breed-type dog using the standard developed by the UK Government, he said. Advertisement My department will provide further detail on these safeguards in due course and the dates when they come into effect. Longer term, I have a desire to explore the possibility of meaningful reform to our dog control laws, in close co-operation with key stakeholders in the sector. I am acutely aware of the calls to deal with the deed not the breed and criticism of breed-specific legislation but am left, as minister, with the situation as it presents itself, with the legislation as currently available in the context of public safety risk. The minister said he would establish a working group including representatives from his department and key council staff to design and implement the exemption scheme. A man who was suffering from a mental disorder decapitated his wife after attacking her with knives in their Dublin apartment, a barrister has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Shane Costelloe SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the jury will hear that Brazilian man Diego Costa Silva called emergency services and told them that he "thought he had killed his wife". Advertisement When gardai arrived, they found Mr Costa Silva's wife, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, with her head "clearly separated from her torso". Mr Costelloe said the issue for the jury to consider will be whether Mr Costa Silva was suffering from a mental disorder that led to certain consequences for him. He said that the jury of seven men and five women will hear from two forensic consultant psychiatrists called by the defence and prosecution who agree on Mr Silva's state of mind at the time of the killing. Advertisement Mr Costelloe also told the jury that two days before Mr Silva attacked his wife, he was arrested for his own safety after being seen jogging in Dublin city centre "practically naked" in early November. He was brought to hospital but "unfortunately" he was released the following day, Mr Costelloe said. Advertisement Diego Costa Silva (35) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva (33) on November 4th, 2021, at Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11. Before the trial began, the jury was told that the issue that will most concern them is what is referred to as the "special verdict in respect of insanity". Opening the trial on Tuesday, Mr Costelloe told the jury that the prosecution alleges that in the early hours of the morning Mr Costa "struck his wife with knives and then severed her head from her body with one of those knives. He decapitated her." He said Mr Silva called emergency services giving his address and saying he thought he had injured his wife. Armed gardai went to the apartment and were met by Mr Silva wearing only shorts and flip-flops. Advertisement When they entered, gardai will say that they found Ms De Campos Silva lying prone in a doorway between the bedroom and hall, partially clothed and with a knife protruding from her breast. "Her head was clearly separated from her torso," Mr Costelloe added. Advertisement Following the opening, defence barrister Garnet Orange SC made 15 admissions on behalf of his client, including that Ms De Campos Silva died as a result of injuries caused to her by the accused at their home. Mr Orange said that in due course he will be asking the jury to return a special verdict under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006. Niall Murray of Dublin Fire Brigade was the first witness called. He told Mr Costelloe that he received the 999 call from Mr Costa Silva at about 6.15am on November 4th, 2021. Advertisement He said Mr Costa Silva had a "very calm demeanour" and told him that "he thinks he killed his wife" and later said that he had killed her. The emergency call was played for the jury and Mr Murray agreed with Mr Orange that at the start of the call, Mr Costa Silva could be heard saying: "I have fight with my wife, she tried to kill me." Garda Peter Kilgallen told Mr Costelloe that he arrived at Mr Costa Silva's apartment within minutes of receiving an emergency call. Members of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) were already there and Garda Kilgallen stood behind one of them as he knocked on the door. Advertisement Mr Costa Silva answered wearing just shorts and flip-flops. He had blood on his body and wrists, the garda said, and he told gardai: "I think I killed my wife." Advertisement The ASU members entered and after being informed that the body of a deceased female was inside, Garda Kilgallen arrested Mr Costa Silva on suspicion of murder and handcuffed him. Garda Kilgallen entered the apartment and saw the body of a female lying between the doorway of one room and the hall. Besides the injury to her head, he could see obvious knife wounds and a knife protruding from the hilt in the area of the left breast. Garda Kilgallen left the apartment where Mr Costa Silva told him that his wife had "tried to kill me" and later said: "She took my heart, she took my head. I did that because she was cheating on me." Mr Costelloe read out parts of a pathology report written by State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers. Dr Okkers noted the cause of death as "decapitation" with blunt force trauma and asphyxia as contributing factors. She noted other stab wounds and some bruises which could have been defensive in nature. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and the jury. A Property firm linked to landlord Marc Godart has pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a fire safety notice issued over a "potentially dangerous building" in Dublin. Green Label Property Investments Limited of Reuben House, Reuben Street, Dublin 8, was summonsed to face prosecution by Dublin City Council. Advertisement The case resumed at Dublin District Court on Tuesday. Judge Anthony Halpin acceded to a request from DCC's barrister Christopher Hughes to change the defendant's name to Green Label Short Lets Ltd, which has the same registered office address. After the amendments were made, defence counsel Stephen Wilson informed the judge there would be a guilty plea. Judge Halpin recorded the plea and acceded to Mr Wilson's request to adjourn the case until March 26th for facts and mitigation. Advertisement The firm faces a charge that as the owner of the building, comprising Unit 1, Block G, The Foundry, Beaver Street, Dublin 1, which comprises a potentially dangerous building, it failed to comply with a fire safety notice dated June 29 last year 2023. Advertisement The offence is contrary to the Fire Services Act 1981. Last month, Mr Godart, a Luxembourg businessman with significant property holdings in Ireland, had another prosecution dropped for "egregious" breaches of planning laws with unauthorised Airbnb lettings in Dublin. However, two firms he directs, including Green Label Short Lets Ltd, accepted responsibility; they were fined 7,500 and agreed to pay "substantial" legal costs. Advertisement DCC also brought those proceedings before Dublin District Court. That case stemmed from complaints about unauthorised short-term lettings, booked through the Airbnb website, at three properties in Dublin 1: 11 Capel Street, Block G, The Foundry, Beaver St, and Unit 2A, The Forge, Railway Street. The offences were detected following inspections between June 4 and 6 last year, revealing some of the bedrooms were windowless and others in former shop fronts. A council inspector found several tourists from Ireland, mainland Europe, and North America had used them for one to seven days. By the time of last month's hearing, work had already taken place or was about to start to bring them in line with regulations for short-term lettings. The UN envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict has said there are reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed rape, sexualised torture and other cruel and inhumane treatment of women during its attack on southern Israel on October 7th. There are also reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing, Pramila Patten, who visited Israel and the West Bank from January 29th to February 14th with a nine-member team, said. Advertisement In a report, she said the team found clear and convincing information that some hostages have been subjected to conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and sexualised torture. The report comes nearly five months after the October 7th attacks which left about 1,200 people dead and 250 others taken hostage. Israels war against Hamas has since laid waste to the Gaza Strip, killing more than 30,000 people, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The UN says a quarter of Gazas 2.3 million people face starvation. Advertisement Hamas has rejected earlier allegations that its fighters committed sexual assault. Advertisement The report said the teams visit was neither intended nor mandated to be investigative in nature. Pramila Patten (Alamy/PA) She said the team was not able to meet any victims of sexual violence, despite concerted efforts to encourage them to come forward, but team members held 33 meetings with Israeli institutions and conducted interview with 34 people including survivors and witnesses of the October 7th attacks, released hostages, health providers and others. Advertisement Based on the information it gathered, Ms Patten said, there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the 7 October attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations. Across various locations, the team found that several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered mostly women with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head. While this is circumstantial, she said the pattern of undressing and restraining victims may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence. Ms Patten said that at the Nova music festival and its surroundings, there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped. Advertisement Advertisement On Road 232 the road to leave the festival credible information based on witness accounts describe an incident of the rape of two women by armed elements, Ms Patten said. Other reported rapes could not be verified during their time in Israel. But she said the mission team also found a pattern of bound naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down, in some cases tied to structures including trees and poles, along Road 232. Mr Patten said that in Kibbutz Reim, the mission team verified the rape of a woman outside a bomb shelter and heard of other allegations of rape that could not be verified. At Kibbutz Beeri, the team was able to determine that at least two allegations of sexual violence widely repeated in the media were unfounded due to either new superseding information or inconsistency in the facts gathered. Advertisement These included a highly publicised allegation that a pregnant womans womb was ripped open before being killed with her foetus stabbed inside her, Ms Patten said. It would be a mistake for Ireland to boycott a shamrock presentation to the American president over US military aid in Israel, the Taoiseach has said. Leo Varadkar will travel to Washington DC next week where he will present Joe Biden with shamrock as part of annual engagements on St Patricks Day. Advertisement Some opposition politicians have called on the Taoiseach to forego the tradition due to the conflict in Gaza. Speaking in the Dail on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said he does not believe in boycotts in terms of international affairs. Advertisement He said it would diminish Irelands influence in the world to refuse to engage with other countries. Mr Varadkar said: It is an opportunity to speak to leaders in the US on the Hill and also President Biden and Vice President Harris. Advertisement Were one of only 200 countries in the world. There are not many countries in the world that are guaranteed a meeting once a year. Advertisement It would be a big mistake for us to boycott that and to lose that important engagement that occurs every year since the 1980s. But I will use my opportunity both in private in the Oval Office and in public in the White House to make clear how the Irish people feel about the situation in Gaza and how we believe the US needs and ought to adopt an approach that will help to bring about a peace settlement in the region. Mr Varadkar said the Irish Government had called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at Government Buildings, Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. We believe that a humanitarian ceasefire for a number of weeks can then lead to a permanent ceasefire. He said there had been a welcome shift in the US position demonstrated by recent comments from vice president Kamala Harris. Ms Harris said that, given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks. Advertisement Mr Varadkar added: I hope we will see this further elaborated on in the days and weeks ahead. Advertisement He was responding to a question from an opposition politician who said the World Health Organisation had discovered 15 children in Gazan hospitals who have starved to death. Solidarity TD Mick Barry. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Solidarity representative Mick Barry said that half a million people are one step away from starvation. He told the Dail: Hundreds of those people gathered in Gaza City last Thursday morning before the dawn. As they moved towards the aid trucks carrying flour, they were gunned down by Israeli soldiers 115 people died, more than 700 people were injured. It was a massacre. Mr Barry said the US was supplying weapons and bullets to Israel and is also aiming to ramp up military aid. He added: While it is true that the Biden administration is now pushing for a six-week pause in the fighting, there is no question but that Biden has armed and financed a campaign that the International Court of Justice itself believes worthy of investigation as possible genocide. Mr Barry said Mr Varadkar would soon be joining Mr Biden in celebration of St Patricks Day in Washington. He added: You plan to give him a bowl of shamrock on behalf of the Irish people. You plan to pose, no doubt, for photographs with a man who has armed and financed mass murder. Thats the truth. I believe that that is wrong. Mr Barry said: You have the opportunity to exert some real pressure here. Tell Biden there will be no shamrock when there is not a total ceasefire and an end to the bloody occupation. Mr Varadkar replied: You seem to be a little bit obsessed about the bowl of shamrock and that takes about 20 seconds. The real opportunity is the sit-down meeting in the Oval Office with President Biden and his team and also the opportunity to speak in the White House publicly in front of guests of the president and some from the Irish embassy as well. And thats the opportunity that I will take to reaffirm the importance of our relationship with the US economic, political, cultural. But also to say that there are issues on which we disagree. Mr Varadkar also said he shared the horror at the killings of civilians queuing up for aid, adding it was important that a full independent investigation be carried out. Haitis embattled prime minister has landed in Puerto Rico as he tried to return to Haiti to quell a surge in violent gang attacks, officials said. Officials told the Associated Press that Ariel Henry landed late in the afternoon at the Luiz Munoz Marin International Airport in the capital San Juan. Advertisement Mr Henry was expected to travel to the Dominican Republic later to fly to Haiti, but the government of the Caribbean nation closed its air borders as gangs in Haiti continue to escalate their attacks on key targets such as prisons and the main international airport. Gangs opened fired on police late Monday outside the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, where Mr Henry would probably land should he return home. A soldier patrols the outskirts of the international airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Odelyn Joseph/AP) Advertisement Advertisement An armoured truck could be seen on the tarmac shooting at gangs trying to enter the airport as scores of employees and other workers fled from whizzing bullets. The airport was closed when the attack occurred, with no planes operating and no passengers on site. It remained closed on Tuesday. Schools and banks were also closed on Tuesday, and public transport ground to a standstill. Haiti is now under the control of the gangs. The government isnt present, said Michel St-Louis, 40, standing in front of a burned-down police station in the capital. Im hoping they can keep Henry out so whoever takes power can restore order. Advertisement While Haitis problems run deep and defy any quick fix, Mr Henry himself is increasingly unpopular. His inability to govern effectively has stoked calls for him to step aside that the gangs are also embracing, if only to advance their own criminal interests, said Jake Johnston, a research associate at the Washington-based Centre for Economic and Policy Research. Mr Henry was last seen on Friday in Kenya on a mission to salvage a multinational security force the east African nation was set to lead under the auspices of the UN. He left Haiti more than a week ago to attend a meeting of Caribbean leaders in Guyana, where a deadline was announced by others, not Mr Henry to delay repeatedly postponed elections yet again. The balloting was pushed back to mid-2025. Advertisement A demonstrator holds up a Haitian flag during protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry (Odelyn Joseph/AP) Advertisement That announcement is what appears to have triggered the latest explosion of violence. It began with a direct challenge from a powerful gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who fashions himself as a Robin Hood crusader. He said he would target government ministers in an effort to prevent Mr Henrys return and force his resignation. With our guns and with the Haitian people, we will free the country, he said in a video message announcing the offensive. Advertisement He appeared to make good on that threat over the next few days as gangs launched attacks on the central bank, the airport, even the national football stadium. The culmination of the co-ordinated offensive came over the weekend when a jailbreak at the National Penitentiary and another prison released onto the streets of the capital more than 5,000 inmates, many of whom had been serving time for murder, kidnapping and other violent crimes. Mr Henry, a soft-spoken neurosurgeon, positions himself as a transitional figure and peacemaker who has the backing of the US government long Haitis dominant foreign ally and the key to any stabilisation effort. Advertisement But the Biden administrations support has not translated into popularity at home, where Mr Henry is reviled. Since he took power more than two years ago, the economy has been in free fall, food prices have skyrocketed and gang violence has surged. Last year, more than 8,400 people were reportedly killed, injured or kidnapped, more than double the number reported in 2022. The UN estimates that nearly half of Haitis 11 million people need humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Mr Henry has been unable to bring Haitis disparate political actors into an agreement on general elections, which have not been held since 2015. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian military officers on charges linked to attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine that judges said happened pursuant to a state policy. It is only the second time the global court has publicly announced arrest warrants linked to Russias war in Ukraine. Advertisement In March 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. On Tuesday, the court announced warrants for Russian Lt Gen Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash, who was commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force at the times of the alleged crimes. Advertisement Also wanted is Russian Navy Admiral Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, who was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Advertisement They are wanted for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects, causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects, and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. I have repeatedly emphasised that those responsible for actions that impact innocent civilians or protected objects must know that this conduct is bound by a set of rules reflected in international humanitarian law, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement. Advertisement All wars have rules. Those rules bind all without exception. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the warrants should serve as a warning to other Russian top brass. Every Russian commander who orders strikes against Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure must know that justice will be served. Every perpetrator of such crimes must know that they will be held accountable, Mr Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Ukrainian prosecutor general Andriy Kostin welcomed the warrants, saying they were supported by evidence provided by Ukrainian agencies. He called them another milestone in ensuring justice for all victims and survivors of this war. Advertisement Situation in #Ukraine: #ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash and Viktor Nikolayevich Sokolov. Read more https://t.co/fTcNSxPKJ6 Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kostin also applauded the crime against humanity charge, the first by the ICC in its Ukraine investigation. He said the crimes were committed on a massive scale far from the front lines and with no military justification. The court said that judges who reviewed the evidence presented by prosecutors said that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the two men are responsible for missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from October 10 2022 until at least March 9 2023. During this time frame, there was an alleged campaign of strikes against numerous electric power plants and sub-stations, which were carried out by the Russian armed forces in multiple locations in Ukraine, the court said. Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian infrastructure since launching the invasion more than two years ago. The court said the campaign qualifies as a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts against a civilian population, pursuant to a state policy. The judges found reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged strikes were directed against civilian objects, and for those installations that may have qualified as military objectives at the relevant time, the expected incidental civilian harm and damage would have been clearly excessive to the anticipated military advantage. Advertisement In March 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) Lt Gen Kobylash is head of the Russian air forces Long-range Aviation Command, which reportedly includes both Tu-95 prop-driven bombers and Tu-160 supersonic bombers. Russian war bloggers reported that Admiral Sokolov was dismissed from his post last month, although there has been no official confirmation yet. The reports of his dismissal followed the loss of a Russian amphibious assault ship and a missile corvette, which were sunk by Ukrainian sea drones last month. There is little prospect that either of the suspects will be turned over to face trial in The Hague. Russia is not a member of the global court, does not recognise its jurisdiction and refuses to hand over suspects charged by the court. The court did not release details of the warrants in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the investigations. But it said it publicised the warrants while mindful that conduct similar to that addressed in the present situation, which amounts to violations of international humanitarian law, is alleged to be ongoing and saying that publication may contribute to the prevention of the further commission of crimes. Advertisement When it issued the arrest warrant for Mr Putin last year, the court also issued another for Maria Lvova-Belova, the commissioner for childrens rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation on the same charges of involvement in child abductions. Israel has ramped up its criticism of the embattled UN agency for Palestinian refugees, saying 450 of its employees were members of militant groups in the Gaza Strip, though it provided no evidence to back up its accusation. Major international funders have withheld hundreds of millions of dollars from the agency, known as UNRWA, since Israel accused 12 of its employees of participating in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed 1,200 people and left about 250 others held hostage in Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Advertisement The UN envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, said on Monday there were reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed rape, sexualised torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment of women during the attack. The attack sparked an Israeli invasion of the enclave of 2.3 million people that Gazas Health Ministry says has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Aid groups say the fighting has displaced most of the territorys population and sparked a humanitarian catastrophe. UNRWA, which employs roughly 13,000 people in Gaza, is the biggest aid provider in the enclave. The allegations on Monday were a significant escalation in the accusations against the agency. Advertisement Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israels chief military spokesperson, did not provide names or other evidence to back up the vastly increased number of UNRWA employees it said were militants. Over 450 UNRWA employees are military operatives in terror groups in Gaza 450. This is no mere coincidence. This is systematic. There is no claiming, we did not know, Mr Hagari said. UNRWA in a statement accused Israel of detaining several of its staffers and forcing them, using torture and ill treatment, into giving false confessions about the links between the agency, Hamas and the October 7 attack on Israel. These forced confessions as a result of torture are being used by the Israeli authorities to further spread misinformation about the agency as part of attempts to dismantle UNRWA, the statement said. This is putting our staff in Gaza at risk and has serious implications on our operations in Gaza and around the region. Advertisement Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu (Aaron Chown/PA) Advertisement After Israels initial accusation against UNRWA, the agency fired the accused employees and more than a dozen countries suspended funding worth about 450 million dollars, almost half its budget for the year. Juliette Touma, director of communications for UNRWA, had no direct comment on the new Israeli allegations. Advertisement UNRWA encourages any entity that has any information on the very serious allegations against UNRWA staff to share it with the ongoing UN investigation, she said. Two UN investigations into Israels allegations were already under way when the EU said on Friday it will pay 50 million euros to UNRWA after the agency agreed to allow EU-appointed experts to audit the way it screens staff to identify extremists. Mr Hagari also released a recording of a call he said was of an UNRWA teacher describing his role in the October 7 attack. We have female captives. I caught one, the male voice is heard saying in Arabic. A man on a second call, alleged to be an Islamic Jihad militant who Israel also claimed was an UNRWA teacher, is heard saying Im inside with the Jews. The military named the men, though the man in the first call identified himself in the recording by a different name. The military said that name may have been a nickname. The military did not provide evidence as to their employment with UNRWA. Advertisement Benny Gantz is meeting US officials (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) The accusations came as Benny Gantz, a top member of Israels wartime Cabinet, met US officials in Washington while talks were under way in Egypt to broker a ceasefire in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins next week. US vice president Kamala Harris met Mr Gantz, who came to Washington in defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Biden administration intensifies its efforts to push more humanitarian aid into war-battered Gaza. White House officials said Mr Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, requested the meeting and that the Democratic administration believed it was important that Ms Harris sit down with the prominent Israeli official despite Mr Netanyahus objections. President Joe Biden, Ms Harris and other senior administration officials have become increasingly blunt about their dissatisfaction with the mounting death toll in Gaza and the suffering of innocent Palestinians as the war nears the five-month mark. The president and I have been aligned and consistent from the very beginning, Ms Harris said in an exchange with reporters shortly before meeting Mr Gantz. Israel has a right to defend itself. Far too many Palestinian civilians, innocent civilians have been killed. We need to get more aid in, we need to get hostages out, and that remains our position. Advertisement Kamala Harris met Benny Gantz at the White House (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) The White House, in a statement following the meeting, said Ms Harris and Mr Gantz discussed the urgency of completing a hostage deal to free more than 100 people believed still to be in captivity in Gaza following Hamass attack on Israel. She also reiterated the administrations support for a temporary extended ceasefire that would facilitate the release of hostages and allow for a surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. Although Mr Gantz holds many of the same hardline views as Mr Netanyahu, he has been seen as more open to compromise on critical issues, including the increased delivery of humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, violence flared between Israel and Lebanon, amid inflamed tensions across the region. An anti-tank missile fired into northern Israel from Lebanon killed a foreign worker and wounded seven others on Monday, Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said. The Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon did not immediately claim responsibility for Mondays strike. Hours later an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon killed three paramedics from Hezbollahs health arm, Lebanons state media said. US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Monday to meet Lebanese officials in an attempt to reduce tensions. The near-daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters and at least 37 civilians in Lebanon. Around 20 people have been killed on the Israeli side, including civilians and soldiers. Britain's Princess of Wales is to carry out her first major engagement since her operation when she reviews Trooping the Colour, according to the British Armys official website. Tickets are being sold on the site for the military spectacle which will take place on June 8th, the weekend before the main Trooping the Colour ceremony which is normally reviewed by the monarch. Advertisement The website names Britain's King Charles as attending the main Trooping ceremony also known as the Birthday Parade, as it marks the sovereigns official anniversary with bookings now being taken for a ballot for tickets. Advertisement Charles is receiving treatment for cancer and Kate is recovering from abdominal surgery, but it is understood planning for major royal events continues, with organisers remaining flexible in the event of possible changes. Advertisement Kate has been spotted being driven close to her home in Windsor following huge speculation on social media about the state of her health. It appears the UK Ministry of Defence hopes Kate will be well enough to attend one of the key ceremonial events in the armed forces year. Advertisement The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family watch the fly-past following last years Trooping the Colour ceremony (Yui Mok/PA) But only Kensington Palace, Kates official office, can announce her attendance at a royal event and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time. Kate left hospital on January 29th and is recuperating at her Adelaide Cottage home close to Windsor Castle after undergoing abdominal surgery but is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter. An image circulating online shows the princess, wearing sunglasses, sitting in the front seat of a car being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton. Advertisement Kate with her mother, Carole Middleton (Tim Ockenden/PA) Since his diagnosis, Charles has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and some in-person meetings. Charles was pictured earlier during a pre-budget audience with British chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace, ahead of the politicians major financial statement on Wednesday. In the latest development in the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has accused China's coast guard of engaging in "dangerous maneuvers" that resulted in a collision between a Philippine coast guard vessel and a Chinese vessel during a routine resupply mission. The collision, which occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal, has heightened concerns over territorial disputes in the region. PCG Reports Minor Damage in Collision with Chinese Vessel According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela, the collision caused minor structural damage to the PCG vessel. Tarriela condemned the incident through a social media post accompanied by video clips illustrating the moment of the collision. "This morning, China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission to BRP SIERRA MADRE (LS 57) at Ayungin Shoal," he posted on X, formerly Twitter. The PCG vessel was part of a mission to transport provisions for Filipino troops stationed at a warship grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, reinforcing sovereignty claims. China's coast guard, however, maintains that the Philippine vessels illegally intruded into waters adjacent to the shoal, necessitating control measures. China asserts sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal, deploying vessels for patrol, including what Manila labels as "Chinese maritime militia," present during the resupply mission. This incident marks the latest in a series of maritime confrontations between the Philippines and China, despite a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating China's territorial claims. Read Also: Philippines, US Conduct Joint Air Patrol Over South China Sea Amid Maritime Tensions Philippines Asserts Sovereignty Amid Escalating Tensions with China During a forum in Australia, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated his country's commitment to dialogue while asserting its sovereignty and maritime rights. This reflects a departure from the pro-China stance adopted by Marcos's predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Marcos accuses Beijing of aggression within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, citing instances of water cannon use, "military-grade" lasers, and collision tactics against Philippine vessels. Tarriela, meanwhile, reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to asserting its legal rights over its maritime zones. "The Philippines will not be deterred from exercising our legal rights over our maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal which forms part of our Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf," he wrote. "We demand that China demonstrate that it is a responsible and trustworthy member of the international community." Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo called on China to cease its harassment, reiterating Manila's strategy of publicizing Chinese maneuvers in the region. President Marcos emphasized the Philippines' resolve to defend its territory and maritime jurisdiction while advocating for dialogue and diplomacy in dispute resolution. The South China Sea's strategic importance as a major shipping route and resource-rich area underscores the significance of resolving disputes peacefully. Related Article: Filipino Bishops Condemn China's Aggressive Intrusions in the South China Sea, Urge Fishermen Protection Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in a series of confrontations, as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit where alarm over Beijings aggression at sea was expected to be raised. The Chinese coast guard ships and accompanying vessels blocked the Philippine coast guard and supply vessels off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal and executed dangerous manoeuvres that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said. Advertisement The BRP Sindangan of the Philippine coast guard sustained minor structural damage in the collision that happened shortly after dawn on Tuesday. Handout photo shows a Chinese coast guard ship approach a Philippine coast guard ship, causing a minor collision, in the Second Thomas Shoal (Philippine Coast Guard/AP) Over an hour later, another Chinese coast guard ship first blocked then collided with a supply boat the Philippine coast guard was escorting, the Philippine officials said. Advertisement Advertisement The supply boat, manned by Filipino navy personnel, was later hit by water cannon blasts from two Chinese coast guard ships. Its windshield shattered, injuring at least four Filipino crew members, according to a statement from the Philippine government task force dealing with territorial disputes. The task force said the actions by the Chinese was another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission. Chinas latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous manoeuvres against Philippine ships en route to deliver supplies and fresh troops to the Philippine-occupied shoal put the lives of our people at risk and caused actual injury to Filipinos, it said. A small Philippine marine and navy contingent has kept watch onboard a rusting warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which has been marooned since the late 1990s in the shallows of the Second Thomas Shoal. Advertisement China also claims the shoal lying off the western Philippines and has surrounded the atoll with coast guard, navy and other ships to press its claims and prevent Filipino forces from delivering construction materials to fortify the Sierra Madre in a decades-long standoff. Chinese president Xi Jinping (left) and Chinese premier Li Qiang arrive for the opening session of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing, China (Ng Han Guan/AP) The shoal has been the site of several tense skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships last year. Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese coast guard said in a statement that it took control measures in accordance with the law against Philippine ships that illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to Renai Reef, the name Beijing uses for Second Thomas Shoal. A Chinese coast guard spokesperson said a Philippine ship deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard vessel, causing a minor scratch. The long-simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea are expected to be discussed at a summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their Australian counterpart in Melbourne on Wednesday. On Monday, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said in the Australian city that his administration will do whatever it takes to manage any threat to his countrys territory but stressed that Manila would continue to tread the path of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes with China. Advertisement The Philippines and Vietnam plan to raise their alarm over Chinas increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters during the summit, a senior Southeast Asian diplomat told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of not being authorised to discuss the issue publicly. Philippine security officials have accused the Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships of blocking Philippine vessels and using water cannons and a military-grade laser that temporarily blinded some Filipino crew members in a series of high-seas confrontations last year. Advertisement The Chinese Embassy in Manila accused the Philippines of frequent provocative moves in the South China Sea and said China acted in accordance with law to defend its own sovereignty, rights and interests. Washington strongly condemned the Chinese coast guards actions and its ambassador in Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said the US stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law. Australia and Japan separately expressed their concern over Chinas actions. The confrontations have sparked fears of a larger conflict that could involve the US. Chinese and Philippine officials met in Shanghai in January and agreed to take steps to lower tensions but their latest confrontation at sea underscores the difficulty of doing so. The US has warned it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. China has warned the US to stop meddling in what it calls a purely Asian dispute. Brunei, Malaysia Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims to the strategic waterway, a major global trade route which is also believed to be sitting atop rich undersea deposits of oil and gas. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Tory former Cabinet ministers have helped inflict the heaviest defeats Rishi Sunak has suffered in the UK's House of Lords over his proposed Rwanda asylum law. The string of government setbacks, most passed by unusually large margins of more than 100 votes, set the stage for a Westminster showdown over the legislation that aims to clear the way to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali. Advertisement The UK prime minister has previously warned the unelected chamber against frustrating the will of the people by hampering the passage of his Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, which has already been approved by MPs. Ahead of the next election, Mr Sunak has made stopping the boats a key pledge of his leadership. Advertisement The garden and grounds of the Hope Hostel in Kigali, Rwanda, where migrants will stay (Victoria Jones/PA) Advertisement The draft legislation and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled deportation scheme after the Supreme Court ruled the plan was unlawful. As well as compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe, it would also give ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions. It has been warned that the legislation is fundamentally incompatible with the UKs human rights obligations and would flout international law. But Downing Street has said the UK government remains committed to sending flights to Rwanda in the spring. Advertisement In all, peers backed five changes to the Bill, including ensuring it complied with the rule of law and that Parliament cannot declare Rwanda to be safe until the treaty with its promised safeguards, is fully implemented. The Lords also supported a move that would allow the presumption the country is a secure haven to be challenged in the courts. Among those to vote against the government were the Most Rev Justin Welby, and Conservative grandees Lord Clarke of Nottingham, Lord Deben and Viscount Hailsham, who have all previously held Cabinet positions. The size of the defeats raise the prospect of an extended tussle between the Commons and Lords during ping-pong, where legislation is batted between the two Houses until agreement is reached. Advertisement Advertisement Labour former home secretary Lord Blunkett said: When circumstances change most people change their minds. But if minds are not allowed to be changed when circumstances change, then we are all extremely foolish. Leading lawyer and independent crossbencher, Lord Anderson of Ipswich, said the provision in the Bill requiring Rwanda to be treated as safe takes us for fools. Proposing an amendment that would allow the presumption to be challenged in the courts, he added: If Rwanda is safe as the Government would have us declare, it has nothing to fear from such scrutiny. Advertisement Yet we are invited to adopt a fiction, to wrap it in the cloak of parliamentary sovereignty and to grant it permanent immunity from challenge. To tell an untruth and call it truth. Why would we go along with that? Mr Welby said international human rights law had developed following the horrors committed by Nazi Germany, to act as a fallback and stop on governments. He added: We are not in any situation remotely like that lets be clear. The government is not doing something on the scale of what we saw at that stage, but the government is challenging the right of international law to constrain our actions. Advertisement The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby voted against the Government (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Urging peers to back the Bill, Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Lilley: It is very important that we not only use common sense but be merciful, because the longer we delay the more people will come across the Channel, and the more will die. Former Conservative Party leader Michael Howard told peers the Supreme Court had been trespassing on the governments responsibilities in its Rwanda ruling. Lord Howard of Lympne added: Accountability is at the heart of democracy. That is why the Government is fully entitled to bring forward this Bill and why much of the criticism which is directed at it for doing so is fundamentally misconceived. However, Tory former chancellor Ken Clarke said he hoped there would be a legal challenge to the Bill if it was passed. Lord Clarke said: I cannot recall a precedent in my time where a government of any complexion have produced a Bill which asserts a matter of fact facts to be fact. Later, responding to concerns about mental health support asylum seekers would receive in Rwanda, UK home office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom said: It would be far in the best interests, mental health interests of those seeking asylum, and who are victims, to seek asylum in the first safe country they came to. The UK government faces the threat of further defeats on Wednesday when the Bill is again before the Lords. A German military officer used an unsecured phone line at a Singapore hotel to join a conference call that was hacked by Russians and leaked to the public, Germanys defence minister said Tuesday. The fallout from the leaked audio tape, which features four high-ranking German air force officers discussing hypothetically how Taurus long-range cruise missiles could be used by Kyiv against invading Russian forces, has embarrassed the German government and further increased tensions between the two countries. Advertisement Not all participants adhered to the secure dialling procedure as intended, German defence minister Boris Pistorius said as he briefed reporters in Berlin on the initial results of an ongoing investigation. Advertisement The minister said that the officer in question, whose name he did not give, had participated in the Singapore Air Show, which was attended by high-ranking military officers from across Europe. Advertisement He then dialled into the WebEx call using either his mobile phone or the hotels Wi-Fi but not a secured line as is considered mandatory for such calls. For the Russian secret services, it was a real find targeted hacking took place in the hotels used across the board, Mr Pistorius said. It must therefore be assumed that the access to this (phone) conference was a chance hit as part of a broad, scattered approach. Advertisement Mr Pistorius said the investigation was ongoing, overall security had been increased and preliminary disciplinary proceedings were being considered, but that severe personal consequences were unlikely. I will not sacrifice any of my best officers to Putins games, to put it very clearly, he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius gives a press statement on the status of an investigation into the German military audio that was leaked by Russia (Michael Kappeler/AP) Advertisement The 38-minute audio leak was posted by Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of the Russian state-funded television channel RT, on social media on Friday, the same day that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was laid to rest after his still-unexplained death two weeks ago in an Arctic penal colony. Advertisement The recording also surfaced just weeks before Russias presidential election. While German authorities have not questioned the authenticity of the recording, chancellor Olaf Scholz said last week that delivering those weapons to Ukraine was not an option and that he does not want Germany to be drawn into the war directly. However, on Monday Russias Foreign Ministry threatened Germany with dire consequences in connection with the leak. It did not elaborate. Advertisement Relations between the two countries have steadily eroded since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are poised to move much closer to winning their partys nominations during the biggest day of the primary campaign, setting up a historic rematch that many voters would rather not endure. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory from Alaska and California to Vermont and Virginia. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on any single day. Advertisement While much of the focus is on the presidential race, there are also other important contests taking place. California voters will choose candidates who will compete to fill the Senate seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. The governors race will take shape in North Carolina, a state that both parties are fiercely contesting ahead of November. And in Los Angeles, a progressive prosecutor is attempting to fend off an intense re-election challenge in a race that could serve as a barometer of the politics of crime. Advertisement Neither Mr Trump nor Mr Biden will be able to formally clinch their partys nominations on Super Tuesday (AP) Advertisement But the premier races centre on Mr Biden and Mr Trump. And in a dramatic departure from past Super Tuesdays, both the Democratic and Republican contests are effectively sealed this year. The two men have easily repelled challengers in the opening rounds of the campaign and are in full command of their bids despite polls making it clear that voters do not want this years general election to be identical to the 2020 race. We have to beat Biden he is the worst president in history, Mr Trump said on Tuesday on the Fox & Friends cable morning show. Mr Biden countered with a pair of radio interviews aimed at shoring up his support among black voters, who helped anchor his 2020 coalition. Advertisement If we lose this election, youre going to be back with Donald Trump, Mr Biden said on DeDe In The Morning hosted by DeDe McGuire. The way he talks about, the way he acted, the way he has dealt with the African-American community, I think, has been shameful. Voters cast their ballot on Super Tuesday (Richard Vogel/AP) Advertisement A new AP-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research poll finds a majority of Americans do not think either Mr Biden or Mr Trump has the necessary mental acuity for the job. Advertisement Both of them failed, in my opinion, to unify this country, said Brian Hadley, 66, of Raleigh, North Carolina. Neither Mr Trump nor Mr Biden will be able to formally clinch their partys nominations on Super Tuesday. The earliest either can become his partys presumptive nominee is March 12 for Mr Trump and March 19 for Mr Biden. The final days before Tuesday demonstrated the unique nature of this years campaign. Rather than barnstorming the states holding primaries, Mr Biden and Mr Trump held rival events last week along the US-Mexico border, each seeking to gain an advantage in the increasingly fraught immigration debate. After the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 on Monday to restore Mr Trump to primary ballots following attempts to ban him for his role in helping spark the Capitol riot, Mr Trump pointed to the 91 criminal counts against him to accuse Mr Biden of weaponising the courts. Advertisement Mr Biden delivers the State of the Union address on Thursday, then will campaign in the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. (AP) Advertisement Fight your fight yourself, Mr Trump said. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent. Mr Biden delivers the State of the Union address on Thursday, then will campaign in the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. The president will defend policies responsible for record job creation, the strongest economy in the world, increased wages and household wealth, and lower prescription drug and energy costs, White House communications director Ben LaBolt said in a statement. That is in contrast, Mr LaBolt continued, to Mr Trumps Make America Great Again movement, which consists of rewarding billionaires and corporations with tax breaks, taking away rights and freedoms, and undermining our democracy. Mr Bidens campaign called extra attention to Mr Trumps most provocative utterances on the campaign trail, like when he evoked Adolf Hitler in suggesting that immigrants were poisoning the blood of the US and said he would seek to serve as a dictator during his first day back in the White House. Mr Trump recently told a gala for black conservatives that he believed African Americans empathised with his four criminal indictments, drawing a sharp rebuke from the Biden campaign and top Democrats around the country for comparing personal legal struggles to the historical injustices black people have faced in the US. Advertisement Mr Trump has nonetheless already vanquished more than a dozen major Republican challengers and now has only one left: Nikki Haley, the former presidents onetime UN ambassador who was also twice elected governor of her home state of South Carolina. Ms Haley has travelled across the country, visiting at least one Super Tuesday state almost daily for more than a week and arguing that her base of support while far smaller than Mr Trumps suggests the former president will lose to Mr Biden. We can do better than two 80-year-old candidates for president, Ms Haley said at a rally on Monday in the Houston suburbs. Ms Haley has maintained strong fundraising and notched her first primary victory over the weekend in Washington, DC, a Democrat-run city with few registered Republicans. Mr Trump tried to turn that victory into a loss for her overall campaign, scoffing that Ms Haley had been crowned queen of the swamp. Though Mr Trump has dominated the early Republican primary calendar, his victories have shown vulnerabilities with some influential voter blocs, especially in college towns such as Hanover, New Hampshire, home to Dartmouth College, or Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan is located, as well as in some areas with high concentrations of independents. Advertisement Nikki Haley notched her first primary victory over the weekend in Washington, DC (Tony Gutierrez/AP) The slate on Tuesday also includes Minnesota, a state Mr Trump did not carry in his otherwise dominant Super Tuesday performance in 2016. Seth De Penning, a self-described conservative-leaning independent, voted Tuesday morning in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for Ms Haley, he said, because the Republican party needs a course correction. Mr De Penning, 40, called his choice a vote of conscience and said he has never voted for Mr Trump because of concerns about his temperament and character. Still, Ms Haley winning any of Super Tuesdays contests would take an upset, and a Trump sweep would only intensify pressure on her to leave the race. Mr Biden has his own problems, including low approval ratings and polls suggesting that many Americans, even a majority of Democrats, do not want to see the 81-year-old running again. The presidents easy Michigan primary win last week was spoiled slightly by an uncommitted campaign organised by activists who disapprove of the presidents handling of Israels war in Gaza. While Mr Biden is the oldest president in US history, his re-election campaign argues that sceptics will come around once it is clear it will be him or Mr Trump in November. Mr Trump is 77 and also faces questions about age that have been exacerbated by mistakes such as over the weekend when he mistakenly suggested he was running against Barack Obama. That has not shaken Mr Trumps ardent supporters faith in him. Trump would eat him up, Ken Ballos, a retired police officer who attended a weekend Trump rally in Virginia, said of a November rematch, adding that Mr Biden would look like a fool up there. Ukraine claims it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones as Kyivs forces continue to take aim at targets deep behind the wars front line. Russian authorities did not confirm the claim. Advertisement The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special operations unit destroyed the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov overnight. The ship, which Ukraine said was commissioned in 2021 and was hit near the Kerch Strait, reportedly can carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew. A multi-purpose unmanned surface boat is seen in Ukraine as the country claimed it had sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea (Daniyar Sarsenov/AP) Advertisement The sinking of such a modern ship would be a significant loss and an embarrassing blow for Moscow, even though there are dozens of other vessels in its Black Sea fleet. Advertisement Patrol boats such as the Sergey Kotov are part of Russias countermeasures against drone attacks, according to an article published last month by the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a US think tank. The vessels use radar and a helicopter to detect and destroy drones using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, it said. Kyivs forces are struggling to keep the better-provisioned Russian army at bay at some points along the largely static 930-mile front line, but are also taking aim at targets far beyond the battlefield. Advertisement In the Black Sea, Ukrainian successes against enemy warships have pushed the Russian fleet away from the coast, allowing Ukraine to set up a grain export corridor. The Ukraine defence ministry posted on X, formerly Twitter, a video of what it said was the night-time attack on the Sergey Kotov using Magura V5 uncrewed vessels that are designed and built in Ukraine and laden with explosives. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine 05 March 2024. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/JA3Q89aXTg #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/P7oRxpjHhH Advertisement Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) March 5, 2024 Seven Russian crew members were killed and six were injured in the strike, while 52 crew were rescued, the military intelligence agency said. Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian claims could not immediately be independently verified, and disinformation has been a feature of the fighting that broke out after Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Private security firm Ambrey said the attack took place at the port of Feodosia, in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Ambrey said it has seen footage taken by a crew member on a merchant vessel in the port, showing the Sergey Kotov firing at the drones. The ship was hit at least twice, with the second strike resulting in a large blast, Ambrey reported. Last month, Ukraine claimed it twice sank Russian warships using drones. On February 1, it claimed to have sunk the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets, and on February 14 it said it destroyed the Caesar Kunikov landing ship. Russian officials did not confirm those claims. Kyiv officials say some 20% of Russian missile attacks on Ukraine are launched from the Black Sea, and hitting Russian ships there is embarrassing for Moscow. A Ukrainian officer fires a multiple launch rocket system towards Russian positions (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) Almost two years ago, the flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, the Moskva guided-missile cruiser, sank after it was heavily damaged in a missile attack. Advertisement Also on Tuesday, the Russian military scrambled a Su-27 fighter jet to escort a French E-3F military surveillance plane, accompanied by two Rafale fighter jets, in international airspace over the Black Sea. The Russian Defence Ministry said the Su-27 was scrambled to prevent a violation of the state border of the Russian Federation, adding that the French planes turned away from the Russian border after the Russian jet approached. Moscow has repeatedly accused Nato allies of gathering intelligence information to assist Ukrainian strikes on Russian forces. In November, the Russian military threatened to shoot down a French surveillance aircraft patrolling in international airspace. French officials said the Russian military issued the warning in a radio exchange with one of the French early warning and control aircraft as it flew over international waters in the Black Sea. The US veterans affairs (VA) secretary has reversed a department memo that aimed to ban VA displays of the famous VJ Day in Times Square photograph of a navy sailor kissing a woman on the streets of New York at the end of the Second World War. Secretary Denis McDonough acted hours after a copy of a memo from a VA assistant undersecretary requesting the photos removal from all VA health facilities was shared on social media. Advertisement The memo had said the photo depicts a non-consensual act and is inconsistent with the departments sexual harassment policy. Mr McDonough tweeted out a copy of the image, which appeared in Life magazine, adding: Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities and we will keep it in VA facilities. Advertisement Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities - and we will keep it in VA facilities. pic.twitter.com/dYSikLxHAJ Advertisement Secretary Denis McDonough (@SecVetAffairs) March 5, 2024 Two people familiar with the memo confirmed that it was authentic and said Mr McDonough had never approved it and rescinded it once informed that it had been sent out. Advertisement The VA is not going to be banning this photo, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday. I can definitely say that the memo was not sanctioned, and so its not something that we were even aware of. Copies of the memo racked up millions of views on social media, quickly becoming a political lightning rod. The photo was taken on August 14 1945, known as VJ Day, the day Japan surrendered to the United States, as people spilled into the New York City streets from restaurants, bars and cinemas, celebrating the news. George Mendonsa spotted Greta Friedman, spun her around and planted a kiss. The two had never met. Advertisement The photo, by Alfred Eisenstaedt, is called VJ Day in Times Square but is known to most people simply as The Kiss. Ms Friedman told the Library of Congress in 2005 that it wasnt a romantic event. It was just an event of thank God the war is over kind of thing. She added in an oral history of the photo: It wasnt my choice to be kissed. Ms Friedman died in 2016 at the age of 92, while Mr Mendonsa died in 2019 aged 95. Electronic music duo Electric Fields will represent Australia at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in May, SBS has confirmed. The duo, vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and keyboard player Michael Ross, have been described as Daft Punk meets Nina Simone in the Deep Forest. The choice of artist is a shift in strategy for Australia, having previously sent both individual soloists and a group to the annual competition. An electronic music duo, performing in both English and the Indigenous Yankunytjatjara language will play well to Eurovisions electronically-inclined and culturally diverse audience. South Australian duo Electric Fields (keyboardist Michael Ross, left, and vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding) will represent Australia at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Credit: Nick Wilson When the duo were told they were Eurovision-bound, they cried, Fielding said. We had the little a-ha moment and cried and got really emotional, he said. We love our music, we love what we create, and to be given this platform to showcase our love for people ... its really nice to be connected to that. Ross described his reaction as frazzled emotions, but there was jumping up and down like a goose and there was the very proud phone call to the parents because they love when the world gives us opportunities, he said. Theyre so full of joy and pride. So I think sharing it with loved ones is possibly the best part. Advertisement Eating outBrisbane Top Melbourne chef set to seduce Brisbane with a French Affair Hes cooking smoked potato croissants, barbecued red claw and dry-aged quail. Fair warning: tickets will go fast. Matt Shea March 5, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Influential Melbourne chef and restaurateur Scott Pickett is headed to Brisbane for one night only for a collaboration dinner with Cest Bon chef-patron Andy Ashby. Pickett is the face of Scott Pickett Group, which operates a bunch of celebrated Melbourne restaurants, including Estelle, Chancery Lane Bistro, Smith St Bistrot and Matilda. The group also took on the Melbourne instalment of Longrain and its upstairs bar, Longsong a powerhouse pair of venues right in the heart of the Victorian capitals CBD after they were closed during the pandemic by previous owners Lisa and John Van Haandel. Melbourne-based chef Scott Pickett. Courtesy Scott Pickett Group Pickett and Ashby first met when the former was running the kitchen at The Point, the iconic Albert Park restaurant. It was my first stint when I came across the ditch from New Zealand, and he taught me a lot about the local industry before I spread my wings, Ashby says. We always stayed in touch, and Ive followed his journey through Estelle and Chancery Lane and then Smith St Bistrot, and its been fun watching things absolutely take off for him. Advertisement A rare and precious cafe opens in a restored New Farm Queenslander Pickett will join Ashby in the kitchen of Cest Bon in Woolloongabba on Wednesday, April 10 for Cest Bon and Beyond: A French Affair. The two chefs have been discussing the collab dinner for almost a year. Ive always wanted to catch up with Scott again but, obviously, running seven restaurants tends to keep you well under the pump, Ashby says. But I reached out again at the start of this year and said, Brisbanes crying out for another piece of talent to come up and put on a soiree. He gave me a date, and we made it happen. Ashby describes the dinner as being a four by four, with he and the classically trained Pickett splitting four snacks and four courses between them (Scott Pickett Group executive group chef Stu McVeigh will also be in the kitchen on the night). Oeuf mayonnaise with caviar. courtesy of Scott Pickett Group Advertisement For snacks, there will be oeuf mayonnaise with caviar; parfait onion jam on brioche; barbecued red claw with a Basque piperade and mustard flowers; and a smoked potato croissant. The courses will include dry-aged quail and foie gras pithivier with rouge cherry and chicory, and a roasted chestnut Mont Blanc with a burnt vanilla creme. He has Chancery Lane and Smith Street these amazing hatted restaurants that have done super well and its about taking that feeling and bringing it into our home of Cest Bon. Its about putting our groove and feel on it in terms of local producers, but with that French orientation. French dining has evolved a lot in Australia in the past two decades, but Ashby reckons Pickett remains one of the best in the country. Scott Pickett will be cooking in Brisbane for one night only at Cest Bon in Woolloongabba. Courtesy Scott Pickett Group I think he sits up there with Guillaume [Brahimi], just in terms of what hes been through, Ashby says. Advertisement To go through the trenches and come out the other side and now have a successful restaurant group like he has is really impressive. Cest Bon and Beyond: A French Affair will run over two sittings with tickets priced at $135 per person. An optional wine pairing will be available on the night. Sustainable fashion label Arnsdorfs minimalist designs were featured in promotional images for this years Melbourne Fashion Festival, but the clothes wont make it onto the runway. Arnsdorf founder and designer Jade Sarita Arnott is closing the label she founded in 2006, along with its Brunswick Street, Fitzroy store, following a challenging period for the retail industry. Joslin designer Elinor McInnes (far right) will be taking part in the Melbourne Fashion Festival sustainability-themed show. Credit: Justin McManus The surprise move comes after Nique, another Australian label with a sustainable focus and stores in Sydney and Melbourne, entered voluntary administration last month. Arnsdorf had been ticking along, so for me this is a personal decision rather than a financial one, Arnott says. Im ready to explore other things. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday, Mar. 5, that an incentive provided to American music superstar Taylor Swift to make Singapore the only Southeast Asian stop of her Eras Tour was not a sign of bad blood towards its ASEAN neighbors, particularly those that have a sizeable population of the star's fans, commonly referred to as Swifites. "(Our) agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia," he told reporters at a joint press conference with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Melbourne on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Summit held in the city. "It has turned out to be a very successful arrangement. I don't see that as being unfriendly." Lee added that it was not clear that Swift would have performed in other cities within the region if such an arrangement had not been made. Swift is currently in the city-state for a six-night show as her sole ASEAN leg of the Eras Tour. Lee, on the other hand, visited Melbourne, along with his Southeast Asian counterparts, to tackle more pressing issues that affect ASEAN as a whole, such as Myanmar's humanitarian crisis and the bloc's response to China's aggression in the South China Sea. The bloc decided to hold the summit in Melbourne to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Australia becoming ASEAN's first external partner. Thai, Filipino Officials See 'Bad Blood' Reuters reported that the Singaporean government - currently ruled by the People's Action Party ever since its independence in 1965 - previously revealed that it had given Swift a grant to have a show in the island-nation, but did not mention any of the terms of the deal. Aside from Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines have a sizable number of Swifties in their respective populations, with officials from both countries criticizing the Singaporean government's bid to sideline its ASEAN neighbors. Thai Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin was quoted by Sky News last month saying that Singapore brokered a deal to pay Swift up to $3 million for each of her six concerts - or up to $18 million in total - in exchange for keeping the shows exclusive to Singapore and not spread out to Bangkok or even Manila. Meanwhile, Philippine lawmaker Rep. Joey Salceda called on the country's Department of Foreign Affairs to protest against the grant, adding that what Singapore did was not "what good neighbors do." "Our countries are good friends," he said. "That's why actions like that hurt." The Filipino legislator added that, while Swift's Singapore stop would benefit the city-state, it was done so "at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their own foreign concertgoers and whose fans had to go to Singapore," the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. Read Also: Singapore Budget 2024: Deputy PM Wong Announces Household Cash Subsidies, Vouchers, AI Investments Singaporean MP: Was SG 'Mean' to Other ASEAN Countries? Salceda's sentiment was shared by Cambodia-based hotel managing director Christian de Boer, who told CNBC that the winner-takes-all mentality Singapore had harms regional tourism industries, which were still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as fans who could not afford the expensive price tag of traveling to Singapore just to see Swift in person. "Slightly selfish with ONLY Singapore in mind and not the wider region," he said. "Clearly [Singaporean authorities] aren't very caring for anyone other [than] themselves" Singaporean cultural minister Edwin Tong previously told state-owned news agency Mediacorp that the country paid Swift around $2 million to $3 million for all of her six shows, which was "nowhere as high" as previous reports have suggested or Sretta's estimates. In late February, the Singapore Tourism Board said it "supported the event through a grant" but did not reveal the grant's size or any of the attached conditions. "What I'll say is this: The numbers that you see online - it is nowhere as high as what is being speculated," Tong said. During a parliamentary session on Monday (Mar. 4), Singaporean MP Gerald Giam asked Tong whether the government negotiated to make the island Swift's only "blank space" in Southeast Asia, referencing her smash hit of the same name. "And did it realize that this may be perceived by some of our neighbors as being mean?" he added, with a reference to another of Swift's songs. "You have to make your calculations and work out what's in Singapore and Singaporeans best interest," Tong replied. Related Article: Taylor Swift Is Related to Famed American Poet Emily Dickinson, Ancestry Reveals Annie* was a young mother working in a male-dominated industry when the unthinkable happened. As she was returning from a break, she got in a lift with a male manager. Within seconds, he had cornered her, put his hand between her legs, groped her breast and tried to kiss her, she said. Annie* said her boss asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement when she made a sexual harassment complaint. Credit: Chris Hopkins More than a decade later, her shock is still palpable. I left there feeling violated, she said. But what happened next sent further reverberations through Annies life. Days after reporting the alleged assault to senior management with the assistance of a supportive female manager, who was also a union delegate, she said she was called into a meeting without her. Three days of negotiations with Hamas over a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages failed to achieve a breakthrough Tuesday, Egyptian officials said, less than a week before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the informal deadline for a deal. The nearly five months of fighting left much of Gaza in ruins and created a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, with many, especially in the devastated northern region, scrambling for food to survive. We must get more aid into Gaza, US President Joe Biden said Tuesday. Theres no excuse. None. Palestinians rescue survivors after an Israeli strike in Rafah. Credit: AP Aid groups have said it has become nearly impossible to deliver supplies within most of Gaza because of the difficulty of coordinating with the Israeli military, the ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent weeks trying to broker an agreement in which Hamas would release up to 40 hostages in return for a six-week cease-fire, the release of some Palestinian prisoners and a major influx of aid to the isolated territory. Two Egyptian officials said that the latest round of discussions ended on Tuesday. They said Hamas presented a proposal that mediators would discuss with Israel in the coming days. One of the officials said that mediators would meet Wednesday with the Hamas delegation, which didnt leave Cairo. Hamas has refused to release all of the estimated 100 hostages it holds, and the remains of around 30 more, unless Israel ends its offensive, withdraws from Gaza and releases a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including senior militants serving life sentences. US officials have said that they are sceptical that Hamas actually wants a deal, because the group has balked at a number of what the US and others believe are legitimate requests, including giving the names of hostages to be released. AP A Ballarat teacher onboard a school bus when it collided with a truck has burst into tears in court and described hearing childrens voices in flashbacks after the major collision that injured dozens of students outside Melbourne. Truck driver Brett Russell will stand trial after facing a two-day hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court, where witnesses, including teachers and medical practitioners, provided evidence about the September 2022 crash. Truck driver Brett Michael Russell faced court over the bus crash in 2022. Credit: Jason South Loreto College teacher Scott Antonio, who suffered soft-tissue injuries to his neck and back as well as psychological injuries from the crash, gave evidence remotely from Ballarat. He broke down as he described constantly hearing the students voices after barrister John Lavery asked him to explain if his nightmares and flashbacks were related to the collision. A 14-year-old boy has faced court charged with assaulting another student and leaving them with a broken jaw at a Catholic high school in Perths western suburbs last week. The Newman College student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced one charge of aggravated grievous bodily harm in Perth Childrens Court on Tuesday morning. The teen leaving court on Tuesday. Credit: 9 News Perth The student he allegedly hit was treated by paramedics and taken to Perth Childrens Hospital for treatment on Tuesday, February 27. He has since been discharged. In court, the boys lawyer Eloise Willmott said current bail conditions required her client to be at least 20 metres away from the alleged victim. Home buyers who have a $500,000 budget could afford fewer than one in 10 properties in some markets as affordable property options plummet. In some once-affordable neighbourhoods, the share of property sales below the half-million dollar mark has halved or more over the past five years, leaving behind those still looking to buy. First home buyers are finding it harder to find cheaper properties. Credit: Peter Rae A Sydney home buyer on such a budget could have purchased about one in six homes that sold in 2019, property settlement data from PEXA shows. Their options had dropped to about one in 11 homes, or 8.9 per cent, by last year. While the proportion of affordable home sales has almost halved, transactions exceeding $2 million have more than doubled in Sydney since 2019, rising from 7.7 to 15.7 per cent of sales. An Australian surfer has died at a popular break off the Indonesian province of East Java. Local authorities found the body of Gunther Henry Kitzler about 8.45am local time (12.45pm AEDT) on Tuesday, more than 24 hours after he was swept away in strong currents off Grajagan Beach, a renowned surfing hotspot known as G-Land. Longtime Bali expat Gunther Kitzler, originally from Bondi, in the Quiksilver Uluwatu Challenge off Bali in 2014. Credit: Jason Childs/Quicksilver The 56-year-old was with friends, believed to be a New Zealander and another Australian. Kitzler went into the water early on Monday morning, 10 minutes before the others, according to the Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency. Fifteen minutes later, the two people saw Gunthers surfboard floating with Gunthers feet still tied to the surfboard. While trying to help Gunther to the beach, suddenly there was a big wave which caused the surfboard rope to break, the agency said. Washington: Michelle Obama will not run for president, her office has said, quashing speculation that she will be parachuted in to replace Joe Biden on the 2024 ballot. Commentators from the left and right suggested the former first lady could try to save the Democrats as the incumbent battles questions about his age and weak support in the polls. Michelle Obama: not running. Credit: AP But on Tuesday Obamas office said she would not be making a bid for the White House. As former first lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president, said Crystal Carson, director of communications for her office. Hong Kong: Chris Sun concludes Fujian visit Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today called on the provincial government departments of Fujian responsible for human resources and civil affairs as part of his visit to Fuzhou. Mr Sun paid a courtesy call on Deputy Director of the Fujian Provincial Department of Human Resources & Social Security Hong Changchun for an exchange of views on endeavours to attract and support outside talent. He outlined the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments policy initiatives in the area, sharing that the Hong Kong Talent Engage will stage the Global Talent Summit & Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-quality Talent Development Conference in May. The event aims to promote Hong Kongs advantages as an international talent hub and enable the flow of talent between the cities of the bay area, he added. The labour chief then called on Deputy Director General of the Fujian Provincial Department of Civil Affairs Ouyang Xiaobo to learn more about the planning of elderly services in the province and explore ways of coping with challenges in providing long-term care services for an ageing population. He said the Hong Kong SAR Government has implemented portable cash assistance measures, including Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, as well as the Old Age Allowance and Old Age Living Allowance, under the Social Security Allowance Scheme. As of the end of January, about 25,500 and 2,500 Hong Kong seniors residing in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, respectively, have benefitted from the relevant measures. Prior to his return to Hong Kong, Mr Sun called on Party Secretary and Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office and Director General of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the Peoples Government of Fujian Province Li Lin to update him on developments in relation to the citys labour, manpower and welfare policies. This story has been published on: 2024-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China provides emergency aid to Mongolia hit by harsh winter Xinhua) 10:14, March 05, 2024 ULAN BATOR, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador Shen Minjuan handed over funds and goods in aid to Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene here Monday for fighting extreme wintry weather. "Our two countries have always helped each other in the face of disasters. China is ready to provide more support and assistance to Mongolia," Shen said at a handover ceremony in the State Palace of Mongolia. This winter, Mongolia has been hit by a severe dzud, a Mongolian term to describe a severely cold winter when a large number of livestock die because the ground is frozen or covered by snow. Expressing his sincere appreciation to China, Oyun-Erdene said that when Mongolia is hit by the dzud and herders face huge difficulties, China took the lead in extending a helping hand, standing once again as a model of good neighbor. Noting that China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region also provided aid to Mongolia, Oyun-Erdene said "this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties of the two countries. I hope the two countries and bilateral relations enjoy leapfrog development and the two peoples share happiness and prosperity." As Mongolia has seen much more snow than usual this winter, over 80 percent of its territory has so far been blanketed with snow up to 100 cm thick, according to the country's weather monitoring agency. About 3 million head of livestock have so far perished across Mongolia due to the dzud, according to the State Emergency Commission. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) File - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Oct. 14, 2022. Users of Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms are experiencing login issues in what appears to be a widespread outage. Michael Dwyer/AP FILE - The Facebook logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Oct. 14, 2022. Users of Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms are experiencing login issues in what appears to be a widespread outage. Michael Dwyer/AP FILE - The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France, June 14, 2023. Users of Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms are experiencing login issues in what appears to be a widespread outage. Thibault Camus/AP A technical issue caused widespread login issues for a few hours across Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms Tuesday. Andy Stone, Metas head communications, acknowledged the issues on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said the company resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Users reported being locked out of their Facebook accounts and feeds on the platform as well as Threads and Instagram were not refreshing. WhatsApp, which is also owned by Meta, appeared unaffected. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A senior official with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told reporters Tuesday that the agency was not aware of any specific election nexus nor any specific malicious cyberactivity nexus to the outage. The outage comes just ahead of Thursday's deadline for Big Tech companies to comply with the European Unions new Digital Markets Act. To comply, Meta is making changes, like allowing users to separate their Facebook and Instagram accounts so personal information cant be combined to target them with online ads. Its not clear whether the outage is connected to any preparations Meta might be carrying out for the DMA. An aerial photo shows Gol Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at Boeing facilities at the Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, September 16, 2019. (Photo: REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo) Three passengers have initiated a billion-dollar lawsuit against aerospace giant Boeing and major carrier Alaska Airlines, stemming from a harrowing midair incident where a door panel blew out. Filed on February 20 in Oregon, the lawsuit underscores a critical moment of fear and danger for the 174 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight on January 5, which necessitated an urgent emergency landing. The plaintiffs argue that the incident, which cast a spotlight on the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, was a direct result of negligence by both Boeing and Alaska Airlines. They accuse the companies of disregarding clear warning signs that could have averted the near-catastrophe. The legal action seeks not only to compensate the three individuals but also aims to represent other passengers who might have been exposed to similar risks on the Boeing 737 Max 9 flights, which were temporarily grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the aftermath. "This experience jeopardized the lives of everyone on board," stated a release from the suing party, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the perceived disregard for passenger safety by the involved corporations. The lawsuit is demanding substantial punitive damages, citing the incident as entirely preventable. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the January incident. Early findings by the National Transportation Safety Board pointed to a manufacturing defect, noting the absence of crucial door bolts, which led to the FAA's decisive grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for meticulous inspections. In response to the escalating legal and public relations crisis, Boeing has pledged significant reforms in its quality control and manufacturing protocols. A recent report from an FAA panel critiqued the safety culture within Boeing as "inadequate and confusing," further intensifying scrutiny on the aviation behemoth. The lawsuit is a continuation of a series of legal challenges facing Boeing, which includes a shareholder lawsuit over alleged safety lapses and a class action by passengers directly affected by the January flight incident. Alaska Airlines, too, finds itself in legal turmoil, with multiple lawsuits filed by distressed passengers seeking redress for their traumatic experience. Jonathan Johnson, the attorney spearheading the Oregon lawsuit, emphasized the aim to hold Boeing accountable for its negligence, which inflicted extreme panic, fear, and post-traumatic stress among passengers and crew alike. As the legal proceedings unfold, both Boeing and Alaska Airlines have maintained a cautious stance. Boeing has refrained from commenting on the ongoing lawsuit, while Alaska Airlines has opted not to discuss pending litigation or the ongoing NTSB investigation. This billion-dollar lawsuit represents a significant chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of aviation safety standards and corporate accountability, with potential implications for future manufacturing and operational protocols within the industry. The outcome of this case could very well set a precedent for how similar incidents are addressed and compensated in the aviation sector. One of the agreements that the Philippines seeks to sign with Beijing is one that aims to minimize misunderstandings over the South China Sea's disputed waters (Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Reuters) In a stark escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, a Philippine supply convoy en route to a reef held by Manila encountered aggressive interference from the Chinese coast guard, culminating in a water cannon attack that forced one of the two supply boats to retreat due to damage and injuries among the crew. The incident underscores the growing specter of conflict in the region, where territorial disputes have drawn international concern, particularly from the United States, which has affirmed its "ironclad" Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines. The targeted Philippine convoy was tasked with delivering crucial supplies and fresh troops to the BRP Sierra Madre, an aging warship intentionally grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal as a symbol of Manila's territorial claim. China, asserting sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea, including areas internationally recognized as within other nations' exclusive economic zones, has repeatedly contested the Philippine presence at the shoal, terming the ship's grounding as illegal. In response to the incident, the Philippine military condemned China's actions as "illegal attempts to impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission," highlighting the risks posed by such confrontations to regional peace and stability. The Chinese embassy in the Philippines, however, defended the coast guard's actions as "professional, restrained, reasonable, and lawful," framing the Philippine supply mission as a violation of China's territorial sovereignty. The Philippines accused China of illegally harassing, blocking and conducting dangerous maneuvers against Philippine ships in the South China Sea. pic.twitter.com/LL2fkEJGmu S p r i n t e r (@Sprinter99800) March 5, 2024 The altercation has prompted the Philippines to summon China's deputy chief of mission in Manila, signaling a formal protest against what it describes as "aggressive actions" that not only endangered the crew but also infringed upon the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone. Manila's call for Chinese vessels to vacate the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal underscores the deepening rift between the two nations over maritime boundaries and sovereignty issues. This latest confrontation is part of a broader pattern of maritime disputes in the South China Sea, where China's expansive claims have clashed with those of its neighbors and raised alarms over the potential for military escalation. The United States, reiterating its support for the Philippines, emphasized the importance of a "FreeAndOpenIndoPacific," reflecting widespread international concern over freedom of navigation and overflight in the contested waters. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., speaking in Australia, underscored his nation's commitment to dialogue with China while also asserting the need to defend its sovereignty and maritime rights when challenged. This stance marks a departure from his predecessor's more conciliatory approach towards Beijing, signaling a potential shift in the Philippines' foreign policy direction. As the region grapples with the implications of these recurring confrontations, the international community remains watchful, recognizing the South China Sea's critical strategic importance and the necessity of upholding established international norms and legal frameworks to ensure peace and stability in one of the world's most vital maritime corridors. BYD India launched its electric sedan Seal, priced between ~41 lakh and ~53 lakh on Tuesday. Senior Vice-President of Electric Passenger Vehicle Business Sanjay Gopalakrishnan (pictured) during the launch Chinese car maker BYD is aiming to retain pole position in Indias electric vehicle (EV) segment priced above Rs 30 lakh, Senior Vice-President of Electric Passenger Vehicle Business, Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, told Business Standard on Tuesday. BYD India launched its electric sedan Seal, priced between Rs 41 lakh and Rs 53 lakh. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel When asked about the logic of launching a sedan in a country where sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are increasingly becoming popular, Gopalakrishnan said: We have multiple SUVs globally, but we thought that Seal is the right product for the Indian market. It has been globally acclaimed. It is a competitor of the Tesla Model 3. Indian consumers know about Model 3, so we thought let us bring a Model 3 competitor to India that also gives a taste of our technology and performance. We are in the Rs 30 lakh plus EV (electric vehicle) category, with all our products and we want to maintain our premiumness and leadership in that market segment, he elaborated. At present, BYD has 24 dealerships across the country. The company plans to cover 90 per cent of the market where EVs are popular, Gopalakrishnan added. Last year, the Indian government declined a $1 billion investment offer from the Chinese electric car manufacturer, which aimed to establish an EV manufacturing facility in partnership with Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) in Hyderabad. When asked why the investment offer was rejected, Gopalakrishnan said, "I cannot comment anything on that right now." BYD India is currently pursuing homologation certification from ARAI for its electric SUV Atto 3, which is aiming to remove the import volume restriction of 2,500 units. Homologation involves certifying vehicles for roadworthiness, according to government-specified regulations applicable to all vehicles manufactured or imported to the country. The company, which entered the Indian market in 2022, currently sells two electric cars in India -- Atto 3 and e6, a multi-utility vehicle. Seal is the companys third offering. In 2022 and 2023, the company sold 351 and 2,044 units respectively, in India. Bank of India on Tuesday announced the appointment of MR Kumar, former chairman of LIC, as the non-executive chairman and Rajiv Mishra as an executive director. Kumar, a science graduate from the University of Madras, also serves on the board of Ambuja Cements. He joined Life Insurance Corporation in 1983 and was its chairman from 2019 to March 2023. Kumar had also served as a director on the boards of Kenindia Assurance, Kenya, and ACC India. His other leadership roles include the chairmanship of the governing board of National Insurance Academy, president of Insurance Institute of India, and as chairman of Council of Insurance Ombudsman. The bank also announced appointment of Mishra as an executive director. An MBA, Mishra led Union Bank of India's digital transformation, highlighted by the launch of the Vyom mobile app. He had also served on the boards of Kashi Gomti Samyut Gramin Bank in Varanasi, and UBI Services. The company expects to have 9.8 GW of operational generation capacity by 2024, up from the current operational capacity of 7.2 GW JSW Energy on Tuesday said its arm JSW Renew Energy Five has inked a battery energy storage purchase agreement (BESPA) for the first 250 MW/500 MWh standalone battery energy storage system. An energy storage system of 250 MW/500 MW means 250 MW of battery energy can provide power backup for two hours, giving a total output of 500 MW. JSW Renew Energy Five Limited (JSW Renew Five), a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSW Neo Energy Limited (or JSW Neo) and step-down subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited (or The Company), has signed battery energy storage purchase agreement (BESPA) for the first project of 250 MW / 500 MWh standalone battery energy storage system out of the total awarded project capacity of 500MW /1,000MWh (two projects each of 250 MW / 500 MWh) with Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a company statement said. The company will be entitled to receive a fixed capacity charge of Rs 10.84 lakh per MW per month for twelve years for 60 per cent of the total capacity, amounting to 150MW / 300 MWh. The utilisation of the remaining 40 per cent of the project capacity i.e. 100 MW/ 200MWh is to be managed by the company. The project is required to supply power of the contracted capacity within 18 months. JSW Energy has a total locked-in generation capacity of 11 GW, comprising 7.2 GW operational, 2.6 GW under construction across wind, thermal and hydro and LoAs for 1.2 GW. After this, the company has signed PPA for 500 MWh out of the total 3.4 GWh of locked-in energy storage capacity by means of a battery energy storage system and hydro-pumped storage project. The company expects to have 9.8 GW of operational generation capacity by 2024, up from the current operational capacity of 7.2 GW. The company aims to reach 20 GW generation capacity and 40 GWh of energy storage capacity before 2030. JSW Energy has set an ambitious target for a 50 per cent reduction in carbon footprint by 2030 and achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050. Banks remain shut in India during public holidays. On some occasions, the banks remain closed across the country; these are gazetted holidays like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, while some festival holidays are state-centric such as Mahashivratri. In March, the banks across states will remain off for 14 days as per the holiday list issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). There are occasions when banks will remain closed for three consecutive days, offering two long holiday weekends. The holiday list includes two long weekends. This holiday list includes specific states as well as the RBI. The holiday calendar for March month includes all Sundays, Saturdays (Second and Fourth), public holidays and some regional holidays as well. March 8 marks Mahashivratri, followed by Holi on March 25, and Good Friday on March 29, all are observed as national holidays. Bihar observed state-specific holidays on March 22 due to Bihar Diwas and Yaoshang's second day/Holi on 26 and 27 March. Banks are also scheduled to remain off on March 9 and March 23 due to the second and fourth Saturday, respectively. No need to mention that the bank will remain shut on all Sundays. However, it is worth noting that all online banking services will work effectively across the nation. Even on specified dates, online banking services and ATMs will continue to function seamlessly. List of Bank Holidays in March 2024 Heres the list of Bank Holidays in March 2024 March 8: Bank holiday on Mahashivratri 2024 (except West Bengal, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, Itanagar, Goa, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, New Delhi, Bihar, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu) March 9: Second Saturday March 10: Sunday March 17: Sunday March 22: Bihar Diwas (Bihar) March 23: Fourth Saturday March 24: Sunday March 25: Holi (except Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Kerala, Nagaland, Karnataka, Odisha, Bihar, Srinagar) March 26: Yaoshang second day/Holi (Odisha, Manipur, Bihar) March 27: Holi (Bihar) March 29: Good Friday (except Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, and Rajasthan) March 31: Sunday Mahashivratri 2024 Mahashivratri comes once a year in February or March as these are considered auspicious where all the devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva, and Shakti, its essence means the male and female power that keeps the world in balance. Shiva and Shakti are considered as the epitome of love, power and oneness. India on Tuesday issued an advisory to its residents in Israel after a man from Kerala was killed and two others injured in an anti-tank missile strike on an orchard in Margaliot. "In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indian nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel," the Indian Embassy said in its advisory on social platform X. The Indian Embassy also shared a 24x7 helpline number i.e., +972-35226748. The Indian nationals can also email the embassy on this ID: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in. "Alternatively, the hotline number of the Population and Immigration Authority of Israel may be contacted: Tel - 1700707889. The embassy also requests Indian nationals in Israel to share this advisory through their local networks for wider circulation," the embassy added. Patnibin Maxwell, a resident of Kerala's Kollam district, was near the orchard when the anti-tank missile struck the Israeli border. His mortal remains were identified at the Ziv hospital. Two other Kerala residents, Bush Joseph George, 31, and Paul Melvin, 28, were also injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by the Shia terror organisation Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon," the Israeli Embassy posted on X (formerly Twitter). We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by Shia Terror organization Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel March 5, 2024 According to a PTI report, the attack was carried out by the Shia Hezbollah faction in Lebanon. Hezbollah has been launching attacks on Israel's northern communities and military posts since October 8, saying it is doing so to support Gaza. The skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side. The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of Amit Katyal on a plea moved by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the interim bail granted to him | Representational image | Photo: Wikipedia The Delhi court on Tuesday extended interim bail to Amit Katyal till March 12, a businessman and an alleged close associate of former Union Minister Lalu Prasad's family, in the land-for-job scam case. Katyal is one of the accused in the alleged land-for-jobs money laundering case, along with former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi. Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court adjourned the hearing on his application seeking an extension of interim bail on medical grounds until March 12. Katyal has been on interim bail since February 5. The ED had challenged the order before the High Court. The High Court on Monday reserved the order on ED's appeal. The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of Amit Katyal on a plea moved by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the interim bail granted to him. According to the ED Amit Katyal, in connivance with RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav, hatched a conspiracy to incorporate a company in ROC Delhi and buy land parcels situated in Bihar from prospective job seekers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth more than Rs 7,200 crore at Sangareddy, about 60 km from here, on Tuesday. Reiterating his commitment for Telangana's progress, the PM said he works with the spirit that states' development is the country's growth. "Today 140 crore Indians are determined for Viksit Bharat (developed India)," he said at an official event here. It was essential to have modern infrastructure for a developed India. Therefore, the Centre had allocated Rs 11,000 crore towards infrastructure in this year's budget and the Centre wanted Telangana to benefit from it, he said. Since the last 10 years, Centre was continuously working to take Telangana to new heights of development, he said. Recalling that he had launched development projects worth Rs 56,000 crore from Adilabad in the state on Monday, he said development initiatives worth about Rs 7,000 crore were started at Sangareddy town today. The projects are related to multiple key sectors such as road, rail, petroleum and natural gas. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre which was set up at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad by the Airports Authority of India to upgrade and enhance research and development (R&D) activities in the civil aviation sector. Built at a cost of more than Rs 350 crore, the state-of-art facility is compliant with 5-STAR-GRIHA Rating and Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) norms. Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation for three National Highway projects. He also laid the foundation stone for the six-laning of the 29 km long Pune-Hyderabad Section of NH-65. The project will provide improved connectivity to major industrial centres in Telangana like Pashamylaram industrial area near Patancheru. During the programme, the PM inaugurated doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar-Moula Ali rail line along with six new station buildings. Modi also flagged off the inaugural MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport Service) Train Service from Ghatkesar-Lingampalli via Moula Ali-Sanathnagar. This train service extends the popular suburban train service in the Hyderabad-Secunderabad twin city regions to new areas for the first time. The PM also inaugurated the Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline. The 1,212-km product pipeline with a capacity of 4.5 MMTPA traverses through the states of Odisha (329 km), Andhra Pradesh (723 km) and Telangana (160 km). The pipeline will ensure safe and economical transportation of petroleum products from Paradip Refinery to delivery stations at Visakhapatnam, Atchutapuram, and Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh), and Malkapur near Hyderabad (in Telangana). Gopal Snacks Ltd on Tuesday said it has garnered Rs 194 crore from anchor investors, a day ahead of the start of its initial share sale. The Rajkot-based company has allotted 48.36 lakh equity shares to 19 funds at Rs 401 apiece, which is also the upper end of the price band, according to a circular uploaded on BSE's website. Those who participated in the anchor round are -- BofA Securities Europe SA, Bay Capital India Fund, ITI Mutual Fund, DSP Mutual Fund, Quant Mutual Fund, Edelweiss Mutual Fund and HDFC Life Insurance Company. The issue, with a price band of Rs 381 to Rs 401 per share, will open for subscription on March 6 and conclude on March 11. The proposed initial public offering (IPO) is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) of equity shares by promoters and other selling shareholders. The OFS comprises the sale of shares by Bipinbhai Vithalbhai Hadvani, Gopal Agriproducts Private Ltd and Harsh Sureshkumar Shah. Founded in 1999, Gopal Snacks is a fast-moving consumer goods company in India, offering namkeen, western snacks, and other products across India and internationally. As of September 2023, the namkeen makers' products were sold in 10 states and 2 Union Territories and has a network of 3 depots and 617 distributors. The company operates three manufacturing facilities-- Rajkot and Modasa in Gujarat, and Nagpur in Maharashtra. Furthermore, it runs three ancillary manufacturing facilities that mostly produce besan, raw snack pellets, seasoning, and spices. These are mainly used internally to make finished products like namkeen, gathiya, and snack pellets. The companies' revenue from operations increased from Rs 1,128.86 crore in fiscal 2021 to Rs 1,394.65 crore in fiscal 2023 and profit grew from Rs 21.12 crore in fiscal 2021 to Rs 112.37 crore in fiscal 2023. Half of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional investors, 35 per cent for retail investors and the remaining 15 per cent for non-institutional investors. Investors can place bids starting from a minimum of 37 equity shares, with the option to bid in increments of 37 equity shares thereafter. Intensive Fiscal Services, Axis Capital and JM Financial are the book-running lead managers to the IPO. The equity shares of the company are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE. A bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order pausing a Department of Energy effort to collect electricity consumption data from cryptocurrency miners. MARK FELIX/AFP / AFP via Getty Images Bitcoin mining machines in a warehouse at the Whinstone US Bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale in 2021. MARK FELIX/AFP, HODELETE60 / TNS A NASA satellite image shows the city of Houston, Texas, on March 12, 2014. Seven of the largest Bitcoin mining companies in the United States are set up to use nearly as much electricity as the homes in Houston, according to data disclosed in July 2022 as part of an investigation by congressional Democrats who say miners should be required to report their energy use. NASA, HO / NYT Power lines for the new bitcoin mining warehouses under construction at the Whinstone US Bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale in 2021. MARK FELIX/AFP, HODELETE60 / TNS The Bitdeer bitcoin mine in Rockdale. Bitdeer was paid an unknown amount by ERCOT in August for reducing electricity use as the grid came under strain from high demand and high heat. Jordan Vonderhaar/The New York Times Cryptocurrency miners like to say they are making the Texas electric grid more reliable, but when federal and state officials ask for data to test that claim, the companies go really quiet, really quick. The industrys actions speak far louder than its words. The Department of Energy recently sent a mandatory questionnaire to crypto miners, which operate warehouses full of computer servers to generate cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The equipment creates enormous amounts of heat and requires energy-intensive cooling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A single bitcoin transaction uses as much power as the average U.S. household does in 37 days, according to the Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index. Every year, the industry requires as much electrical energy as Ukraine, a nation of 43 million people. The industrys annual carbon footprint is comparable to Romanias while producing a digital token used by 4.2% of the global population in 2023, one analytics firm reported. Most serious economists consider unregulated cryptocurrencies as dangerous Ponzi schemes, and regulators have their sights set on the top names. The Energy Department worries about a massive queue of crypto mining operations planning to place enormous demand on the nations already creaky grid. So, regulators asked miners to share hard numbers to help understand whats coming. The industry responded with a lawsuit, my colleague Claire Hao reported, forcing the agency to withdraw the request and submit it again after taking public comment. A key plaintiff was Riot Platforms, the most power-intensive mine in the country located at an old aluminum smelter in Rockdale, northeast of Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since China outlawed crypto mining in 2021 because the government thinks its economically destabilizing, companies have relocated to Texas because of our low electricity prices and high proportion of renewable energy. In January, Texas had 8,500 megawatts of crypto demand on the grid, with another 30,764 megawatts planned by 2027, Electric Reliability Council of Texas data shows. Together, thats enough electricity for more than 7.8 million homes at peak demand. Regular readers will remember Riot from past columns on how the industry creates a problem and then demands payment to solve it. During extreme temperatures, the state-controlled ERCOT pays Riot to shut down, which sometimes pays better than mining bitcoin. Texas Blockchain Council President Lee Bratcher, whose group participated in the lawsuit, argues this is how crypto aids the grid. The companies create demand for more generation facilities under normal conditions and then shut down when demand spikes and wholesale electricity prices rise. The economics, though, are unclear. Some analysts say crypto raises electricity prices during normal periods, costing consumers $1.8 billion. When I recently wrote about this study, dozens of crypto trolls spent three days attacking me on Twitter, now known as X. (As always, I will block anyone who relies on profanity or ad hominem attacks.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad For all their platitudes about trying to make the grid more reliable, they are allergic to scrutiny. The industrys lawsuit against the DOEs Energy Information Administration is only one example. ERCOT is a nonprofit agency responsible for balancing electricity supply and demand. Failing to keep that balance triggers blackouts, either when demand spikes or collapses unexpectedly. ERCOT experts say they have documented cases where crypto mines destabilized the grid by dropping off without warning. They also asked for data to understand better what happened. There have been a couple of events which we believe are primarily bitcoin mining load that is tripping off, Jeff Billo, ERCOTs operations planning director, told a December meeting of the Large Flexible Load Task Force. All of those events where we have tried to reach out to the entities, we have not been successful in getting information back from them. ERCOT engineers hoped the group could agree on procedures to coordinate these large loads ramping up or down off the grid. But Bratcher and other representatives at the public meetings rejected the proposal and called on ERCOT to gather more information. We have to have more information, Bratcher told the task force. It is concerning that a new and growing load type be it bitcoin mining, be it green hydrogen, be it AI compute, any sort of flexible load would be ostracized. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The crypto industry engages in extraordinary doublespeak, claiming transparency as a core value but then filing a lawsuit to stop the Energy Department from collecting information and ignoring ERCOTs attempts to gather data. More alarming, though, the task force was expected to finalize a recommendation to ERCOTs board at its next meeting. However, the group has canceled four scheduled meetings so far this year. Amid a diplomatic dispute with India, the Maldives is poised to receive free military aid from China. On Monday, Beijing signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives, aiming to provide free military assistance and strengthen bilateral relations. This development follows a decision by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Defence Minister of the Maldives, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, recently held a meeting with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of China's Office for International Military Cooperation. The discussion centred on strengthening defence cooperation between the Maldives and China. Maumoon and Major General Baoqun "signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties," the Maldivian defence ministry posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle. Minister of Defence @mgmaumoon and Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the People's Republic of China, signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering pic.twitter.com/OeaAe2QZr9 March 4, 2024 Aside from the free military assistance, China has also gifted 12 eco-friendly ambulances to Maldives, Edition.mv news portal reported on Monday. The same was announced during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health on Sunday, attended by Chinese Ambassador to Maldives Wang Lixin. The visit of the Chinese military delegation to the Maldives is taking place days after India confirmed that its first civilian team of technical experts has reached the island nation to replace the military personnel operating an advanced light helicopter in the country. President Muizzu had previously set a deadline of March 10 for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian troops from Maldives. "The first team of technical personnel to operate the advanced light helicopter has reached the Maldives. It will replace the existing personnel who were operating this platform," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi at his weekly media briefing on February 29. China will improve policies supporting childbirth, two official government reports said on Tuesday, which also detailed plans to support a growing elderly population by raising benefits and basic pensions and pushing forward a private pension system. The measures come after China's population fell for a second consecutive year in 2023, with new births dropping to about half of those in 2016, while marriages hit a record low in 2022. China will "work towards a birth-friendly society and promote long term, balanced population development" and develop "public interest childcare" to reduce the cost of childbirth, parenting and education, said a report released by the country's state planner. The country will improve policies to boost birth rates by "refining parental leave policies, improving the mechanism for sharing the related labour costs of employers and increasing the supply of childcare services," according to a separate work report from Premier Li Qiang, also released on Tuesday. Much of China's demographic downturn is the result of its one-child policy imposed between 1980 and 2015. Couples have been allowed to have up to three children since 2021. However a rising number of women are opting to not have children, put off by the high cost of childcare or an unwillingness to marry or put their careers on hold, while gender discrimination persists. Authorities have tried to roll out incentives and measures to boost baby making, including expanding maternity leave, financial and tax benefits for having children as well as housing subsidies. But China is one of the world's most expensive places to bring up a child, relative to its GDP per capita, a prominent Chinese think tank said in February, as it detailed the time and opportunity cost for women who give birth. Population aging China will pursue a "proactive national strategy in response to population aging," the reports said. The minimum basic old-age benefits for rural and non-working urban residents will be raised by 20 yuan per month, while basic pensions for retirees would continue to increase. A private pension system will also be implemented nationwide and authorities will encourage the development of "third-pillar pension plans", outside the first two pillars, the basic state pension and an employee pension plan. In the coming decade, about 300 million people currently aged 50-60 - China's largest demographic group, equivalent to almost the entire US population - is set to leave the workforce at a time when pension budgets are already stretched. China's retirement age is among the lowest in the world with 60 for men, 55 for white-collar women and 50 for women who work in factories. For men, it is five to six years below most developed economies. Demographers and economists say that the current pension system, which relies on a shrinking active workforce to pay the pensions of a growing number of retirees, is unsustainable and needs to be reformed. The reports said that more products and services for senior citizens will be provided and a further push will be made to "develop the silver economy." China will build a system for providing elderly care services at home and develop a health system for the elderly as well as redoubling efforts to strengthen elderly care services in rural areas. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has slammed Pakistan as it raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, saying it should introspect on its own appalling human rights record and deserved global reputation as the "world's terrorism factory". Under Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva Jagpreet Kaur exercised the country's Right of Reply at the General debate at the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Monday after Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), raked the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in its statement. We have taken the floor previously during this Session and conveyed our disinclination to waste the Council's time in responding to fallacious comments about India, by one particular delegation, which does so as they do not have anything constructive to contribute, Kaur said on Monday. Without naming Pakistan, Kaur said it is unfortunate that this country continues with its diatribe against India, including by continuing to misuse the OIC's platform to further their own politically motivated agenda. We do not wish to dignify such remarks by responding to them and are taking the floor again only to urge that delegation to introspect on their own appalling human rights record and their deserved global reputation as the world's terrorism factory, Kaur said. Last week, in a strong retort to Pakistan, India had said in the Council that the country is soaked in the red of the bloodshed from the terrorism that it sponsors around the world as First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva Anupama Singh had exercised India's Right of Reply at the high-level segment of the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council. Coming down heavily on Pakistan, India said that we cannot pay any further attention to a country that speaks while being soaked in red - the red of the bloodshed from the terrorism it sponsors around the world; the red of its debt-riddled national balance sheets; and the red of the shame its own people feel for their government having failed to serve their actual interests. She said a country that hosts and even celebrates UN Security Council-sanctioned terrorists, commenting on India whose pluralistic ethos and democratic credentials are exemplars for the world, is a contrast for everyone to see. Hitting out at Pakistan for the extensive references to India, Singh had said it is deeply unfortunate for the Council's platform to have once again been misused to make patently false allegations against India. North Korea called the ongoing South Korean-US military drills a plot to invade the country, as it threatened Tuesday to take unspecified "responsible" military steps in response. The North's warning came a day after the South Korean and U.S. forces kicked off their annual computer-simulated command post training and a variety of field exercises for an 11-day run. This year's drills were to involve 48 field exercises, twice the number conducted last year. In a statement carried by state media, the North's Defense Ministry said it "strongly denounces the reckless military drills of the US and (South Korea) for getting more undisguised in their military threat to a sovereign state and attempt for invading it." An unidentified ministry spokesperson said North Korea's military will "continue to watch the adventurist acts of the enemies and conduct responsible military activities to strongly control the unstable security environment on the Korean Peninsula." The spokesperson didn't say what measures North Korea would take, but observers say North Korea will likely carry out missile tests or other steps to bolster its war capability. North Korea views its rivals' major military drills as invasion rehearsals, though South Korean and US officials have repeatedly said their training are defensive in nature. North Korea has previously reacted to South Korean-US exercises with launches of a barrage of missiles into the sea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said last week that this year's military drills with the United States were designed to neutralize North Korean nuclear threats and would involve live-firing, bombing, air assault and missile interception drills. Concerns about North Korea's nuclear program have grown in the past two years, as the North has test-launched missiles at a record pace and openly threatened to use nuclear weapons preemptively. The US and South Korea have expanded their military exercises and increased the deployment of powerful US military assets like aircraft carriers and nuclear-capable bombers in response. This year, North Korea performed six rounds of missile tests and artillery firing drills. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also declared his country won't seek reconciliation with South Korea and vowed to scrap the country's long-running goal of peaceful unification with South Korea. Kim said North Korea would take a more aggressive military posture along the disputed sea boundary with South Korea. Experts say North Korea could believe a bigger weapons arsenal would provide it with a greater leverage in future diplomacy with the United States. They say North Korea is desperate to win an international recognition as a nuclear state, a status that it would think helps it win relief of US-led economic sanctions. North Korea is expected to further dial up tensions with more missile tests and warlike rhetoric this year as the US and South Korea head into major elections. North Korea may stage limited provocation near the tense border with South Korea this year, experts say. An Indian national was killed and another two were injured on Monday when an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot, officials said. All three victims hail from the southern state of Kerala. The missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11 am on Monday, Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), told PTI. Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the attack. His mortal remains were identified in Ziv hospital, official sources said. Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment, they said. "George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body. He underwent an operation, is recovering well, and has been kept under observation. He could speak with his family in India," an official source told PTI. Melvin was slightly injured and is hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed. He is from the Idukki district of Kerala. MDA earlier said one foreign worker was killed and seven others were injured in the attack. The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Shi'ite Hezbollah faction in Lebanon, which has been launching rockets, missiles, and drones at northern Israel daily since October 8 in support of Hamas amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. MDA said seven foreign workers were injured altogether in the attack, two of them seriously, and were taken to Beilinson, Rambam, and Ziv hospitals in their ambulances and Israeli Air Force helicopters. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday said they responded by shelling the launch site with artillery. The IDF also said it struck a Hezbollah compound where members of the group were gathered in the southern Lebanon town of Chihine, and another site belonging to Hezbollah in Ayta ash-Shab. Hezbollah has been launching attacks on Israel's northern communities and military posts since October 8 saying it is doing so to support Gaza. The skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side. Hezbollah has named 229 members who have been killed by Israel during recent flare ups. Most of the casualties on the Hezbollah side happened in Lebanon but also some in Syria. Another 37 operatives from other groups, a Lebanese soldier, and at least 30 civilians have also been killed since October 8. Kinaxis Inc. (TSX: KXS), the leading supply chain management platform, today announced collaborations with two prominent non-profit organizations Women Who Code and Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate the companys vision to preserve the planets resources and enrich the human experience. The partnerships were announced within the companys new 2023 Sustainability Report which highlights the latest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics to coincide with annual financial reporting and disclosures. Kinaxis will work with Women Who Code, whose mission is to empower diverse women to excel in technology careers and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which advocates for the creation of a circular economy to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature. Both organizations are focused on supporting and elevating innovators and changemakers to solve some of the worlds most pressing problems, which mirrors how Kinaxis is approaching solving the complexities of supply chain. Both Women Who Code and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation are committed to creating a world where the only limiting factor is your own imagination. We couldnt be more thrilled to explore ways we can work with them as supply chain resiliency and sustainability take on new levels of importance in our new era of never-ending disruptions, said John Sicard, president and chief executive officer at Kinaxis. Our ambition to power the worlds supply chains is a big one and we know we cant do it all on our own which is why collaborations with likeminded organizations are so critical to helping us advance a circular economy and socially responsible future for all. Women Who Code provides engineers, developers, data scientists, architects, designers and other technologists with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to grow and succeed in their tech related careers. In keeping with the companys commitment to shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for women in tech, Kinaxis will engage with the organization by ramping up membership recruitment efforts, establishing a new mentorship program and providing resources that spark interest in supply chain careers. By becoming a Member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundations Network, Kinaxis will collaborate with the organizations extensive network of circular economy leaders and practitioners to advance circular practices in the industry and get involved with groundbreaking research projects designed to drive innovation at scale. Moving away from a take, make, waste linear model, the circular economy offers businesses the opportunity to redesign their supply chains to meet these needs, as well as reduce costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Sicard continues: As the single largest consumer of the Earths natural resources whether its the materials used to make something, the resources required to store something, or the emissions expelled to ship something supply chains are poised to make a significant positive impact, not just because regulations demand it. With more than 40,000 users in 100+ countries, Kinaxis works with some of the worlds biggest brands in sectors such as CPG, automotive, high tech, life sciences and more. Its AI-powered technology and patented concurrency technique allows companies to orchestrate their supply chain network end-to-end from strategic planning to last-mile delivery. Kinaxis technology helps companies that supply the agricultural industry with 40% of the worlds tractors, helps keep more than 110,000,000,000 teeth clean each year, and ensures more than 35 million pets are fed nutritious meals each year. More details on the new partnerships and the companys corporate giving program can be found in the 2023 Sustainability Report. To learn more about Kinaxis and its supply chain management solutions, please visit Kinaxis.com. About Kinaxis Kinaxis is a global leader in modern supply chain management. We serve supply chains and the people who manage them in service of humanity. Our software is trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate todays volatility and disruption. We combine our patented concurrency technique with a human-centered approach to AI to empower businesses of all sizes to orchestrate their end-to-end supply chain network, from multi-year strategic planning through down-to-the-second execution and last-mile delivery. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305961661/en/ Just after 4:00pm Pacific Time today MethaneSAT effectively detached from SpaceX Transporter-10 that carried the emissions monitor into space. The groundbreaking satellite is designed to help protect the Earths climate by accelerating reductions of a powerful greenhouse pollutant, focusing first on oil and gas operations, a major source of methane. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304322966/en/ MethaneSAT (Photo: Business Wire) A digital media kit with photos, videos and graphics is available HERE. Developed by a subsidiary of the global non-profit Environmental Defense Fund, MethaneSAT will see and quantify total methane emissions over wide areas that other satellites cant and identify large emitters in places they arent looking. Data from MethaneSAT will enable both companies and regulators to track emissions, and give stakeholders citizens, governments and investors free, near-real time access to the data, and the unprecedented ability to compare the results against emission goals and obligations. Cutting methane pollution from fossil fuel operations, agriculture and other sectors is the single fastest way to slow the rate of warming as we continue to decarbonize our energy systems, said EDF President Fred Krupp. To do that requires comprehensive data on this pollution on a global scale. MethaneSAT will show us the full scope of the opportunity by tracking emissions to their source. Krupp announced MethaneSAT in a 2018 TED Talk as part of the TED Audacious Project. EDF has been a global leader in methane science and solutions for more than a decade, putting the problem on the map by organizing a pioneering series of 16 independent studies that showed methane emissions across the U.S. oil and gas supply chain were 60% higher than EPA estimates at the time. MethaneSAT is a direct outgrowth of these efforts. MethaneSATs superpower is the ability to precisely measure methane levels with high resolution over wide areas, including smaller, diffuse sources that account for most emissions in many regions, said Steven Hamburg, EDF Chief Scientist and MethaneSAT project leader. Knowing how much methane is coming from where and how the rates are changing is essential. Circling the Earth 15 times a day, MethaneSAT will measure changes in methane concentrations as small as three parts per billion. High sensitivity together with high resolution and a wide field of view will enable MethaneSAT to see the whole emissions picture (see more detail here). These unique capabilities usher in a new era of transparency for the industry. Interactive emissions data will be available to anyone directly from www.MethaneSAT.org and on Google Earth Engine, a premier geospatial data platform used by over 100,000 experts and analysts. MethaneSAT was made possible entirely by the support of EDF donors and our partnership with the Government of New Zealand. Among the largest contributors to MethaneSAT are the Bezos Earth Fund, Arnold Ventures, the Robertson Foundation and the TED Audacious Project. Methane emissions have been overlooked and hard to detect for far too long, said Dr. Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change at the Bezos Earth Fund. MethaneSAT changes the equation, putting science and data front and center. From the sky, it can see what others cant, helping good actors and holding bad actors accountable. The Bezos Earth Fund is proud to be a partner in this adventure. In December, EDF joined with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the International Energy Agency, RMI and the UN Environment Programmes International Methane Emission Observatory on a new, first-of-its-kind initiative to hold companies and governments more accountable for their methane management. You cant manage what you cant measure, and thats certainly true when it comes to cutting methane, one of the biggest drivers of climate change, said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Data from this satellite will help us to better measure methane emissions and target their sources, bringing more transparency to the problem, giving companies and investors the information they need to take action, and empowering the public to hold people accountable. In addition to identifying emission sources and rates for a given region, MethaneSAT will make it possible to compare emission loss rates across major oil and gas regions worldwide and performance over time. Analytics developed specially for the mission will trace those emissions back to their sources within those target regions. We have consistently seen the power of strong data to win robust regulatory safeguards and better operating practices in the industry. Good science lays the groundwork for better decisions, said Mark Brownstein, EDF Senior Vice President, Energy Transition. In January the Biden Administration proposed rules for a fee on excess methane emissions, which will require accurate emissions reporting. European legislation agreed to in November charts a pathway toward requiring empirical emissions data from gas importers, while Japan and Korea two of the largest LNG buyers have launched plans to begin requiring emissions data from suppliers. As methane standards are incorporated into national policy and trade agreements, MethaneSAT will help ensure targets are being met, and make clear where claimed reductions fall short. Over 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge to cut their collective methane emissions at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. At COP 28, over 50 companies announced the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter, committing to virtually eliminate methane emissions and routine flaring. In addition to parent organization EDF, MethaneSAT partners include Harvard Universitys School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency. The combined mission team has over 70 experts worldwide with experience in spaceflight, remote sensing, and data analytics. The satellite was built in Colorado by the Space & Mission Systems unit of BAE Systems, Inc. (formerly Ball Aerospace) and Blue Canyon Technologies. MethaneSAT, LLC is a subsidiary of Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated, a leading international nonprofit organization. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to create transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. Follow us on Twitter at @MethaneSAT, or connect with us at www.MethaneSat.org. Copyright 2024 MethaneSAT, LLC. All Rights Reserved. One of the world's leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDFs scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304322966/en/ Technology Holdings, a global investment bank with offices in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific is pleased to announce that it has acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Leonardo, a leading Melbourne headquartered BPM, Automation and Business Process Transformation specialist, on its strategic sale to UST, a Temasek portfolio company. Leonardo drives intelligent end-to-end process improvement through technology and automation. Leonardo, a trusted partner of UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Red Hat, Software AG, and Workato, excels at driving comprehensive intelligent process improvements using cutting-edge technology. Leonardo helps clients rebuild their processes for the digital age by combining process-centric strategic thinking with the rigour and precision of enabling technologies that support their transformation. Over the last two decades, Leonardo has helped their clients, both local and international, take manual, outdated, and broken processes and reimagine them for the digital age by ensuring that business strategies are embedded, automated, and integrated into the systems and platforms that drive better experiences with customers and stakeholders. Leonardo engaged Technology Holdings to run a process for the shareholders to achieve a liquidity event, and for our staff to have enhanced career opportunities. Over the following year or so we were able to achieve that outcome in difficult economic conditions. Through the ups and downs of the transaction process, Technology Holdings always providing a solid commercial sounding board that helped the shareholders of Leonardo achieve the outcome they desired. To the team at Technology Holdings, the shareholders and employees thank you for the effort and guidance you provided said Stephen Chetcuti, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo. Vivek Subramanyam, Founder and CEO of Technology Holdings said, We are delighted to have closed this BPM and Automation transaction it is also our 21st BPM transaction and fourth transaction in the ANZ region. We are pleased with the outcome achieved for Leonardo and UST and wish Stephen and his team the very best on the next leg of their journey! View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304207132/en/ The carajillo, a coffee cocktail with licor 43, mezcal and coffee, at Caracol restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Five years ago, not too many people at least in the U.S. were familiar with a carajillo. Now the coffee cocktail is becoming ubiquitous. And as it claims a spot on menus at higher-end Houston restaurants serving different cuisines, we're starting to see some variation on the simple cocktail. MORE FROM SONIA GARCIA: The cocktail of 2024? Why bartenders are pushing for the batanga to be front and center Advertisement Article continues below this ad A classic carajillo is equal parts espresso and Licor 43. The sweet liquor blends well with the espresso, acting almost as a sweetener. But it's not as sweet as an espresso martini. Because it's not spirit-forward and has a low alcohol content, it allows for additional spirits such as tequila, mezcal or whiskey to be added for that extra punch. The carajillo, a coffee cocktail with licor 43, mezcal and coffee, at Caracol restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The carajillo dates back to 19th-century Spain. Although there are multiple stories of the origins of the drink, there's one that is arguably most popular. When Cuba was a Spanish province, Spanish troops would drink espresso with rum for "coraje," or courage. Another story says Spanish slave owners would give their slaves the same drink. The version we know today with Spanish-made Licor 43 is Mexico's version. Mexico has also been getting creative with different flavored carajillos, such as adding horchata or Licor De Macadamia, a macadamia-flavored liquor. Mexican restaurants, including Caracol, were some of the first to offer the drink in Houston as it exploded in Mexico in the 2010s. General manager Elvis Espinosa said carajillos are more popular than the espresso martini at Caracol. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Carajillos are at a different level than the espresso martini," Espinosa said. "It's becoming so popular that everywhere you go you'll find a version of the carajillo, that's why we've decided to come up with our own recipe." A Caracol version of the carajillo was added to the menu, alongside the original, about six months ago. The new version is Oaxacan-style, made with cafe de olla Mexican coffee made in a clay pot with cinnamon as well as Licor 43 and mezcal with a large ice cube of cafe de olla. It makes for a softer, more earthy carajillo. Notes of cinnamon are released as the ice melts. It can also be found at sister restaurants Xochi and Urbe. Bartender Elvis Espinosa prepares The carajillo, a coffee cocktail with licor 43, mezcal and coffee, at Caracol restaurant on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer It pairs perfectly with desserts but is also ordered as a pick-me-up at the start of meals. Cameron Wieman, bar manager at Josephine's, said he's seen steakhouses really adopt the carajillo to their menus. He previously worked at Georgia James, where it was a common after-dinner drink. He's also noticed men are sometimes more attracted to the drink because it's served in a rocks glass as opposed to the espresso martini's coupe, but he said that's a dynamic that's constantly changing as gender norms around drinks have evolved. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Josephine's takes a less traditional approach by barrel aging Licor 43 with rye whiskey. While some other restaurants also include whiskey in their carajillos, barrel aging it with Licor 43 was Wieman's idea. He said people have really enjoyed it. This version is a very autumn carajillo. This past fall, carajillos had their highest search interest yet, according to Google Trends. "We like to have a little bit more oomph in our cocktails, make you feel a bite," Wieman said. "It's kind of bright and spicy with warm vanilla notes, and it just fits that cocktail perfectly." Carajillo from Maven Coffee Co. Chloe Kissner Maven Coffee, backed by Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., became popular for serving carajillos at Minute Maid Park when it opened in the summer of 2023. It keeps the classic spirit but swaps espresso for its own cold-brew concentrate and adds bitters. It's garnished with an orange. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The timing of opening their coffee shop/bar has paired well with the explosion of the carajillo. The owners said they sell about the same amount of carajillos and espresso martinis at Minute Maid Park. "I call it the more refined Red Bull-vodka it's caffeine and alcohol mixed together, and I think this is the new wave of it," said Juan Carlos Martinez de Aldecoa, one of Maven's owners. "The rise of coffee and people getting into it has increased demand and increased the market for coffee-based drinks." Miles Joseph Fridrich sits in a Montgomery County courtroom on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Conroe. Fridrich, 24, is charged with murder in the stabbing death of Conroe pediatrician Talat Khan, 54, while she was sitting at a picnic table in her apartment complex on Oct. 29, 2023. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Miles Joseph Fridrich walks to a seat in a Montgomery County courtroom on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Conroe. Fridrich, 24, is charged with murder in the stabbing death of Conroe pediatrician Talat Khan, 54, while she was sitting at a picnic table in her apartment complex on Oct. 29, 2023. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Miles Joseph Fridrich walks out of a Montgomery County courtroom on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Conroe. Fridrich, 24, is charged with murder in the stabbing death of Conroe pediatrician Talat Khan, 54, while she was sitting at a picnic table in her apartment complex on Oct. 29, 2023. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A Montgomery County judge has denied a motion to reduce the bond of Miles Fridrich to $50,000 from $500,000 for release from the Montgomery County Jail where he is held for the stabbing death of a Conroe doctor in October. He remained in the county jail on Tuesday with bail set at $500,000 in the Oct. 28 death of Dr. Talat Jehan Khan, 54. She was pronounced dead at the Alys Apartments in the 15000 block of Mansions View after she was stabbed multiple times while she sat at a picnic bench Oct. 28. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With the charge of murder, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty, said First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley in a previous article. Under Texas law, only capital murder cases are death penalty eligible. HISTORY ON THE MOVE: Battleship Texas cuts through morning fog for next step in restoration process In a Feb. 13 motion submitted by Fridrich to Judge Phil Grant of the 9th state District Court, Fridrich asked for the reduction to $50,000, requiring him to post a $5,000 bond and be released from jail. With the bond set at $500,000 Fridrich would need to pay a $50,000 to be released. In his motion, Fridrich states he does not have the funds to post the $50,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During an Oct. 29 probable cause hearing, Associate Judge Jacqueline Bello set Fridrichs bond at $500,000. According to court documents, Bello set the bond based on the seriousness of the crime and potential danger to the public. Bello also factored in Fridrichs previous criminal history. Grants ruling comes after he ordered the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office on Feb. 8 to release grand jury testimony to Fridrichs Houston-based defense attorneys Lisa Andrews and Cary Hart. While grand jury proceedings are secret to protect witnesses, according to state law, if an attorney establishes a particularized need, a judge can order the release of testimony. According to the defense motion filed, the defense requested the release of the testimony for preparation for an effective defense and to refresh the recollection of a witness, test the credibility of a witness, or impeach a witness. The motion also states the disclosure of the testimony will allow the defense to properly challenge the presence of unauthorized people in the grand jury room. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Andrews and Hart have not returned calls for comment. In December, the Houston chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations called for an investigation into Khans death as a possible hate crime. Christina Garza, public affairs officer with the FBI Houston field office, could not confirm or deny if the agency was investigating a possible hate crime. Generally speaking, the FBI reviews allegations of federal criminal conduct for their merit and, when warranted, conducts further investigation, Garza said. A review of allegations does not necessarily result in the opening of an investigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fridrich has undergone a mental health evaluation but the findings have not been released. March 05, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will host Latvias Minister of Defence, Andris Spruds, for a bilateral meeting in Ottawa. Media are invited to attend the Honour Guard ceremony, followed by shared greetings and a photo opportunity, prior to the start of the bilateral meeting. Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024 Thursday, March 7, 2024 Time: 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Location: National Defence Headquarters, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K2 Media are asked to contact National Defences media relations office at mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca to confirm their attendance. Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10:57PM Image: Google Google announced an update to their Google Drive app for iOS, bringing intuitive search filters via dropdown menus for file type, owner, and last modified date. These filters appear before and after a search, with dynamic recommendations popping up as you type. The update caters to all Google Drive users, including individual and Workspace subscribers. While currently exclusive to iOS, Google confirms a similar update is on the way for Android users. These new filters address the pain point of locating specific files when you're unsure of their exact name or location. For example, if you're looking for a recently saved video, you can simply select "Videos" under the file type filter, then choose a custom date range under "last modified" to pinpoint your search. Source Monday, March 4, 2024 at 7:54PM Google Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel Fold users can rejoice with the March feature drop. This update brings the ability to upload and view Ultra HDR photos directly on Instagram. This move follows Samsung's Galaxy S24 series, which first offered Ultra HDR photo support on Instagram. Now, Pixel owners can capture the full potential of their upgraded cameras with vibrant colours and stunning contrast. The update even extends to video, allowing users to share 10-bit HDR videos on Instagram Reels for even richer content creation. Source ATLANTA The Carter Center urgently calls for a ceasefire in Sudan and implores all factions involved military and civilian, local and international to immediately embark on a path toward peace through dialogue and negotiation. A recent publication of Sudans Youth Citizen Observer Network paints a grim picture of escalating suffering. The conflict has uprooted an estimated 7 million people, resulted in more than 10,000 civilian casualties and the arrest of thousands of activists and aid workers. Despite diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and facilitate dialogue, mediation efforts have failed to stop the fighting. Sudan is on the brink of catastrophe after nearly one year of devastating violence. The window to prevent the conflict in Sudan from spreading into a regional one is closing. Refugee outflows and returnees numbering in the millions risk heightening tensions across the region. The crisis, which has put the majority of Sudans population in dire need of humanitarian assistance, underscores the critical need for decisive action. The World Food Program has declared that Sudan faces a high risk of slipping into catastrophic hunger conditions. Without a swift and significant course correction in Sudans conflict, the estimated 25 million Sudanese people currently struggling with hunger and malnutrition will be at risk of starvation. The Carter Center firmly believes that Sudanese civil society, especially youth, must play a central role in reconstituting Sudan and must be at the forefront of rebuilding efforts. The Carter Center calls on the Sudanese and the international community to act immediately to end the violence and resulting humanitarian crisis and prevent the conflict from destabilizing the region. ### For media inquiries or further information, please contact Barbara Ann Luttrell at BarbaraAnn.Luttrell@cartercenter.org The Carter Center Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Mexicos green wave ICR Research By Published 05 March 2024 The decarbonisation message has resonated in Mexico where the cement industry has grasped the opportunity to become a leader in sustainable cement production. Infrastructure is benefitting from low-carbon cement solutions while cement companies invest in making their operations more sustainable. By ICR Research, UK. Mexicos economy contracted by 8.7 per cent when COVID-19 hit in 2020 but rebounded well initially, showing 5.8 per cent growth in 2021 and four per cent in 2022. However, the IMF reports that GDP was estimated to grow by just 3.2 per cent in 2023 and forecasts growth of just 2.1 per cent in 2024. Mexicos government is more optimistic, estimating GDP to expand between 2.5-3.5 per cent in 2024. To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login Gharibwal Cement achieves a gross profit of PKR1.499bn in 1HFY23-24 05 March 2024 Gharibwal Cement Ltd (GWLC) of Pakistan announced its half-year financial results ending 31 December 2023, on 26 February 2024. The company saw a decrease in its profit to PKR685m (US$2.45m) in 1HFY23-24 from PKR1.12bn earned in the same period last year. This translated to a fall of 39.2 per cent in profit YoY. The major factor responsible for this fall was the increased cost of sales and other factors. According to the company's latest report, it experienced a 1.9 per cent decline in net sales value over the period, primarily driven by reduced sales volume. This decline was compounded by increased production costs, attributed to the devaluation of the Pakistani rupee and elevated fuel, energy and input prices. Furthermore, depreciation expenses surged by PKR183.9m due to a fresh revaluation of fixed assets as of 30 June 2023. Despite these challenges, the company achieved a gross profit of PKR1.499bn for the period under review, compared to PKR2.364bn in the year-ago comparative period. Capital expenditures The company is undergoing significant upgrades to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. A 12MW solar system is currently being installed at its plant, with a letter of credit established for importing solar panels. This initiative, slated for completion by June 2024, is expected to reduce energy costs substantially. In addition to the solar project, the company is replacing its existing cooler. The main equipment for this cooler retrofit, sourced from supplier FLSmidth, has arrived at the plant. The retrofit of the existing Line I is scheduled for completion by September 2024. Upon completion, the cooler retrofit and preheater modifications will reduce fuel consumption in the kiln and facilitate the utilisation of local, cost-effective coal in a significant portion of the overall coal mix. On the other hand, Balancing, Modernisation and Replacement (BMR) will increase the clinker production capacity of the existing line to 7500tpd. Gharibwal Cement plant in Jehlum, Punjab, has a cement capacity of 2.11Mta. Published under AfriSam annual budget discussion centres on sluggish construction sector 05 March 2024 AfriSam recently gathered its stakeholders for its Annual Budget Breakdown event in Johannesburg, to hear insights on the construction sector and budget speech. Econometrix Chief Economist, Dr Azar Jammine, highlighted that the South African construction and building industries were still in the doldrums, with little sign of emerging from it soon. Dr Jammine pointed to the low economic growth rate and the poor level of gross fixed capital formation as the key culprits for the situation. While the Budget Speech contained a theoretical commitment by government to focus on infrastructure, there was not much to boost confidence. He noted that private sector capital investment in South Africa had shown some improvement, but this was mainly in machinery and equipment. Investment in construction including civil engineering and building had declined 40 to 45 per cent over the past decade. The slight recovery in residential building between 2020 and 2022, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, had faded. Employment in the construction industry also continued to drop, and is now 40 per cent down from 2019 figures. The sectors contribution to national employment is today only about 4.5 per cent, having been over 6.5 per cent around 2017. No other sector in the economy has been performing as badly, he said. This was also reflected in the retail sales at builders merchants, which now ranked as the weakest segment of the retail sector. According to Richard Tomes, AfriSam sales and marketing executive, the insights from Dr Jammine confirmed that the construction industry will remain under pressure for some time. Published under Northern Region Cement sells share in Al-Kubaisa plant 05 March 2024 Northern Region Cement Co has announced the sale of its 50 per cent stake in Cement Experts Co for Development and Investment to UAE-based AMP Global Trading. According to The Peoples Network, the deal, which has been valued at US$55m, involves the Al-Kubaisa cement plant in Iraq, in which Cement Exports hold a 51 per cent share. With Northern Region Cement relinquishing its 50 per cent share in Cement Experts, the transaction gives AMP a significant indirect interest in the Iraqi plant. Proceeds from the sale are believed to be earmarked for external investments, with some of the funds being used to repay high-cost loans to help improve Northern Regions financial standing. Published under Attendees in the audience raise signs against allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor From left, Todd Lecompte, Lucas Scanlon, Justin Ray and Scott Henry raise their hands to vote against allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Dr. Natalie Blasingame raises her hand to vote for allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Trusteee Julie Hinaman asks questions before the vote on allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Trusteee Lucas Scanlon asks questions before the vote on allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor General counsel Marney Collins Sims, right, next to associate superintendent Teresa Hull, left, clarifies questions on the proposed items on allowing religious councilors before the board vote district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Lilin Lavin, a satanist, heads back to her seat after speaking for religious councilors in the school district during public comments during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Attendees in the audience raise signs against allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Tara Cummings heads back to her seat after speaking against religious councilors in the school district during public comments during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Justin Ray, secretary, left, and president Scott Henry, right, listen to as Ray is singled out by a speaker against religious councilors in the school district during public comments during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Attendees in the audience raise signs against allowing religious councilors in the school district during the Cy-Fair ISD board meeting, held at the district administation building Monday, Mar. 4, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Cy-Fair ISDs policies have not changed to address chaplains as either employees or volunteers, after leaders on Monday voted down motions to add sections specifically for chaplains to either policy. One motion, put forth by board vice president Natalie Blasingame and seconded by trustee Christine Kalmbach, would have allowed the district to create a personnel position for a chaplain. The other, also from Blasingame, would have allowed the addition of a chaplain position to the school districts volunteer program. Both motions failed 5-2 with Kalmbach and Blasingame in favor. As a result, the district is left with its existing hiring policy and volunteer program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Senate Bill 763, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023, allows chaplains to be hired in school districts to provide student support services or to volunteer in schools for similar purposes, according to previous Chronicle reporting. The board of trustees had previously decided in February not to vote on the idea of hiring chaplains and instead voted to affirm the districts existing volunteer policy, which allows chaplains and others to volunteer as mentors. Before Mondays votes, Kalmbach said she had received numerous emails on the issue detailing concerns that she did not think would become reality if chaplains were to work or volunteer in schools, such as chaplains proselytizing or replacing school counselors. I think that there are things that need to be carefully considered and weighed, said Kalmbach, adding that the board has taken emails, phone calls and social media response into consideration. I think everybody is considering this carefully and I just wanted to say that I appreciate the thoughtfulness thats gone into that. Twenty people had signed up to speak about the item before the board meeting began. People in the audience held signs addressing the issue and both votes were met with applause. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Monica Hatfield, a senior at Cy-Fair High School, said she doesnt want to see paid or volunteer chaplains in schools. This school board has made it clear that they care about parent choice but so far there is no talk of parents having any choice on if their child is allowed to speak with the chaplain if this passes, said Hatfield. Parents and their child should be the only people in charge of their childrens religious education. The board was presented with potential descriptions of both positions for feedback, which would have gone to a second reading had the motions passed. Trustee Julie Hinaman raised concerns with several points in the possible job description for a chaplain, saying some parts could be confusing to parents and students. She said the portion of the job description stating parents would need to provide written consent for a student to receive services from an employed chaplain was too vague and would need to be more clearly defined before she would consider approving it. It says the chaplain should actively engage with the entire school community, said Hinaman. I feel like that opens the door to not including parent consent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Parents and advocates had also appeared at a school board work session in early February to discuss the proposals. Parent Tara Cummings said school counselors can be reported to state licensing if there is a concern about competence or ethics. Religious chaplains however do not receive the education and training required of school counselors and SB 763 does not identify any regulatory body that will govern them in the schools, she said. Lorena Garza, director of chaplain affairs for the National School Chaplain Association, spoke during the work session in support of bringing chaplains into schools, saying were not here to proselytize. Students are hurting, its not about algebra sometimes; its not about geometry, said Garza. Claire Goodman is a senior reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering the Katy area. She also produces the Katy Insider newsletter, which sends every Monday and Wednesday. Claire can be reached at claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com. This service is a courtesy for our print subscribers to give them access to our online edition at no additional cost - if you haven't registered on the new site, you must do it now before you do anything else. In an effort to provide the community more information on the fostering process, Chambliss Center for Children will host a virtual Foster Care Info Night on Tuesday, March 19. In Hamilton and the surrounding counties, there are more than 900 children in state custody at any given time. These children have been removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect. Chambliss Center for Children contracts with the state to provide loving, stable foster homes for these youth. Finding a permanent home for these children is the ultimate goal, whether with their biological parents - if the parents can complete the steps needed to regain custody - or with family members. However, approximately 20% of these youth end up becoming available for adoption. The public is invited to this free Foster Parent Info Night to learn more about what is needed to foster a child in their community. Attendees can expect to view a short film on a childs experience in foster care and the positive effect that a loving and safe foster home can have on a young persons life. This evening will also provide an opportunity to learn about requirements for fostering and adoption, the training process, and allow attendees to have their questions answered. Due to the exponential growth of children being removed from their homes, there is currently a tremendous need for foster parents in our community, said Liz Blasbery, executive director of Chambliss Center for Childrens Residential Program. There is a great need for loving and safe homes for children as they navigate some of the toughest moments in their life. The Foster Care Info Night will provide families the opportunity to learn more about the fostering process, dispelling any myths and truly providing the information needed to make a well-informed decision to bring a child into their home. The event will be held virtually, so please contact fostercare@chamblisscenter.org or call 423 693-2580 to register and receive the Zoom link. Will there be a cost for partially privatizing building safety, health permit inspections? 4:30 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar SB 2100, one of the governors initiatives, requires local governments to process building and codes permits within 30 days. To comply, the law authorizes, but essentially forces, local governments to hire third-party, for-profit inspectors. SB 2100, one of the governors initiatives, requires local governments to process building and codes permits within 30 days. To comply, the law authorizes, but essentially forces, local governments to hire third-party, for-profit inspectors. The preemption law will only apply to local governments that have adopted building safety standards beyond the states bare bones building codes. Good for the goose, but not for the gander. The law specifically says state buildings and schools are exempt and will not be inspected by third-party examiners. Note: This bill was on the calendar last week but delayed until today. Its rumored that the governors office is catching a lot of heat from local government officials over this aggressive state interference. GOP bill would bar credit unions from acquiring banks after a Memphis credit union acquired a bank 4:30 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar SB 1293, by Sen. Paul Bailey, creates a law that says banks assets can only be acquired by another bank, effectively blocking future credit union-bank deals. SB 1293, by Sen. Paul Bailey, creates a law that says banks assets can only be acquired by another bank, effectively blocking future credit union-bank deals. This legislation comes after the state sued unsuccessfully to block Memphis-based Orion Federal Credit Union from acquiring the assets of Financial Federal Bank. A Tennessee appeals court ruled in December that state law permits a credit union to acquire the assets of a bank, ending a two-year legal battle. But maybe not for long. Scandal-plagued DCS would get new oversight under Sen. Oliver bill 4:30 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar SB 1806, by Sen. Charlane Oliver, would create new oversight for the Department of Childrens Services by requiring agency officials to submit summaries of new policies and guidelines to the legislature every two months. SB 1806, by Sen. Charlane Oliver, would create new oversight for the Department of Childrens Services by requiring agency officials to submit summaries of new policies and guidelines to the legislature every two months. Policies at the department have attracted plenty of negative attention recently. In addition to chronic understaffing and staff morale issues, WPLN reported that juvenile detention centers were violating state law while NewsChannel 5 reported that a 12-year-old boy at a transitional home was hog-tied by a masked security guard. Last, the department inexplicably withdrew updated rules for juvenile detention and restraints. Sen. Akbari bill would make birth control refills easier for people on TennCare 4:30 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar SB 1919, by Sen. Raumesh Akbari, would allow women and girls enrolled in TennCare to get a 12-month refill of birth control. SB 1919, by Sen. Raumesh Akbari, would allow women and girls enrolled in TennCare to get a 12-month refill of birth control. In 2016, a Time opinion writer advocated for ending the paternalistic policy of requiring doctors visits for birth control altogether, saying it is essentially making (women) pay a tolla doctors office visitfor contraception. Threatened Bog Turtle becomes an official state reptile 4:30 p.m. Senate Message Calendar SB 1978, by Sen. Sara Kyle, designates the bog turtle, Tennessees smallest and most threatened turtle, an official state reptile. 4:30 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar SECOND READING - NO VOTE 1. SJR 0919 *Johnson Constitutional Amendments- Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the right to bail for the following offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great: act of terrorism; second degree murder; aggravated rape of a child; aggravated rape; grave torture; and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026, for which a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85 percent of the entire sentence imposed. Republicans look to gut the constitutional right to bail. 3. SB 1293 *Bailey (HB 1241 by *Powers) Financial Institutions, Dept. of- Authorizes banks and savings institutions chartered by the state of Tennessee, with the approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions (Commissioner), to sell or transfer most of, if not all, its assets and liabilities to another bank, banking institution, savings institution or other entity approved by the shareholders if the buyer or transferee is a financial institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. 4. SB 1612 *Roberts (HB 1755 by *Ragan) Sunset Laws- As introduced, extends the department of labor and workforce development to June 30, 2028. 5. SB 1667 *Johnson (HB 1921 by *Lamberth) County Government- As introduced, specifies that the county mayor is not a member of the county commission for purposes of compliance with the Open Meetings Act. 6. SB 1791 *Massey (HB 1973 by *Hawk) Health Care- As introduced, requires all infants born in this state to be screened for specific genetic, metabolic, or other heritable conditions, including, but not limited to, conditions listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP); allows the department of health to require newborn screening for conditions not listed on the RUSP; requires certain implementation and reporting requirements regarding such newborn screening. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5, Part 4. 7. SB 1806 *Oliver (HB 2046 by *Chism) Children's Services, Dept. of- As introduced, requires the department to submit written summaries of policies and guidelines adopted by it to the chairs of the government operations committees of each house, with the policies and guidelines to be posted on the subsequent joint rule review committee agenda for the month following the submission of the summaries. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 37. 8. SB 1919 *Akbari (HB 2635 by *McKenzie) Insurance, Health, Accident- As introduced, requires a health benefit plan that amends, renews, or delivers a policy of coverage on or after July 1, 2024, and that provides coverage for prescription contraceptives, to provide coverage for a 12-month refill of contraceptives obtained at one time by an insured person, unless the insured requests a smaller supply or the prescriber instructs that the insured must receive a smaller supply. - Amends TCA Title 56, Chapter 7. 9. SB 1947 *Lundberg (HB 2058 by *Hicks T, Raper) Education, State Board of- As introduced, requires the board, in collaboration with the department of education, to identify math courses that may be substituted for Algebra II for purposes of satisfying high school graduation requirements and to submit a report to the education committees by October 15, 2024. - Amends TCA Title 49. 10. SB 1987 *Swann (HB 1613 by *Powell, Whitson, Lamberth) State Symbols- As introduced, designates Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee as the official state holiday song. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 3. 11. SB 2021 *Reeves (HB 2020 by *Marsh) Alcoholic Beverages- As introduced, expands postsecondary academic programs in fermentation authorizing students to taste alcoholic beverages as part of the program. 12. SB 2024 *Reeves (HB 2048 by *Martin B) Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies- As introduced, changes from three to one the number of incorporators or organizers a captive insurance company that is incorporated or organized in this state must have when being organized; deletes the requirement that the incorporator or organizer of the captive insurance company must be a resident of this state when being organized. - Amends TCA Title 56. 13. SB 2100 *Johnson (HB 1892 by *Lamberth, Cochran, Vaughan, White, Davis) Safety- As introduced, authorizes the use of certain third-party examiners, inspectors, engineers, and professionals in lieu of a local or state examiner, inspector, engineer, or professional for certain permitted processes and requirements; establishes procedures and requirements for the use of a third-party examiner, inspector, engineer, or professional. 14. SB 2227 *Rose (HB 1993 by *Stevens) Guardians and Conservators- As introduced, allows the clerk of court to waive an in-person oath by a fiduciary if the fiduciary files with the clerk a written fiduciary oath that contains certain language and is sworn or affirmed by the fiduciary in the presence of a notary public or signed and dated under penalty of perjury; specifies certain language that a fiduciary oath must contain under various circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 34, Chapter 1. 15. SB 2909 *Bailey (HB 2306 by *Vaughan) Commerce and Insurance, Dept. of- Enacts the Tennessee Self-Insurers' Guaranty Association Act (Act). Creates a nonprofit unincorporated legal entity to be known as the Tennessee self-insurers' guaranty association (Association). The Act is established to provide a mechanism for the payment of self-insured workers' compensation claims to avoid excessive delay in payment and to avoid financial loss to claimants because of the insolvency of a self-insured employer, and to provide an Association to assess the cost of the protection among self-insured employers doing business in this state. Marthie Anns, a chicken-centered, Cleveland-based concept, has chosen Cambridge Square to open its second location. This will be proprietor and executive chef Joseph Keels first expansion for the highly acclaimed restaurant and will reflect a move from their fast-casual location in Cleveland, to a full-service restaurant in Cambridge Square. Cambridge Square is a commercial and residential community located off Lee Highway in Ooltewah. It is home to more than 40 locally owned businesses including restaurants, retailers, medica; office, and professional service firms. With so many culinary concepts competing for attention, sometimes the true local gems get overlooked, said Jim Cheney who handles marketing for Cambridge Square. What you cant overlook, and what your senses will not allow you to forget, is how fantastic Marthie Anns is. We are thrilled that they have chosen Cambridge as their second location and look forward to all the creativity and deliciousness that their menu offers. Adding Marthie Anns to our already outstanding family of restaurants is going to make your options on where to eat at Cambridge even better. The Marthie Anns menu (dine-in, to-go, and catering) offers a gourmet variety of options, including: a dozen different chicken sandwich combos ranging from hot chicken to Korean BBQ; vegetables from fried green tomatoes to a cranberry bacon salad; burgers, wings, and smoked pork belly; fried chicken livers and fried catfish bites, and desserts such as Key Lime Pie, a Bordeaux Cherry Cheesecake, and apple pie. Marthie Anns will occupy 2,500 square feet in a space that is being renovated on the public square. Their grand opening is anticipated for later this spring. Patrons will enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating, and alcohol will be added to the Cambridge locations menu. Keel hopes that people will make the short trek to Cleveland prior to their opening in Ooltewah to see what Marthie Anns is all about. While this isnt the first time Battleship Texas moved under the cover of darkness and fog, the 27,000 ton vessel seemed to travel with ease early Tuesday as it arrived in the Galveston Channel for more of its $70 million in planned repairs and renovations. Im pumped, Im excited and we are on to the second phase of the restorations, said Tony Gregory, president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation. Today is the fruit of all the work we have been doing. As most of Texas slept, the drydock-holding Texas slowly sank into Galveston Channel. With dense fog wafting along the water, work to maneuver the ship into position started just after 6 a.m. Moving methodically with multiple boats assisting, the ship remained on the north side of the channel awaiting its big turn. By 7 a.m., when polls opened for Texas primary election, tugboats were awaiting orders. By 9:30 a.m., tugs pulled and pushed the behemoth into deeper waters, for a relatively fast journey a few hundred feet down the channel, before another sharp turn, putting her bow-first back along a pier. After 18 months in a drydock repairing the ship's hull, Battleship Texas goes back in the water to continue complete overhaul getting it ready to go on permanent display as a floating museum. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle BACK IN THE WATER: How Battleship Texas has been restored to its former WWII glory Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tuesdays 2,500-foot trip was a minor happening for the historic ship that journeyed around the North Atlantic in 1916, around North Africa during World War II and later Iwo Jima. It was even shorter than the 40-mile trip down the Houston Ship Channel in 2022, when repairs began on the cracked, failing hull that had allowed the Texas to take on water for years. Making sure Texas is ship-shape will continue even with the hull back in the water, said Matt Pham, vice president for the development of the Battleship Texas Foundation. The great thing about Pier D is we can look at any problems we see and make any adjustments, Pham said. Battleship Texas sits docked after being moved out of a floating dry dock after hull repaired were completed on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship was put back in the water for further restoration to continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats move into position as Battleship Texas is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Battleship Texas emerges from the fog as it is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Battleship Texas emerges from the fog as it is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Workers stand on deck as Battleship Texas is moved from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats guide Battleship Texas out of a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats guide Battleship Texas out of a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats guide Battleship Texas out of a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Battleship Texas emerges from the fog as it is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A pilot boat moves past Battleship Texas as it is readied to be removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats guide Battleship Texas out of a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats guide Battleship Texas out of a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Battleship Texas emerges from the fog as it is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Battleship Texas emerges from the fog as it is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Workers stand on deck as Battleship Texas is moved from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats guide Battleship Texas out of a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Workers mill about on deck as Battleship Texas is readied to be moved from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Tugboats move into position as Battleship Texas is removed from a drydock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship is ready to re-enter the water. Further restoration will continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Battleship Texas is back in the water after being moved from a floating dry dock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship was put back in the water for further restoration to continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Battleship Texas is back in the water after being moved from a floating dry dock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship was put back in the water for further restoration to continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Battleship Texas is back in the water after being moved from a floating dry dock on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Galveston. After 18 months of hull restoration, the ship was put back in the water for further restoration to continue at a nearby dock as part of a $70 million rehab of the historic battleship. Texas is the only remaining dreadnought battleship above water. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The trip to an adjacent pier at Gulf Copper marks a major milestone in the 18-month effort to keep the Texas, the only dreadnought-era battleship, above water. Crews have replaced an estimated 700 tons of steel and logged 200,000 hours of work so far. Next on the to-do list is work on the interior room, the reinstallation of the Texas 5-inch guns and replacement of many deck planks. Metalwork will also go on above deck all the way to the crows nest that ignited a fear of heights for many Texas schoolchildren. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MOVING A MONUMENT: How historic Battleship Texas will make its return to the water The ship continued to draw crowds Tuesday, as about two dozen spectators gathered at dawn at Pier 21 for a chance to see Texas in motion. David Bristow drove from Sugar Land, arriving in Galveston by 5 a.m., when fog shrouded early portions of the move. The 67-year-old first saw the battleship as a freshman at Rice University, when he and some friends rode their bicycles to the San Jacinto Monument, back when riding a bike on Texas 225 was less risky. Tuesday the trip was much smoother, he said, and simply a labor of love. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I figure why not get up and see it one more time, he said. The Mighty T Known to generations of Texans who visited on field trips and as tourists, Battleship Texas was given by the Navy to the state in 1948, rather than scuttling the warship at sea. Deployed in 1914, Texas is the only remaining dreadnought from the era when battleships were the behemoths of the ocean as opposed to aircraft carriers. So feared were its 10 giant 14-inch guns, the Mighty T did not have to fire a shot during World War I because no other ships would engage as it roamed the Atlantic. By World War II, however, Texas was the old maid of the water, and the Navy was more than willing to put it close to German guns. Texas shelled North Africa to support troops landings and sailors watched the D-Day invasion of Normandy from the deck as they shelled Nazi artillery positions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She began churning up the coastal landscape with her 14-inch salvos, the Navys research department said in its summary of the Texas wartime service. Meanwhile, her secondary 5-inch battery went to work on another target on the western end of Omaha beach. The hope is that history has a chance to resonate with new visitors, likely in Galveston. As part of the restoration work, state officials agreed to kick in $35 million for the move from the San Jacinto Monument and the repairs, but with the caveat that the foundation would find a way to make Texas a nonprofit with no additional money from the state. Those efforts are pinned on finding a berth that makes sense in terms of visitors and selling people on the museum quality of an aging ship returned as much as possible to its late-1945 condition, Gregory said. We want to put her in the best place in Galveston where the most tourists are, he said. Part of that plan is returning the ship to what it looked like in 1945, even if some of those details, as of Tuesday, are back in the water. Texas has a fresh coat of black paint on its lower hull, as it would have looked to German submarines. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Upward, Texas is the true blue the ship would have returned from World War II with, down to the smaller-scale 35 its Naval inventory number on the side. Shes tough, but shes delicate Though battle-tested, the battleship remains a sacred and fragile object to those who have spent countless hours sourcing it up. Shes delicate, longtime volunteer David Peart said as he watched tugboats get in position for Texas latest move. Shes tough, but shes delicate. His knowledge of the ship runs along every level. Hes helped repair everything from gun sights to the ships whistle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Peart is organizing Battleship Texas Artisans, which provides discarded materials from the ship to metal artists and woodsmiths for reuse as cutting boards, knives, pens and other objects that will be sold to benefit the battleship. The hope, he said, is to draw even more interest and funds for the future floating museum. When he reached out to artists, the sentiment was almost universal. Every hand went up, he said. In the meantime, Peart said hes just glad to share in the journey. A few weeks ago, as the drydock removal was in preparation, volunteers took a tour. A federal lawsuit asks $10 million in damages in behalf of the son of a handcuffed female prisoner who suffered "a gruesome death" in the back of a Meigs County patrol car. The suit was filed in the death of Tabitha Marie Smith, who drowned along with deputy Robert J. Leonard when he drove off a boat ramp at Blythe Ferry. It happened on the night of Feb. 14. The deputy had been on the job two months. The suit was brought by Nathan Alexander Smith, son of Tabitha Smith, against the Meigs County Sheriff's Office and the deceased officer. It says at about 9:50 p.m., deputy Leonard was called to the scene of a disturbance on the Highway 60 bridge that spans the Tennessee River near the Birchwood community. About three minutes after his arrival, Deputy Leonard had Ms. Smith in custody, with her hands cuffed behind her back and secured in the back seat of the Meigs County patrol car and on his way to the Meigs County Jail. The suit says at some point between the arrest and the incident at issue, Deputy Leonard sent a text message to his wife via a cell phone. At about 10:03 p.m., a radio communication purportedly from Deputy Leonard to the police dispatcher for the county said, water. It says the deputy had traveled on Blythe Ferry Road, which ended into the Tennessee River. Some time later, authorities found the patrol car, upside down, at the bottom of the river. Ms. Smith's body was found still handcuffed with the hands behind her back and in the back seat of the patrol car, dead. Deputy Leonards body was found outside of the patrol car, but in the Tennessee River. The complaint says, "Based upon information and belief, Leonard was not properly trained by the county to know his assigned area of patrol and know the nature of the incident location. "The location of the incident has a history of other people driving into the Tennessee River. Based upon information and belief, Leonard was not properly trained or supervised by the county to refrain from the use of his cell phone while transporting an arrestee in a patrol vehicle. "Based upon information and belief, Leonard was not properly trained or supervised by the county to ensure the safety of the deceased while in his custody. As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Leonard and the county, the deceased suffered a horrific death. Based upon information and belief, Leonard ignored the deceaseds warnings." The suit says, "Leonards inexplicable acts and omissions, despite his duty to protect the deceased, resulted in the constitutional deprivations, physical harm, and the indignity and humiliation of the loss of life and bodily integrity as she died while handcuffed in the back of the patrol car. "Leonard had a duty to refrain from inflicting harm and death upon the deceased. Instead, he was texting and while he was hurdling toward the Tennessee River, ignored the deceaseds cries and attempts to warn Leonard that he was driving toward the river. "As a further direct and proximate result of Leonards unconstitutional conduct, the deceaseds constitutional rights were violated, and the deceased suffered the indignity and humiliation of the loss of her life and bodily integrity as she died while cuffed and locked in the back seat of a patrol car." At the risk of being called an Agnostic/Atheist in the former Buckle of the Bible Belt I will repeat some of the comments by the late favorite son of Moreland, Georgia, Lewis Grizzard (1947-1994) on the subject of television preachers that he admired and respected. In 1985 the Georgia boy wrote a national bestseller Shoot Low, Boys- Theyre Riding Shetland Ponies (Ballantine Books- New York City) that contained a chapter Sinning and Grinning and Knowing the Difference wherein he attempted to update his reading in the traditional Methodist (no more) church as it relates to the limited television ministries on black and white television sets. Using the words of a relative he addressed the topic of spreading the Word of the Gospel through the medium of the three existing national networks and maybe one low power local station: My grandfather wouldn't have cared much for today's bigtime television preachers. In his oft-stated opinion, preachers were supposed to marry folks, preach funerals, mow the grass around the church and administer to the needs of the flock (that meant consoling the poor soul who lost his job, whose wife ran off, and whose trailer burned all in the same week). Our preacher even used to knock down the dirt dobbers' nests in the windows of the sanctuary so the inhabitants wouldn't bother the worshippers while he was trying to run the devil out of town on Sunday mornings. Do you suppose that Oral Roberts or Jerry Falwell ever knocked down any dirt dobbers' nests? My grandfather also didn't like it when younger preachers used note cards to deliver their sermons. "They ought to get it/straight from the Lord," he said many a time. "Politicians use notes." The preacher at Moreland Methodist when I was grow- ing up suited my grandfather just fine. He drove an old car. He had only one suit. He did the yard work around the church, didn't use note cards and always attempted to answer the questions of a twelve-year-old boy when things didn't add up. Once he even preached a funeral for a dog because that little boy, who loved the dog very much, asked him to. What would Pat Robertson say over a dog? What bothers me today is that for every glamour boy of the pulpit, there are thousands out there who tackle the devil daily, one-on-one, with little or no audience, against long odds, and occasionally on an empty stomach. God bless them. And God, please don't let my grandfather - I know he's around there somewhere -find out that we've got preachers down here today who use cue cards and hang out with politicians. Obviously in todays modern multi-media world of hundreds of TV preachers, he might have a lot to say about men (and women, etc.) of God wearing blue jeans, no suits or ties, reading teleprompters, selling salvation books, engagement in political movements, etc. that might differ from his upbringing in the Mighty Methodist Metropolis of Moreland. (Any 2024 comparison to current Possessors of the Pulpit is coincidental.) * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com Charles James Ekvall died on March 1, 2024 after a short but heroic fight with pancreatic cancer. Chuck was born in San Diego, California on July 29, 1940, to Leslie and Lula (Aitken) Ekvall. He is survived by his wife, Teri (Couts) Ekvall, son COL (Retired) Charles J. Jim" Ekvall and his wife LeAnn, and daughters Noelle and her husband Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Gordon Snodgrass and Cher (Smith) and her husband David. In addition, Chuck had three grandsons, Kristopher and Shaun Powers, and Samuel Ekvall and one granddaughter, Madelyn Ekvall. Dr. Lesile Ekvall (Captain (Retired), U.S. Army Medical Corps) and Lula were long time residents of Dunlap, Tn. having moved to Dunlap in the mid-1960s to assist their son-in-law (Dr. Chares G. Graves) and Chucks sister Mary Lou in establishing a medical practice for residents of Sequatchie County and the surrounding area. In addition to his sister, Mary Lou, Chuck was preceded in death by his older brother, Dr. David Ekvall who was one of the early obstetrics practitioners in Anchorage, Ak. Chucks parents were 30-year veterans of the US Navy, and as such moved often during Chucks childhood. He lived at various Navy Bases throughout the United States such as those in Virginia Beach, Astoria, Oregon, and in California and in such exotic places as the Panama Canal Zone and Puerto Rico. In fact, he graduated from Antilles High School in Puerto Rico before moving with his parents to Dunlap. He attended and graduated from The University of Chattanooga in 1964 with a degree in Secondary Education and a U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) commission. One of his proud accomplishments was serving as the Officer in Charge of the Pershing Rifles during his tenure at the university. Upon graduation, Second Lieutenant Ekvall first served as an infantry platoon leader at Fort Benning, Ga. but was quickly selected for helicopter flight training at Fort Wolters, Tx. and later at Fort Rucker, Al. Upon graduation from flight school and a follow-on course for test pilot qualification, then First Lieutenant Ekvall was assigned to the First Aviation Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam where he flew every type of mission from routine flight tests to day and night combat missions. At this time, he was rated in several helicopters, but flew the most hours in the UH-1 Iroquois (better known as the Huey) being awarded several Bronze Star and Air Medals during this tour. In 1967, he returned to his first wife, Lila (Addison) and their children moved again to various posts for continued helicopter training. During this time, he became a rated pilot for the giant CH-47 Chinook helicopter and continued training as a helicopter maintenance expert. Once he completed that training, he returned to Vietnam with the First Calvary Division (Airmobile) as a test pilot, maintenance officer, and Joe stick (as he called it). Again, during this time he earned several additional Bronze Star and Air Medals. Chuck returned to the United States in 1969 and was stationed at various Army camps in a variety of helicopter and transportation-related jobs. One humorous assignment was to Fort McClellan, Al. in the early 1970s. Since there was, at the time, no such thing as a US Army aviation branch, Chuck had been assigned to the US Army Transportation Branch, one of the numerous carrier branches of Army aviation. His assignment at Fort McClellan was as a truck company commander. As he said often, he did not know a truck from a monkey-wrench. He survived the experience just fine and went on to assignments in Europe, the Pentagon, and throughout the United States. One of his happiest career moves occurred during this time when he was able to transfer from the US Army Transportation Corps into the new-found Army Aviation Branch. While assigned to Fort MacArthur in Los Angeles, Ca. he met Teri. The two were married and together with Teris daughter Cher, made Dunlap their loving home for over 40 years following Chucks retirement from the Army and from the Tennessee Valley Authority where he worked as a chemical analyst. LTC Charles Ekvall joins his father, mother and his first grandson (Caden James Ekvall, infant son of Chucks son and his wife) at the Chattanooga National Military Cemetery on Holtzclaw Avenue on Thursday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. to be buried with full-military honors. Visitation will be at the Ewton Funeral Home in Dunlap, Tn. from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6. The funeral procession will depart Ewton Funeral home at 11:15 a.m. (Central Time) on Thursday. Ewton Funeral Home & Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Charles Ekvall and ask that you share your memories and condolences for his family on our website at www.ewtonfuneralhome.com Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ARMSTRONG, KIMBERLY MICHELLE 5895 STONEWALL DRIVE HARRISON, 37341 Age at Arrest: 54 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DOMESTIC ASSAULT BEARD, BRYANT CHRISTOPHER 5420 BLUE OAK DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 40 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE BEARD, MORGAN LEIGH 1206 PARK FORREST DRIVE FT. OGLETHORPE, 30742 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY (POSS OF METH FOR RESALE) CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY (TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE) POSSESSION OF LEGEND DRUGS CALHOUN, BRANDON LOVELACE 3820 DORRIS ST CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LIGHT LAW VIOLATION CRUMP, JOSHUA LEE 1754 OCOEE ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE THEFT OF PROPERTY BURGLARY VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF THEFT OF PROPERTY (CAR OVER $10000) DAVIS, SHANIA SUEANN 263 ROXBURY CIR HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 27 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) DEFRIESE, JOSHUA LEE EVERETT HOMELESS BIRCHWOOD, 37308 Age at Arrest: 34 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD BURGLARY EASTING, DARRELL LEBRON 5327 LEE AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 50 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT ESCOBAR, ALIX CARLOS 3614 6TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407 Age at Arrest: 41 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (SECOND OFFENSE) LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OPEN CONTAINER LAW DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE GLASS, ELGEN JAMAR 417 W 40TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY FALSE IDENTIFICATION (USE OF) CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE GODINEZ OROZCO, ELISA MORIBEL 1405 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 49 years old Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SURRENDER OF LICENSE OR REGISTRATION UPON REVOCATI GUTIERREZ, JULIO EZEQUIAL JUAN 819 DARRYL LANE EAST RIDGE, 37412 Age at Arrest: 19 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE HARRIS, TOREY LEMIKA 2008 SHERMAN STRTEET CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 43 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD CHILD NEGLECT FALSE REPORTS HORTON, ADRIANNA SUE ANN 10425 ARNAT DRIVE SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff AGGRAVATED BURGLARY HUBBARD, ASHLEY PATRICE 3217 VALLEY VIEW ST POWDER SPRINGS, 30127 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR STALKING HUBBARD, TRACY MICHELLE 6532 VERONICA DRIVE OOLTEWAH, 37363 Age at Arrest: 56 years old Arresting Agency: Chatt St Police HARASSMENT JONES, HUNTER MALCOLM 1413 MOWBRAY PK SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 19 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR JONES, TERRANCE DEWON 908 HICKS STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 53 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENC JUNTUNEN, COOPER LEE 12475 BURROUHGS LN SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 19 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR LANCASTER, DAISHAWNA 4743 RUBY RED DR APT 308 OOLTEWAH, 37363 Age at Arrest: 27 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff ASSAULT VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF LONG, KEYVON TIABIOUS 6806 LEE HWY CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 21 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD CHILD NEGLECT MCCAULEY, KEYONIS DEMON 2214 BENNETT AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF A FIREARM) MCCULLOUGH, DEMAURIS PERRY 2300WILSON ST APT 7F CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 18 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD AGGRAVATED ASSAULT MCMATH, JERRY LEE 1512 GREENWOOD RD CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DOMESTIC ASSAULT VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF MCMEANS, ALLEN G 208 TELFORD RD SWEETWATER, 37874 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT MOORE, JENNIFER LILLYMAY 5867 RILEY RD OOLTEWAH, 37363 Age at Arrest: 34 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MORAN RODRIQUEZ, JOSE 1712 S KELLEY ST CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 46 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE OPEN CONTAINER LAW DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE MORGAN, CABE PHILLIP 10628 MCAFEE RD SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 26 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DOMESTIC ASSAULT MURRAY, AARON DOUGLAS 263 ROXBURY CIR HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) RAMIREZ, LILIANA ELIZABETH 711 JUNIPER AVE DALTON, 30720 Age at Arrest: 30 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DISORDERLY CONDUCT REED, SAMUEL GEORGE 813 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 34 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF STANFORD, WILLIAM ROBIN 7021 LEVI ROAD HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 56 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff AGGRAVATED ASSAULT SUMRALL, MADELYN 9783 HAVEN PORT LN OOLTEWAH, 37363 Age at Arrest: 19 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR THOMPSON, JAMES DOUGLAS 6816 GAYDA LN CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 47 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE TURNER, SHELBY 102 COUNTY ROAD 804 FLAT ROCK, 35966 Age at Arrest: 26 years old Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol THEFT OF PROPERTY WILLIAMS, BRITTANY NICOLE 5003 SWAN RD CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY WILLIAMS, CHELSEA RAELYNN 1552 MARSH LN HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE Here are the mug shots: BEARD, BRYANT CHRISTOPHER Age at Arrest: 40 Date of Birth: 05/06/1983 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE BEARD, MORGAN LEIGH Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 09/26/1988 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY (POSS OF METH FOR RESALE) CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY (TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE) POSSESSION OF LEGEND DRUGS CALHOUN, BRANDON LOVELACE Age at Arrest: 36 Date of Birth: 02/26/1988 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LIGHT LAW VIOLATION COX, CRYSTAL LEANN Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 07/27/1986 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): 911 VIOLATION (IMPROPER USE) DAVIS, SHANIA SUEANN Age at Arrest: 27 Date of Birth: 09/14/1996 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) DEFRIESE, JOSHUA LEE EVERETT Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 11/18/1989 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): BURGLARY EASTING, DARRELL LEBRON Age at Arrest: 50 Date of Birth: 07/14/1973 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT GLASS, ELGEN JAMAR Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 08/01/1988 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY FALSE IDENTIFICATION (USE OF) CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE GODINEZ OROZCO, ELISA MORIBEL Age at Arrest: 49 Date of Birth: 01/25/1975 Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SURRENDER OF LICENSE OR REGISTRATION UPON REVOCATI HARRIS, TOREY LEMIKA Age at Arrest: 43 Date of Birth: 10/20/1980 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): CHILD NEGLECT FALSE REPORTS HORTON, ADRIANNA SUE ANN Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 01/10/1992 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED BURGLARY HUBBARD, ASHLEY PATRICE Age at Arrest: 29 Date of Birth: 06/01/1994 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR STALKING HUBBARD, TRACY MICHELLE Age at Arrest: 56 Date of Birth: 08/28/1967 Arresting Agency: Chatt St Police Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): HARASSMENT JONES, HUNTER MALCOLM Age at Arrest: 19 Date of Birth: 01/18/2005 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR JONES, TERRANCE DEWON Age at Arrest: 53 Date of Birth: 11/21/1970 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENC JUNTUNEN, COOPER LEE Age at Arrest: 19 Date of Birth: 03/04/2005 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR LANCASTER, DAISHAWNA Age at Arrest: 27 Date of Birth: 12/21/1996 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): ASSAULT VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF LONG, KEYVON TIABIOUS Age at Arrest: 21 Date of Birth: 08/21/2002 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): CHILD NEGLECT MCCAULEY, KEYONIS DEMON Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 08/25/2001 Arresting Agency: Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF A FIREARM) MCCULLOUGH, DEMAURIS PERRY Age at Arrest: 18 Date of Birth: 08/17/2005 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT MCMATH, JERRY LEE Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 06/12/1991 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF MCMEANS, ALLEN G Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 09/13/2000 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT MOORE, JENNIFER LILLYMAY Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 12/18/1989 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MORGAN, CABE PHILLIP Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 09/17/1997 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT MURRAY, AARON DOUGLAS Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 08/01/1991 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) RAMIREZ, LILIANA ELIZABETH Age at Arrest: 30 Date of Birth: 10/31/1993 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DISORDERLY CONDUCT STANFORD, WILLIAM ROBIN Age at Arrest: 56 Date of Birth: 06/14/1967 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT SUMRALL, MADELYN Age at Arrest: 19 Date of Birth: 08/10/2004 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR THOMPSON, JAMES DOUGLAS Age at Arrest: 47 Date of Birth: 12/29/1976 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE TURNER, SHELBY Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 10/06/1997 Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE WILLIAMS, BRITTANY NICOLE Age at Arrest: 36 Date of Birth: 01/11/1988 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY WILLIAMS, CHELSEA RAELYNN Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 02/19/1993 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/04/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED S Happy Birthday, Luther. Dont forget him. Just dont forget him, Luthers wife Mary (March 28, 1936-June 3, 2021) said to me, just moments after Luthers funeral as she accepted condolences from family and friends on that sad day in October 2014. Luther, the man with sunshine in his voice, was born on March 9, 1922, and died on Oct. 20, 2014 (read Luthers obituary). He was and continues to be the longest running broadcaster in the history of the world. His name is Luther Masingill. He was known as The Voice of Chattanooga, for more than seven decades and had an unprecedented career in broadcasting. Luther Masingill, known to locals in Chattanooga as simply Luther, held the same job at the same radio station (WDEF) in the same time slot for 74 years. In addition to his radio career, he signed on with WDEF TV the first day they went on the air in 1954 and worked there ever since, heading to the television studio after his radio shift each day. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012, an inaugural member of the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame, and a winner of the NABs prestigious Marconi Award. He is the only known radio personality in history to have reported both the Pearl Harbor and 9/11 attacks on the United States. Luther is a man who, over the course of his career, received offers to move to larger markets, but each time respectfully declined. He chose to remain where he was and serve his community. He understood the power he held as a broadcaster, but he was also known as a humble man. He even received offers from Ted Turner, but declined, choosing to remain in the city he loved and using his position as a broadcaster to help others. Luther considered helping others one of the most important aspects of his life. His co-workers and friends have told countless stories of his generosity and kindness. The stories include paying for car repairs, donating to a couples adoption fund, and stopping after work to weedeat a random businesss overgrown storefront. Many of the children at his church had no idea of his fame or notoriety, but simply knew him as the man who emptied the trash at church every Sunday morning. In the days after Luther passed away, I listened to story after story as people reminisced about him. Most I had heard, although there were a few regarding his signature generosity I had not. It was characteristic of Luther to do things privately when he helped others. He was not a showman when it came to helping people. While a pro with impeccable timing and charisma in front of the mic and camera, his good deeds were done privately. They were not for an audience, but simply out of a sense of kindness and a duty that aligned with his relationship to God. Luther was also widely known for helping people with their pets. People called Luther whenever there was a lost dog, cat, or even a snake! The busiest morning was always July 5, because everyones dogs would go missing the night before, from the fireworks and loud noises, he once said during an interview. It would just scare those poor dogs to death. Have you found my dog, Luther? Can you help me find my dog, Luther? Please help me find my dog. People just love their pets so much. The phone in my studio would be ringing off the hook. And wed find em. It may have taken a few days, but wed find em. Luthers long-time co-host, James Howard, remembers how Luther helped him find his lost dog when he was a young boy. He quickly became my hero, he said. James grew up and, until Luthers death, worked right alongside the man he had admired and listened to on the radio every morning as a child. I think about Luther all the time, especially when it comes to animals. He had a huge heart for people and their lost pets. Even now, on days when we help people find their lost dog or cat, I say to myself, Lets find this one for Luther. Luther will always be a part of Jamess thoughts, especially since James continues to carry on the legacy of his childhood hero. He keeps two framed photos, always within sight, in his office at the studio: one of Luther and one of the two of them from their time together as morning co-hosts. Hes on my shoulder. I often ask myself, 'What would Luther do? What would he say? James says. Luther loved people and he loved Chattanoogans and his community, so if there was something important such as a traffic slow-up or news or something that affected the listeners, he would say, Get it on the air immediatelyif it affects our listeners, dont delay. Get it on the air now. I miss Luthers wisdom as well as the little, random everyday things, his friendship, the jokes, and the laughter. Luther, dubbed by a newspaper writer as the man with sunshine in his voice, took his last breath peacefully on a Monday morning at 6 a.m. (2014), the exact time he signed on the airwaves every morning for more than seven decades at the WDEF Radio studios in Chattanooga. He was 92 years old. So, the next time you drive down the Luther Masingill Parkway section of Broad Street in Chattanooga, remember him. Remember him the next time you eat a Moon Pie, perhaps washing it down with an RC Cola. If you ever happen to run across a bottle of Nehi Grape, remember him. In random acts of kindness and benevolence, remember Luther. Chattanooga, and all Tennesseans, in the words of his late, beloved wife Mary, Dont forget him. Just dont forget him. To learn more about Luther and his life, read My Life with Luther, A Glimpse of a Legendary American Broadcaster, written about the broadcaster and his life, told through the eyes of his longtime friend and co-host, James Howard. The authors have donated additional copies to both the Chattanooga Public Library and the library at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The book is also available for purchase on Amazon and online at Barnes & Noble. If youre a local business and would like more information about carrying the book, please contact the authors. You can honor Luthers memory by participating in Luther Day or by donating to his favorite organizations including the Humane Educational Society, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, and The Salvation Army. ---- Holly Abernathy is a communications and creative arts professional. She works in a variety of media and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.6qCreative.com. The South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance (SCCGA), along with a coalition of environmental organizations and concerned citizens, is taking a stand against proposed legislation that endangers the protection of wetlands across Tennessee. HB 1054 and SB 0631, the bills in question, propose deregulations that threaten to affect significantly over 60 percent of the state's wetlands. These legislative efforts, which align with a wider trend toward environmental deregulation, undermine Tennessee's ability to independently safeguard its natural landscapes. Wetlands serve essential ecological functions, such as flood control, water purification, and habitat provision for diverse species, highlighting the need for their protection. The SCCGA, an advocate for the South Chickamauga Creek watershed's protection, preservation, conservation, and improvement, is part of a broad group opposing this bill. This issue has rallied various organizations and individuals to advocate for the state's environmental future. We call upon all who cherish Tennessee's natural resources to oppose these bills. Our collaborative efforts in conservation and restoration work underscore the critical importance of wetlands to our community's environmental health. Barger School Wetland Renovation is a shining example of community and environmental stewardship. The renovated wetland at Barger School transformed into a vibrant outdoor classroom for science education, showcasing the tangible benefits of wetland conservation. Red Wolves Stadium Development illustrates the environmental cost of progress. Fourteen wetlands were either destroyed or disconnected from Spring Creek, underscoring the urgent need for protective legislation. The Woodland Baptist Church Wetland is nestled beside Woodland Baptist Church. This serene wetland serves as a reminder of the often overlooked natural habitats that enrich our communities, highlighting the importance of preserving such ecosystems for their ecological and educational value. Educational Resources: Full bill text for SB 0631: Read here Fiscal note for SB 0631: Access here Amendment 011782 for HB 1054: View here Fiscal memo for amendment 011782 of HB 1054: Explore here Sandy Kurtz, South Chickamauga Creek Alliance Deb Socia, president & CEO of The Enterprise Center, has announced that she plans to retire later this year. The nonprofits board of directors has begun the search process for its next leader.Ms. Socia, a national leader in digital equity and broadband adoption, brought her expertise to Chattanooga in 2019. Throughout the past five years, the organization has forged partnerships and several new programs to expand access to resources for communities throughout Hamilton County and the state of Tennessee.Debs passion for people and her tireless work to bring access and resources to communities has been a driving force behind The Enterprise Centers impact, partnerships and growth, said TEC Board Chair Sydney Crisp.Her leadership, especially throughout times of unexpected change in a pandemic, set the course for where we are today.Officials said, "The Enterprise Center works to unite people, organizations and technology to create an advanced and inclusive future under Socias direction, The Enterprise Center has created new initiatives to address access for neurodiverse and justice-involved populations, in addition to expanding programming to address local workforce needs and civic engagement."With Ms. Socia at the helm, The Enterprise Center has assisted in the implementation of HCS EdConnect, created by Hamilton County Schools and EPB, to bring internet access to more than 17,000 Hamilton County Schools students and their families. She has also led the development of new programming like EMPACT, a Google-IT certification program in partnership with Chattanooga State, to assist those seeking the opportunity to improve their career opportunities.."Under Deb's leadership, The Enterprise Center's Tech Goes Home Tennessee, a program of The Enterprise Center, has celebrated more than 11,000 graduates, supporting teachers, parents, older adults, city workforce development initiatives and more," officials said. "When COVID struck early in her tenure, Deb immediately deployed The Enterprise Center's resources to help local businesses and workers. Through virtual meetings and a rapidly-deployed resilience website, The Enterprise Center identified resources and opportunities that helped the community weather the pandemic."Ms. Socia is a leading voice in national conversations regarding digital equity and inclusion. She founded the Boston nonprofit that pioneered the digital educational program promoted by Tech Goes Home, and she served as the previous executive director of Next Century Cities, a national nonprofit that supports community broadband adoption.The significant impact her career has made on individuals and communities across our region and beyond is a legacy The Enterprise Center will certainly carry on in our search for our new CEO, TEC Vice Chair Dan Ryan said, adding that the search is expected to be completed by summer, with a transitional phase leading up to Socias retirement.As I step back, Ive never been more certain that the infrastructure is in place to continue this work and help residents across all our communities experience more equitable access to resources, Ms. Socia said. We have come so far, and yet have so far yet to go. I have full confidence that our incredible team will move forward successfully.To learn more about The Enterprise Centers work, visit theenterprisectr.org. Questions related to the application process can be sent to ceosearch@theenterprisectr.org. The Cleveland City Board of Education passed a resolution Monday expressing opposition to the concept of school system consolidation in Bradley County. he resolution "reflects the Board's commitment to preserving the legacy and integrity of Cleveland City Schools, which has been in continuous operation since 1885. With a current enrollment of 5,600 students across nine schools, the district has earned a distinguished reputation in academic and interscholastic pursuits, boasting notable graduates in various fields. Officials said t "The Board's resolution emphasizes the lack of formal discussions or inquiries from any party before the publication of the letter, expressing concerns about the casual approach to such a significant topic. Cleveland City Board of Education strongly urges the Mayor and City Council to express unanimous disinterest in participating in discussions regarding any consolidation efforts between Cleveland City Schools and Bradley County Schools. The resolution also urges the rejection of invitations to participate in the formation of a unification planning commission for exploring the need for consolidation." It highlights the absence of consideration for the immediate negative effects on students, school employees, and the community, as well as the potential challenges associated with reorganization, rezoning, and reallocation of students, and the ownership and control of property and facilities. "To view the full resolution, click here The annual Sip TN Chattanooga Wine Festival is back on March 23, featuring wines, hard ciders and meads from many local wineries across the state of Tennessee.The festival, which takes place from noon-4:00 p.m., will be held at the First Horizon Pavilion at 1801 Reggie White Blvd. in Chattanooga.The wineries that will be sampling and selling their products are: Holly Ridge Winery, Beans Creek Winery, Century Farm Winery, Savannah Bee Mead, Mountain Valley Winery, Mill Bridge Hard Cider Company, Hillside Winery, Apple Barn Hard Cider Company, Apple Barn Winery, Tsali Notch Vineyard, Cellar 53 Winery, DelMonaco Winery and Paris Winery.The festival will include over 100 different wines available to sample.A ticket to this event will grant attendees wine tastings from all the wineries, a souvenir TN Wines wine glass, a six-bottle wine tote bag, the ability to buy bottles of wine directly from the wineries and more.In addition, there will be nearly two dozen local artisans from the Chattanooga Market for shopping and sipping, live music performances and two local food trucks.For anyone looking to appreciate the festival without indulging in any alcoholic beverages, a designated driver ticket option is available. For full access to the festival, a ticket costs $53.59, while the limited, designated driver ticket costs $13.19. The proceeds from the event stay local, benefitting Tennessee agriculture and small businesses."When you enjoy a local wine festival, you are supporting the farmers who grow the grapes, apples and produce the honey these wineries need to make their products," said Don Collier, president of Mountain Valley Vineyards. This is Chattanooga's best chance to sample and take home wines, ciders and meads from true Tennessee wineries all in one place... so come out and support your local farmer."For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here It is with great sadness that the family of Beverly Denise Burch announces the news of her passing on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at her home in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. She was 45. The only thing more immense than the size of the hole her absence will leave in the hearts of all who loved her, is the wonder of the many precious memories well share of one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest souls any of us has ever known. Bev was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and her ability and willingness to empathize with people and animals in pain was a true gift from God. Young children gravitated to Bev, and her young nieces and nephews loved nothing more than to gather around her to giggle and watch funny or sweet animal videos Bev would find to show them. Bev was always the one adult the kids would beg to go outside to play with them and, of course, she was always more than happy to make THEM happy. Like both of her parents and step-dad, Bev craved the excitement of taking in extraordinary scenery in each of the countless travel adventures she enjoyed with family, and one of her favorite adventures was being bold enough to try the new and sometimes exotic dishes that the rest of us were too chicken to try. Her step-dad eventually took to saying, Ill have what Bev is having,cause I know its probably gonna taste the best. The hikes with her father, whose consistent hope that theyd come across a snake while they were out and about always tickled her. Beverly never saw a rock or crystal she didnt like, either. Her collection wasnt huge, but the geology nerd in her cherished every one of them. She also had a particularly soft spot for animals of all kinds, and they loved her in return. Animals can sense the best and kindest people, and so often the scared, hungry and needy ones would somehow find Bev and naturally, shed take them in. The last month of Bevs precious life were spent being a kind and wonderful caretaker to her beloved mother and step-dad. Beverly Burch attended Soddy Daisy High School, Chattanooga State Community College and Northwest Georgia College and was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Hixson. Bev was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, James E. Deifenderfer and paternal grandmother, Irene S. Burch. Beverly is survived immediately by her heartbroken parents, Susan Deifenderfer Burch Buckner (Joe Buckner), Stanton W. Burch (Debbie Hoffman), and brother, Stanton T. Burch (Jordan Burch) along with many other family and friends who will also dearly miss Bev, her grandmother, Ruth Ann Deifenderfer, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends, as well as her longtime friend and former companion for 20 years, Robb Giarrizzo. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 11, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Legacy Funeral Home with the Rev. Thomas Deifenderfer and Rev. Calvin Nunley officiating. Burial will follow at Mt Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 10, from 2-4 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy Daisy, Tn. 37379, 423 843-2525. To share memories, photos or condolences please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.com. This column was originally published on March 5, 1957. *** Here it is Shrove Tuesday again, and after pancakes with some of Joe Gooch's Vermont maple syrup for breakfast I will be lighting a shuck for somewhere on the flowered prairies -- perhaps for Livingston, where my armydiller-eating friend Woody Amos is ramrodding a mass meeting to call a livestock law election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Woody, along with a lot of other folks in Polk County, wants to give the highways back to us reckless drivers and keep the loose livestock behind pasture fences. Another group, whom Woody calls "highway ranchers," argue that the little stockman would hurt if he couldn't graze his cattle on the "open range" of the grassy highway shoulders. *** I would prefer not to become involved in this controversy, although I drive the East Texas roads at night and often have to dodge dogies. Sometimes, upon rounding a curve or topping a hill, I find a contented cow bedded down comfortably across the center stripe. But I have learned to drive with caution in loose-livestock counties, and so far I have never so much as creased a calf. Some other drivers have been less fortunate. A few years back, a young woman was killed in Polk County when her car struck a night-grazing critter crossing a highway. Commented her heartbroken father: "All the cows in Texas weren't worth the life of my daughter." Woody Amos has compiled an impressive array of facts, figures and photographs which he declares will shock folks into supporting his campaign to promote a livestock law in Polk. There seems to be little doubt that he and his backers can produce a petition that will require a new fence-law election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad *** Mail from East Texas has been heavy lately, mostly with letters from readers insisting that I was unwise to discard a mess of fresh poke salad just because a lady from Timpson had warned me that pokeweed shoots could be poisonous. Poke salad, most readers contended, is not only non-poisonous, but is good for you. A Houston lady whose husband has a farm in Montgomery County telephoned to say that she harvests bushels of poke greens on the farm each spring, cooks it without seasoning, packs it in cartons and stores it in her deep-freeze in the city. "That way," she said, "we have poke salad all year 'round. We love it." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Maybe so. Just the same, I have decided to give up poke salad for Lent, which begins tomorrow. *** Since that involves no denial of any personal pleasure, I am also considering giving up the following things, which are just about the only pleasures left to a journalist of my dignity and advanced years. Gary Goldsmith spilled some details regarding the Princess of Wales' recovery from abdominal surgery on the reality tv series. Kate Middletons uncle Gary Goldsmith revealed secrets about her recovery from abdominal surgery during his first night as a contestant on the U.K. reality series Celebrity Big Brother. After answering a straightforward question posed by the shows hosts, he spilled details about his royal niece. Gary Goldsmith spills secret details about Kate Middletons recovery Much ado has been made about Gary Goldsmith joining the cast of Celebrity Big Brother. Reportedly, the royal family feared Carole Middletons brother would share private details, and on night one, he did. Goldsmith has been an outspoken advocate for his niece for years. But being a contestant on this show may not protect Kate. Celebrity Big Brother hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best asked Goldsmith if he believed his niece was watching his appearance on the series. His response leaked details about her recovery. The nation needs to know, will Kate be watching? Odudu and Best asked. Goldsmith replied, If she is, itll be behind the sofa, I guess! The hosts asked again, Which sofa, though? Goldsmith added, Itll be a nice one in a nice house. I can guarantee that. Garys relationship with Kate Middleton is the focus of his Celebrity Big Brother appearance Gary Goldsmith and Kate Middleton in side-by-side photographs | Justin Tallis/Stephen Pond/Getty Images Gary Goldsmith will likely make his linkage to Kate Middleton the focus of his Celebrity Big Brother appearance. This was apparent from his introductory promo video for the series, which returns to British television for the first time in six years. In the clip, Goldsmith explains he is uncle to the future queen of our country. Catherine Middleton, the current Princess of Wales. He shared details of the first time he met Prince William, Kates husband. Goldsmith spilled, Catherine was cooking, and William said, Hi and asked, Do you want a cup of tea?' Goldsmith had a two-word conclusion pertaining to his first meeting with the United Kingdoms future king. Very normal, he said of the experience. Kate Middletons uncle added that he always watched Celebrity Big Brother. However, he claimed it was the one show he would never do. A royal biographer calls Goldsmiths TV appearance cringe-making for royals Gary Goldsmiths niece, Kate Middleton, continues to recover from abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales had a medical procedure in January 2024. Royal biographer Angela Levin told The Sun that Goldsmiths appearance on Celebrity Big Brother is cringe-making, very embarrassing. The trouble is he doesnt like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at all. Some of these comments will fall onto Catherine, and shes had a lot against her. Shes not well. Levin feared that any commentary made by Goldsmith could upset the Princess of Wales. I think when you come out of an operation, youre quite vulnerable, and this could upset her enormously. In principle, people who dont like her could say she encouraged him to do it, but she would have done nothing of the kind. Its very embarrassing, she continued. Levin concluded, Its very hard being a royal, and I dont know if this is a good idea. The trouble with these programs is they dont remember there are cameras running all the time, and he could say something inappropriate, which can be quite dangerous. Its not appropriate behavior. Kate Middleton is recovering at her and Prince Williams Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage. The couple lives there with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. With a couple of royals already out of commission and others wanting to take a break, some think the family's hardest-working royal, Princess Anne, may be exhausted. The royal family has dominated the headlines so far in 2024 regarding the health of some senior royals. It was revealed in mid-January that the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton) had abdominal surgery that required a lengthy hospital stay and recovery time at home. Days after Kates operation, King Charles was admitted to the same London Clinic hospital and underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate. It was announced 10 days later that tests found the monarch had cancer and he began receiving treatment. Now down two senior royals, the family is now stretched pretty thin and feeling the effects of a slimmed-down monarchy which the kings sister, Princess Anne, never thought was a good idea. Princess Anne and now-King Charles attend the funeral of Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images What Princess Anne said when asked her thoughts on a slimmed-down monarchy When he became the monarch, King Charles cut down the size of the monarchy having only working royals do engagements and represent the family. But the size of those available to carry out engagements now has become challenging given the circumstances. While Charles couldnt have predicted that he would have to temporarily step away from duties at the same time as his daughter-in-law, it doesnt seem like there was a plan in place in case that happened. During an interview with Canadas CBC ahead of her siblings coronation, Princess Anne was asked to give her thoughts on Charles change to a more slimmed-down monarchy. I think the slimmed down was said in a day when there were a few more people around, Anne said referring to Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle who of course arent working royals anymore. Never one to shy away from her true feelings, the Princess Royal then added: It does not sound like a good idea from where I am standing. Anne is doing multiple engagements a day and could be running on empty Princess Anne attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Princess Anne is known as the hardest-working member of the royal family. She completes more engagements in a year than her brothers. She also does more than Prince William and Kate. At 73 years old some think that she could use a little bit of a break but thats not happening in the familys slimmed-down monarchy with the king and Kate not able to resume duties at this time. Now, Queen Camilla, who was helping shoulder some of the responsibilities, announced that she is going to take a break. Prince William initially wanted to take a break as well to be with Kate during her recovery but that idea was pulled after his fathers diagnosis. However, the Prince of Wales did skip a royal function recently. And while, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (formerly known as the Countess of Wessex) were vacationing at a ski resort, Princess Anne has been busy as usual doing plenty of engagements sometimes as many as four a day. Express labeled the Princess Royal as running on empty. However, there are reports that Edward and Sophie are finally ready to start stacking their diaries since they have returned from their ski trip with the Duke of Edinburgh set to carry at least eight engagements over the next few days. While all living beings need nitrogen in order to survive, it is not so easy to absorb it. Plants, for example, can absorb it as salts of ammonia, which makes these salts a key component of fertilizers. Up to now, ammonia has mainly been produced on the basis of fossil resources and non-renewable energy. Electrochemist Alexander Opitz and his team are now developing a sustainable alternative. Homemade, environmentally friendly fertilizer? Chemist Alexander Opitz received funding from the FWFs 1000 Ideas program for his innovative project. Matthaus Siebenhofer The importance of ammonia (NH 3 ) is not often a topic of public debate, but it is one of the most widely produced and most important substances for a variety of applications. Every year, almost 150 million tons of ammonia are produced worldwide. Ammonia is used as a refrigerant or in the production of plastics but most of it is goes into the production of synthetic fertilizers. Plants need the nitrogen these fertilizers contain for growth and photosynthesis. For this reason, ammonia has become an indispensable part of our modern society. Whereas one of its components nitrogen is present in large quantities in our atmosphere as N 2 molecule, the synthesis of ammonia also requires hydrogen (H 2 ) as a starting material. Currently, hydrogen is mostly produced with the help of fossil resources. In addition, fossil fuels are also used for the energy-intensive production of ammonia from N 2 and H 2 . Alexander Opitz and his team at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) are seeking to develop a sustainable alternative in their project "Feeding plants with electricity." We started this project because we can harness our expertise in electrochemistry in order to develop a new form of ammonia production that uses renewable energy and base materials, explains Alexander Opitz. One of the biggest challenges is to break up the extremely stable nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere and combine them with hydrogen atoms to produce ammonia. The research project Feeding plants with electricity, set to run from 2021 to 2024, is being funded by the FWF under its 1000 Ideas Program for particularly innovative research. The project aims to develop a new electrochemical process for ammonia production which is based on sustainable energy and raw materials. Ammonia (NH 3 ) consists of a nitrogen atom that is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Nitrogen atoms like to combine with another nitrogen atom and the resulting N 2 is a very stable molecule. In the early 20th century, two chemists developed the Haber-Bosch process which uses pressures of several hundreds of bar and temperatures of several hundred degrees Celsius to break up the nitrogen molecules for ammonia production. The vast amounts of energy required by this chemical process result in the production of ammonia alone being responsible for 1.4 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions and around 1 percent of global energy consumption. Hence, there is enormous savings potential. Given that this process is only economically viable at a large scale, global ammonia production is concentrated in only around 100 industrial plants. This is where Alexander Opitz's research comes in. Pressure through voltage Opitz is conducting research, supported by postdoc Maximilian Weiss, PhD student Melanie Anstiss and graduate student Christian Wimmer, to find an alternative way of producing ammonia. Instead of using a lot of energy to generate hydrogen gas at a pressure of hundred bar so that it can bind to nitrogen, we use the processes at the electrodes of electrochemical cells comparable to electrolysis, explains Opitz. In electrolysis, an electric current forces a chemical reaction at an electrode. In our experimental setup, we use a special ceramic electrode material that we produce ourselves. Unlike many other materials, it can conduct both negatively charged electrons and positively charged protons the nuclei of hydrogen atoms. In combination with a proton-conducting electrolyte between the electrodes, we can pump hydrogen through the electrochemical cell and influence the effective pressure at the electrode by means of the applied voltage. In the experiment, the research group first brings hydrogen gas to one side of the ceramic electrolyte. At the electrode located there, the hydrogen atoms lose their only electron and are left with only the atomic nucleus a single proton that can move within the electrolyte. The applied electrical voltage then forces the positively charged protons to the other side of the electrolyte, where the second electrode is located. This second electrode, which consists of the special ceramic material, creates the high effective hydrogen pressure that is required for the production of ammonia. That's the trick in our project, explains Opitz. We can put hydrogen under high pressure by simply applying electrical voltage which can come from renewable sources. In addition, the surface of the cathode material is equipped with a catalyst, a specially selected material that helps to break up the stable atmospheric nitrogen molecules and combine them with hydrogen. Sustainable raw materials and decentralization Many problems had to be solved, and we still have a lot of work ahead of us, notes Opitz. For example, we first had to find an effective method for easy measurement of the concentration of hydrogen in our ceramic materials in the laboratory. We achieved it thanks to a successful collaboration with colleagues working in analytical chemistry at TU Wien. One of the next steps will be the selection of the best catalyst, and the researchers also want to incorporate a sustainable source of hydrogen into their process. So far, most of the hydrogen has been obtained from fossil natural gas. We would like to expand our process to produce the hydrogen, which is then pumped through our electrochemical cell, directly from water, says Opitz. LanzaJet, Inc. announced a $30 million investment by Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) in LanzaJet. As part of the agreement, LanzaJet and Southwest intend to work toward the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility and collaborate to advance the operations of a corn stover to ethanol technology company in which Southwest is invested: SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC (SAFFiRE). LanzaJet plans to undertake project development efforts for the SAF production facility in the United States, with Southwest as the anchor SAF offtaker. The biorefinery is expected to utilize LanzaJet's pioneering technology, which is capable of scaling production to the levels needed to decarbonize aviation through widely available and sustainable feedstock, emerging commercial residue-based feedstock solutions, and promising economics. LanzaJet will also support Southwest's efforts to commercialize SAFFiRE's technology that processes corn stover into ethanol. "The U.S. is an incredibly important market for us it's our home, where our technology originated and scaled, the site of our and the world's first commercial ethanol-to-SAF plant, and an important opportunity to support the existing U.S. biofuels and ethanol industries with our leading ethanol-to-SAF technology," said Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaJet. "The alignment of Southwest and LanzaJet is a powerful combination that has the potential to integrate the SAF value chain and to double-down on the US ethanol, aviation, and biofuel industries. Our work together will lead us closer to meeting aviation's decarbonization goals by continuing to scale SAF production in the United States, while also tapping into the U.S. ethanol industry's potential to catalyze the next generation of SAF production." The U.S. facility to be developed by LanzaJet is also intended to enable the opportunity to convert SAFFiRE's cellulosic ethanol into SAF. "We're taking the next step in our sustainability journey toward our goal of net zero by 2050," said Bob Jordan, President & CEO of Southwest Airlines. "We look forward to working with LanzaJet, which is developing potentially important technology that could create more opportunities for Southwest to obtain scalable SAF, a critical component in the success of our environmental sustainability goal to replace 10% of our jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030." Southwest's investment comes on the heels of the opening of LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels the world's first commercial-scale ethanol-to-SAF plant. Located in Soperton, Georgia, the historic plant is anticipated to produce SAF and renewable diesel from low-carbon and sustainable ethanol which has International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels serves as a blueprint for utilizing first-of-its-kind innovation to scale SAF production and enables LanzaJet's aspiration for 1 billion gallons of SAF production by 2030. Evonik met the 2023 forecast the company had reduced in the summer, despite a continuously challenging environment. The specialty chemicals company's adjusted EBITDA amounted to 1.66 billion, within the targeted range of between 1.6 billion and 1.8 billion. Group sales fell by 17 percent to 15.3 billion, also within the targeted range of 14 billion to 16 billion. "The many crises around the world have put a damper on our results," says Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Executive Board. "Overall, we got away with a black eye. We owe this above all to the great efforts of all our employees. However, the general conditions will not get any easier, which is why we will continue our fundamental revamp of the Group." Symbolic image Computer-generated image The focus on liquidity management proved very successful. Free cash flow in 2023 amounted to 801 million even higher than in the previous year thanks to prudent management of net working capital and strict investment discipline. The cash conversion rate, the ratio of free cash flow to adjusted EBITDA, reached a strong 48 percent. In 2022, it was 32 percent. Payments for investments in property, plant and equipment were reduced to 793 million in 2023, compared to 865 million in 2022. Evonik also achieved its 2023 savings target of 250 million by through measures to safeguard earnings. "In difficult times, the first order of business is to keep the money together," says Maike Schuh, Chief Financial Officer of Evonik. "We have retained our ability to act. This was painful at times, but it was also successful. We will therefore continue these measures in the current year." The Executive Board will propose to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on June 4 an unchanged annual dividend of 1.17 per share. This corresponds to a highly attractive dividend yield of around 7 percent. "Dividend continuity is crucial for our long-term investors," says Schuh. "Our healthy free cash flow allows us to remain true to our reputation as a top dividend stock even in a difficult environment." Volumes sold reflected the unfavorable conditions. They fell by 8 percent in 2023. Selling prices declined by 3 percent. Evonik reported a net loss of 465 million in 2023 due to exceptionally high impairments and burdens from structural measures, most of which occurred by September 30. In the previous year, Evonik reported a net income of 540 million. Evonik does not expect an economic recovery during 2024. Hence, capital expenditures will be limited to around 750 million. The company expects an increase in adjusted EBITDA to a range between 1.7 billion and 2.0 billion, with sales between 15 billion and 17 billion. The cash conversion rate should be around 40 percent. "We must not delude ourselves, even if there are slight signs of a recovery: What we are currently experiencing are not cyclical fluctuations, but massive, consequential changes of our economic environment," says Kullmann. "We are addressing this challenge with the 'Evonik Tailor Made' program which will change our organizational structure for good." The first phase of Evonik Tailor Made has been completed. All structures and processes of the company have been analyzed extensively over the past months. Based on this analysis, Evonik will design and establish a new organizational structure by the end of 2026. Evonik aims to do without administrative activities that do not directly support its businesses. At the same time, key tasks will be consistently bundled in the new structure. The number of hierarchical levels below the Executive Board will be reduced to a maximum of six, while review and approval procedures will be significantly accelerated. Group-wide, managers will then lead a median of seven direct reports, compared to the current span of control of one to four. As a result, Evonik will become leaner, faster, and have a significantly reduced cost structure. Up to 2,000 jobs will be cut worldwide, including a disproportionate number of management positions. The majority of these adjustments, around 1,500 jobs, will be made in Germany. Evonik expects cost reductions of around 400 million annually after the programs completion in 2026. Around 80 percent of these savings will derive from personnel reductions, the rest will come from lower material costs. First effects of Evonik Tailor Made should materialize in the current year already. "We have chosen our own, tailor-made path for Evonik without external consultants to achieve the best possible results," says Thomas Wessel, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director. "It is clear that our company will look very different in two years much more dynamic and efficient. We will achieve this in the fair manner Evonik is known for: focused on joint goals and respectful in our dealings with each other." The Cherokee Nations Cherokee Language Master/Apprentice Program graduated five students Friday, Feb. 23, during a special commencement ceremony at the Chota Center. Front row (L-R): Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Special Envoy for International Affairs and Language Preservation Joe Byrd, District 3 Councilor Lisa Robison Hall, CLMAP graduate Lillian Van Hauen, CLMAP graduate Hayley Miller, CLMAP graduate Jennie Pruitt, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and Chief of Staff Corey Bunch. Back row (L-R): Cherokee Nation Language Executive Director Howard Paden, CLMAP Supervisor Kristen Thomas, Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan, CLMAP graduate Matthew Church, CLMAP graduate Tyler Teague, and District 2 Councilor Candessa Tehee. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed into policy the Cherokee Nation College Internship Program to provide internship opportunities and tribal workforce experience for college students. Albert Bothe addresses trustees about his wife, a librarian at Frostwood Elementary School during a school board meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Duncan Klussmann Center. Annie Mulligan/Contributor Trustees listen to public remarks during a school board meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Duncan Klussmann Center. Annie Mulligan/Contributor SBISD School Board President Chris Earnest responds to a public remark during a school board meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Duncan Klussmann Center. Annie Mulligan/Contributor Spring Branch Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Blaine speaks during a school board meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Duncan Klussmann Center. Annie Mulligan/Contributor SBISD School Board President Chris Earnest responds to a public remark during a school board meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Duncan Klussmann Center. Annie Mulligan/Contributor Spring Branch ISD trustees decided Monday to move forward with a proposal to consider removing former Superintendent Duncan Klussmanns name from its educational center, after he publicly criticized a round of recent budget cuts that saw the district eliminate all of its librarians. About 20 people spoke out against the renaming at Mondays meeting, where former board member Chris Gonzalez presented a petition with 213 signatures that she gathered in two days to end the shenanigans of stripping Klussmanns name from the building in response to a critical op-ed he wrote in the Houston Chronicle. Critics asked how much the renaming might cost in a time when the district has said every dollar counts in eliminating a $35 million budget deficit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How dare you waste our tax dollars on a personal vendetta after firing our precious librarians? one speaker told the board. Parent and former Spring Branch ISD student Sydney Isaacs said she got to know Klussmann when he was her middle school principal and she was president of the student council. Right now, the school board has a giant list of issues, and the name of a building is not one of them, Isaacs said. At a time of great need in our district, please dont spend the time and the money on immature intolerance. Other parents and community members accused the board of combating free speech, saying that whether the board disagreed with Klussmann, he had a right to express his opinion without retribution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some speakers reminded the board they never wanted the building to be named after the former superintendent. Former Houston City Councilmember Brenda Stardig said she was a student at Spring Branch High School before it was converted into the education center. Stardig said the community had lots of pride in the branding of Spring Branch on their school, and she hoped the decision to name the Klussmann building could be reversed for that reason. We needed to keep Spring Branch on the building: Spring Branch Education Center, Stardig said."If you want to rename something else, you name it, but this is our flagship, and we need to we need to make it right. Trustees said Monday that they wanted more public feedback, although two trustees, John Perez and Caroline Bennett, said they werent sure renaming the building is the best course of action. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im not a fan of erasing history, Bennett said. As much as I disagree with all the comments in the the op-ed opinion of Dr. Klussmann, I believe he is entitled to state his opinion. Other trustees who werent sure where they stood on the issue, but they used their time to respond to Klussmanns criticism. Trustee Lisa Alpe said the piece offended her, and that while she reserves the right for Klussmann to write an op-ed, she felt he didnt bring the concerns to the board first, and she thought his description of the fund balance as a rainy day fund was factually inaccurate. Alpe also said she would consider a proposal brought by Bennett at a board policy committee meeting to put in policy that the board could not name buildings after living people. Trustee Courtney Anderson said she expected more from the former superintendent. Im extremely disappointed that you chose to write an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle instead of rolling up your sleeves, calling Dr. Blaine and asking, How can I help SBISD? Anderson said, referring to Superintendent Jennifer Blaine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With all the chaos and disaster going on in the world around us, life can sometimes feel pretty dark and bleak. However, there are heartwarming, wholesome moments that make the news, casting a hopeful shine through the darkness. When Massachusetts police officer Robert Jaworski was notified of an emergency situation that involved a choking baby, he leaped into action, saving the childs life. He is now being celebrated for his act of heroism. According to a press release from the Winthrop Police Department, Officer Jaworski was the first to arrive on the scene after a 911 call came through about a one-month-old infant choking at a home on Sunset Road. The 30-year veteran of the Winthrop Police Department had just completed his CPR refresher training a mere 10 minutes beforehand. He used his training to remove a substance that had gotten stuck in the infants throat, allowing the child to breathe properly once again. The baby, along with a parent, was then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for further evaluation. Daniel Barnes and his wife, Mary Saladna, reported that they had been watching their granddaughter Savannah when she started to choke on her formula. Savannahs face visibly turned from red to blue. My wife was trying to pat her on the back to clear the airway, and thank God the ambulance and the cops showed up, said Barnes. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. On January 26, 1972, a Yugoslav Airlines flight exploded in mid-air, killing all but one member onboard the plane: Vesna Vulovic, a 23-year-old Serbian flight attendant. She miraculously survived the fall from the aircraft without a parachute. Her story highlights the importance of finding the strength to rise again and serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope. The aircraft had been carrying 28 passengers and crew members on a flight from Zagreb, Croatia, to Belgrade, Serbia. Everything had been going smoothly until they neared Srbska Kamenice, Czechoslovakia. It was then that a bomb went off in the cabin of the plane while it was 33,000 feet in the air. The bomb was believed to have been brought on board by Croatian nationalists. It is assumed that Vulovic had been sitting in the back of the plane, which had remained relatively intact after the explosion. The snow-covered forest she landed in also helped to cushion the impact. However, she suffered numerous injuries: a fractured skull, broken legs and vertebrae, and internal bleeding. Bruno Henke, a doctor who was in the German army during World War Two, was the one who found her battered and bruised. He tended to her until medical assistance arrived. In the hospital, Vulovic spent several days in a coma. But to everyones surprise, she asked for a cigarette upon waking up. Her treatment took 16 months. For 10 of those months, she was paralyzed from the waist down. Eventually, she recovered and even learned to walk again. Vulovic went on to work for JAT Yugoslav Airlines for 27 years. After her accident, she asked to fly on flights again, but her request was denied. Instead, she was given a job at the airlines office. You might be wondering how she had the courage to even consider stepping foot on a plane again. Well, that can be explained by the fact that Vulovic had no recollection of plummeting to the Earth or her subsequent rescue. In 2008, she revealed in an interview that she only remembered greeting passengers after takeoff and then waking up in the hospital. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Chinese churches scattered across the globe hold immense potential within the universal Christian mission, but that potential often remains untapped. One persistent challenge is the deep-seated racial discrimination prevalent among Chinese people, as well as their indifference to, or even their tendency to avoid, the diverse races, cultures, and language groups that surround them. In May 2023, pastor David Doong, general director of the Chinese Coordination Center of World Evangelism (CCCOWE) and host of the Missional Discipleship podcast, conducted an interview in Mandarin with pastor Qian Bin of the Evangelical Chinese Church of Seattle (ECCS). What follows is a translated and edited excerpt from that conversation. David Doong: In the United States, racial issues are a sensitive topic. Its no longer just a Black-and-white issue; all ethnic groups seem to be drawn into the fray. As a Chinese church pastor in Seattle, when did you begin to take notice of racial issues? Qian Bin: When our church was established in 1960, the congregation consisted primarily of ethnically Chinese individuals from Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, with shifts in immigration patterns, immigrant families from China, Southeast Asia, North America, and even Europe gradually became part of our congregation. Consequently, our church has become a melting pot of multiple languages, multicultural backgrounds, and diverse traditions. We even have multiple congregations, all shepherded by the same group of pastors and elders. Our church comprises Mandarin-, English-, and Cantonese-speaking congregations, each with significant cultural and background differences (they are from different places geographically). Everyone within the same church must confront the disparities and tensions between different cultures, languages, and modes of thought. Of course, many blessings come from cultural diversity. How Gods people, regardless of their cultural backgrounds and traditions, can worship and serve God together in one church and one body is the issue on which I have focused. And because our surrounding community is composed predominantly of white, Black, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and other non-Chinese groups, we must address racial issues while understanding the concept of a missional church and missional discipleship in such a context. Doong: How has your church made progress in this area? Qian: In 2016, another pastor from our church invited me to dinner with a few other pastors. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I discovered that one of the guests was the pastor of our English congregation, and another was the pastor of a historic Black church in Seattle, where Martin Luther King Jr. once preached. The final guest was the white pastor of a large white Presbyterian church. Article continues below Over the next two years, we united in prayer, affirming that God had brought us together like a large family. We began to refer to this gathering as kindred, which we translated as zhu li yi jia qin (one friendly family in the Lord) in Chinese. We also started inviting fellow believers from our church to join the network. During these two years of shared prayer, we realized that, as a Chinese church that wanted to become a missional church, we seldom acknowledged the needs of the city surrounding us. Particularly as immigrants, we tend to concentrate on improving our own lives. We can uphold our own faith and spiritual life well, but we often fall short in our missional life. In those prayer gatherings, all the pastors recognized that we must engage with the multiracial community. Doong: Given that racial issues are so prevalent in society, it must have been challenging for you to initiate regular meals and prayers with Black and white church leaders. Qian: For our church, the motivation to confront racial issues does not necessarily stem from observing the problem of racial division but from an internal recognition of the need for a life of missional discipleship. Thus, after two years of prayer, we took the next step: Starting in 2018, in addition to the quarterly joint prayer time, we decided to do church together for six to seven weeks each year. This meant that three churches would exchange pulpits, establish joint groups and Sunday schools, and start holding various meetings and services together in the city, with the aim of becoming a beacon in this divided world. We encountered many complex situations. For example, May 31, 2020the Pentecost Sunday following the onset of the pandemicwas our joint-worship Sunday. We selected a park as the outdoor gathering place, and I was the speaker that day. However, on May 26, George Floyd was killed. The social atmosphere in the US was extremely tense that week, with severe racial conflicts erupting in many places, including protests near our church. So I wondered, how should we conduct this meeting? What message should I preach? How will the congregation react? Everything was uncertain. Article continues below As the speaker, I was truly anxious and could only pray throughout the night, and the pastoral staff of our church also prayed for me. I will never forget how on Sunday morning, before the meeting began, several of us pastors stood on the stage in a circle and prayed together. We confessed before God our sins against each other, and we prayed for the tumultuous situation in American society, our city, our congregations, and our meeting that day. The sermon I wrote for that day commenced with the apostles preaching in diverse tongues and to various tribes at Pentecost. It looked back to the Israelites receiving Gods law on Mount Sinai 50 days after their exodus from Egypt, and even further back to the incident at the Tower of Babel. I explored how the myriad languages of humanity were born out of pride, which led God to sow confusion among people. This gave rise to interpersonal conflicts, a world steeped in discord, wars between nations, cultural incompatibility, and discrimination across various societal layers. All these issues can be traced back to the pervasive influence of sin. Yet we can also discern Gods intention, which is unified worship from brothers and sisters of all tribes and nations. Christ has redeemed every culture, race, and identity. In light of this, despite our many differences, our identity as Christians should transcend our individual cultures. The various divisions within our races and cultures have been redeemed and healed by the blood of Christ, becoming transformed into scars that reflect Gods glory and grace. When we congregate, we present to the world a new race, one redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. In the social climate of the time, I believe this message resonated profoundly. Even though the pandemic lasted longer than we anticipated, and even though the US subsequently underwent a polarizing presidential election and racial divisions, inflicting significant trauma on the church, our message of kinship at that time, coupled with our commitment to listening to each other and praying together among different ethnicities and ideologies, allowed us to dwell in hope and grace. Doong: Even within the Chinese community, there can be significant differences in political and historical narratives. When you engage with Black and white churches and encounter differing opinions, how do you typically navigate these differences or tensions? Qian: For sure, there can be disparate views among pastors. When we exchange pulpits, we discover that the same sermon provokes different reactions in different congregations. For instance, when a Black pastor preached in our Mandarin congregation, some of the first-generation Chinese immigrants quickly labeled him as a political liberal, and division ensued. Article continues below There are many different perspectives in this world, whether on political or racial issues. However, the truth that we as Gods people need to uphold is that we receive his Word and become one body under his guidance. So we insist on humbly submitting to Gods Word, listening to his Word collectively, and seeking how to respond. Therefore, we do not focus on debating issuesrather, we return to the Bible to see how God guides us. In the face of tension and political conflict at various levels, the church consistently embodies a role of compassion and service, rooted in love. The church recognizes that human brokenness serves as fertile ground for the gospel and is thus the place where God calls us. We also underscore to our congregation that if we are continually embroiled in the debate of choosing one over the other, it signifies that our church is not truly living out our faith with courage. Throughout history, the global church has not championed individual freedom, but rather voluntary servitude to Jesus Christ; not the equality of power, but submission to Gods sovereignty; not the pursuit of personal happiness, but willingness to take risks and endure suffering; not aiding caesar in ruling the world, but surrendering to Gods authority, transcending caesars limitations and the divisions of racial segregation. For Chinese churches in North America, racial, political, and cultural issues are the circumstances of our mission. If we aspire to faithfully manifest Gods glory and propagate the gospel, we must engage with this situation and cannot remain aloof. Concerning the pervasive racial conflict in the US, particularly the discord between whites and African Americans, Chinese Christians can actually play a buffering role as we share numerous concerns with both sides, and we can redirect the focus back to God when dealing with historical wounds and entanglements. We perceive this as a unique role that God permits us to play. Doong: Since God has dispersed Chinese people globally, we possess immense potential to become a strategic group in worldwide missions. However, if we fail to overcome Chinese ethnocentrism and racial discrimination against others, we will not bestow blessings upon all nations and peoples but will merely be ensnared in a sense of superiority or inferiority. How do we overcome this mindset? Article continues below Qian: I have a few suggestions. First, when we are willing to delve into the histories of different ethnic groups, such as the theological evolution and history of the Black church, that can assist us in broadening our perspectives. Consequently, when we converse with Black pastors, we will not always feel alienated, but instead we will comprehend the reasons behind their beliefs. Second, we need to foster friendships with more pastors and church workers from diverse ethnic groupshaving coffee, praying and dining together, sharing experiences, and traveling together. Upon establishing friendships, we will discover that God has indeed placed numerous mission elements in his kingdom. We can meet and chat for an hour today primarily because we are willing to sit together, sharing food and drink, which leads to many ideas about ministry directions. Third, we need to immerse ourselves in the community and the wider world. As a pastor, I often grapple with a dilemma: The numerous internal issues within my church and the needs of my congregation frequently make it challenging to devote adequate attention to diverse ethnic groups, individuals, and the needs of people outside our church. Besides forming friendships with other pastors, Ive come to realize that I need to delve deeper into this broader community. Heres one unconventional way I experience diversity. Amazons headquarters is in Seattle. I volunteer to deliver packages for Amazon on my day off. I pledge to spend five hours delivering packages, and in return, Amazon gives me about 40 packages that can be delivered within that time frame and assists me in planning the route on GPS. I have no idea where Ill be directed to go, including places Id never ordinarily visit. At each destination, whether its a multi-million-dollar mansion or a low-cost rental community, I get a glimpse of different lifestyles. This feels like a spiritual practice for me, as if Im viewing the world through the eyes of Jesus. I can see more deeply into communities I wouldnt have access to if not for my delivery duties. This process enables me to view my city and community from a different perspective, and in doing so, my spirit is rejuvenated and restored. As I immerse myself in different communities and witness the varying circumstances within each one, I develop an interest in the communitys people and gain a deeper understanding of its history and current situation. For me, its a process of spiritual formation. Article continues below The principle I want to stress here is that as pastors, besides tending to our congregations, we also need to take the time to immerse ourselves in the communities were part of. This article has been translated from Chinese into English from an episode transcript excerpt of the Missional Discipleship podcast, based on an agreement between CT and CCCOWE. [ This article is also available in and . ] Its not news that modern American Christians are deeply divided over politicsto the point that it may seem we have more in common with people who share our political beliefs than with our siblings in the faith. That division raises the question: If were all reading the same Bible, how do we end up with such conflicting and conflict-prone politics? Is our political engagement actually shaped by Scripture? Preston Sprinkles new book, Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire, challenges American Christians to recenter our politics on the Bible rather than on American culture and to found our political identities on our faith rather than on our partisanship. Some of his applications of Scripture are questionable, but his altar call is welcome and necessary for the American church. A longtime Christian writer and public intellectual, Sprinkle has made a name for himself as an orthodox evangelical with some uncommon positions, including his commitment to Christian nonviolence, his annihilationist view of Hell, and his approach to issues of sexuality and gender identity. In Exiles, Sprinkle first uses his training as a biblical scholar to take readers through what Scripture says about how Gods people should live politically, then considers how Christians should apply these lessons in modern-day America. The strongest feature of Exiles is its call for Christians to challenge our own political views with a careful reading of the Bible. Sprinkle is exactly right on this: Its far too easy to assume our politics are an outgrowth of our faith without ever giving them serious scrutiny. Sprinkle challenges Christians on the left and right alike to see how Scripture both affirms and runs against parts of their politics: Social justice. Concern for the poor. Economic checks on the rich. Redistribution of wealth. Forgiveness of debt. These arent liberal or Marxist or woke ideals. Theyre straight out of the Bible. So are other values like small governments, limits on centralized power, and able-bodied people working hard and saving for the future. When Christians think about money and economics, we need to stop letting the rhetoric and categories of Babylons culture wars shape our values. The Bible provides us with some rich categories for thinking about these things. Christians can disagree with his interpretation here and elsewhere. But the bigger and more important point Exiles makes is that our disagreement should be grounded in careful exegesis, not partisan instinct. Article continues below Biblical guidance may not always seem practical, efficient, or shrewd, yet as Sprinkle reminds us, the Bible teaches that things are not always as they seem. He quotes 1 Corinthians 1:27: God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Sprinkles willingness to think in scriptural rather than partisan terms is evident when he turns to applying his exegesis to recent political situations and controversies. Theres a lot of good here, especially in his advice for the church to bypass seeking government solutions to problems that communities can solve on their own. His example of local churches using their own money to cancel medical debt is deeply inspiring and something more congregations should do regardless of the future of health-care policy and insurance. Unfortunately, this application portion is also the weakest part of Exiles. Sprinkles message is particularly confused on whether and how Christians can wield state power. He says that whenever the church has gained power from the state, it has never ended well: Its almost always the case that when the church becomes too enmeshed with the power of the state, the upside-down kingdom of God is turned right side up. Christianity is simply not designed to occupy positions of worldly power without betraying its mission and witness. But that comes just a few pages after he praises Martin Luther King Jr. for using state power to end segregationnot only state-enforced inequality like segregated public schools or buses but private segregation in restaurants and other public accommodations. Similarly, Sprinkle is skeptical of working in and through the demonically empowered authorities of earth to bring justice to the world, likening it to working with a dragon-empowered beast to defeat the dragon. Yet he supports passing laws to ban slavery and segregation and approvingly quotes Kings observation that the law cant make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me. To be clear, I support those laws too and am also wary of Christian hunger for power. But his condemnations of state power are so sweeping and absolute and his criteria for exceptions so vague that he comes across as saying, When I dont like the results, state power is bad, and when I like the results, state power is good. This is not a helpful framework for Christians trying to determine how we should engage with politics. I believe its possible to distinguish between different Christian uses of state power. But it requires a coherent theory of the proper scope of government authority alongside a theology of Christian engagement with politics and the state. Sprinkle may have such a theory, but he doesnt spell it out here. Article continues below Sprinkles account of American Christians political tribalism is also dubious. He lays considerable blame on the God and country mindset, which endorses a split allegiance between Jesus and America so long as Jesus comes first. Sprinkle argues that, in practice, we dont put Jesus first, and accordingly advises eliminating a strong sense of national identity, replacing it with a Christian identity. We can be patriotic, Sprinkle says, but only insofar as its a soft patriotism that doesnt command allegiance. This explanation doesnt hold up. Sprinkle admits that both left- and right-wing Christians are politically tribal, but polling consistently shows left-leaning Americans are less likely to claim high levels of patriotism and national pride. If Sprinkles analysis is correct, youd expect that politically progressive Christians would be less politically tribalbut, in fact, the opposite is true. As sociologist George Yancey demonstrates in his book One Faith No Longer, liberal Christians are more likely than conservative Christians to put their politics above their faith, use their politics to determine their theology, determine their friend group based on their political tribes, and use us and them language based on politics rather than theology. As Yancey summarizes in an article about his book for The Gospel Coalition, political conformity is more important for progressive Christians than for conservative Christians, and progressive Christians have an underlying value system that leads them to a stronger political loyalty than the value system of conservative Christians does. A better explanation than Sprinkleswhich works across the political spectrumis that Christians give more time and attention to our political (and cultural) identities than to our identity in Christ. This is the case made in books including James K. A. Smiths Desiring the Kingdom;Handing Down the Faithby Amy Adamczyk and Christian Smith;The Great Dechurching by Jim Davis, Michael Graham, and Ryan P. Burge; and Aaron Renns Life in the Negative World. We spend one day a week at church and six at school, at work, with friends, and online. Sprinkle hints at this reality with his advice to Christians to spend less time taking in political talk shows. But hes more interested in telling American Christians to love America less than to seek Christ more. Article continues below On abortion, Sprinkles charge for churches to become more hospitable and forgiving places for women with unwanted pregnancies is disappointing as well. Its right, so far as it goes. But it misses the work Christians are already doing to welcome and care for mothers who might otherwise seek abortions due to practical and financial hardship. It neglects the difficulty of balancing welcome with accountability in a culture that increasingly treats the two as mutually exclusive. And it ignores complicating facts, like how higher-income women are more likely to have abortions, which suggests lack of financial support from Christians is not the only reason American women choose to abort. All this means that sincere Christians looking for a practical, nonpartisan path forward on abortion will find little actionable guidance in Exiles. For all that, Sprinkles call for Christians to firmly ground our political beliefs in the Bible is a worthy one and one our country desperately needs. He doesnt have to get every application right for the bigger principle to be vital. In fact, I hope this book sets off a flurry of exegetical debate over Sprinkles ideas. If it sends Christians back to Scripture, Exiles couldnt ask for a more worthwhile legacy. Joseph Holmes is a Christian culture critic and podcast host living and working out of New York City. He has written at outlets including Forbes, The New York Times, Religion Unplugged, Relevant, and An Unexpected Journal. He cohosts a weekly podcast called The Overthinkers. When Emmanuel Nabieu started working at the Child Rescue Centre in Sierra Leone, he was, in a way, coming home. Sixteen years earlierJuly 4, 2000the orphanage had taken him in. At nine years old, his life was upended by civil war. His father was killed during an attack on his village, and he was separated from his mother in the chaos that followed. The stability of his extended family structure was shattered. The last living relative he knew of, an uncle, couldnt afford to care for him. An orphanage seemed like the only option. He was brought to the Child Rescue Centre. And from that point on, that was his home. I lived in a nice childrens home with all the facilities, Nabieu, or Nabs, as he is now known by everyone, told CT. But I really longed to be loved. When Nabieu grew up and went to school at Njala University in Sierra Leone and then the University of South Wales, he learned that 80 to 90 percent of orphanslike himhad a living family member who could care for them with the right resources and support. Looking at the files at the Child Rescue Centre in 2016, he was shocked to discover that 98 percent of the children cared for by the ministry had had a living family member. The orphanages were not really serving orphans, said Nabieu, who wrote about his experience and his vision for caring for children in My Long Journey Back Home. They were just serving children from poor families. Nabieu proposed a radical change. He said the Child Rescue Centre didnt need to give children new homes. It needed to figure out how to help families care well for their own children. Today, the center has transformed. It is now called the Child Reintegration Centre, and its programs focus on helping families become financially self-sufficient. This includes classes, financial loans, and mentoring to give people the skills to succeed. We needed to be able to help those children build a better futurea happier future that included their families, included the communities they belonged to, Nabieu said. The 21st century has seen a shift within institutions and government organizations away from institutional care for children. In 2019, the United Nations passed a resolution prioritizing family-based care and calling for the eventual elimination of all orphanages, or institutional homes. Every member state signed on to the resolution, and organizations around the world have been making changes. Article continues below Elli Oswald, executive director of Faith to Action, a group committed to rethinking orphan care, said there is also a growing movement of Christians who are moving away from the overuse of residential care and turning towards preventing children from entering residential care at all. This is motivated in part, she said, by research showing that institutional care leads to higher rates of poverty and relationship problems into adult years. Most children who spend a significant amount of time in orphanages are really struggling, she said. What we know is that children grow best in the love and care of families. Thats not to say institutions are never the answer. According to Oswald, there are situations where it is unsafe for a child to go home. And there are cases when a child is truly, completely alone. A short-term stay in residential care, followed by a more permanent placement with a family, may be in the best interest of a child. But most of the time, orphanages have solved a symptom of a problem instead of addressing the problem itself. Poverty is the underlying reason why children end up in orphanages, Oswald said, and if we can come around families to support them, they most often are able to care for these children. Jedd Medefind, president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, a nonprofit that works with more than 250 organizations addressing the needs of vulnerable children, said that historically, orphanages were established quickly to respond to an overwhelming emergency. Well-meaning people felt compelled to act immediately in response to war, plagues, or other catastrophes, even if they were aware of potential drawbacks. But people are rethinking the balance between efficiency and ideal care. We need to point to the ideal while also acknowledging were working in a very broken world, Medefind said. We need to embrace workable solutions. Even in the US, which has many more resources than developing countries, institutional care hasnt been eliminated, Medefind noted. More than 10 percent of children in the foster system are in group homes. Some cannot be put with family members because of addiction or abuse issues. Theres a shortage of foster families, and some children with intensive needs are difficult or sometimes impossible to find placements for. Medefind supports a full continuum of care in every place that prioritizes family. Article continues below This starts with family-strengthening services to prevent separation in the first place, he said. Then there should be a foster care and adoption system. And in the rare cases where placing a child in a home isnt possible, Medefind supports family-like residential care, where children are kept in group homes with a small ratio of children to adults. Those adults would ideally remain involved in the childrens lives even into adulthood. The reality is, when it comes to the development of the heart and body and soul of children, the very best place for a child is the family. You simply cannot replace that on a mass scale, Medefind said. At all stages of development, but especially in those early formative years of infancy and early childhood, there is a deep need to feel love. According to Nabieu, the change needs to start with holistic thinking. Reflecting on his own experience, he realizes now that he was not just one kid in need. He was an acute symptom of a larger problema problem the Child Rescue Centre could address. One of the first people Nabieu told about his vision for transforming the center into something else was Laura Horvath, a Christian who had cared for him in the orphanage. She said that, in a way, she wasnt surprised at his vision. Nabieu had always been a leader, and Horvath and others in the ministry had also been thinking about better ways to care for children, so they were receptive to his ideas. Horvath was nervous about big transitions. But she was soon swept up into Nabieus vision. We quickly moved into this space of just big dreaming, she said. What would it look like? The adjusted approach was more successful than those who worked with the renamed Child Reintegration Centre could have hoped. The new programs were more cost-effectiveand allowed them to help far more children. The organization went from helping about 300 orphans to helping nearly 2,000 children in more than 400 families. Nabieu believes this holistic approach is not only practical but also biblical, since God puts the solitary in families (Ps. 68:6). He believes the place that was home for him can become a powerful tool for restoration. These facilities can become effective sources of hope and stability for vulnerable children and families, he said. Its not only about one child. Its about a whole family as a unit. Its about the community. Adam MacInnis is a reporter in Canada. [ This article is also available in Francais. ] Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. In a rare joint session at the Palace of Versailles on Monday, lawmakers voted 780 to 72 to enshrine abortion access in the constitution, making France the first country in the world to do so. While abortion is already legal in France, the parliament acted in response to the US Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 as well as the rightward political swing in countries around the world. The French government wanted to shore up its existing laws ahead of any potential gains by the political right in Frances next presidential election in 2027, even though none of the political parties are advocating an end to abortion. The vote easily exceeded the threshold of three-fifths of the senators and deputies needed to amend the constitution, which now states there is a guaranteed freedom to abortion in France. While many people cheered the decision, pro-life voices within the countrys small evangelical population (making up about 1 percent of the population) expressed concern. A group of around 2,500 demonstrators, rallied by the organizers of the annual Marche pour la Vie (March for Life), gathered in Versailles on Monday as members of parliament arrived for the vote. I think it is really important to witness that many French do not agree with the inscription of abortion in the constitution, said Nicolas Tardy-Joubert, president of Marche pour la Vie. This [demonstration] is key to showing that there is an alternative mindset to public life in our country. We should protect life, and we cannot add a guaranteed liberty in our constitution to kill somebody. Tardy-Joubert noted that while it was a day of sorrow, it should also be a day for hope, because we need to wake up the concerns and tend the hurts. It is a long-term process. In his speech before the historic vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal hailed the addition to the constitution as a second victory for Simone Veil, a Holocaust survivor and French health minister who championed the 1975 law that legalized abortion in France, known as the Veil Act. Yet a statement by the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF) noted that the Veil Act viewed abortion as a last resort: Exception was to be the foundational principle. Distress was to be the criterion. It pointed out that Veil warned abortion should be of an exceptional nature so that society wouldnt appear to encourage it, but rather dissuade it. But now, the statement noted, Guaranteed freedom has become the foundational principle. The criterion of distress has been removed from the law. The Evangelical Protestant Committee for Human Dignity (CPDH) similarly believes that the move makes abortion seem like the governments de facto solution for women facing unplanned pregnancies. This isolation in the face of the abortion decision is a form of abandonment by the public authorities, in the face of the distress a woman may experience at a delicate moment in her life, without providing her with any alternative other than to put an end to the life she carries within her, the group said in a statement. The freedom we offer is also the support we deprive her of. CPDH further noted that Mondays vote, in which voluntary termination of life became one of the values of the Republic, will be viewed as a political step forward for President [Emmanuel] Macronone he naturally welcomesbut also a real ethical setback. Marjorie Legendre, a pastor, seminary professor of ethics and spirituality, and member of the Commission dEthique Protestante Evangelique (CEPE), senses that the inclusion of abortion in the constitution is a wake-up call for French evangelicals. Rather than simply opposing abortion privately, now they are speaking about it more openly in the church and in society. Normally, the government holds listening tours and invites input and public debate when it comes to big issues, but that didnt happen with the decision to constitutionalize abortion. Erwan Cloarec, president of CNEF, said that though the government holds meetings with his organization and other religious groups on other topics, it did not invite input on this one. He said that, to his knowledge, the government didnt even give a hearing for the Catholic church, which still holds historical sway in France. Despite this, its still our job to explain what we believe. Legendrespeaking from her personal opinion rather than as an institutional representativecalled attention to the way the government is prioritizing a womans right to choose over the rights of children. I have the impression that were putting so much emphasis on womens rights that were forgetting the right of the unborn child, Legendre said. But who is the weakest in the story? Christians are called to defend the weakest. Im not saying that the rights of womenwho may also be in a fragile situationand the rights of the unborn child should be pitted against each other, but there is a disproportion in favor of womens rights alone. While enshrining abortion rights in the constitution doesnt bring any immediate changes in practice, as laws protecting abortion are already in place, some evangelicals are concerned that it may impact other forms of liberty. For example, CNEF said in its statement, Evangelical Protestants of France call on the government to ensure that women who so wish are offered the freedom and means to keep their child or to entrust their child to someone else. Some also worry that the constitutional change could impinge on medical professionals right to choose not to perform procedures that go against their conscience. Legendre said she doesnt think the conscience clause is legally under threat since it is part of the French human rights declaration. But shes concerned that, in practice, doctors or nurses could face pressure to perform abortions, which ultimately weaken the freedom of conscience clause. While Christians in the West may view what is happening in France as a cautionary tale, Cloarec noted that it is essential to consider the distinct cultural and historical contexts within each country. Our posture is to try to be constructive and credible, to dialogue with the countrys authorities without being confrontational, aware of living in a secularized context but without giving up on saying what we believe, Cloarec said. Ultimately, we wish to be the church of Jesus Christ. That is to say, loving and welcoming to all. As for whats next, Luc Olekhnovitch, president of the CEPE and a pastor for 30 years, said hes glad CNEF published a press release so that theres a public-facing statement. Beyond that, churches have work to do. The cultural battle is lost on this issue, he said. On the other hand, we mustnt cut off the cultural battle in the churchesthe battle to respect life itself, from conception to death. According to Marche pour la Vies Tardy-Joubert, there are still opportunities to prevent abortions from happening. He noted that, according to a 2020 study by the pro-life group Alliance Vita, 88 percent of French people want to understand the causes and consequences of abortion, which number about 200,000 a year in the country. So we think the [members of parliament] and senators should involve themselves in making inquiries to better understand why we have so many abortions and what the consequences are in terms of public health, in terms of demography, in terms of economics, he said. The target to reduce abortion by half in France, for example, is possible if we want to have the politics put in place. This might be welcomed even by those without ethical reasons to wish for a drop in abortion numbers. Like in many parts of the world, France is facing a rapidly decreasing birthrate that will impact the countrys workforce and tax its social welfare system: 2023 saw the lowest number of births in the country since 1946. Legendre sees a role for churches in combating a culture of death with a prophetic voice for a culture of life. She said this will happen through the teaching of young people, through teaching adults with aging parents, and so on. There is room to maneuver in our communities in this area. And, in this sense, we can be models and witnesses within society of the culture of life. She added: We have every reason to have a culture of life: We worship the living God, the God of life, the risen Christ! We have every reason to celebrate life, to savor life, to respect life: Its up to us to be models and witnesses of life, from its beginning to its end. [ This article is also available in Francais. ] Home News Apaches take fight to save 'sacred site' to Supreme Court A group of Native Americans is vowing to appeal to the United States Supreme Court after a federal appellate court ruled that the federal government can transfer a plot of land they view as a sacred site to an Australian mining company, which could destroy the land. The religious liberty law firm Becket released a statement on Friday condemning a federal court for greenlighting the destruction of a sacred Native American site. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit released an opinion Friday ruling that the federal government can transfer Oak Flat, a federally owned plot of land in Arizonas Tonto National Forest, to the mining company Resolution Copper. The Western Apache Indians, who view the land as a sacred religious site, had sought a ruling declaring that the transfer violated their rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and an 1852 treaty between the U.S. and the Apaches. Fridays opinion upheld a lower court ruling denying their request. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The en banc decision featured six judges siding with the federal government and five judges ruling in favor of the Apache Native Americans. Judge Daniel Collins, appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, wrote the opinion and was joined by fellow Trump-appointed Judges Mark Bennett, Danielle Forrest, Ryan Nelson and Lawrence VanDyke as well as former President George W. Bush-appointed Carlos Bea. Judge Mary Murguia, appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, authored the dissent. Judges Marsha Berzon and Ronald Gould, appointed to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, joined in the dissent along with President Joe Biden-appointed Judge Salvador Mendoza and Trump-appointed Judge Kenneth Lee. Blasting a Native American sacred site into oblivion is one of the most egregious violations of religious freedom imaginable, said Becket Vice President and Senior Counsel Luke Goodrich. The Supreme Court has a strong track record of protecting religious freedom for people of other faiths, and we fully expect the Court to uphold that same freedom for Native Americans who simply want to continue core religious practices at a sacred site that has belonged to them since before the United States existed. Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Apaches, other native peoples, and non-Native allies, first filed a lawsuit to stop the transfer of Oak Flat to Resolution Copper in early 2021. Congress authorized the transfer of Oak Flat to the mining company in 2014, 19 years after copper was discovered underground. The federal government had protected Oak Flat from mining and other similar practices beginning in 1955, and the plot of land is included on the National Register of Historic Places, which describes it as an important feature of the Western Apache landscape as a sacred site. Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us our most sacred site where we connect with our Creator, our faith, our families, and our land, Apache Stronghold member Wendsler Nosie explained following Fridays ruling. Todays ruling targets the spiritual lifeblood of my people, but it will not stop our struggle to save Oak Flat. We vow to appeal to the [United States] Supreme Court. As Goodrich explained in a video outlining the significance of Oak Flat to the Apache people and the implications of its transfer to Resolution Copper, The copper deposit is over a mile underground and theres no way to get to it from the surface. Goodrich added: The copper companys plan is to tunnel underneath Oak Flat and blast the copper with dynamite and then have robots take out the ore, but over time, the amount of ground theyre going to remove is going to cause the surface of Oak Flat to collapse into a crater thats 2 miles wide and over 1,000 feet deep and Oak Flat will just be gone, swallowed in a crater and gone forever. The video warned that the destruction of Oak Flat, which contains Native American burial grounds, would interfere with the ability of Apaches to participate in ancient ceremonies, hidden from outsiders that are a part of their geocentric religion. Home News Biden cant force Christian doctors to perform trans surgeries: court A federal court has ruled that Christian healthcare workers cannot be forced to perform elective, body-disfiguring surgeries for individuals who identify as trans despite a mandate from the Biden administration. In an order released on Monday, the United States District Court of the District of North Dakota granted partial summary judgment in favor of the Christian Employers Alliance. At issue were two mandates from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that interpret Title VII antidiscrimination protections based on sex to include sexual orientation and self-declared gender identity. It would require religious employers to provide health insurance that covers body-mutilating trans surgeries and force surgeons with religious objections to perform such procedures as castration for males and elective double mastectomies for females or face charges of discrimination based on gender identity. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The court concluded that CEA will succeed on the merits, adding that if CEA had to comply with these mandates, its members would have to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs which is an impermissible exercise under the First Amendment and [the Religious Freedom Restoration Act]. CEAs sincerely held religious belief is that male and female are immutable realities defined by biological sex and that gender reassignment is contrary to Christian Values, reads the order. As a result, performing or providing health care coverage for gender transition services under the EEOC and HHS coverage mandates impinges upon CEAs beliefs. CEA must either comply with the EEOC and HHS mandates by violating their sincerely held religious beliefs or else face harsh consequences like paying fines and facing civil liability. The decision added that although protecting the right of transgender patients to access crucial healthcare and protecting workers from sex discrimination is certainly a compelling interest, the Defendants here have done nothing more than identify a broadly formulated interest in an attempt to justify the general applicability of the government mandates. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative law firm that is helping to represent the CEA, celebrated the order, viewing it as a victory for religious liberty. All employers and healthcare providers, including those in the Christian Employers Alliance, have the constitutionally protected freedom to conduct their business and render treatment in a manner consistent with their deeply held religious beliefs, said ADF Senior Counsel Matt Bowman in a statement. The employers we represent believe that God purposefully created humans as either male or female, and so it would violate their religious beliefs to pay for or perform life-altering medical procedures or surgeries that seek to change ones sex. The court was on firm ground to stop the administration from enforcing these unlawful mandates that disrespect people of faith. In 2016, the Obama administration enacted a final rule that interpreted Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which focused on prohibiting discrimination in healthcare based on sex, to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The final rule was challenged in court by several states and various religious groups, and was eventually repealed by the Trump administration in 2018. However, under the Biden administration, the EEOC and HHS returned to the Obama-era interpretation of sex to include sexual orientation and gender identity. To justify returning to the older policy, the administration cited the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision Bostock v. Clayton County, in which the high court ruled that Title VII protected against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Supreme Court in Bostock recognized that to discriminate against a person based on sexual orientation or transgender status is to discriminate against that individual based on sex, stated the EEOC in June 2021. Therefore, the Supreme Court held that Title VII makes it unlawful for a covered employer to take an employees sexual orientation or transgender status into account in making employment-related decisions. In October 2021, CEA filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, arguing that the mandate forced religious groups like them to perform actions contrary to their beliefs. Home News Notre Dame College to close after over 100 years in operation A Catholic college in Ohio is closing its doors after more than 100 years in operation as it prepares its students to continue pursuing their education elsewhere. In a statement released on Thursday, Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, announced that in-person instruction at the Catholic institution will conclude at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. We are all saddened by the need to make this decision, said Notre Dame College Interim President John Smetanka. Rest assured that as we move forward, we are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for our students to continue their education. The college attributed the decision to close to long-standing challenges related to declining enrollment, a shrinking pool of college-aged students, rising costs and significant debt. The schools Board of Trustees reported that heroic efforts to keep the college open failed to close the financial gap in time to satisfy debt obligations and allow the school to continue to operate independently. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Examples of these efforts include refinancing debt, navigating a down market, strategically using federal and state COVID-19 relief funds to maintain our mission during the pandemic, launching a centennial fundraising campaign, pursuing two potential higher education partners for a possible merger or acquisition; and working closely with major donors and other stakeholders to raise additional revenue. Throughout this long process, we evaluated every possible option to continue the mission of Notre Dame College, stated Terri Bradford Eason, chair of Notre Dame Colleges Board of Trustees. Our primary focus has been to ensure our students can successfully continue their education, graduate, and in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame live a life of personal, professional and global responsibility. Notre Dame College has established partnerships with nine colleges and universities in Ohio and Pennsylvania to enable the schools students to continue the education they started at the Catholic college at another institution of higher education with as little disruption as possible. The partner schools are Baldwin Wallace University, Cleveland State University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, Lake Erie, Ursuline College, Walsh University in Ohio and Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania. Current students in good standing with at least 60 completed credits will receive guaranteed admission to pursue their degrees uninterrupted at a partner institution, with comparable net tuition and transfer of all credits, Notre Dame College added. They will be able to complete their degree in relatively the same amount as they could as NDC. As for students with fewer than 60 credits at Notre Dame College, they may have the opportunity to transfer to a partner institution and receive the same benefits of the Teach-Out Program. Faculty and staff will receive human resources support from the school as they seek to find employment elsewhere. The Board of Trustees expressed profound gratitude to Notre Dame College students for their endurance; to school leadership, faculty, and staff for their loyal service and commitment; and to the many friends, donors, and partners who have so generously supported this special institution, allowing the college to fulfill its mission for over 100 years. The board of trustees added that, Notre Dame Colleges impact and legacy will live on through the contributions of its more than 5,000 alumni and all members of our college community, past and present. According to the Notre Dame College website, the school was founded in 1922 as a Catholic, four-year liberal arts institution for women. The institution began admitting men in 2001. Its purpose was to provide a mission-focused, values-based, private Catholic education to students who might otherwise not have access to such an experience and to educate a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. Statistics compiled by the National Center for Educational Statistics show that Notre Dame College had an undergraduate enrollment of 1,329 students and 115 graduate students in the fall of 2022. Notre Dame College is separate and distinct from Notre Dame University, the much larger and more prominent Catholic institution of higher education in South Bend, Indiana. Students hoping to learn more about their options following Notre Dame Colleges closure can attend a Partner College/University Fair at Keller Gymnasium on March 13. The Texas Lottery announced a resident in Tomball claimed the $2 million Powerball prize in the Dec. 30 drawing. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap / Houston Chronic The Texas Lottery announced a resident in Tomball claimed the $2 million Powerball prize in the Dec. 30 drawing. SimpleImages/Getty Images Two months after the Dec. 30 Powerball drawing for $2 million, the winner claimed the million-dollar prize. According to the Texas Lottery, a resident in Tomball, northwest of Houston, who claimed the winnings chose to remain anonymous. Rosehill Mini Mart at 18402 FM 2920 sold the winning ticket with Power Play. The numbers drawn were 10, 11, 26, 27 and 34 with a Powerball number of 7 and 4 as the Power Play number. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Home News 'The Chosen' creator talks struggles with porn addiction, defends comments about Mormons "The Chosen" creator Dallas Jenkins recently weighed in on some of the controversies he's faced in recent years, including the presence of a gay camera operator with a pride flag on set and his relationship with friends in the Latter-day Saints community. In a lengthy interview with The Beat's Allen Parr, posted online last Tuesday, the 48-year-old opened up about how his past struggles with narcissism and pornography have shaped his journey. "I used to be someone who sought and needed affirmation. ... I struggled with narcissism," Jenkins said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe After his film "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone" flopped in 2017, Jenkins said he was forced to face his people-pleasing tendencies and replace toxic habits with Scripture, something he said turned out to be life-changing. "I had a long-term struggle with pornography that went dormant for years because I was doing well and hadn't struggled with it, and then it kind of had a relapse," he said. "And I went, 'Alright,' I was married at the time. I have kids, 'This can't happen again. And it's not enough for me to just have all these protections on my computer. I need to change the heart of what causes this idolatry or this addiction.'" "So the habit of wanting to get affirmed, or the habit of lust or whatever, I restarted replacing with Scripture," he said. "I really have become someone who has replaced my desire to please or to avoid criticism with God's desires. On a personal level, does it hurt my feelings? Does it impact my family? It really, really doesn't. And that takes time. It takes effort. It takes replacing those thoughts with Scripture, but it has happened to it has gotten to a place where I can chuckle at it sometimes." It's this mentality that Jenkins said has sustained him while "The Chosen" has faced criticism as it continues to grow in popularity. The first multi-season series to follow the Gospel narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus, "The Chosen" has become an international phenomenon and is currently in its fourth season. The director highlighted instances where the show was misinterpreted, citing examples of how certain scenes were taken out of context. "It's frustrating when people think that they can solve the issue of the hypostatic union in a YouTube comment," Jenkins expressed, stressing the importance of nuanced understanding over superficial judgments. Jenkins clarified the times he's said "The Chosen" is "not a ministry," stating that while he and his wife have a personal ministry focused on bringing people closer to Jesus, conversion is the work of God and the Holy Spirit, not theirs. He stated that his cast and crew, many of whom are not "traditional believers," are not required to subscribe to his personal ministry or religious beliefs. "We are a for-profit company," he said, adding: "We don't have a litmus test for who is going to work on our show outside of, 'You're going to work hard, you're going to do a great job, and we're going to do this work together. And whether whatever your motive is, whatever your background is, is not my concern." Last year, Jenkins and "The Chosen" faced criticism after a video clip showing a small rainbow flag on the show's set circulated on social media. "We have people on our cast and crew who come from multiple backgrounds, and our camera operator is gay and has a three-inch pride flag on his own personal equipment," Jenkins said. "He is allowed to have his own equipment; he is allowed to express himself within the context of his equipment. And we have a guy in the catering team who wears a MAGA hat, you know. I don't police any of those things. And our cast and crew know that when they come on, if they have personal issues with someone else's personal issues, they're going to have to put those at the door because we're here to work together, regardless of our politics, regardless of our backgrounds. We're going to work together on this." Jenkins stressed that he doesn't personally "support pride," adding: "Everyone knows where I stand." "I'm an Evangelical Christian, and I believe in a biblical viewpoint of sexuality," Jenkins said. "But I also don't require that the cast and crew sign on to my own personal beliefs. We have a great relationship, and the camera operator who was called for to be fired by several people and criticized is probably one of my top two or three favorite crew members on our show. He works so hard for the show. He is some of the great work that people talk about on the show comes from him." One of the more sensitive topics discussed in the interview was Jenkins' relationship with the Mormon community and his affiliation with Angel Studios, owned by the Harmon brothers, who are adherents to the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints. Jenkins clarified the nature of this partnership and its impact on "The Chosen," explaining that while Angel Studios played a significant role in launching the show, they had no influence on its content and that he continues to uphold Evangelical Christian beliefs. Angel Studios and "The Chosen" have since parted ways for reasons Jenkins said had "nothing to do with the LDS thing." The show is now distributed by Lionsgate. "I have no problem working with anyone who is going to work hard to get the show out to the world. They have zero input or influence on the content of the show," he said. Jenkins acknowledged he previously came under fire after stating that he has Mormon friends who believe in "Jesus of Nazareth, the Jesus of the Gospels, the Jesus that I'm portraying in the show." "I was referring to a few of my LDS friends, and I said, 'I'm not speaking for the LDS church, I'm not talking about their a formal doctrine or anything like that,'" he clarified. "I'm talking about some of these LDS friends that I have do love the same Jesus that I do. We may have some disagreements about some aspects of it, but some of these brothers that I know that I have had deep, intense, dozens of hours of conversations with might not actually sign on to or might have a different viewpoint than what the official church doctrine is, much like Evangelical world has different sects and different denominations within it." Jenkins, the son of Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins, also mentioned accusations of him quoting the Book of Mormon, which he denied, saying he hadn't read it. He urged people to let "The Chosen" speak for itself and to focus on what is truly relevant, rather than getting caught up in misinterpretations or assumptions based on limited information or past comments. And while he's open to constructive criticism and discussions, Jenkins said, "Let's not try to relegate these very important, important and nuanced issues to YouTube headlines." Home News Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has surgery to insert pacemaker Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the first African American leader of The Episcopal Church, has undergone surgery to insert a pacemaker and is recovering at home. Curry, who turns 71 this month, had the surgery on Friday, which the Episcopal Churchs Office of Public Affairs reported on Monday was a success. The bishop was discharged from the hospital on Saturday. Bishop Curry will continue tending to light-duty work tasks until released to travel and increase his duties. Updates will be provided as necessary, explained the Public Affairs Office. Please continue praying for Bishop Curry, his family, and his medical team. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The pacemaker came as part of the treatments Curry is receiving for atrial fibrillation and has been the latest in a series of health issues that has befallen the denominational leader over the past year. Last September, the presiding bishop underwent surgery to remove his right adrenal gland and an attached mass, which had been the source of two past instances of internal bleeding. In January, Curry had surgery to handle a reoccurrence of subdural hematoma that he had been experiencing, with doctors using a catheter to implant a metal coil that prevents blood from pooling within the brain. Up to this point, we have been responding to emergency situations, but this is a positive and proactive approach designed to get these bleeds under control. The procedure has a very good success rate, and I am hopeful this will address the underlying issues, explained Curry in a statement earlier this year. I continue to be so thankful for all your prayers, which have been working in tandem with my medical teams excellent care. I count it a blessing to be in an area with good research hospitals and in a loving church with such faithful, prayerful support. Curry was installed as presiding bishop in November 2015, becoming the first African American to hold the position in the Episcopal Churchs history. At his 2015 consecration, which was held at the Washington National Cathedral in the District of Columbia, Curry declared that "God is not finished with the denomination. "What God has done in the past, God can do again. God, Who parted Red Seas, can do it all over again. The God Who raised the dead to life can do it all over again," Curry stated. Curry garnered global attention when he preached at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, making it one of the most-watched sermons in human history. We were made by a power of love, Curry said at the time. Our lives were meant and are meant to be lived in that love. That's why we are here. Ultimately the source of love is God Himself. The source of all of our lives. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He wasn't getting anything out of it. He gave up his life; He sacrificed His life for the good of others, for the well-being of the world, for us. That's what love is. Currys series of health issues come as he's nearing the end of his nine-year term as presiding bishop, with a successor slated to replace him this summer. Home News France becomes first country to enshrine abortion in constitution: 'Guaranteed freedom' France became the first nation to enshrine abortion in its national constitution in an overwhelming vote that prompted a standing ovation from the French Parliament in Versailles on Monday. French lawmakers overwhelmingly voted 780-72 in favor of the bill to amend Article 34 of the French constitution. The measure was introduced in January and passed by the French Senate last week. When the final vote was announced, the room in Versailles Palace erupted with sustained applause, and many who were gathered in Paris' Trocadero Square to watch the vote on a large screen also cheered as the amendment passed, according to The New York Times. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On Monday evening, the Eiffel Tower was emblazoned with the words "My body, my choice." Sixty-six percent of respondents supported the amendment, including 76% of those aged 18-34, according to a YouGov poll in February. ? Inscription dans la Constitution de la liberte de recourir a l'IVG ?? La majorite requise des 3/5eme des suffrages exprimes par les parlementaires etant atteinte, le projet de loi constitutionnelle est adopte. ???? https://t.co/JX10WaDcTJ#DirectANpic.twitter.com/QbowRYVZZ9 Assemblee nationale (@AssembleeNat) March 4, 2024 While abortion has been legal in France since 1975, the new legislative move has made abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy a "guaranteed freedom" for French women, and future French governments will be barred from drastically modifying it. Abortions are allowed after 14 weeks if the pregnancy poses a threat to the health of the mother or the baby exhibits genetic anomalies. French legislators were reportedly driven by the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, ruling that a right to abortion is not in the U.S. Constitution. French President Emmanuel Macron backed the measure to amend the French constitution, which was adopted in 1958 and only amended about 20 times since. Macron again tweeted last week in support of the amendment, writing, "I am committed to making women's freedom to have an abortion irreversible by enshrining it in the Constitution." "After the National Assembly, the Senate is taking a decisive step which I welcome. For the final vote, I will convene Parliament in Congress on March 4," he wrote. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, supported the measure. "We are sending the message to all women: Your body belongs to you and no one has the right to control it in your stead," he said during a speech before the final tally, according to The New York Times. While the amendment was evidently popular among French legislators and many French citizens, it drew condemnation from the Vatican and the French Conference of Bishops (CEF). In a statement last week, the CEF stated that abortion "remains an attack on life from the very beginning" and cannot be seen exclusively from the "angle of women's rights." The bishops expressed sadness that the government did not instead focus on promoting the rights of women and children. In a similar statement, the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV) said, "In the era of universal human rights, there cannot be a 'right' to taking a human life," according to Vatican News. PAV added that all governments and religious traditions must "do their best so that at this stage in history, the protection of life becomes an absolute priority, with concrete steps in favor of peace and social justice and with effective measures for a universal access to resources, education and healthcare." Home News Laken Riley's mother gives Jesus 'the glory' for sustaining her family after daughter's murder The mother of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant while out for a jog on campus, shared how she has derived strength from her faith in Jesus Christ as her family grapples with the devastating loss of her daughter to an avoidable tragedy. In a Facebook post earlier this week, Allyson Phillips expressed gratitude for the support she and her family have received following Rileys death. Last month, authorities discovered the body of the Augusta University student who was murdered while jogging on trails around the University of Georgia campus. Police later determined that she had died from blunt force trauma. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe As I sat down to write this message, I really just have no words. My family has faced the most devastating, unimaginable loss that anyone could ever be forced to endure, Phillips wrote. "I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for being with me and my family during this heartbreaking time. I encourage everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I give Him all the glory for getting us through this." She added, It would be really easy to lose our faith in mankind because of this senseless and avoidable tragedy. The amount of love, support and help that we have received during this horrific nightmare is overwhelming. On her Facebook page, the mother also shared an image created of her daughters name inside a black-and-white heart with the hashtag: #SayHerName. The suspect arrested in connection with Rileys murder is Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the country illegally on Sept. 8, 2022, through El Paso, Texas. Ibarra was reportedly released due to a lack of detention space. According to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Ibarra was arrested by New York police on Aug. 31, 2023, and charged with causing injury to a child and a driving violation. He was released before ICE could request that police hold him for immigration authorities, CBS reported. The nursing students death has shone a spotlight on President Joe Biden's border policies that have allowed a historic number of illegal immigrants to enter the U.S. Since Biden took office, law enforcement officials at the Southern border have encountered more than 7 million illegal immigrants. During a briefing last week, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre deferred to law enforcement and ICE when asked about the case. The press secretary expressed her condolences to Rileys family when asked if Biden had visited the young womans relatives. And I the president I dont have anything regarding to the president speaking to the family, Jean-Pierre told reporters. But it is heartbreaking. I I cant even imagine what the family is going through. And so but anything else specifically, I would have to refer you to ICE and law enforcement. A reporter inquired again whether the president had spoken to the family, to which the press secretary replied that she did not have anything to read out. In response to the nursing students murder, Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp wrote a letter to Biden criticizing his administrations border policies. The governor also highlighted Rileys murder, calling it a devastating tragedy. The governor demanded answers as to why his administration was not informed of the illegal immigration status of the suspect in Riley's murder. Kemp also questioned why his administration was not informed of the release of an illegal immigrant who presented "fraudulent asylum claims." "These tragedies are not unique to Georgia," Kemp wrote. "While we will continue to support Texas with National Guard resources as we have since 2019, federal action to secure the border is the only way to wholistically address this ongoing crisis and ensure Laken Riley's horrible fate is not replicated across the country." According to Fox News, the brother of the suspect accused of Riley's murder was fired from his job in the University of Georgia dining hall. UGA spokesperson Greg Trevor told the outlet that Diego Ibarra had presented a fake green card to begin a temporary job as a dishwasher in the school's dining hall on Feb. 6. Diego Ibarra failed to "submit further documentation required to keep the job and was never paid by the university" before he was "fired," according to the spokesperson. Diego Ibarra was arrested and charged with green card fraud. Home News Time magazine compares protester who lit himself on fire to Christian martyrs A Time magazine article analyzing self-immolation as a form of protest drew comparisons between Christians who were burned alive for their faith during the Roman Empire and the U.S. airman who set himself on fire last month to protest the Israel-Hamas war. A Feb. 26 Time magazine article details how self-immolation has been used as a form of protest throughout history, including during the Vietnam War and the Arab Spring. Aaron Bushnell, 25, an active-duty U.S. Air Force member, filmed himself dousing his body in a clear liquid before lighting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington on Feb. 25, shouting Free Palestine! as he burned. Bushnell said that he would "no longer be complicit in genocide." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe As the article noted, Bushnell is not the first to self-immolate to protest in response to the Israel-Hamas war. In December, an unidentified individual set themself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. Authorities recovered a Palestinian flag at the scene, and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the action was "likely an extreme act of political protest. Time magazine reports that the practice of self-immolation dates back centuries. One example the article provided included the Hindu tale of Sati, the wife of a Hindu God who burned herself on her husbands funeral pyre, an action used to justify the now-banned practice of ritual suicide in India. Self-immolation was also seen as a sacrificial act committed by Christian devotees who chose to be burned alive when they were being persecuted for their religion by Roman emperor Diocletian around 300 A.D., The Times article stated. In a Feb. 27 X post, Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, a Catholic priest and author of God Loves the Autistic Mind: Prayer Guide for Those on the Spectrum and Those Who Love Us, called on Time magazine to check its sources. Christians in persecutions around 300 AD would choose someone else burning them alive over denying their faith, but it was never Christian practice to light oneself on fire, Schneider wrote. Lila Rose, founder of the pro-life organization Live Action, called on Time magazine to correct the article in a Feb. 28 tweet, explaining that the Romans captured and burned Christians alive for their faith. The pro-life advocate stated that self-immolation is when a fanatic or mentally ill person sets themselves on fire, whereas martyrdom is when a persecutor kills the martyr for their faith. Martyrdom is when you are killed by another for refusing to deny your Faith, Rose wrote in a previous tweet on Feb. 27. Suicide is when you kill yourself often due to great mental illness and distress, sometimes due to extreme ideology. They could not be more different. Time magazine did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. As CP previously reported, Roman Emperor Diocletian is often remembered for his persecution of Christians. The emperor issued an edict calling for the destruction of church buildings and the burning of Christian scriptures, the beginning of what many in the early church refer to as the Great Persecution. The persecution is generally considered to have been the last major persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, lasting eight years until Emperor Galerius issued the Edict of Serdica. As Providence reported in April 2021, the edict ended persecution and legalized Christianity in the eastern area of the Roman Empire two years before Constantine issued an edict, making it legal throughout the entire empire. Home News Traditionalist Catholic website Church Militant to close following defamation settlement Church Militant, a prominent conservative Catholic news website, is slated to close down permanently by the end of April following the settlement of a defamation lawsuit. St. Michaels Media, the parent company of Church Militant, recently settled litigation with Father Georges de Laire, the Judicial Vicar of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire. As part of the litigation, the conservative media organization had to pay $500,000 to the priest and is slated to close down at the end of April, according to The Associated Press. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Church Militant was founded in 2006 and originally known as Real Catholic TV until the Catholic Church demanded that the name be changed to show that it wasn't associated with the Catholic Church. In 2019, the Church Militant published a series of stories attacking de Laire over his enforcement of a Catholic Church decree against an organization that wanted to present itself as an official Catholic entity. De Laire filed a lawsuit against Church Militant and its founder, Gary Michael Voris, in February 2021, with a federal judge rejecting a request to dismiss the case in April of that year. Suzanne Elovecky, one of the attorneys representing de Laire, told the National Catholic Reporter back in 2021 that the decision to bring legal action was made "for the sake of accountability and truth telling, which Fr. de Laire viewed as important for him and the community at large." Last November, Voris officially resigned as the head of Church Militant for having reportedly broken the organizations morality clause, though the specific action wasn't revealed. Sometimes it takes very horrible events, even at your own hand, in your life to surface certain things that need to be faced, Voris said in a video posted to X at the time. There are some very, very ugly truths from my past that I, for essentially 62 years, have avoided facing because I wanted them resolved, but I understand that touching that pain is going to be a very horrible thing. For its part, Church Militant posted an apology to de Laire last week, explaining that they have also resolved Father de Laires defamation lawsuit through a financial payment to him. SMM and Church Militant regret that the article was not properly vetted. It was later revealed that Mr. Balestrieri could not substantiate his claims regarding Father de Laire with any credible sources, said the site. Further, Mr. Balestrieri did not disclose to SMM his active involvement in a canonical dispute in which he was representing a client and Father de Laire was representing the Church at the time he wrote the article, which would have raised questions about the motive behind the anonymous allegations in the article prior to its publication. SCOTUS Rules Trump Stay Son CO Ballot, Nikki Haley Wins DC Primary, Senate Fights For Religious Freedom link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:51 07:51 Top headlines for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 In today's episode, we discuss the Supreme Courts unanimous decision protecting former President Donald Trump's right to appear on Colorado's state ballot, marking a significant moment in the legal arena. Then, we analyze Trump's unexpected stumble in the recent Republican presidential primary, pondering what this could mean for his chances in securing the GOP nomination once again. Shifting gears, we explore the critical perspectives of an anti-sexual exploitation advocate who calls for a novel approach to tackling the industry by focusing on demand rather than supply. Lastly, we wrap up with an examination of the U.S. Senate's proactive stance on global religious freedom, through a resolution advocating for the use of diplomatic and sanctions tools against violators. Subscribe to this Podcast Follow Us on Social Media Get the Edifi App Subscribe to Our Newsletter Links to the News Top headlines for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 In today's episode, we discuss the Supreme Courts unanimous decision protecting former President Donald Trump's right to appear on Colorado's state ballot, marking a significant moment in the legal arena. Then, we analyze Trump's unexpected stumble in the recent Republican presidential primary, pondering what this could mean for his chances in securing the GOP nomination once again. Shifting gears, we explore the critical perspectives of an anti-sexual exploitation advocate who calls for a novel approach to tackling the industry by focusing on demand rather than supply. Lastly, we wrap up with an examination of the U.S. Senate's proactive stance on global religious freedom, through a resolution advocating for the use of diplomatic and sanctions tools against violators. Home Opinion Erasing Jesus from Israel The bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church harshly condemned Israel over the Hamas War, exceeding even the usual intemperance of white progressive Mainline Protestant denominations. It accused Israel of waging torture against the Palestinians of Gaza followed by murder, with American weapons. They urged the U.S. to end all support for Israel. They accused Israel of disregarding Palestinian human dignity since 1954. And they accused the U.S. of supporting Israels mass genocide. They condemned all violence as a means of resolving this conflict. And they lamented the tools of empire, colonialism, and domination, while extolling their solidarity with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, a Palestinian Jew. This statement was very unfair and very stupid. When dealing with terror strikes like October 7, what are the alternatives to violence? Critiques are easy. What are the constructive alternatives? If the communities of these bishops were attacked with murder, rape, and kidnapping, what would they urge? What would they expect of their government? What does historic Christian teaching offer on this topic? Surely more than platitudes. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe When church leaders speak to society, they should do so soberly and constructively, reflecting the gravitas of their office. Did the bishops actually write this statement? If not, who did? Was there any serious conversation among them? And to what extent if any do AME members agree? The AME, like other historic black denominations, and like the white Mainline Protestant denominations, is declining, as more American Christians of all races gravitate towards nondenominational churches. This shift is understandable. Meanwhile, Sojourners, a storied Religious Left journal that continues its descent into post-Christian extremism, published an article insisting Jesus was Palestinian. The author, who identifies as a Quaker Palestinian in North Carolina, lamented various fictional accounts found in the Bible, like the story of the Exodus, which some use to justify Zionism and the current apartheid. And he claimed a consensus among scholars that the Bible is not a history book, but Western Christians still refer to the Bible for historical accounts of Palestine. Correction: the vast majority of over two billion Christians, most of them outside the West, still heed the Bible as history, including the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt to the Promised Land. In this Sojourners account, Jesus is not Palestinian ethnically or historically but in a spiritual sense as an oppressed indigenous person under imperial rule. Supposedly this interpretation both honors his Jewish identity and emphasizes his profound role as a liberator within the specific context of Palestine. In this way, Jesus is not merely a symbol of liberation in the abstract; he is a direct ancestor, a beacon of resistance whose life under occupation mirrors the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people. Of course, the author cites Israels unfolding genocide in Gaza. He explains that claiming Jesus as a Palestinian affirms a historical truth and resists the narratives that seek to erase our presence and legitimacy in our land. By preaching liberation and justice in the face of imperial tyranny, Jesus is a direct ancestor of the Palestinian people. He concludes that its deeply troubling to witness a religion that emerged under occupation being used to justify the modern occupation that we are currently experiencing. This Sojourners author, by denying the Bibles historicity, especially of Exodus, loses all credibility as a Christian author. But its instructive that he feels the need to do so in his reinterpretation of an ahistorical Jesus who is a metaphor for political liberation. Needless to say, theres no attempt by the author to understand why Jews feel attached to their homeland. Nor is there self-reflection about how destructive nonnegotiable Palestinian nationalism has been for Palestinians. The AME bishops, echoing the Sojourners author, call Jesus a Palestinian Jew. Would Jesus have understood Himself in this way? He never referred to it, and Palestine is never cited in the New Testament. Roman soldiers mocked Jesus as King of the Jews. He was from Judea. Hebrews of His time did not refer to their land as Palestine. Jesus may as well be called an Assyrian or an Ottoman. For Christians, Jesus is the Savior of the world. But we dont call him an American or a Chinese. Calling Him the former would elicit calls of Christian Nationalism, and justifiably. His exclusive nationality was Hebrew. And He belongs to all who call upon Him and claim Him as Lord. Denying or minimizing Jesuss Jewishness is unhistorical. It also leads to erasing the Jewish people historically and politically, a project Jesus would not support. Jesus does not give His followers detailed counsel on contemporary politics. Christians seek dignity for all people. Dignity for Israelis or Palestinians seems impossible from the perspective of Hamas, which wages endless war against the Jews and wants their eradication. How does a nation deal with enemies who seek its destruction? It is only through nonviolence? The AME bishops suggest so. But serious people know otherwise. And decent people know that erasing Israel, as the Sojourners author suggests, is morally unacceptable. Christians living in America operate from safety and privilege. Its easy to dispense critique of others in more dire situations. But church leaders and ostensibly Christian publications should strive to be sober, about all public affairs, and especially about Israel, from which our Lord emerged. Originally published at Juicy Ecumenism. Home Opinion The latest despicable anti-Israel lie According to a quote widely attributed to Winston Churchill, A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. This is absolutely true when it comes to reporting about Israel, except even more so. We could say that anti-Israel lies become canonized, even becoming part of sacred religious lore before the truth even gets out of bed. This will now be the case with the lie that the IDF massacred more than 100 Gazan civilians trying to get desperately needed food supplies. So, not only do the Israelis cruelly and inhumanly starve these Gazans to death, but they cynically send in limited numbers of food trucks and then massacre the starving masses trying to get food for themselves and their families. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Before sharing what really happened in Gaza this week and it is quite tragic and without minimizing for a moment the very real suffering of the people of Gaza, let me share with you an Instagram post commenting on the event shortly after it took place. (Im not linking to the comment since I have no desire to draw attention to the individual who posted it for quite a few reasons. It was sent to me by a pro-Israel pastor.) Israeli tanks and snipers MASSACRED over 100 starving, defenseless Palestinian refugees and injured over 700 more this morning while they were waiting for trucks to deliver food and other humanitarian aid. It is indisputable that this is a war crime atrocity of epic proportions by the genocidal sociopaths who run Israels current government and the IDF. The most disturbing part is that American Christian Zionists will support it even CELEBRATE it ... (The post gets even worse after this, repeating some of the more ridiculous antisemitic libels of the day.) So, Israeli tanks and snipers carried out an intentional massacre of more than 100 starving and defenseless refugees, something that will now be celebrated by American Christian Zionists. Yes, these brainwashed Christians (to use a word found later in this same post), its as if their sentiments will be, Way to go Israel! Slaughter and butcher those defenseless Palestinians! God bless you, Israel! Kill them all in Jesus name! Sadly, while not everyone will be as unhinged as this individual, the false report has already been canonized. Not only did the Israelis bomb a hospital in Gaza earlier in the war, slaughtering hundreds, but now they have massacred unarmed civilians trying to get food. As for the hospital bombing, as pointed out by David Harel in Haaretz, which is to Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel what MSNBC is to Donald Trump in America, it turned out, with a high level of certainty, that the incident occurred due to an accident in the firing of a Palestinian rocket, which landed on the hospital, and that the number of those killed was less than a tenth of what had been reported earlier. As for the alleged massacre this week, the New York Sun reports what really took place. According to an erroneous initial report by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, 104 Palestinians were killed after the Israel Defense Force fired live ammunition at them. The report was quickly picked up by television networks worldwide. Anger at Israel rose in the Mideast and Europe, as well as in America. In reality, most of the deaths were caused by a stampede. A convoy of 30 food trucks was surrounded by a throng of desperate civilians in northern Gaza trying to confiscate bags of foodstuff before they reach Hamas or criminals that take the aid to sell later. As seen in aerial footage issued by the IDF, most of the victims were crushed as the Arab drivers pushed the trucks into the crowd. In a separate incident in southern Gaza, where the trucks entered the Strip, a group of people closed in on an Israeli tank, there to secure the transfer of the aid convoy. According to the IDF, the tank crew at first fired warning shots, which failed to deter the crowd. It later aimed at limbs. Ten people were hurt, according to the IDF, and some of them were likely killed. None of this actually matters, though, as this latest lie spread worldwide instantly, drawing near universal condemnation (to quote the Sun again). As explained by Harel, On the basis of an initial investigation, the IDF said Thursday that most of the casualties dead and injured were caused by the crowding and that only a small number of casualties occurred as a result of the soldiers opening fire. It's hard to cast blame on junior commanders on the ground, who in their perception found themselves in a situation that threatened the soldiers' lives. A video of the event, filmed from the air, shows masses of people crowding around trucks. That being said, The Israeli version of the events appeared late, some 10 hours after the shooting. It's doubtful whether the Israeli explanations will make a difference to anyone. The grim scenes from the incident dovetail with a statistic that the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, published on Thursday, according to which about 30,000 Palestinians, among them 12,500 children and teenagers have been killed in the war. Israel is perceived internationally as bearing the chief responsibility for the war's consequences, even though Hamas initiated the murderous terrorist attack of October 7, and its methods and views do not get much sympathy in the West. To repeat, It's doubtful whether the Israeli explanations will make a difference to anyone, and, Israel is perceived internationally as bearing the chief responsibility for the war's consequences. This means that, all the more, we must continue to combat lies with truth, continue to remind people of the horrors of October 7, continue to expose worldwide antisemitism, continue to point out that the root cause for Gazan suffering is Hamas, and continue to defend Israels right to defend itself. We can also ask why there has not been a universal call for the release of all hostages surely, even Islamic nations, let alone the rest of the world, should agree on this in contrast with the incessant calls for a ceasefire. And we can ask why there is not more world pressure on Egypt to allow Gazan civilians to be housed temporarily in their country, something Egypt has refused to do. This would have alleviated massive suffering for the people as well as enabled Israel to bring down Hamas much more effectively, also minimizing Israeli losses in the process. But no, it is only Israel that is to blame. Again, this does not mean that Israel has done everything perfectly in this war or that we should not be grieved over the terrible loss of Palestinian life, even if the figures of the Hamas-run, Gazan Health Ministry are exaggerated and fail to distinguish the killing of terrorists from the deaths of civilians. The losses are still high, the suffering of the Gazan people acute, and the needs growing greater by the day. This is terrible and real news. But let us distinguish the lies from the truth, however old that exercise becomes. Telling the truth is one weapon that we can never surrender. Christians in Pakistan acquitted of blasphemy charges A judge in Pakistan on Friday acquitted two Christian brothers of false blasphemy charges that had led to Muslims attacking Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala last year, sources said. Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Judge Muhammad Hussain ordered the acquittal of Umar Saleem, alias Rocky, and Umair Saleem, alias Raja, after a police investigation showed they had been framed by three other Christians who bore personal enmity toward them, said Tahir Bashir, the brothers' attorney. The three Christians who made the false accusations of desecrating the Quran and writing blasphemous words have been arrested and charged with blasphemy, he said. "The brothers are free and are with their family now," Bashir told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. "However, it is not safe for them to return to Jaranwala due to a serious threat to their lives. Though they have been acquitted from the court, there have been multiple instances where people accused of blasphemy have been killed by vigilantes despite being found innocent by the courts." Hundreds of Christians had fled Jaranwala when rioters attacked on Aug. 16, setting church buildings ablaze and raiding homes. The mob was estimated to have numbered around 5,000 at its peak, spurred by mosque loudspeakers announcing the Quran had been desecrated and derogatory words written against Muhammad, Islam's prophet. A police investigation exonerated both Christians, after which the court set them free, Bashir said. "I filed an application under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code [CrPC] contending that no incriminating material was available against the two brothers, and nothing had been recovered from their possession, so proceeding against them would be a futile exercise," Bashir said. Section 265-K empowers courts to acquit a suspect at any time, even prior to the filing of charges. Bashir said that after hearing his arguments, the court acquitted both brothers, and they were released following his order. The brothers had been charged under sections of Pakistan's notorious blasphemy law with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings" (Sections 295-A), defiling the Quran (295-B) and derogatory remarks about Muhammad (295-C), which carries a mandatory death penalty. They were also charged under Section 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which pertains to the "prohibition of acts intended or likely to stir up sectarian hatred." To date, no death sentence has been carried out under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Dozens of Christian homes and about 20 church buildings were damaged and ransacked by Muslim mobs in Jaranwala after the accusations surfaced. Faisalabad police detained more than 300 suspects. Justices at the Supreme Court, also hearing a case related to the Jaranwala attacks, said at a recent hearing that they regretted that state officials become intimidated by troublemakers who incite people to attack properties of religious minorities. The court also rejected a report by the Punjab government, with justices noting that the manner in which police carried out the investigation and apparent hesitation in identifying culprits would only bring disrepute to the force. Pakistan's blasphemy laws, vehemently upheld by Islamist parties, mandate the death penalty for defaming Muhammad and make insulting the Quran or Islam punishable with life imprisonment. Unproven allegations of offending Islam can lead to murders and lynchings. Christians, who make up less than 2 percent of Pakistan's population, are among the lowest social strata and frequently fall victim to baseless blasphemy claims. Other religious minorities, as well as politicians, lawyers, and students, have been killed over similar accusations or for defending those accused of blasphemy. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors' 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Christian Daily International-Morning Star News U.S. airman accused of leaking classified intel info pleads guilty Xinhua) 10:27, March 05, 2024 WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- A Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused by federal prosecutors of posting classified intelligence information and sensitive documents online on Monday pleaded guilty to the crimes he was charged with, in exchange for a possible sentence of 16 years in prison. Jack Teixeira, the airman, pleaded guilty to all six counts of "willful retention and transmission of national defense information" during an appearance at a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. media reported, citing court documents and the 22-year-old's remarks in court. He previously pleaded not guilty. Judge Indira Talwani asked Teixeira during the hearing whether he understood he was agreeing to serve as many as 16 years and at least 11 years behind bars, according to a report by ABC News. "Yes your honor, I understand," Teixeira was quoted by the outlet as saying. "How do you now plead to counts one, two, three, four, five and six? Guilty or not guilty?" the clerk asked. "Guilty," Teixeira said in response. An announcement of Teixiera's sentence was scheduled by Talwani for Sept. 27. Teixeira has agreed to sit for a debrief with members of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense, and return all relevant documents either currently in his possession or he knows the location of, according to the plea agreement. Under detention since his arrest in April 2023, Teixeira was at the center of what was considered one of the most serious leaks of national security information in the United States. Boasting his privilege of having access to classified information, Teixeira posted to an online gaming chat group secrets including about the situation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, such as the provision and delivery of weapons to Ukraine, as well as troop movements on both sides on the battlefield. U.S. officials said such information may have compromised the way the United States gathers intelligence. More strikingly, some of the revelation as a result of Teixeira's sharing exposed possible U.S. eavesdropping even on its allies, such as South Korea and Israel. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) As Texas voters head to the polls for election day, exercising this basic democratic right has become increasingly complicated. Voting can be a potential legal minefield for those who may not fully understand the states ever-changing restrictions. Just ask Hervis Rogers, whose life was turned upside down when he voted four years ago. It was a living nightmare, Rogers told the Chronicle last week in his first interview since his ordeal began. LEGISLATIVE TIMELINE: Texas voter restrictions since 2011 In March 2020, Rogers, then 62 years old, waited for six hours to cast a ballot at Texas Southern University, watching as frustrated voters gave up and went home. When reporters arrived at the Third Ward polling location to document the disarray, Rogers told them he wasnt leaving. He thought his vote might make a difference. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before he even made it to the ballot box that night, his story went viral. Thousands of online commentators thanked Rogers for staying in line, calling him a hero, a patriot, a real American. Not everyone was inspired by his determination. A local Republican lawyer saw Rogers on TV and reported him to authorities, accusing him of illegally voting while on parole. In Texas, people convicted of felonies regain the right to vote only after completion of their sentence, including parole or probation. More than a year after he cast his ballot, Rogers was arrested on two counts of illegal voting. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office decided to prosecute Rogers in nearby Montgomery County and held him on $100,000 bond. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rogers was still on parole for a 1995 burglary conviction at the time that he voted in the March 2020 Democratic primary and the 2018 general election, according to an indictment filed with the Montgomery County District Court. After his arrest, Rogers spent another two years in legal limbo: a district judge in Montgomery County dismissed the case, then the Attorney Generals Office refiled the charges this time in Harris County and the matter finally came to a close when a grand jury determined last summer that no crime had occurred. And while he still encourages others to do their civic duty, Rogers has decided he wont vote again. I know Im not, Rogers said, even though he is no longer on parole and is eligible to vote. I mean, I care. But if I had to go through all of that just to vote? No. Hervis Rogers, who was arrested for alleged illegal voting in the 2020 primary, talks about his arrest during an interview on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 in Houston. Those charges have since been dismissed. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The fallout Even with the six hour wait, Rogers said he remembers voting as a thrill and a blessing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im voting and doing the right thing, and Im talking about what Im supposed to be doing, Rogers recalled. It was a night I will never ever forget. The next day, Rogers didnt have to tell anyone about what had happened they already knew. It seemed everyone had seen him on TV. Im going to enjoy it while I can, he thought. Then, his story changed just as quickly as it had spread. Some news outlets started reporting that he may have voted illegally. When people recognized him, they said, Oh yeah, youre the one who voted illegally.' Still, for over a year, Rogers hoped nothing would come of it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But, in July 2021, Rogers got a knock on the door from law enforcement officials who told him he was wanted for voter fraud. For Rogers, finding himself back in jail was surreal. It was like you in a dream, he said. I thought this was behind me. Rogers said when he was booked, the judge told him hed never had a case like this before, that the $100,000 bond was too much and he would have changed it if he could. Rogers knew there was no way he could afford to get out. Back in jail, he stayed awake worrying. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You cant sleep because you think about whats going to happen next, Rogers said. If I lose my place to stay, I (have) nowhere to go. The legal landmines Rogers likely would have remained in jail for another 16 months until the case was dismissed, but a nonprofit organization, The Bail Project, quickly stepped in and paid his $100,000 bond. It was nearly three times higher than the $35,000 bond Paxton himself was released on while awaiting trial on securities fraud charges. Rogers was able to go home after three days in jail. A lot of people dont have the lawyers that I had, Rogers said. So thats why they are in jail. They dont have the support I had. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, the consequences were steep. He lost his job as a home health care worker, and he was facing up to 40 years in prison. Rogers' arrest had come just one day before the Texas Legislature convened for a special session to pass sweeping legislation further restricting voting. Another measure nearly passed during the same session that would have banned charitable organizations from bailing people out of jail in circumstances like Rogers'. Rogers, a Black man, didnt want to say that his prosecution was racially motivated, but he does think it was political that someone saw an opportunity to portray Harris County as a jurisdiction that allows felons to vote. Rogers had received his voter registration card in the mail from Harris County, not once but twice. He thought it was his responsibility to vote. When election workers at the polling location looked him up and checked him in, he thought that meant theyd confirmed he was eligible. And in 25 other states, he would have been. People convicted of felonies never lose their right to vote in Maine or Vermont, while in another 23 states, voting rights are restored upon release from prison, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The state, the AG and counties shouldnt be going after people who make innocent mistakes, said Tommy Buser-Clancy, Rogers' attorney at the ACLU of Texas. But that is what happened to Hervis. A major turning point in Rogers' case came in late 2021 when the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals determined Paxton did not have unilateral authority to prosecute election crimes. In the future, Paxton would be able to prosecute those crimes only if the charges were initiated by a local district attorney. Because Rogers was being prosecuted by Paxtons office, not the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office, he was impacted directly by the decision. His case was thrown out in October 2022. Rogers said he was relieved, but something still didnt feel right. Paxtons office tried again in 2023 to charge him, this time referring the charges to Harris County, where the District Attorneys Office initiated a grand jury proceeding. They really didnt want to let that case go, Rogers said. In July, a grand jury declined to indict him, finally putting the case to rest. Hervis Rogers, who was arrested for alleged illegal voting in the 2020 primary, talks about his arrest during an interview on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 in Houston. Those charges have since been dismissed. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A chilling effect Rogers' illegal voting charges are in the past, but the trauma of the case continues to linger. Sometimes I lay in bed at night, I get to thinking about what Im going through and what Ive been going through, Rogers said. And you just start shedding tears. Rogers said hes not the only one who doesnt want to take the risk of voting now. Hes heard from friends and neighbors who are afraid to vote as well. Many people have something in their past that theyre afraid will come back to haunt them, Rogers said, and he wouldnt be surprised if his case makes them think you aint going to get me like you got him. Rogers' instinct could be correct, according to Anthony Gutierrez, the executive director of Common Cause Texas. Cases like this can absolutely have a chilling effect, and you have to wonder if thats part of the point, Gutierrez said. The state could very easily take proactive steps to ensure people who are starting probation or parole are clearly told how their legal status impacts their ability to vote. Today, Rogers is grateful simply to have a roof over his head. Hes dealing with disabilities and diabetes. Doctors raise concerns about assisted suicide proposals in Scotland Doctors in Scotland are speaking out against proposals to legalise assisted suicide. Concerns have been raised as the Scottish Parliament prepares to consider legislation to change the law that has been brought forward by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur. Scottish A&E consultant Dr Calvin Lightbody told The Sunday Post that there needs to be more honesty about the reality of assisted suicide. "I think we have to spell out the truth that not everyone opting for assisted dying slips away quietly," he said. "Around 10 per cent will suffer seizures, vomiting, prolonged dying or other complications in the process." He expressed concerns about a lack of opt-out provision for doctors who cannot provide assisted suicide on grounds of conscence, and said he feared that legalising assisted suicide "will also destroy trust patients have in their doctors". He wants to see the expansion of palliative care provision in the NHS instead. Respiratory physician Dr Robin Taylor, who is based in west Scotland, said there were "good reasons" why assisted suicide has not been legalised to date. "I have been asked eight to 10 times by patients to end their lives after diagnosing a terminal illness," he said. "But the Hippocratic oath of more than 2,400 years old still stands. It obliges me neither to kill my patients nor even discuss killing them. There are good reasons for boundaries. "If we open the door to assisted suicide, it will profoundly affect the NHS and the challenges of medical practice will increase hugely if assisted dying is considered a treatment option. "We are already struggling with staff retention because of the current pressures." He warned of a "slippery slope" in other countries where assisted suicide has already been legalised. "After initial laws designed to allow assisted dying in mentally ill patients were passed in Canada, legislators are now being asked to reconsider. That's an example of how 'slippery slope' legislation has huge consequences," he said. "This included a teenager aged 19, who was granted it because of anorexia nervosa." He believes a better way forward would be to make palliative care a "mainstream option in the NHS not mainly funded by charities currently", and improve the quality of the care on offer. "We need to devote ourselves to better palliative care," he said. "It is still patchy and depends on charitable funding. Medical care rightly prioritises saving lives. But when someone is nearing the end of their natural lives, priorities need to change. "Research among junior doctors showed that in over 50 per cent of end-of-life cases, they wanted to offer palliative treatments but felt obliged to treat in a cure not care way." Jerusalem is shining, perhaps even more so with the war Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on her recent visit to Israel and the mood in Jerusalem as the war with Gaza continues. I have just returned from visiting my family in Israel. Getting there was difficult. No flights from Manchester at present and from London only El Al, the Israeli carrier. People who aren't Jewish urged me not to go a war zone, they said. Jewish people said the opposite. Good for you! In addition, no health insurance was available from this country, and I'm normally quite cautious, but was determined to make it there and survive without becoming ill. Rules and regulations had changed for flights in this country and my small bottles of every-day items were scoured for signs of criminal intent, but in the end, and after around a 15 hour journey, I finally made it. Last time I was in Jerusalem, I was giving a dvar Torah (sermon) at a central shul on the biblical Torah reading about the spies sent out by Moses to scour the Promised Land (Numbers 13). On that occasion, I pointed out that the Hebrew words for spy and pilgrim were almost identical both tend to come on foot, and both come to learn from the Land. However, spies (i.e. politicians, journalists etc) from abroad would be more honest with themselves if they morphed into pilgrims and decided to learn something from Israel rather than constantly carp and misrepresent the facts. A contemporary example of a pilgrim approach to Israel is that of Douglas Murray, one of the most brilliant thinkers of our own generation, who has made what he himself calls 'non-Jewish aliyah' to the beloved country since October 7 and has been speaking truth to power ever since, much to the embarrassment of anti-Semites and naysayers alike. So what would I find when I set foot once again in the place which is now home to my children and grandchildren? My younger daughter, currently living in Jerusalem, came to meet me at the airport, and we took a train all the way to Jerusalem, using a 'rav-kav', or all-purpose ticket card for the journey, which took less than half an hour. This was a new development. Thanks to the wife of my rabbi who provided me with her own rav-kav to use on the trip! On arrival at the Jerusalem station, we hailed a taxi, whose driver, an Arab, had to be bargained down to the normally-accepted rate. The apartment in the Talpiot district was to my mind beautiful. I slept in the 'maamad', the bunker which is the room sealed against enemy attack. For some reason, I felt quite safe. The first day we wandered down to Emek Refaim along the famous 'tayalet', or rail track walk, which is festooned on one side by John Betjeman-like Hebrew poetry extolling the beauty and wonder of trains. There were also original quotes from the founder of political Zionism, Theodor Herzl, who was aware of the importance of rail travel for the new age of locomotions. On the other side of the 'tayalet' are serious exercise outlets, warning that anyone with heart problems should desist from trying them out. This sums up Israel to me beautiful, practical, ancient, modern, poetic and health conscious, all in one space. I doubt many of the people encountered during my stay were tourists. Most seemed to live there. As well as Hebrew, French, Arabic and English were ubiquitous. Yes, there was a bit of the Israeli chutzpah in the air, but also politeness now unknown in the UK. To my surprise, I found youngsters, of which there are more per head in Israel than in the UK, far more respectful of elders (i.e me) than is generally the case in this country. Elders are definitely cherished in the Jewish State, and afforded respect sadly now lacking in much of the West. I was able to go swimming in a local pool, and engaged with the manager. He wondered why I was still living in the UK, being astonishingly well versed in the shenanigans of the British Foreign Secretary, the Prince of Wales and hate-filled crowds currently marching on Shabbat in London, as well as in Manchester. My stay in Jerusalem coincided with the Speaker debacle in the UK Parliament, which I still don't understand. It seems to me that most UK Parliamentarians want Hamas to simply go away, not because Hamas are wrong, but because they have proved to be an embarrassment and yet, at the same time, Israel must lose at all costs. The other daughter came with the grandchildren for Shabbat. They were all terrific. Such optimism, sense of fun and expressiveness. And all during a time of war. Amazing! For relaxation, I managed to access the first two series of The Crown, reputedly the best of the lot, and found it somewhat incongruous watching this nostalgic retrospective of the British past, with Churchill, Macmillan, the great smog of 1952 (also part of Manchester's history, which is why my mother decided we had to move to the seaside to escape I was one year old at the time), Princess Margaret, Suez, Kennedy and Profumo, all episodes of my very young life, which still remain vividly fixed in the psyche. Not to mention Billy Graham of course! However, now, many Jews no longer feel part of the UK. I was warning about Rochdale, adjacent to centres of large Jewish demography, 25 years ago, when I taught there in schools. No-one listened. People thought I was mad, and many still do. But the chickens have definitely come home to roost and with a very large bang. Because of indifference at best and sheer hostility at worst, Jews in the UK are currently terrified and none of the usual institutions are doing anything about it. For a long time now, there has been no real Jewish leadership in this country only talking shops and sycophants. That is the Israeli view of the UK and that is also my view. On the last day, my daughter and I visited the Kotel. This is the Hebrew name for the Western Wall of the Temple. For the first time in my life I was able to reach the Wall itself, where I recited a few Psalms and said prayers for the well-being of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Any conclusions? I was there for a week, simply to visit my family and relax. I found Jerusalem to be disciplined, exuberant, polite and argumentative all at once. If there was dejection - and why shouldn't there be it was kept well hidden by a people intent on living life on their own terms, according to Jewish norms. And so well integrated; community cohesion 100 per cent, I simply couldn't believe it, despite everything that the Jewish people have been through in the last few months. On Shabbat, it was drizzling slightly, so a morning prayer service was held in the underground garage of the block. For afternoon and evening services, a minyan (quorum) met in the courtyard of the block and we had a ring-side seat from our apartment, with wonderful views of the davenning (prayer) and of the Old City of Jerusalem. This Shabbat the Torah reading has been Ki Tissa (Exodus 30:11 - 34:35), which includes the famous story of the Golden Calf. Moses on Mount Sinai is missed by the Children of Israel and so his brother Aaron, for the sake of peace, allows an intermediary to be fashioned by the people. This is the Golden Calf, which does not help matters in the long run. I can't help feeling that the story of the Gold Calf is symbolic of what the rest of the world want the Jewish people to do at this present moment cave in and take the easy way out. But let's hope that Israel, the Promised Land of the Jewish people and the only one where we feel really at home, does not cave in. Let's hope that somehow she can find the courage to hold out and make the right decisions in this worst situation for the Jewish people since the Shoah. Blandishments never work and the people of Israel know this in their hearts. We have to think about the long term, just like our greatest teacher Moses Rabbeinu. Popularity may bring short-term advantages, but the true sage always has the big picture in mind. It may be easy for me to talk I don't have to make these kinds of decisions. However, I have tremendous faith in the people of Israel, now the largest grouping of Jews in the world, and this is why I felt far safer in a bunker in Jerusalem than I do in Greater Manchester, adjacent to Rochdale. I am glad my family made the decision to live in Israel, despite all the hardships and opprobrium from the rest of the world. I also feel that this is what the Torah reading of Ki Tissa is telling us. Make sure that seemingly positive short-term decisions are for real, and do not end up simply becoming yet another illusory Golden Calf. Israelis know this. Let's hope the rest of the world wakes up. Transformation should be completed quickly, without getting lost in the minutiae, says Ingo Elfering, group CIO of Fresenius. Its better to do it quickly, like taking a Band-Aid off, even if it hurts for a short time, he summed up at the recent Hamburg IT Strategy Days 2024. So this has been the approach to IT over the past two years, because when Elfering joined Fresenius in July 2020, he was faced with the daunting task of ushering in a new tech era. Fresenius grew rapidly over the years but the various IT structures were never integrated. Plus, there was the companys own IT landscape with a self-operated data center in the basement at the headquarters in Bad Homburg, just north of Frankfurt. The result was decentralized, locally fragmented IT components that were only partially interlinked, and in other parts, they only functioned in isolation from each other. Global IT projects wouldve been difficult to implement in this IT format, he says. In addition, Fresenius experienced security risks first-hand. As a result, Elfering had to ask the question of how to completely reconfigure the companys IT apparatus. IT transformation in one big step Elfering decided to take his bold, big-step approach toward IT transformation rather than move forward in small, incremental ones. This strategy resulted in a long list of projects he pushed forward over two years. Shutting down the companys data center and moving large parts of it to the cloud was a main priority, which included the SAP landscape that was fragmented into 130 systems. So it was consolidated and migrated from SAP to S/4HANA as part of the RISE program. Elfering is networked to an SD-WAN, and internal communication and collaboration at Fresenius has also been underpinned with new collaboration tools. The helpdesk, which consists of 27 individual systems, will be successively consolidated into one solution as well. So after two years of transformation, Elfering is striking a positive balance. Today, we have effective, cost-effective IT, he says. We can react faster. So what used to take months can now be implemented usually within a few days. As a result, IT is perceived by the business in a completely different way, and not the cumbersome corporate IT of the past. Artificial intelligence (AI) is delivering rapid change for Australian business by raising customers expectations, generating new competitive challenges, and creating opportunities for new products and services. This rapid change demands a rapid response, but the strength of that response depends greatly on two factors the agility of systems and processes and the availability of skilled workers to run them. More than ever, it is critical that workers are not spending time performing low-value and repetitive tasks or using systems and tools that stop them from doing whats most important. The solution to this challenge is automation, and in this era of accelerated change, the factor that is bringing so much capability to automation solutions is also the very reason why they are so critical now AI. Tungsten Automation is delivering the benefits of AI-driven automation through a comprehensive suite of capabilities that can automate everything from low-value and repetitive data entry tasks through to highly complex actions such as risk analysis and fraud detection. It does this by incorporating the latest AI capabilities in fields such as natural language processing, generative AI, and decisioning AI to help organisations manage processes, extract insights, and make better decisions. Automation for the AI era While the name might be new, Tungsten Automations experience stretches back more than 40 years, under the brand Kofax. The new name reflects the companys evolution to a cloud-based delivery model powered by AI, and this transition has been essential for helping organisations transform and automate complex tasks across business, finance, document automation, and security. The integration of AI into Tungsten Automations service offering is organised around three key pillars. Firstly, generative AI is supercharging the engagement that staff and customers have with automated processes by enabling the creation of more natural and human experiences. Secondly, decisioning AI is enabling customers to more readily extract and analyse data so they can make better decisions and take actions with greater confidence. And thirdly, Tungsten Automations low-code solutions ensure customers can accelerate the time to value from their automation implementations. Value-based outcomes Incorporating AI into cloud-based automation enables Tungsten Automations customers to quickly deploy solutions that free people up from low-value or repetitive tasks to focus on the actions that matter most, such as those that create new business opportunities or improve customer service. These can range from improvements in backend processes, such as employee onboarding, claims processing, or know-your-customer activities, through to complex tasks such as business decision-making and predictive analytics. These capabilities can also be applied to enhance specific tasks such as invoice processing, where AI is proving adept at detecting and preventing fraud. These capabilities build on Tungsten Automations existing strengths in digital workflow transformation and security, and ensure the right information is available to the people who need it at the right time. Embracing AI means Tungsten Automation can revolutionise data intensive business workflows by transforming intelligent document processing and process orchestration and enable customers to develop new capabilities that can automate complex workflows. In some cases, customers are taking these AI-powered automation capabilities and using them to create entirely new business processes and revenues streams which might have been too costly or labour-intensive to have considered previously. And all of these capabilities are enhanced by Tungsten Automations extensive network of skilled partners. Automating for the future Over the 40 years Kofax has built a reputation as a trusted leader in intelligent automation, trusted by customers for the most data-intensive workflows, across business-critical processes, and now as Tungsten Automation the company has established the cloud and AI foundations needed to propel its customers into the future. And just like the metal from, which it takes its name, Tungsten Automation possess the strength and reliability that customers can trust to respond with confidence in these changing times. Join Tungsten alongside your peers, technology experts, industry thought leaders, for an immersive day at the Tungsten SUMMIT on May 16 in Sydney. AIs honeymoon with the enterprise is coming to an end. Its time to get to business. Thats one of the main themes from IDCs recent predictions report, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Artificial Intelligence and Automation 2024 Top 10 Predictions. But even though IT decision-makers will be scrutinizing AI and automation investments, you can rest assured they will invest. In 2023, enterprises worldwide spent $166 billion on AI solutions (AI software, hardware, and services), but that spending is expected to grow 27% per year to $423 billion by 2027, according to IDCs report. With FutureIT Los Angeles coming up on March 12, we asked event speaker Maureen Fleming, Program Vice President at IDC, to discuss her top three predictions for AI and automation business adoption. Read on for her thoughts. Prediction 1: AI will be judged more by its tangible business impact Until now, GenAI has been seen as an exciting new technology without the pressure of business outcomes. But thats about to change, said Fleming, as executive leadership seeks to understand how AI and automation benefit the bottom line. Many organizations have been happy experimenting with AI and automation, she said. But by next year, leadership will ask hard questions, such as: How much will it cost to integrate Gen AI into our business? What new skills will our people need to manage AI and automation initiatives? and How does it improve our financial performance? As for how Gen AIs benefits will be measured, Fleming said it depends on each organizations existing business KPIs (key performance indicators). Some KPIs are tied to customer satisfaction scores or revenue growth. In DevOps, KPIs may be improvements in software quality or time to value. For IT operations, the KPI could be a reduction in manual activities. Youre not reinventing KPIs for AI, said Fleming. Its a matter of figuring out how GenAI ties into existing KPIs. Prediction 2: Generative AI digital assistants will interact much more with enterprise software Influenced by ChatGPTs conversational interface, many organizations and vendors are baking conversational AI features into enterprise applications for everything from sales to customer care to IT help desks. As GenAI evolves, conversational digital assistants will likely become the de facto standard in the enterprise, IDC predicts. You can expect large-scale disruption in front-end software design to make room for conversational AI and automation features, said Fleming. For instance, with a customer care enterprise app, youll simply ask it to retrieve the status of an order, and the AI will retrieve it within seconds. Well see more AI-based assisted behaviors within apps to address the difficulties we have using apps to do our jobs. Prediction 3: Companies will increase spending on hardware for AI and automation By the end of next year, the Global 2000 will allocate over 40% of core IT spending to AI initiatives, according to the IDC report. Fleming sees a large chunk going to compute-intensive, higher-cost hardware (such as Nvidias specialized servers) within that spending increase. After all, GenAIs usage depends on servers with GPUs powerful enough to handle intensive tasks such as natural language processing (NLP), image generation, and the training of large language models (LLMs). Hardware spending will drive up the cost of AI adoption, said Fleming. So CIOs thinking about hardware budgets should factor in high-end servers that can accommodate GenAI workloads. Be cautious about AI adoption, but not too cautious. Generative AI is arguably the most disruptive technology in decades, said Fleming, and its impact on how we do business and get information is on par with the invention of the Internet browser. GenAI is changing how large companies operate and what skills and technologies are needed to succeed, she said. If youre not investing in AI and automation, you are already behind your competitors. You can still be cautious with AI, but not too cautious. Organizations that stay ahead of AI will disrupt those that are overly cautious. Maureen Fleming will be a speaker at FutureIT Los Angeles 2024 on March 12. People cast their votes at the West Gray Multi-Service Center in Houston during early voting in 2022. Sharon Steinmann Democratic and Republican voters in Texas will select today which candidates to send to the November general election, nominating hopefuls for U.S. president, Congress, the Texas Legislature and a slew of local offices. Anyone can cast a ballot in the primary elections, and voters in Texas do not need to register with a party to vote. Instead, residents choose which party they want to vote for at the polling site. Heres what you should know. Advertisement Article continues below this ad VOTER GUIDE: A comprehensive look at the local and national races on your March 5 primary ballot Can I vote in the Texas primary election? As long as your voter registration is active, you should be able to vote in the primary elections. Youll have to tell a poll worker which partys election you would like to participate in, and dont forget to bring one of seven acceptable IDs. They include a drivers license, a passport, a military card and a handgun license. Texas does not offer same-day registration, so you will not be able to register to vote in the March 5 primaries if you have not registered already. To register for future elections including the primary runoffs and November general election visit the secretary of states website or the countys website to get a form that you can mail to your county election office. Texas does not offer online voter registration. VOTING FAQ: The Chronicle answered all of your voting questions Advertisement Article continues below this ad Where can I vote in Houston? There are more than 540 polling sites open on election day, and voters can cast their ballot at any site. Use the Chronicles search tool to find the one closest to you, and check the countys website for wait times. Whos on the ballot for the Texas primary? Democrats and Republicans will be picking candidates for everything from president of the United States to state lawmakers and local judges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be at the top of their respective ballots, with Trump seeking to build on his lead over primary challenger Nikki Haley. Sen. Ted Cruz also is on the GOP ballot. Multiple Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, are seeking the nomination to challenge him. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is facing her toughest Democratic primary battle yet after a lopsided loss in the Houston mayors race last year. Former City Council Member Amanda Edwards is running for her seat. There is also a crowded field looking to replace Mayor John Whitmire in the state Senate, including Molly Cook, a community organizer and ER nurse who garnered 42% of the vote against Whitmire in 2022; state Rep. Jarvis Johnson; and Todd Litton, an attorney and former congressional candidate. Locally, District Attorney Kim Ogg also faces a robust challenge from one of her former division chiefs, Sean Teare. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Anunt concurs pentru post vacant Institutia Publica Centrul de Consiliere Agricola si Rurala (CCAR) este in cautare de un profesionist dinamic si dedicat, pentru pozitia de Sef/a de Sectie la sectia Inovare si transfer de cunostinte in cadrul institutie Institutia Publica Centrul de Consiliere Agricola si Rurala (CCAR) invita profesionisti ambitiosi si dedicati sa se alature echipei noastre in calitate de Sef/a de Sectie la sectia Formare si consiliere If a number of recent Supreme Court decisions had been journalistic articles, rather than court opinions, they would likely never have been published. In 2022, for instance, in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, the court limited the EPAs ability to reduce coal use in electricity production by declaring unconstitutional an act that had not yet gone into effect, and where the harm that gave the plaintiff standing was based on a 2015 study that had been completely contradicted by subsequent events. Last year the court ruled for a wedding website designer, Lorie Smith, who felt that including LGBTQ language on a website would violate her religious beliefs, even though the only evidence her lawyers produced that anyone had asked her to do so was a letter from a man named Stewart saying that he wanted her to design a website for his wedding to a guy named Mike. It turned out that Stewart was not gay, had been married to a woman for fifteen years, and did not write the letter. Also, Stewart turns out to be a website designer himself, so even if he had been gay and planning to get married, he wouldnt need outside help. Then there was the lawsuit that the court took up to overturn President Bidens student loan forgiveness plan. To establish standing, Missouris thenattorney general, Eric Schmitt, cited the potential harm to MOHELA, a nonprofit group that services student loans. It turns out that the nonprofit vehemently opposed the suit, that the state was insulated from any losses MOHELA might suffer, and, to boot, that fees from implementing the loan forgiveness program were potentially much larger than any losses MOHELA might suffer. If the majority opinions in these cases had been articles, fact-checkers would have asked the reporters for backup. Diligent reporters would have called Stewart. A reporter might have called MOHELA. Fact-checkers would have looked at the 2015 study by the Energy Department on the potential costs of the shift away from coal and compared that with what has happened as the nation shifted away from coal without any EPA mandate. They would have found that the shift away from coal had proceeded with none of the job losses, increased energy costs, or loss of GDP the study envisioned. The pattern is continuing in the current session. The court just heard arguments in Moore v. US, which seeks to invalidate taxation of gains before they are realized. If Moore prevails, it would nullify the Biden administrations attempt to institute a 2 percent wealth tax on the very richest Americans. The lower courts accepted the assertion that Charles and Katherine Moore were minority shareholders with no management role in a small company that sold power tools. It turns out that Charles Moore served as a director of the company for five years and was a major shareholder until he sold his shares. Management answers to directors. Theres a caveat on these factual failures. Supreme Court majority opinions are not articles, and both the appeals courts and the Supreme Court focus on law, not facts, which are assumed to be settled at the local court level. Once something is in the record, it cant be taken out. Does this mean that if a lower court botches the facts, the Supreme Court is stuck with them? Not exactly. In her blistering dissent on West Virginia v. EPA, Elena Kagan spends some time explaining how that Energy Department study, which the majority opinion cited numerous times, was contradicted by what happened subsequently. Sign up for CJR 's daily email What we may be seeing in these Supreme Court fails is the price of the disappearance of local news. Stewart, the alleged letter-writer in the wedding website case, told Melissa Gira Grant, the journalist who broke the story about the fake letter in the New Republic, that she was the first person ever to call about the case. In fact, he didnt know about his starring role in it until Grant told him. Grant pointed out that Stewarts phone number was right there in the filing. Think about that: a case with major implications for free speech and basic rights made its way to the Supreme Court, and yet, over the span of seven years, no one from the press tried to find out whether Stewart was real. And its going to get worse. A recent report by Northwesterns Medill School of Journalism estimated that by the end of 2024, one third of the local newspapers that published in 2005 will have disappeared. Many of those that survive will have drastically reduced their reporting staff. Deeply flawed cases making their way to the Supreme Court without challenge may be just one, surprising, cost of the vanishing local press. Eugene Linden has published one novel and ten books of nonfiction, most recently Fire and Flood: A People's History of Climate Change from 1979 to the Present. His website can be found at eugenelinden.com. The cost of war risk insurance through the Red Sea remained stable on Monday despite the sinking of the Rubymar cargo ship as underwriters had already factored in the casualty after it was first hit by a missile last month, industry sources said. The cost of insuring a seven-day voyage through the Red Sea has risen by hundreds of thousands of dollars since Yemens Iran-aligned Houthis began attacking shipping in the area in November in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UK-owned and Belize-flagged Rubymar was abandoned after the Houthis fired a missile at the ship in the southern Red Sea on Feb. 18, leading to a fuel leak and it taking on water. The U.S. military confirmed on Saturday that the vessel had sunk, the first total loss from the attacks in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. Yemens internationally recognized government pointed out the risk to marine life due to its cargo of hazardous fertilizer. Insurance industry sources said the Rubymar, built in 1997, was an aging vessel with a low value, which was not believed to have been covered through the major London marine insurance market. The Rubymar is worth scrap and is not hitting the London market, one source said. It was unclear how much the vessel was worth. Rubymar was factored into the existing rates given the small value of the vessel. The waters around the ship were also flagged as a risk area to be avoided before it sank, another industry source said. Other insurance industry sources said that war risk premiums being quoted for Red Sea voyages had remained around 1% of the value of a ship for some weeks compared with around 0.5% before the attacks started with various discounts applied by underwriters. Ships are commercially required to have protection & indemnity (P&I) insurance, which covers third party liability claims including environmental damage and injury. Separate hull and machinery policies cover physical damage. The vessels previous known P&I provider British Marine ceased cover in 2023, industry sources said, and it is not known who took on arrangements after that. QBE Insurance Group, which owns British Marine, declined to comment. The recent sinking of the vessel Rubymar represents an additional risk for the environment and maritime security, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the UNs International Maritime Organization (IMO) agency, said on Monday, adding that the IMO was in contact with other UN organizations and Yemens government to provide necessary assistance. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) An insurer group and a reinsurer are calling for reforms to the U.S. legal system armed with a survey they conducted that shows a majority of Americans are unaware of the impact that plaintiff attorney tactics like predatory advertising and the use of third-party litigation funding have on their household. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association and Munich Reinsurance America Inc. released results from an online survey conducted by The Harris Poll among more than 2,000 U.S. adults from Jan. 11 to 16 among adults ages 18 and older. The results of the survey include: 65% are not aware every household pays an estimated tort tax that is an average of $3,621 per American household annually. The tort tax impacts consumers through the costs for everyday items like groceries and gasoline. 59% do not know that third parties, like hedge funds or foreign entities, often finance litigation in exchange for a share of the jury award or settlement as a return on their investment. 47% are not aware a plaintiff lawyer in a civil lawsuit is likely to receive most of the jury award or settlement. 88% believe there should be full transparency and disclosure of all who have a financial stake in a civil lawsuit. 86% agree state and federal lawmakers should address abuses of the legal system, such as undisclosed third party funding and plaintiff lawyer advertising. A 2021 study from the Perryman Group shows the impact on the U.S. economy from legal system abuse results includes the loss of 4.24 million jobs, $429.35 billion in output and more than $110 billion in government revenues. Legal system abuse is rampant and plaintiff lawyers use of predatory advertising tactics and third-party litigation funding have turned the U.S. legal system into an investment market, benefiting secret funders rather than the victim, Stef Zielezienski, executive vice president and chief legal officer of APCIA, stated. The survey results are clear the majority of Americans agree state and federal lawmakers need to address these abuses of the legal system. Common-sense reforms, including full transparency and disclosure of all parties with an interest in the outcome of civil litigation, are needed to restore balance to the civil justice system. People protest against Senate Bill 4 along Fannin St. across from the NRG Center during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily blocked a new law empowering state authorities to arrest and deport migrants seeking asylum in the United States. An order issued by Justice Sam Alito puts the law on hold until 5 p.m. March 13, while the high court considers whether to prevent it from taking effect at all while the ongoing legal battle between the Biden administration and the state plays out. The law, passed last fall by the GOP-led Legislature, would push the bounds of state enforcement of immigration law long left solely to the federal government. The law would make it a crime to enter the state from Mexico without permission, and it would allow any law enforcement officer in Texas to arrest migrants they suspect of entering illegally and empower judges to order their removal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Justice Department and civil and immigrant rights groups sued soon after Abbott signed SB4 into law late last year. The order came after the 5th U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals over the weekend set aside a lower court ruling that blocked the law, known as Senate Bill 4, clearing the way for it to go into effect in a week. The conservative appeals court did not explain the decision, issued Saturday by Judges Edith Clement and Kurt Engelhardt. Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez dissented. That ruling would have let the law take effect this weekend, if the Supreme Court did not intervene. The Biden administration on Monday urged the high court to step in. Absent this Courts intervention, SB4 will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 10, 2024, profoundly altering the status quo that has existed between the United States and the States in the context of immigration for almost 150 years, the filing said. And despite the 114-page district court opinion detailing multiple independent reasons why the law is invalid, that disruptive change would occur without any reasoned ruling by the court of appeals. Federal Judge David A. Ezra last week blocked the law. Ezra, who was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan, wrote that provisions in the law allowing the state to remove migrants are patently unconstitutional. Immigration enforcement is left to the federal government, and the law conflicts with key provisions of federal immigration law, to the detriment of the United States foreign relations and treaty obligations, he wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The states Republican leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have made clear they see the new law as an invitation for the Supreme Court to revisit longstanding legal precedent that leaves enforcement to the federal government. They say the Biden administration is not doing enough to stop border crossings and that the state is within its rights to take matters into its own hands. Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said the 5th Circuit appeared to be forcing the Supreme Courts hand. CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- A different March Madness engulfs area elementary schools this time of year, when students turn their focus to reading one book as a community. In Chagrin Falls, Gurney Elementary School pupils recently redeemed their golden tickets to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during their One School, One Book program. AKRON, Ohio A 13-year-old boy was hospitalized after he was shot early Saturday morning in the East Akron neighborhood, police say. The shooting was reported at about 3:30 a.m. on the 1100 block of Ericsson Avenue, which is just west of Hillwood Park. When officers arrived, they found evidence of a shooting but there was no victim or other people at the scene, police say. Police later learned the teen male was taken to Summa Health Akron City Hospital in a private vehicle. His wounds are not considered life-threatening. CLEVELAND, Ohio When a total solar eclipse crosses Ohio next month, modern astronomers will use the worlds most sophisticated computers and telescopes to measure, track and record it. But ancient societies could only explain a solar eclipse by retelling myths, passed down through generations, to entertain and reassure. Today, myths offer a glimpse at the early recognition of astronomical events and efforts to explain why they were happening. This has happened before, and it will happen again, the myths teach. The moon obscures the suns rays, but the light always returns. In the absence of other types of knowledge, myths become the primary devices for explaining the world around us, said Eugenia Gorogianni, a history professor at the University of Akron. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Northeast Ohio and other parts of the United States. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking the sun and causing the sky to darken. Almost every culture on Earth has myths about solar eclipses, going back to the earliest human history, experts in myth and folklore say. East Asian cultures say eclipses are caused by sky dogs chasing the sun across the sky. A Native American myth says a squirrel nibbling on the sun causes it to gradually disappear. The squirrel is taking it away bit by bit, which I think is a particularly wonderful sort of metaphor about how that happens, said Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, director and archivist for the Center for Folklore Studies at Ohio State University. In an ancient Hindu myth about the gods and heavens, the demi-god Rahu is decapitated as punishment for drinking the nectar of immortality. Deepak Sarma, professor of South Asian religions at Case Western Reserve University, described this Hindu myth in a 2017 article. Rahus head is made immortal while his body dies, Sarma wrote. The head of Rahu attacks the sun and swallows it, causing an eclipse. Since Rahu has no body, he is unable to digest the sun and thus the sun is released. Some eclipse myths turn the moon and sun into human characters with emotions and conflicts. In sub-Saharan Africa, the sun hides its face in shame; in Bolivia, the sun covers its face in grief. The existence of eclipse myths suggests that some pre-modern cultures were capable of predicting a solar eclipse, Waugh-Quasebarth said. For instance, anthropologists estimate that the Maya predicted about half of eclipses, despite a lack of modern astronomical tools. And ancient Mediterranean cultures placed a great emphasis on predicting eclipse because emperors were supposed to be the personification of the sun, the University of Akrons Gorogianni said. Greeks, Romans and Babylonians considered eclipses to be bad omens. There are also stories about ancient astronomers who were killed because they did not accurately predict eclipses, Gorogianni said. Myths are difficult to date Its difficult to say how long these myths have been part of storytelling traditions, according to folklorists. Most were passed down from generation to generation orally. Other myths were written down, inscribed on statues or incorporated into other kinds of art, OSUs Waugh-Quasebarth said. The terms myth and folklore do not have the same meaning, Waugh-Quasebarth said. Folklore refers to expressive traditions, including stories, music and beliefs. Myths, legends, folktales and everyday storytelling are kinds of narrative folklore. Myths are usually used to explain why something occurs in the world; think stories that explain natural phenomena or how things came to be, Waugh-Quasebarth said. Similarities across cultures Many eclipse myths from various places around the world nonetheless have have similar patterns. Some myths spread to different regions along with religions or languages. For instance, a Hindu story could travel across Southeast Asia with Hinduism and Sanskrit to reach Thailand, Sarma said. But that doesnt explain why an eclipse myth from Asia has a similar counterpart told by people living halfway around the world. The idea that there might be stories that are really part of human consciousness, is interesting, right? And it brings us together in such an interesting and beautiful way, CWRUs Sarma said. Another guess is that eclipse myths across the globe have similarities because humans were observing the same phenomenon from various viewpoints, Gorogianni said. Many cultures share the story of an animal or mythical beast eating the sun to explain solar eclipses, said Deepak Sarma, professor of South Asian religions at Case Western Reserve University.Case Western Reserve University Eclipse excitement in Northeast Ohio The upcoming total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada. The path of totality is where the moon completely obscures the sun, giving viewers the fullest experience of the astronomical event. The 124-mile wide path of totality will angle across Ohio from just north of Cincinnati to the Cleveland area, beginning shortly after 3 p.m. Northeast Ohio communities are bracing for an influx of eclipse-chasers. Dozens of cities and organizations including the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Metroparks are planning major events for the eclipse. This area wont experience another total solar eclipse for another 75 years. For more information, go to NASA or GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Modern mythmaking for this solar eclipse Sharma encourages people to incorporate eclipse myths into their own celebrations of the celestial wonders on April 8. Simply eat something thats round, like a hamburger, and remember the eclipse-themed myths that describe the sun being munched by a monster or animal. They will be doing something that is part of this mythological tradition of the eating of the sun, Sarma said. Later, when Clevelanders tell stories about the solar eclipse how they drove to a special location, gathered with family or shared a telescope with a stranger they will be creating myths that will be passed to future generations, OSUs Waugh-Quasebarth said. Were joining in that that rich tradition of folk narratives, Waugh-Quasebarth said. Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link. (Photo : Unsplash/Alexander Shatov) Former Twitter executives sue Elon Musk, claiming one hundred twenty-eight million dollars over alleged unpaid severance. The executives, including former chief Parag Agrawal, allege that Musk fired them without cause when he took over Twitter, now X, and fabricated reasons to avoid paying them, citing it is part of a "larger pattern" of not paying former employees what they are owed. Musk has not responded to the allegations. The Unpaid Severance Lawsuit The long-standing severance lawsuit filed by Agrawal, along with former Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal, former Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, and former General Counsel Sean Edgett, claim their one year's salary and stock awards entitlement that amounts to over fifty-seven million dollars for Agrawal, over forty-four million dollars for Segal, over twenty million dollars for Gadde, and over six million dollars for Edgett. Musk acquired Twitter for forty-four billion dollars in 2022, which he initially tried to back out of. Still, due to a lawsuit threat, he proceeded with the controversial agreement, swiftly terminating key leaders, including the four executives. READ ALSO: Elon Musk Taking Drugs with Tesla Board Members, Sparks Concerns About Management Independence and Security Fabricated Reason for Termination As stated in the lawsuit, the four individuals were informed of their termination due to "gross negligence and willful misconduct." Specific instances cited included approving retention bonuses for Twitter employees, many of whom were terminated after the acquisition. The lawsuit contends that Musk was displeased about being compelled to finalize the acquisition, asserting he has sought to evade paying the millions owed to the executives, disregarding the severance agreements that outlined compensation in the event of the executives' unjustified termination. Allegations of Unfair Compensation and Payment Evasions The ongoing dispute over the funds has persisted between the two parties, culminating in completing the administrative procedures, as stated in the lawsuit. X has previously asserted that staff received full payment, while Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, did not respond to the BBC's request for comment. In the lawsuit, the executives leveled accusations against Musk, alleging that he transformed the company into an entity that disregards legal obligations and fails to settle its debts. According to the federal court filing in California, Musk evades payments, disregards regulations, and employs his wealth and influence to overpower those who oppose him. The previous year, a former human resources officer at the platform initiated a class action lawsuit, alleging that the company neglected to fulfill approximately five hundred million dollars (385 million) in severance payments owed to former employees. Some 20 persons employed by the company in Ghana during the acquisition about 16 months ago informed the BBC in February that they had only recently received their owed funds. The lawsuit filed by the four executives seeks to paint Musk as someone who evades settling his financial obligations and treats his employees poorly. According to Agrawal and his former colleagues' allegation in the lawsuit, Musk's reluctance to compensate is "part of a larger pattern of refusing to pay Twitter's former employees the benefits and other compensation they are due." RELATED ARTICLE: Lawyers Who Nullified Tesla's Excessive Compensation Package, Seeks $6B Fee Whom Elon Musk Calls "Criminal" 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Unsplash/Paolo Nicolello) A Massachusetts Air National Guard member, accused of disseminating numerous classified documents on social media, resulting in disciplinary measures for 15 service members, pleaded guilty on Monday to all six charges against him. Jack Teixeira, Airman's 1st Class, faced six charges of willfully retaining defense records for alleged public distribution via the social media platform Discord, which U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani scheduled for September 27. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said prosecutors would propose almost 17 years in prison. In comparison, defense lawyers could suggest a minimum of 11 years, emphasizing that Teixeira would spend many years behind bars, citing it was a "serious hit." Shocking Crime of Teixeira's Public Disclosure After the proceedings, 22-year-old Teixeira exchanged a smile with his father before being escorted out of the courtroom, dressed in orange jail attire, with his hands and legs restrained and black rosary beads around his neck. Matthew Olsen, an assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's National Security Division, stated that Teixeira blatantly ignored warnings about sharing highly sensitive national secrets, causing significant harm to the nation's security, describing the public disclosures as shocking. READ ALSO: BP Executive's Husband Eavesdropping While Working Remotely, Found Guilty for $1.8 Million Insider Trading Leaked National Defense's Secrets The leaks revealed embarrassing secrets and analyses from various U.S. intelligence agencies concerning Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's nuclear weapons development. The classified documents leaked on Discord included information from agencies like the NSA, CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, law enforcement agencies, and the secretive National Reconnaissance Office, which manages spy satellites. Levy explained that the documents covered ongoing conflicts in Europe, detailing troop movements in Ukraine and the supply of resources. Additionally, they outlined an adversary's intentions to harm U.S. forces abroad, which Levy described as particularly objectionable, noting, "He did not care at all about the consequences." Teixeira allegedly shared a significant document on Discord involving a top-secret analysis from February, predicting that Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia would result in modest gains, contrary to the Biden Administration's optimistic outlook. This assessment proved accurate, as the conflict remains at a stalemate. Jodi Cohen, FBI special agent in charge of the Boston office, noted that when considering national security threats, people typically think of China, Russia, and Iran and would not expect a 21-year-old National Air Guardsman, who swore an oath to defend the Constitution, to be on that list, remarking Teixeira knew his actions were wrong, yet proceeded nonetheless. 15 Other Members Disciplined Over Security Leaks Teixeira, stationed at the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, served primarily as an information technology specialist, overseeing military communication networks. The Air Force disciplined 15 National Guard members after probing the substantial online disclosure of classified data, purportedly by a Massachusetts airman, which an inspector general's report highlighted as "inadequate supervision" and a "complacent culture." Teixeira's superiors were faulted for neglecting to limit his access to classified systems and facilities and failing to alert authorities over his alleged illicit sharing of government secrets. The statement from Teixeira's parents expressed disbelief at their child's involvement in such a serious matter but noted his acceptance of responsibility. They also raised questions about the Inspector General's investigation findings regarding the work environment, training, oversight, and adherence to policy at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, which directly and indirectly contributed to the incident. RELATED ARTICLE: Finance Worker Victimized by a Deepfake Chief Financial Officer, Pays $25 Million Through 15 Bank Transfers 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Unsplash/Campaign Creators ) Many workers feel undervalued and underappreciated, regardless of the data on quiet quitting and the great resignation. While recognition is crucial, some managers believe providing a job and salary with benefits should suffice. Lack of Gratitude and Recognition Effects on Workers According to a Workhuman report from January 2023, 46% of workers felt somewhat valued, while 11% indicated they did not feel valued in their workplaces. Additionally, these figures are higher among women and workers of color, with 48.8% of women and 49.3% of workers of color expressing that they feel undervalued. A survey conducted by Wakefield in 2023 among 400 U.S. adults reveals that 42% of workers believe their organization lacks a robust culture of appreciation, which is crucial for their success, highlighting that workers who feel appreciated are more likely to feel secure in their jobs. According to a survey conducted in 2022, 59% of workers stated that they have never had a supervisor who genuinely appreciates their work. Additionally, 29% of respondents expressed their willingness to give up a week's worth of pay in exchange for more recognition from their employer. In a 2021 survey among 1,417 American workers, 49% revealed that they had resigned from a job due to a lack of recognition. Similarly, in a study conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Psychological Association over 1,714 adults, half of the respondents who felt undervalued at work expressed their intention to seek new employment within the following year. As Dr. Bob Nelson nails it, "People may take a job for more money, but they often leave it for more recognition." READ ALSO: How Does "Bare Minimum Mondays" Help Rekindle Productivity Enthusiasm How Managers Can Foster Gratitude and Appreciation? Many managers found expressing appreciation challenging, often struggling to integrate it with developmental feedback, fearing it might confuse employees. Concerns also arose regarding the risk of routine, impersonal gestures. Conversely, employees perceived the task as straightforward and provided clear suggestions for effective appreciation methods. Here's their advice for managers: 1. Conduct Touch Bases Regularly Regularly checking in with employees is crucial for building connections and preventing staff from feeling overlooked. Simple gestures like saying "Good morning" or "How are you?" can be as meaningful as formal recognition. Creating routines for employees to share their experiences can make them feel valued and keep you informed about what is happening in the organization. 2. Give Balanced Feedback Employees value receiving positive feedback on their strengths and constructive feedback on areas for improvement. They emphasized that feedback, whether praising their work or providing suggestions for growth, made them feel appreciated. For instance, one employee found praise meaningful but questioned its validity without improvement suggestions. Conversely, those receiving only critical feedback felt discouraged. It is important to avoid giving both types of feedback simultaneously, as the common sandwich technique, where managers stuff negative feedback between two layers of positive ones, can lead to confusion. Employees may focus on the positives and overlook areas for improvement or dwell on the negatives despite positive performance. Clear separation of positive and developmental feedback is essential. 3. Address Growth Opportunities Accordingly Employees seek clarity about their career advancement prospects. Employees feel valued when managers actively discuss growth opportunities and assign challenging tasks. Conversely, when managers overlook development discussions, employees perceive it as a lack of appreciation. For instance, an employee expressed frustration, stating that although their manager acknowledged their efforts, they felt stagnant due to a lack of new and more significant opportunities. 4. Offer Flexibility Employees perceived gestures like allowing remote work or suggesting a late start after extra hours as signs of trust and appreciation when done by managers. 5. Make it A Habit Taking a few moments to express appreciation for your employees' contributions can make a big difference. Consider incorporating it into your routine, like setting aside time each week to write a personal thank-you note or starting team meetings with brief shout-outs for individual achievements. There are many ways to show appreciation - from giving food or gift cards to making time for daily check-ins with team members, a way that feels genuine and natural to you, rather than automated gestures. RELATED ARTICLE: Top Four Workplace Trends Sweeping Over TikTok That HR Should Know 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In-depth analysis, research and stress tests to improve risk exposure assessments, spur climate-conscious investments By Lee Kyung-min The Bank of Korea (BOK) is fortifying research and analysis of climate risks, a major sustainability consideration for Koreas export-reliant economy that is extremely vulnerable to global economic conditions. The initiative spearheaded by BOK Governor Rhee Chang-yong seeks to lead the global discussion on green, sustainable growth, buoyed by the elevated standing of the country in financial policymaking. The new directive reflects criticism of Koreas central bank lacking efforts to address environmental issues in the context of financial investments, loan conditions and the follow-on effect on industries. At greater play are growing calls for practicality-oriented measures to stave off climate-induced disruptions to the countrys decades-long heavy dependence on global value chains. Electronics and car manufacturers Koreas key growth driver industries remain wildly concerned about unexpected falls in exports due to softening overseas demand, whereas local consumers are wary mostly about rising overall prices of goods due to higher costs of imports. The slew of challenges can be mitigated, the BOK says, in part by central bank directives of bolstering energy-efficient investments, financial institutions transparent disclosure of climate risk exposures followed by stress tests and cheaper financing for firms with carbon-neutral strategies. Organizational restructuring The central bank established the Office of Sustainable Growth under the Planning & Coordination Department in January. The office will undertake a range of projects including planning related to sustainable growth, conducting research on and studying sustainable growth, planning of internal climate risk response strategy, promoting cooperation in domestic and foreign sustainable growth-related matters. The stated goals were previously separate responsibilities of the Financial Stability Department, and a team under the Planning and Coordination department. But Rhee saw fit to merge the two for an integrated climate-themed analysis and dataset accumulation, as underpinned by deep expertise building of central bank employees. Leading the office is Nah Seung-ho, an expert in domestic and global economic issues analysis with a deep understanding of developing and operating macroeconomic models, tools designed to identify problems of an economy. Two doctoral-level candidates are scheduled to join the office to work closely with BOK researchers. Double whammy? It is a simple double whammy, Nah said. If the import prices of raw materials rise due to climate events, so would the price of intermediate goods imported to Korea, he said. This would in turn push up the prices of final goods made in Korea, undermining the cost advantages of Korea-made exports. Another grim scenario, he added, is a climate event shaving off the gross domestic product (GDP) of Koreas trading partners. The subsequent flagging demand in that country for Korean exports will significantly weaken Koreas GDP. Those two are likely scenarios which the BOK will work on among many other projects to help accurately assess risks and provide solutions. Green financing and green bond issuances will also be on the list of our research priorities. Global value chain There is much talk about the global value chain. But what is it really? And how important is it? The global value chain is the entirety of a process encompassing product design, parts and raw material procurements, production, distribution and sales. The value chain is divided into two parts: forward participation and backward participation. The former refers to the export of domestically produced goods oftentimes intermediate goods. The latter refers to the import of raw materials and intermediate goods needed to produce final products and services for export. Koreas backward participation rate was 28.3 percent in 2020, according to a financial stability report released in February, far higher than Chinas 15.1 percent and Japan's 14.1 percent. The country with little natural resources has long resorted to and thrived on the global separation of manufacturing, the report said. Climate events will bring serious disruptions to the global value chain, an unintended dent to the export-driven economy. Among the five industries expected to take a major dive in the event of a climate event are refiners and petrochemicals; pharmaceuticals; mining and energy sourcing; furniture manufacturing and equipment and machinery repair; and financial services and insurance. BOK policy tool The central bank can guide financial institutions to invest in eco-friendly projects including renewables, according to the BOK. The carbon footprint-reducing efforts can build resilience to climate-related risks. The central bank can also mandate the disclosure of climate risks exposures with financial services providers. This can lead to informed decision-making by investors. Also among the policy tools are climate stress tests, a central bank-overseen process that can identify vulnerabilities. Low-interest loans and other methods of financing can be provided to spur investment in carbon-neutral sectors. Central banks around the world can develop uniform standards and frameworks to jointly tackle climate risks, ensured by consistent application across borders. Coterra CEO Tom Jordan told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Monday how the oil and gas company deals with unpredictable commodity pricing, emphasizing the "flexibility" of its assets. "We built Coterra to have flexibility of top tier assets, low cost of supply, but also a team that is nimble, always looking at iterations and ready to pivot," Jordan said. "We've built our service contracts so we don't have many long term commitments, and that means we can move capital from one basin to another in fairly short order as we did with our recent release." The price of natural gas has been volatile over the past few months, and in February it hit its lowest level since 2020. But Jordan said Coterra is able to project stable revenue and cash flow because of its "asset quality" and "organization." He stressed that Coterra doesn't try to predict commodity pricing. Instead, the company keeps its debt low and moves assets depending on its needs, he said. Coterra announced during its most recent earnings report it would cut back its natural gas production and instead invest more heavily in oil. However, Jordan said the company is "well-positioned" and has plans in place to increase natural gas production if necessary. "We have contingency plans to ramp back up if things look better," he said. "...What we want to do is not invest in future wells at least put a pause on that and redirect that capital to other assets." Google co-founder Sergey Brin, in a rare public appearance over the weekend, told a group of artificial intelligence enthusiasts that he came out of retirement "because the trajectory of AI is so exciting." Brin, 50, spoke to entrepreneurs on Saturday at the "AGI House" in Hillsborough, California, just south of San Francisco, where developers and founders were testing Google's Gemini model. AGI stands for artificial general intelligence and refers to a form of AI that can complete tasks to the same level, or a step above, humans. In taking questions from the crowd, Brin discussed AI's impact on search and how Google can maintain its leadership position in its core market as AI continues to grow. He also commented on the flawed launch last month of Google's image generator, which the company pulled after users discovered historical inaccuracies and questionable responses. We definitely messed up on the image generation, Brin said Saturday. I think it was mostly due to just not thorough testing. It definitely, for good reasons, upset a lot of people. Google said last week that it plans to relaunch the image generation feature soon. Brin co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998, but stepped down as president of Alphabet in 2019. He remains a board member and a principal shareholder, with a stake in the company worth about $100 billion. He's returned to work at the company as part of an effort to help ramp up Google's position in the hypercompetitive AI market. In some cases on Saturday, Brin said he was giving "personal" answers, as opposed to representing the company. Seeing what these models can do year after year is astonishing, he said at the event, a recording of which was viewed by CNBC. Regarding the recent challenges with Gemini that led to flawed image results, Brin said the company isn't quite sure why responses have a leftward tilt, in the political sense. We havent fully understood why it leans left in many cases but thats not our intention, he said. The company has recently made accuracy improvements by as much as 80% on certain internal tests, Brin added. Brin's comments represent the first time a company executive has spoken on the Gemini matter in a live setting. The company previously sent prepared statements from Prabhakar Raghavan, Google's head of search, and CEO Sundar Pichai in response to the controversial rollout. Here's what Raghavan said in a blog post on Feb. 23: "So what went wrong? In short, two things. First, our tuning to ensure that Gemini showed a range of people failed to account for cases that should clearly not show a range. And second, over time, the model became way more cautious than we intended and refused to answer certain prompts entirely wrongly interpreting some very anodyne prompts as sensitive. These two things led the model to overcompensate in some cases, and be over-conservative in others, leading to images that were embarrassing and wrong." Google declined to comment for this story. Brin didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. A smartphone with a displayed AMD logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. American semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices has failed in getting a made-for-China AI chip past U.S. regulators and will need to apply for an export license, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. The report said AMD designed the chip to have lower performance than its premium products in order to comply with U.S. export restrictions. But Bloomberg reported the Commerce Department did not clear the chip for sale in China because it was still too advanced. AMD will now have to obtain a license from the department's Bureau of Industry and Security, the report said. It's not clear if the company will apply for the license. AMD and the Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment. While the U.S. has restricted sales of products containing the nation's most advanced semiconductor technologies to China, citing national security concerns, American companies have continued to sell mature or less advanced technologies to the massive market without licenses. AMD's products include chips that can be used to develop and train AI models - something U.S. officials have warned that Beijing could use to gain military advantages. The Bayer AG logo sits behind silhouetted members of the management board during the company's annual general meeting in Bonn, Germany, May 25, 2018. Bayer said on Tuesday it will hold off on plans to break up the diversified group to focus instead on improving the operating performance, resolving litigation and paying off debt. "Our answer is 'not now' and this shouldn't be misunderstood as 'never'," CEO Bill Anderson said in a statement. The company said that for the next 24 to 36 months it would seek to strengthen the drug development pipeline, address litigation, reduce debt, and to further pursue job cuts and speed up decision making by managers. The cutbacks will reduce annual costs by 2 billion euros from 2026, it added. Anderson, who was hired last year to reverse the company's fortunes, previously said he was examining options to separate, spin off or sell businesses. Reuters reported last month that no such action was on the cards for now. The CEO faces a deluge of problems, most of which stem from the 2018 takeover of Monsanto for $63 billion. These include U.S. litigation alleging harm from weed-killer glyphosate, a development setback for its most promising experimental medicine, weak agriculture markets and investor pressure to spin off or sell businesses. The company guided that 2024 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) would slip to between 10.7 billion and 11.3 billion euros on a currency-adjusted basis, down from 11.7 billion in 2023. A consensus posted on the company's website showed analysts on average were expecting this year's earnings to be at the lower bound of the target range, while last year's figure was better than expected. The shares were little changed after the 0800 GMT open. The CEO added he was "considering every possible means to bring closure" to U.S. lawsuits claiming that glyphosate has caused cancer in plaintiffs. That litigation wave is a key factor behind the company's loss of value by two thirds since the Monsanto takeover. Bayer would vigorously defend itself but also look for solutions "outside the courtroom". It said more action was to come but it did not specify. About 54,000 cases remain outstanding, after 113,000 claims were settled or found not eligible, according to its annual report. Bayer has also not been able to shake off personal injury or environmental damage claims linked to polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which are Monsanto-made chemicals no longer in use. To shore up its finances, that German drugmaker has slashed dividends, keeping what analysts estimate would have been combined payouts of 6-7 billion euros over three years. Bayer's net debt at the end of 2023 was up 8.5% to 34.5 billion euros. That burden has led some analysts to conclude a capital increase may become necessary. The company said it would seek to reduce net debt by 1-2 billion this year. The United States seeks dialogue with North Korea, including on mitigating the risk of an inadvertent conflict on the Korean Peninsula, a National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson said Monday, stressing its goal for the "complete" denuclearization of the peninsula remains unchanged. The remarks came after Mira Rapp-Hooper, the NSC senior director for East Asia and Oceania, said this week that Washington will consider "interim steps" on the pathway toward the North's denuclearization a statement that raised speculation about a potential U.S. policy shift. In the negotiation lexicon for the North, interim steps usually involve such measures as Pyongyang's freeze of its nuclear weapons development in return for sanctions relief or other incentives to encourage the regime's denuclearization efforts. "Our position on the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula has not changed," the spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "While we work towards this goal, there are a number of valuable discussions we seek to have with the DPRK, including on reducing the risk of inadvertent military conflict on the peninsula," the official added. The spokesperson also said that the U.S. encourages the North to return to "substantive discussions on identifying ways to manage military risks and create lasting peace" on the peninsula. The U.S. has recently highlighted the need for risk mitigation as the North's nullification of a 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction agreement has raised concerns about the possibility of an accidental clash between the two Koreas. On Monday, Seoul and Washington kicked off a major combined military exercise amid concerns that Pyongyang could engage in provocative acts on the pretext of responding to the drills that the allies say are defensive in nature. Meaningful nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been stalled since the no-deal Hanoi summit between the two countries in February 2019. (Yonhap) This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on March 05, 2024. The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Monday that its audit of the 737 MAX production, conducted on Boeing and its supplier Spirit AeroSystems, uncovered several instances where the companies allegedly did not meet the required manufacturing quality control standards. The FAA pinpointed specific areas of non-compliance in Boeing's operations, including deficiencies in manufacturing process oversight, mishandling and improper storage of components, and lapses in overall product management. Previously, the FAA had mandated Boeing to devise a comprehensive plan within 90 days to rectify these quality control issues. Moreover, the FAA has made it clear that it will not sanction an increase in Boeing's production rates until these safety concerns are adequately addressed, thereby directly impacting another critical area: on-time delivery. Ryanair, the budget airline, recently announced that due to delays in receiving aircraft from Boeing, it would have to cut back on the number of flights it operates, leading to a revised downward forecast for passenger numbers. As a result, Ryanair is currently negotiating with Boeing for compensation related to these delivery delays. Faced with significant challenges regarding production quality and delivery schedules, Boeing confirmed last Friday that it is in talks to acquire its fuselage supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a management professor at Yale University, conveyed to CNBC that Boeing's challenges span across production, corporate governance culture, and supply chain issues. The ongoing negotiations for the acquisition are aimed directly at addressing the supply chain challenges. Boeing had initially spun off Spirit AeroSystems in 2005, and Reuters reports that the dispersion of Boeing's aircraft manufacturing processes, coupled with the departure of experienced workers and cost reduction efforts, have adversely affected its quality control. Analysts have observed that the two companies had a strong vertical integration relationship before the pandemic, with Spirit AeroSystems' sales to Boeing constituting 80% of its business. By acquiring Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing would enhance its control over the manufacturing process, potentially facilitating the resolution of quality issues. Tony Bancroft Gabelli Aerospace & Defense ETF portfolio manager "Some rework that had to go on, obviously, as we know, from the initial NTSB report, and I think if you could integrate those two companies in the long run, you're gonna have a better culture, you're gonna have a better operational efficiency." Since the announcement last Friday, Spirit AeroSystems' shares have soared by approximately 20%, while Boeing's shares have slightly declined. The Boeing incident is expected to have lasting effects, with Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), stressing in an interview with CNBC that the situation serves as a crucial alert for the entire industry. Willie Walsh Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) "I think it's been a real wake-up call for Boeing and a wake-up call for the industry. We learn from these events." China is set to increase its defense spending by 7.2% to 1.67 trillion yuan in 2024, according to a budget report released by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, as part of the country's annual parliamentary meetings in Beijing. This year's military budget announcement comes against the backdrop of several generals from the People's Liberation Army, including the country's previous Defense Minister Li Shangfu, losing their positions amid President Xi Jinping's broad anti-corruption probe in the past year. China's 2024 military budget expansion follows a 7.2% increase last year, a 7.1% spike in 2022, 6.8% increase in 2021, 6.6% climb in 2020 and 7.5% growth in 2019, according to official data. China's official military budget is second only to the United States in the world, though some unofficial estimates suggest the scale of Beijing's military spending may be larger than officially claimed. China maintains its claims over self-governed Taiwan and President Xi Jinping regards reunification as a "historical inevitability." In the government work report also released Tuesday, Beijing vowed to "resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' and external interference." From land border skirmishes with India a few years ago to confrontations in the South China Sea with Southeast Asian countries more recently, tensions have heightened between Beijing and its neighbors. On Tuesday, the Philippines accused China's coast guard of "dangerous maneuvers" that led to a collision between a Chinese vessel and one of its vessels on its way to the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. This is not the first time Chinese vessels have clashed with Philippine vessels on resupply missions to troops stationed on an old warship that Manila grounded more than a decade ago. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled in 2016 that China's claims over vast portions of the South China Sea have no basis in international law a ruling that Beijing has rejected. Beijing has also taken offence at joint exercises and patrols that U.S. and other Western naval powers have conducted with various Asian nations in international waters that Beijing claims as its own. CNBC's Evelyn Cheng contributed to this story. We knew Apple's China market wasn't great. But a new report Tuesday reveals demand is even worse than imagined as shares tumble to fourth-month lows. But, history has shown that the tech giant has been able to get out of these rough patches before even if there's still some more pain to go. Shares of Apple closed down 2.8% to just above $170 each Tuesday marking their seventh down day in the past eight sessions and taking the broader stock market down with them. Jim Cramer said the stock could fall another 5% to $160 in its current run of bad form. However, he has no plans to reduce the Club's shares beyond the small trim on Jan. 2 to right-size a position that got too big following last year's surge. Jim also maintained his "own it, don't trade it" Apple mantra because the stock is "one of the greatest performers of all times." AAPL 5Y mountain Apple 5 years Apple extended its decline into Tuesday after data showed iPhone sales in China experienced a double-digit percentage drop at the start of the year. Sales for the flagship device in China plummeted 24% in the first six weeks of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research . The report cited stiffening competition from lower-cost domestic smartphone makers, such as Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi, as well as Chinese tech giant Huawei, which recently re-entered the market for higher-end devices. "There are periods where you have to suffer through," Jim said, arguing Apple's drop has been more of a trading lull rather than a sign of weak company fundamentals. "You have to wait it out." This is not the first time we've heard concerns about Apple's business in the world's second-largest economy and a market that accounts for roughly 20% of overall sales. Major third-party Chinese retailers have been offering steep discounts on iPhone 15s in a bid to spur waning demand for the latest iteration of the device. Even worse, the deals come less than six months after launch. "The biggest problem with Apple is that they're too expensive for China," Jim said, adding that consumers there are pivoting to cheaper options across sectors on tepid economic growth. Club holding Starbucks has experienced a similar kind of struggle as local rivals such as Luckin Coffee grab share in the Chinese hot beverage market. China, however, has not been the only headwind for Apple. The European Commission on Monday issued a nearly $2 billion fine against the company for allegedly breaking competition laws in music streaming. The American tech giant plans to appeal the decision and said nothing is wrong with its business practices. Jim said this is typical of global regulators who see large U.S. companies as cash cows rather than looking for credible evidence around unfair practices. "Every six months, they ask for a check from our Big Tech companies," he added. Before these latest issues, valuation questions were starting to emerge at the start of the year after Apple's 48% increase in 2023. On the first trading day of 2024, Barclays issued a rare downgrade of Apple to sell rating from hold and shares fell 3.5%. The Club's Apple trim that day was part of a sweeping profit-taking and portfolio management move across tech stocks that soared in 2023. All of this negativity has sent Apple into correction territory when a stock or an index drops 10% or more from recent highs. Apple shares have shed roughly 14.5% from their all-time high of $199.62 each and nearly $3.1 trillion market value on Dec. 14, 2023. Over that time, nearly $455 billion in market value has been wiped out. Since the S & P 500's close on Dec. 14, the broad market index has gained more than 7%. Bottom line Members may be wondering: With all this seemingly bearish news and underperformance, where's the light at the end of the tunnel for Apple? Apple still has stellar fundamentals. There are plenty of catalysts down the line, including AI. The Club sees Apple's upcoming generative artificial intelligence offerings as a key tailwind for shares. AI-integrated iPhones could ignite a strong upgrade cycle and help to offset China weakness. A note from Melius Research on Monday echoed those sentiments. During Apple's annual shareholder meeting last week, CEO Tim Cook said he sees "incredible breakthrough potential for generative AI, which is why we're currently investing significantly in this area." Cook said he would share more details regarding AI-infused offerings later this year. That left investors to speculate that announcements could come during Apple's annual developer conference in June. Cook's remarks came one day after reports that Apple ditched its decadelong electric vehicle plans and shifted staff to work on AI. The CEO said Apple AI tech is already being used in the Vision Pro mixed reality headset's hand-tracking tool. Jim has been bullish on the product's eventual contribution to Apple hardware and services revenue. Cook also said there are AI capabilities in the Apple Watch's heart rate alerts and some upcoming MacBooks. Just about a week after teasing those laptop AI capabilities, Apple announced on Monday that its latest M3 chips will be used in new versions of its MacBook Air models. Management described the product as "the world's best consumer laptop for AI." (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL, SBUX. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. Crude oil futures edged lower Tuesday as China's pledged to boost economic growth and OPEC+ decision to extend its production cuts fell flat with traders. The West Texas Intermediate contract for April shed 59 cents, or 0.75%, to settle at $78.15 a barrel. May Brent futures lost 76 cents, or 0.92%, to settle at $82.04 a barrel. The Beijing government on Tuesday set an economic growth target of about 5% for 2024 and announced the issuance of $138.9 billion in "ultra-long" special treasury bonds to fund major projects. Lawmakers introduced a bill in Congress on Tuesday that would require China's ByteDance to divest TikTok in order to avoid a ban of the video app in the U.S. Representatives Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., introduced the legislation, dubbed the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The bill says TikTok is controlled by a foreign adversary and poses a threat to U.S. national security. "This is my message to TikTok: break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users," said Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, in a press release announcing the bill. Krishnamoorthi is the committee's ranking member. Should the bill pass, ByteDance would have about five months to divest TikTok, while web-hosting companies and app stores such as those owned by Apple and Google would be forced to stop supporting the app and others tied to ByteDance. "This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it," a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement. "This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs." The proposed legislation marks the latest action in a multiyear effort in Washington, D.C., to take on TikTok and its alleged connections to the Chinese Communist Party, which TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has denied in Senate hearings. President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2022 intended to prevent TikTok from being accessed and used on government-owned devices, and other states have enacted similar government-related TikTok app bans. Before that, Donald Trump, Biden's predecessor in the White House, claimed that TikTok represented a national security threat because it collects American users' data, which could then be accessed by the Chinese government. In mid-2020, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States released a ruling that ByteDance needed to divest its U.S. assets within 90 days. Earlier attempts to ban TikTok in the U.S. appear to have stalled, leaving some states such as Montana to try and impose their own bans. In November, a Montana federal judge blocked the state's law, saying that Montana failed to show how it would be "constitutionally permissible." Montana is now appealing the judge's ruling. In February, Biden's reelection campaign debuted an official TikTok account, which Gallagher criticized. "That's unacceptable," Gallagher said in a media interview at the time. "I urge the president's, you know, Gen Z TikTok adult campaign staffers to reverse course in the interest of national security." The Pew Research Center released a survey in December showing that support for a U.S. government ban on TikTok is declining. The survey showed that 38% of U.S. adults support a TikTok ban as of October compared to 50% in March. WATCH: The Biden campaign joins TikTok, despite ban on app on government phones. watch now Women are increasingly investing in startups founded by women. Despite a challenging fundraising environment, women-led venture capital funds made gains in 2023. According to research by Venture Capital Journal, women-led funds' share of total fundraising increased to about 3% of the $107 billion raised last year by venture funds worldwide, up from less than 2% of the 2022 total. While it's a small fraction of the total pool, venture capital funding in the U.S. for companies founded by women has been trending up in recent years. The upswing has had some help from the creation of incubators for women founders, more new companies founded by women and more venture capital funds focused on underrepresented founders. "The access to wealth that women have in the U.S. today is really at a historic level. We have about $25 trillion of wealth in the U.S., and we're approaching 50% of all wealth being owned by women in the U.S. And that wealth is power if we use it," said Portfolia founder and CEO Trish Costello. Portfolia creates and manages about 16 venture funds designed for individual investors who want to invest in a portfolio of mostly women-led startups and want to learn more about venture investing. The firm has investments in over 140 companies, most with women founders. "It's all about putting our money behind the companies that will enhance our lives and provide us those returns," Costello said. While roughly 75% of the firm's portfolio comprises companies with women CEOs, Costello said, about 25% are led by men and are aimed at solving problems for women, including a male-led company, YourChoice Therapeutics, that is developing a birth control pill for men. How one startup benefited from women investors Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne shows the NasaClip device she invented to stop nosebleeds. Steve Washington, CNBC One of the beneficiaries of increased interest in investing in underrepresented founders is NasaClip, founded by Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne, an emergency physician and mother of two. She developed a device to stop nosebleeds after treating patients in the emergency room, recognizing the need for a hands-free first-aid solution. She said the startup has raised $3.25 million in funding in the last four years, mostly from women investors. The funds enabled her to bring the product to market and her company is now bringing in revenue, she said. "When women invest in women, they also bring to the table more than just capital; they're introducing the social network that is needed to be successful," Clayborne said. "I don't think I would have actually gotten off the ground at all, if I had not been believed in early on by female investors." Opportunities for women-focused venture capital Costello said her desire to lead a women-focused venture capital firm was born a decade ago after a male colleague told her that men wouldn't invest in women's health issues because of what he called the "ick factor." "I realized that there was a whole area of investment that could have great returns and that women were actually very comfortable with putting their money behind," said Costello. Portfolia launched its first fund in 2015, and part of its mission is to train the next generation of venture capitalists. While its fund managers make the investment decisions, investors are invited to pitch meetings and to work on due diligence, so they can ask questions of the entrepreneurs and offer their insights. "Everything that we do is to use our communities and our knowledge and our expertise to both invest and to make this company successful," said Costello. Jim Cramer's daily rapid fire looks at stocks in the news outside the CNBC Investing Club portfolio. Target : Shares popped 12% after the retail chain reported better-than-expected earnings. "Target's inventories were very low," Jim Cramer said. Even though Target's comparable stores fell for the third straight quarter, the retailer was able to boost profits and margins. "That's called leverage. I've been waiting for that to happen for a very long time. It's very good news for the next two quarters," Cramer said. Advanced Micro Devices : Shares fell nearly 2% Tuesday. Late Monday, Bloomberg News reported that the U.S. government told AMD that its AI chips for the Chinese market required a license in order to comply with the Biden administration's export controls. "If this stock comes in, you really want to buy it," Cramer said. Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club, owns shares of Nvidia, the leading maker of AI chips. Gitlab : Shares plunged more than 17% after the software company issued a soft revenue forecast. In its recently concluded fiscal year, Gitlab's revenue rose 37% on annual basis. However, Cramer noted its full-year sales guidance calls for growth in the mid-20% range. "It's killing the stock, just killing it," Cramer said. Tesla : The electric vehicle maker saw its stock fall nearly 5% Tuesday amid weak China shipment numbers and a temporary halt to operations at its German factory. Shares have fallen more than 27% year to date. "It was magnificent," Cramer said, referring to the fact earlier in 2024 he called for Tesla to be removed from the group of so-called Magnificent Seven stocks. AeroVironment : Shares surged 28% after the maker of drones reported earnings per share that nearly double estimates and issued a strong forecast. "They're getting the orders, and that's what is driving it," Cramer said. Steph Kronos, a pro-union activist, tries to talk to Starbucks customers while joining Starbucks workers, former employees and supporters in holding signs in support of a strike, outside of a Starbucks store in Arlington, Virginia, on Nov. 16, 2023. A group of labor unions said on Tuesday that it was ending its proxy fight at Starbucks, after the two sides agreed last week to work toward a "foundational framework" on collective bargaining. "We feel that now is the time to acknowledge the progress that has been made and to allow the Company and its workers to focus on moving forward," the Strategic Organizing Center said in a release. The SOC said it is withdrawing the three nominees it had put forth for election to Starbucks' board. A Starbucks spokesperson said the company appreciated the SOC's decision and said the board remained focused on "driving long-term value for all stakeholders, including partners, shareholders, customers, and farmers." The cessation comes after two influential proxy advisors, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, both recommended that shareholders vote for management board nominees. The organization had argued that Starbucks had responded to a yearslong union push with a "flawed" strategy that diminished shareholder returns and presented reputational risk. The SOC said in its proxy filings that the company's response to widespread unionization efforts had cost the company nearly $250 million. Last week's agreement marked a turning point for the unions and management, the SOC said in its release. The group said it thought shareholders were "optimistic" about a "good faith" effort by Starbucks to "repair its relationship with its workers." "Starbucks has always been committed to doing the right thing importantly, for our partners who are the heart of our business," the company's spokesperson said. The fight would have been unusual given the small size of the SOC's economic interest and the composition of the group. It was the first time that a labor union typically opposed to activist campaigns had drawn on the activist toolkit. The SOC hired well-respected communications, legal and proxy advisors who have worked on behalf of major activists and hedge funds. Together, they built a thesis that drew a line from slipshod bargaining tactics to weakened shareholder returns. "We think it's imperative that shareholders continue to monitor the Board's performance and Starbucks' approach to labor relations issues in the coming months and we plan to continue to hold the Company accountable going forward," the labor group said in a statement. Starbucks' annual shareholder meeting is scheduled for March 13. "We look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners as we fulfill our mission together," the Starbucks spokesperson said. Executive Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella attends a session during the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 16, 2024. Microsoft is accusing The New York Times of "unsubstantiated" claims in the publisher's lawsuit filed in December against OpenAI, a case that could have major implications for the future of generative artificial intelligence. In a motion to dismiss part of the suit on Monday, Microsoft said the Times presented a false narrative of "doomsday futurology" in which OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot will decimate the news business. In the opening line of its argument to the court, Microsoft compares the lawsuit to Hollywood's resistance to the VCR, which was created in the 1970s and allowed users to record television programs. "In this case, The New York Times uses its might and its megaphone to challenge the latest profound technological advance: the Large Language Model," attorneys for Microsoft wrote. Microsoft is OpenAI's largest investor, having pumped about $13 billion into the startup. The filing marks the latest salvo in the battle between OpenAI and the media industry, which is increasingly concerned that AI models are being trained on valuable content that has been produced over many decades. In its lawsuit, the Times accused OpenAI and Microsoft of copyright infringement and abusing the newspaper's intellectual property in training LLMs. OpenAI previously asked a judge to dismiss parts of the Times ' lawsuit against it, alleging that the publisher "paid someone to hack OpenAI's products," such as ChatGPT, to generate 100 examples of copyright infringement for its case. OpenAI claimed it took the Times "tens of thousands of attempts to generate the highly anomalous results," and that the company did so using "deceptive prompts that blatantly violate OpenAI's terms of use." In the latest filing, Microsoft's lawyers argue that "content used to train LLMs does not supplant the market for the works, it teaches the models language." "Microsoft doesn't dispute that it worked with OpenAI to copy millions of The Times's works without its permission to build its tools. Instead, it oddly compares LLMs to the VCR even though VCR makers never argued that it was necessary to engage in massive copyright infringement to build their products," Ian Crosby, Susman Godfrey partner and lead counsel for The New York Times, said in a statement to CNBC. He added, "In spite of Microsoft's protestations about how The Times described in detail the unprecedented theft of copyrighted works by the defendants, the bottom line is that The Times looked for its stolen works and found them. Microsoft now blames The Times for bringing this to light as an excuse for their and OpenAI's wrongdoing." Since releasing ChatGPT to the public in late 2022, OpenAI has become one of the hottest startups on the planet, with a valuation reportedly over $80 billion. This picture taken on October 23, 2023, shows Ozempic medication boxes, an injectable antidiabetic drug, in a pharmacy in Riedisheim in eastern France. Novo Nordisk 's blockbuster drug Ozempic cut the risk of kidney disease progression and related health complications in diabetic patients, according to initial late-stage trial results released Tuesday. Ozempic specifically lowered the risk of kidney disease progression and death from kidney or cardiovascular complications by 24% in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease compared to a placebo. The results add to the growing evidence that the highly popular injection and similar drugs for weight loss have broader health benefits for patients beyond treating Type 2 diabetes and helping them shed pounds. Those treatments skyrocketed in popularity over the past year despite their mixed insurance coverage and hefty price tags. Novo Nordisk said it will present full data from the study later this year. The company also noted that it would file for an expanded approval of Ozempic based on the data in both the U.S. and Europe. Chronic kidney disease would be a big additional treatment opportunity for Ozempic. Roughly 40% of people with diabetes also have the condition. The disease involves a gradual loss of kidney function. Notably, the Danish company ended the trial in October, a year earlier than expected, in response to positive results. The trial, called FLOW, first started in 2019 and followed roughly 3,500 patients with diabetes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. The data comes as Novo Nordisk faces increased competition from Eli Lilly and tries to win expanded insurance coverage for its separate weight loss injection Wegovy. Last year, a late-stage trial on Wegovy showed that it cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 20%. Clarification: This story was updated to reflect trial information Novo Nordisk clarified from an earlier press release. Don't miss these stories from CNBC PRO: By Kwak Yeon-soo North Korea has notably refrained from military provocations following a string of displays of force in recent weeks, prompting analysts to speculate that this relative silence could be linked to the reclusive nation's prioritization of shipments of weapons and munitions to Russia, potentially leading to shortages domestically. At the beginning of this year, North Korea's aggressive posturing was evident through a series of provocative actions. These included test-firings of a new solid-fuel intermediate-range missile equipped with a hypersonic warhead, trials of its Haeil-5-23 underwater nuclear weapon system, and multiple rounds of cruise missile launches. The military aggression is in line with leader Kim Jong-uns declaration that he would abandon the existential goal of reconciling with rival South Korea. However, the North has suspended military provocations since Feb. 14 when it fired multiple cruise missiles off the eastern coastal city of Wonsan. Yang Uk, a military expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said North Korea may be short of feasible weapons because many of them were sent to Russia. North Korea is using all available means to export its weapons and artillery shells because it's beneficial to them, he said. North Korea has been focusing on deepening military cooperation with Russia and developing internal solidarity. Kim met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia last September and allegedly discussed the exchanges of weapons for Moscow and military technology for Pyongyang. Shin Jong-woo, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, a think tank, said North Korea is looking to benefit both economically and diplomatically by providing weapons to Russia for its fight in Ukraine. Its been reported that North Korea is offering a range of weapons to Russia, including artillery shells, multiple rocket launchers and short-range ballistic missiles. I believe North Korean scientists and engineers have also been dispatched to Russia, collecting operational data, Shin said. According to South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, Pyongyang is estimated to have sent some 6,700 containers to Moscow apparently containing 3 million rounds of 152-millimeter shells. North Korea has strongly responded to the annual combined military exercise between South Korea and the U.S. by staging military provocations, as it denounces the joint drill as a rehearsal for an invasion. This year's edition began Monday, but the North has yet to react with any military provocation. Despite North Korea's recent silence lasting for weeks, experts forecast that the country is likely to resume missile tests or take other provocative actions in the near future. I believe it will resume military provocation during or at the end of the combined military drills. If the U.S. sends its strategic military assets to the Korean Peninsula, the North Korean regime could use it as a pretext for military provocation, Yang said. Shin added, The intensity of provocative rhetoric has decreased, but North Korea may stage retaliatory actions. Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and the X (formerly Twitter) platform, attends a symposium on fighting antisemitism titled 'Never Again : Lip Service or Deep Conversation' in Krakow, Poland on January 22nd, 2024. Beata Zawrzel | Nurphoto | Getty Images When it comes to legal disputes, Elon Musk's definition of victory may not always be winning in court. Last week, Musk sued OpenAI and co-founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman for breach of contract and fiduciary duty. Experts say the case is built on a questionable legal foundation, because the contract at the heart of the suit isn't a formal written agreement that was signed by all parties involved. Rather, Musk is alleging that the early OpenAI team had set out to develop artificial general intelligence, or AGI, "for the benefit of humanity," but that the project has been transformed into a for-profit entity that's largely controlled by principal shareholder Microsoft . Musk used much of the 35-page complaint (plus attached exhibits) on Friday to tell his side of the story and to remind the world of his central position in the creation of a company that's since become one of the hottest startups on the planet, (OpenAI ranked first on CNBC's Disruptor 50 list in 2023) thanks largely to the viral spread of ChatGPT. "It's certainly a good advertisement for the benefit of Elon Musk," Kevin O'Brien, partner at Ford O'Brien Landy LLP and former assistant U.S. attorney, told CNBC. "I'm not sure about the legal part though." O'Brien, who isn't involved in any cases with Musk, added, "One thing that jumped right out at me is there's no contract." In the suit, Musk's lawyers say they want OpenAI to return to its work as a research lab and no longer exist for the "financial benefit" of Microsoft. Musk, who's worth over $200 billion, is unconcerned about the legal costs of floating a suit that has no clear personal economic benefit and is of questionable merit. Shannon Capone Kirk, global head of e-discovery and AI for Ropes & Gray LLP, told CNBC that Musk might just be seeking to force more information into the public realm about how OpenAI has been operating and how its business objectives have morphed in recent years. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, during an interview at Bloomberg House on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 16, 2024. Chris Ratliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images It's a "high-profile case with great public interest, a consequence of which might lead to OpenAI being available to everyone," said Kirk, who isn't working on any cases involving Musk. "Is that the real objective?" In their complaint, Musk's attorneys allege that OpenAI "has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft." They also say the arrangement goes against a founding agreement and 2015 certification of incorporation that OpenAI established with Musk, who was a pivotal donor to OpenAI in its early years. Musk's attorneys said their client contributed over $15 million to OpenAI in 2016, which was "more than any other donor" and helped the startup build a team of "top talent." The next year, Musk gave nearly $20 million to OpenAI, which the attorneys reiterated was more than other backers. In total, Musk invested over $44 million into OpenAI from 2016 through September 2020, according to the suit. The lawsuit fits a pattern for Musk, who has frequently posted on X and commented in public forums about his importance to the creation of OpenAI. In November, Musk told an audience at the The New York Times' DealBook conference that OpenAI had deviated from its original mission. "OpenAI should be renamed 'super closed source for maximum profit AI,' because this is what it actually is," Musk said onstage at the event. He noted that it's transformed from an "open source foundation" to multibillion-dollar "for-profit corporation with closed source." Is there injury? In the suit, Musk's attorneys allege that the inner workings of OpenAI's GPT-4 AI model are "a complete secret except to OpenAIand, on information and belief, Microsoft," and that the secrecy is driven by commercial gain rather than safety. Musk has publicly beefed with Microsoft for a while, and in May 2023, Musk attorneys accused the company of using X (formerly Twitter) data in unauthorized ways. Even if OpenAI's mission has changed, that doesn't mean Musk has a solid legal case. "If he has any hopes to recover, he's going to have to prove that there was this agreement that the company be open and not for profit and all these other things, and that the failure to do so has caused him injury, which is a separate problem," O'Brien said. "It's hard to see where the injury is here." Musk's attorneys didn't respond to a request for comment. Musk has an AI company of his own, X.AI, which introduced a competing chatbot called Grok in November after two months of training. In December, X.AI filed with the SEC to raise up to $1 billion in an equity offering. And Musk is also developing autonomous vehicle tech and humanoid robotics, which require AI advances, at Tesla . He's been known to hire bigwigs from OpenAI, poaching Andrej Karpathy, a former OpenAI software engineer, over to Tesla in 2017. More recently, Musk hired Kyle Kosic from OpenAI to join X.AI. One of Musk's goals with this case, lawyers said, may be to shed light on details of OpenAI's GPT-4 in the discovery process, should it get that far. O'Brien said it can be tough to keep intellectual property and other internal details private when a lawsuit is brought. watch now Kirk agreed, saying that in the discovery stage, there may be "lots of document requests for all kinds of communication," such as internal conversations, text messages and more. Some of the documents produced may come with protective orders that keep them out of the public. A portion of Musk's lawsuit rests on the idea that OpenAI has already reached AGI, typically defined as AI that can operate on the same level or higher than humans when completing a wide array of cognitive tasks. The suit claims that since GPT-4 is "better at reasoning than average humans" based on test scores on the Uniform Bar Exam, GRE Verbal Assessment and even the Advanced Sommelier exam. As part of its contract with OpenAI, Microsoft only has rights to OpenAI's "pre-AGI" technology, and it's up to OpenAI's board to determine whether the company has reached that milestone. In a memo to employees on Friday following the lawsuit, OpenAI said that "GPT-4 is not an AGI." "Importantly, an AGI will be a highly autonomous system capable enough to devise novel solutions to longstanding challenges," Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon wrote. "GPT-4 can't do that." Much of the AI community is in agreement with Kwon. Kirk said "part of what they're going to be litigating" is the question of what is AGI. Read the full complaint here: A headline-grabbing deal between Walmart and Vizio has sharpened investor attention on a valuable new revenue stream that could help pad profits for retailers. Late last month, Walmart announced it would buy the TV maker in a deal valued at more than $2 billion. To the untrained eye, it would appear the retail titan was gobbling up a maker of a product it offers to customers. But the deal actually centered around Walmart's ambitions in advertising outside of its store and website. And the announcement comes at a key time for the broader space: Retail media is set to capture more than one-fifth of all digital advertising spending this year, up from around 15% five years ago, according to Insider Intelligence. "To the everyday consumer, this just seems like a retailer buying a supplier of a category that they sell," said Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe. "But it's not that way." There are three main routes through which retailers like Walmart benefit from advertising, Tarlowe said. There's promotions for products in-store. Then, there's ad space on a company's website or sponsored listings. The third, which is considered more nascent, is connected TV and other digital advertising not on the company website. As one example, retailers can display advertising on TVs via operating platforms they also own. These retailers can utilize the data they collect on consumers' in-store and online purchasing habits. That makes their ad offerings more targeted and, thus, desired by companies trying to promote their products to the right base. Off-site advertising like TV operating platforms is more challenging to execute than on, say, Walmart.com or in the big-box retailer's stores, said Morgan Stanley analyst Matt Cost. But it has larger revenue potential for retailers given the huge addition of space for advertisers to now purchase through them. Advertising through retailers may gain favor as privacy becomes more paramount, Cost said. In this environment, successful retailers can fetch a premium for their ability to leverage what they already know about their customers over a long period, at a time when it's becoming more difficult for others to collect that data, he said. This is the latest shift in a long history of retailers attempting to follower consumer eyeballs, said Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman. The focus in retail advertising once transitioned from in-store to retailer websites with the e-commerce boom, Gutman said. Now, it's again on the move this time to a new frontier of digital real estate beyond exclusively a retailer's site. "Retail margins have been challenged over the last decade due to the shift online," Gutman said. "Retailers, therefore, need to find other ways to drive their profitability. Advertising is a natural replacement, or opportunity, to take advantage of their own business shifts that have moved online." Walmart: The pack leader With the deal, Walmart appears ahead of the retail pack, Gutman said. Its leadership makes sense given the Arkansas-based firm's size and scale, he noted. Walmart is essentially the only retailer talking about this form of advertising in a material way, Gutman said. Walmart Connect's ad sales grew 28% in 2023 to $3.4 billion. While that equates to less than 1% of Walmart's revenue, the profit margin makes these sales more lucrative. Others like Ulta and Albertsons are trying to enter the space, but most have yet to show any serious impact to financials, he explained. Before the acquisition, Walmart had the Onn private label of TVs with an outside operating system, meaning the company would have to send advertisers interested in connected opportunities to the platform owner, Jefferies' Tarlowe said. With Vizio's SmartCast software, Walmart could essentially sell the platform's ad space in house after an agreement with competitor Roku ends. To be sure, Walmart has a history of throwing ideas against the wall think its Store No. 8 innovation incubator and its Scan & Go Cashierless Checkout, as two examples and then moving on. But Gutman said this plan has promise because it's considered logical and has been "blessed" by the market. Connected TV is also just one part of a broader tide-change that's bolstering optimism on the stock, analysts told CNBC Pro. "These are not thesis-changers or needle-movers in and of themselves, but they're supplements to a narrative that is very important," Gutman said. The Morgan Stanley analyst said the deal signals progress in Walmart's search for alternative profit pools that have faster growth and higher margins than traditional retail. Meanwhile, Tarlowe said Walmart was always a stock to like because it's gaining market share. At the same time, the company boasts a growing e-commerce and online grocery business, he said. He pointed to Walmart+, its subscription business, as another higher-margin revenue stream. And the retailer's efforts to reduce operating costs through technology like artificial intelligence is another plus, he said, adding that even though it had to shell out for Vizio, Walmart is still expected to beat Wall Street expectations and raise its forecast every time it reports earnings this year. WMT .SPX,XRT 1Y mountain Walmart vs. the S & P 500 and the SPDR S & P Retail ETF, 1-year Walmart has outperformed the broad S & P 500 and SPDR S & P Retail ETF (XRT) in 2024, adding more than 12%. That marks a turn after underperforming both in 2023, when the stock rose just over 11%. Wall Street sees more room to run, with the average price target of analysts polled by FactSet signaling upside of more than 10%. About 85% of analysts have buy ratings on the stock, per FactSet. Other retail ideas Beyond Walmart, analysts said retailers need size and scale to perform well within off-site advertising. In other words, investors should look for retailers with a large enough consumer base to attract advertisers. Costco and Target are big enough and have the necessary amount of data to venture into this realm of advertising successfully, Tarlowe said. He also noted that both cater to a higher-end consumer base. The pair has diverged this year. Costco has jumped around 15% as an outperformer this year, while Target has lagged the broader market with a gain below 7%. Despite that performance, the better investing opportunity may be in the underperformer. Analysts polled by FactSet expect Target shares to rise more than 5% over the next 12 months, as of Monday's close, while anticipating Costco to pull back by more than 6%. Elsewhere, Tarlowe said Dollar General is one retailer that serves a particular niche well and can benefit from that in the retail advertising landscape. Dollar General has added more than 8% so far this year, making up some ground after diving more than 44% in 2023. But the Street predicts that rebound will be short lived. The majority of analysts have a hold rating, with an average price target forecasting shares will slip almost 6%, per FactSet. DG TGT,COST 5Y mountain Dollar General, Target and Costco over the past 5 years Ad tech stocks to watch On the advertiser side, Cost said there's two public companies that provide the "pipes" for retailers needing this technology: Criteo and Trade Desk . Cost said these companies can be a middleman for retailers looking to enter off-website advertising but simply don't have the technology to do so. He said they likely wouldn't be acquired given their breadth of customers. Criteo's ADR has soared more than 30% in 2024. Still, the stock trades under where it finished 2021, underscoring the strength of the sell-off seen in 2022 and 2023. More than half of analysts have a buy rating on the stock, according to FactSet. The typical price target reflects the potential for 9% upside. TTD CRTO mountain 2020-01-01 Trade Desk vs, Criteo, since 2020 Trade Desk, meanwhile, has added over 15% this year. But like Criteo, shares are still cheaper than where they ended 2021. More than three out of every four analysts surveyed by FactSet have buy ratings on Trade Desk. The average analyst expects a rally of more than 20% over the next year. Don't miss these stories from CNBC PRO: Instead of chasing Nvidia, investor buys these misunderstood, cheap growth stocks for big returns Why Warren Buffett thinks the power of compound interest is the key to his success Forget cash it's time to move into fixed income, Franklin Templeton strategist says Dan Niles reveals why he prefers the 'Fantastic Four' and when the 'AI bubble' might pop Investors should tread carefully in March after bitcoin's explosive rally to $60,000 Vladimir Putin at a rally at Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin on March 18, 2018. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images Moscow is continuing its saber rattling over the pro-Russian region of Transnistria in Moldova, and analysts are saying that while Russian authorities would find it hard to physically reach the breakaway region to annex it, there are still ways it can stir up pro-Russian unrest and trouble for Moldova. Since the separatist self-proclaimed authorities in Transnistria asked for Moscow's "protection" against the Moldovan authorities last week a move that was widely seen as coordinated with the Kremlin and a possible precursor to Russia beefing up its military presence there, or even annexing the region the West has been closely watching the rhetoric coming from Moscow. For its part, Russia's Foreign Ministry said last week that it would carefully consider the request from Transnistria and its people, whom it called its "compatriots." Transnistria is in eastern Moldova and lies to the western border of Ukraine. No U.N. country, not even Russia, recognizes Transnistria's sovereignty. All U.N. members consider the region to be part of Moldova, which has expressed a desire to reintegrate the region. Nonetheless, Russia has had a small military presence in Transnistria since 1992 and says it is conducting a "peacekeeping operation" there, according to Russia's Defense Ministry. Similarly to Ukraine, Moldova has a pro-Western government and wants to join the European Union. It also wants to reintegrate Transnistria, making Moldovan-Russian relations highly tense. Troublemaker Russia? Problematically for Russia, Moldova and Transnistria are landlocked, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine. That would mean that reinforcing its troops in the region would be challenging. But Russia could still cause trouble, especially as a presidential election in Moldova is set to be held later this year a vote that could be held alongside a referendum on EU membership. "Invasion isn't likely: Russia has a military base there but it's not well outfitted, and absent a border with Russia (or Russian-occupied Ukraine) there isn't an easy way for the Russians to physically take over. Still, there are other ways for the Russians to cause trouble," Ian Bremmer, founder and president of Eurasia Group, said in emailed comments Tuesday. "They could disrupt power from Transnistria to the rest of Moldova (that already happened at one point last year). Further, gas transit from Russia to Transnistria via Ukraine is up in the air because there's a good chance a Gazprom-Naftogaz transit deal doesn't get renewed when it expires at the end of the year," he added. "So there's reason to put pressure on. With Moldovan pro-Western President Maia Sandu facing re-election later this year, Putin sees an opportunity to make the regime maximally uncomfortable." CNBC has asked the Kremlin to comment on concerns that Moscow could look to destabilize Moldova and is awaiting a response. Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov attends a joint press conference with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop (not pictured), following their talks in Moscow, Russia, 28 February 2024. Maxim Shipenkov | Reuters Russia commented further on the issue this week, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov making unsubstantiated claims that the West was seeking to take control of the Moldovan leadership as it did with Ukraine. "From the very beginning of the post-Soviet era, the West began to wedge itself into relations between Russia and its neighbors. They are still pursuing the same policy," Lavrov said, news agency RIA Novosti reported, with the comments translated by Google. "This is also visible in Central Asia, in the Transcaucasus. This is also visible in the European part of the former USSR: Ukraine, Moldova, which they are simply openly preparing to become the successor of Ukraine from the point of view of taking over its entire leadership," Lavrov said during a speech at the World Youth Festival in Sochi, Russia. Possible courses of action Lavrov's comments likely raised eyebrows among Western observers who already fear that Moscow could use the request by pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria in Moldova as an excuse to claim it as part of the Russian Federation, saying it is doing so to protect Russian citizens in the region who number around 220,000, according to the Transnistrian authorities. Russia used the same tactics, and justification, for its support for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine (before announcing its recognition of their "independence" on the eve of the invasion of Ukraine, and later unilaterally annexing them) and in the case of the Russian-backed breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia. Both of those cases led to, or involved, war. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War noted in an analysis last week that the appeal by Transnistria likely aimed "to provide the Kremlin with justifications for a wide range of possible escalatory actions against Moldova actions the Kremlin can pursue both immediately and over the long-term." Moldova's President Maia Sandu has accused Russia of plotting a coup to overthrow her pro-EU government. Bogdan Tudor | Afp | Getty Images Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Fox News town hall at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 20, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Donald Trump is racing to stave off a pair of civil penalties totaling nearly $540 million, without having to first put up the full amounts in cash or bonds. The former president's lawyers claim that he would face "irreparable" harm if required to fully secure his judgments in order to keep them from coming due, and might even have to quickly sell off properties that can't be rebought. They also say Trump can't simply post a cash deposit at least not in his New York civil business fraud case, where he is facing $454 million in fines and interest alone. "No one, including Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Donald Trump, has five hundred million laying around," Trump's attorney Chris Kise told an appeals court judge last week. But legal experts say there's another option that Trump's lawyers haven't mentioned in the court filings: Trump could offer up some of his properties as collateral to borrow what he needs potentially from private equity sources. There are "lots of private lenders out there in the debt markets and private equity markets that could lend" to Trump, said Columbia University law professor Eric Talley. "In all cases, the loans would probably have to be secured with Trump properties, but if there is enough equity in some of them, he should be able to obtain secured credit, even on a compressed timeline," Talley said. In this courtroom sketch, former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as his attorney Alina Habba delivers closing arguments during E. Jean Carrolls second civil trial in which Carroll accused Trump of raping her decades ago, at Manhattan Federal Court in New York City on Jan. 26, 2024. Jane Rosenberg | Reuters The professor underscored the irony of Trump using his real estate to fight a lawsuit in which he was found liable for fraudulently inflating his property values for financial gain. Any loans "would themselves involve making declarations of the value of the property and that of course is what got him into this mess to begin with," said Talley. But accurately appraising the value of Trump's assets is not a serious obstacle. As Trump's lawyers noted during the fraud trial, the institutions that have lent him money already have conducted their own analyses of Trump's finances, and did not rely solely on the claims at issue in his financial statements. A more important factor could be whether Trump's real estate assets are already mortgaged, said law professor John Coffee. "He would have to come up with clean real estate property that is not already securing something that some other bank has a lien on," Coffee said. "Does he have that property? I can't tell you." What Trump owns As of late January, the Trump Organization comprised 415 entities, according to Barbara Jones, a retired federal judge tasked with monitoring the company's finances. Of those, Jones identified 70 operating entities that generate revenue. That includes long-term leases of buildings such as 40 Wall Street, commercial office space on 13 floors of the 58-story Trump Tower, plus the Trump National Doral Miami resort. In New York City, the value of Trump's real estate holdings totals $690 million, according to a September 2023 estimate by Forbes. Some of the most prominent buildings that bear Trump's name in the city are largely owned by other entities. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the fraud case, said she would seize Trump's real estate assets if he cannot pay his civil penalty. "There's absolutely no reason for the New York attorney general to be kind and gentle to him if he doesn't post the bond," Coffee said. A view leading into Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, on April 3, 2018. Michele Eve Sandberg | AFP | Getty Images Trump said in a deposition last year that he had "substantially in excess of $400 million in cash." But his lawyers claimed last week that, if Trump is forced to secure the full $454 million penalty, "properties would likely need to be sold to raise capital under exigent circumstances." They instead offered to post a $100 million bond, but New York appeals court Judge Anil Singh rejected the proposal. Unless a full appeals court reverses Singh's decision, Trump has until March 25 to post an "undertaking" cash or bonds covering the entire penalty in order to stop it from taking effect during his appeal. Trump has also asked a federal judge to delay another fast-approaching deadline to pay an $83.3 million penalty in E. Jean Carroll's civil defamation case. Carroll's attorneys argued that Trump's request "boils down to nothing more than 'trust me.'" Trump's next move If Trump does attempt to sell assets to meet his undertaking, he won't have much time to get it done. He would have to hire a broker to market his properties, and any deal would have to close to free up the cash to use toward a bond, said Neil Pedersen, owner of New York-based bond agency Pedersen & Sons. "There could be opportunistic buyers approaching him as well," Pedersen noted. So far, Trump has given no indication that he is moving in that direction. "There are no sales planned or contemplated," Kise told CNBC in an email before Singh's ruling. "So no appraisers hired, no steps taken, etc." British digital bank Monzo on Tuesday raised $430 million in fresh capital from investors to help it relaunch its services in the U.S. Monzo raised the money in a new funding round led by CapitalG, the independent venture arm of Google parent company Alphabet . HongShan, the Chinese venture capital firm that split from Sequoia Capital last year, also backed the round, alongside existing backers Tencent and Passion Capital. Monzo, which is one of the U.K.'s most popular app-only banks, said the fresh cash would be used to accelerate its expansion plans. The bank's CEO, TS Anil, told the Financial Times the capital would allow Monzo to crack the U.S. market after its previous foray was curtailed by U.S. regulators. "With backing from global investors, we have the rocket fuel to go after our ambitions harder and faster, building Monzo into the one app that sits at the centre of our customers' financial lives," Monzo CEO TS Anil said in a statement. "Each milestone we've reached to this point has given us more strength and speed to make strides towards our mission now we'll scale to even greater heights and seize the huge opportunity ahead." Russian Foreign Ministry building is seen behind the Army billboard reading "Our Defenders! Thanks Native Ones!" in Moscow on June 15, 2023. Russia's Foreign Ministry has accused Western ambassadors of meddling in Russia's domestic affairs and warned that it would not hesitate to expel German journalists from the country if Berlin moved to ban Russian reporters. Russian news agencies reported several comments by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Tuesday that highlighted tensions between Russia and Germany after the Russian leak of a purported audio recording in which German military officials were discussing weaponry for Ukraine and possible Russian targets. Russia said it proved Western countries had plans to strike Russia and said it had "summoned" Germany's ambassador to Moscow to explain the recording's content. Berlin denied the diplomat was summoned, saying a meeting was pre-planned. It has launched an investigation into the leak. Zakharova said Tuesday that Western ambassadors in Moscow were interfering in Russian affairs and questioned their business in Russia. "They devote all their time - I mean the Western part of the ambassadors, the ambassadors of Western countries, NATO - to only one thing ... They are engaged, firstly, in interfering in the internal affairs of our country," Zakharova said, RIA Novosti reported. Her comments came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that EU ambassadors had refused to meet him ahead of Russia's presidential election on March 15-17. Zakharova also said that Russia would expel German journalists working in the country if Berlin decided to "touch" Russian reporters. "I want to say right away that they already know about this through diplomatic channels in Berlin - if they touch the Russian correspondents and still bring their plans to the end, then German journalists will leave Russia," she said. Zakharova claimed that Germany intended to expel Russian journalists and to not renew their visas or accreditation to work in the country. CNBC was unable to verify the claim and Germany has not publicly expressed that as a possible retaliatory measure after the leak. Holly Ellyatt A Chinese flag flies high over The Bund. Liu Liqun | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images China wants to unleash a "new leap forward" with "new productive forces" but President Xi Jinping may need to resort to an old tactic to hit the country's ambitious growth target this year, one economist warns. Beijing set its annual growth target at "around 5%" this year in the government's annual work report released on Tuesday, sticking to a deficit-to-gross domestic product ratio of 3% for 2024 down from a rare upward revision to 3.8% late last year. Given a higher base effect, even the Chinese government admitted that meeting this year's target "will not be easy" particularly as the world's second-largest economy remains afflicted by a litany of issues, from overcapacity and faltering price pressures to a festering real estate and debt crisis. "The 5% GDP target is really ambitious. Even last year, it was the opening year from Covid and China achieved 5.2% (growth) mostly because of the rebound in consumption," Wang Dan, chief economist at Hang Seng Bank (China), told CNBC on Tuesday. "This year, we are not reopening again, and that means unless there is some ginormous infrastructure project, China will find it very difficult to actually reach the 5% [target]," she said. watch now "When it comes to the actual spending, the fiscal deficit is only 3% this year. If we think about it, the GDP growth will be about 5% if it achieves the government target and that means the fiscal expenditure as a percentage of the GDP will actually shrink." While scant on specifics, the work report appears to suggest Beijing is refraining from the aggressive, bazooka-like stimulus that some markets observers were expecting. "Mostly it's a contractionary, rather than an expansionary fiscal policy, so I think there has to be some kind of a project that is in similar size and quality of the Three Gorges Dam to really pull up domestic demand," Wang added. The Three Gorges Dam is a hydroelectric project that spanned the Yangtze River, which was initial approved in the early 1990s, but was only fully operational in 2015. China has historically resorted to infrastructure building as a short-term fix to boost growth, particularly after the 2008-09 financial crisis. 'Ultra-long' special bonds Starting this year and "over each of the next several years," Beijing said it will issue 1 trillion yuan ($138.9 billion) in "ultra-long" special treasury bonds in 2024 to fund major projects aligned with national strategies. These bonds do not go toward the fiscal deficit and have only been issued thrice before, during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998, for the capitalization of China Investment Corporation in 2007 and during the Covid-19 in 2020, according to Erica Tay, economist at Maybank. Goldman Sachs economists said that this pledge is the "most important positive surprise" from this year's government work report. Premier Li Qiang also said that 3.9 trillion yuan of special-purpose bonds for local governments will also be issued this year 100 billion yuan more than last year. watch now China's real estate troubles are closely intertwined with local government finances, since they have historically relied on land sales to developers for a significant portion of revenue. The property market slumped after Beijing cracked down on developers' high reliance on debt for growth in 2020 ensnaring some of its largest real estate players in bankruptcy and weighing on consumer confidence and broader economic growth. "So far, the housing market is still in contraction and the hope for a housing market rebound is pretty much just gone, so that just leaves us with manufacturing and infrastructure," Hang Seng Bank (China)'s Wang said. Infrastructure development is the focus of one of 10 key government work tasks contained in this year's work report, which pledges to promote integrated development between rural and urban areas. 'New leap forward' China's top objective is a vow to "modernize the industrial system and developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace" underscoring the heavy emphasis on strengthening Beijing's industrial prowess as a longer term growth driver. "We should give full rein to the leading role of innovation, spur industrial innovation by making innovations in science and technology and press head with new industrialization, so as to rise total factor productivity, steadily foster new growth drivers and strengths, and promote a new leap forward in the productive forces," Premier Li said in the work report, according to an official translation. watch now Some of the specific industries mentioned include artificial intelligence, new-energy vehicles, hydrogen power, biomanufacturing, commercial spaceflight, new materials and innovative drugs. "The full-throttle emphasis on achieving industrial prowess indicates that the leadership will continue to direct credit and other resources towards growing advanced manufacturing capacity," said Maybank's Tay. "While this is driven by their desire for economic security, the move will be closely watched by countries mindful of export competition from cheaper Chinese products," she added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Shehbaz Sharif after he was sworn in as Pakistan's Prime Minister. Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan , PM Modi wrote in a post on X. Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024 Apart from PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Sharif, emphasising the importance of continuing the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan . Jinping highlighted the need to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in all fields, aiming to bring more benefits to the people of both countries. Li Qiang, the Premier of the Peoples Republic of China, also conveyed his heartfelt wishes to Sharif. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman also wished for Shehbaz Sharif's success as well as the continuous advancement and prosperity of the Pakistani people. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his taking the constitutional oath. HRH the Crown Prince wished pic.twitter.com/NrJ7fMy6YH PMLN Digital (@PMLNDigital) March 4, 2024 President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan sent a congratulatory letter to PM Sharif, as reported by the Azerbaijan State News Agency. The President expressed hope to further expand the relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, based on brotherhood, friendship, mutual confidence, and support. He also extended an invitation to Sharif to visit Azerbaijan to continue their political dialogue and discuss the prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation. Furthermore, the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, congratulated Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Congratulations Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on your well-deserved election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Your victory is a testament to your bold and progressive leadership. Kenya looks forward to working with you in escalating our ties for the prosperity of our citizens. pic.twitter.com/4aETjLt3HC William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 4, 2024 Meanwhile, Pakistan s foreign affairs ministry in a statement on Monday, stated, Prime Minister-elect Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a congratulatory telephone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Furthermore, in an official statement, the Iranian president extended warm congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on his recent election. Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the nations 24th prime minister on Monday. He, the consensus candidate of the PML-N and the PPP, received 201 votes in the 336-member Pakistan parliament on Monday. His opponent, Omar Ayub Khan of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), received 92 votes. President Arif Alvi administered the oath to the 72-year-old Shehbaz in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the presidential residence. He previously served in the same position from April 2022 to August 2023, taking over from Imran Khan following a no-confidence vote. Shehbaz is the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif, who has been the Prime Minister three times. His recent appointment has been met with controversy due to allegations of rigging in his favour during last months parliamentary elections. Despite his party, the PML-N, not winning enough seats to form a government, Sharif formed a coalition with other parties to secure a majority, paving the way for his second term as Prime Minister. Sharif now holds the position of the 24th Prime Minister in Pakistans 77-year history. The top U.S. nuclear envoy pointed out the need Tuesday for "interim steps" to be taken on a path towards North Korea's ultimate denuclearization, which she stressed would not happen "overnight." U.S. Senior Official for North Korea Jung Pak made the remarks while reiterating Washington's "clear" goal to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. On Monday, Mira Rapp-Hooper, the U.S. National Security Council senior director for East Asia and Oceania, also said that Washington will consider "interim steps" a statement that raised speculation about a potential U.S. policy shift. "I don't want to prejudge that as a final step," she said at a forum hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "But I think it goes without saying that there would have to be interim steps toward ultimate denuclearization." Pak was responding to a question of whether interim steps would involve the North's nuclear weapons freeze in return for sanctions relief and how the United States would prevent interim measures from ending up being a final step. U.S. officials' mention of such steps raised speculation that Washington could exert more flexibility to deliver on its repeated commitment to engaging in "serious and sustained" diplomacy with Pyongyang that has so far rejected talks on its denuclearization. Pak called attention to the fact that there are "a lot of weapons to be dealt with" in an apparent indication that those weapons should also be addressed alongside or before potential future negotiations over the North's nuclear programs. "I think it is really important to acknowledge that there is a lot of weapons to be dealt with," she said, noting the North's efforts to develop solid-fuel ballistic missiles, tactical nuclear weapons, hypersonic capabilities and unmanned underwater vehicles. "Given the scope of the DPRK weapons activities and its proliferation, there is a lot to work with there ... It is not going to happen overnight. That's the reality of it," she added. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Touching on Pyongyang's foreign policy changes, including its growing alignment with Russia, Pak said that the U.S. assesses North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is taking a "long-term strategic shift" to achieve his "primary" goal: the preservation of the dynastic Kim regime. "One question many knowledgeable DPRK watchers have asked is whether Kim is truly undertaking a long-term strategic shift or whether these changes are a tactic intended to create or exploit divisions among the DPRK's adversaries," she said. "We believe it's the former." Pak said that Kim seems to have decided he cannot achieve his primary goal through negotiations with the U.S. and South Korea. "(Kim) is viewing the world through a new Cold War lens in which the DPRK can benefit from aligning more closely with Russia and the PRC," she noted. PRC stands for China's official name, the People's Republic of China. The envoy also highlighted the need for China to play a "constructive" role over North Korea issues. "We encourage the PRC to play a constructive role whether it's full implementation of sanctions as well as to continue to prod the DPRK to come to negotiation dialogue and refrain from these activities that are harmful to regional security," she said. (Yonhap) News and Info from our Community Partners Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. NPC spokesperson affirms full support for HK's legislation of Article 23 10:39, March 05, 2024 By Xi Tianqi and Atlas Shao ( Chinadaily.com.cn The nation's top legislature pledged to render full support for the local legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which is not only a constitutional duty of the region, but also has a direct bearing on the wellbeing of the city and its residents, a spokesperson of the legislature said on Monday. Speaking to media a day before the opening of the annual session of the legislature in Beijing, Lou Qinjian, the spokesperson for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, said this legislative endeavor also aligns with the decisions of the NPC regarding establishing a comprehensive legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, as well as the obligations spelled out in the National Security Law for Hong Kong. Lou said the legislation, combined with the National Security Law for Hong Kong and other existing laws, jointly form a comprehensive and robust legal framework to ensure the protection of national security and is to the benefit of upholding national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests, as well as maintaining long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It is essential for protecting the fundamental well-being of all Hong Kong residents and safeguarding the interests of investors from around the world, Lou said. It will also ensure the enduring peace and stability of the city and the successful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems", he added. He said the National People's Congress will continue to closely monitor and render full support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in its legislative endeavors. Under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages as a global hub with strong international connectivity and the backing of the motherland, Lou added. He highlighted the city's resilient, dynamic, and potential-driven economy, further bolstered by the unprecedented opportunities presented by a series of major national development strategies. Lou affirmed that the central government will continue its unwavering support for Hong Kong, actively promoting its integration into the national development blueprints. By aligning with national strategies, Hong Kong will play a pivotal role in the country's dual circulation development paradigm, which emphasizes on synergy between domestic and overseas markets, fostering its prosperity in facilitating the nation's high-quality development and wider open-up. On the same day, the Ministry of State Security called the legislation of Article 23 "a required question" in Hong Kong's test on advancing from order to prosperity, thereby the city should complete the task decisively. The ministry believed that the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law can end the problems that have plagued Hong Kong for 27 years, and help the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems". The ministry reiterated that the SAR has the responsibility to safeguard national security, and the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong stabilized the city. Yet, the deep-seated anti-China forces are still waiting for a chance to make chaos, the ministry cautioned, calling on the city to complete the legislation, adhere to the holistic view of national security to eliminate the sources of chaos in a bid to uphold the rule of law and justice, as well as re-establish the positive atmosphere in the community. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Ministry to speed up distribution of new slots despite doctors continued protests By Jun Ji-hye Forty universities with medical schools nationwide have applied for expanded new medical student places, which would be an increase of more than 3,000 spots, for next year. According to Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo, Tuesday, the Ministry of Education has accepted applications from the universities after the health ministry announced a proposal on Feb. 6 to raise the medical school admissions quota by 2,000 as part of the Yoon Suk Yeol administrations medical reform efforts to improve public access to health care services. When announcing the results of the applications, Park said that the higher-than-expected demand from the universities has been confirmed, but the governments original decision to add 2,000 slots will not be changed, considering the current education and training systems the medical schools are equipped for. The heads of the 40 universities applied for the hike in their medical school admissions despite opposition from doctors, medical students and some professors who raised concerns that the quota hike may compromise the quality of education and training. This decision apparently came as the government earlier warned that there would be no increase for the schools that did not submit applications. From the point of view of the heads of the universities, increasing admissions at their medical schools, while increasing revenue, could also contribute to boosting the reputation of their institutes. The 40 universities requested 3,401 new slots in their medical school admission quotas for next year, Park said during a media briefing. The government believes that the schools suggested maximum figures that they could accommodate. We will determine the distribution within the 2,000 range among the schools. Among the 40 universities, 27 located outside the greater Seoul area applied for 2,471 new slots, 72.7 percent of the total. Chungbuk National University in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, asked the government to raise the annual enrollment quota at its medical school to 250 from the current 49, while the University of Ulsan wanted to increase the quota to 150 from the current 40. Thirteen universities in the greater Seoul area, which refers to the capital and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, applied for 930 new slots. The government is expected to speed up the distribution of the additional student places among medical schools, based on its principle that prioritizes efforts to increase the quota at schools situated outside the greater Seoul area. This aligns with one of the goals of the policy, which is to address regional disparities in access to medical services. We have received plans from the universities about how they will operate their medical schools when the number of students will increase, Shim Min-cheol, director of the Human Capital Policy Planning Bureau at the education ministry, said. The final decision will be made through consultation with the health ministry. The distribution is expected to be wrapped up within the month, considering that the government earlier vowed to complete it before the April 10 general elections, although a nationwide walkout by thousands of trainee doctors, which began on Feb. 19, continues. Ten professors at Kangwon National Universitys medical school had their heads shaved in a show of protest against the government. Medical school students, for their part, have taken a leave of absence en masse. As of Monday, a total of 5,401 students about 29 percent of the total took a leave of absence, though none of their applications were accepted. Some of those who did not take a leave of absence are boycotting classes. Stress is a prevalent issue that can negatively affect a person's mental and physical health. Common external factors that trigger stress are job demands, deadlines and financial instability, while some internal factors include perfectionism, self-doubt and unrealistic expectations. According to a study conducted by wellness brand Komowa, certain states in America exhibit higher levels of stress compared to others. Komowa analyzed 16 key indicators of stress, including factors such as hours worked, credit card debt, divorce rates and commute times, grouping them into categories like money stress, work stress, health stress and family stress. The company used data from reputable sources like the CDC, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for this analysis. US States with the most and least stressed citizens Surprisingly, populous states like New York and California did not feature in the top 10 most stressed states. Instead, Tennessee claimed the top spot, with factors like high levels of depression prevalence at 24.4 percent and a significant portion of residents reporting poor physical health for over 14 days a month contributing to its ranking. Tennesseeans also worked longer hours than the national average and faced challenges related to income and remote work opportunities. Following closely behind Tennessee were Alabama and Oklahoma, with Alabama ranking second primarily due to elevated levels of work and health-related stress, including longer work hours, lower income levels and higher divorce rates. Meanwhile, Oklahoma had health stress being a significant concern linked to inadequate healthcare coverage and a notable prevalence of depression among its residents. Ranking fourth to tenth are Louisiana, Nevada, South Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, West Virginia and Indiana. North Dakota was ranked the least stressed followed by Utah, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. The results were close to a study from late 2023 where Minnesotans were recognized as the least stressed in the U.S. In Taiwan, more and more individuals struggle with severe mental illness. This also affects people's physical health, prompting schools to use a more proactive approach. A recent study involving over 19,000 individuals with severe mental illness or SMI showed significantly higher risks, particularly among those with serious illnesses. These individuals also utilized healthcare services more frequently. Patients with a history of hospitalization or emergency department visits also had heightened risks. Mental health days for students The implementation of mental health days for students in Taiwan is a proactive step toward addressing the rising mental health issues, stress levels and suicide rates among youth. This initiative allows high school students to take up to three days off per semester without the need for a doctor's note, demonstrating an understanding of the importance of mental well-being. The prevalence of mental health issues among Taiwanese students is concerning, with stress, depression and anxiety being significant contributors. The high suicide rates and increasing cases of severe stress and depression highlight the urgency for interventions to support mental health. The introduction of mental health leave in schools and universities has already shown promising results. Reports suggest that students who have utilized these leave days have found relief from stress and have been able to address their mental health concerns effectively. By normalizing the concept of mental health days, Taiwan aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage students to seek help when needed. This initiative could improve societal attitudes toward mental health issues and promote a culture of support and understanding. While mental health challenges among students are not unique to Taiwan, this proactive approach sets a precedent for other countries to consider similar measures to support the well-being of their youth populations. The global prevalence of mental health disorders among adolescents emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to address these issues effectively. Some medical school professors shaved their heads or tendered resignations on Tuesday in protest over the government's plan to increase the medical school enrollment quota, as the strike by about 9,000 trainee doctors entered its third week and the health ministry threatened to take disciplinary action against those defying a return-to-work order. As 40 medical schools nationwide applied for a combined 3,401 additional admission seats by the Monday deadline in response to the government's plan to hike the enrollment quota by 2,000 beginning next year, medical professors further stepped up their protests. About 10 professors of Kangwon National University's medical school in Chuncheon, 76 kilometers east of Seoul, held a hair-shaving ceremony Tuesday morning, expressing their opposition to the university's application for an additional enrollment quota. "Though many professors expressed their opposition to an increase in new admissions, the university made the opposite decision," said Ryu Se-min, head of Kangwon National University's medical school. He lamented that the university was supposed to provide a cause for the return of striking trainee doctors but went ahead with its application for an increased enrollment. Medical school professors in other regions announced their intention to resign on social media or submitted actual resignation letters. A cardiology professor at Chungbuk National University Hospital in Cheongju, 112 kilometers south of Seoul, tendered a resignation letter in protest of the government's medical school enrollment quota hike plan. The professor wrote on social media that there is no reason to stay at the hospital if it is impossible to work with the striking trainee doctors. At Kyungpook National University Hospital in the southeastern city of Daegu, a surgery professor expressed an intention to resign on social media on Monday, criticizing the government for only making threats against trainee doctors. (Yonhap) Every cliche starts from somewhere. Today, if the baddies in a blockbuster shoot a giant beam up into the sky, we groan because weve seen it a dozen times before, but back when Lord of the Rings did it 20 years ago, it looked strange and new. Often, these tropes dont simply stay exactly the same until were all sick of them. Hunt down their debut, and youll see something different from what youre now picturing. For example... 5 The First Damsel Tied to Railroad Tracks Was a Man If youre a mustachioed villain, and you have a helpless maiden in your clutches, you know what you have to do. You tie her to the railroad tracks, and then you leave, letting the train come and smash her dead. Dont worry theres no possible way a hero will show up and untie her just in the nick of time. Keystone Film Company Dont beat her to death, of course. That would sully your sledgehammer This set piece was most common in comedies, such as in the 1913 short Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life above. This was because laying someone on tracks was always an absurd and impractical way of killing them, and its hard to take seriously, especially if youre already familiar with the idea from other comedies. The trope became famous, however, thanks to a stage play that treated the idea seriously. It was called Under the Gaslight (no connection to the 1944 film Gaslight, from which we got the word gaslighting), and it was first performed in 1867. We dont have any footage of the original production, since this was decades before motion-picture recording. But heres a modern student production of the train scene: Advertisement Youll mostly be impressed by that train, which arrives from stage left and then leaves the tracks to terrorize the gleeful audience. You may also be surprised by whos tied to the tracks. Its a man (a soldier named Snorkey), and hes rescued by a damsel (the heroine Laura, who has been locked in a shed and must escape to save him). In fact, when we analyze this death trap, the victim being male might be an essential part of how it was conceived. Lets accept for the moment the old assumption that a male hero is far more strong and capable than his lady love. If he must save her, we can invent all kinds of obstacles he must overcome. He can duel a dastardly villain, with his sword. He can fight off a bear with his fists. He can kick down a locked door. If the lady love must save the man, however, our 19th-century playwright cant place her in any of those action roles. Instead, he figures perhaps the man must be incapacitated, and the woman frees him. She neednt be stronger than him to do this; she just needs to be present. via Wiki Commons Its like Lois Lane picking a Kryptonite rock off of Superman. Advertisement When other plays and movies did their own version of this, they invariably tied a woman to the tracks. Today, putting the man there sounds like a strange twist. Consider one scene from the show Minx, where a photo shoot places two guys on the tracks, as a feminist reinterpretation of the tied damsel idea. Also, the men have their cocks out, but it makes sense in context. 4 The Emperors New Clothes Was About Fear of Being Disinherited The emperor has no clothes, you say, when everyone is praising something dumb. In the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, the emperor walks around naked, and no ones willing to point this out, having been told that only smart people can see the clothes. This offers lessons for everyday life. Sometimes, people are just pretending to know what theyre talking about. Sometimes, the stuff that wins awards is garbage. Also: A whole lot of people are afraid of looking stupid. Vilhelm Pedersen In this illustration, the king doesnt have his cock out, which makes no sense in context. Advertisement Advertisement Andersen wrote The Emperors New Clothes in 1837, which is pretty recent, all considered. That was the same year Oliver Twist came out. He based it on a much older tale from Spain. This 14th-century story played out much the same way, but the tailors here didnt say only wise people could see the clothes. They said that the clothes could only be seen by those of legitimate birth. If you could not see the silks, you were a bastard. So, when the emperor in the original tale pretends to see clothes when he sees nothing, he isnt just worried about his pride. Hes worried about losing the throne. Each man in the streets who pretends to see him dressed is similarly afraid of being revealed as a pretender heir and being stripped of all property. Hans Tegner Even illustrators feared losing financially, if they drew the emperors cock. Advertisement Only some random boy, who has nothing to lose as far as he knows, is willing to call out the emperors nakedness. So, thats the real lesson in this story. If you want the truth, ask someone with no financial stake in the matter. 3 The First Man Who Asked for Three Wishes Was a Dick Joke A man finds a lamp, and when he rubs it, out comes a genie. I will grant you three wishes, says the genie. Great, says the man. I will wish for two normal things, and for my third wish, I will trigger the punchline. The three wishes format certainly works well for jokes. But where did it come from? Is this part of the mythology of the jinn, that they grant three wishes? NBC If so, I Dream of Jeannie would be a very short show. Advertisement Advertisement The idea of three wishes comes from the story The Three Wishes, from One Thousand and One Nights. This larger collection of Middle Eastern stories does feature genies, but The Three Wishes actually does not. People just later combined the two concepts, figuring they work well together. In the story, a man looks into the sky one day and gets a glimpse of heaven, and he realizes that Allah has granted him three wishes. He consults his wife on what to wish for. The perfection of man and his delight is in his prickle, she tells him. Therefore do thou pray Allah to greaten thy yard and magnify it. Oxford Digital Library All our earlier talk of cocks wasnt random. It was foreshadowing. She meant that he should wish for a larger penis. He does so, and the penis becomes as big as a column, which isnt convenient at all. He cant stand up or sit down, and when he offers to have sex with his wife, she flees from him. Pray Heaven to make it less, she now tells him, and he does so. But rather than reducing it in size a little, this second wish removes the organ altogether. The wife isnt happy with this either. I have no occasion for thee, she says. Now thou art become pegless as a eunuch, shaven and shorn. Advertisement His wife gets him to use his final wish to simply return to how he was originally. This all sounds like a fable about being happy with what you have, but the story finds a different way to summarize it: Thus the man lost his three wishes by the lack of wit in the woman. Do not consult your wife when debating courses of action, this story warned, and centuries of husbands heeded the advice. 2 The First Bad Boy Was Pretty Lame We use the phrase bad boy to describe not just actual children but excitingly rebellious men. We consider that normal, but its a little odd. There are only a handful of arenas in which its considered okay to call a man a boy. A romantic prospect whos in a motorcycle gang is very different from a child who ate too many sweets, but both are called bad boys. Sony Pictures Naughty children, naughty children. Whatcha gonna do? Advertisement Advertisement We call rebels bad boys because of an 1870 novel called The Story of a Bad Boy. The main character, Tom Bailey, is a rebel but is also very much a boy. His antics include scaring people by setting off a cannon and pushing a car into a fire. If that sounds exciting, we should add that he also plays in the snow with friends and goes rafting, and the story ends with him getting a job in an office. His only crimes were childish mischief, the sort people would later read in similar books like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Though this Tom is described as being different from those faultless young gentlemen who generally figure in narratives of this kind, he doesnt join even one motorcycle gang. In fact, the opening line of the book says, This is the story of a bad boy. Well, not such a very bad, but a pretty bad boy. Thomas Bailey Aldrich This led to the creation of the first truth in advertising laws. Advertisement Unless youve been living in a cave made of sexually-suggestive popcorn buckets, youre probably aware that Dune: Part 2 is currently the biggest movie in the country. Audiences everywhere are lining up to see a three-hour sci-fi epic all about a future world in which Willy Wonka battles goth-y mutant perverts for control over a planet full of psychedelic cinnamon. But just think how much more money it would have made if Austin Butler had been forced to wear Stings silver winged Speedo from the original 80s Dune. Even prior to its newfound popularity, Dune has been a prime target for pop-culture parodists, most recently in shows like Futurama and South Park the latter revealing that Tom Bradys poop is the highly-sought spice melange. Advertisement Somewhat surprisingly, Dune was first parodied nearly four decades ago. Back in 1984, shortly before the David Lynch adaptation was released in theaters, hit-or-miss humor magazine National Lampoon published a full-length paperback novel satirizing Frank Herberts bestselling Dune series. Advertisement National Lampoons Doon focused on, not Paul Atreides, but Pall Agamemnides who journeys to the planet Arruckus and fights the villainous Baron Hardchargin. Bizarrely, much of the novel is seemingly food-themed; instead of sand, Arruckus is covered in sugar. Why? Because its a dessert planet. Also, instead of spice, they are mining beer. And instead of sand worms, there are giant monstrous pretzels, like some kind of cross between Dune and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Advertisement Advertisement While you might think that National Lampoon's Doon is merely a hastily-thrown together cash grab with parody names pulled from the waste basket of Mad Magazines offices, the book impressively attempts to replicate Herberts style of prose. Take this passage: He pointed to a range of mountains rimming the horizon in the distance. Lets go. There. Well travel by day, stay close to these rock-candy outcroppings. We must move like the Freedmenmen do, in irregular rhythm, so as not to attract the pretzels. Or how about the scene in which Pall tries beer for the first time: The narcotic effects of the beer had begun to work on him. A vaporous plume rose from his stomach into his head. He felt a pleasing lightness, as though his brain were newly supported by a gossamer cloud of well-being. Advertisement Written by Ellis Weiner, who went on to work for Spy magazine and The New Yorker, Doon followed in the literary parody tradition established by National Lampoons founders Henry Beard and Douglas Kenney. In 1969, the pair released the Tolkien parody Bored of the Rings. If you think that the Bilbo character isnt called Dildo youre sorely mistaken. Although National Lampoon's Doon may seem like a relic of the past, once Hollywood runs out of Dune books to adapt, who knows, perhaps one day well get a movie featuring $200 million CGI pretzels. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Korea's trade ministry said Tuesday it has discussed ways to utilize a recently-struck free trade agreement (FTA) with a group of Arab countries, as Seoul seeks to diversify its trade destinations. Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo met ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Seoul to seek ways to utilize the bilateral FTA struck in late 2023, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The GCC consists of six countries the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. "The cooperation between Korea and the GCC nations has been expanding its scope to cover manufacturing, defense, medical, and contents, beyond traditional areas such as energy and construction," Cheong said during the meeting. "On the back of the FTA struck in late last year, the areas of cooperation will not only expand further but also go deeper," he added. The trade minister also called for the GCC members to lend support to promptly proceed with the remaining procedures for the official implementation. In 2023, the GCC was the fifth-largest trading partner for Korea, following China, ASEAN, the United States and the European Union. (Yonhap) According to Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2023 data, phishing attacks were the third most common threat vector last year, accounting for 25% of all successful attack notifications. Part of what makes phishing attacks such a popular attack method is their use of social engineering to maximize success. Today, 90% of phishing attacks use social engineering tactics to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information, clicking on malicious links, or opening malicious files. Oftentimes, these attacks will seek to influence victims by creating a false sense of urgency, pushing victims into a heightened emotional state, or capitalizing on existing habits or routines. As organizations seek to defend against phishing and other common cyber threats, they will need to understand how attackers manipulate human behavior in order to reach their desired outcome. How does social engineering work? Generally speaking, social engineering attacks are a long con. These types of attacks can take months of planning and labor-intensive research as adversaries seek to build a strong foundation of trust with their victims. Once this trust has been established, social engineers can then manipulate victims into taking certain actions that would otherwise be out of character, such as clicking on a malicious email link. Oftentimes, attackers will manipulate certain human behavior levers like urgency, emotion, and habit to convince their target to behave a certain way. Social engineering often starts with investigation. Adversaries will identify their target and gather background information such as potential points of entry or the companys current security protocols. From there, the engineers will focus on establishing trust with the target. They often try to spin a story, hook the target, and take control of the interaction to steer it in a way that benefits the engineer. If the attacker knows their victim, they will be able to predict how that victim might respond to a time-sensitive request or a seemingly routine email from a service they already use. For example, in early 2022, threat group Octo Tempest launched a series of wide-ranging campaigns that prominently featured adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) techniques, social engineering, and SIM-swapping capabilities. They initially targeted mobile telecommunications and business process outsourcing organizations to initiate SIM swaps but later expanded to target cable telecommunications, email, and technology organizations. The threat group commonly launches social engineering attacks by researching the organization and identifying targets to effectively impersonate victims, using personally identifiable information to trick technical administrators into performing password resets and resetting multifactor authentication (MFA) methods. Octo Tempest has also been observed impersonating newly hired employees in an attempt to blend into normal on-hire processes. Social engineers often seek to gain their targets information over time. If the engineer can convince their target to willingly hand over seemingly innocent insights over a period of weeks or months, the engineer can then leverage this data to gain access to even more confidential information. Once they have what they need, the engineer will then disengage and bring the interaction to a natural endsometimes without raising any suspicion for their target! What can organizations do to protect against social engineering fraud? While social engineering tactics are present across a wide range of attacks, they are especially prevalent in business email compromise (BEC). In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over $2.7 billion in adjusted losses due to BEC. Company executives, senior leadership, finance managers, and human resources staff are frequent targets for BEC due to their access to sensitive information like Social Security numbers, tax statements, or other personally identifiable information. However, new employees are also at risk, as they may be more susceptible to verifying unfamiliar email requests. Some of the most common BEC attack types include direct email compromise, vendor email compromise, false invoice scams, and attorney impersonation. So, what should companies do in response? Instruct users to keep their personal accounts separate and not blend them with work emails or work-related tasks. When employees use their work email for personal accounts, threat actors can take advantage by impersonating these programs and reaching out to gain access to an employees corporate information. Enforce the use of MFA across your enterprise. Social engineers typically seek information like login credentials. By enabling MFA, even if an attacker gets your username and password, they still wont be able to gain access to your accounts and personal information. Caution users against opening emails or attachments from suspicious sources. If a coworker or contractor sends a link that must be clicked urgently, employees should confirm directly with the source if they actually sent that message. Encourage employees not to overshare personal information or life events online. Social engineers need their targets to trust them for their scams to work. If they can find personal details from employees social media profiles, they can use those details to help make their scams seem more legitimate. Secure company computers and devices with antivirus software, firewalls, and email filters. In case a threat does make its way to a company device, youll have protection in place to help keep your information safe. Social engineering is highly adaptable, and threat actors are constantly looking for new ways to manipulate their victims. However, by tracking the threat intelligence and monitoring current attack vectors, businesses can harden defenses and prevent social engineers from using the same methods to compromise future victims. To learn more about social engineering tactics and other threat intelligence insights, visit Microsoft Security Insider. Russian Embassy hits back at Ukraine's 'rude' remarks By Lee Hyo-jin Planned performances in Seoul by Russia's state-owned Bolshoi Ballet are drawing criticism from the Embassy of Ukraine and diplomats from several European countries, who argue that Russia's use of cultural events as a tool to justify war and genocide constitutes a form of cultural weaponization. The performances, occurring amid the prolonged war between Moscow and Kyiv, have the potential to ignite a diplomatic dispute, with critics warning that Seoul's apparent indifference toward hosting artists who openly support Russian President Vladimir Putin could exacerbate tensions further. "Against the background of escalating hostilities, mass murders and destruction in Ukraine, showcasing the performers of an aggressor-state amounts to legitimization of Russian unjustified aggression and belittling the suffering of the Ukrainian people, which is absolutely unacceptable," the Ukrainian Embassy said, Monday. "With all due respect to the pluralism of opinion and inclusive nature of cultural exchange, we call on our international partners to suspend cultural cooperation with the criminal Russian regime and its cultural representatives." In response, the Russian Embassy in Seoul rebuked the criticism, asserting in a statement, Tuesday, that culture and art should not be manipulated for political agendas. They denounced the critique as an "unexpected level of rudeness" and viewed Ukraine's response as part of the West's ongoing but ineffective efforts to isolate Russia. The dispute erupted as "Modanse," a ballet collaboration with the fashion brand Chanel, is set to premiere at the Seoul Arts Center (SAC) from April 17 to 21, featuring Russian prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, one of the world's top dancers. Zakharova is a world-renowned ballerina who has won the "Benois de la danse" twice, known as the Oscars of classical ballet. Aside from her renown as a dancer, the Ukraine-born ballerina is widely known as a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. She is a member of Russia's dominant United Russia party, which endorses the Putin regime. In 2014, Zakharova signed an official letter supporting Russia's annexation of Crimea. Another performance by the Bolshoi Theatre, "Ballet Gala Concert," is also scheduled to take place at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul from April 16 to 18, led by star conductor Valery Gergiev. A prominent supporter of Putin, Gergiev, was appointed as the head of the Bolshoi Theatre in December last year. The Bolshoi Theatre has long been regarded as a cornerstone of Russian artistic culture. However, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the state-owned company has faced widespread boycotts from Western nations. "We oppose both (of the performances). The Bolshoi Theatre is headed by a personal friend of Putin who is sanctioned in Ukraine," an official at the Ukrainian Embassy told The Korea Times, Tuesday. The official noted that a decision has not been made yet on whether to lodge a formal complaint with Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the ballet shows. In addition to Ukraine, the Delegation of the European Union to South Korea has also voiced opposition to the ballet shows. "We are protesting through various channels, expressing our disappointment to the planned performances and the wrong form of cultural diplomacy," an official at the EU delegation told The Korea Times. The Russian Embassy responded by saying, "The press release issued by the Ukrainian embassy in Seoul demanding the cancellation of cultural exchanges with Russia reveals that its officials seem to be captivated by abnormal emotions related to the scheduled Russian ballet performance in Seoul." "While one might have grown accustomed to the impolite remarks from Ukrainian diplomats, it was a unexpected level of rudeness this time," it added. The Russian Embassy also claimed that the scheduled shows are routine performances based on a direct agreement between the parties involved. "Any attempts to politicize cultural events and deny the Korean public the opportunity to experience world-class art would not be accepted by the Korean public," the embassy said, adding that it actively support the continued development of cultural exchanges between Moscow and Seoul. Regarding the controversy, the foreign ministry said on Monday that "the performances are known to be organized and led by the private sector," without elaborating. Opposition bloc slames president for hiding Marine's death case By Nam Hyun-woo President Yoon Suk Yeol's appointment of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia is drawing flak as Lee is under investigation for allegedly influencing probes into the death of a Marine during a search-and-rescue operation amid heavy flooding across the country. Opposition parties are denouncing Yoon, arguing that he is "evacuating a criminal suspect to a foreign country" in an attempt to obstruct the truth-finding efforts regarding the Marine's death. Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo said Tuesday the appointment is a "shameful act" and "aimed at interrupting the ongoing probes on the illegalities of the administration." "It is also a serious diplomatic discourtesy to name a person who resigned in disgrace as an ambassador of a major partner country, damaging Korea's national status," Hong said. "The prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) should impose a travel ban on Lee, and we will deliver our opinion to the Australian government." On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs named Lee as Korea's new ambassador to Australia, replacing Kim Wan-joong. Lee spent most of his career in the military, serving as commander of the VII Maneuver Corps. Known as a close associate of Yoon, he served as the defense minister from May 2022 to October 2023. He resigned just before the DPK could pass a motion to impeach him, and since then, he has been under investigation by the CIO after the DPK filed a complaint against him. Lee has been facing criticism over the death of Lance Corporal Chae Su-geun, a 20-year-old Marine who died in July when he was swept away by a swift current while searching for residents who had gone missing amid flooding. Opposition lawmakers have been alleging that the minister used his influence to stymie the Marine Corps' initial probe into Chae's death and attempted to prevent the investigation from being transferred to the police. "It is the same as President Yoon, who is at the top of the suspects over Chae's death, evacuating a key criminal suspect to a foreign country. It is the president's abuse of his rights for self-protection," the minor opposition Saemirae Party said in a statement. In addition to questions surrounding Chae's death, Lee's appointment raised doubts due to his lack of diplomatic career background, aside from holding a doctoral degree in diplomatic security from Tennessee State University. Additionally, questions were raised regarding protocol appropriateness, as the appointment would position a former minister serving under another minister. "It is a very unusual case of a former defense minister, who has not been a career diplomat, being appointed as a head of an overseas mission," the Saemirae also said. The minor opposition Reform Party also criticized the ruling People Power Party for nominating former and current Yoon administration officials allegedly involved in Chae's death as the party's lawmaker candidates to "make it easier to conceal the case." Former Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul is now running in the general elections. The foreign ministry refused to comment on the CIO's investigation on Lee but said that Lee was named as the ambassador because he is "expected to play a key role in managing Korea's deepening bilateral relations with Australia in the fields of national security and the defense industry," noting that the two countries have been holding two-plus-two talks involving their foreign and defense ministers. An official at the CIO told reporters that it is looking into various measures to "keep the investigation intact as planned" but refused to comment if it is considering a travel ban. "Though he was accused, it needs to be considered that he will be leaving the country for an official mission representing the country," the official said. Korea anticipates that Japan will respond to its resolution to compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor once more progress is made in the implementation process, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. Japan has not given any indication about making voluntary contributions to a Korean government-led public foundation set up to fund the compensation for the Korean forced labor victims, one year after Seoul announced the bold decision. The announcement of the resolution by President Yoon Suk Yeol, in March last year, led to the dramatic warming of bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo, and the resumption of shuttle diplomacy, or regular visits by the countries' leaders. Although Korea has said the resolution does not seek compensation from liable Japanese companies, it has expressed hope that there will be voluntary participation from the Japanese side. Former Foreign Minister Park Jin has described this as Seoul "waiting for the half-full glass to be filled up" by Tokyo. "When we make progress in our resolution, we believe that Japan will respond to it," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a press briefing, when asked of the government stance a year after the announcement. Lim reiterated that the March resolution was a reasonable measure that took all the existing factors into account. "We will strive to carry out the follow-up measures so that they will serve as yet another turning point for bilateral relations between Korea and Japan," Lim said. Bilateral relations had remained badly frayed since the Korean top court's 2018 rulings that ordered Japan's Mitsubishi Industries and Nippon Steel to pay damages to the victims. Of the 15 forced labor victims and their family members the plaintiffs of the 2018 rulings, 11 have accepted the government resolution and received the compensation. Since then, the court has delivered a few more rulings in favor of the Korean plaintiffs and the government has been trying to reach out to them to discuss the compensation based on the government resolution. (Yonhap) SCHENECTADY - A Schoharie County woman was arrested last week, accused of possessing an estimated 30 pounds of methamphetamine in Schenectady, You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Muslim preacher who was dragged screaming and kicking out of France told the Daily Mails David Jones: It would never happen in Britain. You can say that again, old son. Imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi was deported to Tunisia shortly after delivering a sermon trashing the French flag and allegedly stirring up hatred against Jews and women. Fifteen police officers arrested him at his home near Avignon. Eight hours later he was on the first plane out. Not so much au revoir as adieu. Missing you already. Mahjoub Mahjoubi says he was expelled for an accidental reference to the Tricolore the French national flag in a speech calling on Muslims to unite Four decades after arriving in France he was back in the land of his birth, reflecting on the reasons for his removal and pleading his innocence. According to Mahjoubi, he was expelled for an accidental reference to the Tricolore the French national flag in a speech calling on Muslims to unite. When he described it as gangrene and Satanic in the eyes of Allah, it was a slip of the tongue, he protests. Well, thats his version and hes sticking to it. Respected Muslim scholars who have read his speech insist there were passages likely to have heightened tensions with the Jewish community and incite discrimination against women. Further details need not detain us. All you need to know is that under a new French Immigration Act he was issued with an immediate deportation order and bundled on to the next available flight to Tunis. Job done. Its such an injustice, he complained to Jones. They have thrown me out of the country I have lived in for 40 years. A country I love. (A country he loves so much that after living there for four decades he still hadnt bothered applying for citizenship.) They would never do this to an imam in England. A minister wouldnt be allowed to throw me out. Id have the chance to defend myself in court. Too true. Hes bang on the money. What he allegedly said is pretty mild compared to some of the hatred routinely spewed out of radical mosques in Britain. Unlike the French, who jealously guard their national identity and secular traditions, we have bent over backwards, forwards and sideways to accommodate Islamist extremists. In Britain, Imam Mahjoubi could stand in Parliament Square preaching holy war, intifada and death to the Jews, while burning a Union Jack, without having to worry about having his collar felt. Hed probably be invited to become an adviser on community relations to the Metropolitan Police, helping to define the theological meaning of the word jihad. In the unlikely event of him actually being nicked, there would be legions of yuman rites lawyers queueing up to defend him on legal aid. The case would drag on for years, appeal after appeal after appeal. The chances of him being returned to Tunisia would be less than zero. His deportation would be blocked by the House of Lords and the Supreme Court, both of which would designate Tunisia like Rwanda not a safe country. For now, Imam Mahjoubi may be banned from France, but his best bet if he doesnt want to be exiled in Tunisia would be to make his way to the UK Never mind Tunisia, we wont even deport failed asylum seekers back to France. If by some miracle he was eventually put on a plane, a revolt by dopey, Guardian-reading passengers would prevent it taking off just as they stopped a convicted Somali rapist being deported not so long ago. Meanwhile, Mahjoubi and his extended family would have been moved from the nearest Hilton hotel into a council house and lavished with benefits. His case would be a cause celebre on the BBC, where he would be interviewed sympathetically on the Today programme and would probably end up starring on Strictly. Rishi Sunak may at last be promising tough new sanctions against extremists tearing apart society. But, trust me, it aint gonna happen. Fine words butter no parsnips, as the old saying goes. Any attempt to introduce a French-style immigration Bill would either flounder in Parliament or be struck down by the judges. Even if it did become law, the police would refuse to enforce it just as they give a free pass to hatemongers on the streets of London and our other cities. Even if it does become law, the police will refuse to enforce it just as they give a free pass to hatemongers on the streets of London and our other cities. And anyway, its a dead cert that our next Prime Minister is going to be Keir Starmer, a lifelong, Left-wing yuman rites lawyer, who will roll out the red carpet for Islamist extremists and has opposed every attempt by the Conservatives to rid us of migrants who have no right to be here and threaten our way of life. For now, Imam Mahjoubi may be banned from France, but his best bet if he doesnt want to be exiled in Tunisia would be to make his way to the UK, where hed be welcomed with open arms with no prospect of ever being deported. Makes you proud to be British. Garys spoilt for choice again today. A new report says that counting butterflies is the best way of combatting stress. Ive heard of Counting Crows theyre one of my favourite bands. But Counting Butterflies is a new one on me. Wait until the NHS Mental Elf specialists hear about this. Theyll be issuing butterflies on prescription. Red Admirals all round. Elsewhere, a guinea pig was abandoned at an East London Tube station with a note asking the finder to adopt it. Shades of Paddington Bear. My favourite was the news that in Cheshire signs featuring giant frogs have started appearing at the side of the road. Apparently, its to stop exhausted male frogs being run over during the mating season, which is just getting under way. There I was thinking it was to do with stopping Mr Toad speeding, Cheshires answer to the bonkers 20mph blanket limit in Wales. Parp, parp! The LGBTQWERTY+ brigade are now claiming that Hadrians Wall should be a gay mecca because Roman Emperor Hadrian was, allegedly, fond of a bit of same-sex action. Hes hardly around to deny it, but this does smack of desperation. Meanwhile, there were pictures at the weekend of two male whales apparently going at it hammer and tongs, cited as proof of rampant homosexuality in the animal kingdom. Back in the 1980s, when I lived in the Guardianista colony of Haringey, the Left were obsessed with gay rights, Greenpeace and Greenham Common. I can remember writing a column about an imaginary new pressure group: Gay Whales Against Nukes. Who knew back then? You couldnt make it up. Why did Rishi Sunak have to chuck in the obligatory far-Right threat during his State of the Nation address? No one is denying that there are a few knuckle-dragging Hitler wannabes out there. But disinterring the washed-up BNP loser Nick Griffin was ridiculous. Hes never won an election and is never going to. George Galloway, on the other hand... You tell me who is the greater threat to polite society. The far-Right in Britain consists of a few Millwall fans hanging around a pub in South London, and the preposterous self-publicist Tommy Robinson. Last time anyone looked it wasnt the far-Right planting bombs on the Underground and at Manchester Arena, or killing soldier Lee Rigby. The immediate threats to MPs and Parliamentary democracy are all down to Islamist headbangers. If the pro-Hamas mob preaching violence and calling for the genocide of an entire race arent the very definition of fascists, indeed Nazis, I dont know what is. Maybe thats what Sunak means by far-Right. The animal rights charity Peta claims to have re-homed in the West Country three pigeons liberated from the Sandringham royal estate. Theyd better hope theyre not homing pigeons, otherwise by the time you read this the birds will already be back in Norfolk. A trade association kicked off on Tuesday with the aim of enhancing economic connections between Korea and Saudi Arabia, as the two countries seek to strengthen collaboration in various areas, including the Neom city project. The Korea-Saudi Arabia Industry and Trade Association (KOSSA) officially launched with the objective of fostering broad bilateral cooperation spanning technology, tourism and the economy, the organization said. "(The organization) will not only support the government's policy but also serve as the guide for Korean businesses wishing to enter Saudi Arabia," Park Joo-sun, the head of KOSSA, told reporters during the commencement ceremony. "We will support efforts to find new business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including the Neom city project, and establish a comprehensive platform to support investment in business, finance, technology and construction," he added. The Neom project is one of the major initiatives launched by Saudi Arabia, aiming to build a sustainable city operated by cutting-edge technologies and powered by renewable energy, with a budget of $500 billion. "Through the association, we hope that economic officials of the two countries can build friendships and expand investment and cooperation," President Yoon Suk Yeol also said in a congratulatory message sent to the event. "The government will spare no efforts to support such efforts." Park No-hwang, the former CEO of Yonhap News Agency who currently serves as the chairman of the board of the TBS Media Foundation, was named as the vice president of KOSSA. The organization said Ammar Al Khudairy, the former head of Saudi National Bank, will visit Korea this week to clinch agreements worth 10 trillion won ($7.48 billion) with local financial institutions, to support local firms seeking business opportunities in the Middle East nation. Officials from KOSSA will also visit Saudi Arabia in May to meet representatives of the Neom city project, and sign agreements to lend a hand to Korean firms. "Despite Korean firms signing numerous memoranda of understanding for the Neom City project, final contracts have not been secured," the president of KOSSA said, noting the new association will serve as a facilitator for such agreements. (Yonhap) When I was a foreign correspondent in West Berlin during the dying days of the Cold War in 1988, a British spy gave me a vivid insight into the state of Germanys intelligence services. If you want the Kremlin to take something seriously, give it to the Germans and tell them its a secret, he said. Itll be on every desk in the Politburo the next morning. Clearly little has changed in the intervening years. On Friday, the Russians revealed that they had eavesdropped on a discussion between the head of the Luftwaffe and three top air force colleagues about the highly contested question of donating Germanys long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Such weaponry would help that country strike Russias logistics depots and supply lines, such as the Kerch Strait Bridge that links Crimea to Russia proper. Top brass in any self-respecting country would conduct such sensitive discussions on encrypted lines using special handsets, with the participants in secure locations an arrangement known in this country as a STRAP environment. But the gormless Germans used Webex, a conference-call system akin to Zoom. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and German chancellor Olaf Scholz shake hands after signing a security deal last month One participant dialled in from Singapore using his bog-standard phone. So, too, did the Russian intruders. Unbelievably, nobody noticed the extra, silent participant. Nothing was decided on the call. The missiles delivery remains blocked by German chancellor Olaf Scholz. But the 38-minute recording, released by the Kremlin, did reveal that he has lied to the German public. According to the brass hats, well-trained Ukrainians could program the missiles with targeting data something Scholz had claimed would require German specialists on the ground in Ukraine. This would be an impossibly provocative step in his view. But the worst damage was done not to reputations but to allied security. If were asked about delivery methods, I know how the British do this. They always transport them in Ridgeback armoured vehicles. They have several people on the ground, said the head of the German air force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, referring to the Storm Shadow missiles that we have donated to Ukraine. Discussing military secrets on an open phone line is a sackable offence. But you cannot sack a whole country. Western allies are confronting the reality that our biggest and richest European ally is an appalling liability. No 10 yesterday described the leak as a very serious matter but declined to be drawn on whether there are plans to restrict our intelligence- sharing with Berlin. But no one would blame them if they were considering just such a response. After all, Scholz is in the doghouse for other reasons, too. Only last Monday, he let slip that British soldiers were on the ground in Ukraine assisting with the use of our Storm Shadow missile system. This would come as no surprise to Moscow. But it is still embarrassing to have a sensitive detail blurted out by the leader of a supposedly trustworthy partner. Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, didnt hold back, describing the blunder as wrong, irresponsible and a slap in the face. The bleak truth is that, in the eyes of Western allies, Germany is now regarded as worse than useless. And no branch of its security set-up is in a more parlous state than its clueless, leaky secret services. A senior official in the German foreign intelligence service, identified only as Carsten L, and an alleged accomplice, Arthur E, went on trial in December for spying for Russia. The pair were arrested, not thanks to German diligence, but thanks to a tip from the FBI. Former CIA officer John Sipher describes German spies as: Arrogant, incompetent, bureaucratic, useless. Yet it is no laughing matter for the Ukrainians that Scholz dithers on sending weapons. High hopes of the Zeitenwende change of eras that he announced after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have shrivelled. Sitting on the north European plain, Germany and its supply lines would be vital in rushing aid and ammunition to the front Germanys puny military remains under-equipped, ill-led and cash-strapped. Berlins aversion to hard thinking about security lies partly in its two catastrophic defeats last century, and its role as a potential nuclear battleground during the Cold War. This past stokes anti-Americanism and anti-militarism. Even the worst peace is better than the best war, said a leading German thinktanker as Ukraine began its struggle for survival. The idea that freedom might be worth dying for counts for nothing. Greed also plays a big role. Germany has obsessively pursued lucrative deals with Russia and China. That contributed to Germanys blind spot when it came to its eastern neighbours such as Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Yet it was these countries that the Hitler-Stalin pact fed into the meat-grinder in 1939. Germany owes them a huge historical debt but, instead of making strenuous efforts to boost their security, Berlin blocked Nato defence plans for these states for years. Worse, German spymasters stole their secrets. As I revealed in my book Deception, the German BND the counterpart to our MI6 recruited a top defence official in Estonia, Herman Simm, in order to keep an eye on American influence there. What the Germans did not know was that Simm was also spying for the Russians. The damage was colossal. I am no Germanophobe. I lived and worked there for many years. I tried to alert Germans to the danger presented by nascent, and now revived, Russian imperialism. The response was patronising and incredulous. Meanwhile, Russian spies, thugs and crooks ran riot under the noses of the bureaucracy-bound German police and security services. That reflects another legacy of the past: a resistance to state surveillance, thanks to the long shadows cast by Hitlers Gestapo and then the Stasi, communist East Germanys secret police. Ultra-strict data-protection and privacy laws stop German authorities conducting the simplest security checks. The consequences of this were recently highlighted by journalist Michael Colborne, who took only 30 minutes to track down a fugitive Left-wing terrorist, 65-year-old Daniela Klette, of the murderous Baader-Meinhof gang. NOW READ: Why Ukraine might run out of willing fighters Advertisement She had been living in Berlin under a false identity, despite being on Germanys most-wanted list. A simple internet picture search led to her hasty arrest by the hitherto ignorant German police. Germanys policy makes it the weakest link in Europes defence. Suppose that Russia, boosted by success in Ukraine, tests Natos resolve in Poland or the Baltic states? These states would respond with flinty and furious resistance. We and other allies will want to help them. But suppose Germany cries Diplomaten statt Granaten Diplomats instead of grenades and demands that the crisis be solved through talks not war? Sitting, as it does, on the North European Plain, Germany and its supply lines would be vital in rushing aid and ammunition to the front. Yet Berlin might bristle at direct involvement and close its borders and airspace to allied reinforcements. This nightmarish prospect is not fiction. Germany closed its airspace to reinforcement flights at the start of the Ukraine war. The uncomfortable truth is that Germany slumbers as Europe burns, and that means sleepless nights for the rest of us. Edward Lucas is the author of The New Cold War: Putins Threat To Russia And The West When the case of Keira Bell, a teenage girl who was prescribed puberty blockers by the NHSs Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), first hit the headlines a few years ago, I remember thinking: this could be the tip of a very nasty iceberg. Bell had begun her chemical transition from female to male at the age of 16 and underwent a double mastectomy a few years later. As part of a wider case at the High Court on the question of whether children under the age of 16 should be prescribed puberty blockers, Bell expressed her regret at having transitioned. She argued that her dysphoria was a result of mental health problems at the time that stemmed from her struggles with puberty and her own sexuality, as well as her mothers alcoholism. Left with no breasts, a deep voice, body hair and a beard, as well as compromised sexual function and possibly infertile, Bell faces a lifetime of regret, not to mention permanent health issues. This week, the extent and scale of cases like Bells were laid bare in leaked messages from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). They reveal how medics advocating the use of puberty-blocking drugs were well-aware of the potential long-term harms of such treatment, including infertility and cancer, and that they also knew that in some cases patients were too young or too mentally ill to fully appreciate the consequences of their treatment. Keira Bell faces a lifetime of regret, not to mention permanent health issues Keira speaks to the Press outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, part of a wider case on the question of whether children under 16 should be prescribed puberty blockers The importance of this cannot be underestimated. WPATH, founded in 1979, is widely considered to be the authority on the treatment and care of transgender and gender diverse people. And yet here we have clear evidence of its own experts openly acknowledging how patients developed tumours or died from cancer linked to hormone treatment. One 16-year-old girl suffered from liver tumours having been prescribed testosterone after taking puberty blockers for several years. Other patients on testosterone experienced vaginal and pelvic pain, debilitating bowel problems or bleeding and pain during sex. Many of the cases in the US involved children or young teenagers. And yet on the question of informed consent for minors, one specialist is recorded telling colleagues: Its always a good theory that you talk about fertility preservation with a 14-year-old but I know Im talking to a blank wall. Most of the kids are nowhere in any kind of a brain space to talk about it in a serious way. Last year the number of under-age children being prescribed puberty blockers in the UK doubled despite the independent Cass Review of gender identity services for children and young people casting doubt on their use Put bluntly, they knew. They all knew the potential risks of these drugs and surgeries, and the negative effects they could have on very young and very vulnerable patients. In one case, unbelievably, they even had to seek consent from all the different identities of a patient with a multiple personality disorder, which gives you a sense of the mental health issues some of these patients were facing. And yet they went ahead anyway. Why? There can be only one explanation: blind ideology. What these files revealed by the American journalist Michael Shellenberger - show is that far from being an example of best practice, these so-called professionals allowed their personal beliefs to cloud their clinical judgment. Quite simply, they turned a blind eye to the inconvenient truths about the treatments and drugs they were advocating because it did not suit them to acknowledge them. Giving children drugs that you know full-well might harm them and subjecting them to life-changing operations that could leave them infertile or needing permanent care? If that isnt medical malpractice at its worst, I dont know what is. Few would suggest that hormone therapies and gender-reassignment surgery should not be made available to those experiencing genuine gender dysphoria. But that is not what we are seeing here. Here we have a situation where permanent and irreversible gender reassignment is being pushed as a solution to a variety of other psychological issues to the ultimate detriment of the patient. Meanwhile, the long-term repercussions of such treatments are being fudged for the sake of an ideological agenda. It seems so far-fetched, so utterly outrageous and unbelievable, that it could almost be the plot of a Netflix thriller. Indeed, what has been described as the pseudoscientific surgical destruction of healthy genitals in vulnerable people has already been compared to the use of lobotomies in the 20th century. And when it comes to glossing over inconvenient side-effects of drugs, Americas opioid epidemic is a stark reminder of where that gets you. As for the surgeries, theyre also big business. Physicians at one American clinic recently described how gender-reassignment operations have become huge money makers and that, in some cases, an entire clinic is supported just by the phalloplasty [plastic surgery performed to construct a penis]. And if you think this stuff is confined to America, think again. Last year the number of under-age children being prescribed puberty blockers in the UK doubled despite the independent Cass Review of gender identity services for children and young people casting doubt on their use. Where America leads, we follow. Messages this week reveal how medics advocating the use of puberty-blocking drugs were well-aware of the potential long-term harms of such treatment, including infertility and cancer What is even more galling is the fact that, for several years now, any attempt to even so much as raise a bat-squeak of concern about the use of these drugs in underage children has been met with an absolute barrage of hate from trans-advocates. But is it really transphobic to suggest that a 14-year-old suffering from anxiety and unsure of their sexuality might need to take a bit of extra time to really understand the consequences of undergoing irreversible treatment that could lead to a lifetime on medication? Is it really transphobic to ask whether someone who is not old enough to vote, drive a car or get a tattoo should undergo an operation such as a vaginoplasty, which involves repositioning tissue from the male genitals to create a pseudo-vagina, which then requires daily dilation, for ever? Thankfully in the UK you have to be at least 18 to undergo such a procedure, but in the US that is not the case. Either way, I would argue not. Exercising caution in the face of such life-changing decisions is not only wise but, given what we now know about those advocating these treatments, it might also save your life. And yet, quite soon, if (when) Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister, any attempt on the part of a parent, teacher or doctor to question a childs desire to transition could see them ending up in court, accused of abuse. He has said he will outlaw all forms of conversion therapy, emphasising that such a ban would be trans inclusive. That would mean parents facing a stark choice: acquiesce to their child undergoing treatment that even the experts know to be potentially harmful. Or face jail. I know which one I would choose. Former students at a 'therapy camp' for troubled teens have lifted the lid on the heinous abuse they suffered as part of 'cult-like' discipline. Netflix's The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping docuseries has revealed the harrowing experience of those enrolled in The Academy at Ivy Ridge in Ogdensburg, New York. The co-ed private boarding school, which was established in 2001, had more than 500 pupils at its height with tuition fees of up to $3,990 per month. But its reputation was soon marred as a result of its unorthodox methods, which saw students 'dehumanized' and 'treated like prisoners.' Former students at a 'therapy camp' for troubled teens have lifted the lid on the heinous abuse they suffered as part of 'cult-like' discipline Netflix's The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping docuseries is set to reveal the harrowing experience of those enrolled in The Academy at Ivy Ridge (pictured) in Ogdensburg, New York The Academy advertised at the time that its 'pristine and isolated setting, strict code of discipline and academic program will both educate students and set them on the path to productive citizenship,' according to official documents. And it was seemingly unashamed of its harsh tactics. The new documentary begins with a news report from the time which offered a bleak outlook from the start. 'What do you do if your child gets caught in a cycle of self-destructive or even dangerous behavior?' the presenter asked. 'Some desperate parents are having their children abducted, taken against their will to a behavior modification program.' The scheme's methods were far from humane as footage showed teens being physical restrained, choked and forced to lay face down on the ground with their hands pinned behind their backs. 'The reality is torture of children,' one interviewee boldly stated. The documentary is spearheaded by former student Katherine Daniel who spent 15 months in the program after being sent away at 16. The co-ed private boarding school, which was established in 2001, had more than 500 pupils at its height with tuition fees of up to $3,990 per month Its reputation was soon marred due to its unorthodox methods that saw students ' dehumanized' and 'treated like prisoners' Her mother had died of breast cancer before Katherine turned two years old and the teen had struggled to connect with her stepmom. The student had continued to act out at school and eventually her parents took drastic measures. She said two strangers had turned up with handcuffs to 'forcibly escort' her to The Academy, adding: 'I got here at three in the morning and they said I was not allowed to talk anymore - and you can never leave.' Katherine explained that when she arrived 'the hallway was just lined with mattresses with kids sleeping out in the hallway with their arms [outstretched] and staff at different points. Rules imposed at The Academy, according to former students DO Pivot around every corner and maintain a military-like structure Wear hair in a braid Keep the bathroom stall door open when using the toilet DON'T Talk without permission (for anything) Look in or out the windows Make eye contact with students of the opposite gender Physically touch anyone Use makeup or shave Intentionally pass gas, burp out loud or spit Advertisement 'They brought me into the bathroom and had me take off all my clothes, jump up and down and cough.' Katherine claimed that every kid was strip searched and forced to sleep on the floor for their first few nights at The Academy which became increasingly overcrowded. She said that during her tenure there were strict rules enforced which controlled everything from their facial expressions to how they used the restroom. 'You just tried to get through the day just by being emotionless, disassociating and acting like a robot,' she shared. Katherine shared how the program, which largely cut students off from the outside world, operated on a points based system. The teens who were enrolled were allowed increased privileges by earning merits until they had saved up enough behavior points to leave - but she claimed the system was rigged. 'They want to keep you here forever. It is impossible to get points. The program is intentionally impossible to follow. They make it so you're just stuck here forever,' Katherine said. Students were required to complete the program but the educational seminars, which were two- to four-day events, were described as being 'pseudo-psychological, emotionally abusive and humiliatingly.' Employees at Ivy Ridge, who were said to be on a 'power trip,' had several methods of punishment including 'physical restraints, solitary confinement, food depravation.' Some students were sent to 'intervention' - a small room used to isolate and punish. It was here that the teens were forced to 'stare at the walls for hours' or told to lie face down on their stomach, arms out, feet together and their chins on the floor. Students were also often restrained by staff members with incidents recorded in what Katherine described as 'handwritten, signed and dated confessions' of physical abuse. Discussing the 'no camera room,' one former student said: 'If you came in this room, it was over. They would be tossing you into the wall, slamming you onto the floor - whatever they want to do to you - banging your head directly into the radiator. 'It didn't matter because there are no cameras here... They would take their hand and put it right on the back of your neck, choke you, whatever they could do to make you either stop moving and make you feel lifeless. 'You would feel like "I'm about to die right now, these dudes are going to kill me."' The documentary also claimed there were incidents of predatory sexual abuse but that no formal complaints were never filed. Katherine also claimed that 'medical neglect was rampant' as easily contractible conditions like foot fungus and pink eye spread through the student body. Students were being branded as 'liars and manipulators' as the school continued to convince parents its tough regime would be the 'only thing' to help their kids reform. The trailer claimed the New York-based school was just one of many academies that were part of a 'billion dollar industry' all set up to 'make one guy rich' The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping will premiere on Netflix on March 5 But it was ultimately The Academy that was accused of 'psychological torture.' The documentary also went even further with its accusations with claims that the Ivy Ridge facility was part of a worldwide 'cult' likened to 'human trafficking of children.' There were reportedly sister schools in locations across the globe including in Mexico, Jamaica, Samoa and the Czech Republic - all operating under the same umbrella as part of a 'billion dollar industry' all set up to 'make one guy rich.' The situation at Ivy Ridge was so strained that in 2005, a group of students planned a riot in a bid to also get their facility shut down. The boys wing set about destroying the facility by smashing windows and overturning furniture as well as attacking employees, according to reports. 'About 30 students "escaped" from the facility and was later captured. 'About 12 students and several staff members were injured as a result of the riot,' newspaper clippings from the time read. Not only was The Academy plagued with accusations of emotional and physical abuse which left students with feelings of 'shame and embarrassment,' it also ran into trouble with the State. In 2005, the school was ordered by the State of New York to pay civil penalties of $250,000 to the Attorney General's office for issuing 113 unauthorized high school diplomas. It was further ordered to make partial refunds to parents, cease issuing diplomas, and stop marketing itself as an accredited school. The Academy applied for permission to issue diplomas but this was denied in 2006 with the New York State Department of Education determining in its rejection letter that it was primarily a behavior-modification facility and not a boarding school. The dire publicity saw enrollment numbers dwindle and The Academy eventually shut down in 2009. There were only 60 students still in attendance at the time who were either sent home or to other academies. Katherine concluded by claiming that there are around 40 former pupils who have taken their own lives in the years since their time at Ivy Ridge. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping premiered on Netflix on March 5 SHOPPING Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this article are selected by our writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Daily Mail Australia will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information. Shoppers are raving about an Aussie shoe brand that not only sells 'out of this world' comfy heels and boots - but does so from a size seven all the way up to a 15. Naked Sole, an Australian-founded, owned and designed footwear brand, was brought to life by statuesque 6'2 visionary, Katia Galam, who has a size 14 foot. Recognising a gap in the market for stylish and comfortable designs, especially those larger than a size eleven, Katia's mission was simple: to offer chic, comfortable, and high-quality shoes for every woman. Since launching, Naked Sole has gone from strength to strength, with the range including elegant heels for special occasions, everyday flats, slick boots and the 'perfect' desk-to-dinner heels. Stand-outs include the Brooke High Heel Mule, the Charlotte Mid Heel Sandals, the effortlessly glam Klaudia Mid Heel and the office staple - the Alexandra. Shoppers are raving about an Aussie shoe brand that not only sells 'out of this world' comfy heels and boots - but does so from a size seven all the way up to a 15 (pictured, the lush Brooke High Heel Mules in black leather) Naked Sole, an Australian-founded, owned and designed footwear brand, was brought to life by statuesque 6'2 visionary, Katia Galam, who has a size 14 foot (pictured, the famous Alexandra Mid Heels in nude) The Mecca Flat Sandal in bone and black leather are $229.95 and two of the brand's bestsellers. The chunky two-strap slide sandal boasts a comfy moulded footbed and padded crossover straps - a summer/autumn must-have. For winter, the boot range is small yet mighty and can be likened so some of the most stand-out designer looks of 2024. Ranging from $299 - $319, the three-boot selection has something for every style, including the gorgeous alabaster Libby Mid Ankle Boot, the day-to-day Cameron Ankle Boot in black leather and the eye-popping Katia Mid Ankle Boot in patent leather. For winter, the boot range is small yet mighty and can be likened so some of the most stand-out designer looks of 2024. The eye-popping Katia Mid Ankle Boot in patent leather is a favourite The Charlotte Mid Heel Sandals (left) are the perfect (and seriously comfy) pair to take you from day to night and everywhere in between. The Holly High Heels in black satin (right) are effortlessly stylish and accentuated by a gracefully curved heel Passionate about their product, the team ensures 'timeless elegance and hand crafting' on every shoes, with a focus on quality and detail. 'From sumptuous leathers to luxurious suedes, each shoe embodies sophistication, comfort, and durability,' they promise. And Naked Sole's launch is not just a step forward for those with larger feet but a leap towards inclusivity and diversity. You can't go wrong with the on-trend Libby's throughout autumn and winter 'Beyond our brand we are committed to inclusivity and diversity. Our dedication to making fashion accessible for everyone is at the heart of everything we do,' the team says. 'Whether it's a day at the office, a casual outing, or a special event, our diverse range of footwear caters to every taste and occasion, ensuring that there is a perfect pair for every body.' READ MORE: Shoppers race to buy 'miracle' sculpting pants that 'shed one dress size instantly': 'Pure magic' READ MORE: Women rave about 'must-have' new buy from Aussie brand famous for its 'butter soft' activewear Shoppers have been left baffled by a 29.99 Zara top in its new collection that has an unusual feature - four armholes. Spotted in a UK store, the Knotted Plush Sweatshirt has a sleeveless silhouette, with the addition of long sleeves positioned at the hem. Holl Jaya (@holljaya) shared a video of the garment on TikTok, which has racked up over 3 million views and 42,000 likes in just three days. The model, based in Manchester, filmed her boyfriend inspecting the grey cotton top in a 22-second clip on the video hosting service, entitled: 'Zara what is it'. In response, dozens of baffled viewers made their suggestions as to what on earth the purpose of the extra armholes could be - and some even compared the top to a straitjacket. The sleeves are intended to be tied around the front of the body, creating the illusion of a jumper Countless TikTokers speculated about how to wear Zara's Knotted Plush Sweatshirt, which has not two but four armholes One viewer suggested: 'You fold it up and put the longer arms through the short arms to make a long sleeve crop top.' Another viewer suggested: 'It's a hug jumper for couples'. Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: 'Straight jacket from Wish!' 'It's a leotard you don't have to take off in the toilet, the sleeves are for your feet,' one person penned. 'I'm sure you have to fold it and put the arms through the holes,' claimed another. 'I thought you had to turn the sleeves inside out and flip the bottom inside so it looks like a two-layer cropped jumper,' someone said. According to the Zara website, the Knotted Plush Sweatshirt is a 'sleeveless round neck sweatshirt, featuring knot-effect sleeves at the hem with ribbed cuffs'. Available in sizes small, medium and large, the garment is stocked in select Zara stores across the country. The sleeves are intended to be tied around the front of the body, creating the illusion of a jumper. The 29.99 Knotted Plush Sweatshirt is a 'sleeveless round neck sweatshirt, featuring knot-effect sleeves at the hem with ribbed cuffs' The light grey marl fabric incorporates RCS certified recycled cotton and RCS certified recycled polyester in a bid to limit the consumption of raw material. Zara has styled the top with biker shorts and trainers, creating a summer-ready aesthetic. However, judging by the perplexed comments on social media, it seems that shoppers are not impressed. Zara is known for its bizarre campaigns and website layout, whether it be for confusing sizing or shocking ad campaigns. The fast fashion brand is also selling mid-waist 'wrinkle effect' jeans for 49.99, resulting in sticker shock for folks on the internet. The straight-cut denim includes five pockets and is made of 'wrinkle effect fabric,' for those who want a crinkly pair of trousers that look like they were left in the dryer for days. London-based fashion and beauty influencer Emma G. Mason shared a video of the denim, asking 'What is this?' and captioning the video, 'trying to get us to wear creased jeans out.' A viral sound asking 'Ew, what's that?' played in the background of the now-viral video, which amassed 18.7 million views and 1.9 million likes. The fast fashion brand is also selling mid-waist 'wrinkle effect' jeans for 49.99 The jeans were found in store by London-based fashion and beauty influencer Emma G. Mason 'Some intern at Zara is trying to make this a trend so he doesn't have to fold laundry ever again,' a commenter joked - and other responses were decidedly mixed. 'I SAW SOMEONE POST THIS SAYING "run don't walk to Zara" LIKE WHAAA,' a follower yelled, to which a commenter replied, 'Don't walk run away from Zara.' 'Run don't walk to Zara, no. Run don't walk to that IRON,' another joked. Others compared the jeans to 'that one receipt in my bag,' 'that one paper in my backpack,' and 'my clothes when I finally take them out of the dryer after being in there for a week.' Another person quipped, 'Zara got some ironing to do.' This wasn't Emma's only brush with Zara's new aesthetic - the lifestyle content creator also shared a video from the men's section, where a coat was equally wrinkly. 'Zara at it again with the creased clothes,' Emma proclaimed. Theres a photo on Annas phone which captures what she now knows to be the final day of normal life for her family: it shows her nine-year-old daughter making her way to school across a snowy Hampstead Heath. When I looked back on that picture, I realised I had no idea then how much our lives were about to change, Anna recalls. It was the last snapshot of life as we knew it. Because the next day February 5, 2015 Anna and her husband, along with other parents and staff at her daughters pretty North London primary school, found themselves caught in a nightmare. Two young children of a fellow parent at the school in one of the wealthiest areas of London, home to celebrities including Jonathan Ross, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Judi Dench had begun to make a series of extraordinary and horrifying allegations. Anna was just one of the adults connected to the school accused by the brother and sister of being part of a Satanic paedophile ring that indulged in horrendous ritual abuse and murder. So outlandish were these allegations among them that they were Devil worshippers who had sex with children, made child sacrifices and drank their blood it is hard to imagine that anyone could take them remotely seriously. Sabine McNeill is a virulent conspiracy theorist, since dubbed Britains worst online troll And its important to say here that those accused were entirely innocent. But this is the internet age, where there is a ready audience for everything. And so, fuelled by conspiracy theorists, the lurid allegations went around the world. To say that it upended the lives of those involved is an understatement. The names, addresses and phone numbers of the parents, school staff and pupils identified as being involved were published online, and they were inundated with death threats. The parents were contacted by vigilantes saying they would snatch their children to take them to safety. Equally horrifyingly, paedophiles would ask about their childrens sexual preferences. It was, Anna recalls, like being under siege. When they appealed to the police for help, they were told the harassers could not be prosecuted. Stymied, too, by internet giants doing little to shut down the relentless online content, it was left to the parents themselves to do what they could to protect their families. Ultimately, it would take the determined and extraordinary efforts of four mothers in particular, who, working until the small hours, month in month out, meticulously gathered evidence that would lead to the prosecution of two of the most vocal online conspiracy theorists. N ow, for the first time, the mothers have told their story in a compelling Channel 4 documentary, Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax, which explores both the devastating impact of the allegations and their determined fightback. For years we had to keep this dignified silence, because we were trying to build a legal case and we didnt want to jeopardise that, says Anna. Now, finally, we get to have our voice. A voice, yes, but not a face. Along with the other mothers who appear in the documentary, Anna is choosing to remain anonymous. On film, their words are spoken by an actor, and they are referred to by pseudonyms. They are determined to protect the privacy of their now grown-up children. 'Sarah', played by Sarah Barlondo, on set for the Channel 4 documentary. Many of the real women in the story have chosen to remain anonymous For while the trolls who targeted them are quieter these days, they have not disappeared entirely: they are still out there, propagating their theories in dark corners of the internet. Theyre still there, trying to spread their poison, as Jenny, another of the mothers, puts it. The parents bewilderment remains palpable. There are many curveballs in life that you can predict, whether its a terminal illness diagnosis or the death of a loved one but being accused of being a satanic paedophile is not one of them, Anna says. A mother of one, Anna had been happily married for 18 years and running a business with her husband, when, back in February 2015, she along with some other parents of children in Year 5 at the Church of England affiliated primary they attended received an email saying allegations had been made against the school. It said they had been investigated by the police and that the case was closed, she recalls. It begged more questions than it answered, so I went straight onto the internet. Within five minutes, Anna had found footage of the two siblings one of whom, Abigail, was in her daughters class alleging that an organised cult was based at the school which indulged in horrors from paedophilia to baby sacrifice. She mentioned our daughter by name, saying she got paid for sex in sweets and naming myself and my husband as her abusers, Anna recalls. It was like walking through the looking glass. Abigail and her brother Joseph (as they are called in the documentary) were the offspring of a striking-looking mum called Ella Draper, a glamorous, Russian-born yoga teacher who had lived in London since the 1990s. Separated from the father of her children, she had become involved with an older man called Abraham Christie, then 65. He, like Draper, had an interest in alternative therapies but was seen by many as a menacing presence in the playground, with parents claiming that he was intimidating. Ella Draper was a glamorous, Russian-born yoga teacher who had lived in London since the 1990s. She claimed that her two children had been abused by their father It was under Christie and Drapers direction that, in the summer of 2014, Abigail and Joseph had first made their bizarre allegations to the police of secret rooms at the school and the adjoining church where torture and abuse unfolded. But when police could find no evidence, they recanted, confiding that Abraham had beaten and pressured them into lying. A bitter custody case with the childrens father ensued, with parents and teachers still, at this point, none the wiser about the fact they had been the subject of horrific allegations. That is until a woman called Sabine McNeill a virulent conspiracy theorist, since dubbed Britains worst online troll became aware of them. With Drapers blessing, in early 2015 McNeill released onto the web videos theyd made of the children making their claims, alongside personal details of 175 people allegedly involved. It went viral. We were just sitting at home watching this story explode worldwide, says Jenny, whose only child, a boy, was also in Year 5. It was massive. Global. Anna recalls: I remember sitting on the floor in our bedroom thinking this isnt going to go away. But I couldnt even imagine what was to come. The fuse had been lit. Protesters began to gather at the school and the church, shouting obscenities at parents. Individual families received vicious death threats on their home phones and mobiles. They would call us satantists, shout down the phone that we were f***ing and killing babies; that we were evil, says Jenny. Police told them to vary their routes home, and carry rape alarms, yet none of it was enough to shake the lingering menace. Sarah, a lawyer in her 40s who also had a child in Abigails year, slept on her childrens bedroom floor for eight months until the family were able to move house. Once our address was out there, I could not shake the thought that someone would come in and try to take them, she says. Jenny recalls being followed by a large group, chanting obscenities, as she picked up her son from a school cross-country race. That was particularly disturbing, as this activity hadnt been advertised, so it was clear that somehow they were tracking our movements. Naturally, the parents wanted to know why theyd been targeted. I could not get my head around the fact that it was another mother who had made these allegations, says Anna. But when Sarah called to confront Ella Draper, she denied that she was responsible. Anna recalls: I said to her, can you please stop the bulls**t? And she said: Its not me. Its been this blogger. What horrified the parents most was the potential damage to their children. It was impossible to protect them entirely from the unfolding drama, and Anna recalls her own daughters spiralling anxiety. 'Anna' is played by Kathryn McGarr in the series The fact that these lovely, nine-year-old children were the subject of such degrading content, which could potentially be there for ever, says Jenny, was so violating. Some parents were contacted by paedophiles asking if they could hook up with their child because they liked sex. Again, the police said their hands were tied. They pretty much admitted it was beyond their knowledge, says Anna. There was this feeling that it would blow over, but to us it felt organised and targeted. It was incredibly disappointing, adds Sarah. We were quite clear that this was criminal activity. We even identified a list of up to 20 laws that were being broken. But no one would listen. Undeterred, the parents began to mobilise, determined to get social media giants to remove links to the childrens videos, and at the same time gather evidence against the trolls that could lead to their prosecution. As they hit one brick wall after another, many parents fell away, leaving Anna, Jenny, Sarah and another parent, Alice, the only ones refusing to give up. Anna admits now they were an unlikely alliance: while all had children in the same year, they were not close friends. If this hadnt have happened to us, we wouldnt have been this tight group, she says. But we now have a lifelong bond. It was an uphill slog, with door after door shut in their faces, from tech giants to the Information Commissioners Office, which deals with data protection. Their response was to suggest we should write to these people and ask them to stop, says Sarah. Yet the police had told us not to engage. Only prosecution, the mothers believed, would send a message to those spreading the unfounded allegations across the web. And with the police still saying there was no case to bring, the mothers decided to build their own painstakingly compiling a dossier of evidence to bring them down. It would take years. Bear in mind that every one of us worked, as well as looking after our families, says Anna. It meant sitting down come 10 oclock at night, then working until the early hours, evidencing, evidencing, evidencing. And that was pretty much it for four years. NOW READ: How a tranquil oasis for female swimmers became a front line in the culture wars Advertisement You can see from emails that I sent that I was working at 3 am, 4 am, says Sarah. I wasnt really sleeping. I lost a lot of weight. Jenny was forced to leave her job because of the allegations. Ultimately, it made me bad for business because I started to get directly targeted. Emails were sent directly to my staff, saying, Did you know your boss has been accused of this? It wasnt that people werent sympathetic, but there was a feeling of being tainted by it. Sarah was in the process of applying for new roles when the scandal broke, and found herself rejected time and again. It was all, Youre just what were looking for, until it got to HR and suddenly they would come up with a story about why it wouldnt work, she recalls. All admit their marriages came under strain. Finally, in late 2018 more than three years after the allegations first broke there was a breakthrough. Thanks to their assiduous gathering of tens of thousands of documents as evidence, Sabine McNeill was put on trial for stalking, harassment and breaching a restraining order. The German-born pensioner was labelled an arrogant, malicious, evil and manipulative woman by the sentencing judge, who jailed her for nine years the longest sentence ever handed down in a UK court for these offences. Self-styled activist and blogger Rupert Wilson Quaintance, an American who had come to the UK a few months earlier, became obsessed with the case and threatened to kick doors down and draw blood from the parents. He was jailed for nine months after being found guilty of putting people in fear of violence. They were major victories, albeit bittersweet ones. How do you go from being told there is no public interest in bringing a case to someone being sentenced to nine years in prison? asks Sarah. That tells you that this was a huge system failure. D raper and Christie fled the country in 2015. Theyve have been on the run ever since, believed to be in Spain. Why they started the hoax is still a mystery. If it was part of Drapers fight for custody against her ex-husband, it failed. After a period in care, Abigail and Joseph were reunited with their father. Six years on from the prosecution of Sabine McNeill, the mothers have now returned to a degree of normal life. The children who were in Year 5 back then are now 18 and embarking on adulthood relatively undamaged so their mothers hope by what happened. I think we saved our kids, and Im so grateful for that, says Sarah. They were young and they couldnt protect themselves. The women admit the ordeal changed them, leaving deep scars that will never fully heal. You cannot go back to what you were, because thats not the way life works, says Sarah. All agree that however bizarre and outlandish their experience may seem, no one is immune. All the way along, the police said this could have happened to any parent, in any school, anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world, says Anna. It just so happened that, unfortunately, it was us. Accused: The Hampstead Paedophile Hoax is on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday. It was an incident that shaped her life for ever. When Annemarie Ettekoven was raped at the age of 20, it destroyed her confidence and crushed her career as a model before it had even begun. Now 65, a softly spoken woman with a steel resolve who works as an historical archivist, she says that after the assault she felt so stupid and ashamed that she kept her trauma to herself. I was very cautious after that, she says. Im quite sure I chose the profession I did because it is behind the scenes. There is a grim irony, then, to the fact that she and other victims of her rapist are now at the centre of a scandal causing headlines around the world. Because the man she accuses of raping her was French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Annemarie Ettekoven in 1979, when she began her modelling career in Paris Earlier this year, when the Epstein files were unsealed by a U.S. court documents relating to the affairs of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein Brunels name featured prominently. It sent a chill down Ettekovens spine. Indeed, bit by bit, the testimony of women like her is shining a light on the links between Epstein and Brunel and providing horrifying insight into what appears to have been an industrial-scale trafficking ring between the U.S. and Europe. Once named King of the Catwalk, Paris-born Brunel was a model scout who worked with some of the industrys top names, including Jerry Hall and Monica Bellucci, and took credit for discovering models Christy Turlington and Milla Jovovich. But on his travels he also scoured cities for girls he could groom and sexually exploit, reportedly providing Epstein with more than 1,000 victims. Fashion provided the perfect cover for their depravity. Brunels now-dissolved MC2 agency, for example, which represented models who walked for lingerie brand Victorias Secret, was allegedly used to lure teenage girls with offers of modelling work. Epstein was finance adviser to Victoria Secrets billionaire chief executive, Les Wexner. Epstein and Brunel are now dead, having apparently committed suicide in their respective prison cells while awaiting trial. Epstein died at the age of 66, in the U.S. in 2019, having been charged with the trafficking of minors; and Brunel at 75, in France in 2022, while awaiting the end of criminal investigations for rape, rape of minors, sexual harassment and human trafficking. Brunel had been arrested and charged after accusations of rape by Virginia Giuffre, the woman who claims she was paid by Epstein to have sex with Prince Andrew, which the prince vehemently denies. For Ettekoven, it is time to tell her story. Robbed of her chance to look Brunel in the eye from the witness box, she is adamant that the world should know exactly what he did to her. I just want the family to realise that their loved one was not who they thought he was, she says. He was twice married but had no children. Some of Brunels surviving relatives are still hurting the victims by publicly proclaiming that he is innocent. They wont accept that he did anything wrong. That is very cruel to his victims. In fact, many of the women who have so far spoken out about Brunel tell very similar tales of isolation, imprisonment and assault, pointing to a calculated and brazen modus operandi. Today, Ettekoven lives a quiet life just outside Amsterdam. Her priorities are her work, her husband and their two grown-up children. When she was 19 she travelled to Paris to study art history at the Sorbonne. She found work as an au pair to a mother who had been a successful model with the Paris-Planning agency. Id been working for her for a while when she suggested I could make it as a model, and we went together to see Paris-Planning. It was May 18, 1979. At the desk, they told me I was beautiful but because I had no experience, I should start at a smaller Paris agency. She was directed to the Paris Karin agency, where she met the head booker, Jean-Luc Brunel, who was then 33. He was very enthusiastic about my looks and keen for me to go to the countryside with him and other models to do my test shoots. He asked me to join the group at 9pm that same night and gave me an address. I turned up at an apartment with my packed bag. Jean-Luc was there, along with the model agent I had met earlier. There was another French man with black hair and three other girls. They looked younger than me. Ettekoven says that at 11pm their party left in two cars. One of the other girls told me we were going to a remote chateau to do the photoshoot. On the way, the group stopped at a restaurant. It was midnight. Ettekoven recalls sitting at a long table where almost immediately a sexual atmosphere developed. French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel (right) with Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein The men were laughing at pornographic images in a magazine. I felt more and more uneasy. I asked Jean-Luc in private if I could get my suitcase from his car and leave. I said that I was afraid and didnt want to be part of this. He told me that I had nothing to fear, that I was under his protection. He said, as director of the agency, I will see that nothing will happen that you do not want. And so I stayed. I believed him. Ettekoven finished her dinner and the group headed for the countryside. This was an era without mobile phones or the internet. I realised in that car that no one knew where I was. It was pitch black when we arrived at the castle . . . Jean-Luc showed me to my bedroom with dark wood panelling and an antique bed. I put on my nightgown. I was very tired and ready to sleep. But Brunel had other ideas. He knocked on my door, proposing that we do a series of photos outside, in front of the car headlights. He had convinced me that I had nothing to fear from him and so I went with him in his car. As the two drove down the long, dark driveway, Brunel started asking Ettekoven what she earned as an au pair. I told him about 500 francs a month. He said, You could easily get 30,000 francs a month like ***, naming another young model he was paying that kind of money to. Then he started to kiss me and put his hand between my legs. Thats when everything turned. He told me if I didnt give in to him, he would leave me in the woods. I told him I didnt want to get money in that way. He very slowly drove back to the castle. I got out of the car and ran inside. I stumbled on a suit of armour as I fled upstairs to my bedroom. Everyone else was in their rooms. I locked my door and vowed to leave next morning. Ettekoven had been in bed for just a few minutes when she heard a sound coming from the wardrobe. It was Brunel. To my horror, he was passing through a hidden door in the closet between our adjoining rooms. He was almost naked, dressed in just a T-shirt and underpants. I froze. He took my arm and pulled me through the closet into his own room. I struggled as he put me on his bed. I tried to get away and turned my head from him. I said in French, I dont want this. He raped me anyway. I got away afterwards, back through the closet into my own room. I barricaded the door with chairs. All I could think about was running away as soon as it was light. On opening the shutters next morning, she said: I had no idea where I was. There wasnt a soul in sight and nowhere I could go for help. I went down for breakfast and found some of the others in a big room . . . A maid was serving a very elaborate breakfast . . . Jean-Luc entered the room. He ignored me completely. I blushed as the men made fun of me. Brunel with models in 2001. He is said to have scoured cities for girls he could groom and sexually exploit Ettekoven says that Brunel and another man loudly discussed arranging for male and female prostitutes from Rouen to come to the castle that evening. They were planning an orgy and made it clear I would be a part of it. Jean-Luc said he would make nude pictures of me. I knew at that point that I had to flee. There was an American girl there, a friend of the castles then owner. I asked her to help me leave. She took me to the owners office. He agreed that I didnt fit in well there. He told me there was a railway station a short distance away. I asked him to take me to the station, with the girl in the car with us. I didnt want Jean-Luc alerted as I was afraid he would keep me prisoner there if he knew I was trying to leave. Within half an hour, Ettekoven was on her way to a train station 9km from the castle. The station was Forges-les-Eaux. Ive never forgotten the name. I waited two hours there in the sunshine. All I could think was, Thank God, Im alive. That dominated my thoughts. I really believed at that time, had I stayed at the castle, I wouldnt have got out alive. During the two-hour wait on the platform for a train back to Paris, Ettekoven wrote down everything that had happened to her in a letter to a friend. I arrived in Paris at 7pm that evening. The following Monday, Ettekoven returned to her work and didnt tell anyone about what had happened to her. Throughout her adult life, she quietly carried the events of that day with her until the death of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019. At that point, the walls were closing in at last on Brunel. When French magistrates issued an appeal for alleged victims to come forward, Ettekoven decided she would be one of them. A few weeks later, in September 2019, Ettekoven was interviewed by police in Paris. Until then, she had told no one about what happened except for her sister and her husband. On December 16, 2020 41 years after Ettekovens rape Brunel was arrested. I was so relieved. I no longer felt afraid, she says. Yet the case against him immediately came up against a serious obstacle the 20 year French statute of limitations on prosecutions, which meant she and most of the other women who had come forward with claims of sexual assault against Brunel were out of time to bring charges against him. It was only when Virginia Giuffre came forward to French police that the case could proceed. During a meeting with the investigating officer in Paris in 2021, Ettekoven was told they had discovered the exact location of the castle using her calculation of the distance to the nearest train station and drone surveillance: It was Castle Gaillefontaine. She had her own important information for the police, too, in the shape of the draft letter she had written at the train station all those years ago, along with the train ticket she had bought for her journey back to Paris. The chateau of Gaillefontaine, in Normandy, where Ettekoven claims she was raped by Brunel I found it all perfectly preserved, wrapped in an envelope inside a trunk . . . I posted the letter to a friend but kept a draft as a sort of evidence for myself. Proof that it was not just a bad dream. Even though I was outside the statute of limitations, the fact I was clearly telling the truth about Brunel supported others cases. On February 19, 2022, they received the news Brunel had killed himself in his cell at Paris La Sante prison where he was being held on remand. I was shocked, relieved and angry all at once. It was a lot to take in, says Ettekoven. I had wanted desperately to confront him, to tell him what he had done to me. Last month, in a further affront to the alleged victims, Brunels lawyers demanded an administrative inquiry into alleged judicial failures after Brunel killed himself. They describe major dysfunctions by the judiciary, which they are holding responsible for his death. His death was not guided by guilt but a profound sense of injustice, said Brunels lawyers. I dont believe that, says Ettekoven. I believe he knew that, with all the evidence against him and the number of women willing to speak out, that he could not escape any more. I know that the evidence I kept for all those years helped to put him behind bars. Now another woman has launched a civil action against the Jean-Luc Brunel estate. Using the alias Jessica Kramer, she claims that Brunel drugged and assaulted her when she was working as a model in LA at the age of 18. In testimony which is chillingly reminiscent of Ettekovens, she claims to have been driven to a property, where she was imprisoned and subjected to abuse, eventually escaping through a window. Ettekoven hopes that revealing her identity will encourage still more victims to come forward. I cant imagine I was the only one abused in that place . . . The thing that hurts me the most was that I trusted him. Im sure that must have been the case with countless girls. You can create this budget DIY Mother's Day gift from home With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, Britons up and down the country are on the hunt for the perfect gifts to mark the special day. This year, it falls on Sunday March 10 in the UK, although it is celebrated later in the year in the US. With not long to go, those who are yet to find a present for the mother figure in their life may be feeling a tinge of panic. Flowers, chocolates and jewellery can make the occasion a costly affair, but there are ways to gift things that are full of love and that won't cost you a penny - and that's by creating them yourself. One crafty TikToker from Italy, who posts under the handle @artgogi, shared a DIY Mother's Day gift idea that you can make from home. One crafty TikToker, who posts under the handle @artgogi , shared a DIY Mother's Day gift idea that you can make from home The video, which has been viewed has already been seen by more than 8.7 million people and all you will need is some card, scissors, glue and string. She begins by drawing out a plant pot shape on some brown card and cutting it out. Next, the DIY pro pencils some teardrop shapes on lilac, pink and peach card - three of each. However, you can choose whichever colours you know your mother figure loves. Once you have drawn them, cut them out - it may be tedious but it will be worth it for the end result. After this, you should have three teardrops of each colour - fold two of them in half and glue them to each side of the third one, unfolding the edges to make it more 3D. This should now look like a tulip, simply repeat the process with each of your colours and cut out some stalks with green card. Stick your new flowers to the top of the stalks and once they're assembled, glue them to the brown plant pot you cut out earlier. You can then add another message on the inside of the plant pot if you like, with this craft fan penning 'Dear mom, thank you for helping me grow' Impressed commenters penned: 'Omg, beautiful flower' and 'Omg it's so pretty' If you have a hole puncher, create a hole on each side of the plant pot and thread the string through each side, tying it to create a bow at the front. At this point, you should have an adorable handmade plant pot with tulips, and you can write a message of your choice on the front. The TikToker in the video opted for a simple 'Happy Mother's Day' with some hearts, drawn on in black sharpie. You can then add another message on the inside of the plant pot if you like, with this craft fan penning: 'Dear mom, thank you for helping me grow'. Impressed commenters penned: 'Omg, beautiful flower' and 'Omg it's so pretty'. Others chimed in with: 'So beautiful' and 'Wow an actual easy gift idea! Everything else is so difficult'. Another wrote: 'This is brilliant! Would love to share this in our church. Thank you!' Meanwhile, one mother added: 'Oh I hope my daughter makes me one'. A mother of an autistic schoolgirl who was beaten unconscious at a skatepark has hit out at 'disgusting' scammers who set up a fundraiser in her daughter's name. Angela Jarvis, 44, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, said she has been left 'sickened' by a fake GoFundMe page which was brought to her attention last week but has since been removed. The page, which has now been taken down, asked people for donations to raise a total of 1,000 to help 14-year-old Abbie recover from the attack which occurred a more than a year ago. Speaking to the Daily Record Angela said: 'Someone sat there, saw Abbie's story and thought it would be a good idea to make money from it. 'Aside from everything else Abbie has been through, things like this torture her. She just wants to be able to move on from her past but she is unable to do so as she is constantly reminded of what happened to her.' Angela Jarvis, 44, (left) from Drumchapel, Glasgow, has been left 'sickened' by a fake GoFundMe page set up by scammers in her daughter Abbie's name (right) In 2022, Abbie hit the headlines when shocking images of her bloodied face showed the extent of her injuries. The then 12-year-old was lured into a park in the city's Drumchapel were a 13-year-old attacked her with multiple kicks to the head and she was left covered in blood, while other teenagers filmed the attack on their phones. Abbie spent two days in hospital and now suffers with PTSD after the violent attack and school s been unable to return to school. The fake GoFundMe page, which was written by the scammers as if they were Abbie, read: 'Thank you if you donated. This fundraiser is to help with my education and anxiety after this attack, no this is not for lots of money, this is for my mental health. Thank you a lot.' A GoFundMe spokesperson told FEMAIL: 'GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform. No money was raised. The fundraiser has been removed and the account is banned.' They added: 'GoFundMe is the only platform of its kind with a giving guarantee - which means all donations get to the right place or can be refunded.' After the attack, Abbie's mother launched a petition to address the disturbing culture of youth violence in Scotland and it is currently being considered in parliament. The then 12-year-old Abbie (pictured) was lured into a park in the city's Drumchapel were a 13-year-old attacked her with multiple kicks to the head and she was left covered in blood, while other teenagers filmed the attack on their phones The page, which was asking for donations of up to 1,000, was set up in her daughter Abbie's, now 14, name more than a year after her brutal assault Abbie Jarvis, 14, was lured into a park in Glasgow and set upon by another girl that she knew from school in October 2022 (pictured with the video of her attack which was shared online) Speaking to The Mirror in 2022 Angela said: 'We aren't sure if she'll be returning to school, she is very anxious and scared. I wanted to return to work, but I need to keep her safe. 'Her whole life has completely changed. Even walking to the shops she was grabbing my arm and said ''mum, don't leave my side''. I'm like her bodyguard now, to keep her feeling safe.' In 2022, a police spokesperson said: 'A 13-year-old girl has been arrested and charged following the alleged serious assault of a 12-year-old girl in Southdeen Avenue near Southdeen Park, Drumchapel, Glasgow, on Tuesday, October 4. 'She has been released on an Undertaking to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the Scottish Children's Reporters Administration for consideration.' Janey Godley has revealed she is 'getting everything ready' and ensuring she is 'financially secure' for when she dies after she received a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2022. The Scottish stand-up comedian, 63, appeared on Lorraine to discuss her upcoming tour and documentary, which will be released in cinemas on March 15. Janey explained that she doesn't have a conventional bucket list but is 'enjoying living every day' after she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer two years ago. 'I don't want to get up and climb a mountain - most days I just want to lie in my pants and listen to a good murder podcast,' she told Lorraine. She further joked: 'Women love murder podcasts. It's just so we get tips on how to get away.' Janey Godley, 63, appeared on Lorraine to discuss her upcoming tour and documentary As she tackled the serious side of her diagnosis, the comedian said she is clearing out her old possessions and making sure her children don't inherit any debt from her when she passes away. 'I bought a car, paid for everything outright because I don't want them to be left with debt,' she told Lorraine. 'When you're facing these things you become good at financially trying to make everything secure. 'So I'm getting rid of a lot of clothes, I'm getting rid of a lot of old stuff. The charity shop loves me. 'I'm paring everything down and getting everything ready so that when I do go, it's not such a big trauma. 'And I think this is something we should speak about.' 'You're absolutely right,' Lorraine responded. 'You've encouraged people to have those conversations that we must have. The Scottish stand-up comedian was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in 2022 Janey revealed her unconventional bucket list as she prepares for death 'I actually really like the way that you're getting organised.' Janey, who went viral for impersonating Nicola Sturgeon during lockdown, wasnt sure if she would be able to finish her Not Dead Yet tour. However, she is now planning another tour, starting on March 16, alongside a new book and radio show. Additionally, the documentary, which discusses the comedian's terminal cancer diagnosis and childhood in Glasgow, will be released in cinemas on March 15. Janey explained that it was her daughter Ashley's idea to film the tour. 'She said "if this is going to be the last hurrah, why don't we stick a camera in your face and get all this documented?",' the comedian told Lorraine. She continued: 'Because that tour was going to be the last tour. 'And of course I didn't go on time... so, I'm still here, but she wanted to document it.' Janey Godley appeared on Lorraine to discuss her upcoming projects The comedian appeared in high spirits despite being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 Lorraine chuckled throughout Janey's interview on the breakfast show Janey pointed out that the average person continues to work throughout their terminal cancer diagnosis. 'You're doing all these amazing things that you were doing anyway in your career, so you're continuing to work, doing what you love,' Lorraine highlighted. She continued: 'But a lot of people say "oh I want a bucket list or I want to do this or I want to climb Everest" but actually, it's just living. Or have you got a bucket list?' 'No, I got a pulley,' replied Janey, explaining that she's enjoying 'living every day' instead. She continued to say that she is surrounded by friends and family, and enjoys taking the dogs for long walks along the beach. The comedian also admitted going to Guiseppe's cafe to consume large slices of cake. 'I'm leaning into the hernia now,' Janey joked. 'Ashley says "just wear maternity wear and freak people out and make them think 'Why's that old woman pregnant?''' 'Ashley and I laugh all the time.' National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar agreed Tuesday to further strengthen the two countries' cooperation in defense, supply chains and critical technologies, the presidential office said. During their meeting at the presidential office, the two noted their countries had active high-level exchanges on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations last year, including two summits between their leaders. They agreed that given the two countries' special strategic partnership, the two sides should further strengthen strategic communication and cooperation in the areas of defense and arms, establishing stable supply chains, critical technologies and infrastructure. They also agreed to jointly contribute to regional peace and stability, as well as a rules-based order, within the framework of Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy and India's vision for the Indo-Pacific. (Yonhap) The first ever quads of a rare species of 'blacknose' lambs have been born in the UK. Adorable pictures show the four Valais Blacknose young that arrived at Whitehall Farm in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Boys Livramento and Larry, and girls Lotus and Lily, were birthed by mother Grace three weeks ago - and they have been winning hearts on the farm ever since. Emily Duncan, who runs the farm with her husband, said: 'As far as I'm aware they are first quads ever to be born in the UK, it is very unusual. 'They have been getting lots of attention! There has only been one set born in Germany and one in Sweden before. Pictured above are three-week-old quadruplet Valais Blacknose lambs, the first ever quads of the rare species to be born in UK On this Dumfriesshire farm, these rare sheep were born - the first time they have born on UK soil 'The Valais Blacknose sheep came into the UK in 2015 from Switzerland, from the Valaisarea area - hence their name. 'We got them late in that year, so very early on'. Emily explains how it is not only the colour of the species that make them stand out - but also their friendly temperament. She said: 'The species are quite rare so they look different - but they are also exceptionally friendly sheep, which is another reason why people love them so much. One of the Scottish couple's adorable Swiss lambs, the first ever quads of the rare blacknose species to be born in the UK The blacknose lambs come from Switzerland's southwestern Valais region. It is a dual-purpose breed, raised both for meat and for wool but it is so cute it has become a very fashionable pet 'So much so that when one was having lambs all the others were cooing and nibbling at my feet. 'They all follow me about, it is a bit exhausting! When the species came to us in 2015, people from all over came to see them. 'There was even a bus load from Hawaii!' Whitehall Farm is also home to 500 other sheep, as well as the Aberdeen angus and Belted Galloway cows, horses, chickens and dogs. This comes after the Mail revealed just how in demand the blacknose sheep are as pets. The Valais blacknose breed, seldom seen outside their native Switzerland and often called the worlds cutest sheep, are worth up to 10,000 each 40 times the value of an ordinary lamb. These three are the latest additions to the flock on a farm in north Devon, where the lambing season is in full swing. In Switzerland, which banned exports nine years ago, the sheep are reared for wool as well as meat. In the UK, where there are thought to be only a few thousand, they are kept as pets, for breeding and for showing. In 2020, we reported that they typically sell for up to 7,000 but the most attractive rams can fetch 10,000. Actress and TV presenter Danielle Mason claims her 12-year-old son, who has autism, hasn't been to school for over a year due to a lack of funding for his special educational needs - and says 'he'll never go back because his confidence has been knocked so much'. Mason, 41, who lives in Bracknell, says her son Rudy, who should be in Year Eight, has been declined a place at numerous schools in Berkshire after he was excluded 21 times from his last school, The Brakenhale School. Danielle, who is EastEnders star Jessie Wallace's sister, is mother to Rudy and Delilah, 10, who she shares with her ex partner Tony Giles. Speaking to MailOnline, the mother-of-two claims that the schools 'cannot cope' with her son's EHCP [Education, Health and Care Plan] due to a 'lack of government funding' - and that he's received homework for the first time in a year this week. She says her daughter Delilah, who also has an EHCP due to mental health problems, is currently in Year Six at primary school, and has also failed to get a place at several senior schools. Danielle Mason told MailOnline her 12-year-old son, who has autism, hasn't been in school for over a year because, she claims, 'no mainstream school will take him' due to lack of funding for his special educational needs (Pictured: Danielle with her children Delilah, left, and Rudy, right) Danielle said: 'My little boy, who is diagnosed autistic, went up from junior school to senior school with no problem, he was excluded 21 times until the school agreed they would let him have a managed move.' A managed move is a behaviour strategy for children at risk of permanent exclusion if other approaches to improve the child's behaviour have failed and the school believes a fresh start elsewhere might work. The mother claimed her son would be excluded for 'silly reasons' such as coming in wearing his trainers instead of his school shoes, while other days he was 'triggered' when the school couldnt handle his needs properly. The mother-of-two claimed that the schools 'cannot cope' with her son Rudy's EHCP [Education, Health and Care Plan] due to a 'lack of government funding' She said: 'He would just be sat in his bedroom with no socialising and the school would have him off four days at a time until it got to the point where he had done no education in Year Seven.' Mason continued: 'I got a managed move to another school, and they also said they dont have the staff there to manage his needs. 'His EHCP plan came through and no mainstream school will take him as they do not have the staff to accommodate his needs due to a lack of funding.' An Education, Health and Care plan is a legal document which sets out a child's special educational needs, the support they require and what they would like to achieve. She added: 'They do not have the staff to accommodate his needs due to lack of funding. Thats all they say, they do not have the funding. Danielle, who is EastEnders star Jessie Wallace's sister, is mother to children Rudy, (left) and Delilah, 10, (right) who she shares with ex Tony Giles Meanwhile her daughter Delilah, who also has an EHCP due to mental health problems, is currently in Year Six at primary school, and has also, Danielle claims, been refused from several senior schools 'They say he can go a couple of hours a day to his old school, but they call me after an hour as his mood swings have heightened due to the lack of SEN [Special educational needs] teachers.' However, Danielle also claims that her local authority, Bracknell Forest Council, has said that mainstream schools should be able to take Rudy. She said: 'While these arguments are going on, my son has now not been in education for over a year.' Danielle added that many other parents are in the same situation as her. She said: 'My daughter has mental health problems and has an EHCP plan also. 'Without even meeting us, her schools have refused her because she may have ADHD or autism and they say they cannot cope, even though she is a wonderful, well behaved little girl with a real talent for acting and dancing.' Danielle questioned where the school funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities [SEND] is going. Danielle claimed her son (pictured) would be excluded for 'silly reasons' such as coming in wearing his trainers instead of his school shoes Delilah should be going into Year Seven in September, but some senior schools have refused to take her, saying they cannot meet her needs She said: 'No education or support. Im utterly disgusted. Having asked around, going to charities for support and watching other mothers on TikTok. I can see its a problem throughout the UK and in my local council. 'There are thousands of kids in the same situation that are roaming the streets because school will not have them and cannot be bothered to help these children.' Danielle said: 'Delilah is currently in junior school however, she was supposed to get her senior school place last week with all the other children who got theirs, and hers was refused and she has been refused from a couple of schools, so she doesnt have a senior school to move up into. 'Its been really upsetting for Delilah as all her friends have got their school places apart from her. 'Delilah's junior school is baffled by the way the senior schools are behaving. She is such a lovely girl and they havent even met her, she an amazing dancer and actress, its heartbreaking. Danielle revealed it has become like a full-time job trying to find a place for her children's educational needs. Danielle claims her son Rudy, (right) was excluded 21 times from The Brakenhale School, while her daughter Delilah (left) is struggling to get a place in senior school Danielle told MailOnline it has become like a full-time job trying to find a school for her children's educational needs She said: 'The council are continuing to fight for my children's place at school. The council and mainstream schools are arguing between each other, meanwhile I have one child with no school, and my daughter moving up to senior school with no place.' 'Schools just do not have the staff to cope with any child that is a bit different, should it be autism, ADHD or mental health struggles. 'I constantly feel like its a full-time job, making phone calls and emailing all day long and getting nowhere.' James Sunderland, Conservative MP for Bracknell, said: 'I am sorry to hear about Rudy and Delilah. I have met and advised several local families on SEND issues, but I have not met the Masons. 'I would advise them to get in touch with my office. Of note, the provision of education for students with an EHCP is a needs-led service for which Bracknell Forest Council has local responsibility and for which significant extra funding has been provided by the Government. 'I also continue to support the council in its bid for focused safety valve funding and I am pushing hard for additional SEND schools in the borough, of which one in Crowthorne has already been approved.' Mail Online have contacted Bracknell Forest Council and The Brakenhale School for comment. The Princess of Wales's uncle Gary Goldsmith has revealed the unexpected question he was asked by Prince William the first time they met. Mr Goldsmith, who entered the Celebrity Big Brother house as a contestant last night, opened up about meeting the royal. He made the comments in an introductory video, in which he let people know he would be entering the famous house. In the short clip, Mr Goldsmith says: 'I'm Gary Goldsmith, the uncle to the future queen of our country. Catherine is the current Princess of Wales. She is simply perfect. 'The first time I met William, Catherine was cooking, and William said, "hi, do you want a cup of tea?".' Gary Goldsmith (pictured) is the uncle of Kate Middleton. He is currently appearing in Celebrity Big Brother. He appeared in this video ahead of entering the house In his video, Mr Goldsmith says people often consider him 'a bit of a bad boy', and that going on the show will be 'lovely to put the record straight'. However, he admits that 'winding people up is probably [his] favourite hobby and that he 'an absolute nightmare to live with'. Meanwhile, in an interview with The Sun, Mr Goldsmith defended his niece against racism claims against made against her in the leaked copy of Omid Scobie's book's Endgame. He said: 'She's beautiful on the outside, but more beautiful on the inside and really is a doting mum. 'That's why I got so upset with Harry and Meghan because you don't put a stick into that spoke and reinvent history. 'I've got pretty miffed when they had a pop at my beautiful niece who couldn't say anything for herself.' Mr Goldsmith's comments come after Kate and King Charles were identified by author Omid Scobie as those alleged to have asked Meghan and Harry what colour Archie's skin might be before he was born. 'It's absolute bull**** and I didn't hide my feelings very well when I was offered the opportunity to say something,' said Mr Goldsmith. 'Kate is 100 per cent not racist.' Prince William (pictured together with Kate Middleton in 2008) offered Gary a cup of tea when the Mr Goldsmith's appearance on CBB has been described as the 'last thing [Kate] needs' as her recovery continues, a royal expert said this week. Royal commentator Phil Dampier said that while the 58-year-old businessman will likely go into the house 'determined to only say nice things' about Kate and William, 'after several days his tongue may loosen and he may say things he later regrets'. But a reality TV appearance for 'black sheep' Mr Goldsmith will cause a headache for the royals amid speculation about Kate as she recovers from abdominal surgery. Mr Goldsmith reportedly tried to gain a spot on ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here last year, but was turned down over concerns it could embarrass his niece. He is said to have told friends that he won't do anything to hurt Kate or William - but he has previously attacked Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and they could therefore now be in the firing line. And Mr Dampier told MailOnline today: 'The last thing the Princess of Wales needs at the moment is for her uncle to be talking about her on Celebrity Big Brother. 'And I'm not surprised at reports her mother Carole is not happy with her brother being in the house. 'I'm sure he will go in there determined to only say nice things about her and William as he has in the past. And he probably intends to criticise Harry and Meghan if he gets the chance. Kate Middleton's uncle Gary Goldsmith (pictured) entered the Celebrity Big Brother house as a contestant this week 'But after several days his tongue may loosen and he may say things he later regrets.' The commentator also warned that 'any indication about Kate's medical condition will not go down well with her or William', adding: 'I'm sure Gary wants to support his family but giving more publicity to them at the moment is not what they want.' Mr Dampier said it would be interesting to know whether Mr Goldsmith consulted Carole or Kate before deciding to go into the house, which 'presumably he is doing for the money'. And he continued: 'He has caused embarrassment for them in the past with his Maison de Bang Bang misdemeanours, but he has cleaned up his act in recent years and mainly stayed out of the limelight. 'The Big Brother bosses will want him to spill the beans - after all why else would he be in there? - but Kate and William will be hoping he manages to be sensible and focus on other housemates and their problems.' The prestigious canine competition will return for 2024 on Thursday As the first dogs were pictured for the 2024 Crufts competition in Birmingham, they proved the standard for the canine competition is as high as ever. Owners and pets from around the world will be competing in categories such as agility and obedience from Thursday, with the world-class Best In Show title to be awarded on Sunday. Crufts, which has been running since 1891 and is currently organised by The Kennel Club, is considered the most prestigious canine competition in the world. This year's pampered pooches include Dougal - an adorable 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and member of the Good Citizen display team, who looked unbelievably cute as he posed among spring daffodils at the photocall at the National Exhibition Centre. Dougal looked tiny as he posed with Irish Wolfhound Killoughery Rockefella, aged two, as the pair made an adorable big and small duo with Dougal managing to stand between his legs. Getting ready: Poodle Ruben is just one of more than 24,000 dogs that will head to Birmingham for the 2024 Crufts competition And poodle Ruben put on a magnificent display as he jumped over a bar, showing a display of impressive agility. The arrivals are just a few of more than 24,000 dogs heading to Birmingham ahead of this year's competition. The show is traditionally split into four main categories: gundog, working and pastoral, terrier and hound, and utility and toy. When the competition began in 1891 it was founded by Charles Cruft, a dog biscuit salesman. Mr Cruft had had previous experience with dog shows, having been involved with the canine section at the Paris exhibition in 1889. Big and small! Dougal, a ten year old Yorkshire terrier, looked tiny as he stood next to two year old Irish wolfhound Killoughery Rockefella Dougal put on an adorable display as he posed next to spring daffodils at the NEC Arena in Birmingham Dougal showed that the fierce competition this year is higher than ever as he posed for snaps at the photocall Owners and pets from around the world will be competing in categories such as agility and obedience. Pictured: Some of this year's line-up Perfect poodle: Ruben made easy work of the jump as he effortlessly cleared it The five-year-old dog was attending the launch of this year's competition, ahead of it starting on Thursday When he brought the show to the UK two years later at the Albert Hall in Islington, it was considered a resounding success. After 2,500 submissions were received, the appetite for the competition among the general public was clear. Dog lover Queen Victoria even entered her pooches in several categories, with the royal dogs picking up three awards. For more than a century, Crufts has remained the most prestigious dog competition in the world. This year's competition will begin on Thursday March 7 and conclude on Mother's Day, Sunday March 10. Little Dougal made a fine pair with his new friend Killoughery Rockefella Queen Letizia of Spain once again triumphed in the style stakes as she attended an event marking Rare Diseases Day in Seville, Andalusia. The 51-year-old royal chaired the country's official event for World Rare Diseases Day, which was held at the FIBES Conference and Exhibition Centre of Seville on Tuesday 5 March. The former journalist wore a stylish knitted midi dress in navy by Spanish designer Galcon Studio. Known as the Floral Intarsia Knit Dress, the long-sleeved number features two large cream flowers on its front. Belted at the waist, the elegant crew-neck dress is made from 100% merino wool. It once retailed for 229 but is no longer available. Pictured with Andalusian president Juanma Moreno, Queen Letizia of Spain wore a stylish knitted midi dress in navy by Spanish designer Galcon Studio when she attended an event marking World Rare Diseases Day in Seville on Tuesday 5 March Letizia wore the dress, which has a striking floral design in cream, belted at the waist and wore her brown hair loose As the Honorary President of the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (FEDER), which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, Queen Letizia addressed the audience Eagle-eyed royal fans may recognise the dress from previous official engagements, including the the bicentenary of Ateneo De Madrid last April. Before that, the mother-of-two wore the garment in March 2022 for the start of the 'Talent Tour' in Malaga. In Seville, she paired the dress with black patent court shoes and diamond studs in the shape of a star while her straight brown hair fell just below her shoulders. While World Rare Diseases Day took place on 29 February this year, Spain officially marked it on 5 March. Also in attendance were the Andalusian president Juanma Moreno, Spanish minister of health Monica Garcia and president of the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (FEDER) Juan Carrion. FEDER, which campaigns for research and treatments for rare diseases, was founded 25 years ago in Seville. Letizia, who is Honorary President of the organisation, last visited FEDER on 13 February, where she also showcased her fashion flair. She was beaming as she arrived at the organisation's headquarters in Madrid, the Spanish capital. Letizia had previously worn the elegant long-sleeved dress by Galcon Studio to previous official engagements, including the the bicentenary of Ateneo De Madrid last April The royal was pictured smiling alongside the Andalusian president Juanma Moreno The 51-year-old former journalist paired her dress with black patent court shoes and diamond studs in the shape of a star Letizia presided over the event, which took place at he FIBES Conference and Exhibition Centre of Seville The royal made a stylish entrance in a striking chartreuse blazer from Hugo Boss, costing 354.99, teamed with wide-leg trousers and suede boots. Debuted in November 2023, Letizia's 'Jestena' jacket is crafted from textured wool with an asymmetric double-breasted front and classic notch lapels. Each year, she visits FEDER to learn about the challenges and opportunities the charity anticipates for the year ahead. Allowing her jacket to take centre stage, she complemented it with wide-leg trousers, suede boots and a lengthy wool coat - all in a sleek black hue. The royal opted for her signature make-up look, incorporating a smoky eye, bronzed cheekbones and nude lip, while her brunette locks fell over her shoulders. Letizia completed her ensemble with minimal jewellery, choosing only diamond stud earrings and a gold ring. FEDER helps people who have contracted a disease that less than five people per 10,000 have. There are more than three million people that fit the bill in Spain alone. Teenage girls can be a handful at the best of times, but a sinister new true crime series is set to delve into the most horrifying side of female rivalries - laying bare the most heinous murders committed by young women. Investigation Discovery has given DailyMail.com an exclusive look at the trailer for its new series of Mean Girl Murders - which offers insight into the sinister minds of viscous young female killers. The second season of Mean Girl Murders is set to explore several twisted cases of rage and rivalry, lifting the lid on the very dark side of female connections. According to the network, the series will cover a number of shocking cases, including a love rivalry between a 'dairy princess and a homecoming queen' whose fight over a handsome farmer 'turns deadly'. Investigation Discovery has released the trailer for their new series of Mean Girl Murders - a look into the sinister minds of viscous young female killers The second season of Mean Girl Murders is set to explore even more twisted cases of rage The documentary series will also cast light on a 'fierce feud between two top students for the title of valedictorian that results in a shocking act of violence in the middle of Economics class', as well as a complicated case of how 'one womans lie around her own pregnancy motivates a twisted kidnapping case with a horrifying conclusion'. 'From cutthroat competition to pangs of jealousy and cruel gossip, each episode will dig deeper into what pushed these mean girls to murder,' the synopsis reads. Episode one In Deadly Harmony centers around the gruesome 2012 murder of a mom from Humble, Texas, who was found stabbed to death in bed in her family home and the sexual relationship which was uncovered between the victim's daughter Keri, and her mom's killer. Mary Ann Murphy, 48, was attacked in her home at around 1 a.m. on July 15, with her attacker breaking in and stabbing her over 70 times. Murphy's 16-year-old daughter, Keri, initially told neighbors and police two men had broken in and attacked her mom before fleeing the scene. However, by the time help arrived her mother had died from her wounds. '[Mary Ann was stabbed] on her legs, on her arms, hands, neck, in the face,' Craig Clopton, a former investigator at the Harris County Sheriffs Office, in an episode of Killer Couples in 2018. 'It was obvious that it was a very brutal attack.' 'She said her mom was screaming loud, and I did think I heard a scream but I didn't know for sure,' their neighbor Marcus Cox said at the time, the morning after the murder. 'I just thought it was some kids down the street.' It was just days before detectives realized Kerri's story was fabricated, with investigators becoming suspicious after noticing the blood has coagulated- indicating Keri may have waited longer to call the police than she said. The all-new season diving into more real-life mysteries that explore the dark side of female connections and rivalry Episode one In Deadly Harmony centers around the gruesome 2012 murder of a mom from Humble, Texas who was found stabbed to death in her home Accused: Rebecca Renee Keller (left), 20, and Zein Imran Ahmed (right), 21, were charged with the murder of Mary Ann Murphy in Texas - however the murder charges again Ahmed where dropped after it was discovered Keller and Keri conspired and committed the murder Keri's story began to change and after taking a polygraph test, the teen confessed she knew who killed her mother - her friend Zein Ahmed, 20, Police arrested the pair after finding the knife used in the brutal stabbing was found at his home just blocks away - however, they soon suspected a third person. Their investigation into phone calls and text messages between Kerri and Ahmed led them to Rebecca Keller - who was also Kerri's older lover. Kerri was a social high schooler and eager choir member until she met then 19-year-old Keller- with friends and family saying then teen was 'infatuated' with the older girl. 'They clicked immediately. It was an immediate draw towards each other,' Keris brother Scott recalled on an 2018 episode of Killer Couples. 'I had never seen Keri become completely and utterly infatuated with a single person.' he added. Other episodes this season on Mean Girl Murders will feature a rivalry between a Dairy Princess and Homecoming Queen over a handsome farmer and a fierce feud between two top students for the title of valedictorian that results in a shocking act of violence in the middle of Economics class From cutthroat competition to pangs of jealousy and cruel gossip, each episode will dig deeper into what pushed these mean girls to murder Keri confessed she enlisted Ahmed's help to murder her mom and she didn't approve of the age difference between her daughter and Keller, but it wasn't long until they realized something wasn't right. Investigators looked into phone records for burner phone found in the family home and finding she had managed to continue talking to Keller after her mom had banned her using the phone, and they had been in constant communication the night of the murder. 'Keri was googling what's the quickest way to kill somebody? Clopton said. 'Those Google searches were at the same time she's talking on the phone with Rebecca. So I know that they are scheming this together.' Keller, 20, was arrested and charged with murder - as well as sexual assault of a child, as she was in a sexual relationship with 16-year-old Kerri at the time. Both girls were arrested and recorded phone calls before they went to trial found that Keller stabbed Murphy, not her daughter. However, she was the mastermind behind the plan. Both Keller and Keri took plea deals, with Keller sentenced to 60 years and Keri 30. The murder charges again Ahmed where dropped. New episodes of Mean Girl Murders premieres Monday, March 25 at 9/8c on ID. Hoda Kotb broke down in tears on Tuesday morning as she recalled being in hospital with her daughter Hope last year amid the youngster's ICU 'health scare'. Today with Hoda & Jenna opened with the news that Hoda's new book, Hope Is A Rainbow, is now available to buy and the 59-year-old TV star couldn't resist explaining why she decided to dedicate her latest project to her four-year-old child. Speaking to her co-host Jenna Bush Hager, she said: 'This morning I was writing a note. I tuck away letters that I give to my children around their birthday time, I write a letter that describes what they are like at that particular age. 'And I was writing one for Hope. I was just talking about how incredible and resilient she is and what she has overcome in the past year and how she is braver than she ever imagined. When I'm describing her, I said there is a song that we love, and it's called I am light, it's a beautiful song.' Hoda Kotb broke down in tears on Tuesday morning as she recalled being in hospital with her daughter Hope last year Hoda was seen wiping away tears as her co-host Jenna Bush Hager also became emotional The 59-year-old TV star pictured with her daughter's Hope, four, and six-year-old Haley Hoda and Jenna share an emotional moment talking about the lessons in the past year. You are stronger than you were a year ago, you are braver than you ever thought possible, you can do so much and you are also softer, more gentle, more open, @jennabushhager tells @hodakotb. pic.twitter.com/hHQKjMBqi3 TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) March 5, 2024 Hoda continued: 'And whenever we get into a place that we feel unsure, like when Hope was sick, and there was a lot of commotion going on around her in the hospital, I played that. 'I held that next to her ear and it played and it drowned out all the sounds. In that moment we were all safe. I was looking at her, trying to make it quiet and make her safe and calm. 'I remembered thinking to myself, "this song, this song..." and now when Hope goes, "can we play our song?" Our song is I am light,' she added, as a snippet of the song played out and Hoda's eyes filled with tears. Mother-of-three Jenna was visibly emotional too and told Hoda: 'You know, when I was listening to you say all of that about your precious daughter, it's about you, too. 'You are stronger than you were a year ago, you are braver than you ever thought possible, you can do so much. And you are also softer, more gentle, open. 'Like I have chills thinking about it because I was listening to you and I'm like, "She is also talking about herself." And isn't that weird how our kids bring us to this place where we are better than we are?' the 42-year-old blond added. Trying to remain composed, Hoda replied: Yes, and you think to yourself in the middle of things, "How would this ever turn into something..." I can't believe you said that.' 'It's true, I was listening to you and you were talking about yourself... and obviously, there is nobody that is more filled with light. So the fact that you wrote book about rainbows, which is the ultimate light prism, it's just perfect and we are so happy to get to celebrate you today.' Mother-of-three Jenna broke down in tears too as she praised Hoda for being 'softer' and 'more gentle' since Hope's health scare Today with Hoda & Jenna were celebrating the release of Hoda's new book Hope Is A Rainbow which was inspired by her youngest daughter Hoda was in tears yet again as a pre-recorded video message from Hope played out onscreen Hodas daughter Hope sends her a sweet message on the day of @hodakotbs book release for Hope is a Rainbow and it has all of us crying pic.twitter.com/x432FEk4Uk TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) March 5, 2024 A short while later, the duo were in tears yet again as a pre-recorded video message from Hope played out as the tot was sitting at home on a sofa holding a copy of the new book. 'I'm so excited for book to come out and I love it,' the four-year-old said, before adding: 'I know I'm enough because my mommy loves me.' Hoda was clearly touched by her daughter's sentiment and was seen wiping away tears as she joked: 'That was really not nice!' as she looked at the crew working behind the scenes. The broadcaster first opened up about Hope's hospital stay on March 6 last year when she returned to Today following a two-week absence. Hoda - who had not appeared on the Today show since February 17 - opened up about her daughter's illness, telling her co-anchor Savannah Guthrie: 'My youngest Hope was in the ICU for a few days and then the hospital for a little more than a week. 'I'm so grateful she is home, she is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. I'm just so happy.' Hoda then began to tear up as she paid tribute to all of the doctors and medical staff who took care of her daughter, before thanking her family and friends for all of their support during the difficult time. 'And you know what I realized too? When your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who have helped you out,' she explained. 'I'm grateful for the doctors at Weill Cornell who were amazing and the nurses and I'm grateful to my family and I'm grateful to friends like you who were there every single day. I want to say thank you for that. I love you.' Hoda shares her adopted daughters Haley, six, and Hope with her ex Joel Schiffman, whom she was previously engaged to. An end of the world prepper has opened up about his decision to quit his traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle and become 'voluntarily homeless' so he can live an entirely off-grid lifestyle in anticipation of a global 'collapse'. Aaron Fletcher used to have a corporate job that was very much in keeping with modern societal expectations - however he chose to walk away from that more conventional way of living after becoming more and more uncomfortable with how the world was developing. His reasoning? The 42-year-old believes societal 'collapse' is 'overdue' and imminent. Having ditched his full-time gig, he is now 'voluntarily homeless' living on random farms with packs of dairy sheep as well as growing his own food. Aaron Fletcher, 42, ditched his 9-to-5 more than 15 years ago to live off the grid All of Aaron's possessions fit into a wagon, which also doubles as his living quarters He insists his lifestyle costs 'next to nothing' month to month He also rid himself of most of his worldly possessions, transporting his remaining belongings in a wooden wagon that he hauls with him on his travels. And he urges others to make the switch before it's too late. 'S**t is going to hit the fan soon,' Aaron, a nomadic farmer and sustainability activist, told What's The Jam. 'We need to preemptively change and wean ourselves away from artificial economy. 'I think people should be starting to produce more of their [own] organic food and work trade. 'It's important to buy sustainably-minded items now that will be needed in the future, as they may not be as readily available soon. 'We're long overdue for a global empire collapse.' Aaron, from South Oregon, made the lifestyle switch more than 15 years ago and claims his new life costs him 'next to nothing' every month. 'S**t is going to hit the fan soon,' Aaron insisted He lives alongside livestock while also growing food on the land of farms he's camping on Aaron makes a meager but sufficient income working as a seasonal farmhand He moves around in his tiny wagon, which he built from scratch, on farms across the state that need tending to year-round. By doing this, he claims to have access to a 'lifetime' supply of fresh produce whenever he needs it - especially when disaster strikes. He said: 'Being a farmhand means that I have a network of local farms to barter with and won't be putting all my eggs in one property basket. 'I need to have more than one that can produce enough variation of foods to keep me healthy and single-farm dependence can lead to nothing if people try to raid the land for supplies when everything goes wrong. 'A lot of rich people are now trying to move out to homesteads, but the transition process of selling their in-town homes is long so they look for farmhands to look after their produce in the meantime. 'I want to give people some direction in a directionless, rampant and consumer-driven world,' Aaron added He grows his own food while living on various farms 'Disgruntled city dwellers need to know this and have hope that there are increasing positions for them to work here and help these people with money develop their homestead in a timely enough fashion. 'Everyone will be dependent on the food the farm produces, as there won't be any other resources available, so there will always be jobs.' Although he's disconnected himself from traditional society in many ways, he still speaks with his friends and family, who are supportive of his lifestyle. He also shares his journey and tips on YouTube, with his channel, dubbed @123homefree, boasting more than 43,000 followers, in a bid to help others make the transition to living off the grid. 'I want to give people some direction in a directionless, rampant and consumer-driven world,' he added. 'The responses have been really positive and people are ready to live a more integrity and purpose-driven lifestyle, but they need to see some examples first. 'It's why I share my content, so they can see and adapt their own lives to this. 'There's not a chance of me reverting back to my old life,' he insisted. The royal, 52, took to Chemelot industrial park in Geleen this afternoon Queen Maxima of the Netherlands cut a chic figure as she visited the Chemelot industrial park and Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands, today. The royal, 52, took to the industrial complex as part of a series of visits to the field of sustainability and circularity. During the engagement, the mother-of-four spoke to experts about making raw materials more sustainable and witnessed their work in the chemical field. Looking typically chic, the wife of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands donned a pair of stylish tweed trousers and a trendy billowing blouse in cream. The royal added a touch of glamour with a pair of statement pearlescent earrings crafted in the shape of shells. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands put on a chic display as she visited the Chemelot industrial park in Geleen earlier today Gold bracelets with bright stones in shades of pink and green added to the royal's fashionable jewellery choices. Maxima styled her blonde tresses out and opted for a simple face of make-up, accentuating her eyes with black eyeliner. The royal traded her glamorous look for safety during the trip and donned a pair of safety goggles to learn about the industrial park's advancements in the realm of sustainability. And she appeared to get stuck to learn all that the business has to offer, from inside the laboratory to the outdoors features of the park. Some 8,000 people currently work on site, and many are connected to Chemelot as a supplier, from a cleaning company to transporters and landscapers, according to its website. It comes after Queen Maxima of the Netherlands cut a stylish figure on her official visit to Colombia on behalf of the United Nations. The royal, 52, arrived in Medellin, last month to promote financial inclusion and innovation as part of her special advisor role to the UN. Ever the style star, the royal looked typically chic in monochrome - wearing an all black trouser suit with just a touch of nude. The royal appeared in high spirts as she donned a pair of safety goggles to learn about the field of sustainability and circularity Maxima wrapped up warm in a biscuit-coloured coat to learn about the industry park's outside features Looking typically stylish, Maxima donned a trendy pair of tweed trousers and a billowing cream blouse She donned an oversized blazer which featured a stylish box shape at the shoulders, along with a matching pair of cropped high-waisted pants. Underneath the jacket, she wore a black round-neck shirt and finished her efforts with a dashing pair of black and tan pumps, which she teamed with a patchwork bag of the same colour theme. Signifying the seriousness of the engagement, the royal pared back the glamour, opting for very subtle make-up, enhanced only by a thick line of black eyeliner. Her blonde locks were tied downwards while her fringe was swept upwards and away from her face, meanwhile she opted to forego any facial jewellery. The monarch appeared in high spirits as she made her way across the event and greeted the various guests in attendance. Maxima was photographed in deep conversation with the Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia, Ricardo Bonilla. A red carpet was rolled out for the royal mother-of-three as she arrived at the Chemelot industrial park Donning a lab coat, Maxima appeared animated as she chatted with two of the 8,000 workers at the park The wife of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands added a touch of glamour to her outfit with a pair shell-shaped earrings Maxima chatted with members of the industrial park this afternoon to learn about sustainability and circularity A trendy black leather bag with a bamboo-style handle completed Maxima's look for the working visit To mark the royal visit, Maxima posed with staff members outside the Chemelot industrial park in Geleen She was also pictured with the ambassador of the Netherlands in Colombia, Reina Buijs, the ambassador of Colombia in the Netherlands, Carolina Olarte and the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, Mireia Villar Forner. Later on she was spotted arriving at Medellin airport where she cheerily greeted airport staff. Queen Maxima is the United Nations Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, working to advance universal knowledge of affordable, effective and safe financial services. The mother-of-three was in Colombia until February 28 to promote financial inclusion and innovation as part of her role. Inside an unassuming building in the middle of Sydney's CBD lies a striking art-deco painting that hides a very fun secret. The painting of a flapper-style woman sipping Champagne pulls back to reveal the quirky Bar Messenger that locals can't get enough of. Guests can press the ornate buzzer by the artwork to be granted access into the intimate speakeasy which is below Transport House in Circular Quay. Visitors can find the historic building by spotting the easy-to-miss sculpture of Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, above its door then follow the messenger downstairs to the door disguised as a portrait. Once inside, they are greeted by a wall of peculiar portraits of animals in distinguished clothing, sparkling chandeliers and shelves filled with wine bottles in the dimly lit subterranean eatery. Sydneysiders are loving an ultra-cool speakeasy bar which is hidden behind an art-deco painting in a historic Circular Quay building Guests can press the ornate buzzer by the artwork to be granted access into the intimate speakeasy which is below Transport House in Circular Quay Bar Messenger is an 'Underworld of wine' offering an extensive drinks list with drops from some of Australia's finest wineries and wine regions all over the world. If wine isn't for you, bar tenders can shake up a range of classic or specialty cocktails including the Messenger's Martini or Limoncello Spritz. Foodies can fill up on bites from the eccentric menu of share plates, cold meats, cheese and warming toasties. Favourites include the chicken liver pate, burrata with basil tomato and fig balsamic and mortadella toastie with Gruyere, truffle mustard aioli and house pickle. Bar Messenger opened in August of 2023 and has been hosting themed events since. Coming up is the Moulin Rogue night on March 8 where patrons will be treated to dazzling Parisian cabaret performances as well as a Drag Show Cabaret show on March 23. They are greeted by a wall of peculiar portraits of animals in distinguished clothing, sparkling chandeliers and shelves filled with wine bottles inside the dimly-lit subterranean eatery If wine isn't for you bar tenders can shake up a range of classic or specialty cocktails including the Messenger's Martini or Limoncello Spritz Foodies can fill up on bites from the eccentric menu of share plates, cold meats, cheese and even warming toasties Those who have discovered the 20s-style bar have been raving about their experiences. Blogger Rose Khater said Bar Messenger had perfect 'old world vibes' and a menu that is designed to be shared. 'I love going to hidden bars and this one was super cool because it was behind a painting!' another woman said. 'I loved the moody vibes inside. It's the perfect place for a date or a wine catch-up with friends.' 'The excitement of cracking the code to gain entry is only matched by rare personable service that is most welcome in a world that is rocketing toward robotic service culture,' another five-star review said. A Korean geoscience research institute said Tuesday it found a lithium deposit in Kazakhstan last year and plans to push for its development. The deposit was found in a 1.6 kilometer-square area of pegmatites in eastern Kazakhstan, where tantalum was mined in the past, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) said in an international forum on key minerals in southern Seoul. KIGAM has studied the area since May last year with a request from the Kazakhstan government, considering tantalum normally comes along with lithium and cesium. Lithium is one of the most important critical minerals for the electric vehicle industry as it is a fundamental component of batteries. The area has resources worth 21 trillion won ($15.7 billion) buried, KIGAM said, citing Kazakhstan data. Some of the lithium found in the area had a grade up to 5.3 percent, according to an analysis by a Canadian agency, KIGAM added, noting that lithium from a mine in western Australia has a grade of 2.1 percent. KIGAM plans to apply for a drilling investigation right for the area to start mining lithium next year with a Korean company. The details of the company were not disclosed. KIGAM said it is also investigating another critical mineral, nickel, in western Mongolia. The institute said it plans to expand cooperation with Mongolia for various mineral development as Korea and Mongolia signed a memorandum of understanding for investigation of rare minerals last year. "We will work to create a new supply chain incorporating Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Africa by delivering our superb technologies," KIGAM President Lee Pyeong-koo said. (Yonhap) Experts have sounded the alarm over the 'wild-west' of autism diagnosis in England. The warning comes amid a growing number of celebrities sharing their own battles with the mental disorder. Adults referred to some autism assessment facilities have an 85 per cent chance of being told they are on the spectrum, a study found. Yet the figure can be as low as 35 per cent in other places, researchers at University College London found. Professor William Mandy, an expert in neurodevelopmental conditions and leader of the research, said the wide variation suggested patients 'are being overdiagnosed in some areas and underdiagnosed in others'. TV presented Melanie Sykes was diagnosed with autism at the age of 51 sharing the news in 2021. Here she is pictured in London in 2018 Springwatch star Chris Packham, 62, opened up about his 2005 autism diagnosis in the BBC documentary Inside Our Autistic Minds which aired last year. Pictured February 14, 2024 TV personality Christine McGuinness has revealed she has been diagnosed with autism along with her three children in 2021. Here she is pictured at an event in Manchester last year NHS chiefs are now investigating the findings, The Guardian reports. Experts concluded that the diagnostic manuals considered the psychiatrists' bible are 'open to a lot of interpretation'. It means there's 'fundamentally a lack of consensus as to where the right boundaries of autism are', they said. Dr James Cusack, chief executive of the charity Autistica, said: 'Autism diagnosis can be a wild west in terms of inconsistencies in approach. 'We know that many good quality assessment centres where people are not getting access to proper autism diagnoses because that centre follows untested diagnostic practices, sometimes even ones theyve developed themselves.' The 13 signs of autism in adults, according to the NHS Main signs of autism Finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling Getting very anxious about social situations Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own Seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to Finding it hard to say how you feel Taking things very literally for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like 'break a leg' Having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes Other signs of autism Not understanding social 'rules', such as not talking over people Avoiding eye contact Getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you Noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not Having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities Liking to plan things carefully before doing them Advertisement Professor Mandy personally suspects more centres are underdiagnosing adults than the other way around. However, he admitted that he couldn't be sure because there is no established level of autism in society to compare it to. Having autism means a person's brain works differently to normal. It's not a disease and people have it from the moment they are born, although it may not be spotted until childhood and sometimes much later. Autism exists on a spectrum. Some people will be able to lead fully functioning lives with no additional help. Others may need full-time assistance. Classic signs of autism include trouble communicating, finding certain stimulations or situations overwhelming and repetitive behaviours. According to a 2021 Newcastle University study, around one in 57 children in the UK is autistic. Yet rates have spiralled in recent years, sparking suggestions that the disorder is now being overdiagnosed. Similar claims exist for ADHD. Experts argue, however, that autism has been massively underdiagnosed in the past, particularly among women and girls. This has then led to a backlog of patients getting diagnosed in later life. An additional factor that could have contributed to the rise is the retirement of Asperger syndrome, once considered a separate condition, but which is now considered another form of autism. TV stars Melanie Sykes, Chris Packham and Christine McGuinness have all recently shared their own autism diagnoses as adults, helping to raise awareness of the disorder. Sociologist Professor Ginny Russell, of the University of Exeter, told the Guardian: 'A rise in diagnoses loops backs to increased awareness, which impacts on how people identify themselves.' She said this 'leads to a call for more assessment centres, which has led to a greater rise in diagnoses', adding: 'As awareness and diagnoses increase, those with less severe symptoms come forward with their own stories of how autism affects them. 'The diagnostic criteria is widened to take these accounts onboard, which loops back again to another increase in diagnoses.' In 2021, experts found autism diagnoses in England had soared by an 'exponential' 787 per cent in 20 years. They suggested increased awareness of the condition and more regularly screening had driven the increase, but added they couldn't rule out a rise in cases itself. This chart shows the percentage increase in incidence of autism diagnosis from 1998 to 2018. UK researchers found autism diagnoses had risen by an 'exponential' 787% over 20 years. They said the rise could be due to increased recognition of the condition among experts particularly in diagnosing autism among girls and adults, but added an increase in cases of autism itself cannot be ruled out The latest NHS data suggests this trend has continued. Data for September shows there were 10,344 new referrals for suspected autism in the NHS in England, a rise of 42 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. One factor that could be contributing to a general rise in diagnoses is private autism assessments. While National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance asserts that no-one should wait longer than three months between being referred and first being seen, latest NHS figures show over 80,000 people have been waiting longer than this. This leads to some turning to the private sector where patients can pay about 2,000 for an autism assessment. Experts warn the same problems with consistency and variation in NHS autism diagnosis are also present in many of these private clinics. Reacting to the new study an NHS spokesperson said: The NHS is fully committed to supporting and improving the lives of autistic people, and published new national guidance for autism assessment services to ensure local areas can manage the 50 per cent increase in referrals they have seen over last year while ensuring people have the support they need as they wait to be assessed'. Health chiefs are attempting to lure GPs to work in one of Scotland's most idyllic spots with the promise of a 150,000 salary. In a fresh effort to solve a recruitment crisis in the remote Outer Hebrides, family doctors will also be offered a relocation package and a 10,000 golden hello on top of 41 days annual leave. NHS Western Isles bosses want to attract five new GPs to Uist and Benbecula with the tempting deal, aimed at doctors who want to 'escape the rat race and practice medicine in idyllic surroundings'. The Outer Hebrides, around 50 miles and a two-hour ferry from mainland Scotland, is famed for its white beaches and stunning scenery. The post is based at a practice on Benbecula, but GPs are also expected to work at the local 17-bed community hospital. Your browser does not support iframes. NHS Western Isles bosses want to attract five new GPs to Uist (pictured) and Benbecula with the tempting deal, aimed at doctors who want to 'escape the rat race and practice medicine in idyllic surroundings' Under the lucrative offer, the salary includes a 40 per cent 'enhanced rate' on top of the normal pay range of 69,993 to 104,469 for salaried Scottish GPs. This means the new GPs could be paid up to around 147,500 a year. Health chiefs are also offering an annual 'distant island allowance' of 1,279 a year, and up to 8,000 in relocation expenses. The advert says: 'From the fishing port of Lochmaddy in the north; to the shimmering beaches of Lochboisdale in the South, the Isles of Uist and Benbecula offer a warm welcome and are teeming with life, activity and culture. More than 7,000 GPs are needed in the next 12 years There were 27,487 fully qualified, full-time equivalent GPs working in England in December, equating to one GP for every 2,078 patients, on average. However, a ratio of 1,800 patients per GP is widely recognised by industry bodies as the 'safe limit'. As it stands, another 4,238 GPs would need to be recruited to meet this ratio, MailOnline analysis suggests. However, the ONS projects there will be an extra 6.6million people living in the UK as of 2036. Assuming this growth kept in line with current demographic trends, this would see England's population hit 62.2million. Under this figure, 34,536 GPs would have to be working in the NHS to meet the one per 1,800 patient ratio, meaning an additional 7,076 family doctor positions are required over the next 12 years. Advertisement 'It is in this unique, safe and idyllic location that a rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for at least five GPs to form a new team as part of a new medical practice. 'We are ready and excited to welcome GPs with a sense of adventure and a passion for remote and rural medicine to escape the rat race and embrace a more healthy work-life balance.' It added that the island is 'scattered with lochs and lochans, endless sea and spectacular seascapes and surroundings'. Benbecula Medical Practice, which looks after over 2,000 patients, has had 'ongoing challenges' recruiting GPs. In October the health board announced it would take over the running of the surgery from April this year after one GP partner retired. The remaining two partners plan to continue working at the practice but in employed roles. Recruitment challenges facing the health board have been blamed on soaring house prices, fuelled by a surge in properties being converted into second homes and wealthy retirees settling in the area. GPs have also previously complained that the surgeries are shabby and cramped. NHS Western Isles medical director Dr Frank McAuley said they are offering at least five GPs a chance to 'escape the rat race'. He added: 'These roles will appeal to experienced GPs, but also those earlier in their careers looking for the challenge of widening their clinical skills and providing holistic care in a remote but supported environment. 'These are roles that present excellent opportunities for the development of skills and confidence, with the remote-island location providing an unrivalled extra sense of responsibility and reward.' Meanwhile, Gordon Jamieson, chief executive of NHS Western Isles, told BBC Radios Good Morning Scotland: 'Its got to to be a certain type of person who wants that job and responsibility.' He acknowledged NHS Western Isles had faced a 'wide range of challenges' over rural recruitment. But he believes the salary is an incentive to 'live and work and stay here'. Benbecula Medical Practice, which looks after over 2,000 patients, has had 'ongoing challenges' recruiting GPs. In October the health board announced it would take over the running of the surgery from April this year after one GP partner retired. Pictured, the isle of Benbecula Your browser does not support iframes. He added: 'We want a sustainable service and we want people to live in the community for a long time.' GPs have long complained they are overwhelmed due to the pressures of the rising and ageing population and a lack of government funding. Family doctors have reported cramming in up to 90 appointments per day, in a situation compared to a conveyor belt. Under recommendations implemented by the BMA and European Union of General Practitioners, GPs in the UK today should not deliver more than 25 appointments a day to ensure 'safe care'. Patient satisfaction has also plunged to its lowest level in four decades. According to the 2023 GP Patient Survey, a poll of 759,000 Brits, just seven in ten (71.3 per cent) described their overall experience of their GP practice as 'good' overall. Satisfaction has fallen to an all-time low. Fewer than half of patients (49.8 per cent) also said they find it easy to get through to their GP practice on the phone, down from 52.7 per cent in 2022 and 80.8 per cent in 2012. Thousands of women with incurable breast cancer say they are being robbed of precious time with their loved ones after being denied life-extending drugs available in Scotland. In what has been hailed a dark day for patients, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence watchdog said Enhertu is not cost-effective. Trials of the drug found it boosted the time the cancer was held at bay from seven months to over two years results that were called mind-blowing by experts. Charities and patients said they were in absolute shock at the decision, which comes months after it was approved north of the border. Labelled a wonder drug by oncologists, it is also available in 13 other European countries, as well as the US and Canada. Sophie Blake, 51, from Brighton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2020 before being told it had spread elsewhere, including to her lungs and liver in May 2022 Labelled a wonder drug by oncologists, Enhertu is also available in 13 other European countries, as well as the US and Canada Last night, health officials were accused of creating a cruel post code lottery in which womens lives in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are somehow worth less. In a sign of growing anger, a Breast Cancer Now petition rallying against the decision had reached more than 6,000 signatures in just a few hours. Baroness Delyth Morgan, the charitys chief executive, blamed a broken system, adding new methods for evaluating health technologies at Nice for denying secondary breast cancer patients access to potentially life-extending medicines that may have previously been approved on the NHS. She said: This is a dark day. This means that thousands of mums, daughters, sisters and wives face knowing a treatment that could have been a lifeline for them exists, but remains out of reach. Meanwhile women in Scotland have been granted access to it. Speaking about NHS England, Nice and pharmaceutical giants Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, she added: Everyone must come back to the table and find a solution that puts women first. Known as trastuzumab deruxtecan, it is the first licensed targeted treatment for patients with a type of cancer, known as HER2-low, which cannot be removed surgically or that has spread. Around 1,000 women each year in England could benefit from the drug, which patients described as the last roll of the dice. Costing around 10,000 per patient, per month in the US, it is understood the NHS offer was significantly cheaper and less than that agreed with the Scottish Medicines Consortium. The decision follows new NICE criteria, that gives weight to drugs used for the most severe medical cases rather than a previous focus on end-of-life treatment. It said there were uncertainties in the evidence that meant the most likely cost-effectiveness estimates were above the range it considers an acceptable use of NHS resources. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: Despite accounting for the conditions severity by applying a severity modifier, and accounting for innovation and uncaptured benefits, the cost the NHS was being asked to pay was too high in relation to the benefits it provides for it to be recommended for routine use in the NHS. But campaigners questioned how terminal cancer can be downgraded and accused officials of betraying patients to save money. Sophie Blake, 51, from Brighton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2020 before being told it had spread elsewhere, including to her lungs and liver in May 2022. Although the former television presenters cancer is currently under control, she said she lives from scan to scan but this has ripped away a last line of treatment when she needs it. MS Blake, a former television presenter, said: I feel that NICE, NHS England and the drug companies are basically saying our lives arent valued and we are disposable' She said: It just feels like a massive betrayal of patients from the people that we rely on to keep us alive to decide that people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland arent going to have access to this life-extending drug but if you live in Scotland, you can. Its so cruel. Theyre telling us our lives arent worth this drug and deciding our lives arent worth the money, that our families dont deserve the years this could potentially could give us. She added: I feel that NICE, NHS England and the drug companies are basically saying our lives arent valued and we are disposable. Its utterly shameful, a scandal and we will not give up the campaign to have this decision, overturned. It comes weeks after a major study found UK patients were less likely to be offered chemotherapy and radiotherapy than other comparable countries, directly hitting survival chances. The treatment lottery was particularly stark among older patients, the Cancer Research UK funded study found, effectively knocking years off peoples lives. Enhertu is already recommended for use in the NHS for other types of breast cancer in England via the Cancer Drugs Fund, which provides a route of trialling new cancer medicines. Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply, rub and feel from top to bottom, feel in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to feel for any abnormalities Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple But draft guidance published by Nice in September said it would not recommend for NHS use in England due to uncertainties in the information provided by the manufacturer. The drugmakers suggested changes to the way NICE now evaluates new medicines was denying patients on a technicality. Haran Maheson, vice president at Daiichi Sankyo UK, said: We are extremely disappointed that patients with breast cancer in England and Wales are going to lose out due to a technicality in the new formula Nice uses to assess cancer medicines. As we have demonstrated in Scotland, it is possible to provide access to this medicine cost-effectively within the UK. Patients now face a postcode lottery. Tom Keith-Roach, president of AstraZeneca UK, added: This is a devastating decision and one which is out of step with other countries including Scotland. This sits extremely uncomfortably and we call on Nice to reverse this decision. An NHS spokesperson said: NHS England expected drug companies AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo to offer this treatment at a price that would enable NICE to recommend its use for treating patients with secondary breast cancer on the NHS in England. We are therefore deeply disappointed that AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo have not been willing to price this treatment to enable approval, therefore denying NHS patients the opportunity to access this latest advance in care. Menopause is being over-medicalised and treated 'like a disease' rather than a healthy part of ageing, experts say. Once taboo, the UK is now in the grips of a 'menopause moment', they suggest, which is over-emphasising negative experiences. As a result, many high-income countries consider menopause a medical problem or hormone-deficiency disorder with long-term health risks best managed by HRT. In fact, many issues attributed to menopause could simply be a result of ageing, they say. Symptoms such as changes in mood, brain function and sexual problems could simply be caused or worsened by stressful life events, such as raising children, work or caring for elderly relatives. HRT prescriptions for menopausal women have soared over the past few years, with 11million items handed out to help deal with symptoms in 2022/23. Experts have put the rise down to the 'Davina effect' and wider awareness of the menopause HRT prescriptions for menopausal women have soared over the past few years, with 11million items handed out to help deal with symptoms in 2022/23 Writing in the Lancet, they suggest a new approach based on 'health empowerment' is needed, where women are given the knowledge, confidence and self-determination to self-manage their health. 'Although management of symptoms is important, a medicalised view of menopause can be disempowering for women, leading to over-treatment and overlooking potential positive effects, such as better mental health with age and freedom from menstruation, menstrual disorders, and contraception,' they write. Doctors should consider women's lifestyles, such as sleep, alcohol intake and smoking, which can make symptoms worse while offering alternatives like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hypnosis, they said. While HRT has been shown to improve sleep, memory, and concentration in women taking it for hot flushes, it is 'unlikely to have any effect in women without' flushes, they said. And while it cuts the risk of bone fractures, evidence shows these benefits can dwindle five years after HRT is stopped. If women do want HRT, the experts said medics should provide 'realistic information about the likely effects of treatment, the potential for residual symptoms, and the possibility that symptoms could recur when treatment stops'. While HRT has been shown to improve sleep, memory, and concentration in women taking it for hot flushes, it is 'unlikely to have any effect in women without' flushes, researchers writing in The Lancet said. And while it cuts the risk of bone fractures, evidence shows these benefits can dwindle five years after HRT is stopped (stock) A second paper found no evidence of an increased risk of mental health disorders for women going through the menopause. 'On the basis of scarce data, we found no compelling evidence that risk of anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis is universally elevated over the menopause transition,' the team said. Series co-author Professor Martha Hickey, from the University of Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospital, said: 'The misconception of menopause as always being a medical issue which consistently heralds a decline in physical and mental health should be challenged across the whole of society. 'Many women live rewarding lives during and after menopause, contributing to work, family life and the wider society. 'Changing the narrative to view menopause as part of healthy ageing may better empower women to navigate this life stage and reduce fear and trepidation amongst those who have yet to experience it.' She told a briefing the team is arguing that 'menopause is not a disease'. She said: 'In a society that has very strong feelings about ageing and women, this is a disease which is thought to herald decline and decay amongst them.' Dr Lydia Brown, from the University of Melbourne, said: 'Menopause is having a cultural moment, and this is an opportunity for it to be recognised as a natural part of healthy ageing for women which, with the right preparation and support, is not something to fear.' But Dr Louise Newson, a GP and menopause specialist running Newson Health, said: 'Menopause is more than a collection of symptoms. 'Itt is a cardiometabolic and inflammatory condition which leads to an increased risk of numerous diseases. 'Talking about menopause as being a "natural transition" or part of "healthy ageing" ignores the very real suffering of many women with menopausal symptoms.' HRT prescriptions for menopausal women have soared over the past few years, with 11million items handed out to help deal with symptoms in 2022/23. Experts have put the rise down to the 'Davina effect' and wider awareness of the menopause. TV personality Davina McCall has released a series of documentaries about the menopause which, along with the efforts of campaigners, has led to an enormous increase in awareness. In one programme, the 56-year-old former Big Brother host spoke of her struggles with the crippling symptoms in her forties. Sir John Bell said there was a '20 or 30% chance' it would occur within 20 years Brits must 'get used' to the fact another pandemic is 'definitely going to happen', according to one of the UK's leading experts. Sir John Bell, who served as Boris Johnson's testing tsar during Covid, said it was 'inconceivable' the country wouldn't face a further 'big event'. Addressing MPs sitting on the Health and Social Care Committee, he argued there was a '20 or 30 per cent chance' another pandemic would occur within 20 years. Sir John, a regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, also admitted Covid itself could have been 'much worse'. He told the probe if the Omicron variant, which didn't emerge until November 2021, had been the initial strain, the 'whole system would have collapsed'. Sir John Bell (pictured), who served as Boris Johnson 's testing tsar during Covid, said it was 'inconceivable' the country wouldn't face a further 'big event'. Addressing MPs sitting on the Health and Social Care Committee, he argued there was a '20 or 30 per cent chance' another pandemic would occur within 20 years Sir John, a regius professor of medicine at Oxford University , also admitted Covid itself could have been 'much worse'. He told the probe if the Omicron variant, which didn't emerge until November 2021, had been the initial strain, the 'whole system would have collapsed'. Pictured, Sir John after being made a Companion of Honour during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in December Asked by Tory MP Greg Clark if another 'is going to happen at some point', Sir John interjected 'I would bet my house on it'. The Canadian-born immunologist added: 'Everybody should just get used to that. 'The real question is, what is the likelihood of that happening in the short term? 'It will definitely happen in the medium or long term for sure. 'We're doing a lot of things that are very high risk, climate change is not going to help with that because insects are moving all over. 'Some of the better estimates suggest there's a 20 or 30 per cent chance of having another pandemic in the next 15 or 20 years. That's a big number. 'Now, whether it's a really profound pandemic or one that's not so bad, I think we have to wait and see but it seems inconceivable to me that we won't have another big event.' Sir John was also a member of the expert advisory group to the Governments Vaccine Taskforce, created to speed up research to produce a Covid vaccine. He was among those who helped broker the deal with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to produce the Oxford vaccine which is estimated to have saved more than six million lives globally in the first year of its roll-out. He told MPs the Covid pandemic could have been 'much worse' as the proportion of infected people who died was low compared to what may have been expected for respiratory viruses. Sir John said: 'Case fatality rates of one per cent or less for respiratory viral infections For people who've lost loved ones that's a disaster. 'But you know, to be clear, from a societal point of view, that's not so bad.' For example, SARS had a case-fatality rate of around 10 per cent. If the Omicron variant had been the initial strain, rather than Wuhan, there would have been five-times as many deaths and the 'whole system would have collapsed', he warned. Later, however, he admitted he was 'disappointed' by the UK's Covid Inquiry and its failure to address the 'real serious detail of the science that underpins' the pandemic. He said: I've been a bit disappointed by the inquiry and where it's got to so far. I had hoped that it would lead us to a position where we understood what we did right and wrong in the last pandemic. 'But also what we could do to deal with the future challenges in infectious disease pandemics. Sir John was also a member of the expert advisory group to the Governments Vaccine Taskforce, created to speed up research to produce a Covid vaccine. He was among those who helped broker the deal with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to produce the Oxford vaccine which is estimated to have saved more than six million lives globally in the first year of its roll-out. Pictured, Sir John is made a Companion of Honour by King Charles III at Windsor Castle in December 'We haven't really got there. It looks to me more like a programme for the legal profession, frankly, because I don't think we've got into any of the real serious detail of the science that underpins it.' He added: 'There's been a lot of discussion about process. One of the implicit outcomes was that if we have another pandemic, it might be good to have a different team in No 10. 'I'm not sure how that's helpful. I just don't think that's really going to make a difference.' It comes as Sir Jeremy Farrar, an influential member of SAGE No10's advisory panel, told the Covid Inquiry last year that another pandemic is 'inevitable'. Giving evidence remotely he said: 'It's clear we're living in a pandemic age, which is going to have more frequent and more complex pandemics. 'And yet it is extraordinarily difficult when governments are faced with dealing with the challenges of day to day, to also put in place those critical infrastructures, resilience and surge capacity and spare capacity, that would allow us to deal with the unexpected, but inevitable disruptions that are going to occur.' Sir Jeremy who now works for the World Health Organization as its chief scientist, quit SAGE during the pandemic after condemning the country's laissez-faire response. He also co-authored a book entitled 'Spike: The Virus v The People' that offered his 'inside story' on how the crisis unfolded. He told the probe: 'I think in the UK and around the world, despite the warnings of the last 20 years, there has been a complacency about the need to prepare for these sorts of major disruptive events which go well beyond health to the whole of society. 'And the UK, yes, was complacent in regards to planning for that.' Nearly 1,500 women at 'very high risk' of breast cancer have missed potentially life-saving annual check-ups because of an 'historic' blunder. NHS bosses have written to every woman affected, apologising for the error which dates back 20 years. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said an urgent catch-up programme will offer all of the 1,487 women a scan in the next three months. Charities today demanded ministers acted to ensure that another failure of this kind never happened again. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said an urgent catch-up programme will offer all of the 1,487 women a scan in the next three months. Charities today demanded ministers acted to ensure that another failure of this kind never happened again Officials have written to each woman affected, apologising for the error and offering an urgent scan. The error meant women who received radiotherapy treatment above the waist for Hodgkin lymphoma between 1962 and 2003 were not contacted to attend annual screening check ups for breast cancer MailOnline understands approximately 1,200 of those are already enrolled in the NHS breast cancer screening programme. Women over 50 are invited for a mammogram every three years. The error only applies to women who received radiotherapy treatment above the waist for Hodgkin lymphoma between 1962 and 2003. As a result of that treatment, they face a heightened risk of getting breast cancer, a disease that strikes around 55,000 British women each year. Guidance issued two decades ago by the chief medical officer ruled that women in this category should get annual MRI checks as part of a scheme to spot the disease earliest, when survival rates are highest. Q&A: Who is affected by the blunder? Which women are affected by the blunder? The error only applies to women who received radiotherapy treatment above the waist for Hodgkin lymphoma between 1962 and 2003. As a result of that treatment, they face a heightened risk of getting breast cancer, a disease that strikes around 55,000 British women each year. What went wrong? Guidance issued two decades ago by the chief medical officer ruled that women in this category should get annual MRI checks as part of a scheme to spot the disease earliest, when survival rates are highest. Clinicians were asked to contact both previous and current patients to refer them for annual checks. NHS bosses were informed last year that some women were never invited, however. When did ministers become aware of the error? Ministers were notified of the issue last month. The NHS wrote to all of the women affected by the issue yesterday. What happens now? Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said an urgent catch-up programme will offer all of the 1,487 women a scan in the next three months. Advertisement Clinicians were asked to contact both previous and current patients to refer them for annual checks. NHS bosses were informed last year that some women were never invited, however. Follow-up investigations found roughly a third of women covered by the ruling were not given the yearly scans. The NHS has insisted it has been transparent about the issue and sought to reassure women that they would all be 'urgently' offered a catch-up scan within the next three months. Ministers were notified of the issue last month. Health authorities have also identified a 'much smaller historic group', whose details are currently being verified and they will be written to in the coming weeks. Addressing the blunder in the House of Commons, Ms Atkins said: 'This letter addresses a historic issue where women who received radiotherapy above the waste to treat Hodgkin lymphoma and therefore were at higher risk of breast cancer were not given annual checks. 'The NHS wrote to the 1,487 women affected yesterday in order to inform them. 'We expect all women to be offered a scan within the next three months, and NHS England has established a helpline and briefed GPs and relevant charities. 'The vast majority of this group of women will have already been receiving screening on a three-yearly basis.' 'But of course NHS England wants to ensure they receive annual tests in line with the clinical guidance.' Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: 'Were deeply concerned that certain women known to be at a very high risk of breast cancer have not been offered the vital screening that they are entitled to and would give them the best opportunity of detecting the disease early, when survival rates are almost 100 per cent. 'This news will undoubtedly cause huge anxiety for the women affected and their loved ones. 'It is vital NHS England take swift action to ensure these women receive the screening and support they need. 'The government and NHS England must also act urgently to identify and address the underlying issues that caused this error and provide firm reassurance that such a failure will not happen again.' Women who've undergone radiotherapy above the waist for Hodgkin lymphoma do not start annual MRI testing immediately following treatment. Doctors say the heightened risk of breast cancer doesn't emerge until approximately a decade later. But in 2003, clinicians were asked to contact both previous and current patients to refer them for annual checks. This was not done. Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply rub and feel from top to bottom, in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to identify any abnormalities Your browser does not support iframes. Officials said details of the 1,487 women who missed out were shared with NHS England in late September 2023, who identified the women affected. Ministers were notified of the blunder last month. Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: 'The NHS is contacting 1,487 women at increased risk of breast cancer due to having radiotherapy involving their chest for Hodgkin lymphoma, who may not yet have been offered additional annual screening. 'While most of these women are already enrolled in the NHS Breast Screening Programme for regular mammograms, all women affected will now be offered support and invited for an annual MRI, and in most cases an annual mammogram, as soon as possible the NHS will aim to complete this within three months. 'We would like to extend our sincere apologies to those affected for any additional worry this may have caused. Am I eligible for a mammogram? Women aged 50 to 71 are advised to have a breast screening every three years. Women who are registered with a GP will be sent a letter inviting them. At the appointment, X-rays called mammograms check the breasts for signs of cancer. Results will be sent out in a letter, usually within two weeks. It will set out whether there is no sign of cancer or if further tests are needed. Breast screening saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK. The chance of getting breast cancer increases with age and most are diagnosed in women aged over 50. Advertisement 'Anyone who has had prior radiotherapy to their chest for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma and who is concerned they have not been invited for an annual MRI can call our dedicated helpline for support and further information.' NHS England has set up a helpline for affected women, the details of which will be included in letters sent to them. It will also undertake a review of the process that refers these women into the most appropriate service for their risk to mitigate any future impact of this issue. An NHS England spokesperson said: 'We are taking this very seriously and the NHS will do everything possible to ensure these women will be offered appropriate screening, at speed, in a compassionate and respectful way which is tailored to their clinical history.' A Breast Screening after Radiotherapy Dataset (BARD) was set up in 2021, which uses national datasets and undertakes checks with treating centres with the aim to ensure all women at increased risk of breast cancer following radiotherapy are referred to the NHS Breast Screening Programme in line with national guidelines. Prior to 2021, NHS England said its screening services relied on referrals from individual genetic services, family history clinics and radiotherapy centres. In a ministerial statement, health minister Andrew Stephenson said: 'NHS England wrote to a group of women who are at Very High Risk of breast cancer who have been eligible for annual MRI checks, but who may not have been routinely referred to the annual tests recommended in NHS guidance. 'A number of women who were eligible for more regular "annual" testing did not receive it. This was due to variable referral processes.' A review found 5,002 women were potentially eligible for the annual checks, of which 2,213 have already died and 887 are already getting the scans they are due. Others are untraceable or do not qualify for a variety of reasons, such as having had a mastectomy. It comes as cancer charity Breast Cancer Now warned in January that more than 13,000 women with breast cancer may have missed out on an earlier diagnosis because the NHS had repeatedly failed to hit screening targets. Fewer than two in three women (64.6 per cent) took up their screening appointment in 2022/23, according to NHS England. This is a small improvement from 62.3 per cent the previous year but performance has fallen short of the NHS 'minimum target' of 70 per cent since 2019/20. Breast Cancer Now called for a national awareness campaign to improve screening uptake. READ MORE: Men addicted to porn are more likely to have an eating disorder Nearly 100million adults could be addicted to pornography, a global study suggests. Researchers in Canada evaluated thousands of adults across the world for 'problematic pornography use' - defined as watching enough pornography that is has a negative impact on relationships and job performance - and found approximately three percent of people exhibited concerning usage, but less than one percent sought treatment. The study, published in the journal Addiction, included more than 80,000 adults from dozens of countries. Dr Beatha Bothe, lead study author and psychologist at the University of Montreal, said: 'Our research shows that the problematic pornography use may be more common than many might think and affects a wide range of people. 'It highlights that while many are struggling, not many seek help. That's important because it suggests that more work needs to be done to understand and support those who are affected by it.' Researchers in Canada found about three percent of people across the globe could be addicted to pornography The research team involved 80 co-authors, many of whom are members of the International Sex Survey consortium in the US, China, Europe, and other parts of the globe. They evaluated 82,243 adults in 42 countries, including the US, UK, China, France, and Germany, between October 2021 and May 2022. The average participant age was 32, and 57 percent of them were women. Additionally, 68 percent were heterosexual. About one-third were single and one-third were in a relationship. The last third were married. And more 70 percent of those studied had no children. Hungary had the highest percentage of participants (14.6 percent), followed closely by Poland (12 percent). About three percent were American, while 1.7 percent were from the UK. Participants were given an anonymous survey that was originally written in English and then translated into 25 other languages. It took people roughly 25 to 45 minutes to complete it. Questions included how old participants were when they first looked at pornography, how often they had viewed the content in the past year, how long they spent viewing pornography, how often they masturbated, if they thought they had an addiction, and if they were seeking treatment. Concerning pornography use was measured using the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale, which contained statements such as 'I felt that porn is an important part of my life' and 'I became stressed when something prevented me from watching porn.' The team found 'in North America, Europe, and Australia, 70 to 94 percent of adults have used pornography at some point in their lives,' Dr Bothe said. Additionally, based on the survey results, the researchers suggested about three percent of the global population may have pornography habits that affect their everyday lives. Concerning consumption of porn was more common in men than women, though there were no significant differences based on sexual orientation. Less than one percent of all participants said they sought treatment for what they perceived as their pornography addiction. Additional results from the study found that, on average, participants viewed sexually explicit materials for the first time by age 14. The team did not measure what types of pornography people prefer to consume, which could include videos, webcam shows, erotic literature, chat rooms, and virtual reality. Experts have warned that consuming excessive amounts of porn could be a sign of sex addiction, which is suffered by as many as 24 million Americans - though experts still debate whether the addiction can be classified as a real condition Other signs include obsessive thoughts about sex, compulsive sexual behaviors, remorse or guilt after sex and lying to cover up behaviors. The research published in Addicition is some of many highlighting potential harms of watching too much pornography. A study published in June, for example, found Israeli men with higher levels of pornography usage were more likely to have negative body image and exhibit habits of disordered eating like binging and purging. And research from Brigham Young University found even men who preferred 'softcore' porn - which depicts consensual sex - were more likely to admit that they were not satisfied in their relationships. The experts from the BYU study called on people to quit watching pornography entirely in order to help them maintain committed relationships. 'As much of the content of pornography emphasizes casual sexual encounters and multiple partners, it is possible that regular exposure to these types of sexual messages may alter sexual and relational scripts in ways that weakens stability [in a relationship],' the team wrote. A Chinese couple working at Canada's highest biosecurity lab were secretly sending information to Beijing and mailed live Ebola to China, a bombshell investigation has found. In a 600-page report released this week by the Canadian intelligence service, the pair were also accused of allowing visitors into the lab who tried to leave carrying plastic bags of vials containing an unknown substance. Dr Xiangguo Qiu and Dr Keding Cheng were found to have left visitors with ties to the Chinese government and military unsupervised at the facility. The report also accused the pair of being in communication with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the facility at the center of the Covid lab-leak theory, without informing superiors. The Canadian National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they worked as researchers, is the only BSL4 lab in the country and the only one to hold Ebola, as well as other deadly viruses like Marburg and Lassa fever. It has now been ordered to tighten its security over the leak, with universities told their funding could be cut if they are found to be collaborating with foreign institutions like those in China. The Chinese couple had worked at the Canadian National Microbiology Lab (pictured) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is the only BSL4 lab in the country and cleared to handle dangerous pathogens including Ebola and Marburg virus The couple, Dr Xiangguo Qiu (left) and Dr Kending Cheng (right), are pictured above. Both are now believed to be in China The Canadian Government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has fought for years to keep the investigation by the Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) a secret, according to media reports. The CSIS initially released a heavily-redacted version of the investigation in 2021, but this sparked outcry from the Conservative opposition and accusations of a cover-up. This week they were forced to release the documents after a national security review by a special parliamentary committee and a panel of three retired senior judges. The review claimed the couple had been able to use the lab as a 'base to assist China to improve its capability to fight highly-pathogenic pathogens... and achieve brilliant results'. Dr Qiu, born in China, was a 'star' at the internationally renowned lab for her work on developing an antibody treatment against Ebola which was used in the 2014 outbreak in Africa. But in July 2019, she and her husband were escorted from the laboratory and then dismissed from their roles in January 2021 without official explanation. Dr Qiu is pictured above working in the lab. Investigators said she had sent the genetic code for Ebola to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) Dr Qiu, shown working in the lab, was also found to have lied to officials about a vacation she took to China in 2018 and to have appeared on two Chinese patents without the knowledge of the lab In the newly-released assessment from 2020, the CSIS warned: 'Dr Qiu represents a very serious and credible danger to the government of Canada as a whole. 'And in particular at facilities considered high-security due to the potential for theft of dangerous materials attractive to terrorist and foreign entities that conduct espionage to infiltrate and damage the economic security of Canada.' The assessment added: 'The service assesses that Ms Qiu developed deep, co-operative relationships with a variety of People's Republic of China (PRC) institutions. '[She has also] intentionally transferred scientific knowledge and materials to China in order to benefit the PRC Government, and herself, without regard for the implications... to Canada's interests.' Listing violations by Dr Qiu, officials said she had provided Beijing 'with the Ebola genetic sequence, which opened a door of convenience for China'. They also accused her of sending live Ebola virus to the WIV, including documents in their report showing that the shipment was sent. She was also accused of sending Henipavirus to the WIV in the shipment of 30 vials in total. Additionally, they allege she had been contracted to work for the WIV on a trip to China in 2018 which she had claimed was for 'personal reasons.' And Dr Qiu was found to have brought two restricted visitors to the lab, including a research assistant at the Academy of Military Sciences' in Beijing and a woman who held a Chinese public affairs passport reserved for civil servants. The report also claims that Dr Qiu was an applicant in Beijing's Thousand Talents Program, which was set up to pay students for participation in research to further Chinese interests. And it alleges that she was negotiating an employment agreement with the Hebei Medical University in Shijiazhuang, China, between 2018 and 2022. The unfinalized agreement would have seen the equivalent of $1.2million paid to support her work. The agency also claimed she and her husband had an undisclosed bank account in China's Commercial Bank and that she had applid to be part of a programme at China's WIV. As part of this, she had committed to 'building the People's Republic of China's biosecurity platform for new and potent infectious disease research'. Concerns were first raised over Dr Qiu in September 2018 when her name appeared on a patent filed in China for a treatment for Ebola research the lab had not been told about. The source of the tip-off has not been revealed. Suspicions were then raised about Dr Cheng in October after he was found to have invited students into the lab who attempted to leave carrying two clear plastic bags containing vials of an unknown substnace. Later the same month, Dr Cheng was also caught trying to leave the lab carrying two empty Styrofoam containers, which BSL-4 labs use to transport materials, including viruses. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), concerned by the reports, launched an investigation into the pair in December 2018 which revealed numerous security failings accusations to the pair, including that they had repeatedly allowed restricted visitors to download experimental data from the lab and send it to their email accounts. The PHAC also alleged that in May 2018, Dr Cheng had been sent vials containing mouse protein in a package shipped from China labeled as 'kitchen utensils'. Dr Qiu was accused of having shipped Ebola-fighting antibodies out of the lab for at least two years to countries including China, the US and the UK. She was also accused of being named on a second patent in China which was concerned with a treatment for Marburg virus. Alarmed by their findings, the investigation was then passed to the CSIS just before July 2019, which launched their own security investigation and interviewed the couple. Health Minister Mark Holland said China's influence on Canada's scientific community 'was not known to the extent it was today', following the release of the files. 'These were eminent scientists whose research and work was well known. They were leaders in their field, some of the brightest scientists that were known,' he said. 'I think there was a nascent understanding of the extent to which foreign actors in the most direct sense China we're talking in this instance, in other instances Russia and other foreign entities, foreign governments were attempting to influence Canada.' The pair have not been able to be contacted, and numerous media reports have suggested they've moved to China. Authorities found evidence for 130 of the vaccines and accused him of fraud A 62-year-old man from Germany has claimed to have been vaccinated against Covid 217 times, prompting researchers to investigate if hyper vaccination causes an impaired immune system. The man's case was documented in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and stated he privately bought and administered many of the vaccines within the space of two and a half years between June 2021 until October 2023. The unnamed subject appears to be in good health and has suffered no negative side effects, researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg said. 'We learned about his case via newspaper articles,' Dr Kilian Schober, from the university's microbiology department, said. He added: 'We then contacted him and invited him to undergo various tests in Erlangen. He was very interested in doing so.' The man's case was documented in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and stated he privately bought and administered many of the vaccines within the space of two and a half years between June 2021 until October 2023 (stock image) Pictured above are some of the researchers who tested the man. From left, Dr Ev-Marie Schuster, Carolin Moosmann, Katharina Kocher and Dr Kilian Schober from the Institute of Microbiology at Uniklinikum Erlangen Dr Schober was concerned that hyper-stimulating the immune system with so many vaccines might have worn out certain immune cells, hindering the body's ability to successfully fight off illness. But the researchers found no evidence of this and there was also no sign the man had ever been infected with Covid. The team took blood and saliva samples from the man and tested previous frozen blood samples of his. Dr Schober said: 'We were able to take blood samples ourselves when the man received a further vaccination during the study at his own insistence. 'We were able to use these samples to determine exactly how the immune system reacts to the vaccination.' The test results are not enough to draw conclusions on safety or make recommendations for the public to get such an excessive number of Covid shots. The researchers stressed that getting so many vaccines is not currently recommended: 'Importantly, we do not endorse hyper-vaccination as a strategy to enhance adaptive immunity.' They said on the university's website: 'Current research indicates that a three-dose vaccination, coupled with regular top-up vaccines for vulnerable groups, remains the favored approach. 'There is no indication that more vaccines are required.' Current CDC guidance is two doses of Covid vaccination plus a booster, plus additional boosters as and when recommended for vulnerable groups, including people over 65 or at high risk of illness. Evidence for at least 130 of the man's vaccines was collected by the public prosecutor of the city of Magdeburg, Germany, who opened an investigation into the man accusing him of fraud. Details of the allegations were not revealed in The Lancet, but no criminal charges have been brought. Covid shots are mRNA vaccines that teach the body how to fight the disease. They work by showing the body's cells a bit of genetic code from the virus, which the immune system 'remembers' and recognizes if it comes across Covid for real in the body. This allows the body to activate an immune response and fight off the virus. In April 2022, it was reported that a 60-year-old man had allegedly been vaccinated against Covid dozens of times in Germany in order to sell forged vaccination cards with real vaccine batch numbers to people not wanting to get vaccinated themselves. The man from the eastern Germany city of Magdeburg, whose name was not released in line with German privacy rules, was said to have received up to 90 shots against Covid at vaccination centers in the eastern state of Saxony for months until criminal police caught him this month, the German news agency DPA reported. It has not been confirmed that this is the same man as the one documented in the journal. Buying a car is an exciting moment, but selling a car can be a headache. While most of us just want to get the car sold fast, we also want to get the best price possible. And with 85 per cent of motorists willing to accept a low offer just to get the process over with, rushing to make that sale unequipped could leave you with 50 per cent less cash in your pocket. A survey by independent used car retailer Motorpoint of over 2,000 UK car owners who sold or changed their motor in the last five years has highlighted a key set of things to avoid before selling which could impact the sale or reduce the price you get. With new '24' plates on sale since the 1 March, many car owners are wanting to trade their old wheels in for new ones. So, here are the top nine things Motorpoint's experts want you to look for to save money, and time: 1. Two sets of keys Car key replacement is around 240 but modern keys with keyless lock and go can cost more than 1000 but trying to sell your car without the spare key can cut 5 to 10 per cent off the price It might seem like a small issue, only having one key. After all isn't a key only a couple of hundred quid to replace? But John Hood, Motorpoint's general manager of trade acquisition, claims that not having both sets, and not having the original key in particular can make your car much less desirable and, in some cases, impossible to sell. 'The average cost to replace a key is around 240, but a new remote or keyless entry key for a modern vehicle could cost you more than 1,000. 'However, without both sets of keys, expect to see anywhere between 5 to 10 per cent less for your vehicle', he says. According to data from Motorpoint's Sell Your Car service, motorists without both sets of keys could be missing out on as much as 1,530 when it comes to selling their car. 2. Having 100k miles on the clock could knock off 3k 60,000 miles on the clock is the sweet spot before your wheels lose 27 per cent value - but make sure you sell before 100,000 miles in particular Recent data from Carwow found that the sweet spot to sell your car is before it reaches 60,000 miles. On average cars lose around 27 per cent of their value when the odometer reaches 60,000. Motorpoint adds that, while it is a misconception that over 100,000 miles makes a car less reliable, it does mean your wheels can drop 20 per cent in value because of this view. Hood recommends 'motorists sell their vehicles before they reach this mark because simply put, the lower the mileage, the higher price you'll get for your car.' 3. Removing modifications could increase value by 6k It's worth remembering that customising your car to your own specific tastes is great while you're driving it, but it might make it harder to sell on. Before modifying a vehicle Hood advises keeping retail impact in mind: 'Performance enhancements such as swapping out exhausts, rather than adding value, can lead to reduced sale prices, sometimes by as much as 40 per cent meaning you've not only spent money modifying your vehicle, but you'll also be missing out when it comes to selling. 'In extreme cases, motorists with modified cars could lose out on somewhere near 6,120 in resale value.' 4.Keep your car as clean as possible Getting a professional valet before you sell your car can help improve first impressions but keeping your car clean regularly has the biggest impact on value retention A poorly kept car could knock over 1,500 off its value, so keeping it clean and well-maintained really is worth it. Smoking or having pets in your car regularly could impact the price by 10 per cent, according to Motorpoint. First impressions count so it's worth getting a professional valet done, but if you think you can make your car sparkle inside and out then you can also save yourself around 150 by doing your own valet. 5. Sort warning lights or miss out on up to 4,590 Warning lights can knock up to 30 per cent off the value of your car when looking to sell. Don't be tempted to pass on repair costs during the sale because you're likely going to be losing more money than you would have to fork out for repairs. 'While it's dependent on the value of your vehicle, the average motorist could expect to see as much as 4,500 knocked off the value of your car. 'In many cases, it really is cheaper to get the issue fixed before selling', Hood recommends. 6. Private plates don't increase the value of your car Private plates can make a fortune when sold separately to your car, but actually reduce the value of your motor if you sell them with the car as a private plate is seen as a modification Private plates are hot commodities with some of the most expensive DVLA plates going for hundreds of thousands of pounds. While private plates can look cool they are classed as a personal modification to a vehicle. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Most expensive DVLA private plates revealed Any modification wise can impact the price of the car and a private plate could knock off between 200 and 300. John says: 'You probably want to keep your private number plate when you sell up, but if for any reason you don't want it anymore, it's probably best to sell it separately than with the vehicle. 'Not only are you likely to get a good price for them, but a personalised plate won't make the value of your car higher. In many cases, you'll be charged for the inconvenience and time it would take to return the car to the age-related plates.' 7. Tread depth matters, and could cost you Tyre checks are critical for safety and to make sure you aren't breaking the law while driving. Whether you use a tyre tread depth or the 20p coin check, your car tyres should always meet legal requirements. Monthly tyre checks should be part of your car maintenance routine. But when you sell your car on, do a final check of the tyres to make absolutely certain that they meet legal tread depth requirements. Same as with repairs, dealerships will charge you for time and inconveniencing changing your tyres, so check your tyres before you hand over the keys. 8. Each scratch or scuff deducts 50 off your valuation Each scratch or scuff could knock 50 off the price of your car so make sure you get small repair costs covered before you sell Even minor chips can impact your car's value. Address any damages to your car before selling to make sure you take home the full value of the car. According to the experts, motorists could see as much as 50 per scratch knocked off an initial valuation if their car doesn't meet the condition you stated, so it's worth getting these checked out. Most of the time your car insurance policy will cover these small repair costs anyway so shop around at garages to get some quotes for light body paint touch ups and repairs. It's vital to make sure colours and parts are authentic and matching though, or Motorpoint warns or you could have thousands knocked off the offer price. 9. Keep up with service checks to prevent 2k hit Falling behind on your car servicing can reduce your car's value by 10 to 15 per cent so mkae sure you book in regularly and keep a record of all the service history too It might not seem like a big deal at the time, but falling behind on your car's service schedule can prove to be a costly mistake when selling your car. An incomplete service history will reduce your car's value by 10 to 15 per cent and even more if your car is still within the manufacturer's warranty period, as this will be void if you haven't kept up with your services. Remember you're entirely entitled to go to independent garages for MOTs and service works. Unlike what many drivers are told or believe, you are not legally required to go to the official dealership. South Korea's participation in an India-led multilateral initiative for maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region can be one of the many ways through which the bilateral relationship could further develop, India's top diplomat said Tuesday. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, minister of external affairs, made the point at a forum in Seoul, referring to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), an open mechanism proposed by his country to address shared challenges and ensure maritime security and stability in the region. "The stakes in terms of trade, investment services, resources, logistics and technology in the Indo-Pacific are growing by the day. Ensuring the stability, safety and security of this region is therefore vital for us," Jaishankar said in his speech at the forum hosted by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. "ROK, as an important trading country, maritime security is a very, very vital concern. Its participation in the initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative, which looks at a range of oceanic issues, from ecology and environment to transport and science and technology, would, I think, be a very valuable addition," he said. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. Jaishankar was in Seoul for a high-level dialogue between the foreign ministries of the two countries, slated for Wednesday. The initiative, first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2018, offers cooperation in seven pillars from maritime security, ecology and resources to disaster risk reduction and technology. Australia and Japan have committed to working with India to develop the IPOI. Vietnam and the Philippines have expressed willingness to cooperate on the initiative. Jaishankar said the Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a consequence of geopolitical shifts in the last few decades, as evidenced by India's own "Look East Policy" and its upgraded version, the "Act East Policy," to boost economic ties with the countries in the Asia-Pacific. Noting South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy, announced under the Yoon Suk Yeol government in 2022, Jaishankar said it shows the potential for the two countries to work more closely as like-minded countries in common areas, such as building "reliable and resilient" supply chains. In that vein, India is an "attraction" to South Korean businesses as a platform for global production, he added. "Korea is very much regarded as a leader in many of new technology areas ... you look at everything you are good at and we look at things where we feel we are good at," he said. "Those intersections, those partnerships are very much the future." (Yonhap) Data shows that February saw the biggest jump in UK fuel prices for five months - petrol went up 4p and diesel prices grew 5p last month Diesel, on average, is also around 4.6 cheaper per litre - we explain why Motorists in Northern Ireland are getting a much better deal at the pumps than drivers in the rest of the UK, according to latest fuel price review. And that price gap extended in February. On average, car owners in Northern Ireland are paying 5.6p less for a litre of petrol, and diesel is around 4.6p cheaper than it is across England, Scotland and Wales. The RAC described it as 'especially galling' for motorists in Britain as it reported that February saw the biggest leap in fuel prices in five months, with petrol jumping 4p-a-litre and diesel by almost 5p, A combination of oil rising above $80 dollars and the pound being worth just $1.26 (with oil traded in dollars) pushed wholesale costs higher for UK fuel retailers - costs that have been quickly passed to drivers with higher pump prices. The news comes ahead Wednesday's Budget statement, in which Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to provide some relief to the nation's motorists by freezing fuel duty for a 14th consecutive year and retaining the 'temporary' 5p-a-litre tax cut on petrol and diesel that was introduced in 2022 to neutralise escalating fuel prices. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The RAC's monthly Fuel Watch report said petrol went up from 140.75p at the start of February to 144.76p by the close, adding more than 2 to the price of a full tank (77.41 to 79.62). Diesel escalated from 148.53p to 153.22p (4.7p) increasing the cost of filling up an average 55-litre family car by 2.60 to 84.27. It's the biggest monthly increase for both fuels since September, though is still some way short of the all time high for both fuels. In the summer of 2022, the cost of a litre of unleaded petrol peaked at 191.43p in July, while diesel hit a record 199.07p. So, why do drivers in Northern Ireland get a better deal on fuel? The RAC identified the widening of regional fuel pricing, especially when comparing Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK. Pricing data shows that drivers in Northern Ireland are paying - on average - 5.6p-a-litre less for petrol than the rest of the country, while diesel is 4.6p cheaper. It means that each time a driver in Northern Ireland fills up their family petrol car (with a 55-litre fuel tank), they are paying 3.20 less than drivers on the other side of the Irish Sea. For those with diesel cars, the price gap in favour of drivers in Northern Ireland is 2.53 for each fill up. Drivers in Northern Ireland are paying around 5.6p less per litre of petrol than the rest of the UK. The RAC explains why Simon Williams, the RAC's fuel price spokesperson, told This is Money: 'We estimate that retailers in Northern Ireland are working on a margin of 6p a litre for both petrol and diesel. 'The average retailer margin for the rest of the UK is around 10p, which explains some of the big difference in pump prices.' The motoring organisation believes operators are pocketing smaller margins on the other side of the Irish Sea because competition there is much fiercer. 'Northern Ireland has more retailers per head of driver than the rest of the UK, and the supermarkets are less dominant,' Williams explains. 'You also have to factor in the presence of the Republic of Ireland, which sometimes can be a bit cheaper and will then force prices lower across the border.' The RAC says that fuel has historically been cheaper in Northern Ireland for some time, but argues there is no reason why lower prices there can't be replicated across the rest of the UK. 'Having analysed the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) data, we can see that supermarkets are offering their lowest prices in Northern Ireland most of the time, so they have the capacity to take smaller margins than they are doing on average across the whole of the UK,' Williams added. As you can see from this table, the average price of petrol in Northern Ireland is 136.06p, while in the South East of England drivers are paying 141.90p for unleaded Motorists in Northern Ireland are paying an average of 4.6p per litre less for diesel than the rest of the UK, the RAC's report highlighted. The difference is due to NI operators pocketing smaller operating margins Are supermarkets playing fair with drivers? There's an 18p-a-litre difference between Asda's cheapest and most expensive filling station The motoring group says motorists around the UK still get the best deal by filling up at forecourts operated by the big four supermarket chains. Unleaded is just under 2p (1.8p) cheaper when bought at a supermarket filling station (143p v 144.76p), though diesel is only a penny cheaper (152.1p v 153.22p). It also highlights that there is an 18p-per-litre difference between the supermarket forecourts selling the lowest and highest priced unleaded, both of which are Asda sites. The lowest price was 136.7p at its sites in Middleton, Leeds, and Ballyclare, north of Belfast in Northern Ireland, and the most expensive was 163.9p at Parkgate Road in Chester. For diesel, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive supermarket forecourts is greater at 21p. Tesco offered drivers the lowest priced at 142.9p at Banbridge in Northern Ireland and Asda had the dearest at 163.9p, again at Parkgate Road in Chester. Williams said: 'Our data shows that in February, drivers endured the highest monthly average fuel price increases since September 2023. 'Whats more diesels 4.7p rise was the 14th largest since the year 2000 and the 4p that went on to petrol was the 17th biggest increase since the start of the century.' PETROL: Supermarkets might be the cheapest place to fill up on average, but the difference in prices at forecourts operated by the same retailer can differ by as much as 18.2p for unleaded, in Asda's case DIESEL: Asda also has the biggest price gap between its most and least expensive filling stations. The postcode lottery gap is - like petrol - a difference of 18.2p a litre The RAC's fuel expert added: 'The supermarkets in particular have now noticeably upped their margins to 8p a litre compared to 6p in 2019. Luckily for drivers, this is lower than the last two years when it was around 9.5p. 'We hope that the eventual introduction of the monitoring body recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority will help to bring an end to this postcode lottery that treats drivers so unfairly.' Drivers across the country will welcome the Chancellor's announcement in the final Budget before the next general election regarding taxation of the cost of fuel. Jeremy Hunt is expected to freeze fuel duty for a 14th consecutive year - and will extend the 'temporary' 5p cut in fuel duty for another year as he seeks to calm Tory jitters over dire opinion poll ratings. This will save drivers a collective 5billion over the next 12 months, it is estimated. It began with a rigged election and a promise to end the repression of Haiti's black population. But it didn't take long for Francois Duvalier - the bespectacled doctor who took up the reins of power in September 1957 - to show his darker side. The voodoo-obsessed leader would stick pins in effigies of his enemies and kept the frozen head of one executed rebel leader so he could commune with his spirit. By the time 'Papa Doc' passed away in 1971, tens of thousands Hatians had died at his hands. And his son, Jean-Claude, who was known as 'Baby Doc', was equally brutal. As well as ruling with an iron fist, he and his wife enjoyed lavish parties and banquets as ordinary Haitians struggled to survive. When he fled the country in 1986 with the help of a US military cargo plane, his country was in ruins. Now, Haiti is struggling once again as a result of the brazen actions of gang leader Jimmy Cherizier - known by the nickname Barbecue. Armed gangs have helped thousands of inmates break out of a prison in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, as Cherizier pledged to oust the country's acting prime minister Ariel Henry. It began with a rigged election and a promise to end the repression of Haiti's black population. But it didn't take long for Francois Duvalier (above) - the bespectacled doctor who took up the reins of power in September 1957 - to show his darker side By the time 'Papa Doc' passed away in 1971, tens of thousands Hatians had died at his hands. And his son, Jean-Claude, who was known as 'Baby Doc', was equally brutal. Above: The pair together Papa Doc modelled himself on a spiritual figure named Baron Samedi, a deity in Haiti's national religion of voodoo. Samedi is depicted with eerie skeleton make-up, a black tuxedo and white top-hat and speaks in a strange, nasal voice. Papa Doc adopted the mystical icon's love of rum and debauchery and also satisifed his exotic sexual fantasies with any Haitain of his choice. This was despite the fact that he was married to a merchant's daughter, Simone Ovide. The couple had four children together, including Baby Doc. Papa Doc used the feared Tonton Moucoutes to strike fear into his opponents. The group, who were more powerful than the army and police, were allowed to plunder at will. Alleged enemies of the state would be snatched away to be tortured in the dungeons of Haiti's Fort Dimanche. When Papa Doc discovered that the leader of the Tonton Macoutes, Clement Barbot, was plotting to topple him, he had him imprisoned. When Barbot escaped, Papa Doc was told he had turned himself into a black dog to evade capture. This prompted the maniacal Haitian leader to order his men to kill every black dog in Haiti. Now, Haiti is struggling once again as a result of the brazen actions of gang leader Jimmy Cherizier - known by the nickname Barbecue. Above: Cherizier (centre) in 2021 An armed member of the Tonton Macoute (the Haitian militia) controls crowds in the streets of Port-au-Prince, circa 1980 After his death, his son assumed power at the age of just 19. He was widely said to be mentally impaired after being born with water on the brain. Baby Doc often left his mother in charge as he closed off public roads to race his high-performance cars, drank booze and cavorted with women. In 1980, Baby Doc married Michele, a divorced mother of two whose former husband had been involved in a failed coup against his father. She immediately assumed a powerful role and had Madame Ovide sent into exile. Baby Doc's wife also handed key government posts and business contracts to friends and relatives. Among them was her father, who gained control of the national airline. With half of Haitians unable to afford shoes, the power couple's profligate spending made them hugely unpopular. Their wedding alone had cost $3million and they also held lavish banquets and parties using state funds. When Pope John Paul II visited the island in 1983, he announced that 'things much change here'. Above: The Pope with Baby Doc and his wife Michele Papa Doc (right) is seen with journalist Alan Whicker and Rosalie Adolphe, the leader of the Tonton Macoute Papa Doc (right) and his son Baby Doc stand in front of the presidential desk in Haiti At one, Baby Doc dressed as a Turkish sultan and each guest was given a gift of jewellery worth $10,000. The Duvaliers also secretly siphoned tens of millions of dollars into foreign banks. The Macoute were ordered to kidnap thousands of people and sell them into forced labour on sugar plantations across the border in the Dominican Republic. For each worker, they would pocket a few dollars in commission. Haitians were also encouraged to give blood in the spirit of patriotism. But because the same needle was used repeatedly, the practice sparked an Aids epidemic. The organs of executed prisoners were even marketed for transplants. However, the beginning of the end for the Duvalier regime came in the early 1980s, when Ronald Reagan became US President and promised to restore democracy in America's 'backdoor'. When Pope John Paul II visited the island in 1983, he announced that 'things much change here'. Three years later, with the island in the grip of a revolution, Baby Doc and his wife accepted American help of safe passage into exile. Baby Doc drove his BMW into the hold of a cargo plane, which took him and his wife to France. He reportedly had $900million of stolen funds with him. Avenging Haitians armed with machetes hunted down the fleeing Tonton Macoutes. Shortly after their arrival in France, financial investigators raided their luxurious villa and caught Michele trying to flush her shopping log-book down the toilet. The book showed her latest purchases, which included Givenchy clothes worth $168,780, Boucheron jewellery valued at $270,200, $68,500 for a Hermes clock, and $9,752 for two horse-saddles for their children, Anya and Francois Nicolas. The couple divorced in 1990, with Baby Doc citing her 'immoral' behaviour in the suit. After Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010, Baby Doc made a dramatic return to the country, declaring he would help with its reconstruction. However, he passed away from a heart attack in 2014 at the age of 63. The New York-based Human Rights Watch estimated that up to 30,000 Haitians were killed, many by execution, under the regime of the two Duvaliers. Baby Doc is seen watching from a balcony at the Hotel Karibe in Port-au-Prince in 2011, after he returned to the country following the devastating earthquake in 2010 Gang leader Cherizier has claimed responsibility for the latest wave of violence to grip the country. The former elite police officer is now the boss of a feared federation of gangs called the 'G-9 Family and Allies', formed around 2020 and thought to be better armed than the country's official police force. Cherizier describes his men as a 'revolutionary force' which aims to wipe out the bourgeoisie and improve conditions for the poor, but his reign of violence has seen mass killings in some of Haiti's most poverty-stricken areas. He also admits to taking inspiration from Papa Doc. 'I was born next door to La Saline. I live in the ghetto. I know what ghetto life is,' he told AP. He said he got the nickname Barbecue as a child because his mother was a street vendor who sold fried chicken, not because he is accused of setting people on fire. This week's anniversary of the bitter year-long Miners' Strike will bring back difficult memories for many. On March 6, 1984, thousands working to keep the lights on across the country downed tools after the National Coal Board said that 20 pits would close with the loss of 20,000 jobs. But, in the face of vicious hostility, many miners opted to keep on working - and were branded 'scabs' and 'k**bsticks' as a result. The hub of the anti-strike movement was in Nottinghamshire, where the majority of miners chose to go to work as normal, leaving whole towns and villages divided. Ultimately, the strike breakers' refusal to back Arthur Scargill - the militant leader of the National Union of Mineworkers - paid off when national support for the action drained away. The strike came to a formal end on March 3, 1985, leaving Scargill a defeated and much-maligned public pariah. The then prime minister Margaret Thatcher had seen off the most serious challenge to her leadership since the Falklands War. The Miners' Strike began 40 years ago. In Nottinghamshire, the majority of miners chose to keep on working. Above: Miner's wife Jane Paxon, leader of an anti-strike movement in Nottingham Police guard a bus carrying strike breaking miners during the Miners' Strike in 1984 According to the National Coal Mining Museum, only a quarter of Nottinghamshire's miners joined the national strike. This compares sharply with places such as south Wales, where 99.6 per cent of the region's 21,500 workers joined the action. When the strike was coming to an end, 93 per cent were still not working. Nottinghamshire was the hub of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM), which had split from Scargill's NUM after he called the strike without a national ballot. Because of the absence of a vote, those who joined the strike were not eligible to receive benefits. Instead, they had to rely on savings and handouts. Striking miners would line the streets to try to stop their colleagues from making it to work. In the Nottinghamshire town of Ollerton, 24-year-old David Jones died after being hit by a brick during clashes. Residents ended up becoming fiercely divided, to the point where strike breakers' families would be ignored in the street. Coal production dropped by more than half during the strike but the government was able to keep power plants running because they had stockpiled in anticipation of workers downing tools. It was the productivity of still-working pits in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, as well as other smaller pits elsewhere, that allowed power stations to continue operating. Thousands of workers in Leicestershire also refused to go on strike. However, among the men who did stop working in the county were a group who went on to be dubbed the 'Dirty Thirty'. The miners' strike was one of the defining moments of Margaret Thatcher's prime ministership Arthur Scargill being helped to an ambulance during the riots with police in Sheffield Arthur Scargill at Dodworth Miners Welfare in Barnsley during the Miners' Strike 40th anniversary rally on Saturday A strike breaker in Weston County, Stoke on Trent, stands outside his caravan, which has been daubed with the 'scab' insult Miners opposed to Arthur Scargill hold up a brutal banner as they protest in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire The words 'scab pub' are seen daubed on the wall at The Red Lion in Newbridge, Gwent The men soon adopted the insult as a badge of honour. Historian Stuart Warburton, of the Coalville Heritage Society, told the BBC: 'A lot of miners won't talk about The Dirty Thirty, won't even talk to The Dirty Thirty. 'Because they saw them breaking their position by going out on strike. 'This strike wasn't like any other. It came between neighbours, friends, communities and even split up families.' The country's last deep coal mine, Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire, shut in 2015. The 40th anniversary of the Miners' Stirke is being remembered with the 'heartbreaking' testimonies of both the strikers and those branded scabs after they decided to return to work. A new exhibition at the National Coal Mining Museum, in Wakefield, displays the perspectives of both strikers and those who chose to carry on working. Lynn Dunning, the museum's CEO, said last week: 'The exhibition is really to try and give a voice to as many different opinions and experiences as possible. 'Quite often we hear a lot from the men who were on strike. 'We wanted to tell those stories but, also, redress the balance a little bit this time by hearing from some of the men and their families who didn't go on strike and the impact that had on them and how they were treated in their communities but, also, the miners who went back early. 'We're all familiar with the stories of people struggling to put food on the table, to pay their mortgages, etc. And some people did feel the pressure, as the strike went on, to go back to work early.' She added: 'It's quite shocking, even today, after 40 years, to hear about somebody eating their pet rabbit because they had nothing else to put on the table. 'Those are stories that we all need to hear and experience.' Exhibition curator Anne Bradley said the show does feature some artefacts but its core are the first-hand accounts from those who were there, which she has collected through a series of interviews. Ms Bradley said that her interviews showed that many of the old enmities are still there. Some contributors would only take part on condition of anonymity. And she is aware that some visitors will refuse to go into the parts of the exhibitions focusing on the experiences of who they would see as 'scabs'. Ms Bradley said: 'We're a national museum and we have to reflect what was happening in all the different coalfields in England. 'I think it's quite a well known story, the story of striking miners on the picket lines, and the policing. Police force back surging picketers in South Wales, as a convoy of 50 empty lorries left to collect coal from the Port Talbot Arthur Scargill at the head of a march and rally by striking miners in Nottinghamshire Police officers stand guard at the picket lines near Rotherham The protests were often violent, with large numbers of police sent in to restrain picketers Families and communities were riven with division over the dispute and torn apart by poverty Miners and their families from Westoe Colliery march to the Town Hall in South Shields A mass rally of striking miners in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in May 1984 Police officers move into the picket lines at the Orgreave coking plant near Rotherham in 1984, where more than a dozen arrests were made Picketing miners make a run for it as violence flares at the Orgreave coking plant The updates on the miners' strikes dominated the news at the time What was one of the defining events of late 20th century British history left families and communities divided to this day There was violence on picket lines as thousands of police from all over the UK were ferried into the coalfields The front page of The Daily Mail announcing the strike had been called off 'I think those stories of those who either chose not to strike or who couldn't because of the position that they were in or the unions that they were working for, and those that made that decision to go back early, are stories that we don't hear. 'And this is a really good opportunity for us to diversify our collections, collect those stories and those voices while we still have the chance.' She added: 'We'd like to provide the opportunity for our visitors to perhaps have little bit of empathy, to look 40 years on and see that people were making decisions that they had no idea that 40 years on could still lead to them not speaking to members of their families, not speaking to friends. 'We're not asking anybody to change their opinion of the strike but we're hoping that people might just stop and think, maybe look at a different point of view. 'I think if we've done that then we've done a good job.' The exhibition, which is called 84/85 - The Longest Year, opens at the National Coal Mining Museum on Wednesday March 6. Entry is free. More details can be found at www.ncm.org.uk/84-85. Teenagers in Britain will be helped to identify and avoid falling victim to fraudulent adverts online in a new scam awareness campaign that launches today. The 'Scam Flags Add Up To A Scam' drive from educational organisation Media Smart aims to help prevent those aged 13 to 18 losing their money to criminals. The project will also offer young people resources on how to report scam adverts on social media platforms and where those affected can go for support. Adverts will cover a range of topics from cryptocurrency, online shopping deals, unauthorised remote access of webcams, scholarships and spoofing. It comes after Action Fraud revealed more than 1,000 children and teenagers in the UK are scammed every month, with those as young as six being targeted. Adverts will cover a range of topics including unauthorised remote access of webcams And it has launched alongside the Government's new National Campaign Against Fraud - 'Stop! Think Fraud' - which the Home Office launched in February. Rachel Barber-Mack, executive director of Media Smart, said: 'This is a vitally important initiative, and we are pleased to be supporting the UK Government's National Campaign Against Fraud to drive awareness of scam ads to keep young people safe and empowered online. 'There is a shared responsibility for all of us in the media and advertising industry to invest in media literacy, it will reap dividends from an educational perspective as well building public trust.' Security Minister Tom Tugendhat added: 'Fraud is the most prevalent crime in the UK. It's a sad reality that criminals target young people. The new scam campaign will help teenagers identify and avoid fraudulent adverts online 'I welcome Media Smart's work to help teenagers spot and report scam adverts as well as their support of our 'Stop! Think Fraud' campaign so we can all detect and avoid fraud.' Media Smart, which is the advertising industry's educational organisation, worked with youth-focused creative agency Livity on the campaign. The campaign launched online today to support students, teachers and parents, with materials available for use in the classroom and at home. The project will offer young people resources on how to report scam adverts on social media Mark Lund OBE, deputy chair of the Government's Online Advertising Taskforce: 'Scam advertising is an ongoing challenge in our online ecosystem and key priority for the Online Advertising Taskforce to address. 'Media Smart's latest campaign is a critical step in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, and will complement the industry's existing efforts to respond to illegal harms.' The Stop! Think Fraud campaign launched on February 12 and involves the Home Office, City of London Police, National Cyber Security Centre, National Crime Agency and other government departments. Yesterday, Dame Kelly Holmes held back tears on ITV's Loose Women as she revealed a scammer once tried to convince her she was her half sister. A small Florida town is in chaos as locals try to oust a foul-mouthed commissioner who has reportedly berated colleagues and accused his political rival of being armed at a government meeting. Pembroke Park's Geoffrey Jacobs has been accused in lawsuits and by employees of viciously bullying his co-workers and dipping into the town's pot to revamp his own property. He has been roundly condemned by his colleagues and faces a lawsuit from one of several ex-employees whom he has insulted publicly. He allegedly called a Jewish staffer a 'Nazi' after she tried to address a half-a-dozen formal complaints against him. The Republican tried to have her fired, and more complaints have piled up since. Clips from the town's meetings, meanwhile, give an idea of the commissioner's temper, which has made appearances during public proceedings. Jacobs' attorney has blasted the claims against his client as 'ridiculous' and described it as a 'witch hunt' against the commissioner. Scroll down for video: Pembroke Park's Commissioner Geoffrey Jacobs has been accused of viciously bullying his co-workers. He is known for wearing a First Amendment T-shirt at meetings and for outburst targeting others A former Arizona cop, Jacobs has also been accused of fostering a hostile work environment, sending a homophobic TikTok to an ex-town attorney, and hurling slurs like 'c*nt' at colleagues on the regular, the Daily Beast reported. He's also been charged with using his town credit card for several 'questionable' transactions, including work on his Hallandale home. The town was informed about the accusation - which has since been disproven - by a concerned resident, who sent a letter to the five-member Town Commission late last year. In it, the citizen complained about what appeared to be an unsanctioned, ongoing makeover to the mobile home. 'I need to bring to your attention some information I have come across about one of the elected officials that currently sits during your meetings,' the resident wrote, offering photos of the then ongoing renovations as alleged proof. 'Commissioner Jacobs always talks about how he is always doing the right thing for the town,' they went on, citing the litany of viral clips showing Jacobs' viral vitriol. 'He did recodification to his house. Please, you all must deal with this,' the letter - addressed to Mayor Ashira Mohammed, Vice Mayor Erik Morrissette, Clerk Commissioner William Hodgkins, Actin Clerk Commissioner Musfike Kashem, and Acting Town Manager Aleem Ghany, among other - reads. 'The pictures show the outside, but I also saw lots of materials being brought inside,' it continues, as attached snaps showed the work being done. 'Look at all this,' the person continues, before eventually asking, '[W]as he permitted to do this[?]' An investigation - ordered by the town and carried out by an outside attorney - found the man who has donned shirts flaunting the 'First Amendment' while noshing popcorn at meetings did not use town funds on the refurbishment. As for the alleged lack of permits, that claim was proven correct - with the town handing Jacobs a violation claiming he installed multiple windows to the once-assuming property without the proper signoff. Exterior repair of the west side wall without the proper permit was also cited - meaning Jacobs must now obtain and produce 'detailed' plans of his previous work after the fact. If he does not comply, he 'will be required to appear at the prosecution of this matter by a special magistrate,' a court order viewed by DailyMail.com states. Jacobs' lawyer insists the correspondence is the result of a liberal-led 'witch hunt' by his client's mayoral successor. 'The small city of Pembroke Park is spending more money on outside special counsels than they have investigating President Trump,' attorney Michael A. Pizzi said in a statement Monday. 'It's ridiculous and it's all part of this twisted witch hunt,' the lawyer added. His client, he further claims, was elected by the people thus making it illegal to impede on his duties as commissioner. Jacobs has been roundly condemned by his colleagues and faces a lawsuit from one of several ex-employees whom he has insulted publicly He's also been charged with using his town credit card for several 'questionable' transactions, including work on his Hallandale home. The town was tipped off about the spending - which has since been disproven - by a concerned resident, who sent a letter to the five-member Town Commission late last year Since assuming the position of Pembroke Park commissioner in 2019, Jacobs has clashed with almost every department head, and even his fellow commissioners During an attempted interview with Jacobs in November, Jacobs refused to speak to a WPLG Local 10 reporter when asked repeatedly about the unlicensed work. 'You're the commissioner who always wants to do things right - by the book,' the reporter tells him in the clip filmed outside the town hall at the time. 'Can I show you pictures?' 'No,' Jacobs replies. 'Why not?' Upon being followed into the building, an exasperated Jacobs replies: 'I have nothing to say to you.' In the same room, Jacobs has been filmed berating town officials for years. Since assuming the position of commissioner in 2019, Jacobs has clashed with almost every department head, and even his fellow commissioners. 'It's not my job to do your job,' Jacobs says in a soundbite from one such exchange at Pembroke Park meeting. 'This town, historically, likes to hire the most incompetent people it can,' he snipes in another. In another snippet, he calls the town he moved to in 2016 a s***hole, and in another, he defiantly tells attendees: 'I will not be silenced.' 'I am tired of the false and bullsh*t allegations on behalf of this f*cking commission,' he is heard saying in one segment filmed last year. 'I'm tired of this stupidity and the incompetence that continues in this town,' he shouts in another. 'Free speech! Free speech,' he adds in one clip while wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase 'Fist Amendment.' 'There are commissioners here who are going to end up in jail,' he adds. Such assertions spurred a visit from a police chief from the Broward County Sheriffs Office in November, after Jacobs called the department to report that his biggest rival in the hall, current Mayor Ashira Mohammed, was toting a gun. 'It has come to my attention that the police have been called because there is an allegation by the commissioner that I have a weapon on me, particularly that I have a gun on me,' the Democrat reelected this time last year explained. 'So, with that, Im going to allow the chief to search my purse, on the record, so that everyone can see.' A search of the woman's form-fitting dress yielded no weapon, spurring Broward prosecutors to hit the commissioner with a misdemeanor offense for misusing 911. Jacob's lawyer, meanwhile, alleges Mohammeds friends and family had at one point threatened Jacobs and his family, hence the 911 call. His lawyer later filed a notice of a $10million lawsuit against the town and demanded the 911 misuse allegations be dropped. DailyMail.com has reached out to both Jacobs and Mohammed for comment. Jacobs even accused the town's former mayor of having a gun, but police did not find a weapon. Jacobs was then charged with misusing 911, an allegation he has denied Jacobs' history of controversy dates further back than just in Florida - it includes his days as a part-time motor cop for Arizona's Department of Safety in the 2000s Jacobs' history of controversy dates further back than just in Florida - it includes his days as a part-time motor cop for Arizona's Department of Safety in the 2000s. Then, he had a relationship with the daughter of the agencys director, according to court papers and a report in the Phoenix New Times - triggered by pictures the director took of his daughters bruised arm and leg. Jacobs was eventually fired from the department. But the scandal in his current town did not start until 2020, some four years after he relocated following a failed bid to become a justice in Maricopa County - that time as a Democrat. At that point, he began to butt heads with Democrat Mohammed, after the Broward Inspector Generals Office found she improperly used her office to self-advertise an unsuccessful bid for state representative using the towns Facebook page. The state declined to prosecute Mohammed, but Jacobs filed a lawsuit demanding she resign. He was then appointed mayor by the commission when she stepped down in November 2021. But, Jacobs became commissioner again in March of last year after the commission opted to have Mohammed resume her old post. Jacobs was once appointed mayor by the commission when Mayor Ashira Mohammed (pictured) stepped down amid her own scandal in November 2021. He became commissioner again in March of last year after the body opted to have Mohammed resume her old post Babette Friedman (pictured) is one of the people who filed complaints about Jacobs. She was formerly the towns human resources director and attempted to speak to Jacobs, but was rebuffed and victimized by the then mayor in a bid to have her fired An investigation into Jacobs - which was called in the summer of 2023 and cost the town $19,000 - found his one-and-half-year mayoral stint was riddled with scandal as well, with officials writing his reign was marked by a 'pattern of bullying, threatening harm, intimidation, public humiliation, and retaliation.' More than a dozen current and former employees claimed Jacobs would regularly lash out at staffers, all while using intimidation tactics to drive people out. As the complaints piled up, Babette Friedman, formerly the towns human resources director, attempted to speak to Jacobs, but was rebuffed and victimized by the then mayor in a bid to have her fired, the investigative report alleged. Then, after Jacobs was ousted from office in March 2023 and became commissioner, he allegedly called Friedman, who is Jewish, a 'Nazi' in front of fellow colleagues and residents. The outburst prompted the commission to censure Jacobs for violating the towns code of conduct. Jacobs responded by calling Clerk Commissioner Bill Hodgkins 'stupid' and 'ignorant' at a subsequent June meeting, where he hit Friedman with another insult. 'But there are other choice words, four-letter words that I would use to describe you,' Jacobs said at the June 14 meeting, referring to the HR worker. She went on to file a $2 million lawsuit against Jacobs in December, which Pizzi recently called 'totally meritless.' Former town attorney Melissa Anderson, meanwhile, told The Daily Beast that during her two stint as a civic servant for Pembroke Park, Jacobs was always a domineering presence Former town attorney Melissa Anderson, meanwhile, told The Daily Beast that during her two stint as a civic servant for Pembroke Park, Jacobs was always a domineering presence. However, she said she did not feel victimized until the politician failed in his push to create a police department for the town. She said Jacobs behavior became 'increasingly aggressive and bizarre.' In text messages included in the intendent investigative report, which concluded in June, Jacobs is said to have slammed Anderson as a 'fucking c***' in a comment to the town clerk. On October 1, 2022, the then mayor went on to send her a TikTok, she claims, showing video of a bouncer bashing 'masculine women' as 'super confrontational' -that is, until they realize a man can beat them up. 'I was so baffled. And freaked out,' Anderson, an openly gay woman, told The Daily Beast. There are questions over whether young people will show up for Democrats in November or whether they have turned on President Biden and the party that typically counts them as a key part of the base. Polling suggests it very well could happen amid frustration over the likelihood of a Biden-Trump rematch and the president's support for Israel as war rages in Gaza. But one Democrat leading the Democratic Party in a key battleground state is determined in the fight ahead. Anderson Clayton is the 26-year-old chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Elected last year amid a wave of discontent over the party's performance, she is the youngest chair of a state political party in the country. Clayton, who spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com ahead of Super Tuesday, passionately argued this year's election 'ain't' about an 81-year-old, but the issues: abortion rights, workers rights, climate rights, 'anything that you care about to have the right to is on your ballot.' Anderson Clayton was elected as chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party last year at age 25, making her the youngest state party chair in the country In an effort to get more young people to show up amid questions over whether they will vote in 2024, Clayton argues the election 'ain't' about 81-year-old President Biden but about issues and the future of the country She said voter education is the party's biggest problem in the upcoming election cycle. Touting something like 'Bidenomics' is not working in a state like North Carolina she said fiercely because the state legislature says it is ok to keep the minimum wage where it is at. 'What do you want to see the future of your country, of your state, of your community look like and become?' Clayton said of 2024. 'Because what the other party right now believes in is fundamentally something that I do not think we as people are ok with. I hope to hell we're not.' Clayton, an organizer by trade originally from a rural North Carolina, has the task of getting people in the Tar Heel state to show up come November and every election. She claims she has 'not coming to play' and is ready for the opportunity to 'blue map the b***ch.' To date, North Carolina has been a deeply purple state. It elected Donald Trump in 2020 by less than 75,000 votes but reelected a Democratic Governor Roy Cooper by nearly 250,000 votes. The current congressional delegation is split seven Democrats, seven Republicans, though redistricting is expected to shift more seats to the GOP. Just over a week ago, the state Democratic party executive committee voted to make state chair a full-time paid position. But under Clayton, the party is starting at the ground level. They contested 1,100 out of 1,600 municipal races last year. In 2025, she says they're coming for ever single one. 'We're going to see what happens in the state this year, but we're not done fighting.' Clayton has been working to energize Democrats not just in her state but everywhere. She previously worked as an organizer in Iowa, Tennessee and Kentucky before returning home to North Carolina Clayton strategy to turn North Carolina blue involves Democrats showing up and engaging in communities not just right before elections but regularly and making sure to run candidates up and down the ballot. She also has her sights set on rural North Carolina. The state has the second largest rural population behind Texas Part of her approach is tapping into rural North Carolina. 'We have the second most rural voters in the country,' said Chris Cooper a professor at Western Carolina State. 'These light blue voters moving into the state, but there's still this countervailing force pulling from the rural parts of the state and reddening by the day.' Clayton calls herself a 'hopeless romantic' when it comes to winning over rural areas, arguing everyone is 'worth talking to.' She has praised the governor's high approval even in rural parts of the state pointing out he has made a consistent effort to show up in those communities even if they're not what has gotten him elected. 'It's about putting more emphasis on those communities,' she said and forcing Republicans to actually have to run there. She has experience working in such places, first as a field organizer in rural Iowa for then-Senator Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential campaign and then in Kentucky. Clayton recalled feeling like she was the only rural organizer at times. She said campaigns have been leaving out a whole section of people that they don't want to engage with because they 'don't think they matter.' 'I actually don't believe in that,' she said. It's what ended up bringing her back to North Carolina where she found herself leading the Person County Democrats. While there, they flipped the Roxboro City Council and a seat in the state House in 2022. But she is not delusional the party faces challenges up and down the ballot, admitting earnestly she fears having to eat her words at the end of the cycle, but she believes it's worth the shot. The party left 44 seats uncontested in the state House and Senate races in 2022, the most in state history. Forty-five counties lost a Democratic representatives in them. In 2020, a Republican won a state Supreme Court race by just over 400 votes. The court that year went from a 6-1 Democratic majority to a 4-3 majority before Republicans won the majority in 2022. 'This sh*t happened because we just did not get enough people out to vote,' Clayton said with frustration, noting it was being 'really, really, really, really mad' that got her to even run for state party chair in the first place. With the help of young friends she was able to oust the establishment-backed incumbent. Now Democrats are canvassing early, and her goal is to get people out talking to folks ASAP. She also does not want Democrats to be known for just knocking on doors three months before an election. 'We want to be in your communities all the time,' she insisted. 'Right now we're eight months before an election, and I'm saying we're already out in those communities. I think that's the change, and that's what I hope is going to make the difference this year.' More than 70 younger North Carolina Democrats gathered with Vice President Harris during her visit to Durham on March 1. Clayton said the room was 'vibrating' with energy North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton takes a selfie with Vice President Harris while riding with her in her motorcade on March 1. Clayton says she urged the Vice President to come back and meet with voters in the eastern part of the battleground state For Clayton, her experience first as a field organizer for Harris then as the state party chair in one of the biggest battlegrounds came full circle last week when she found herself riding with vice president in her motorcade during Harris' visit to Durham. While there, Harris stopped to speak with young Democrats. And at least for that visit, a group of passionate young people who have been and will be out on college campuses working to register voters this election year did show up. 'It was one of those moments where I got to see her interact with a lot of young folks, people that I think needed to see a very personal side of her,' Clayton said. Clayton wants to see the Democratic party invest in the state. She also wants the vice president, who has been to the state 10 times since taking office, to keep coming back. 'I said when we were in the motorcade together, "eastern North Carolina needs to see you. They would love you."' A teen who allegedly stabbed a grandfather to death and knifed his wife and pet dog in a 'targeted' attack is known to the couple's grandson, who lived with them, say police. Emergency services were called to the couple's home in Greenwood, in Perth's north, at around 8am on Monday, where they were found inside with stab wounds. Colin Norton, 81, died at the scene while his wife Maggie, 71, was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Police believe the grandson may have been the intended target of the alleged attack and had been warned someone was coming to the house to hurt him and his family. The grandson was seen breaking down in the driveway after he returned home and was told the heartbreaking news of his grandfather's death by detectives. The couple's dog was allegedly stabbed while trying to defend the couple. After fleeing the home, it was discovered wandering the streets injured, but is expected to survive. Aerial resources and the police dog unit were called in as detectives locked down the suburb and launched a manhunt for the alleged knifeman, 19, who was arrested 5km away an hour later. He has since been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempting to unlawfully kill. Colin Norton, 81, (left) was allegedly stabbed to death at his Perth home on Monday. His wife Maggie (right) survived the alleged attack The couple's grandson was seen breaking down in the driveway after he returned home and was told the heartbreaking news of his grandfather's death by detectives 'Homicide Squad detectives are in the early stages of their investigation,' Det. Insp. Gary Butler said. 'However, early indications suggest the parties somehow knew each other. We believe the man in custody may be linked to a family member.' Shocked neighbours and family members paid tribute to Mr Norton as they wished his wife a speedy recovery. Lacey Parker said that his 'beautiful' neighbours didn't deserve what happened. 'To my dearest Maggie and family, my heart is shattered for you all; my deepest condolences following the sad and tragic loss of Colin,' he said. 'My thoughts and prayers are with you, Maggie, for a safe and speedy recovery. 'Myself and my children are so broken for you all much love.' An elderly man and woman were found inside a Greenwood home suffering from stab wounds War Minister and Benjamin Netanyahu foe Benny Gantz is headed to Capitol Hill to meet with top lawmakers and make a plea for Israel aid, but he was unable to lock down a meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson. Gantz will be able to check off meetings with three of the 'Big Four' congressional leaders - he met with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Monday. On Tuesday he has private meetings with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. But Gantz won't get any facetime with the one who refuses to bring a Senate-passed bill that includes Israel aid to the House floor, Johnson, his office confirmed to DailyMail.com. The speaker's office did not respond as to why Johnson would not be meeting with Gantz. Gantz's trip to the U.S. was not authorized by Netanyahu and the prime minister has made it clear the trip runs against his wishes. War Minister and Benjamin Netanyahu foe Benny Gantz is headed to Capitol Hill to meet with top lawmakers and make a plea for Israel aid, but he was unable to lock down a meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson Gantz will be able to check off meetings with three of the 'Big Four' congressional leaders - Netanyahu 'made it clear to Minister Gantz that the State of Israel only has one prime minister,' according to Ynet, an Israeli media outlet. Johnson and Netanyahu have been in contact since the war on Gaza broke out on October 7. Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu who frequently criticizes the prime minister, is sitting down with several senior Biden administration officials this week, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk and Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser. Harris told reporters she and Gantz would discuss getting the hostage deal done, getting aid into the Gaza strip and 'getting that six-week cease-fire.' President Biden did not visit with Gantz as he is not a head of state. Gantz, 64, joined Netanyahu's right-wing government after the October 7 attack as a show of national unity, and his popularity has soared. By contrast, Israelis have grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu. Gantz has been a top political rival for Netanyahu for years. Democrats have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu and his defense forces 'indiscriminate bombing,' as Biden put it, in Gaza. Some 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's counter-strike to the 1,139 killed in Israel on Oct. 7 and 240 taken hostage. Meanwhile American forces in the Middle East made a second humanitarian aid air drop into Gaza with the help of the Royal Jordanian Air Force Tuesday, US Central Command said in a statement, after one over the weekend. The most recent drop contained around 36,000 meals. Over the weekend some 38,000 meals were dropped. But the United Nations says at least 576,000 people are one step away from famine conditions. U.S. officials have been pushing for a ceasefire and hostage return deal between Israel and Hamas, but Israel and White House officials say Hamas is resistant to returning their remaining hostages, around 134 people. They had a goal of reaching a deal before Ramadan begins this Sunday. Weeks ago the Senate passed a bipartisan foreign aid deal that included humanitarian and defense money for Israel, Gaza, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific 70-29, but Johnson insists he won't take up the aid until the border is secure. The House has already passed a stand-alone Israel aid bill but it was not taken up in the Senate due to its pay-fors: taking money from the IRS. Now, a bipartisan group in the House is trying to end-run Johnson and put a defense-only aid bill on the floor through discharge petition. This way, they would only have to get a simple majority of signatures to force a floor vote on their package. Signatures are expected to be collected this week to see if the support for their package is there. Donald Trump has decisively beaten Nikki Haley yet again by winning the North Dakota Republican caucus by 70 points in a preview of the dominant night he could have on Super Tuesday. The former president had a staggering 84.6 percent of the vote while his final rival had just 14.1 with 99 percent of the votes counted as of Tuesday morning. The latest primary victory for Trump caps off the day where the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 he could stay on the ballot in Colorado, effectively ending the bid states trying to bar him from running. The results in North Dakota by the end of the night could be a dire sign for Haley as thousands of voters from 15 states and one U.S. territory head to the polls on Tuesday morning on the biggest day of the primary. Trump has won every early contest except for Sunday's primary in Washington, D.C., where Haley beat the former president among the small population of registered Republicans who live in the nation's capital. Donald Trump has decisively beaten Nikki Haley yet again by winning the North Dakota Republican primaries in a preview of the dominant night he could have on Super Tuesday. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley did not visit North Dakota for a campaign stop as caucuses have tended to favor Trump this campaign cycle. He easily won in Iowa and later won in Nevada, though Haley did not appear on that ballot The Republican frontrunner has a chance of winning all the states on Tuesday, leaving Nikki Haley's path to the White House even narrower than before. He is already focused on November and his likely general election rematch with President Joe Biden. Former South Carolina Governor Haley's future in the race is hanging by a thread, and a loss in most of the states including California will make comeback all but impossible. Neither Trump nor Haley actively campaigned in North Dakota, though Trump found himself a reliable surrogate in North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Burgum launched his own bid for the White House in June but was out of the race by early December, before any primary votes were cast. The North Dakota governor endorsed Trump in mid-January, directly ahead of the Iowa caucuses, which the ex-president soundly won against Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Burgum has continued to appear alongside Trump on the campaign trail. He was with the ex-president last month in Las Vegas after Trump won the Nevada caucuses and voters picked 'none of these candidates' on the Nevada primary ballot, a symbolic vote for Trump over Haley. Caucuses have produced good results for Trump during this election cycles, as the MAGA faithful are so enthused about their candidate they'll take time to attend the meetings. Thousands of voters from 15 states will head to the polls for what has been known since the 1970s as 'Super Tuesday' In North Dakota, voters gathered at 12 sites around the state. The state's Republican party pushed voters to pay an annual $50 in dues to the party, but voters could also sign a pledge of affiliation with the party to participate. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. Instead voters will have to provide identification to participate. At stake were 29 delegates. A candidate needed to get at least 20 percent support to earn some delegates and if a candidate got more than 60 percent it's winner-take-all. By comparison, Washington, D.C. has 19 delegates while California, the most delegate-rich state in the country, has 169. A Virgin passenger was left fuming after paying $800 to buy another ticket because he missed his original flight due to miscommunication with the airline. Max Cameron, 64, who lives in Tasmania arrived at Launceston airport to catch a flight to Melbourne last month when he noticed no one was at the check-in. Mr Cameron, who travels interstate for work, claims the flight he booked had been due to depart at 9.30pm and that check-in would close at 9pm. He then received an email from the airline explaining the flight had been delayed until 10.15pm and that check-in would close at 9.45pm as a result. 'I got a text and an email from Virgin saying, very sorry to let you know your plane has been delayed by 45 minutes,' Mr Cameron told Yahoo. 'As a result, I got out to the airport at 9:25pm for a 9:45pm closure of check-in'. Max Cameron (pictured left) was forced to fork out an extra $800 to book another flight after Virgin Australia staff closed the check-in desk before he arrived Mr Cameron turned up to the check-in to find 'literally not one person in the Virgin terminal'. The 64-year-old was then forced to book a flight for the following morning, forking out another $800 for the airfare, transport and accommodation. A confused Mr Cameron submitted an enquiry to the customer service team. He was informed he had to arrive 30 minutes before the original departure time - even though the email told him to arrive half-an-hour before the new takeoff time. Mr Cameron was told by Virgin he wouldn't be compensated as he failed to show up at the airport on time. 'I got a note back saying, "Sorry, Mr Cameron, you didn't arrive prior to the check in time closing... we called for last cases and you didn't present",' he said. Mr Cameron was told he needed to be at the check-in (pictured stock image) 30minutes before the flight was initially scheduled to depart Mr Cameron then spoke to a worker at the airport who informed him there could have been an error in the email. 'I'm at the airport four times a week so I went and spoke to the supervisor at the Virgin counter and she said, "Oh my God, it looks like they sent you the wrong email",' he said. A spokesman from Virgin told Daily Mail Australia the airline is working with Mr Cameron to get his money back. 'Virgin Australia has directly contacted the guest to apologise for their experience,' he said. 'We are currently in the process of assessing the guests claim to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses'. NPC spokesperson urges US to work with China for healthy, stable ties 11:26, March 05, 2024 By Xu Keyue and Zhang Wanshi ( Global Times No matter who becomes the president, we hope that the US can work in the same direction with China for a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship, said Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC). At the press conference on Monday, one day before the key meeting, Lou said that stabilizing and improving China-US relations is something that everyone follows closely and expects to see. China's position has been consistent, which is to follow the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. "We have taken concrete actions toward that. It is hoped that the US will honor its commitment, strengthen the five pillars in China-US relations and translate the understanding and vision agreed on by the two presidents in San Francisco into real actions," Lou stated. In response to an American reporter's question on the US elections, the spokesperson said that the US presidential election is an internal affair of the US, and China does not hold a position on it. "No matter who becomes the president, we hope that the US can work in the same direction with China for a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship," Lou stressed. At the same time, he mentioned that ordinary Chinese people often see members of the US Congress put forward bills targeting China, adopt anti-China rhetoric and deeds against Chinese institutions, companies and nationals, and even visit China's Taiwan region. These actions have severely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's legitimate rights and interests, and disrupted normal exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Lou pointed out, noting that in response, the NPC has made clear its opposition through statements and other channels. The spokesperson also put forward expectations of more exchanges between the legislatures of China and the US in the future. He said that over the past years, the two countries' legislatures have maintained interaction despite many difficulties. One example is the visit of a bipartisan delegation led by Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer to China. "This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations. It is important for the legislatures of the two countries to have more exchanges, dialogue and communication to deepen mutual understanding and play a constructive role in the stable development of China-US relations," Lou said. The US is more provocative in meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, some Chinese analysts said, citing Washington's use of the "Taiwan card" in an attempt to contain Beijing as an example. Considering 2024 is a US election year, the biggest challenge for China-US ties this year is the political turmoil in the US, and anti-China sentiment and efforts to restrict China's development are gaining more momentum in the country, warned Lyu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "We certainly hope that whoever is elected will prioritize maintaining a constructive relationship with China. However, regardless of who is elected next, anti-China policies may intensify. China does not want to see this situation escalate and will respond in its own way," the expert said. He noted that in fact, there is an inherent need for the US to establish friendly relations between the two countries, but some politicians have hyped up hostility for their own gains. Therefore, in addition to the necessary development of normal relations between the two governments, it is also important to increase mutual understanding through legislative, civilian, and academic exchanges, Lyu suggested. While China has expressed its sincerity for healthy and sustainable bilateral ties, some US politicians always follow the Cold War mentality and see China as a "rival" or even an "enemy." In a recent interview with American media outlet CBS late February, US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said China is the US' most significant competitor. "I think ultimately, they [China] want to become and overtake the United States as the dominant country globally," Burns said. "And we don't want that to happen. We don't want to live in a world where the Chinese are the dominant country." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning rejected Burns' remarks on Monday, saying they are "neither fact-based nor constructive." "We oppose defining the China-US relations with competition. China does not engage in major-country competition, and has no intention to replace or challenge any country. We have advanced the China-US relations under the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping," Mao stated. Mao stressed that China always believes that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. "China will not dominate the world and we do not think the world should be dominated by any country. Neither does China have the intention to overtake the US. What we do are aimed at self-improvement so as to deliver a better life for our people." Mao said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) By Jon Dunbar International Women's Day lands on Friday, but Itaewon's Lit Lounge is so jam-packed with events that it has decided to expand the occasion into a full weekend, with three days of events celebrating and centering on women. It kicks off on Friday with the Ladies Who Lead panel talk, highlighting women who excel in their respective industries in Korea, offering hope and motivation to others. The panel discussion and the following Q&A session will be facilitated by Aja Bailey. The panelists include chef Sarah Labensky, best-selling author of "On Cooking" and "On Baking"; Yepo Beauty cosmetics company co-founder Ky Reid; Miss Clark, a business and life consultant for people moving to Korea; and Victoria Kim, who works for the OECD Korea Policy system on cultural diversity and policy relations. The entry fee is 10,000 won, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Seoul Metropolitan Women's Protection Center. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the event begins at 9 p.m. Saturday presents the After Glow party featuring female fire performers Sonja Gades and Nell Fox. Both are from the United States, and each has at least 10 years of experience dancing with flames. The event will be hosted by DJ D.YANA. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the fire starts crackling at 10 p.m. Entry costs 10,000 won. The final event on Sunday features a lineup of 12 female stand-up comics from around the world, presented by Dark De Gary Comedy Club. The open mic-style event will be hosted by Alisha Feitosa, a comedian from Texas who has performed in the U.S., Korea and Singapore. Although my style isnt vulgar, she remarked about her comedy, my mom does not approve." The other women hitting the mic are Kristen Pimley, Fanoula Grekos, Sue, Kristen Fallon, Ziho, Jessica Lee, JL Murdoch, Amy Kim, Mary Yang, Kim Bo-eun, Seong-eun Jeong and Choi Ki-moon. The comedy show starts at 7 p.m. and runs for two hours. Entry is free. "Lit Lounges International Womens Weekend will be full of encouragement, bonding, sisterhood and laughter," organizers said in an online invitation. "Come join us as we reflect on yesterday's struggles that paved the way for tomorrow's victories!" Visit planethustle.com or follow @lit_itaewon on Instagram for more information. An Aussie mum's complaint about a day out at a family-friendly theme park has reignited debate over what is acceptable swimwear to wear in public. The woman's trip to Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast with her children included spotting a number of women and teens wearing G-string and micro-bikinis in the kids' pool area. Shocked by the sight, she took to a Facebook group for Brisbane mums to ask where the line stood for appropriate swimwear at a family-friendly water park. 'I have these types of swimwear and wear them often in my own pool. I am far from a prude and this is not a case of jealousy,' she wrote. 'However, I am curious as to what the general consensus is on wearing this at a family theme park. Particularly in the kids pool area. 'It's not that I don't like it, it's just I don't feel it's an appropriate place for it.' An Aussie mum has questioned where the line is for revealing swimwear after spotting women and teens wearing micro and G-string bikinis in a kids' pool area (pictured, a woman attends a protest against the comments of a community worker who said women in skimpy swimwear were 'demeaning' themselves) READ MORE: Dramatic moment demonstrators in VERY skimpy swimsuits march after man called for rules about 'erotic' swimsuits Advertisement The mother went on to question how other patrons would feel if men wore the revealing swimwear, or if nipple covers would also be acceptable to wear? A number of mothers chimed in on the issue, with many questioning if the swimwear was inappropriate or 'does the person wearing this just look attractive?' 'I think you need to ask yourself why this bothers you so much. If these women are happy and confident wearing it then who are they harming?' one user asked. 'It's 100 per cent a case of just look the other way and deal with it,' a second wrote. The mother replied to say that while she does avert her gaze from the revealing swimwear, she can't stop her children from making comments. She said that one of the women wearing a micro-bikini had bent over and 'revealed her b***hole', which couldn't be ignored. Another user urged the mother not to travel to Europe as 'mums with babes and kids are sitting there topless'. Other commenters weren't so supportive of the skimpy swimwear, claiming there is a clear line that can be crossed. 'I feel like butt cheeks are like boobs, a certain amount spilling out but once we reach the smaller darker parts it becomes nudity,' one dissenter wrote. The mum said the skimpy swimsuits, in some cases, revealed too much to wear at family-friendly water parks such as Wet'n'Wild (pictured) 'I think its wonderful theyre comfortable and confident, but in a public space for children, I feel it is unnecessary,' another person wrote. 'I would never say anything and would answer my child that while its not what we choose to wear, everyone is different.' Poll Do you agree with the mum's bikini concerns? Yes No Do you agree with the mum's bikini concerns? Yes 1584 votes No 848 votes Now share your opinion A spokesperson for Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Wet'n'Wild's parent company, told Daily Mail Australia that the water park is 'a place where people visit wearing varying styles of swimwear'. 'Guests are free to make their own choices regarding the type of attire they wear at the park, however we would recommend guests wear attire theyre comfortable in and which is practical for riding slides and attractions in a family environment.' The mother's concerns come just weeks after Gold Coast community worker Ian Grace sparked outrage after calling for a ban on G-string bikinis on beaches. In a letter sent to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Mr Grace said he believed women were 'demeaning and cheapening themselves' by wearing the swimwear. It lead to a public demonstration against the comments as protesters in skimpy swimsuits gathered at a Gold Coast beach and called on Australians to 'free the peach'. Doctors who specialise in transgender healthcare have been exposed admitting privately that patients are sometimes too young or mentally ill to understand fully the consequences of their treatment. Leaked messages from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) reveal how medics acknowledged behind the scenes that teenagers given puberty-blocking drugs did not always realise they could never have children. Some members of the US group, whose guidelines have influenced the NHS in England and the Scottish government, say they have gone ahead with surgery for people with severe mental health problems despite fears about whether they could give fully informed consent. The messages, leaked from an internal WPATH forum, include some from experts discussing how patients developed tumours or died from cancer linked to hormone treatment. Critics say the private messages contradict public assurances that so-called gender-affirming care is medically necessary. Leaked messages from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) reveal how medics acknowledged behind the scenes that teenagers given puberty-blocking drugs did not always realise they could never have children (stock image) Psychoanalyst Dr David Bell, who in 2018 helped expose the scandal at the Tavistock gender clinic for young people in London, said last night: Even for me the contents of these files are shocking and disturbing. The files suggest that some members of WPATH are aware that gender-affirming care sometimes causes very serious harm and that some patients who received irreversible medical treatments were incapable of giving meaningful consent. GP Louise Irvine said the revelations showed an organisation that has been influential in UK policy for transgender health care is unscientific, cavalier with respect to potential harm to patients, and neglectful of the principles of medical consent. Hundreds of messages from WPATH members including surgeons, GPs and therapists are being published today after being sent to US journalist Michael Shellenberger. The material includes a recording of a talk in 2022 about how to deal with teens who want puberty blockers but do not understand the effect on their fertility. Dan Metzger, a hormone specialist at a childrens hospital in Canada, told the meeting: Its always a good theory that you talk about fertility preservation with a 14-year-old, but I know Im talking to a blank wall. Most of the kids are nowhere in any kind of a brain space to really talk about it in a serious way. He did not comment last night. In one exchange on the forum, a nurse asked what to do with a patient who wanted hormone treatment but had depression, PTSD and schizoid-typical traits. Dr Dan Karasic, who helped write WPATHs mental health guidelines, replied: Psychiatric illness should not block a persons ability to start hormones if they have persistent gender dysphoria, capacity to consent, and the benefits... outweigh the risks. Approached by the Mail, he said: Treatment is only prescribed when the patient has capacity to give informed consent and the medical provider and patient agree the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. A gender therapist said they once sought consent from all the different personalities of a patient who had an identity disorder before prescribing hormone therapy. WPATH did not comment last night. The Department of Health said NHS England moved away from WPATH guidelines more than five years ago She is only allowed to shower once a week as American faces treason charges In a letter to her boyfriend, she said the guards are known to lock inmates out on the roof in the freezing weather Ksenia Kalerina revealed she is too afraid to go outside for fresh air while being held in Russian prison The American ballerina being detained in Russia for donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity revealed she is being deprived of basic hygiene and is too afraid to go outside for fresh air. In a recent letter to her boyfriend, Ksenia Karelina said she is only allowed to shower once a week and has decided to skip going outside because the guards are known to lock inmates out and leave them on the freezing roof of the arctic jail. Her boyfriend, Chis Van Heerdan, told Fox & Friends Karelina has no access to hot water, is forced to sleep with the lights on and has a strict 6am wake-up call and 10pm bedtime. 'Its a day-by day thing. One day she wakes up very hopeful and very positive, and then other days there is no hope,' her boyfriend said. He added Karelina also has days where she fears that she might be stuck in the Russian prison for the rest of her life. Ksenia Kalerina, the American ballerina being detained in Russia for donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity revealed she is being deprived of basic hygiene and is too afraid to go outside for fresh air In a recent letter to her boyfriend ,Karelina said she is only allowed to shower once a week and has decided not to go outside on the roof because the guards are known to lock inmates out and leave them in the freezing weather Karelina, who holds dual Russian-American citizenship, was charged with treason and faces up to 20 years in jail for making the small donation to the humanitarian charity Razom on the day Russia invaded Ukraine Karelina, who holds dual Russian-American citizenship, was charged with treason and faces up to 20 years in jail for making a small donation to the humanitarian charity Razom on the day Russia invaded Ukraine. As the couple tries to hold onto hope, her boyfriend said Karelina mentioned in her letter that through the small window in her cell she feels connected to him. 'I've got a little window in my cell and I can see the sun, and I know I look at the same sun you look at when the sun goes down,' she wrote in the letter. After reading that note, Van Heerdan said he has trouble looking at the sun now because he 'just thinks of her.' His girlfriend is now being held in a cell at Yekaterinburg detention center, about 1,000 miles east of Moscow, in conditions that are a grim contrast to her job as an esthetician at a spa in Beverly Hills. The payment was discovered after her phone was seized when she flew into Yekaterinburg's Koltsovo Airport on January 2, planning to visit her 90-year-old grandparents in time for Russia's Christmas day. She was arrested after being invited to pick up her phone on January 27, the day that Ven Heerden last spoke to her. 'Fifty-one dollars, come on,' he told NBC, 'a simple donation because she's kind. 'I was actually thinking of proposing to this woman, so every day is tough. 'She's got an affectionate smile. Always happy, so, so, so giving. She lives a full life.' Karelina is now being held in a cell at Yekaterinburg detention center (pictured), about 1,000 miles east of Moscow , in conditions that are a grim contrast to her job as an esthetician at a spa in Beverly Hills The payment was discovered after her phone was seized when she flew into Yekaterinburg's Koltsovo Airport on January 2, planning to visit her 90-year-old grandparents in time for Russia's Christmas day A detention hearing this week denied her application to be held on house arrest and Russia has refused to grant consular access to U.S. officials as Karelina becomes the latest pawn in a diplomatic war between Washington and Moscow A detention hearing this week denied her application to be held on house arrest and Russia has refused to grant consular access to U.S. officials as Karelina becomes the latest pawn in a diplomatic war between Washington and Moscow. 'I didn't get my hopes up,' said Van Heerden insisting she would need a 'miracle' to escape from Russian custody. 'I broke down because I know Ksenia, she is a sweetheart, she's so soft and I cannot imagine for the life of me how scared she must be,' he added. 'I want to let people know that Ksenia is a normal person, that's my job. She's a normal American citizen that made a mistake. 'I'm in a fight right now totally out of my control, I'm in a fight that I'm not familiar with. I'm trying my very best to do as much as I can.' He said he was told by officials from the U.S. State Department that they still can't gain access to his girlfriend. Karelina was sentenced to 14 days detention for 'petty hooliganism' before she was slapped with treason charges. Russia's FSB claims she 'proactively collected funds in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organizations, which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.' In a statement, Razom's CEO Dora Chomiak said the organization is 'appalled at Karelina's arrest. 'Vladimir Putin has repeatedly shown that he holds no sovereign border, foreign nationality or international treaty above his own narrow interest,' Chomiak said. 'His regime attacks civil society activists who stand up for freedom and democracy.' Her father, Pavel Karelina, 56, said he couldn't comment on the Russian government's ongoing case against his daughter, but thanked the public for their support Van Heerdan said he was told by officials from the U.S. State Department that they still can't gain access to his girlfriend and that she is 'prepared for what might be the fight of her life' Last week, Karelina's distraught father said he was 'at a loss' as to how to help her. In an interview with DailyMail.com, Pavel Karelina, 56, said he couldn't comment on the Russian government's ongoing case against his daughter, but thanked the public for their support. 'We really can't say anything now. We ourselves are at a loss to understand what's going on,' said Pavel, the general director of a Russian transport equipment company. 'Please understand. Thank you for your good wishes.' Karelina's one-time husband, Evgeny Khavana, revealedlast month that his own family are living in fear and cannot speak freely because they believe they are being 'listened to' by Russian authorities. He said, 'We cannot speak, my family cannot say anything,' he added. Her mother-in-law, Eleanora Sreboski, told DailyMail.com that Ksenia would spend the rest of her life in a Russian prison if America didn't intervene. Van Heerden said his girlfriend was veering between motivation one day and hopelessness the next, but was 'prepared for what might be the fight of her life.' Top Republican Jim Jordan sent letters GoFundMe and Eventbrite Monday asking about their involvement in surveilling customers' transactions The Treasury Department also warned banks of 'extremism' indicators like the purchase of a religious text, such as a Bible The government has been 'watching' Americans who frequent Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's and other outdoors stores that sell guns Two major crowdfunding sites are being investigated by Republicans as they expand the scope of their probe into how the Biden administration worked with financial institutions to surveil Americans they considered to be 'extremists.' In the aftermath of January 6, Biden administration Treasury Department officials suggested that banks review transactions at sporting and recreational supplies stores like Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops in order to detect customers who might be 'extremists.' In addition, officials also warned banks of 'extremism' indicators like the purchase of a religious text, like a Bible, or searches including the terms 'MAGA' and 'TRUMP.' On Monday, the House 'weaponization' committee chairman Jim Jordan sent letters to GoFundMe and Eventbrite asking that they cooperate with their ongoing investigation, exclusively reported by DailyMail.com. Republicans say that the federal government urged the crowdfunding platforms to 'comb' through their personal transactions 'report charges on the basis of protected political and religious expression.' He is requesting the sites turn over their previous communications with federal officials, including those at the Treasury, who oversaw the transaction surveillance. Federal investigators suggested that banks use search terms like 'MAGA' and 'Trump' to identify purchased that could be associated with 'extremism' Transportation charges for travel to areas with no apparent purpose could be an indicator of 'extremism,' according to the letter Jordan writes that his committee has obtained documents showing that on January 18, 2021, Treasury officials from the FinCEN division emailed GoFundMe, Eventbrite, Anedot and others. The officials explained how they could 'use a 'transaction reference' to identify customers. They included details on how to search using an individuals' card purchase and phone number specifically for Trump rally attendees. 'FinCEN noted how 'Card Purchase[s]' to events are findable using 'the transaction reference 'EB [the EVENT] with the phone number' and detailed how individuals who purchased tickets to events in support of President Trump could be identified using the transaction reference,' the email stated. Jordan scathed in his letter Monday saying these searches were being conducted despite the transactions 'having no apparent nexus to criminal activity.' He says as Americans were exercising their First Amendment rights, FinCEN officials 'adopted a characterization of these Americans as potential threat actors.' His committee is continuing to investigate and is demanding the crowdfunding sites provide requested documentation no later than March 18. DailyMail.com reached out to GoFundMe and Eventbrite for comment. Jordan has previously claimed the federal government has been 'watching' Americans who frequent outdoor stores that sell guns - or who are religious. The terms 'MAGA' and 'Trump' were also suggested by the Treasury to be searched in Zelle payments, according to Jordan. Subscriptions to news outlets containing 'extremist' views would also be an indicator for financial instructions to look at, according to the material the Treasury provided to banks. 'Did you shop at Bass Pro Shop yesterday or purchase a Bible? If so, the federal government may be watching you,' Jordan previously wrote in a post. 'We now know the federal government flagged terms like 'MAGA' and 'TRUMP,' to financial institutions if Americans completed transactions using those terms,' he wrote in another post. 'What was also flagged? If you bought a religious text, like a BIBLE, or shopped at Bass Pro Shop.' The federal officials may have illegally provided financial institutions with suggested search terms for 'identifying transactions on behalf of federal law enforcement,' said Jordan. Jordan is also demanding information from a Treasury official, Noah Bishoff, after the alarming documents came to light. Purchases from Bass Pro Shops could also be an indicator of extremism The committee also obtained documents indicating officials suggested that banks query purchases with keywords such as 'Dick's Sporting Goods' 'This kind of pervasive financial surveillance, carried out in coordination with and at the request of federal law enforcement, into Americans' private transactions is alarming and raises serious doubts about [the Treasury's] respect for fundamental liberties.' 'In other words, [the Treasury] urged large financial instructions to comb through the private transactions of their customers for suspicious charges on the basis of protected political and religious expression,' said the committee's letter to Bishoff. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the revelation 'yet another glaring example of the weaponized federal government targeting conservatives.' An ABC legend has criticised the public broadcaster and its new crop of staff for using social media in a way which opens themselves up to accusations of bias. Six-time Walkley award winner Kerry O'Brien appeared on ABC Radio National on Tuesday morning as chair Ita Buttrose celebrates her final week in the role after five years at the helm. But Mr O'Brien was scathing in his assessment of the state of the public broadcaster in recent years, in particular ABC stars' penchant for promoting themselves and their work on apps like X. 'If you're a staff member of the ABC, if you're going to work for a public broadcaster, your role (as journalists) is one of reporting news and analysing news,' he said. '[It is ] not expressing your personal opinions on a story, or on issues more broadly.' Six-time Walkley award winner Kerry O'Brien appeared on ABC Radio National on Tuesday morning as chair Ita Buttrose celebrates her final week in the role after five years at the helm Mr O'Brien addressed the argument that journalists have rights as an individual to speak their minds, and said some industries - like judges or lawyers - are limited as to what opinions they make public due to the nature of their work. 'You can't just willy-nilly express support for this or that aspect of our life personally,' he said. 'That may well lead some people, at a future point when you're doing a story that's relevant to the comment you made on social media, to say, ''Well, look, they said this in 2023, they can't report on this subject objectively''.' Mr O'Brien said it was only natural for journalists to have private views which can be separated from their work, but he cautioned against expressing them publicly because 'you can give the impression that there is bias in your reporting'. 'I think you can apply that thinking in a very straightforward way to how ABC staff use social media,' he said. 'They're on track now, but for quite a long time it seemed to me there was a lack in discipline. Chair Ita Buttrose has stepped aside after five years at the helm 'I'm not talking about individuals - but a lack of discipline in the ABC's thinking of this.' Overall, Mr O'Brien said he has concerns for the future of the ABC and suggested it had 'lost its way' amid a well-publicised rebrand and attempt to draw in younger audiences. He said: 'Internally, there are clearly problems and some of those have risen to the surface. READ MORE: ABC boss's blunt message to Joe Biden Advertisement 'I wouldn't want to be the head of ABC right now. I wouldn't want to be the head of news, and I wouldn't want to be the head of programming right now.' Despite not singling out or naming any staff, several high profile ABC identities have been criticised over the years for their social media use. Most recently, the broadcaster terminated Antoinette Lattouf's short-term contract early after she allegedly 'failed or refused to comply with directions that she not post on social media about matters of controversy during the short period she was presenting'. Ms Lattouf was outspoken in her support of Palestine during the current crisis, and shared Human Rights Watch allegations that Israel had used starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. She has taken the matter to the Fair Work Commission, and is seeking reinstatement and compensation. Similarly, star radio host Patricia Karvelas was 'cautioned' for 'bias' over a selfie she shared to X alongside Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney on the night of the 2022 federal election. And Weekend Breakfast presenter Fauziah Ibrahim took a break from her hosting duties in 2022 amid a media storm about two lists she kept on her X profile - one titled ''Labor Trolls/Thugs' and another titled 'Lobotomised Sh**heads'. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Mr O'Brien was directly referring to any of these ABC stars, only that they have faced accusations of 'bias' and criticism over their social media presence in recent years. Most recently, the broadcaster terminated Antoinette Lattouf's short-term contract early after she allegedly 'failed or refused to comply with directions that she not post on social media about matters of controversy during the short period she was presenting' Both Fauziah Ibrahim (right) and Patricia Karvelas (left) have faced criticism from trolls and the general public over their social media presences over the years The one-time host of Four Corners described these jobs as 'incredibly difficult and complex' at a time in global history which is 'more complex than ever', with 'a level of intensity that is unprecedented'. 'When you talk about the times we live in, we feel overwhelmed, we get a sense that democracy is under threat, of living on shifting sands,' he said. Mr O'Brien said Australians should be able to 'look at our public broadcaster with confidence as one of the beacons of our democracy that we can rely on', and instead we have an ABC 'in danger of losing its way'. 'They've got themselves too caught up at times in being more fixated on marketing and demographics of young audiences vs older audiences, rather than applying that clarity of thought,' he said. In spite of what Mr O'Brien describes as 'still sound news and current affairs', journalists appear to be 'chasing different platforms... the glittering array of program baubles on different services', as the broadcaster 'drifts closer to a commercial model', which in turn has sparked 'a sense of panic' about that drift. A new witness brought forth by a Donald Trump codefendant in Georgia claims to have overheard Fulton County DA Fani Willis speaking to the former law partner of her former lover and gave what is being described as a warning not to talk about what he knows. Witness Terrence Bradley was a critical witness and key figure during court arguments Friday about whether Willis and former boyfriend and special prosecutor Nathan Wade should be disqualified from prosecuting Trump and 18 codefendants. He repeatedly testified that he couldn't recall information when questions about texts with another attorney about when the relationship between Willis and Wade began. Now a lawyer for defendant David J. Shafer says in a new filing that Cindi Lee Yeager, a prosecutor from Cobb County, Georgia, had 'numerous, in-person and other conversations' with Bradley in which they discussed information about Willis and Wade. Attorneys for Trump's co-defendants said bombshell texts proved she lied about when she started dating Wade and accused of playing the 'race card' when she said the allegations against her with politically motivated Bradley told Yeager that the two met during a 2019 judicial conference and that Wade 'began his romantic relationship' with the future DA 'at or around this time.' That would contradict testimony by Willis and Wade that the relationship didn't begin until 2022, after Wade had already brought him onto the prosecution, which could be critical to whether Judge Scott McAfee finds there was an actual conflict of an interest or even the appearance of one that could bump them from the case. The filng also describes an alleged meeting around September 2023 when Bradley was visiting Yeager in her office and got a phone call. 'Ms. Yeager could hear that the caller was District Attorney Willis. District Attorney Willis was calling Mr. Bradley in response to an article that was published about how much money Mr. Wade and his law partners had been paid in this case,' according to the filing. 'Ms. Yeager heard District Attorney Willis tell Mr. Bradley: They are coming after us. You dont need to talk to them about anything about us,' according to the filing. The judge has already held evidentiary hearings and closing arguments as he seeks to determine whether to disqualify Willis, so it is unclear if the information, even if accurate, has arrived too late. The timing would suggest the alleged conversation happened before the effort at the start of this year to remove Willis amid explosive information about the personal relationship with Wade. Details about the exact meaning of the alleged statement that 'you dont need to talk to them' and how Yeager was in a position to hear it were not made clear in the filing. Some of the information Bradley may have was kept out of trial due to attorney-client privilege issues referred by Judge McAfee. Bradley was Wade's law partner but also ended up representing him in a divorce the kicked up much of the information in the Willis matter. A new legal filing says Georgia prosecutor Cindi Lee Yeager will testify about her conversations with lawyer Terrence Bradley The embattled Fulton County District Attorney stunned the hearing by sitting behind the prosecution's table, just a few seats away from her former lover Wade was also in the court as he watched lawyers from the Fulton County district attorney argue she shouldn't be kicked off the case over their relationship Attorney John Merchant speaks to his wife and co-counsel Ashleigh Merchant during the hearing on the Georgia election interference case The potential testimony is decribed in a new legal filing Terrence Bradley testified after meeting with the judge behind closed doors about privilege issues The filing says Bradley stated that Wade 'personally prepared his own divorce complaint' and had Bradley sign it. 'Based upon these statements, it is Ms. Yeagers understanding that Mr. Bradley did not [begin] representing Mr. Wade until November of 2021,' it says, in a statement that could have bearing on the extent of the privilege. McAfee said Friday that he would need about two weeks to weigh arguments and reach a decision on the decision. His determination could determine whether yet another of Trump's four criminal cases gets delayed this election season. Gillen in open court on Friday sought to offer a 'an oral proffer as to who that witness is and what that witness would be saying' after mentioning to the judge that he had new information. Judge McAfee responded it was the 'first I've heard of it.' Gillen asked that the record be 'reopened' so he could present the information. The judge put it off in the interest of 'fair notice to the other side.' Adam Abbate, the Fulton County attorney arguing on behalf of Willis, at that time said 'I guess we'd object' to bringing the information in Friday. Bradley testified last week that 'I do not have knowledge of it starting, or when it started,' when asked about the relationship between Wade and Willis. When confronted with text messages he exchanged about it, he said he was 'speculating.' Shafer, whose lawyer brought forward the information, is a former Georgia state senator who was indicted for his alleged role in the so-called 'fake electors' scheme. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a plan to build large-scale nuclear reactors at five possible sites across Australia - winning the endorsement of pro-nuclear advocate Dick Smith. Ted O'Brien, the Coalition's energy spokesman, made waves on Tuesday morning by flagging having large-scale reactors, and not just small modular ones, as part of Australia's nuclear mix. The Coalition shadow cabinet is reportedly considering a series of sites where nuclear power plants could be based in Australia, with former or retiring coal-fired power stations favoured. Those locations already have existing transmission lines, which would save taxpayers money on having to build new transmission towers. They include large coal-fired power plants in the NSW Hunter Valley, like Eraring due to close in 2025 and Liddell, which shut in 2023. The Yallourn power station in Victoria's La Trobe Valley, due to close in 2028, is another possibility along with the Loy Yang-B plant near Traralgon, slated for closure in the early 2030s. The Callide B power station in central Queensland is due to close in 2028. That plan - first revealed by Sky News - won the endorsement of entrepreneur Dick Smith who has, for the past three decades, championed the cause of bringing nuclear energy to Australia. Mr Smith told Daily Mail Australia he welcomed the Liberal Party's embrace of modern nuclear technology - regardless of the scale - because renewable energy was too unreliable. 'They're on the right track,' he said on Tuesday. 'We have got to stop using fossil fuels and there's no way that a whole country can run on wind and solar - it's never been done; not even a city has been able to be run continuously.' Dick Smith has weighed in as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton flags a nuclear power policy involving large-scale reactors Mr Smith, who turns 80 in less than a fortnight, has been an advocate for small modular reactors, which don't yet exist anywhere in the world on a commercial, large scale as an answer for zero emissions energy. Poll Would you live near a large scale nuclear reactor? Australia should go fully renewable Yes, it's 2024 and it's safe No, I don't trust them What's wrong with coal? Would you live near a large scale nuclear reactor? Australia should go fully renewable 124 votes Yes, it's 2024 and it's safe 890 votes No, I don't trust them 299 votes What's wrong with coal? 241 votes Now share your opinion Corporations including the likes of Rolls Royce have been developing SMR technology, which would see small nuclear power plants the size of shipping containers built in factories and transported to a particular site to distribute up to 300 megawatts of power. A megawatt is one million watts. His favoured model for Australia is the Barakah nuclear reactor in the United Arab Emirates that has been operational since 2020, with Korean technology. This is a large-scale reactor that was built within just eight years and Mr Smith has suggested doing this at retired coal-fired power plants. 'It's highly proven that the South Koreans are very skilled at building nuclear reactors,' Mr Smith said. 'My suggestion, we should just simply replace our coal power stations - get the South Koreans to build what they have done in the UAE.' Mr Smith also suggested storing nuclear waste at Olympic Dam in South Australia, which is also the site of a uranium mine and questioned Labor's assertion nuclear energy would be expensive. 'It doesn't seem to be logical because in Europe the cheapest power available is in France and France is 70 per cent nuclear,' he said. Local reaction is mixed with Lake Macquarie's Labor Mayor Kay Fraser opposed to the idea of turning the Eraring power station into a nuclear reactor. 'It is premature to be discussing prospects for nuclear power stations on any site,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'Nuclear power production is not permitted under Australian legislation and there is no compelling evidence of an appetite within the community for that policy to change.' Retired wine maker Brian McGuigan, 82, who for decades grew grapes in the NSW Hunter Valley at Dalwood near Branxton, welcomed the idea of nuclear power stations in his area as coal was replaced. 'It would get rid of all those bloody holes in the ground and eradicate the use of coal,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'An accident is a real worry but I would have thought that, hopefully, these days they are pretty secure.' Mr Smith, who turns 80 in less than a fortnight, has been an advocate for small modular reactors, which don't yet exist anywhere in the world. The likes of Rolls Royce have been developing SMR technology Mr Dutton said nuclear power had the potential to reduce electricity prices and achieve zero carbon emissions. 'You can replace the coal-fired generators with the smaller modular reactors or the bigger modular reactors,' he said. 'The latest technology, it's zero emissions, it's lower cost and it means you can distribute the energy with the existing grid network. 'It means you have reliability to firm up renewables in the system.' Nationals backbencher David Gillespie, the chairman of the Parliamentary Friends of Nuclear Industries, favours small modular reactors that can plug into the electricity grid as coal-fired power stations are retired. The member for Lyne, on the NSW mid-north coast, said disused coal-fired power stations would make sense for larger nuclear reactors. 'That's what I think most people are looking at: old, coal-fired is the logical place,' Dr Gillespie told Daily Mail Australia. 'It's brownfield site, it's got a water supply, it's got the electrical wires, deep transmission, it can receive that amount of electricity and distribute it. 'You don't need to build new transmission and distribution, you just use what we've got already.' But Dr Gillespie said AGL's plan to build a 500MW, two-hour duration battery at the Liddell power station site could threaten the possibility of a nuclear reactor at Muswellbrook. 'AGL has got other plans, for some reason, I would have thought if they were into clean energy, AGL would have been agitating the government to remove the prohibition,' he said. 'Instead of wasting their money building a big battery, building a reactor that they could have an even cleaner electricity grid: much cheaper and much more reliable and available virtually 100 per cent of the time.' Australia banned nuclear power in 1998 after Liberal prime minister John Howard agreed to a Greens amendment to get support for a new research reactor for nuclear medicine at Lucas Heights in Sydney's south - something Dr Gillespie regrets. 'It was in retrospect a mistake,' he said. 'At the moment, the roadblock for us is that when we talk to the Koreans or the Japanese or the Americans or the Brits, they're all keen to help us but they say, "Hang on, you're not allowed to do it".' Energy spokesman Mr O'Brien told the ABC's PM program on Monday afternoon the Coalition was agnostic on nuclear technology. 'Keep in mind our energy policy won't be pinning itself on any one technology,' he said. 'Unlike the Labor Party, we are taking an all of the above approach where all technologies should be duly considered and on the table.' He also flagged his support for larger reactors. 'Any coal-to-nuclear strategy should consider different types of new and emerging nuclear technologies, from advanced micro reactors to small modular reactors and next-generation large reactors,' he told The Australian. The Coalition shadow cabinet is reportedly considering a series of sites where nuclear power plants could be based in Australia, with retiring or existing coal-fired power stations favoured (pictured is a meme targeting Sunshine Coast-based Liberal frontbencher Ted O'Brien) But Mr O'Brien failed to challenge the ABC's assertion that solar and wind power are proven technologies despite renewable energy only delivering 32 per cent of Australia's energy needs in 2022 because of variable weather, transmission and energy storage challenges. 'Again, learning from other countries, nuclear is an important part of the mix,' he said. Both sides of politics are in favour of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but the Coalition is skeptical about relying entirely on renewable energy as coal and natural gas as phased out. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said nuclear energy was an expensive option. 'His proposal will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, take decades to build, it's more expensive, takes longer, and it's the divisive option,' he told Sky News on Tuesday. 'So if he wants to build large-scale nuclear reactors around our country, he should tell us where theyre going to go if he was in government. His favoured model for Australia is the Barakah small modular reaction in the United Arab Emirates that has been operational since 2020, with Korean technology 'Most Australians recognise that our future is renewable, and thats where our efforts and our attention must lie.' Fossil fuels including coal, gas and oil provided 68 per cent of Australia's energy in 2022 with renewables making up 32 per cent of total electricity generation, data from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water showed. Australia's nuclear medical isotopes, used for chemotherapy cancer treatments, are manufactured at Lucas Heights, with the spent rods also stored there after being reprocessed in France. 'It's reprocessed in France and it's shipped all the way back to the Sydney suburb of Lucas Heights where lots of people live,' Mr Smith said. The widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox has said protesting outside politicians' homes is an 'act of intimidation'. Brendan Cox has intervened after campaign groups such as Just Stop Oil and the Palestine Solidarity Movement have started waving banners and signs directly outside the homes of MPs. His comments come after BBC presenter Chris Packham defended eco-zealot group Just Stop Oil's tactics. Mr Cox told Times Radio: 'It's absolutely vital that we protect the right of protest, and that can be vigorous protest,' he said. 'It can be annoying, protest, it can be an irritant. What it can't be, though, is intimidation. And I think the line that I would draw would be obviously where there is, physical violence or where there is on the property. Brendan Cox, the widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox has said protesting outside politicians' homes is an 'act of intimidation' Mr Cox's wife Jo (pictured) was shot and stabbed by extremist Thomas Mair as she attended her Batley and Spen constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the referendum on EU membership in June 2016 BBC presenter Chris Packham has came out in defence of Just Stop Oil 's protesting outside MPs' homes 'But being outside an MP house is clearly an act of intimidation; intimidation almost no matter how they behave.' Mr Cox's wife Jo was shot and stabbed by extremist Thomas Mair as she attended her Batley and Spen constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the referendum on EU membership in June 2016. That year white supremacist Mair was jailed for life for her murder. Since her death, Mr Cox founded the Together Coalition and The Jo Cox Foundation while also raising the couple's children, Cuillin, 13, and Lejla, 11. His comments stand in contrast to BBC's Springwatch presenter Packham who has drawn a furious backlash after claiming groups should be entitled to a 'portfolio of protests'. His comments came amid renewed fears over MPs' safety, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak having used a speech on Friday to warn against increasing intimidation. There has been recent condemnation of Just Stop Oil's claim that targeting MPs at their homes is justified Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood recently saw his family's home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters Packham told Times Radio on Monday morning: 'I think that we need a portfolio of protests, basically, because we need a radical flank and Just Stop Oil are seen by many as that radical flank. 'They are the people who in some people's minds go a step too far. And that might be, you know, standing outside an MP's house. 'But the fact is that they are motivated, as I am, by a manifest fear for the health of our future. 'The science tells us we have to act. These people are frightened for my future, for your future, for the future of any children they might have. They need to draw attention to this issue.' Packham added that it was not going too far to target MPs' home addresses if it remained a 'peaceful, non-violent demonstration'. 'If this is a peaceful, non-violent demonstration then we in the UK for all the laws that have been radically changed in very recent times have to preserve that right to protest,' he said. 'We've got a law out there, it needs to be applied equally to everyone.' The comments drew a stinging rebuke from Downing Street, with No10 pointing to the establishment of a new policing protocol to crackdown on the targeting of MPs' homes. It followed a recent incident in which Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood saw his family's home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters. Last month dozens of people from the Palestine Solidarity Movement waved Palestinian flags and bellowed chants of 'ceasefire' and 'free Palestine' using a megaphone outside Tory MP Tobias Ellwood's home The PM's official spokesman said: 'The defending democracy policing protocol agreed last week said any protests at the home of MPs, councillors and other elected representatives will be considered intimidatory. 'And the police will use their powers under the Criminal Justice and Policing Act to direct protesters away. 'We have seen examples that are clearly unacceptable and it's right members of the public expect the police to tackle this sort of behaviour and put a stop to it.' He added: 'It is clearly irresponsible to encourage people to protest at the home addresses of MPs.' Packham's comments were also criticised by Labour MP Steve McCabe, who told GB News: 'What a person does in their public life should be open to criticism and interrogation. 'But people are entitled, and particularly their families, to a degree of privacy.' He added: 'Where actions are designed to deliberately intimidate or threaten specific individuals or where they go beyond the bounds of what might be classed as legitimate protests - targeting peoples' homes, their families, things like that - I don't think that is acceptable and I don't think it should be allowed.' Tory peer and former health minister Lord Bethell said: 'Chris Packham is totally wrong with his "don't ban protests outside MPs" homes' shtick. 'You don't win arguments by intimidating people. You just coarsen the public debate.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'Chris Packham is a freelancer, not a member of staff, and he's not currently on air. His private activities and views are his own, not the BBC's.' On a bitterly cold, foggy morning in October 1927, Mercedes Gleitze, smothered in olive oil and lard to protect her from the intense cold of the water, made history when she became the first British woman to swim the Channel. And then, two weeks later, she had to do it all over again to silence the doubters after a hoaxing scandal that captivated the world. Now, the story of the intrepid Gleitze, the 'hoax' and that second so-called 'Vindication Swim' has been made into a film of the same name, starring British actress Kirsten Callaghan. And it is an extraordinary story. Even before her feat, the glamorous Gleitze was something of a celebrity. Born in Brighton in 1900 to German immigrants, Gleitze moved to London after leaving school to become a stenographer. But her passion was open-water swimming, and she devoted all her spare time to practising in the Thames after obtaining special permission from the Port of London Authority. Over time, Gleitze's long-distance swims in the river became such a phenomenon that she began drawing large crowds. On one occasion, she almost drowned after being pulled under by strong currents at Westminster Bridge and had to be fished out by river police. Mercedes Gleitze (pictured) made history when she became the first woman in history to swim the Channel. And then, two weeks later, she had to do it all over again to silence the doubters after a hoaxing scandal that captivated the world Kirsten Callaghan stars as the intrepid Glietize in the upcoming film Vindication Swim The front page of the Daily Mail in 1927 with an advert for the Rolex Oyster watch which Gleitze endorses. The watchmaker would later acknowledge that she played a key role in establishing the company as a household name and, indeed, she went on to feature in many more adverts In 1927, she swam from Westminster to Folkestone via the Thames and Kent coast, a total of 120 miles. Again, she almost drowned when she was pulled under river barges by the strong undertow. However, it was the 21 miles of rough and unpredictable water separating the White Cliffs from Calais that were her real focus. Fewer people have swum the Channel than have climbed Mount Everest the first person to do it was British steamship captain Matthew Webb, who made it on his second attempt, in 21 hours and 45 minutes, in 1875. In August 1926, Gertrude Ederle, an American professional swimmer, became the first woman to make it across, in 14 hours and 39 minutes much faster than Webb, since by then swimmers were no longer limited to breast stroke. She was followed by another American, Amelia Gade Corson, later that same year. Neither of them captured the public imagination or the Press's attention in the way that Gleitze did. Most contemporary women athletes had sponsorship or personal wealth behind them, but Gleitze was working class and self-supported. Over five years, Gleitze made seven unsuccessful attempts to swim the Channel. Usually, it was the cold or bad weather that defeated her, but she was also badly stung by jellyfish, menaced by cramp and once surrounded by a thick swarm of flies. She rarely gave up willingly. A 1926 swim was ended by her trainer, George Allan, who fearing she was about to collapse and drown as she was already hallucinating lassoed one of her arms and pulled her out. Gleitze's pluck and determination impressed the watching world. Few people at that time believed that women were truly capable of conquering the Channel. When Ederle did it, there were accusations that two accompanying tug boats, carrying her entourage and reporters, had protected her from the bad weather. Gleitze in October 1927 during one of her unsuccessful attempts to swim in the Channel. Over five years, Gleitze made seven unsuccessful attempts to swim the Channel. Usually, it was the cold or bad weather that defeated her, but she was also badly stung by jellyfish, menaced by cramp and once surrounded by a thick swarm of flies Callaghan as Gleitze in Vindication Swim. The film is in cinemas on Friday So, at 2.55am on October 7, 1927, Gleitze made her eighth attempt, starting from the French side at Cap Gris-Nez. Thick fog hung over the murky waters, while the sea was calm but a decidedly chilly 16c (60f). A small fishing boat from Folkestone led the way, sounding its horn to guide her out of the path of heavy shipping. Wearing a tight rubber hat and motorcycle goggles, which impeded her hearing and vision, Gleitze was soon suffering from the extreme cold and intense thirst. Her trainer George tried to keep a conversation going over the side of the boat to stop her going to sleep, and gave her strong hot tea every two hours. For food he dangled grapes on a string hanging from a rod. 'In the excitement of trying to catch them I forgot about being cold,' she said later. Unable to work out their position in the fog, Gleitze and her team had only the Dover gun an artillery piece fired at intervals from the pier to warn ships of the proximity of land and the siren of the South Goodwin Lightship to guide them as her pain and exhaustion intensified. Then, suddenly, a land bird alighted on the pilot boat and they finally heard the harbour foghorns. 'When eventually I heard a loud shout from the boat, I felt a great hope surging straight through me,' Gleitze said. 'I let my feet go downwards gradually, and it was land. If I had not felt so weak, I should have cried with joy.' At 6.10pm she staggered ashore, after 15 hours and 15 minutes in the sea, collapsing into unconsciousness in the arms of her trainer, and waking up in 'pain too terrible to describe' in the boat taking her to Folkestone. She had triumphed but, just a few days later, another British open-water swimmer, Harley Street doctor Dorothy Logan announced that she had made the same crossing in a mere 14 hours ten minutes. The headlines were suddenly all about Dr Logan, although her claim was soon challenged and she admitted it had been a hoax she had indeed set off from France, but her trainer had picked her up in his boat and then dropped her off three miles from the Dover coast. Logan said she wanted to highlight how 'anyone can say they have swum the Channel'. It was a mean trick since her remarks sowed a seed of doubt in many minds about Gleitze's swim. Even before her feat, the glamorous Gleitze was something of a celebrity. Born in Brighton in 1900 to German immigrants, Gleitze moved to London after leaving school to become a stenographer. But her passion was open-water swimming In order, as Gleitze put it, 'to restore the prestige of British women Channel swimmers in the eyes of the world', she decided to do the swim again. She had no trouble getting witnesses she was accompanied by an army of international journalists and photographers eager to witness the Vindication Swim. But when she set off on October 21, there was considerable scepticism. The sea was even colder and one of the boats that shadowed her contained not only a jazz band (music kept up her spirits) but several doctors determined to pull her out of the water if necessary. The world was listening, as news of her progress was transmitted by wireless around the globe by steam ships and aeroplanes. Reporters on the accompanying boat dispatched carrier pigeons to fly to land with updates. As the sea temperature dropped to 10.5c (51f), after ten hours and 30 minutes, doctors advised her to abandon the attempt. But Gleitze, who'd spent three hours battling against an ebb tide trying to carry her in the wrong direction, swam away when she saw a ladder being lowered from a boat for her. They pursued her and, with the aid of a twisted towel thrown underneath her arms, she was pulled, protesting loudly, out of the water. Back on land she said it had been a 'terrible disappointment', adding that she had been 'cut by the iciness' of the water from the start. But everyone agreed with Pathe News' verdict that it had been a 'splendid failure' and left little doubt that her original successful swim must have been genuine a view that was rubber-stamped by the newly formed Channel Swimming Association. Rolex, which had given her a prototype waterproof watch to wear on the Vindication Swim, sealed her international fame by buying the entire front page of the Daily Mail to celebrate her and the 'Oyster' wristwatch she had hung from a ribbon around her neck and which was still working perfectly. The watchmaker would later acknowledge that she played a key role in establishing the company as a household name and, indeed, she went on to feature in many more adverts. The Channel swim was only the start of Gleitze's career. In 1928, she was the first person to swim the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco a shorter distance than the Channel, but harder, due to strong currents, sharks and numerous whirlpools. The White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The 21 miles of rough and unpredictable water separating the White Cliffs from Calais that was Gleitze real focus. Fewer people have swum the Channel than have climbed Mount Everest (stock image) Gleitze married Patrick Carey, an engineer from Dublin, in 1930, but instead of going on a honeymoon, she went off to swim across the Dardenelles (Hellespont) in Turkey. The only stretch of water that proved beyond her was the North Channel separating Northern Ireland and southwestern Scotland in the Irish Sea. She made eight attempts on the 22-mile or so crossing, but was defeated by the cold. Gleitze rightly became an icon for female empowerment and was also a champion of social justice, donating much of her earnings to set up hostels for the homeless. She went on to have three children, but in middle-age became a virtual recluse due to a debilitating genetic condition affecting her circulation. She died in London in 1981, aged 80. According to her daughter, Doloranda, her mother's secret was an inner calm that meant she was never overwhelmed by the intimidating vastness of the open sea. 'I know no sensation,' Gleitze once said, 'but that of calm pleasure at the prospect of another tussle with those 'calling' waves.' Vindication Swim is in cinemas from Friday. A maverick senator has called for changes to a major property tax break used by Australian homeowners, in a move likely to outrage many of his Liberal and National colleagues. Queensland senator Gerard Rennick said he would back removing the 50 per cent capital gains tax (CGT) discount, so long as there are no changes to negative gearing and the money saved by the government is given back as income tax cuts. Labor previously had a policy of halving the CGT discount, but dropped it after Coalition scare campaigns on the issue contributed to election losses in 2016 and 2019. A capital gain is made when an asset is sold for more than it cost you or a capital loss when it is sold for less than it cost you. Australians pay tax on any net capital gain - that is, the total capital gain minus any capital loss and minus any discount. Australians who own an asset for 12 months or more receive a 50 per cent discount on CGT, meaning they pay tax on only half the net capital gain they make when they sell a house. John Howard introduced the 50 per cent CGT discount in 1999. CGT was initially brought in in 1985 under Labor, but the the family home is exempt from it. The Greens have resurrected the issue of the CGT discount in negotiations with Anthony Albanese's government over its Help to Buy scheme, which is currently blocked in the Senate. 'If the Greens were saying they'd remove the 50 per cent discount on CGT gains ... and use that for an income tax cut, I could live with that,' Mr Rennick told the Australian Financial Review. Queensland senator Gerard Rennick (pictured with his wife Lauren) said he would back removing the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount, so long as there are no changes to negative gearing He said the Greens' policy of limiting negative gearing would just lead to higher rents, but that changes to CGT were worth considering because it amounted to a 'discount on passive income, not active income'. But Mr Albanese has said he is not prepared to revisit the CGT issue to get Greens support to back the Help to Buy scheme, saying it 'stands on its own and on its merits'. Labor took the housing policy to the 2022 federal election but it has not yet been able to make it law. If it gets through the Senate, where Labor needs the support of minor parties to pass legislation, it would see the government paying for 30 per cent of an established property or 40 per cent of a new build. Mr Albanese defended his housing policy on Monday morning, telling ABC radio the Government has 'a whole suite of programs, this is just an additional one and what it does effectively is allow for shared equity, shared ownership so that people only need 2 per cent of a deposit'. 'It makes it a lot easier to pay off and down the track the person can then buy out the government's share at a time of their convenience if they choose to do so. 'It worked effectively in Western Australia for more than 50 years and has made a difference. It's just one measure.' The Prime Minister said the scheme is unlikely to pass through the Senate soon as 'the Greens and Libs are going to go against the comprehensive housing plan'. 'They can be held to account for it - why they would vote against a scheme that would help more people into home ownership, some 10,000 a year,' he said. Mr Rennick's intervention in support of one part of the Greens' conditions for supporting Labor's bill is not likely to win the backing of many more Coalition politicians, though. When Malcolm Turnbull was prime minister and Scott Morrison was his treasurer. they considered changes to CGT concessions to improve housing affordability. Labor previously had a policy of halving the Capital Gains Tax discount, but dropped it after Coalition scare campaigns on the issue contributed to election losses in 2016 and 2019 (pictured, a house for sale) They looked at halving the discount or introducing a version where the discount would get higher the longer the property was owned. But the idea was soon dropped and the Coalition continued to use the notion of any changes as a stick to beat Labor with. The CGT discount saved taxpayers a reported $25.2billion in 2022-23, for asset sales such as property and shares, which was a massive increase from the $9.3billion it saved taxpayers in 2020-21. The top 10 per cent of taxpayers got more than 80 per cent of the CGT benefit. North Korea on Tuesday denounced an annual joint military exercise that South Korea and the United States launched this week, warning they will pay a "dear price" for what it called their large-scale war drills. An unnamed spokesperson at the North's defense ministry issued a statement condemning the annual Freedom Shield exercise that began Monday for an 11-day run to strengthen deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. "The large-scale war drills staged by the world's biggest nuclear weapons state and more than 10 satellite states against a state in the Korean peninsula where a nuclear war may be ignited even with a spark, can never be called 'defensive,'" read the English-language statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. The official said North Korea's army will monitor the enemies' "adventurist acts" and conduct "responsible military activities" to bring the unstable security situation under control. "The U.S. and the Republic of Korea will be made to pay a dear price for their false choice while realizing that it causes their security uneasiness at a serious level every moment," the spokesperson said. This year's military drills come as North Korea has ramped up weapons tests in recent months with the launches of cruise missiles from land and sea and artillery firing near the tense western sea border. On Monday, South Korean and U.S. reconnaissance aircraft made a sortie in their apparent mission to closely monitor North Korea. During the military exercise, the U.S. is likely to send its strategic military assets to the Korean Peninsula in a show of force. Pyongyang has long denounced the allies' joint military drills as rehearsals for an invasion and used them as a pretext for provocations. Seoul and Washington have said their military exercises are defensive in nature. (Yonhap) Shocking footage captured the moment a 13-year-old boy was wrestled by two police officers before being thrown to the ground after he was busted using a vape. The boy is understood to have been with his mother and another boy outside a shopping centre on Harding Street at Deniliquin, regional NSW, on February 27. Two NSW Police officers then approached the teenager and asked him to hand over his vape or they would have to 'use force'. When the boy refused, he was suddenly grabbed by the two officers and a scuffle ensued, with the teen being spun around by the policemen. His mother and the other boy were heard screaming at the officers, and begging them to let him go. A 13-year-old boy was wrestled by two police officers before being thrown to the ground after he was busted with vapes 'He's 13-years-old and you're using force!' the other boy called out. 'Thirteen, you weak maggots! Weak little dogs, can't even drop a 13-year-old!' READ MORE: Single picture reveals shocking extent of Australia's vaping habit Advertisement The boy's mother was heard shouting 'let him go' repeatedly and accused the officers of trying to break the child's arm. One officer then wrapped his arm around the boy's neck and hurled him down onto the pavement, as his family cried out in shock. The footage ended with one of the officers kneeling over the boy and pinning him down, as he attempted to kick out of his grip. It's unclear where or when the arrest was filmed but the footage was shared to Twitter on Monday, with many shocked at the level of force being used. A NSW Police spokesman said police were called to the scene after supermarket staff complained a teenager was vaping inside the premises. 'When the boy refused and started to walk away, police stopped the teenager, who then threatened to assault police,' he said. 'Police requested the identity of the boy which was refused. 'He was arrested and taken to Deniliquin Police Station to confirm his identity, before being released without charge and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. 'The use of force during the arrest is being reviewed.' Two police officers are seen pinning the boy down after he was caught with vapes In NSW it is illegal to buy or own a nicotine vape without a prescription from a doctor. Those under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy vapes regardless of if they have nicotine in them or not. Brian Marlow, the Director of Legalise Vaping Australia, is pushing for vapes to be regulated, following the federal government's crackdown on January 1. 'We have been saying for years that unless you do something, youth vaping was going to skyrocket and of course it has skyrocketed,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Because the only people who are selling these products are crime syndicates and criminals happy to sell to kids.' A string of firebombings of tobacco stores has recently rocked Australia, which police believe stems from a conflict between Middle Eastern crime syndicates and bikies running the illicit tobacco trade. The situation has gotten so bad that Victoria Police has set up Taskforce Lunar to investigate. Mr Marlow said New Zealand's youth vaping rate exploded before they regulated e-cigarettes in 2020. The vapes available now across the ditch have restrictions on how much nicotine they can have. 'Whereas in Australia it is still exploding because the same criminals who are willing to burn down shops and shoot each other are willing to sell to little kids,' Mr Marlow said. 'The vapes that are being marketed to kids are the disposables that everyone in the industry is happy to have banned.' Lauren Boebert appeared in a Colorado court to plead with a judge to keep her restraining order against ex-husband Jayson in place - saying she fears for their children. The Republican congresswoman was asked by a judge if she wanted to continue with the restraining order against Jayson, who was absent from the hearing, or drop the matter on Monday. Jayson has yet to be served with the order, and was not in court for the hearing, leading to a need to continue the proceedings. Boebert said she knows her four children miss their father, but said 'I am afraid his anger for me will be taken out on [their sons].' The judge allowed the congresswoman to continue with the restraining order, which includes protections for their children, and the judge said the court could serve Jayson at his court appearance scheduled for next week. The Rep. was granted a temporary restraining order against Jayson last month after she accused him of threatening to harm her and entering her home. Lauren Boebert appeared in a Colorado court Monday asking to keep her restraining order against ex-husband Jayson Boebert said she knows her four children miss their father, but said 'I am afraid his anger for me will be taken out on [their sons]' Boebert was granted a temporary restraining order against Jayson last month after she accused him of threatening to harm her and entering her home Lauren, 37, and Jayson, 43, married in 2005 and split in 2023, but the couple have still made the headlines during what appears to be a rocky separation. In January, the 43-year-old was arrested and charged just days after the couple were involved in a domestic violence incident at a Colorado restaurant. He allegedly assaulted the couple's eldest son, Tyler, during an altercation over laundry at their home in Silt, Colorado, an arrest warrant revealed. Jayson was charged with misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct, obstructing a police officer and aiming a firearm. He was relesaed on $2,500 bond, according to court records. In her request for the restraining order, Boebert mentioned a January 6 argument in a restaurant where he claimed she had hit him - a claim he later recanted and that police eventually said was unfounded. Jayson was uncooperative when police responded to the restaurant, which led to charges of disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal trespass and obstructing a peace officer, according to court documents. Jayson said he's just learning of the restraining order and told The Associated Press that he was the 'victim' in the incident. 'I would never harm Lauren I just want to move on and be in peace,' the told the outlet in a text message, He also accused his ex-wife of using the restraining order to 'justify' her move to a new congressional district. In January, the 43-year-old was arrested and charged just days after the couple were involved in a domestic violence incident at a Colorado restaurant This booking photo provided by the Garfield County, Colo., Sheriff's Office shows Jayson Boebert The congresswoman announced earlier this year that she plans to run for outgoing Rep. Ken Buck's seat in 2024. Boebert also cited a fight between her ex-husband and their 18-year-old son Tyler on January 9. As their son called authorities, Jayson allegedly grabbed a rifle and left, according to court documents. He was charged with harassment, prohibited use of a weapon and third-degree assault, court documents show. Lauren Boebert was not present during that altercation. Tyler was arrested on nearly two dozen different charges in connection to a spate of vehicle break-ins and property theft in the republican's Colorado district last week. The 18-year-old is facing charges including four counts of criminal possession of a financial device, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and three counts of theft of under $300. The other charges range from four felony counts of criminal possession of an ID, a felony count of conspiracy to commit a felony and more than 15 different misdemeanor and petty charges. One of the alleged victims was said to be as young as three years old. Lauren and Jayson married in 2005 and share four sons together. They filed for divorce in May 2023 Their 18-year-old son Tyler was arrested on nearly two dozen different charges in connection to a spate of vehicle break-ins and property theft Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Jayson gave a raw and heartfelt response to the news of his son's arrest. He acknowledged that, at times, he may have failed as a father but said that he is committed to always improving. He expressed his 'unwavering' belief in all his children and he shared his faith in Tyler's future. He said: 'I know my son is a good-hearted child and still has his whole life ahead of him.' Rep. Boebert, in a statement to DailyMail.com, said that her son should face consequences but she ultimately loves and supports him. 'I love my son Tyler, who has been through some very difficult, public challenges for a young man and the subject of attention that he didn't ask for,' she said. A father has received a suspended jail sentence after firing a weapon at a former friend who he believed had stolen his children's Christmas presents. Matthew Steicke, 38, faced Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to firearms charges. Steicke fired four shots from a bolt action rifle to try and scatter a group of rock-wielding men from his home in Kendenup, north of Albany, Western Australia on January 8. Among the group was a former friend of Steicke's who is believed to have broken into the home and stolen his children's Christmas presents two days prior. A 38-year-old father, Matthew Steicke (pictured), has received a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to opening fire at a group of men approaching his home in Kendenup, WA The family had only just returned from a holiday to find their home had been burgled and their car's window smashed. Steicke was told by a community member that his former friend, who he had fallen out with over a motorcycle payment, was responsible for the burglary. He then collected the broken glass off of the floor and dumped it outside of his former friend's home on January 8 before racing home to collect a Tikka T3X bolt action rifle from his firearm cabinet. The court heard that Steicke received a number of abusive and threatening texts from a man with the same first name as the former friend. The group of men arrived in a white vehicle while wielding rocks about 8am and approached the home. Steicke's defence lawyer Graeme Payne said his client was feeling tormented and threatened when he fired his first shot towards the ground as a warning. He would go on to shoot three more shots that struck the car, injuring no one. One of the men was a former friend of Steicke and is believed to have broken into his home on Second Avenue (pictured) and stolen his kids' Christmas presents just days prior Mr Payne said his client used the gun to try and 'scare off' the men while in a heightened mental state. While magistrate Erin O'Donnell accepted that Steicke was 'emotional' when he fired the weapon due to the harassment, he was lucky to have missed the men. 'They were behaving in a very nasty and antisocial way but there is no excuse for using a firearm in that situation,' she said, according to the Albany Advertiser. Ms O'Donnell sentenced him to eight months imprisonment to be suspended for 12 months and disqualified his firearms licence for 12 months. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her 'deep concern' for the citizens of Gaza on Monday as she urged Israel to craft a 'credible' humanitarian plan before conducting major military activities in Rafah. Harris held a meeting with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival who joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government early in the war following Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel. Harris also pressed Israel to take more measures to get aid into Gaza, reiterating a sharp message delivered on Sunday where she called conditions in the coastal enclave 'inhumane.' 'The Vice President and Minister Gantz discussed the situation in Rafah and the need for a credible and implementable humanitarian plan prior to contemplating any major military operation there given the risks to civilians,' the White House said in a statement about the meeting. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, left, met with Vice President Harris in Washington Monday Benny Gantz, a key member of Israel's War Cabinet and the top political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also had a meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at the Capitol in Washington Israel last month intensified its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza's south, where about 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed, most of them having fled their homes further north to escape Israel's military onslaught. Gantz, a political rival to Netanyahu, was also scheduled to have meetings with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk on Monday and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. His visit comes as the White House ramps up pressure on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza during its war with Hamas. Harris expressed her 'deep concern' about humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where Palestinian authorities say more than 30,000 have been killed under a months-long assault by Israel in retaliation for the Hamas attacks. The United Nations says many are on the brink of starvation. Palestinians search for missing people under the rubble after an Israeli air strike on a house belonging to the Abu Anza family in Rafah on the Gaza Strip People conduct rescue work after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 30,500 Gantz departs the White House after meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC President Joe Biden, a staunch ally of Israel, has shown increasing exasperation with the country and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured), as the deaths in Gaza increased She also welcomed Israel's 'constructive approach' to hostage talks, the White House said. The meeting comes as President Joe Biden and his administration face increasing pressure from his Democratic Party to back a permanent ceasefire, and push ally and military aid recipient Israel to reduce the loss of civilian life in Gaza and allow aid to flow through in greater amounts. Harris said during a Sunday speech in Selma, Alabama, that conditions in Gaza were inhumane and amounted to a 'humanitarian catastrophe,' while calling for an immediate ceasefire. Many in Biden's party have been pushing for a ceasefire, too, and the lack of a sustained one has hurt the president politically. Biden, who is seeking reelection in November, has struggled with low approval ratings for much of his first term; his backing of military aid for Israel is unpopular with most Democrats, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows. In a sign of increasing desperation to get aid to Gaza residents, the U.S. military carried out its first air drop of food to Palestinians on Saturday and has plans for more. Demonstrators block traffic during a protest calling for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Monday A demonstrator uses a megaphone during a protest calling for the release of hostages Protestors blocking traffic in Tel Aviv during a call for a ceasefire deal and release of the hostages The war in Gaza began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Biden, a staunch ally of Israel, has shown increasing exasperation with the country and with Netanyahu, as the deaths in Gaza increased. Last week, he said Israel risked losing support from the rest of the world, a notion Netanyahu rejected. The U.S. State Department pushed back on a suggestion that Washington saw Gantz as more of a partner than Netanyahu. 'We're meeting with Benny Gantz because he's one of three members of the war cabinet ... who has a critical vote and critical stake in how this war is conducted,' State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. A medic carries a Palestinian boy, who was wounded in an Israeli strike at Shifa hospital in Gaza A woman hangs clothes to dry among car wrecks in the courtyard of a UNRWA school, as Palestinians take refuge there seeking safety amid Israeli attacks in Beit Lahia, Gaza Palestinians are walking as they flee further south from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip People flee from their homes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on Monday Harris said on Monday she and Biden were aligned on Israeli policy after her sharp remarks. The vice president's meeting with Gantz is a signal that the administration is willing to work all angles on the issue within the Israeli government. Gantz leads a centrist party but joined right-wing Netanyahu's emergency cabinet last year as a show of unity against the threat facing Israel from Hamas. Harris had tough words for Hamas on Sunday, too, but focused most of her sharp language on Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The air drop, which the administration called a success, was the latest sign that Washington is moving beyond diplomacy with Israel, which the U.N. and other relief agencies complain has blocked or restricted aid. Israel denies putting any restrictions on humanitarian aid. Gantz, a member of Israel's War Cabinet, talks to the media after a meeting at the Capitol Protesters gather outside of the White House in Washington on Monday while Vice President Kamala Harris met with Chairman of The National Unity Party Benny Gantz The protestors were all anti-Israel and wish to see an end to the war in Gaza On Friday, the administration said it was also considering opening a humanitarian marine corridor into Gaza. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic socialist who ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary but has supported him since, urged the administration to halt funding for Israel if it did not let more aid in. 'Israel MUST open the borders and allow the United Nations to deliver supplies in sufficient quantities. The United States should make clear that failure to do so immediately will lead to a fundamental break in the U.S.-Israeli relationship and the immediate halt of all military aid,' he said in a statement on Friday. The U.S. is Israel's most important foreign arms provider. It gives Israel $3.8 billion in military aid annually, and U.S. leaders have proposed more in aid since the October 7 attacks. A teenage couple are being investigated over the death of their baby after the four-month-old boy was found with injuries that have not been explained. The boy, named Lucas, died suddenly at Queensland Children's Hospital on Sunday. Paramedics were called to a home on Electra Street at Bundaberg West on February 26 before the baby was rushed to Bundaberg Hospital just after 5pm. The baby was airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital the following morning. The child died just days later on March 3. A baby boy named Lucas has died after being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment Queensland Police said in a statement that officers are now investigating the death of the baby. 'Detectives from Bundaberg Child Protection and Investigation Unit and specialist police from Crime and Intelligence Commands Child Trauma Unit have commenced an investigation into the matter,' the said. At a press conference on Tuesday morning Detective Inspector Wade Lee said police has been made aware the child had suffered several injuries. 'As a result of the injuries suffered by that four month old child, that child has died on Sunday,' Inspector Lee said. He said detectives are looking into a 'number of issues' relating to the injuries the baby sustained that 'aren't explained'. The extent of the injuries the child suffered are not yet known and a post mortem is yet to be conducted. According to reports Bundaberg Hospital contacted the local Child Protection Unit after the baby was taken to hospital. Mr Lee said the couple were not previously known to Child Protection authorities and they are not currently taking care of any other children. The four-month-old baby (pictured) died only days after being airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital 'Police are currently dealing with the couple but as you can imagine this is a very distressing incident for the couple, so we are dealing with them and we are moving through the investigation as best we can,' he said. Mr Lee said authorities are trying to understand how the baby had been cared for and who was primarily responsible for looking after the child. Police are trying to retrace the movements of the couple and the child as they travelled to several places in Bundaberg west on the day the baby was taken to hospital. 'We're wanting to hear from any members of the community about the movement and the activities around the couple and the deceased child,' Mr Lee said. 'This is a particularly delicate and said incident because of the vulnerable nature of the child'. No one has been charged and police have urged anyone with information about the death of the baby boy to come forward. Britain's first city centre driverless bus service is set to begin transporting passengers across Sunderland this spring - heralding a new era of 'autonomous' public transport. The government-backed pilot scheme is being heralded as a 'trailblazer' for new age urban transport. The first self-driving Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS) has arrived in the city, with a free passenger service due to launch in the coming months. Three zero emission shuttle buses will take passengers on a three-mile route between the Sunderland bus interchange, the city's university campus and the Sunderland Royal Hospital. Under the initial pilot scheme there will be two 'safety attendants' on board to 'oversee and manage' the self-driving vehicle's operation. The first self-driving Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS) (pictured) has arrived in the city, with a free passenger service due to launch in the coming months The pioneering operation is a joint initiative involving the local authority, university researchers, bus and technology companies and the government. Private industry and the Government are both providing 3million in funding for the scheme. Last year self-driving buses began carrying passengers on a 14-mile route over the Forth road bridge to the outskirts of Edinburgh. But the Sunderland scheme is more complex as it involves a busy city centre route. The shuttles will run along an 'intelligent transport corridor', involving the installation of a 5G cellular network along the route to enable a constant exchange of information with the vehicle. Running alongside the existing bus services, the operation of the self-driving shuttles will be closely monitored and assessed to provide a model for urban services in future. Patrick Melia, chief executive at Sunderland City Council, said: 'As we prepare to welcome the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle to our city streets, we are embarking on an exciting journey towards a more connected and sustainable future. 'SAMS represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to embrace innovation and improve the quality of life for our residents. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this self-driving shuttle will have on urban mobility across Sunderland.' Richard Fairchild, chief operations officer at Aurrigo, who have designed and built the shuttle buses, said the project was a 'significant step forward in research for self-driving vehicles operating on public roads'. He said: 'With the arrival of the SAMS shuttle, Sunderland is poised to emerge as a trailblazer in the realm of self-driving transportation, setting a precedent for other cities to follow in the quest for smarter, more efficient mobility solutions.' The Sunderland scheme is one of seven self-driving transport technology projects from around the UK to receive 81million in joint government and industry funding. The Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle initiative will test three self-driving, emissions-free Aurrigo Auto-Shuttles. These shuttles will ferry passengers between Sunderland Interchange, Sunderland Royal Hospital, and the University of Sunderland City Campus on public roads When the funding was announced a year ago, the then Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'In just a few years' time, the business of self-driving vehicles could add tens of billions to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. 'This is a massive opportunity to drive forward our priority to grow the economy, which we are determined to seize.' Currently, fully driverless cars are not legally permitted in the UK, and a safety driver is required at all times in all autonomous vehicles. However, the Automated Vehicles Bill is currently going through Parliament and Transport Secretary Mark Harper said in December that self-driving cars could be on British roads in 2026. In the trial the shuttle buses will be effectively 'offline' and not reliant on the 5G network for safety-related tasks as a human 'safety operator' will be on board. But in future having secure and efficient connectivity will be vital when the bus is driverless. Researchers at a test control centre at Newcastle University will test how fast the network operates, cyber security and what happens when the 5G towers develop a fault. Distraught New York homeowners who are being kept out of their $2million Long Island mansion by an accused squatter were spotted for the first time as they fight to move in to the home along with their Down Syndrome son. Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, were seen outside of their home on Monday amidst their months-long eviction battle with Brett Flores, 32. Susana wore a light pink sweater, black pants, pink sneakers, blue glasses and a black cross-body purse as she walked with a mean-mug on her face. Her husband, Joseph, was seen behind tree branches wearing a blue and white button down dress shirt, glasses and his hands inside the pockets of dark blue jeans. The Landas bought the home in October but have not been able to move in as Flores filed for bankruptcy to delay trial and claims the mansion's former owner, Bernie Fernandez, left it to him when he died. Susana Landa, 68, was spotted outside of her $2million Long Island mansion with a mean-mug on her face, as her and her husband Joseph are entangled in a months-long eviction battle with Brett Flores, 32 Joseph was seen behind tree branches wearing a blue and white button down dress shirt, glasses and his hands inside the pockets of dark blue jeans. They purchased the Long Island home in October and have yet to move into it Flores (pictured) filed for bankruptcy to delay trial and claims the former owner, Bernie Fernandez, left the home to him when he died. His attorney confirmed that was a live in care-taker for Fernandez who worked 'around the clock' Flores' attorney confirmed that his client was a live-in caretaker for Fernandez who worked 'around the clock', but didn't work for an agency and found the role himself. The Landas wanted to move to the neighborhood because they had relatives who lived in the area who could help with their disabled son, Alex ,if something happened to him. According to the Landas' lawyer, Anthony Mordente, Flores told the couple he would only leave the property once he was paid more than $100,000. As the couple has become embroiled in the house dilemma, they said they have been forced to foot the hefty cost of utilities and other bills for thousands of dollars while Flores lives rent-free. Amid the ongoing delays, the Landa home has fallen into disrepair, and was seen in exclusive DailyMail.com images. Windows were left wide open, along with splattered white paint covering several doors, windows and even security cameras. When DailyMail.com visited the property last week, almost every light was on in the home - the lights in the living room, basement, garage and upstairs area. A camera - not one of the cameras from the new owners - appeared to be placed in an upstairs bedroom. During the night, there was still no sign of the squatter, or his SUV BMW with out-of-town license plates. While the home has fallen into disrepair, the couple has also claimed that Flores was advertising rooms in their home-to-be on rental sites. Pictured: The large three-bed, four-bath home Susana was seen donning a light pink sweater, black pants, pink sneakers, blue glasses and a black cross-body purse Joseph and an unknown man are seen outside of the home (left). In the midst of the house battle, Joe said that he feels 'completely forgotten in this legal system' As the couple have become embroiled in the house dilemma, they said they have been forced to foot the hefty cost of utilities and other bills for thousands of dollars while Flores lives rent-free. Pictured: Susan looking disgruntled outside of the home A note purportedly left by Flores on the door of the home told the new owners they 'don't have my consent to enter,' and said their attempts to contact him would be 'interpreted as harassment.' While the home has fallen into disrepair, the couple has also claimed Flores was advertising rooms in their home-to-be on rental sites. In the online listings, which appear to have been deleted, Flores advertised 'The Prince Room' for $50 a night to males, females, couples, families or students looking for a place to stay. His rental services had even garnered three reviews, suggesting that Flores could have hosted paying renters at the Landa's home. An attorney representing Flores claimed his client has been 'misrepresented.' Dennis O Sullivan said: There's definitely more to it... the buyers are not the victims they claim to be. On Saturday, O Sullivan also said that Flores has a newborn child who is suffering from a lung disease. It remains unclear if the child is living inside the home with him. Earlier on Thursday, DailyMail.com observed furniture covered in dust sheets, with garbage strewn across the floor. Ten surveillance cameras monitor the property, but it's unclear who placed them there. Outside, the yard is unkept, with a broken doorbell and a sign warning of an 'alarm system' greeting guests at the front door. 'It's very crazy, our system is broken,' Susana said. 'I never would imagine we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.' According to the Landas' lawyer, Anthony Mordente, Flores told the couple he would only leave the property once he was paid in excess $100,000 They claim he has allowed the mansion to fall into disrepair as evidenced in DailyMail.com photos Chipped paint and multiple cameras are seen attached to the exterior of the home. Ten surveillance cameras monitor the property, but it's unclear who placed them there 'It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair and not able to do anything,' Joseph said. The couple have since been barred from their own dream house and went on to hire a security guard to watch over the large three-bed, four-bath home. During a visit to the Little Neck mansion, DailyMail.com found the burly security guard who declined to give his name, but did say that he 'worked for the owner of the house.' 'These people are good people, it is a shame what is going on,' he added. Theres probably two people [in the house]. It shouldnt be happening. Whoever made those [squatters rights] rules up is smoking some kind of crack. The security guard had previously worked for Bill Gates's family during his daughter Jennifer's wedding. There was no answer when DailyMail.com knocked on the door. Flores' lawyer told DailyMail.com that he had no comment to make ahead of a court hearing scheduled for April 18. It is unclear what that hearing will cover. No locals had anything to say about Flores, with one neighbor whose property backs onto the disputed home's yard saying he'd never even seen him. One man who knew the previous owner did not want to disclose his name, but told DailyMail.com that he didn't know the story until he read about it. The family decided to move to the neighborhood because they had relatives who lived in the area who could help with their disabled son, Alex, if something happened to him A note purportedly left by Flores on the door of the home told the new owners they 'don't have my consent to enter,' and said their attempts to contact him would be 'interpreted as harassment' The couple have since been barred from their own dream house and went on to hire a security guard (pictured) to watch over the mansion. He told DailyMail.com that he 'worked for the owner of the house' He said: 'Jesus Christ - I know that house.' 'It's a beautiful house in a beautiful area.' 'It's unfortunate. People don't want to rent their properties because they are scared of squatters. Speak to any landlord and you will hear the same thing. Property records indicate the previous owner was Bernard Fernandez, a watchmaker who 'kept himself to himself' and was known by neighbors as 'Bernie.' The Landas tried to enter the property alongside an insurance inspector and Flores called the cops on them. The family have already had five hearings in civil court and are complaining that the process keeps getting delayed. Flores has showed up for court without an attorney and filed for bankruptcy on January 9, 2024, which prevented any legal proceedings from going forward. A karate champion regarded as a 'hero' by his students used his position to take advantage of young men, a court has heard. Andrew Sherry, 80, is accused of indecency and sexual assaults while instructing at the Red Triangle club in Everton, Liverpool. He is known as a 'distinguished karate practitioner and instructor' and a founding member of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB). Sherry claims the allegations are the result of a conspiracy by other practitioners who want to 'overthrow their leader', his trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard. Opening the case on Monday, Andrew Ford KC, prosecuting, said Sherry achieved 'prominence and standing' in the sport before retiring as an instructor in March 2022 after a police investigation was launched. He told the jury: 'The prosecution say he abused this power and the position that he had to take sexual advantage over younger males who were in his charge.' Andrew Sherry, 80, (pictured) is accused of indecency and sexual assaults while instructing at the Red Triangle club in Everton, Liverpool Sherry is known as a 'distinguished karate practitioner and instructor' and a founding member of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) The jury of five men and seven women was told that in the mid-1980s Sherry allegedly asked for 'special favours' from one student, a boy who was aged 12 or 13. The man, who made the allegations in a Facebook post in 2020 and later to the police, said he had been at Sherry's house when the sensei asked him to masturbate him. The boy refused but Sherry then asked to wrestle him and appeared to be 'getting off on it' when they grappled, the court heard. They later drove to Knowsley Safari Park where they saw monkeys having sex, and Sherry told the boy it was 'natural', it is alleged. The court heard that Sherry began to 'make promises' to the boy, including that he would make him 'the best' at karate. Mr Ford said the student gave up the sport as a result of Sherry. The court heard that a fellow student remembered the boy telling him about what happened. Mr Ford said: 'He says it's hard to discuss because - and this is a theme the prosecution will ask you to think about and understand - they looked up to Sherry as a hero.' Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) heard Sherry claims the allegations are the result of a conspiracy by other practitioners who want to 'overthrow their leader' The jury was told Sherry was also accused of sexually assaulting a student in 2011 or 2012. The man, who was 18 at the time, said Sherry massaged his buttocks and kissed him on the lips on more than one occasion. He described Sherry asking if he could 'hold' him and putting his arms around him. The man said: 'I accepted this because Andrew Sherry was my instructor and it was a case of if he said ''jump'', I said ''how high?''.' He also said that Sherry once asked if he wanted to join him in the bedroom and was 'visibly disappointed' when they did not have sex. Mr Ford said: 'He was left feeling confused and betrayed by the defendant's conduct.' The court also heard that two other students, who Sherry is not charged with offences against, claimed he propositioned them in the 1990s. Tania Griffiths KC, defending, said the allegations were 'politically motivated' by other karate practitioners, called karateka, who were 'disenchanted' with the KUGB. Referring to the Facebook post in which the allegations were first made, she said: 'It may be (the complainant's) drunken ramblings were the unwitting catalyst others have seized upon as their opportunity to overthrow their leader.' Sherry, of Mann Island, Liverpool, denies two counts of indecency with a child under the age of 14 and four counts of sexual assault. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks. A Palestinian woman who hijacked two planes and described the Hamas terrorists who slaughtered 1,200 people in Israel on October 7 as 'freedom fighters' has been billed as a guest speaker at a British fundraising event. Leila Khaled, 79, is set to appear via videolink at a 25 charity dinner hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which is the same group who projected 'from the river to the sea' onto Big Ben last month. Khaled, described by event organisers as a 'veteran Palestinian freedom fighter', will be speaking at the fundraiser held by the PSC's West Midlands branch in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Her appearance has sparked fury and concern among Jewish campaign groups who described the move as 'extremely disturbing'. Khaled remains a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union, the US, Canada and Japan, but not the UK. Khaled remains a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. She is pictured here in 1970, the year she tried to hijack a flight from Amsterdam to New York Khaled, described by event organisers as a 'veteran Palestinian freedom fighter', will be speaking at the fundraiser meal held by the PSC's West Midlands branch in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Tickets are 25 In an interview last month, she claimed that Hamas terrorists did not target civilians in the horrific October 7 attacks. She told activist blog Green Left: 'The freedom fighters did not attack ordinary people [on October 7], they attacked the military settlements. But when the borders were open, some other people took civilians. 'Neither Israel nor the western media could prove that there were massacres. The civilian hostages [who were released in one of the deals negotiated] said they were dealt with very kindly. So why are they speaking like this about massacres? Just to say that the freedom fighters are terrorists. 'So they made lies because they did not have any evidence. Even when [President] Biden showed some pictures, CNN said that he did not have evidence that this was what happened on October 7.' There are also calls to block her from receiving a visa ahead of a scheduled talk at an even in Australia in June. Khaled, the world's first female plane hijacker, first struck in 1969 when she took control of a plane from Rome to Tel Aviv. A photo of her holding an AK-47 rifle was published around the world, leading to her reportedly undergoing plastic surgery to hide her identity. The following year, Khaled attempted to hijack another plane - this time from Amsterdam to New York. The aircraft was diverted to Heathrow and she was released in a hostage exchange. Palestinian resistance veteran and two-time plane hijacker Leila Khaled speaks at a women's group forum in Manila on November 11, 2015 Khaled continued to come back to the UK for talks until 2002, although the British embassy refused her a visa in 2005 when she tried to attend a meeting at a festival in Belfast. Lord Walney, the government's adviser on political violence and disruption, told The Times: 'Even by their own recent standards, it is staggering that the PSC wants to give a platform to [Khaled]. 'The decision to host Leila Khaled underlines the importance of all mainstream party leaders making clear their MPs and councillors should not be engaging with the PSC while they are in the grip of this militancy. 'The PSC's hardline approach is undermining their own cause by opening the door to extremism and intimidation in communities.' Khaled will be speaking alongside Huda Ammori, the co-founder of Palestine Action which protests against British companies it claims provide weapons to Israel. A spokeswoman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'Just when you thought that the PSC could not stoop any lower, they welcome a plane hijacker to inspire their activists. 'They tell the public that they are a purely peaceful organisation, but hosting Leila Khaled would seem to tell a different story. Given that it is the PSC which is mobilising the mobs marching down our streets, this latest move is extremely disturbing.' Last month, MailOnline revealed that PSC director Ben Jamal organised projecting 'from the river to the sea' onto Big Ben. The 'deeply offensive' slogan is widely seen as anti-semitic and a call to drive Jews out of Israel. MailOnline has contacted PSC for comment. Town halls will be ordered to ditch woke diversity schemes as part of Budget plans to save taxpayers' money. Councils are expected to be told by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt tomorrow that they must draw up new plans to improve services while also cutting waste. They will be told to stop spending ratepayers' money on expensive consultants and on controversial equality, diversity and inclusion schemes. It comes after Mr Hunt declared in an interview this weekend that 'public sector waste is immoral'. He told the Sunday Telegraph that there is 'too much waste across many parts of the public sector' and singled out diversity schemes as an example. Mr Hunt said: 'I find some of those initiatives very hard to defend. I'm a big believer in smashing glass ceilings, but the people who smash glass ceilings, or who can make sure the glass ceilings are smashed, are the people who run companies and who run organisations. 'It is not something you should subcontract to a kind of a unit of people who are paid a lot of money.' Councils are expected to be told by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) tomorrow that they must draw up new plans to improve services while also cutting waste Michael Gove (pictured), whose department is responsible for local government spending, has also told councils to ditch equality schemes Last year the Chancellor commissioned an audit of all EDI spending and activity across the Civil Service, which has been carried out by the Cabinet Office and is expected to report back soon. Michael Gove, whose department is responsible for local government spending, has also told councils to ditch equality schemes. The Levelling-Up Secretary approved a 600million bailout for struggling town halls in January. Mr Gove told Parliament at the time: 'We are asking local authorities to produce productivity plans setting out how they will improve service performance and reduce wasteful expenditure to ensure every area is making best use of taxpayers' money. 'I encourage local authorities to consider whether expenditure on discredited equality, diversity and inclusion programmes meets this objective.' He has also criticised councils for 'spending money on unconscious bias training and a variety of politically correct exercises instead of devoting money to the frontline'. A group of F-16 fighter jets operated by the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) departed Korea last month to join a multinational exercise in Thailand, the aircraft's unit has said. The unspecified number of F-16s assigned to the U.S. 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, 178 kilometers south of Seoul, left the country on Feb. 22 to take part in the annual Cobra Gold exercise, the unit recently said. The exercise led by the United States and Thailand began last Tuesday and is set to end later this week. It also involves troops from Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. "8th Fighter Wing units have maintained a consistent presence in this full-spectrum readiness exercise across its 43 iterations, supporting the strong alliance and strategic relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand," the unit said in a release. It marked the latest known deployment of USFK F-16s outside of Korea. In January, six F-16s under the 8th Fighter Wing flew over to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, to conduct refueling operations. (Yonhap) There was a time when a Budget was considered a moment of such paramount importance a chancellor could lose his job if he let on what might be in it. In 1947, Labour's Hugh Dalton felt obliged to resign when he inadvertently fed a few titbits to a newspaper minutes before delivering his statement in the Commons. The days of 'purdah' are long gone. What started with selective leaks to friendly journalists has become a torrent. Only a rabbit in the hat seems left for the occasion. If briefings of recent days are to be believed, Jeremy Hunt will use tomorrow's set-piece to lop 2p off personal taxes and maintain the 5p fuel duty cut. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has landed the public with the highest tax burden in modern times. Mr Hunt on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg The Conservatives under Rishi Sunak have plunged to a record low of 20 per cent. The Prime Minister delivering a speech outside Downing Street This would not only provide blessed relief for hard-pressed families and businesses, it aims to remind them that the Tories are on their side and remain the party of aspiration, growth and wealth creation. But will voters buy it? After all, it was the Chancellor himself who landed them with the highest tax burden in modern times. A damning poll yesterday suggests not. The Conservatives under Rishi Sunak have plunged to a record low of 20 per cent worse even than Liz Truss in the wake of her catastrophic 'mini-Budget'. That puts the party a daunting 27 points behind Labour and on course for a historic defeat at the next election. But is it a surprise? The country slipped into recession last year, immigration is out of control and public services are creaking. This Budget is nothing short of a do-or-die moment for the Conservatives. If the party is to revive its fortunes, the least the Chancellor and PM must do is let people keep more of their own money. The obvious way to pay for this is to facilitate growth, slash welfare payments which are so generous it reduces the incentive to work hard, slim down foreign aid and reduce the swollen Civil Service. The Tories are drinking in the Last Chance Saloon. Unless the Budget is bold, the voters will turf them unceremoniously into the street and bolt the door behind them. Our ignoble Lords With noble Lords debating the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, the hyperbole is already beyond fever pitch. The Archbishop of Canterbury led the linguistic arms race, likening the Government's assertion that parliamentary sovereignty trumped international law to the Nazis a grotesque comparison. Unelected peers inflicted five defeats on the legislation, which was passed by the Commons in a bid to stop the small boats and wreck the traffickers' business model. Yet their hand-wringing Lordships were waffling just hours after a girl of seven drowned when a dinghy packed with migrants heading for the UK sank. By trying to block the Bill, they are denying democracy and playing with people's lives. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (pictured) likened the Government to the Nazis Flops and robbers The detection rates for burglary make truly depressing reading. Over the past three years, police forces have failed to solve a single break-in in nearly half of all neighbourhoods. This is simply not good enough. It's bad enough so many intruders are getting away with it. But behind the bare statistics are countless victims whose homes have been violated and whose precious possessions have been stolen. Two years ago, police chiefs announced an officer would attend every domestic burglary. Attending is all very well. But bringing the culprits to book would be better. An Australian man has died just moments away from completing a difficult climb of one of the world's most famous mountains during a dream post-retirement trip. The former head of printing for the Canberra Times and Australian Community Media (ACM), Jon Clarke, died from altitude sickness just 100m from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, on February 26. Mr Clarke had recently retired in 2021 and saw the journey to Africa's highest peak as the 'trip of a lifetime' to celebrate his 60th birthday. His family lost contact with him the day prior to his death and were waiting to hear from him for several days before receiving the heartbreaking news. They were told that despite being severely ill, Mr Clarke begged the others in his group to get him 'to the top' but they were eventually forced to descend to try and save his life. Recently retired 'newspaper man' Jon Clarke (pictured with wife Jenene) died from altitude sickness on Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro READ MORE: Young mum who rubbed shoulders with celebrities suddenly dies after being struck down by a cruel disease Advertisement Mr Clarke was on the seventh day of the climb when he started feeling the effects of altitude sickness. His eldest son, Lewis, said he had trained for six months before the trip and walked for four hours a day to remain fit. Altitude sickness occurs when a body isn't acclimated to lower levels of oxygen at great heights and develops faster if a climber doesn't slow down to regulate. The likeliness of severe altitude sickness grows at heights of over 3,000 metres, placing Mr Clarke in harm's way when he was just below the Kilimanjaro's height of 5,895metres. Symptoms of the sickness include breathlessness, heart palpitations, fluid in the lungs and blue-tinged skin and nails due to lack of oxygen. Despite the threat of altitude sickness, around 30,000 to 50,000 people climb to Mount Kilimanjaro's summit every year. Of those that attempt the climb, only three to 10 people die on the mountain each year. Lewis said his dad died doing what he loved, travelling. 'I hope he was enjoying it. He trained very hard for the walk, and I think he was excited to show us pictures when he got back,' he told the Canberra Times. Former colleagues of Mr Clarke remembered him walking throughout his breaks at work as he pondered his next travel destination. Mr Clarke was on the 'trip of a lifetime' when he succumbed to altitude sickness just 100m from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro (pictured) He and his wife of 31-years, Jenene, were inspired globetrotters having travelled together to China, Vietnam, Fiji, Cambodia and Hawaii. He was remembered for his friendly demeanour, with his family maintaining a running joke that he could strike up a conversation with anyone no matter where he was in the world. Australian Community Media's editorial director, Rod Quinn, remembered Mr Clarke as 'one of the smartest, most respected and most professional people I have worked with in the industry'. 'He was an active and commonsense voice in the way we ran the business. If he could do anything to help us get the newspaper out, he would do it,' Mr Quinn told the Canberra Times. 'As well as all that, he was a great bloke.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A young Queensland family are asking their local council to step up and help them after workers on a street drain caused their house to become flooded with sewage. Sumit and Sucheta Kapoor, who both are hardworking hospital nurses, moved into their Toowoomba home with their two primary school aged children in 2018. But in November last year the entire family had to evacuate after council employed tradesmen to clear a blocked drain during a heavy storm, causing their house to become soaked with the 'ankle deep' contaminated water. 'My son just yelled and you could see something, some black water kind of stuff coming very slowly coming out of the doors,' Ms Kapoor told A Current Affair. Mr and Ms Kapoor begged Toowoomba Council to financially help them but were told they could not be held liable for the mishap. Sumit and Sucheta Kapoor (pictured) are asking Toowoomba Council to step up and help them after their house was flooded due to council works They had been briefly gone out in November 2023 and returned to find their floor covered in sewage water The Kapoor family had gone out and returned home to find the sewage had seeped up through an ensuite shower drain and spread through the whole house. The couple spoke to crew working across the street and asked them to look inside their house at the damage but they refused, saying they were not allowed to enter people's homes. 'I really begged them ''Please, come inside and see what you've done'',' Ms Kapoor said. 'Everything got damaged in our room, my son's room, everything. 'And the smell ... within one hour, you couldn't stand (it).' The couple said the tradies told them it was not uncommon drain works caused problems, however when a council supervisor turned up later that day to inspect the damage he was shocked. 'We went inside and the guy, council guy, just shook his head,' Sumit said. 'He said, ''Oh, this is really saddening'' and ...he apologised for what has happened.' He accessed a different manhole on their property and cleared that drain but the damage to their house had already been done. The dirty water had seeped up through an ensuite shower drain and covered the floor of the whole property Many of their belongings were ruined and they have had to find temporary accommodation - moving five times in four months. They said the frequent moving had been costly and caused them to use up all their annual leave through all the packing and unpacking. The family, fortunately, was insured so the construction work to strip out the floor and rebuild it is covered - though the family had to pay a large excess. They said the Toowoomba Council provided funds for a few nights stay at a hotel but have since refused to give them any financial support. 'We are financially under a lot of strain... We are struggling with everything,' Ms Kapoor said. They recently wrote to the council asking for assistance but they said council responded by washing their hands of the situation. Council said in their response that since the events which led to the flooding were unforeseeable they could not be held liable. The council told Daily Mail Australia that 'as the matter is yet to be finalised it would be inappropriate to comment'. The ATO has been chasing her company over debt Miss Universe Australia has been enjoying a European holiday despite the tax office pursuing her company over more than $10,000 worth of debt. Moraya Wilson, from Melbourne, was crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2023 and subsequently finished third in the international competition. She is listed as the sole director of 10 deregistered companies, with one of those owing $13,204 to the ATO. The tax office is understood to have been chasing the company over the debt for months, news.com.au reported. The revelation comes as Ms Wilson continues to post photographs to her social media account showing the 22-year-old in London, Amsterdam and Paris. It is understood Ms Wilson is in Europe on a working holiday as she books modelling gigs off the back of her successful Miss Universe campaign. Miss Universe Australia Moraya Wilson has been enjoying a working holiday in Europe (pictured) despite the ATO chasing her company over a sizable debt Ms Wilson shared this story detailing her last night staying in the French capital of Paris Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Wilson for comment. All 10 of Ms Wilson's businesses, that were involved in the hospitality, construction and property development sectors, were deregistered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in October last year. She has previously denied any involvement in the businesses or knowledge of their workings and said she has resigned from them all. Ms Wilson's entry into the Miss Universe pageant previously sparked controversy because of her parents' business dealings. Her father, Anton Wilson, ran multiple companies which collapsed owing creditors more than $45million, sending him bankrupt in 2017. Mr Wilson was banned by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) from managing corporations until 2027 and his ex-wife Melinda Wilson disqualified from managing corporations for five years, with debts of $39million. Ms Wilson reportedly owes the tax office $13,204 linked to a company she was listed as the sole director for Her parents were involved with companies in the construction and hospitality sectors that collapsed owing millions to creditors (pictured: Ms Wilson in London) The controversy even spread to Victoria's Parliament where shadow transport minister and former opposition leader Matthew Guy called on ASIC to reopen investigations into her parents. During his statement to the state's parliament, Mr Guy said that a number of his constituents had contacted his office concerned about the 'actions of Mr and Ms Wilson'. 'I do note that there is a lot of money in this issue that is owed and has been at play, and many Victorians have been financially hurt and seek rightful redress,' Mr Guy said. 'It is not right that a number of companies linked to these individuals continue to operate while tens of millions of dollars in unpaid debts remains outstanding,' Mr Guy said. Ms Wilson won the Australian competition and placed third in the international event The bankruptcy trustee overseeing Mr Wilson's case, Nicholas Crouch of Crouch Amirbeaggi, alleged in a document to parliament that Ms Wilson had been listed as director of the ten companies so they could keep operating despite the bankruptcy. Anton Wilson has been charged with knowingly signing a false declaration and for defrauding creditors of a bankrupt. He is set to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on a date yet to be determined. Fears are rising among intelligence experts that the German military leaks are just the 'tip of the iceberg' as they warn that Nato secrets may have been compromised. 'The leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg,' August Hanning, Berlin's former intelligence chief, told German Tabloid Bild. The intelligence expert added that he assumes the Russians could have listened in on even more than the 38-minute conversation between high-ranking German military officers. German chancellor Olaf Scholz was being used by Russia as a 'useful idiot' after the country had identified Germany as the 'weakest link', according to sources quoted by the Telegraph. The German government vehemently rejected allegations that Russia's leak of a conversation by high-ranking German military officers was an indication that Berlin was preparing for war against Russia yesterday. German chancellor Olaf Scholz was being used by Russia as a 'useful idiot' after the country had identified Germany as the 'weakest link', according to sources The talks included confirmation that the British military is being deployed in Ukraine (pictured: British troops taking part in military exercises in Poland) Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu speak after a wreath laying ceremony marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, February 23 'The leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg,' August Hanning, Berlin's former intelligence chief, told German Tabloid Bild At the same time, the government sought to contain the domestic fallout from the leak and promised a quick investigation into how a conversation by top German military personnel could be intercepted and published. 'It is absolutely clear that such claims that this conversation would prove, that Germany is preparing a war against Russia, that this is absurdly infamous Russian propaganda,' a spokesman for Scholz told reporters in Berlin. Government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner said the leak was part of Russia's 'information war' against the West, and that the aim was to create discord within Germany. The 38-minute recording features military officers discussing in German how Taurus long-range cruise missiles could be used by Kyiv against invading Russian forces. While German authorities have not questioned the authenticity of the recording, Scholz said a week ago that delivering these weapons to Ukraine is not an option - and that he does not want Germany to be drawn into the war directly. Russia's foreign ministry, however, on Monday threatened Germany with 'dire consequences' in connection with the leak. It did not elaborate. 'If nothing is done, and the German people do not stop this, then there will be dire consequences first and foremost for Germany itself,' foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. Hanning said: 'Normally, successful wiretapping operations are not made public in order not to harm the source.' But with news about the leak, it is now 'ensured that Olaf Scholz will definitely not deliver the Taurus to Ukraine', according to military expert Carlo Masala, who also spoke to Bild. Germany was branded 'unreliable' yesterday in the wake of the call between Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz and senior Luftwaffe officers being intercepted by Russia. The discussions included confirmation that British personnel are deployed in Ukraine, and details of how Storm Shadow missiles are deployed in the country. Scholz (pictured) has confirmed the recording aired by Moscow 's state broadcaster is genuine and described the security breach as 'very serious' A call between the Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz (pictured) and senior Luftwaffe officers was bugged by Russian spies A view of a Leopard 2 tank at a production line as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visit the future site of an arms factory where weapons maker Rheinmetall plans to produce artilleries from 2025, in Unterluess, Germany, Monday February 12, 2024 A soldier of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army prepares ammunition to fire at Russian front line positions near Bakhmut Scholz has confirmed the recording aired by Moscow's state broadcaster is genuine and described the security breach as 'very serious'. Downing Street insisted the breach was a matter for Berlin to investigate, while again urging Mr Scholz to send long-range missiles to Kyiv. But former defence secretary Ben Wallace said the episode showed Germany was 'neither secure nor reliable'. 'We know Germany is pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence so it just demonstrates they are neither secure nor reliable,' he told The Times. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron will travel to Berlin in two days to meet German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. While the leak is expected to be raised in the meeting, the Foreign Office just confirmed that there will be 'detailed discussions about both the big issues at the moment: Ukraine and Gaza'. Relations between Germany and Russia countries have continuously deteriorated since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. The audio leak was posted by Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of Russian state-funded television channel RT, on social media on Friday, the same day that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was laid to rest after his still-unexplained death two weeks ago in an Arctic penal colony. The recording also surfaced just weeks before Russia's presidential election. In the leaked audio, four officers, including the head of Germany's air force, Ingo Gerhartz, can be heard discussing deployment scenarios for Taurus missiles in Ukraine before a meeting with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, German news agency dpa reported. The officers then state that early delivery and rapid deployment of Taurus missiles would only be possible with the participation of German soldiers. The officers said training Ukrainian soldiers to deploy the Taurus on their own would be possible, but it would take months. Scholz's insistence last week on not giving Taurus (pictured) missiles to Ukraine came after Germany stalled for months on the country's desire for the missiles, which have a range of up to 310 miles and could in theory be used against targets deep inside Russian territory German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (pictured) speaks to the media following the recent revelation that Russian intelligence services had eavesdropped on a call between high-ranking German officers, on March 3, 2024 A Ukrainian soldier of an artillery unit fires towards Russian positions outside Bakhmut The head of Russia 's state-backed RT channel, Margarita Simonyan, on Friday posted a 38-minute audio recording of what she claimed were German officers discussing striking Crimea (File image) The recording also shows the German government has not given its OK for the delivery of the cruise missiles sought by Ukraine, dpa reported. There has been a debate in Germany about whether to supply the missiles to Ukraine as Kyiv faces battlefield setbacks. With military aid from the United States held up in Congress. Germany is now the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the US, and it is further stepping up its support this year. Scholz's insistence last week on not giving Taurus missiles to Ukraine came after Germany stalled for months on the country's desire for the missiles, which have a range of up to 310 miles and could in theory be used against targets deep inside Russian territory. On Monday, the chancellor reiterated his stance during a visit to a school in Sindelfingen in southwestern Germany. 'I'm the chancellor, and that's why it's valid,' he said regarding his 'no' to the delivery of Taurus missiles, German news agency dpa reported. Also on Monday, Germany's ambassador visited Russia's foreign ministry in Moscow. While Russia media reported that Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff had been summoned by the ministry, the German government said his visit was planned well before the audio was published. Germany's defense ministry tried to downplay the significance of the leaked conversation, saying it was merely an 'exchange of ideas' before a meeting with the defense minister. The ministry said it was investigating how a conversation by top German military personnel could be intercepted and leaked by the Russians. It promised to report its findings. Several German media have reported that the officers were in a WebEx meeting when they were taped. Buechner, the spokesman for the chancellor, said the German government would also look into how it 'can better counter targeted disinformation, especially from Russia.' Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (pictured) said on Sunday that Russia was trying to destablise Germany In the United States, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to address any specifics of the leaked audio, but he called the release 'a transparent attempt by Russians to sow discord.' The Kremlin on Monday said it looked forward to the results of the German government's investigation. 'Mr. Scholz said that a fast, complete and effective investigation would be carried out. We hope that that we will be able to find out the outcome of that investigation,' spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned that the government must 'treat anything coming out of the Kremlin with caution,' noting the Russian government's record of spreading misinformation. 'It is in their interests to sow disunity amongst allies who are seeking to support the armed forces of Ukraine,' spokesman Dave Pares said. 'We should not fall into that trap.' Britons are set to welcome the return of some warmer weather after a frosty start to March, as temperatures are predicted to reach 13C later this week. The Met Office has said that although Brits may wake up to some fog in the mornings, this is likely to lift later on in the day and allow for some much needed sunny spells ahead of the start of spring. Most parts of the UK will see the sunshine return today but areas on the east coast may stay murky into the day, the Met Office said. It comes after the first few days of March were hit with an Arctic snap, plunging temperatures as low as -7C and bringing snow to parts of the country. Freezing temperatures blasted the country over the weekend as polar air from Iceland and across the country from the west, bringing frosty conditions. CAMBRIDGESHIRE: A misty morning along the River Great Ouse in Ely. Fog and mist is set to lift and allow for sunny spells LONDON: Britons are set to welcome the return of some warmer weather after a frosty start to March, as temperatures are predicted to reach 13C later this week. Pictured: A little boy plays among the spring daffodils with his biscuit in hand in Greenwich Park After a cold snap and wet conditions, Brits are finally set for some warmer weather this week Over the weekend residents in Cumbria were greeted with a blanket of snow. Locals were pictured wading through the snow to walk to the shops and trying to uncover their vehicles. READ MORE: Northern Lights illuminate skies across the UK: Stargazers as far south as Cornwall catch a glimpse of the stunning aurora in rare phenomenon Advertisement Meanwhile in County Durham, a crashed red car covered in snow left on the side of a road. But amid the cold snap, the Northern Lights illuminates skies across the UK. People reported seeing the display, called the aurora borealis, on Sunday night across Scotland, Merseyside, Lancashire, Wales and even Cornwall. The chilly spell, which has seen widespread frost and freezing fog between sunny spells, comes as England and Wales had their warmest Februarys on record. The average temperature in England last month was 7.5C, topping the previous record of 7C set in 1990. Meanwhile, Wales saw an average mean temperature at 6.9C for the month, marginally ahead of 1998's record of 6.8C. But it was also a wetter than average month, with the south of England experiencing its wettest February since the series began in 1836. Many parts of southern England recorded well over twice the average rainfall. East Anglia has had both its warmest and wettest February on record, according to the Met Office. It saw 106.4mm of rainfall across the month and had a mean temperature of 8.2C. LONDON: A woman poses for photos with spring daffodils in St James's Park on Monday afternoon LONDON: Walkers in Richmond Park brace the cold and walk through the frost on Sunday morning WINDSOR: Red deer stag stand amongst thick fog and frost in Windsor Great Park on Sunday morning CUMBRIA: On Saturday residents in Cumbria in the north of England were greeted with snow COUNTY DURHAM: A car is pictured crashed on the side of the road on Sunday Giving a forecast for the week ahead, Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: 'Finally, a drier week of weather to come. It's not going to be entirely rain free but certainly compared with recent weeks, there will be less wet weather around. He added: 'For the start of Tuesday we've got clear skies towards western areas - some mist and fog patches, a touch of frost in places.' Mr McGivern said that the eastern parts of the UK could experience outbreaks of rain throughout the week. By the afternoon, northern England, the Midlands, the south and southwest will see sunny spells with just the odd shower. Mr McGivern continued: 'In the sunshine, with relatively light winds, temperatures not feeling too unpleasant - 11C, 12C, perhaps 13C.' On Wednesday, frost will be seen across central and western parts of the UK but there will be plenty of sunshine again. Through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, temperatures are set to be around 6C in north east parts of the UK but in the south and southwest, the mercury is set to rise to 13C. There are currently 34 flood warnings in place, where flooding is expected and 124 flood alerts, where flooding is possible. The sunshine will be welcomed by retailers in the UK after the wettest February on record led to a miserable month for companies, with toy sales the only bright spot as parents tried to occupy children inside, figures show. Stonehenge in Wiltshire with the Northern Lights which were strong last night (Sunday March 3), the first big show of the aurora of 2024 Auroras are caused by disturbances in Earth's 'magnetosphere' (its system of magnetic fields) due to powerful activity on the sun. The aurora is picture here at Rhossili Bay, Gower, Wales, March 3, 2024 The northern lights on Sunday night, over Grimsargh Wetlands in Lancashire, posted to Twitter by Hannah McGivern The Northern Lights is most commonly seen over places closer to the Arctic Circle such as Scandinavia and Alaska , so any sighting over the UK is a treat for skygazers. Pictured, Naworth Castle in Cumbria, March 3, 2024 Total UK retail sales were up by just 1.1 per cent year on year in February, against growth of 5.2 per cent last February, according to the BRC (British Retail Consortium)-KPMG Retail sales monitor. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: 'Consumer demand was dampened by the wettest February on record, translating into a poor month of retail sales growth. 'Not even Valentine's Day lifted customers out of the gloom, and gifting products that typically sell well, like jewellery and watches, failed to deliver. 'On the sunnier side, rainy weather did brighten sales of toys, as parents looked for ways to occupy their children indoors.' Jeff Bezos is back on top as the world's richest man for the first time in three years as his worth sits at $200billion and former No. 1 Elon Musk saw his total stumble. Bezos, 60, topped the recent Bloomberg Billionaires Index for the first time since fall of 2021, surpassing Musk, who is now at $198 billion. It comes after the Amazon founder sold off a total of $4billion worth of shares since mid-February, regulatory filings revealed. At the same time, Tesla CEO and X chair Musk, 52, saw a judge rule in late January that he must hand back the biggest pay packet in corporate history, at $55billion, following accusations of the CEO strong-arming Tesla directors. Bezos' stock sales come after it emerged that he will set up his primary residence in Florida, taking advantage of the Sunshine State's tax system. Jeff Bezos has returned to the top of the list of world's richest people for the first time in three years, as his largesse hits $200 billion and former number one Elon Musk's wealth stumbles. Bezos is pictured sharing the red carpet with Lauren Sanchez Bezos, 60, topped the Bloomberg Billionaires Index for the first time since fall of 2021, surpassing Tesla founder Elon Musk, who is now at $198 billion Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO in 2021. His current title is executive chairman. In the space of a week, he's shed nearly 25 million shares of the company. These are the first shares that he's sold since leaving his role as CEO. Earlier this month, Bezos, said that he would sell 50 million of his Amazon shares by 2025 through brokerage firm Morgan Stanley. Despite the sales, Bezos is still Amazon's highest shareholder, owning close to 10 percent of company stock. Since February 2023, Amazon shares have soared over 50 percent with its price close to an all time high. Its market capitalization is around $1.75 trillion. Bezos backed away from Amazon in order to spend more time on his other projects, including the rocket company, Blue Origin, and his philanthropy. Bezos has also spent time galivanting with fiance Lauren Sanchez as the two have been pictured in numerous hot spots. While it's unclear when exactly they started dating, Lauren and Jeff's romance was first exposed by the National Enquirer in January 2019, while they were both married to other people. Soon after it was revealed, the billionaire Amazon founder, 59, divorced his wife of more than 25 years and the mother of his four children, Mackenzie Scott, while Lauren left her husband, Endeavor talent agency co-founder Patrick Whitesell. They got engaged in early 2023, and Lauren opened up about the moment Jeff asked her to marry him to Vogue last month. She recalled how Jeff popped the question on his yacht after they enjoyed a romantic dinner under the stars together. She said the mogul concealed the huge diamond ring under her pillow, and that she almost 'blacked out' when she discovered it at the end of the evening just before they went to bed. When asked about their upcoming nuptials, Lauren admitted that they were still in the early stages of planning the wedding, so they didn't have a lot figured out just yet. 'We're still thinking about the wedding and what it's going to be. Is it going to be big? Is it going to be overseas? We don't know yet,' she dished. And Jeff made it clear that he was leaving it in her hands, telling the outlet when asked if he was going to be heavily involved in the planning, 'Oh, God, no. Do I look that dumb?' As for whether or not Lauren will be taking her husband-to-be's last name, she admitted: 'Uh, yes, 100 percent. I am looking forward to being Mrs. Bezos.' Bezos' return to the top of the world's richestcomes after the Amazon founder sold off a total of $4billion worth of shares since mid-February, regulatory filings revealed Bezos' stock sales come after it emerged that he will set up his primary residence in Florida, taking advantage of the Sunshine State's tax system Tesla CEO and X chair Musk, 52, saw a judge rule in late January that he must hand back the biggest pay packet in corporate history following accusations of the CEO strong-arming Tesla directors Musk , who now sits in second place on the world's riches, must hand back the biggest pay packet in corporate history after a judge ruled he strong-armed Tesla directors into awarding him $55 billion Musk, who now sits in second place, must hand back the biggest pay packet in corporate history after a judge ruled he strong-armed Tesla directors into awarding him $55 billion. The ruling in a Delaware court comes five years after a lawsuit filed by shareholder Richard Tornetta targeted Musk and the directors of the electric car company he founded. Chancery Court Judge Kathleen McCormick in her ruling found that the process leading to the boards approval of his 2018 compensation package was 'deeply flawed'. Musk had 'extensive ties with the persons tasked with negotiating on Teslas behalf', she found including General Counsel Todd Maron, who was his 'former divorce attorney'. Musk immediately reacted to the ruling on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, tweeting: 'Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware.' 'I recommend incorporating in Nevada or Texas if you prefer shareholders to decide matters.' Defense lawyers said the pay plan was fairly negotiated by a committee of independent directors, contained lofty performance milestones, and was blessed by a shareholder vote that was not even required. McCormick ordered directors back to the drawing board in a bid to come up with an appropriate pay package for the world's richest man. 'The parties are to confer on a form of final order implementing this decision and submit a joint letter identifying all issues, including fees that need to be addressed to bring this matter to a conclusion at the trial level,' she wrote. Musk owns 13 percent of Tesla stock but announced a bid earlier this month to secure a quarter of its voting stock. 'I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control,' he wrote on X. 'Enough to be influential, but not so much that I cant be overturned.' Tesla's shares fell around 3 percent in the aftermath of the ruling. Third on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index list is Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, with $197 billion Mark Zuckerberg (pictured right) and Bill Gates, who come in at $179 billion and $150 billion, respectively, wrap up the top five Third on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index list is Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, with $197 billion. The French company oversees numerous luxury brands and has a market cap of $382 billion in the eurozone. Arnault is followed by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, who come in at $179 billion and $150 billion, respectively. Steve Ballmer, Warren Buffet, Larry Ellison, Larry Page and Sergey Brin round out the top ten. L'Oreal Vice Chairman Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the world's richest woman, coming in at 15th on the list with a worth of $97.1 billion. Kate's last appearance was at a Sandringham church service on Christmas Day Royal watchers have shared their joy after the Princess of Wales was seen in public for the first time since her operation in school run photos published in the US. Kate, who has taken a step back from the spotlight while recovering from abdominal surgery, was seen being driven by her mother Caroline near Windsor. It is the first time the princess has been spotted in public since she celebrated Christmas at Sandringham with Prince William, their children and the rest of the Royal Family. Delighted at her first public appearance, one royal fan wrote on social media platform X: 'What a treat to see her.' Another said: 'Wonderful to see her out and about getting some fresh air. Hope she takes it easy. Her health comes first and foremost.' A third added: 'With her lovely mum as well.' The Princess of Wales has not been pictured since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham Princess Kate attended the service with Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis The pictures were published by US gossip website TMZ but not in the UK after Kensington Palace appealed for her to be able to recuperate in private. Kate was pictured wearing sunglasses in the passenger seat of a 4x4 Audi, which her mother Carole Middleton was driving near Windsor Castle. The photos were taken shortly before 9am, suggesting the mother and daughter were returning from the school run. It comes after it was claimed last night that Kate's 'black sheep' uncle Gary Goldsmith, Carole's brother, was scolded by the princess's parents after signing up to Celebrity Big Brother amid fears he could spill secrets about the Royal Family. On January 17, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had been admitted to The London Clinic the previous day for 'planned abdominal surgery'. It said the operation had been successful but would result in a two-week stay in hospital before a lengthy period of recuperation at her Windsor home. They added that based on the current medical advice she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. A spokesman stated that it was Kate's personal wish to keep her personal medical information private and said it would only provide an update if there were 'significant new information to share'. However their clear statement has failed to stop social media and overseas websites - from the New York Times to Vogue - speculating wildly about the princess's whereabouts and what may have happened to her. The hashtag #whereiskatemiddleton has been trending daily. Even the BBC website tackled the issue, highlighting the outlandish speculation under the title: 'Royal dilemma as public curiosity over Kate's health grows'. Some of it has been farcical: such as the internet rumour she is recuperating from a 'Brazilian bum lift' or in a coma, a theory sparked by a journalist on Spanish television. Other trolls and conspiracy theorists have used her absence and the lawlessness of social media to spread deeply sinister and highly libellous claims. Kensington Palace did not comment tonight but sources stressed these were paparazzi pictures that were not authorised by the palace. Last week a spokesman re-iterated their advice that they were not going to provide a 'running commentary' on the princess' health, no matter how much they were provoked by nasty internet rumours. 'From our perspective, we were very clear from our statement at the start of this in January that the Princess of Wales planned to be out of public action until after Easter and that hasn't changed,' they said. 'We were always clear we wouldn't be providing updates when there wasn't anything new to share. The last thing anyone wants is a running commentary of the Princess of Wales' recovery. Nothing has changed from that approach in January.' William also thanked Welsh schoolchildren for giving him a bouquet of flowers for Kate last week Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after having the surgery. Pictured: Kate and William in September 2022 Officials have said that the Princess of Wales (pictured on December 5) continues to do 'well'. Kate plans to return to royal engagements after Easter Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after having the surgery. William temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children, but carried out engagements in Wrexham and at a synagogue in London last week. While in Wrexham, the Prince of Wales was asked 'William, how's Catherine?' William did not respond to the question while walking into Wrexham AFC's Racecourse Ground during a trip to mark St David's Day last Friday. As he made his way into the stadium, the heir to the throne was asked by another fan 'Can I get a selfie please?' - but said: 'Can I say hello to the team? I'll come back.' He also thanked Welsh schoolchildren for giving him a bouquet of flowers for Kate. Last Tuesday, William pulled out of a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle due to an unspecified 'personal matter'. Meanwhile last month, he thanked the public for their 'kind messages of support' as he spoke at an event in London about Kate and the King's cancer diagnosis. William's words of praise, delivered during a fundraising dinner, recognised those who wished Kate well. He told the guests: 'It means a great deal to us all.' Kate is currently under the careful watch of royal doctors and is benefiting from the London Clinic's aftercare, with dedicated physiotherapists on hand with a personalised plan and a video check-up at home with a nurse specialist on offer. NHS advice about recovering from abdominal surgery says that, after a major operation with a large incision, it takes two to three months to be able to move around comfortably. William at the Baftas in London on February 18 before suddenly pulling out of the memorial for his late godfather King Constantine of Greece for an unspecified 'personal reason' The King has been seen at Sandringham going to church each Sunday but public duties have been paused The family live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's Home Park and are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, are also thought to be hands-on at the moment in helping the Waleses navigate this period as the princess recovers. Last night, sources told The Sun that Carole was furious at her brother Gary Goldsmith, Kate's uncle, over his rumoured appearance on Celebrity Big Brother which returns to our screens tonight. An insider said: 'Gary said he's been read the riot act by Kate's mum Carole and her dad Michael. 'They aren't happy he's going into Celebrity Big Brother. It is infuriating to them. Kate doesn't need this stress.' In Charles's absence from public duties, Camilla has become the most senior royal performing engagements and led the Royal Family at the service for King Constantine last week. This year has seen a sudden shortage of frontline royals after Charles and Kate both went into hospital around the same time. And the family's health woes have left William shouldering more of the burden of public duties while at the same time supporting Kate and helping care for their children. Charles was admitted for surgery for a benign prostate condition, but subsequently diagnosed with an unrelated cancer. The monarch has withdrawn from public-facing duties while he undergoes treatment. An Arizona judge has decided that Raas Almansoori, 26, will remain in the state An Arizona judge has refused to send the Soho hotel murder suspect to the Big Apple to face murder charges for the heinous killing inside a hotel. On Monday, Court Commissioner Barbara Spencer said Raas Almansoori, 26, will stay in Arizona to stand trial for the attempted murder of the two women he reportedly stabbed after he fled NYC. He is currently being held without bond. He has also been accused of killing Denisse Oleas-Arancibia who was found beaten to death at New York City's SoHo 54 hotel on February 8. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had hoped that Almansoori would be sent back to the Big Apple, but Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has insisted that the criminal stay in her jurisdiction. She ripped Bragg and his lax bail policies in explaining why she did not want to see the suspect extradited despite the most serious charges. 'The local charges by law, have to be resolved before anything can happen with your New York case,' Spencer said on Monday. On Monday, Court Commissioner Barbara Spencer said Raas Almansoori, 26, will stay in Arizona. He is seen with his head down in court on Monday as he listened to the judge's decision Spencer's decision came after Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has insisted that the criminal stay in her jurisdiction after he fled to Arizona from New York City in early February. She ripped Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his lax bail policies in explaining why she did not want to see the suspect extradited despite the most serious charges. Although Bragg did not get his way, he still has the chance to petition Arizona's Governor Katie Hobbs - a fellow Democrat - to get involved and potentially reverse the decision. Amansoori's fate has sparked a political battle between the two states after Mitchell said she would not send him back to New York for trial. 'Having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg, I think it's safer to keep him here and keep him in custody so that he cannot be out doing this to individuals either in our state, county or anywhere in the United States,' she said. A spokeswoman for Bragg said it's 'deeply disturbing' that Mitchell is 'playing political games in a murder investigation.' 'New York's murder rate is less than half that of Phoenix, Arizona, because of the hard work of the NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners. 'It is a slap in the face to them and to the victim in our case to refuse to allow us to seek justice and full accountability for a New Yorker's death.' Almansoori was caught leaving the Soho 54 Hotel on surveillance footage as he wore Oleas-Arancibia's catsuit along a well-lit Manhattan street after allegedly leaving his own blood-soaked pants at the scene, police said. Almansoori strangled Oleas-Arancibia, wrenched her head from side to side in a bid to snap her neck, before battering her with an iron, investigators said Surveillance footage of Almansoori caught after the murder of Oleas-Arancibia wearing her catsuit along a well-lit Manhattan street after allegedly leaving his own blood-soaked pants at the scene, investigators said The suspect then left the city and made his way to Arizona, where he was accused of stabbing a woman in her car in Phoenix, the day before he stabbed an 18-year-old woman multiple times in the neck inside of a McDonald's restroom in a nearby town. Arizona police detective Jeremy Goebel told the court that Almansoori allegedly followed the 18-year-old victim into the McDonald's bathroom, crawled under the door into her stall before pepper spraying her and stabbing her in the neck as she screamed. She later described him as having 'evil eyes'. The officer said Almansoori had also spoken of a plan to kill his father and stepmother and burn down their house. Almansoori was soon found and pulled from a stolen vehicle and arrested at gunpoint in a Phoenix car garage on February 18. On February 27, he appeared at a detention hearing where he went into 'graphic detail' about how he gruesomely murdered Oleas-Arancibia. Arizona police detective Jeremy Goebel said Amansoori told about how he began strangling her after an argument erupted over how long he could stay. The body of Oleas-Arancibia was found in a room at New York's SoHo 54 hotel on February 8, and four days later, Almansoori is said to have flown back to Arizona from Newark, New Jersey The suspect then left the city and made his way to Arizona where he was accused of stabbing a woman in her car in Phoenix, the day before he stabbed an 18-year-old woman multiple times in the neck inside of a McDonald's restroom in a nearby town 'In his words, 'She just wouldn't die',' the court heard. When the strangling did not work, Amansoori wrenched her head from side to side in a bid to snap her neck, before battering her with an iron. She was already dying from her injuries by the time he tried to suffocate with a sock and blanket, according to Goebel. 'Not a single woman on this planet likes me so I was very upset,' he told the officer. The body of Oleas-Arancibia was found on the morning of February 8, and four days later, Almansoori is said to have flown back to Arizona from Newark, New Jersey. At a press conference in February, the NYPD revealed that Almansoori was on bail at the time of the murder for attacking and sexually assaulting another woman in Florida in April 2023. Leah Palian, 26, says Almansoori, 26, held her captive in her Orlando, Florida home before choking and sexually assaulting her. 'I hate that I have to do this. I hate that I have to kill you,' Almansoori reportedly told Palian during the terrifying ordeal. The NYPD revealed that Almansoori was on bail at the time of the murder. Leah Palian (pictured) has revealed that Almansoori held her captive in her Orlando, Florida home before choking and sexually assaulting her in April last year Alamsoori was arrested but freed on $2,500 bail in September of last year. 'Despite my chilling warning to the Florida state attorney that his actions were indicative of a potential serial killer, they callously released him, dropping all but one charge (car theft),' Palian wrote on Facebook. 'The blood of an innocent mother stains their hands. Florida's justice system has not only failed me but has turned a blind eye to the impending danger he posed to countless other women.' He was also charged with robbery, assault, theft and criminal damage in the separate Phoenix investigation. On Tuesday, he was indicted in Arizona for the stabbings on two counts of first-first-degree attempted murder for each victim, along with aggravated assault, attempted sexual assault, attempted armed robbery and theft of means of transportation. A Queensland mum-of-three has been left devastated after she was rejected from 150 rental properties, forcing her to move to another state to live with her mother. Single mum Zoe Somers was leasing a property in Pimpama, a rural town on the Pacific Motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, early last year. Ms Somers was forced to move out when her rent increased by 30 per cent from $460 to $590 a week. She explained the first increase came when she and her husband were living together and the couple managed to pay the difference. The pair then split and the rent was increased again to $680 a week leaving Ms Somers unable to make the payments while also caring for her two-year-old son and two teenager daughters on her own. Single mum of three Zoe Somers (pictured) was forced to move from the Gold Coast after she had 150 rental applications rejected Ms Somers applied for about 150 homes between March to December in a number of suburbs that were within driving distance to her daughter's school - which she attends for its specialist Japanese language program. Ms Somers even considered renting two hours away in Brisbane and have her daughter catch the train to school. The young mum also faced a critical childcare shortage and accepted government assistance after leaving her work to care for her son. After 10 months of unsuccessful applications, Ms Somers had no other option but to leave the Gold Coast and move in with her mum in Tasmania. Ms Somers said she was overwhelmed with sadness by the rental ordeal, claiming the housing crisis is 'how people end up homeless'. 'I cried a lot, especially because I did not want to renew my lease when I knew my rent was going up and I did try to speak to my landlord...she knew the situation... and she still increased it anyway,' Ms Somers told Nine. 'Not only are rentals hard to find on the Gold Coast, but so is childcare, and that is how I became a single parent - not because I wanted to. People's situations change on a dime - that is how people end up homeless.' Ms Somers was forced to move from the Gold Coast (pictured) and in with her mum in Tasmania Ms Somers, who now has a job, is still applying for rentals in Launceston and claims the housing crisis is 'not much easier' in Tasmania. 'Even for myself when I do find a rental, I don't know how I am going to do it, because for my entire life with children, it was a two-parent household,' she said. 'It does not seem much easier here to secure a rental as a single parent, but at least I have my family's support.' The median asking rent in Pimpama has jumped nine per cent over a 12month period and 52 per cent over five years, according to data online property site Domain. Meanwhile, the national vacancy rate dipped to 0.7 per cent in February from 1.1 per cent in January. According to SQM Research, the total number of rental vacancies Australia-wide was 32,108 in January. Sydney and Melbourne vacancy rates dropped to 1.3 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively, Canberra and Darwin fell to 1.7 per cent and Brisbane and Hobart saw a one per cent vacancy rate. Meanwhile, vacancy rates sat below 1 per cent over January in Perth and Adelaide. Over the 30 days to 14 February 2024, capital city asking rents rose by another 1.4 per cent. he national vacancy rate dipped to 0.7 per cent in February from 1.1 per cent in January The national median weekly asking rent for a dwelling is recorded at $ 614.54 per week. Sydney recorded the highest weekly rent for a house at $1,037.08 per week, While Adelaide units offered the best rental affordability of all capital cities at $451.20 per week. Managing Director of SQM Research Louis Christopher said national rents across nearly all regions indicated no end in sight to the rental crisis for the start of 2024. 'Our rental market update reveals a sharp decline in rental vacancy rates cross the nation,' Mr Christopher said. 'It is a seasonal demand increase we see at the start of each and every year but is most certainly problematic due to the fact the current rental market remains in crisis. 'Going forward, our best-case scenario for renters is that the population growth rate slows considerably this year to an increase of about 360,000 people which would likely mean a stabilisation in rents starting from the June quarter. The worse case is population continues to boom at current rates.' A U.S. Navy destroyer arrived at a naval base on the southern island of Jeju on Tuesday for a replenishment purpose, the Korean Navy said. The USS Higgins Arleigh Burke-class destroyer entered the base to replenish supplies and for crewmembers' rest, a day after Korea and the United States began their annual combined Freedom Shield exercise for an 11-day run. A Korean Navy official said the warship's arrival is unrelated to the exercise and there are no plans for joint drills with the warship during its stay on Jeju. The two sides plan to hold friendly exchange activities on the occasion of the U.S. vessel's visit, the official said. (Yonhap) Sex offenders could escape justice because Scotland Yard routinely fails to record basic details about them and their victims, a report has revealed. The internal report, commissioned in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder by Met officer Wayne Couzens, shows officers are not logging information about hundreds of reported sex offences that could help to identify trends or linked attacks. Last month, an independent inquiry found that Couzens, who was jailed for life, should never have been a police officer. The 2022 report into sex attack data, which the Met tried to keep secret following a freedom of information request by The Times, found suspects' relationship to victims, informants or witnesses was marked as unknown or not recorded in 1,289 offences in 2019-20 and 1,076 in 2020-21 around 20 per cent of serious sexual offences. The internal report, commissioned in the wake of Sarah Everard 's murder by Met officer Wayne Couzens , shows officers are not logging information about hundreds of reported sex offences that could help to identify trends or linked attacks In 2021, officers did not record detailed information in 356 serious sexual offences, which represented around 7 per cent of the crimes recorded (Pictured: Sarah Everard) Last month, an independent inquiry found that Couzens, who was jailed for life, should never have been a police officer It warns: 'Data is often incorrect, making it difficult to provide a true picture of the problem. There are regular errors and lack of detail when recording both victim and suspect ethnicity, ages and gender.' In 2021, officers did not record detailed information in 356 serious sexual offences, which represented around 7 per cent of the crimes recorded. Zoe Billingham, a former inspector of constabulary, said the Met would not be able to identify its most dangerous offenders if it was not recording basic intelligence. Commander Kevin Southworth, the Met's lead for public protection, said it was 'determined to rebuild trust with women and girls'. Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz have touched down in Australia for a two-day showdown with Linda Reynolds - with the pair sweeping into court in decked out in designer clothing. Senator Reynolds is suing Ms Higgins, her former employee, and Mr Sharaz for defamation in the WA Supreme Court over posts they each made on social media that she claims damaged her reputation. The couple arrived at the court on Tuesday morning, flanked by lawyers, for the first day of mediation talks. Ms Higgins donned $1300 a cornflower blue 'Ahana Dress' with long sleeves and a belt, while her fiance sported a $200 Ralph Lauren silk knit tie and cream blazer as they swanned into the building before Ms Reynolds' arrival. Ms Higgins told media that Perth was 'beautiful', but a difficult place to return to. Last time she was with Senator Reynolds in Perth was in 2019, weeks after her alleged rape, when she was a member of the then-minister's staff. However, outside court on Tuesday Ms Higgins said that she believes 'everyone's acting in good faith'. The senator later arrived with her lawyers and holding her partner Robert Reid's hand, but declined to answer questions about whether the case was a key factor in her decision to retire her political career when her term ends in 2025. The mediation session is being held after Judge Marcus Solomon urged the parties to resolve the issue before going to trial, citing immense costs that are often associated with defamation proceedings. If successful, a gruelling six-week trial could be avoided altogether. Brittany Higgins arrived at WA Supreme Court on Tuesday to a media circus (pictured) Brittany Higgins is pictured walking into court on Tuesday morning in a cornflower blue dress, alongside her lawyer Leon Zwier David Sharaz is pictured, left, outside WA Supreme Court on Tuesday Justice Solomon is said to be so concerned about the matter going to trial that he may participate in the mediation session. If he does get involved and the parties are unable to reach an agreement, he will not be able to preside over the defamation trial in July. Ms Reynolds' defamation case centres on social media posts fired off by Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz. She claims the posts imply that she pressured Ms Higgins not to proceed with a police complaint regarding the alleged rape, and that she interfered with Bruce Lehrmann's trial. Ms Higgins is also accused of breaching a non-disparagement clause in a settlement contract she entered in 2021 that prevents her from speaking negatively about Ms Reynolds. Ms Reynolds has also suing Mr Sharaz separately for allegedly defaming her in five social media posts, which were allegedly 'falsely defamatory' and caused her 'loss and damage'. The senator is seeking aggravated damages, an injunction to stop Ms Higgins from publishing allegedly defamatory material, and another injunction to stop her from breaching the settlement contract. Linda Reynolds is pictured outside WA Supreme Court on Tuesday, holding her partner's hand Linda Reynolds (pictured outside court on Tuesday) claims she was defamed in social media posts The senator first threatened legal action in July last year, claiming she has been the target of 'unwarranted criticism and abuse' since Ms Higgins went public with her rape allegations in 2021. Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz permanently relocated to France at the end of last year, having bought a house near Bordeaux. They had no plans to return to Australia, but they were required to attend court in Perth on Tuesday and Wednesday. It comes just months after Ms Reynolds sought to freeze Ms Higgins' assets. In December, she wrote a letter to Ms Higgins' lawyer Leon Zwier pointing to reports stating the former political staffer had permanently moved to France. 'If such reports are true, we consider that an application for freezing orders is appropriate,' the letter read. 'Please advise as a matter of urgency your client's intentions in respect of her travel to France and your availability to confer in respect of our client's proposed application.' Linda Reynolds is pictured with Brittany Higgins in Perth in 2019 Ms Higgins received a $2.4million settlement from the Commonwealth in December 2022, after just one day of mediation, and ten days after the ACT DPP dropped the sexual assault charge against her alleged rapist, Bruce Lehrmann. Mr Lehrmann denies having any sexual contact with Ms Higgins and has continually maintained his innocence. According to the claim, Ms Higgins' 'hurt, distress and humiliation' was valued at $400,000, past and future domestic assistance cost $100,000, and $220,000 for medical expenses. Legal fees were a further $245,000, and $1,480,000 was paid for lost wages. Ms Reynolds was named in the claim but was not represented at the mediation session. She has referred Ms Higgins' settlement with the Commonwealth to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Anthony Albanese is being slammed after announcing a $2billion green energy investment fund for South East Asia while Australia is still in a crippling cost of living crisis. While the Government is presenting the vast sum as an investment in Australia's economic future by helping a huge trading partner to grow, many see it is as money that would be better spent at home, rather than on green initiatives such as windfarms abroad. 'How about giving some of that money to the lower and middle class Australians,' one angry person wrote on social media. 'That $2 bill could be better spent cleaning up crime across Northern Australia Albo and in particular Alice Springs,' another wrote. But the Prime Minister defended the move on Tuesday afternoon, saying the $2billion will lead to 'new investment (and) jobs here in Australia'. Anthony Albanese (pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon) is being slammed after announcing a $2billion green energy investment fund for South East Asia while Australia is still in a crippling cost of living crisis READ MORE: Shock as Liberal senator Gerard Rennick calls for major property tax break loved by Aussie homeowners to be axed Senator Gerard Rennick is pictured with his wife Lauren Advertisement 'The reason why we engage internationally in trade is because it is in our national interest.' The Government said the $2billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility will be managed by Export Finance Australia and will provide loans, guarantees, equity and insurance for projects that would boost Australian trade and investment. In particular, it is designed to support the region's 'clean energy transition and infrastructure development'. 'Australia's economic future lies in our region,' Mr Albanese said. 'I am proud to lead a government that is strengthening our trade and investment ties with South East Asia, directly contributing to our shared economic prosperity.' He added: 'When our region prospers, Australia prospers. Our work internationally is delivering for Australians for jobs, for our economy and for our people.' Simon Birmingham, the shadow foreign affairs minister, agreed that Australia's relations with the 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and East Timor, which is on a pathway to joining it, is vital for 'regional stability and prosperity'. 'We face ... huge opportunities in this region in terms of the potential for further economic growth, further lifting of people across the region out of poverty,' he told ABC Radio Melbourne. Australia is setting up a $2billion green energy investment fund for South East Asia. The windfarm system in Khao Kho District, Phetchabun, Thailand is pictured He said the ASEAN summit currently being held in Melbourne offered 'opportunities for Australia and the trade and investment relations with fast growing South East Asian economies'. 'But it's also critical in terms of how we confront the challenges in our region, increasing use of influence and power, militarily and otherwise, by China, and the need for us to work with South East Asian nations to keep our region open (and) stable,' he said. Mr Albanese said the investment he announced in Melbourne was 'the most significant upgrade of Australia's economic engagement with South East Asia for a generation'. 'ASEAN nations represent Australia's second largest two-way trading partner, and they of course will grow to the fourth largest economy (in the world) by 2040.' Nikki Haley was interrupted nine times at her final campaign stop before Super Tuesday when several pro-Palestine protesters descended on her Fort Worth, Texas rally. The 2024 hopeful made her last stand before the fateful day that will allocate 865 delegates in the Republican presidential primary and essentially decide if she remains a viable candidate for the nomination. But her final rally before Super Tuesday was infiltrated by several small groups of protesters who periodically interrupted her stump speech to a room full of hundreds of Texan supporters at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall in Fort Worth on Monday evening. Groups of between one and three pro-Palestine protesters shouted chants like, 'Free Palestine' or 'ceasefire now,' before law enforcement escorted them from the live music venue. 'If there's any more of you it would be a lot better if you just did it together,' Haley said after the seventh outburst of the evening. Nikki Haley's final rally before Super Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday evening was interrupted nine times by different groups of pro-Palestine protesters The groups of between one and three people yelled and chanted phrases like 'Free Palestine' and 'ceasefire now' as they were escorted one-by-one from Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall in Fort Worth on Monday evening But there were still three more interruptions after that. One demonstrator shouted: 'Nikki Haley, you support genocide.' Months of conflict ensued in the Middle East after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel in a deadly attack in October 2023. Since then, there has been warfare between the Jewish State and the terrorists operating out of the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. Aactivists claim Israel is conducting genocide against Palestinian people in the region, while pro-Israel groups and lawmakers claim the U.S. ally has a right to defend itself against terrorists. Each time there was an outburst at Haley's rally on Monday, the crowd would burst into chants of the candidate's name to try and drown out the protesters pushing pro-Palestine sentiments. But Haley also repeated an anecdote she has said at any rally with protesters and claimed her husband Maj. Michael Haley is serving in the military to defend their rights to protest. She would wait for the demonstrators to be cleared from the room before continuing her remarks. The protesters interupted Haley at nine separate points of her remarks on Monday evening 'If there's any more of you it would be a lot better if you just did it together,' Haley said after the seventh outburst of the evening - before three more interruptions throughout the night 'You know, we may have a few more protester friends,' Haley said after the first outburst of the evening. 'But I want to remind all of you don't get mad at them, because my husband and his military brothers and sisters sacrifice every day for their right to be able to do that.' There were about 500 attendees who turned out for Haley's event on Monday evening to support her final push to beat Trump in the Republican primary. A few pro-Haley voters at the event told DailyMail.com that they would reluctantly end up supporting Trump in 2024 if he is the nominee against presumed Democratic candidate President Joe Biden. Alan Richvourg, 57, however, said that if Trump were the Republican nominee, he would consider not casting his ballot in a general presidential election for the first time since 1982. Loyal 7-Eleven customers are threatening to boycott the chain over a change to its Fuel Lock app feature. Budget lovers have been long-term fans of 7-Eleven's Fuel Lock feature which allows users to 'lock in' the best fuel price from their five closest stores for up to a week. However, 7-Eleven introduced a saving cap from February 6 that blocks users from saving more than 25c per litre. The backlash was swift, with many customers slamming the multi-million-dollar company's decision. 'Well there goes some easy savings,' one said. 'I'm going to boycott 7-Eleven for this. Costco only from now on,' another wrote. Motorists have threatened to 'boycott' 7-Eleven (pictured) after it announced a change to its Fuel Lock app feature READ MORE: Foodies lose it over this genius 7-Eleven coffee hack Advertisement Other customers questioned how often people were saving more than 25c per litre. 'I'm usually around 15-20 cents per litre. 25 cents per litre is still a pretty good saving. $10 on a 40L fill,' one wrote. However, commenters explained they could easily save more by monitoring the fuel cost cycle. 'There can be some massive spikes,' one customer wrote. 'I've saved up to 40 cents per litre semi regularly when I've timed things just right and didn't care which 7-Eleven I went to. 'If I still continue to use Fuel Lock, I'll be more selective as to which one I go to now that they're going to eat anything above that 25c saving.' Others living in border towns said fuel can often be much cheaper a few towns over. 'Can regularly save 40-50c if you lock in in WA,' one wrote. Another said: 'Our petrol prices have been between $2.10-$2.20 for months, however in my five closest stores on the 7-Eleven app, one of these stores is past the border in the other state and has been sitting at $1.60-$1.85 in this same time frame. 'The restrictions on the discount will definitely be painful for me.' One customer said she was caught short at the register after missing 7-Eleven's announcement about the change. Customers can now only save a maximum of 25c per litre of fuel by using 7-Eleven's Fuel Lock (stock image) 'I locked in my fuel at $1.81, and then filled up somewhere that was at $2.30,' they said. 'When I went to pay, I received only an $8 discount instead of the expected $16.50. 'The guy said 7-Eleven caps the discount at 25 cents per litre, which to me seems extremely unfair.' A spokesperson from 7-Eleven said the chain 'is always looking for ways to give our customers convenience, choice and value'. 'When it comes to saving, of course savings vary, and are not guaranteed,' they said. 'Some customers could save a few cents per litre by using the fuel price lock. 'Others could save more over the course of a year by locking in their price at the lower points in the fuel cycle.' A massive fire roaring from a gas line rupture is threatening to halt operations at a number of gas and coal plants. Emergency services were first called to the leak in Bauhinia, in central Queensland, about 8:30am on Tuesday. Firefighters and paramedics remained at the scene throughout the day as the blaze continued to burn. No one was injured. Footage of the rupture shows a massive blaze stretching about twice as high as nearby trees. The 627km line transports as much as 145 terajoules of gas from the Wallumbilla gas hub to large industrial users in Gladstone and Rockhampton. A massive fire roaring from a gas line rupture is threatening to halt operations at a number of gas and coal plants across Queensland (pictured) The rupture has instead led to the line being cut further upstream to try and limit the blaze and has completely shut off supply to Gladstone. The closest plant to the rupture is a scraping station in neighbouring Oombabeer, but it could also affect numerous others such as Rollerstone. Numerous industrial plants are also connected to the gas line as it approaches Gladstone and Rockhampton. The line cuts could also impact a number of industrial plants including: Queensland Nitrates, Queensland Magnesia Facility, Queensland Alumina Limited Refinery, Boyne Smelters, Rio Tinto Yarwun Refinery and Orica Yarwun. A Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it is 'working closely with QFES to monitor the situation'. 'An RSHQ inspector is now on scene assessing the situation and has launched an investigation. 'The section has been isolated and the incident is under control.' The rupture threatens to impact large industrial plants in Gladstone, such as the Rio Tinto Yarwun Refinery (pictured), and a limited amount of residential properties The company that manages the pipeline among others in Australia, Jemena, confirmed the rupture may also have an effect on residential supply. A statement from the company also confirmed that an exclusion zone has been established around the rupture. 'We are currently working to understand the impact of the incident on our customers and other stakeholders,' told the publication. 'We apologise for the inconvenience to those who may be impacted by this incident. 'Our current focus is on ensuring the safety of the site, community, and our personnel. 'We will then move to develop our restoration plan.' Left-wing 'squad' Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lashed out at an anti-Israel protester who confronted her and her fiance at a Brooklyn movie theater demanding she call what's happening in Gaza a 'genocide.' Pro-Palestine demonstrators ambushed Ocasio-Cortez and Riley Roberts outside the boutique theater Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn. 'You refuse to call it a genocide, I need you to understand that this is not okay,' the protester says. 'It's not okay that there's a genocide happening and you're not actively against it,' the protester adds. A visibly frustrated Ocasio-Cortez - who has longed backed far left-causes and protests - yells in response: 'You're lying!' Left-wing 'squad' Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lashed out at an anti-Israel protester who confronted her and her fiance at a movie theater demanding she call what's happening in Gaza a 'genocide' An angry Ocasio-Cortez ranted back at the protester when they accosted her An angry Ocasio-Cortez ranted back at the protesters. 'I already said that it was. And y'all are just gonna pretend that it wasn't. Over and over again. It's f***ed up man. And you're not helping these people. You're not helping them,' she says. 'Why won't you say it in front of everybody, why us?' one responds. The protesters continue: 'If you can't say it, just say it. Literally. We're just talking to you like normal people. Just say it's a genocide. Just say it. Over 30,000 people are dead AOC, you can't just say it for once? Just say the word, that's it. That's all we want you to say.' Roberts tries to dissuade the protesters from continuing to follow her as they left the theater. At one point, Ocasio-Cortez fumes the protestors are going to take what she says 'out of context' and have it go viral. Ocasio-Cortez, seen as the most prominent leftist in the House of Representatives, has been critical of Israel in the weeks following the October 7 Hamas terror attack that left 1,200 innocent people dead. She joined her fellow squad Democrats in the hours following the attack in calling for 'de-escalation and ceasefire' and has repeated those claims, slamming both Israel and Hamas and has described the IDF's military campaign as committing 'war crimes.' 'You refuse to call it a genocide, I need you to understand that this is not okay,' the protester says. 'It's not okay that there's a genocide happening and you're not actively against it,' the protester adds Ocasio-Cortez yells in response: 'You're lying!' Visibly angry, Ocasio-Cortez ranted back at the protesters. 'I already said that it was. And y'all are just gonna pretend that it wasn't. Over and over again. It's f***ed up man. And you're not helping these people. You're not helping them,' she says Ocasio-Cortez, seen as the most prominent leftist in the House of Representatives , has been critical of Israel in the weeks following the October 7 Hamas terror attack that left 1,200 innocent people dead Ocasio-Cortez was even slammed for her Christmas post that called Israel a violent occupying force and likened Jesus to the Palestinians. Posting on Instagram on Christmas Eve, AOC shared a photo of a child lying on a pile of rubble surrounded by wooden nativity scene icons. Accompanying the photo, the New Yorker wrote: 'In the story of Christmas, Christ was born in modern-day Palestine under the threat of a government engaged in a massacre of innocents.' She went on to compare Jesus being hunted by King Herod to the 'right-wing forces' currently 'violently occupying Bethlehem.' Her post sparked a fierce backlash online with some accusing her of 'Jew hate.' Ocasio-Cortez's sympathies towards Palestinians were noted as early as 2019, her first year in Congress She claimed that Palestinians have no choice but to riot against Israel - and agreed with a radio host that the country is 'criminal'. She joined her fellow squad Democrats in the hours following the attack in calling for 'de-escalation and ceasefire' and has repeated those claims , slamming both Israel and Hamas and has described the IDF's military campaign as committing 'war crimes' Ocasio-Cortez was even slammed for her Christmas post that called Israel a violent occupying force and likened Jesus to the Palestinians AOC has faced sharp criticism of late as angry protestors have confronted her over Israel and, recently, at a town hall over New York City's migrant crisis. AOC has faced sharp criticism of late as angry protestors have confronted her over Israel and, recently, at a town hall over New York City's migrant crisis. Last month, she was interrupted by angry voters when presenting the benefits of the Green New Deal at an event in Queens. One of the hecklers, Jonathan David Rinaldi, stood up while AOC was on the stage and announced that he was challenging Ocasio-Cortez for her congressional seat. After becoming increasingly aggressive with other attendees the man was escorted out while shouting 'you only represent the illegal aliens.' 'They're giving the NYCHA apartments away, they're giving illegal aliens $10,000 a day I want you to debate me AOC, debate me' he could be heard shouting in video of the meeting. 'Every single one of us is being sold out by people that have brought illegals here to vote,' he shouted. However, he was soon drowned out by Ocasio-Cortez's supporters shouting 'AOC, AOC,' and clapping their hands. Once the man had been removed, AOC addressed the rest of the audience. 'Clearly, this community Astoria, Jackson Heights, also across the Bronx clearly supports progressive immigration policies that welcomes all of our neighbors.' 'We clearly support a path to citizenship, we clearly support ending draconian immigration policies and that is why you all support my representation of our community in Congress because we have had enough.' Arizona's Democrat Governor has vetoed a law that would have made unauthorized border crossings a crime punishable by six months behind bars. In a Monday letter, Katie Hobbs, rejected the Republican backed-bill and said that it did not 'secure' the border that runs along the state. The bill would have imprisoned offenders for no more than six months for their first offense, and no more than two years for following offenses. It would have also banned 'eluding examination of inspection by immigration officers' and 'attempting to enter or obtain entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact.' In response to Hobbs' decision, Republicans in the state's senate criticized her veto. State Senator Janae Shamp said: 'The Legislature did its job to protect our citizens, but Governor Hobbs failed to do hers.' In a letter on Monday, Katie Hobbs, rejected a Republican backed-bill that would have made unauthorized border crossings in Arizona a crime punishable by six months behind bars, and said it did not 'secure' the state Immigrants line up at a remote U.S. Border Patrol processing center after crossing the US-Mexico border in December in Lukeville, Arizona The Lukeville crossing was initially shut down in December in an effort to reduce the surge in migrant crossings, but was opened again in January 'Vetoing the Arizona Border Invasion Act is a prime example of the chaos Hobbs is unleashing in our state while perpetuating this open border crisis as Biden's accomplice.' Hobbs tried to explain the reasons behind her veto - one that came despite the flood of migrants that have entered the US via the Southern border since President Joe Biden took office. Arizona has encountered 250,611 migrant crossings since October, according to US Customs and Border Protection. 'Today, I vetoed Senate Bill 1232. This bill does not secure our border, will be harmful for communities and businesses in our state, and burdensome for law enforcement personnel and the state judicial system,' Hobbs wrote. 'Further, this bill presents significant constitutional concerns and would be certain to mire the State in costly and protracted litigation.' Locals took to social media to voice their reaction to Hobbs' veto as one said: 'We need to protect our state's border! I'm tired of the political politics! Do something!!!!!' 'Do nothing Hobbs at it again,' another said. 'It's no longer a matter of closing borders, we need to enforce the laws we currently have,' another commenter posted. Hobbs previously called out Biden for failing to secure the southern border, and federal reimbursement for the state's spending on the crisis. Hobbs tried to explain the reasons behind her veto - one that came despite the flood of migrants that have entered the US via the Southern border since President Joe Biden took office Hobbs previously called out Biden for failing to secure the southern border, and sought half a billion dollars in federal reimbursement for the state's spending on the crisis The Lukeville crossing was initially shut down in December in an effort to reduce the surge in migrant crossings, but was opened again in January. The desolate area around the remote crossing has become a global migration route in recent months In a letter, the governor requested more than $512million in federal funds to reimburse state spending on migrant transport, drug interdiction, and law enforcement 'due to the federal government's failure to secure our border.' Hobbs then slammed the closing of the Lukeville, Arizona, crossing, saying it 'has led to an unmitigated humanitarian crisis in the area and has put Arizona's safety and commerce at risk.' 'Our ports of entry are essential to our state and our country's economy, and it is vial that they be properly staffed and resourced to continue to fuel economic growth in the state,' she added. Hobbs called for National Guard members who are currently on active federal duty be mobilized to assist border agents in manning the Lukeville crossing, so it can be reopened. The Lukeville crossing was initially shut down in December in an effort to reduce the surge in migrant crossings, but was opened again in January. According to the US Department of Transportation, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people a day have crossed north at the Lukeville Port of Entry. The desolate area around the remote crossing has become a global migration route in recent months, with smugglers dropping off people from countries like Senegal, India and China. Most of the migrants are walking into the US west of Lukeville through gaps in the wall, then turn east toward the official border crossing to surrender to the first agents they see to claim asylum Most of them are walking into the US west of Lukeville through gaps in the wall, then turn east toward the official border crossing to surrender to the first agents they see to claim asylum, according to the Associated Press. In a statement, CBP said it was 'surging all available resources to expeditiously and safely process migrants' and will 'continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation.' The agency blamed the hundreds of people arriving daily around Lukeville on 'smugglers peddling disinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals.' Alongside Governor Hobbs, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema have slammed the Lukeville closure and demanded better solutions from Biden's administration. 'This is an an unacceptable outcome that further destabilizes our border, risks the safety of our communities, and damages our economy by disrupting trade and tourism,' they said in a joint statement. An average of 3,140 people in vehicles and 184 pedestrians entered the US daily in Lukeville during October, according to the US Transportation Department. When it was closed, travelers were still be able to cross into or out of the United States through Nogales, Arizona, a three-hour drive to the east. They were also allowed to go through San Luis, a two-hour drive to the west. Immigrants from the west African nation of Guinea are seen striking a celebratory pose after they crossed the US- Mexico border on December 07, 2023 in Lukeville, Arizona Hobbs called for National Guard members who are currently on active federal duty be mobilized to assist border agents in manning the Lukeville crossing, so it can be reopened. Pictured: Migrants are processed near Lukeville More than 8million asylum seekers will soon live in the US - a 167% increase in five years. The vast majority of the 8million are now free to roam US streets, including 2 million 'high-priority' cases of career criminals seeking asylum. The system appears to be struggling to cope with the rapid numbers of migrants flowing across the border, which reached an all-time high of 302,000 monthly crossings in December. The backlog has left millions of migrants who are currently residing in the US, unsure of whether they will be permitted to stay or simply be deported. Former President Donald Trump has highlighted the Biden Administration's ineffectiveness at dealing with the problem as a campaign issue. Republicans are continuing to push for an increased amount of migrants to be detained and deported just as ICE is forced to contemplate cutbacks. A woman was left horrified after enjoying a swim in a creek and returning home to discover a crocodile lurking in the water next to her in the video of her day out. The woman decided to go for a dip at Rollingstone Creek near Townsville, in North Queensland, on a hot weekend to cool off. While she was in the water she took several underwater photos and videos. She then returned home and looked through the footage when she realised a crocodile had been lurking just metres away from where she had been swimming. A woman had a close encounter with a crocodile (pictured) while she was taking a dip in a creek to cool off The woman was swimming in the Rollingstone Creek (pictured) near Townsville The terrifying discovery prompted the woman to inform officials at the Queensland Department of Environment Science and Innovation (DESI) last Friday. DESI senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby confirmed that she had spotted a crocodile. 'The person told us that she had been swimming on a floatation device and taking underwater photographs of the clear water below,' Mr Frisby said. 'When she returned home and reviewed the photos, she saw what she thought was a crocodile and did the right thing by submitting a report.' Mr Frisby said swimmers who are visiting the creek should not assume the reptiles would not be found in the freshwater part of rivers and creeks. 'Crocodiles are highly mobile, and they travel upstream in our rivers and creeks to source freshwater and feed on animals that come down to the banks to drink,' he said. 'You never know what is lurking in waterways, and people really need to make sensible choices when they're near the water in Croc Country.' Wildlife officers conducted a search of the creek and the land surrounding the water using a drone in an effort to detect the creature. The swimmer took several photos of her day out on the water and spotted the crocodile (pictured) when she took a look at the photos after she finished her swim The officers did not find the reptile. Mr Frisby said crocodiles often travel upstream in search of food and freshwater. The freshwater part of Rollingstone Creek where the crocodile was spotted is known as Zone E. These zones mean that if a crocodile is displaying dangerous behaviour the reptile will be removed by rangers from the area. Swimmers have been warned to protect themselves at all times and obey warning signs when they are visiting waterways that are known crocodile habitats. DESI has urged anyone who spots a crocodile to report the sighting to department officials as soon as possible. A crocodile sighting can be reported through the QWildlife app, by lodging a crocodile sighting report on the DESI website, or by making a report over the phone. The family of a Tennessee woman who was found dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol car are now suing Meigs County for $10million following the tragedy. Meigs County Sheriff's Deputy Robert 'RJ' Leonard who had only been on the beat for less than two months, arrested 35-year-old Tabitha Smith after responding to a report of a man and a woman fighting on a bridge around 10pm one February night. For Leonard, who only joined the police department following 12 weeks of training, it was the new deputy's first-ever solo arrest. But the deputy's vehicle plowed into the Tennessee River after he took a wrong turn drowning the both of them. A lawsuit was has now been filed by Smith's son Nathan, on his mother's behalf. Tabitha Smith, 35, was found dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol vehicle Smith's remains were discovered in the backseat of a police patrol car, shortly before the body of the missing deputy was also recovered from the Tennessee River Deputy Leonard 'was not properly trained by the County to know his assigned area of patrol and know the nature of the incident location,' the suit alleges before stating how Leonard 'was not properly trained or supervised by the County to refrain from the use of his cell phone while transporting an arrestee in a patrol vehicle.' Minutes before the fatal plunge, Leonard had texted his wife about the arrest to which she had responded, 'that's great' - although the deputy never received her response. Leonard had made a final call to his dispatch saying 'water,' before losing all communication with the office. Smith was still handcuffed in the back seat and unable to free herself as the icy waters of the river rushed into the car. The following day, Leonard's patrol car was pulled out of the Tennessee River, and Smith's body was recovered from the vehicle. Leonard's body was found hours later nearby. Robert 'RJ' Leonard, a deputy with the Meigs County Sheriff's Office, made a chilling call to dispatch, saying 'water,' before subsequently losing communication with the office The family of Tabitha Smith are suing the county for $10million in damaged following her death Leonard's patrol car was pulled from the Tennessee River with Smith still cuffed in the back The deputy's car is seen being towed away after being dragged out of the Tennessee River Deputy Leonard was unfamiliar with the roads close to the river and drove off a boat ramp straight into the water and was unable to escape 'Leonard was not properly trained or supervised by the County to ensure the safety of the Deceased while in his custody,' the lawsuit alleges noting how Smith likely 'suffered a horrific death.' The lawsuit claims the deprivation of liberty interest and bodily integrity, wrongful death, battery and assault claims, intentional infliction of emotional distress, gross negligence, loss of consortium and two violations of Tennessee code. Deputy Leonard had graduated from the training academy in December last year and joined the force. 'Deputy Leonard had only been here for a couple of months, but he had become a part our family,' Chief Deputy Brian Malone said in tears at a press conference last month. 'It's a hard time for us here. It's something that we don't ever deal with here in Meigs County,' he added. 'Deputy Leonard had only been here for a couple of months but he had become a part our family,' Chief Deputy Brian Malone said in tears during a February press conference In his final radio call, Leonard said 'water,' a word that authorities had to use 'special techniques' to decipher later. 'Dispatch couldn't tell what he was saying,' Johnson said. 'We think he was saying, "Water."' A satellite tracking of his vehicle and a location sharing app on his phone led the officers to Blythe Ferry Road near the Tennessee River. 'They triangulated the last position of his phone and the Life360 that his wife has attached to his phone, and it appears that they're almost in the same location,' Johnson said. When the vehicle was found it was upside down with the wheels up, The driver-side window was also down. Johnson said the deputy appeared to have been texting and talking on the radio while driving on a treacherous road. 'The roads are not well lit. They are not well marked. They are narrow. If he was not paying attention, he could have hit that water pretty quick,' Johnson said. The deputy graduated from the training academy in December and then joined the force The devastating incident has left Leonard's wife and children in anguish, as his wife shared in a social media post 'We're operating under the theory that it was an accident - he missed his turn, he wasn't familiar, and he was doing other things that may have caused him to go into the water,' Johnson said. The devastating incident has left Leonard's wife and children in anguish, as his wife shared in a social media post. 'Our lives are forever changed. Please just keep praying. Pray harder than you ever have before. My heart is breaking for my kids, and I am just an absolute wreck. I will start reaching out when I can pull it together. 'For now, all I can do is cry. We love you forever RJ. 17 years isn't long enough with you,' she wrote. The government has secured evidence that about 7,000 trainee doctors remain off the job in defiance of the return-to-work order, an official said Tuesday, suggesting disciplinary action against them is impending. Lee Han-kyung, the interior ministry's chief disaster management official, made the remarks during a government meeting as the collective action by thousands of intern and resident doctors entered its 15th day. Some 9,000 trainee doctors walked off their jobs on Feb. 20, protesting the government's plan to add 2,000 more medical school seats starting next year, from the current 3,058. The government gave protesting doctors until last Thursday to return to work. However, as many doctors continue to remain off their jobs in defiance of the back-to-work order, the government is taking steps to enforce disciplinary action, including the suspension of their medical licenses. "Since yesterday, the government has been conducting inspections at training hospitals to confirm violations of the back-to-work order by defiant trainee doctors," Lee said. "On Monday, the government gathered evidence of noncompliance involving some 7,000 trainee doctors and intends to take administrative action against them in accordance with the Medical Service Act," he said. The official warned that defiant doctors will be held accountable, saying the government intends to deal with them sternly in accordance with the law and principles. Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told reporters that 8,983 trainee doctors at 100 teaching hospitals left worksites, despite the government's vow to suspend their medical licenses. Starting Tuesday, the government plans to send documents to the defiant trainee doctors, as an administrative step to suspend their licenses, Park said. Prosecutor General Lee One-seok said defiant doctors will be dealt with according to law and principles. "Unless they return to work, we will have no choice but to proceed with the steps mandated by the medical service law," he told reporters during a visit to a prosecutors office in the central county of Hongseong. "Where the medical personnel belong is the emergency room and operation and consulting rooms, just as a fish cannot live out of water." The mass walkout by trainee doctors appeared to fail to win support from medical schools. According to a government survey on the appropriate medical school enrollment quota, 40 universities surveyed nationwide asked the education ministry for a combined increase of 3,401. The collective action by trainee doctors, who play a vital role in assisting with surgeries and emergency services at major general hospitals, has resulted in widespread cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical treatment at general hospitals nationwide. Though the government has begun taking steps to suspend the medical licenses of striking doctors, there has been no significant change in the number of those on the walkout, with 4,252 trainee doctors, or 79 percent, at 47 hospitals in Seoul remaining off the job. (Yonhap) READ MORE: Bali tourist tax comes into effect Mr Wilson is understood to have returned home One of the two men stabbed with a broken bottle in a Bali street brawl has returned home to Australia just four days after the attack left him '30 minutes from death'. Peter Noel Sidney Nye, 28, and his friend Izaeah Wilson, both from Queensland, told police they were assaulted outside a mini mart in Kuta early on Friday morning. Mr Wilson suffered so much blood loss he was told if he didn't receive medical care within 30 minutes he would have died, while Mr Nye suffered serious injuries to his head and arms. Photos showed Mr Wilson lying in a hospital bed, covered in bandages and with an oxygen mask attached to his mouth. Mr Wilson, originally from New Zealand, is understood to have since flown back to Australia. He shared an Instagram story that his sister had posted on Tuesday welcoming him back home. Peter Noel Sidney Nye, 28, (left) and his friend Izaeah Wilson, (right) both from Queensland , claim they were assaulted outside a mini mart in Kuta early on Friday morning. Mr Wilson is understood to have since flown back home to Australia, as seen in an Instagram story shared by his sister Mr Wilson is seen lying in hospital after he was glassed in Bali Mr Wilson said he suffered seven stab wounds from the assault 'Glad you're home healing back in Aus, time to come back to New Zealand,' she wrote along with a photo of the pair together. 'Feeling so grateful.' Mr Wilson reshared the post onto his own account where he also revealed he was 'healing well'. 'Seven stab wounds later, alive, grateful, soldiering on,' he said with a selfie of a bandage over his chest. It is unclear if Mr Nye has returned home as well. Mr Nye's girlfriend, Scarlett Carruthers, had earlier set up a GoFundMe to help support the men with their medical bills. She claimed her boyfriend's medical bill was $50,000 as he had to undergo cosmetic surgery after nearly losing his eyesight. Mr Nye is seen with his girlfriend Scarlett Carruthers, had earlier set up a GoFundMe to help support the men with their medical bills Mr Nye is seen in hospital and has to undergo surgery on his eye The bill for Mr Wilson was estimated to cost $15,000. Ms Carruthers said the hospital was unable to perform the surgery until they had paid up front, admitting they were 'stupid' and 'forgot' to buy travel insurance before their trip. 'My partner and his friend ended up being stabbed over 20 times in the face, neck, head, eye, chest, both arms and ear,' she wrote on the fundraiser. She also claimed the attack occurred when the group went out for a meal and to have an 'early night' before their flight. Bali police sources told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that Mr Nye and Mr Wilson had been at Shi-Shi Night Club in Seminyak in Bali's south with Mr Nye's girlfriend. The source said a man - believed to be from the Ivory Coast - allegedly harassed Ms Carruthers before the three of them left the night club. Mr Nye and Mr Wilson dropped off Ms Carruthers at their villa before going out to buy beer from a shop in the North Kuta district. There they bumped into the same man who had earlier allegedly harassed Ms Carruthers, along with another man. Mr Nye suffered serious injuries to his head and arms Mr Nye arrived at hospital on Friday morning, telling medical staff he'd been stabbed A fight broke out after one allegedly shouted 'f*** you' at the two Australians. They allegedly battered each other with bare hands and broken beer bottles, with the two Australian men suffering deep lacerations to their heads, neck, chest and arms. Following the attack, Mr Nye posted a photo of his hospital medical report that said he was admitted on Friday and discharged on Saturday. The report said he'd been injured at about 6am on Friday and told medical staff he was 'in a quarrel and assaulted by some strangers'. 'As per the patient, he was stabbed several times on the head and arms,' the report stated. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting wrongdoing on behalf of the men. Mr Nye shared a heartfelt post about his partner on Tuesday, thanking her for being by his side throughout the ordeal. 'So much love I have for this beautiful woman! Especially through this hard f**ked up time!' he wrote. 'Has not left my side! Make it a habit to tell people 'thank you.' To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. 'Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it.' Daily Mail Australia has attempted to contact both men for comment. Aussies have been outraged by a photograph of a koala scrambling up a tree after loggers wiped out its habitat. Huge swathes of unwanted blue gums are being cleared on South Australia's Kangaroo Island leaving huge numbers of the iconic marsupials feared dead or homeless. Wildlife campaigners are in despair after seeing heartbreaking footage of distressed koalas being brought down with the trees. Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network president Katie Welz said she can't believe this was allowed to happen. Kilometres of unwanted blue gums are being cleared on Kangaroo Island with hundreds of koalas high in their canopies 'After I stopped crying I was just frustrated and angry,' she told 7News. 'It blows my mind that it's being allowed to happen.' Furious wildlife activists claim hundreds of koalas have been dying because of the widespread clearances that the say stretch for kilometres. Activists fear that clearing the land will be disastrous for a koala population that was 80 per cent wiped out by the the bushfires in 2020. However, logging company Australian Agribusiness Group (AAG), and Kangaroo Island mayor Michael Pengilly have defended the clearing. An AAG spokesperson said they are 'providing the highest possible level of protection to the local animal population'. Huge swathes of unwanted blue gums are being cleared on South Australia 's Kangaroo Island Mr Pengilly supported this, saying AAG have gone above and beyond what is required. He said they're 'very knowledgeable' about animal welfare, before saying 'clearly, every now and then, one (koala) will probably go down'. Loggers said they use spotters and thermal imaging to check for koalas. They also said they bypass trees with koalas, plus another another eight around it so the animals can find more of their natural habitat. Whistle blowers fear an Aussie icon is becoming 'collateral damage' and want the logging paused until a solution is found. High immigration risks causing a 'humanitarian disaster' by making housing even more unaffordable as supply fails to keep pace with population growth, a think tank says. A record 518,000 people moved to Australia in the 2022-23 financial year - putting net overseas migration at levels more than double the 200,000 level of the mining boom in 2007. But housing supply is failing to keep pace with demand, with private sector house approvals diving by 9.9 per cent in January, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed this week. This is calling into question Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's pledge, with state and territory Labor leaders, to build 1.2million houses over five years from July. High immigration has caused a 'humanitarian disaster' by making housing unaffordable as supply fails to keep pace with population growth, a think tank says (pictured is Sydney's Wynyard train station during peak hour) Daniel Wild, the deputy director of the Institute of Public Affairs, said high immigration meant Australia would struggle to house a population influx. 'Governments at all levels are setting Australia up for an economic and humanitarian disaster, as latest dwelling approvals show we are simply not building enough houses for first home buyers and new migrants alike, despite record intakes,' he said. Mr Wild said the plunge in building approvals, amid higher costs, highlighted 'the real-world consequences of unplanned, record levels of migration'. 'Despite repeated warnings, the federal government continues to push the accelerator on migration at the exact same time as the brakes are being slammed on housing approvals,' he said. In the year to January, just 99,759 new private houses were approved, including 7,461 in the first month of 2024. With Australian households home to an average of 2.5 people, that would only be enough to house 249,398, before new apartments were factored in. The annual tally was below 100,000 for the first time since 2013, after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates for the 13th time in 18 months. The IPA calculated Australia would have a net housing supply shortfall of 252,800 dwellings over the six years to 2028, even as immigration slowed from recent record highs. With the fertility rate at just 1.7, or below the replacement level of 2, Australia relies on high immigration to have a working-age population for tax purposes and to fill labour shortages. 'Record, unplanned migration has failed to address Australias worker shortage crisis, the very thing the federal government uses to justify such rapid increases in intake,' Mr Wild said. 'It is clear this lazy approach to solving worker shortages is not working and there should be a greater focus of getting Australian pensioners, veterans, and students into work.' Sydney's median house price of $1.395million is beyond the reach of anyone earning less than $200,000 a year, whether individually or as part of a dual-income couple. Someone on an average, full-time salary of $98,218 is only able to buy a house worth up to $639,000 if they have a 20 per cent mortgage deposit. Daniel Wild, the deputy director of the Institute of Public Affairs, said high immigration meant Australia would struggle to house a population influx (pictured are houses under construction at Oran Park in Sydney's outer south-west) That is based on RateCity's calculation of banks being able to lend someone 5.2 times their pay, with the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate now at a 12-year high of 4.35 per cent. A single mother wanting to live in a house rather than a unit has fewer choices, with postcodes in flood zones more affordable. This means being able to buy a cheaper house at flood-prone Gorokan on the NSW Central Coast, 113km north of Sydney, where the median price is $686,487, CoreLogic data showed. In Brisbane, where the median house price is $899,474, someone want a house within 12km of the city centre would only have choice at Rocklea, another flood-prone area, where the median price is $624,714. New York City has received less than one-third of the minuscule amount of money federal officials have pledged to the Big Apple to help fund migrant services - and city leaders say Washington has stymied efforts to collect more. City Budget Director Jacques Jiha revealed at a Monday City Council hearing the federal government has only given the Big Apple $49 million of its earmarked $150 million allocation. New York City has been inundated with an influx of migrants that cost taxpayers $12.65 billion in 2023, a sum that the mayor's office vows to reduce down to $10.6 billion in the fiscal year of 2025. The Biden Administration allocated $150 million to New York - which is 1.5 percent of the total cost of the crisis - to help alleviate the burden of housing, food and policing, but Jiha said the federal government made obtaining the money difficult. 'The [application] requirements are so stringent, but we're working on it. We're trying to collect the remaining $107 million,' Jiha said. New York City has received less than one third of its promised federal government funding in migrant crisis-related aid City Budget Director Jacques Jiha revealed at a City Council hearing on Monday the federal government has only given the Big Apple $49 million of its earmarked $150 million allocation New York City has been inundated with an influx of migrants that cost taxpayers $12.65 billion in 2023 Schools, nursing homes and a string of landmark hotels have been requisitioned to house many of the 170,000 migrants who have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022 Schools, nursing homes and a string of landmark hotels have been requisitioned to house many of the 170,000 migrants who have arrived in the city since the spring of 2022. 'We need more help from the state and federal government to cover these expenses,' Jiha said. 'We have to bring down the population otherwise we will have to find a new source of funding to keep this going.' Mayor Eric Adams called for a radical overhaul of its sanctuary city status in a spectacular u-turn as the city buckles under the weight of migrant arrivals. He has also pleaded with President Joe Biden to provide more funding for migrant services. Adams revealed his change of heart after furious residents grilled him about migrant crimes including January's brutal Times Square attack on two cops that saw most of the suspects freed on bail within hours of their arrests. 'We need to modify the sanctuary city law that if you commit a felony or violent act we should be able to turn you over to ICE and have you deported,' he told a town hall meeting last week. In December, the Democrat announced a $110.5 billion budget, claiming cuts across all departments were necessary after the city spent $1.45 billion in fiscal 2023 on the migrant crisis. The budget cuts would cause NYPD officers to be cut by a fifth, or 13.5 percent, by postponing the next five academy classes, bringing officers below 30,000 - down from 36,000. Tensions have soared even higher since two New York police officers were brutally beaten by a crowd of migrants who set upon them in Times Square on January 27. Mayor Eric Adams called for a radical overhaul of its sanctuary city status in a spectacular u-turn as the city buckles under the weight of migrant arrival. Adams revealed his change of heart after furious residents grilled him about migrant crimes including January's brutal Times Square attack on two cops that saw most of the suspects freed on bail within hours of their arrests. Adams has also pleaded with President Joe Biden to provide more funding for migrant services. A violent confrontation broke out between NYPD officers and migrants at the city's Randall's Island shelter center in February One person was arrested following a violent confrontation between NYPD officers and migrants at the city's Randall's Island center - with the mayhem captured on video. Chaos broke out in the increasingly lawless tent camp on when an individual not registered to stay at the facility was asked to leave by officials, police said. Video circulated on social media shows police apprehending one individual before several others joined the fray. No serious injuries occurred, police later said. It is the latest in a series of violent assaults since Randall's Island began housing migrants in August 2023 as New York struggled to house large numbers arriving from other states. In January, a 24-year-old man was stabbed to death on the island while waiting in line for food. Adams has also received backlash for announcing a $53 million debit card scheme that could give a family of migrants with two children under the age of 17 up to $15,200-a-year. The Immediate Response Card initiative will see the city partner with the New Jersey bank Mobility Capital Finance to give prepaid cards to new arrivals to allow them to buy food and baby supplies instead of the current food services in shelters. Under the scheme, a single migrant could be given $345 a month, while a family of eight could be given $2,203 a month, according to a new cost breakdown seen by The New York Post. Adams received backlash for announcing a $53 million debit card scheme that could give a family of migrants with two children under the age of 17 up to $15,200-a-year. Picture: Migrants arrive at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on January 26 New York Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to commit $2.4 billion to the crisis, but Adams claims this still isn't enough to cover the cost of caring for the surge of migrants Likewise, a family of three could receive $932 per month and a family of four could be given $1,195 per month to spend on food at local grocery stores, supermarkets and bodegas. A start date for the scheme has not been set but the pilot will include 500 families at the Roosevelt Hotel and could eventually include up to 6,500 families, with officials saying it will save $600,000 per month and $7.2 million annually. New York state governor Kathy Hochul pledged to commit $2.4 billion to the crisis last month, which is more than double last year's proposal. But Adams claims this still isn't enough to cover the cost of caring for tens of thousands of people who continue pouring in to the Big Apple 'sanctuary city'. The Democrat governor has changed her stances on the crisis at the border and said the state should consider deporting a group of migrants who are violent or those with lengthy criminal histories. A teacher burst into tears in court and described hearing children's voices in flashbacks after a horror school bus crash injured dozens of pupils. Truck driver Brett Russell, 61, will stand trial accused of ploughing into a Loreto College school bus on its way to the airport for a NASA space camp on September 21, 2022. The school bus rolled down an embankment off the Western Highway near Pentland Hills, west of Melbourne, with the bus driver, 31 students and teachers suffering injuries. Russell was charged with 80 offences, including dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering life, after he allegedly rear-ended the Loreto College Ballarat bus. On Tuesday, Loreto College teacher Scott Antonio gave evidence remotely from Ballarat, after suffering soft tissue injuries to his neck and back, and psychological injuries in the crash. He broke down and started crying as he described 'constantly hearing voices' of the students, after barrister John Lavery asked him to explain if his nightmares and flashbacks were related to the collision. The school bus rolled down an embankment off the Western Highway near Pentland Hills, west of Melbourne, with the bus driver, 31 students and teachers suffering injuries (pictured) Truck driver Brett Russell was charged with 80 offences, including dangerous driving causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering life, after he allegedly rear-ended the Loreto College Ballarat bus (pictured: the crashed truck) 'Mr Antonio, Mr Antonio... they're not on the bus, we can't find them all,' he told the court, describing the voices. 'What I see is ... they're dead.' No one died in the crash. Mr Antonio was excused from giving evidence because he was 'visibly and uncontrollably upset'. The bus was on its way to Melbourne Airport to take the schoolchildren on the trip of a lifetime to NASA space camp in the United States. The truck driver Russell, who wore a mask and a hoodie outside court, pleaded not guilty to all 80 charges He will stand trial in the County Court in April Russell is accused of ignoring signs that his B-double truck, towing two trailers, had lost braking capacity before the crash, about 3.16am on September 21. Russell's lawyer questioned some of the passengers' treating physicians and psychologists about the seriousness of their mental and physical injuries, during this week's hearings. Russell has pleaded not guilty to all 80 charges. He will stand trial in the County Court. The truckie, who remains on bail, will next face court on April 8. A driver who stopped his car in the middle of a freeway to urinate has outraged motorists who called the move 'a fatality waiting to happen'. The photo showed a stationary blue Havel on the Pacific Motorway on the Gold Coast with the door wide open. A man with a long blonde pony-tail, casually dressed in black shorts, is seen standing metres away on the edge of the busy road as cars and trucks slow down to avoid an accident. 'Absolute flog stops in the middle of the M1 and does this. Sadly this is why we have fatalities,' the original poster of the image wrote. The photo, which was posted to Facebook on Tuesday, showed a stationary blue Havel on the Pacific Motorway on the Gold Coast , Queensland , with the door wide open Another person wrote: 'We couldnt believe our eyes.' 'Traffic was slow, but was definitely not stationary and he was in absolutely no rush either.' Others however, took a very different view. 'Nature waits for no-one as a matter of interest, how much did this delay your life by? Six car lengths? Good on him,' one person said. Urinating in a public place is an offence under the Summary Offences Act 2005 in Queensland legislation. The maximum fine is $266. Dangerous or not a big-deal? Drivers were divided on social media if it was OK to stop a car in the middle of a lane to answer the call of nature A Queensland Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the act of stopping a car in the middle of a lane was illegal. 'Other than in an emergency, stopping on the motorway is illegal and poses a significant risk to other road users,' they said. The spokesperson said stopping can cause collisions that can lead to 'serious injuries and fatalities' and police urge motorists to follow the road rules so everyone is safe. They added that there had been no arrest or charges at this stage and asked witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward. Elon Musk has bashed the Biden administration after they admitted to flying 320,000 unvetted migrants into the US. Musk took to his platform X early Tuesday and said the president's administration is 'importing voters and creating a national security threat' for secretly allowing illegal immigrants in the country. 'It is highly probable that the groundwork is being laid for something far worse than 9/11. Just a matter of time,' Musk said as he reposted a story from DailyMail.com. The Tesla's creators comments comment after a secret Biden program was exposed where the administration admitted to flying 320,000 migrants into the US - but officials refuse to say who was flown and to where. Lawyers for the administration's immigration agencies have claimed that revealing the locations of where these undocumented aliens are could create national security 'vulnerabilities.' Elon Musk re-posted an article from DailyMail.com and bashed the Biden administration after they admitted to flying 320,000 unvetted migrants into the US The program follows controversy over the last few years when Biden secretly chartered flights of underage migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to other U.S. cities Lawyers for the administration's immigration agencies have claimed that revealing the locations of where these undocumented aliens are could create national security 'vulnerabilities' The admission means that while record numbers of migrants were flowing over the country's southern border last year, the Biden White House was also directly transporting them into the country. The use of cell phone apps has allowed for the migrants undetected arrival by air with no legal rights to enter the US. It comes after a controversy over a 2022 transportation program in which the administration used taxpayers money to move migrants throughout the country on overnight flights. According to details of a Freedom of Information lawsuit that was first reported by journalist Todd Bensman, the Center for Immigration Studies found the president's Custom's and Border Protection approved the latest secretive flights that transported hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from foreign countries into at least 43 different American airports from January through December 2023. The program was part of Biden's expansion of the CBP One app, which kicked off at the start of last year. Migrants were able, under Biden's expansion, to apply for asylum using the app from their home countries. The Center for Immigration Studies has noted that the transportation of these migrants directly to the U.S. is one of the lesser known uses of the app. U.S. President Joe Biden greets a member of law enforcement as he receives a briefing at the U.S.-Mexico border in Brownsville, Texas, on February 29, The president's Custom's and Border Protection approved the latest secretive flights that transported hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from foreign countries into at least 43 different American airports from January through December 2023 Aliens who cannot legally enter the U.S. use CBP One to apply for travel authorization and temporary humanitarian release from those airports. Under this parole release, migrants are able to remain in the U.S. for two years without obtaining legal status and are eligible for work authorization. The administration first said it would not reveal which airports the undocumented aliens were transported, citing a 'law enforcement exception' in the refusal to hand over information. But new information from the Center for Immigration Studies lawsuit reveals the locations were not disclosed due to fear 'bad actors' would inflict harm on public safety or the information would create law enforcement vulnerabilities. CBP lawyers wrote that revealing the airports would 'reveal information about the relative number of individuals arriving, and thus resources expended at particular airports.' That would in turn reveal 'operational vulnerabilities that could be exploited by bad actors altering their patterns of conduct, adopting new methods of operation, and taking other countermeasures.' CIS said that the secretive flights are 'legally dubious' and claimed that since CBP will not disclose the locations for fear of 'grave' consequences, it is likely not a program that should continue. Lawyers also did not disclose the locations of foreign airport departures, making it unclear where these migrants are coming from. But those eligible for the CBP One applications are citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia and Ecuador. The program was part of Biden's expansion of the CBP One app, which kicked off at the start of last year. Migrants were able, under Biden's expansion, to apply for asylum using the app from their home countries On September 11, Osama Bin Laden orchestrated the hijacking that killed 2,977 people and injured thousands at the World Trace Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania On September 11, Osama Bin Laden orchestrated the hijacking that killed 2,977 people and injured thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Multiple foreign-born terrorists came into the country undetected, planned and trained for the horrid terror attack that have shaken the country forever. The terrorists, mostly from Saudi Arabia, had been affiliated with the jihadist organization and the first members arrived in the US more than a year before the attacks. Some of the men had been flagged by officials investigating terrorism, but bureaucratic conflicts led to issues conducting a full investigation into the terrorists. The attack and details of the missed opportunities to stop it, led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. The federal agency, which is exclusively responsible for the public's safety, officially started in 2003 and now, 20 years later, the department unifies more than two dozen government agencies that work together to protect the US. A civilian U.S. Air Force employee has been charged with transmitting classified information about Russia's war with Ukraine to his Ukrainian girlfriend - a woman he met on a foreign online dating platform. David Franklin Slater, 63, who authorities say retired as an Army lieutenant colonel and was assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, was arrested Saturday on charges of illegally disclosing national defense information and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors in Nebraska say Slater held a Top Secret security clearance from August 2021 until April 2022 and attended briefings between February and April 2022 about Russia's war with Ukraine, the Justice Department said on Monday. Despite having signed paperwork pledging not to disclose classified information, he allegedly intentionally and improperly shared details about military targets and Russian capabilities on an online messaging dating platform with an unindicted co-conspirator who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. The co-conspirator is referred to as Slater's 'secret informant love' and described him as her 'secret agent.' A U.S. Air Force civilian employee working at Offutt Air Force Base was arrested on March 2 for allegedly conspiring to transmit classified national defense information. Pictured, the U.S. Strategic Command new Command and Control Facility located at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska Court documents show she showed a keen interest in how the war was progressing and what any future plans might be. At least nine messages were identified by authorities where the woman asks for specific details about the military operation. 'American Intelligence says that already 100% of Russian troops are located on the territory of Ukraine. Do you think this information can be trusted?' the woman asks on March 7. Four days later, she is seen asking specifics about data shown in one of the offices. 'Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting,' she writes. 'By the way, you were the first to tell me that NATO members are traveling by train and only now (already evening) this was announced on our news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?' the woman confirms. One week later, the woman, supposedly in Ukraine writes: 'Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us?' David Franklin Slater, 63, held a Top Secret security clearance and is accused of willfully and unlawfully sharing 'SECRET' NDI on a foreign dating site. Pictured, a guard station for the Global Operations Center inside the U.S. Strategic Command's new Command and Control Facility located at Offutt Air Force Base She later compliments Dave for providing such detailed intelligence information. 'Dave, it's great that you get information about [Specified Country 1] first. I hope you will tell me right away? You are my secret agent. With love.' The following month, on April 12, the messages are still focused on the war effort. 'Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great!', the woman writes. 'My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, it's great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv.' she writes days later. The woman regularly requested sensitive, non-public, closely held, and classified NDI, which had been labeled as 'SECRET.' 'Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant 'surprise' for Putin! Will you tell me?' she asks to know later in April. Finally, before his access was pulled, the woman messages: 'You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, I'm sure there is a lot of interesting news there?' Slater is due to make his first court appearance on Tuesday in the District of Nebraska According to the indictment, that alleged co-conspirator, who is not identified by prosecutors, repeatedly asked Slater for information and described him as 'my secret informant love.' Slater allegedly provided the classified information, including details about military targets and Russian military capabilities related to the invasion of Ukraine. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division emphasized the serious nature of the allegations. 'Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets.' The Justice Department stated that it is committed to holding individuals accountable for willfully disclosing classified information that jeopardizes national security. U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska similarly highlighted the gravity of responsibilities associated with access to Top Secret information. Slater allegedly provided the classified information, including details about military targets and Russian military capabilities related to the invasion of Ukraine. The woman he was allegedly chatting with even commented on the screens that were visible 'Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to Top Secret information. The allegations against Mr. Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities.' Lehr also expressed her commitment to working with investigative agencies to ensure the safety of the country. The FBI Omaha Field Office, along with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, is actively investigating the case. Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office underscored the FBI's dedication to investigating individuals who misuse their access to classified information, emphasizing that such actions pose a risk to national security. 'When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation's intelligence, they put our country at risk,' Kowel said. Slater is due to make his first court appearance on Tuesday in the District of Nebraska. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count related to the conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information. Paul Keating has delivered another brutal broadside against Foreign Minister Penny Wong, while also calling for the boss of ASIO to be sacked for outing an alleged but unnamed MP as a Chinese spy. The former Labor prime minister, who served on the board of the Communist Party-run China Development Bank from 2005 to 2018, said Senator Wong had been co-opted into a 'mindless pro-American stance'. In an address coinciding with the ASEAN summit being held in Melbourne, Senator Wong said the south east Asian region faces 'destabilising, provocative and coercive actions,' in a thinly veiled swipe at China and its perceived expansionism. Mr Keating said Senator Wong's 'concerns' had been unceremoniously slapped down by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who refused to buy into Australia's anti-China stance. Former Labor prime minister Paul Keating has unleashed again at the Albanese government over their policies towards China 'It doesn't take much to encourage Penny Wong, sporting her "deeply concerned" frown, to rattle the China can a can she gave a good shake to yesterday,' Mr Keating said. 'Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, dropped a huge rock into Wong's pond by telling Australia not to piggyback Australia's problems with China onto ASEAN. 'Anwar is making it clear, Malaysia for its part, is not buying United States hegemony in East Asia with states being lobbied to ringfence China on the way through.' Mr Keating argued 'that Australia and Australian policy is at odds with the general tenor of ASEAN's perceived strategic interests'. 'That is, interests which relate to China and the United States and relations between them,' he said. The iconic Labor figure also blasted ASIO boss Mike Burgess, who he said was running a 'goon show' after the spymaster claimed a now retired MP had 'sold out his country' to a foreign power, which was later identified as China. Mr Keating was not impressed by this revelation, likening it to the heavily stylized Japanese traditional kabuki theatre and saying it was a coordinated attempt to blacken China. 'The kabuki show runs thus: (Mike) Burgess drops the claim, then out of nowhere, the Herald and The Age miraculously appear to solve the mystery the villain, as it turns out, is China after all,' Mr Keating said. Mr Keating delivered another brutal verdict on Foreign Minister Penny Wong accusing her of doing the bidding of pro-US bureaucrats 'When the Albanese government was elected, the first decision it should have taken was to dismiss Burgess, (Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence) Andrew Shearer and (former Home Affairs secretary) Mike Pezzullo unbelievably, Burgess and Shearer still remain at the centre of a Labor government's security apparatus,' he said. 'This says more about the government than it says about them. 'These people display utter contempt for the so-called stabilisation process that the Prime Minister had decided upon and has progressed with China and will do anything to destabilise any meaningful rapprochement. 'Burgess runs the primary goon show while Shearer does all in his power to encourage Australia into becoming the 51st state of the United States.' Asked about Mr Keating's comments Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was forced to deny Australia was sending mixed messages on China with a curt 'no'. Last year, Mr Keating launched a withering series of attacks on the Albanese government for signing the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact it inherited from the Morrison government. Mr Keating said ASIO boss Mike Burgess's (pictured) claim that a former MP was a spy who sold out to China was part of an orchestrated campaign that went against Albanese government policy Mr Keating accused the Albanese government of accepting the $360 billion deal in just 24 hours and questioned their competence. 'How would you do this in 24 hours?' Mr Keating asked. 'You can only do it if you have no perceptive ability to understand the weight of the decisions you're being asked to make. 'It's what other people call incompetence. I'll call it maybe "trying".' Calling it the worst decision by a Labor government since World War I, when Prime Minister Billy Hughes supported conscription, Mr Keating said the whole deal was based on the false notion that China posed a direct threat to Australia. 'This is a distortion and it's untrue,' Mr Keating said of this idea. 'The Chinese have never implied that they would threaten us or said it explicitly.' The famously acid-tongued former prime minister aimed a barb at Senator Wong's conduct of foreign policy. 'Running around the Pacific Islands with a lei around your neck handing out money, which is what Penny does, is not foreign policy. It's a consular task,' Mr Keating said. An Australian surfer has drowned in Indonesia despite the desperate efforts of his mates to save him. Gunther Kitzler, 56, was knocked off his board by a wave that also snapped his leg rope while surfing a famous break off east Java with friends on Monday. Surfing magazine Tracks reported that Mr Kitzler's two friends found him unconscious and sinking at the end of his snapped leg rope. Australian surfing identity Gunther Kitzler, 56, has died in Indonesia However, as the two men bravely attempted to drag him back to shore another wave crashed through and they lost sight of Mr Kitzler. This led to a search, which went on into the night but without success. 'We looked on the beach for quite a few hours ... but couldn't find him again, he'd already gone under the water,' one of the men involved in the search said, reported Seven News. Local media published a photograph of Indonesian police holding up Mr Kitzler's purple surfboard, which showed signs of damage where the leg rope should have been attached. Mr Kitzler's body was found late on Tuesday morning about 3km from where he was last sighted. Indonesian police examine a cracked board at the beach where Mr Kitzler disappeared beneath the waves 'Gunther was one of the genuine Bondi good guys to grow up with back in the 80s and 90s,' 1993 world champion surfer Pauline Menczer said in a heartfelt tribute. 'Always kind, fun and an absolute style-master.' Mr Kitzler had been living in Bali for the last 25 years where he was 'referred to affectionately as "The Big G" and had established a reputation 'as a hard surfing, friendly giant'. Friend and fellow Aussie expat living in Indonesia Troy Sinclair said Mr Kitzler was 'a larger than life figure'. Gov't plans to expand initiative amid shortage of new teachers By Jung Da-hyun Only 6 percent of elementary schools in Seoul operate after-school programs even though the child care services were initiated nationwide on Monday. The programs, which run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., provide various educational and child care services to elementary school students while their parents are at work. This initiative is part of the government's policy to address the low birthrate by alleviating the child care burden for working parents. Currently, the programs are provided only to elementary first-graders, but the government plans to expand eligibility gradually to higher grades after the first semester this year. According to the education ministry, only 38 out of 606 schools in Seoul, or about 6.3 percent, run such programs, making the capital the only region with a participation rate of less than 10 percent nationwide. The notably low participation rate in Seoul raises concerns regarding the policy's efficacy, considering that Seoul's total fertility rate is 0.55 as of 2023, which is the lowest among 17 cities and provinces nationwide. Other regions also show participation rates below 50 percent, such as Sejong at 47 percent. And a few even fall below one-third participation, such as Daejeon at 30 percent and South Chungcheong Province at 28 percent. Busan and South Jeolla Province saw all of their elementary schools start their own programs. Securing teachers is another challenge the programs are facing. A teachers' union in Seoul pointed out that each school requires at least five new teachers in order to run after-school programs effectively. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, a total of 208 teachers are currently deployed to the after-school programs at 38 schools, but 74 of them have existing commitments, including principals and vice principals of each school. Teachers express worries about the increased administrative workload related to after-school programs. "An increasing administrative workload not only burdens teachers but may also impact students through a decline in the quality of education if there isn't sufficient time for teachers to prepare for regular classes," said an elementary school teacher surnamed Lee. South Chungcheong Province also faces the challenge of hiring 240 new education officials dedicated to the programs. Meanwhile, the government plans to expand the programs to all elementary schools nationwide, which is approximately 6,000 schools, in the second semester this year. Elementary schools that started the programs in the first semester will provide a two-hour tailored program for all first-year students who attend after-school programs. Consequently, school hours will be delayed from 1 p.m. to around 3 p.m. This aims to help students adjust to school and reduce the child care burden for working parents. The government also seeks to mitigate the demand for private education. Furthermore, the government plans to broaden the scope of participants in the programs, which is currently confined to first graders, to second graders next year, and ultimately to all elementary school students by 2026. Warning: this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person. A killer dog mauled a real estate agent only 18 months before it fatally attacked a man who was heroically defending the lives of a woman and a child. Colin Amatto, 40, died after he rushed to help a 10-year-old girl and her mother who had been bitten by a dog inside a western Sydney home on the afternoon of January 24, 2019. An inquest into his death heard the proud Yuin man was 'savagely mauled' by a staffordshire bull terrier called Boof before another staffy called Hope joined the 'attack of extreme ferocity'. He had lived with the dogs for nearly a year before the attack and they would often sleep with him, the court was told. Colin Amatto (pictured), 40, has been hailed as a hero for his brave actions Mr Amatto sustained more than 80 wounds to his head, body, and limbs in the violent and bloody mauling. He did not regain consciousness before his family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support five weeks later. The 40-year-old's tragic death is being examined as part of an inquest into the circumstances surrounding seven fatal dog attacks that occurred between 2019 and 2023. Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes has been tasked with assessing the efficacy of the response of local councils and police to fatal dog attacks in order to prevent further tragedies. Just 18 months before Mr Amatto was mauled to death in his home, the inquest heard Boof had been seized by authorities for launching a 'fearsome attack' on a real estate agent. Property manager Barry Grant had been visiting the property to talk to the owners - who weren't home - when he was attacked by the 'very, very ferocious' staffy. The inquest heard he was hospitalised for four days and had to undergo surgery for the serious injuries inflicted to his arms, legs and torso in the 'terrifying' attack. Boof was seized by Penrith Council companion animals officer Danielle Whitley while an investigation was conducted by NSW Police into the circumstances of the mauling. The dogs were sedated at the scene with the assistance of RSCPA NSW inspectors and surrendered to the local council. They were euthanised the next day Property manager Barry Grant was mauled by Boof on July 24, 2017 in a 'terrifying attack' 'The safest thing was to seize the dog while the investigation was taking place,' she said. However, Ms Whitley told the inquest she wasn't sure whether she was legally able to impound Boof because companion animal legislation protects a pet's right to defend itself from trespassers. 'I explained (to police) that if (Mr Grant) was trespassing, the council wouldn't take further action against the dog or the owner,' she said. In circumstances where a person was found to have illegally entered a property without permission and a dog has defended itself or the property, Ms Whitley said she believed the council had no grounds to seize the animal. Whether the force of the attack on Mr Grant - whose flesh was described as 'ripped off' his body - should have been grounds enough for seizure is a question the inquest will assess. Ms Whitley's former superior, Penrith Council companion animals officer Amanda Burns, said she shared Ms Whitley's doubts about whether Boof should have been taken. 'It was seized. It maybe shouldn't have been,' she said. Mr Amatto is pictured being following the horror dog attack Ms Burns said the dog attack was 'unclear and messy' because it appeared Mr Grant had entered the backyard of the house when the owners weren't home without their permission. She liaised with police and recommended Boof be released from the pound because he had acted in defence of his property. Despite the viciousness of the attack, the companion animals officer said she didn't think there was any restriction she could have placed on the staffy before releasing him. The dog fatally mauled Mr Amatto less than two years after he was returned to his owners. The inquest was told police often turned to council's companion animal officers for assistance with dog attacks. 'A lot of the time, police officers don't know how to investigate a dog attack or what steps they can take so they ask our advice,' Ms Whitley said. 'Council (often) does investigate dog attacks over police because we have the staff to do so that are trained to deal with them.' Mr Amatto's sister Kristy (pictured left) and Aunty Rhonda Amatto (pictured right) both attended the inquest. Kristy said outside court she was 'very proud' of her brother's heroic actions Ms Burns, who has worked for Penrith Council for more than a decade, estimated animals compliance officers investigate around 75 per cent of dog attacks in the Penrith area. She said the process of sharing information and making decisions in collaboration with police was often difficult at the time Mr Grant was mauled. Neither police nor the council had access to each other's files on dog attacks so 'it was hard to understand what everyone was doing,' Ms Burns told the inquest. The effectiveness of decisions involving multiple agencies and the scope or limitations of the legislation are to be held under a microscope during the inquest. Hamas's October 7 terror attack on Israel did involve rape and sexual violence, a new report from the United Nations has concluded. Based on a range of evidence, the international organisation said there was 'clear and convincing' information to show conflict-related sexual violence was committed by members of the Palestinian terror group - including rape and gang rape. It said such attacks were carried out in at least three locations across southern Israel, including the Nova music festival, the site of one of several October 7 massacres. Pramila Patten, the UN envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict, also detailed witness accounts of two incidents involving the rape of women's corpses. However, the UN report - released on Monday - also said some accounts that were widely reported in the aftermath of last year's attacks were 'unfounded'. The organisation said one unverified account was the highly-publicised allegation that a pregnant woman's womb was cut open and her fetus stabbed. The report also said the UN had been unable to verify allegations of rape at a military base, or that Hamas terrorists mutilated Israeli soldiers' genitals. Hamas 's October 7 terror attack on Israel did involve rape and sexual violence, a new report from the United Nations has concluded. Pictured: An Israeli soldier walks through items left by fleeing festival goers at the site of the Nova music festival, October 12 Based on a range of evidence, the UN said there was clear and convincing' information to show conflict-related sexual violence was committed by members of the Palestinian terror group - including rape and gang rape. Pictured: IDF troops patrol Kibbutz Be'eri on October 11 Pramila Patten, the UN envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict, detailed witness accounts of two incidents involving the rape of women's corpses In addition to its findings relating to the October 7 attack, Patten also said her team 'found clear and convincing information' that some women and children during their captivity were subjected to the same conflict-related sexual violence. This included rape and 'sexualized torture' she said. This evidence was based on first-hand accounts of released hostages, she said, adding there are 'reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing'. Patten visited Israel and the West Bank from January 29 to February 14 with a nine-member technical team. The report comes nearly five months after the Oct. 7 attacks, which left about 1,200 people dead and some 250 others taken hostage. Israel's war against Hamas has since laid waste to the Gaza Strip, killing more than 30,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The UN says a quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people face starvation. Hamas has rejected earlier allegations that its fighters committed sexual assault. Patten stressed at a press conference launching the report that the team's visit was not to investigate allegations of sexual violence but to gather, analyse and verify information for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' annual report on sexual violence in conflict and for the UN Security Council. Her key recommendation is to encourage Israel to grant access to the UN human rights chief and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Palestinian territories and Israel 'to carry out full-fledged investigations into the alleged violations' - and she expressed hope the Security Council would do this. Patten said the team was not able to meet with any victims of sexual violence 'despite concerted efforts to encourage them to come forward.' While the number of victims remains unknown, she said, 'a small number of those who are undergoing treatment are reportedly experiencing severe mental distress and trauma.' However, team members held 33 meetings with Israeli institutions and conducted interviews with 34 people including survivors and witnesses of the October 7 attacks, released hostages, health providers and others. At the Nova music festival and nearby, UN envoy Patten said, 'there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped' Based on the information it gathered, Patten said, 'there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the 7 October attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations.' Across various locations, she said, the team found 'that several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered - mostly women - with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head.' While this is circumstantial, she said the pattern of undressing and restraining victims 'may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence.' At the Nova music festival and nearby, Patten said, 'there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped.' 'There are further accounts of individuals who witnessed at least two incidents of rape of corpses of women,' Patten said. 'Other credible sources at the Nova music festival site described seeing multiple murdered individuals, mostly women, whose bodies were found naked from the waist down, some totally naked,' some shot in the head, some tied to trees or poles with their hands bound. On Road 232, the road out of Nova, 'credible information based on witness accounts describe an incident of the rape of two women by armed elements,' Patten said. Other reported rapes and gang rapes couldn't be verified and require investigation. 'Along this road, several bodies were found with genital injuries, along with injuries to other body parts,' she said. 'Discernible patterns of genital mutilation could not be verified at this time but warrant future investigation.' She said 'the mission team also found a pattern of bound naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down, in some cases tied to structures including trees and poles, along Road 232.' People fleeing the Nova music festival also attempted to escape south and sought shelter in and around kibbutz Reim where Patten said there are 'reasonable grounds' to believe sexual violence occurred. The mission team verified the rape of a woman outside a bomb shelter and heard of other allegations of rape that could not yet be verified. Festival goers are seen fleeing the site of the Nova music festival on October 7 Pictures show a queue of cars leading away from the Nova music festival on October 7 Pictured: A Hamas gunman is seen outside Kibbutz Be'eri during the October 7 attack Several Hamas gunmen are seen in Israel during the October 7 attack However, the UN report also said some allegations were 'unfounded'. At Kibbutz Be'eri, Patten said, her team 'was able to determine that at least two allegations of sexual violence widely repeated in the media, were unfounded due to either new superseding information or inconsistency in the facts gathered.' These included a highly publicized allegation that a pregnant woman's womb was reportedly ripped open before being killed with her fetus stabbed inside her, Patten said. Another was 'the interpretation initially made of the body of a girl found separated from the rest of her family, naked from the waist down,' she said. 'It was determined by the mission team that the crime scene had been altered by a bomb squad and the bodies moved, explaining the separation of the body of the girl from the rest of her family.' Patten said further investigation is needed of allegations, including of bodies found naked and in one case gagged, at kibbutz Be'eri to determine if sexual violence occurred. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Patten said, verification of sexual violence was not possible. But she said 'available circumstantial information - notably the recurring pattern of female victims found undressed, bound, and shot - indicates that sexual violence, including potential sexualised torture, or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, may have occurred.' But she said 'available circumstantial information - notably the recurring pattern of female victims found undressed, bound, and shot - indicates that sexual violence, including potential sexuality torture, or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, may have occurred.' Patten stressed that 'the true prevalence of sexual violence during the October 7 attacks and their aftermath may take months or years to emerge and may never be fully known.' Patten said the team, which also visited the West Bank, received information from institutional and civil society sources as well as through interviews 'about some forms of sexual violence against Palestinian men and women in detention settings, during house raids and at checkpoints.' This image from video provided by South First Responders shows charred and damaged cars along a desert road after an attack by Hamas militants at theNova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel on Saturday, October 7, 2023 Members of Army rescue and ZAKA crews search for bodies and body parts after the Hamas and Palestinians militants attack on the Kibbutz on October 22, 2023 Meanwhile on Monday, Israel recalled its ambassador to the UN as tensions erupted over the handling of allegations of sexual assault by Hamas terrorists. Israel has accused the United Nations of taking too long to respond to the claims, a charge the UN has robustly defended itself against as it published the report. At the heart of the increasingly bitter row is the embattled UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which has already seen funding pulled by multiple Western countries after Israel accused about a dozen of its employees of involvement in the October 7 attack. On Monday UNRWA said members of its own staff had been tortured by Israel, even as the Israeli military said the agency had employed more than 450 'terrorists.' The military also released what it said were recordings of 'a terrorist working as an Arabic teacher at an UNRWA school... describing his entry into Israeli territory and stating that he is holding female Israeli hostages' following the October 7 attack. UNRWA chief Phillipe Lazzarini told a news conference his agency had put together an unpublished internal report based on information from detainees returning to Gaza 'completely traumatised by the ordeal.' He said some had been detained for a couple of weeks, some for several months. 'We heard stories of people not only having been systematically humiliated,' the UNRWA commissioner general said. 'People have been being obliged to be pictured naked.' 'Our staff have reported atrocious events while they were detained and during interrogations by the Israeli authorities. These reports included torture, severe ill-treatment, abuse and sexual exploitation,' UNRWA said in a statement to AFP. 'Some of our staff have conveyed to UNRWA teams that they were forced to sign confessions under torture and ill-treatment' while being asked about Hamas's October 7 attack. Forced confessions were being used to spread misinformation and put UNRWA staffers at risk, the agency said, adding a written protest was sent to Israel - but no response was received. '(The) IDF denies general and unsubstantiated claims regarding sexual abuse of detainees in the IDF's detention facilities,' the military said. 'These claims are another cynical attempt to create a false equivalency with the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war by Hamas.' AFP news agency said it could not independently corroborate any of the claims. A woman holds a flag and a poster with pictures of revellers killed on October 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival by Hamas terrorists Israel's war against Hamas has since laid waste to the Gaza Strip, killing more than 30,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry Following the earlier Israeli allegations about involvement in the Hamas attack, UNRWA fired the accused employees and began an internal probe. The European Commission, recognising steps taken by the UN, said Friday it would release $54 million in UNRWA funding. Lazzarini has said Israel provided no evidence against his former employees and warned that dismantling UNRWA would be 'short-sighted.' 'By doing so, we will sacrifice an entire generation of children, sowing the seeds of hatred, resentment and future conflict,' he told the UN General Assembly. This is the shocking moment a female police officer drags a rough sleeper across the ground and appears to stamp on his stomach. The video, obtained by the BBC, shows a female Greater Manchester Police officer pulling the man's sleeping bag across the street with him still in it. She then grabs the man by the arms in an attempt to lift him off the floor before appearing to deliberately stamp on his chest in distressing scenes that took place last September outside Manchester Town Hall. The 31-year-old man, who is a refugee from Sudan, was injured following the horrific incident and later developed a fever and had blood in his urine. GMP said the officer's actions 'fell below the standard we expect' and she had been 'dealt with' following the incident, which homeless charity Crisis described as 'appalling and dehumanising'. A female police was seen dragging a rough sleeper across the ground outside Manchester Town Hall last September The video shows the Greater Manchester Police officer pulling the man's sleeping bag across the street with him still in it before appearing to stamp on him The 31-year-old man, who is a refugee from Sudan, was injured following the incident, pictured above Speaking to the BBC, the 31-year-old said has been given the right to remain UK and has been living here for the past three years. He explained that he was rough sleeping innext to Manchester Town Hall with a group of other homeless refugees and were usually woken up each morning by council officials. But on this occasion it was a police officer. The Sudanese man said: 'We told them we had nowhere to go and that it was very cold. I was telling her I need to sleep. 'But she stamped on my stomach with her foot. It caused me problems - I had a fever and in the following hours I had blood in my urine.' The man said the force has now apologised to him and he has now found accommodation. Matt Downie, chief executive Crisis, told the BBC: 'It's appalling to see such dehumanising treatment of people rough sleeping. 'If the police behave in this way, how do we expect the public to improve the way they treat rough sleepers? 'We know there's a problem here, we know that people are regularly abused and that some awful things happen to people on the streets.' People rough sleeping in tents next to the River Thames opposite the Palace of Westminster Man sleeping rough in a shop doorway in Glasgow, Scotland A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: 'Greater Manchester Police was first made aware of this concerning video in around September last year. 'The officer's behaviour fell below the standard we expect, especially concerning respect for all members of the community, and the officer's actions were dealt with. 'The Superintendent responsible for the City Centre personally discussed the incident with the officer and made it clear that her actions were unacceptable and must not be repeated. 'She, along with other employees, received refresher training on how to deal with similar situations in the future.' The shocking incident comes amid a spate of increased abuse towards rough sleepers in the UK. Last December footage emerged McDonald's security guard mopping the floor next to a rough sleeper on Victoria Street, London, prompting furious backlash from members of the public. Aaron McCarthy, 24, was sitting outside a Nationwide bank branch next door to the McDonald's when he was asked to move by security guards, who he claimed became aggressive when he refused. Footage shared to social media shows a man in a high-viz jacket shamelessly wetting the area where a homeless man was camped out. The video shows crowds erupt into fury as the man's belongings are completely flooded. Aaron McCarthy, 25, was sitting outside a Nationwide bank branch next door to a McDonald's on Victoria Street in London on December 12 when a security guard soaked his sleeping bag Footage filmed in the Victoria area of London showed the security guard soaking the ground where Aaron McCarthy had been sitting Mr McCarthy can be seen trying to move his sleeping bag and duvet away from the water as it seeped underneath. He is heard saying 'leave me alone' as his belongings were kicked out of the way. The man filming the incident is able to capture the ordeal, as another worker tries to stop him. Another security guard can be seen attempting to stop filming, as bystanders can be heard describing the situation as 'outrageous' and 'bang out of order'. The man behind the camera can be heard saying: 'I'm allowed to film. That is outrageous behaviour'. In the background, the homeless man, getting increasingly distressed, asking the worker: 'What have you done? I'm not even outside your shop!' As the scene gets increasingly hostile, a security guard can be seen coming out of the restaurant, asking the homeless man: 'Why you causing trouble?' But the crowd is quick to leap to his defence, with the man filming insisting: 'What do you mean causing trouble? The guy's just covered his sleeping bag in water. It's winter! That is outrageous.' In the same month Conservative MP and former minister David Davis told how he stepped in to stop two men attacking a homeless man named Gareth near Parliament. Conservative MP and former minister David Davis stepped in to stop two men attacking a homeless man - named only as Gareth (pictured) - near Parliament on December 12 Former Brexit secretary David Davis intervened after seeing a 'spray of blood' as the attackers kicked the homeless man's head on Great Peter Street in Westminster on December 12 at 11pm Rough sleepers in Britain have been physically attacked and verbally abused, Crisis found The former Brexit secretary intervened after seeing a 'spray of blood' as the attackers kicked the man's head on Great Peter Street on December 12 at 11pm. The 74-year-old politician, who is a former SAS reservist, put himself between Gareth and the pair before scuffling with one of them. He let the man spend the night on his sofa at his nearby flat and took him to hospital the following morning. Last year a major survey conducted by Crisis revealed that 75 per cent of rough sleepers have had belongings stolen while 72 per cent have been verbally abused or harassed. It also found that 61 per cent had been threatened with violence or intimidated; 53 per cent had things thrown at them; and 51 per cent attacked physically. And the study revealed the person responsible for the most recent incident suffered by the rough sleeper was a member of the public in 70 per cent of cases. Other perpetrators included security guards, business owners and fellow rough sleepers. Local cops were caught up in the massive brawl More than a hundred local sex workers descended on the city's red light district Trans prostitutes from the Philippines and Thai ladyboys brawled in Bangkok This is the astonishing moment police were caught up in a mass brawl between Filipino transgender prostitutes and Thai ladyboys over a turf war in Bangkok's red light district. Officers were called on Monday night when more than 100 local sex workers converged on a hotel being used by sex workers from the Philippines on the city's Sukhumvit Road, part of a sprawling area of gogo bars, street workers and massage parlours. Footage shows how the first sex worker was dragged from the Citin Sukhumvit 11 hotel, accused of being part of a group that clashed with the locals and stole their customers the night before. However, the local ladyboys erupted in fury when they saw their alleged attackers - sparking chaotic scenes that escalated into a mass brawl. In the video, stilettos fly as local transgender women are seen hitting police, climbing on buildings, stamping on other girls, throwing objects, and even having their clothes torn off. The local ladyboys erupted in fury when they saw their alleged attackers One sex worker had their top torn off in the brawl The clash reportedly continued at the local Lumpini district police station, where the Filipino transgender women were reportedly detained for working without the necessary visas and permits. Police Colonel Yingyot Suwanno, superintendent of Lumpini Police Station, said: 'Upon receiving the report that a large number of transgender workers were gathering, police were dispatched to provide security at the location in Soi Sukhumvit 11 to prevent further violence. 'Officers were armed as is normal procedure. They handled the situation well and kept the crowd under control. 'Those involved were summoned to the police station for questioning. We assured everyone there will be fairness and we will make judgments accordingly. 'We are currently questioning the suspects, some of those who complained, and we will summon anyone else who has been identified, for further interrogations. 'We will also check their immigration status to determine if they are permitted to work. In the case of those from the Philippines, there is no visa for what they were doing. Armed officers were dispatched to deal with the ruckus Bangkok has been home to the world's cheapest and most colourful red light areas since the 1960 Local cops found themselves in the middle of the brawl Many of the Filipino sex workers were arrested for working in Thailand without a permit Brawlers eventually went their separate ways after police broke up the fight 'We asked the group of transgender women who gathered at the station to return home, and they eventually complied.' Bangkok has been home to the world's cheapest and most colourful red light areas since the 1960s when American troops had military bases in Thailand. Many GIs opened bars in the Patpong district and the city now has tens of thousands of strip clubs, gogo bars, massage shops, and street prostitutes. Despite claiming that prostitution is 'illegal', those inside the industry - including many British expats who run bars - operate with impunity due to regular payments to police, while sex workers from around the world now converge on the city to cash in on randy holidaymakers. Thailand was ranked 108 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's latest index. They found that a quarter of state workers had received a bribe in the previous 12 months and 88 per cent of residents perceived 'government corruption as a big problem'. This is the astonishing moment one of Putin's most modern warships was 'hit and sunk' by a devastating Ukrainian drone strike overnight. The $65mn Sergey Kotov, which only came into service in 2022, was reportedly struck by an exploding kamikaze sea drone attack near Feodosia, in occupied Crimea. Footage purports to show the moment of the major explosion in darkness close to the coast. The vessel normally has a crew of 80 - and the fate of those on board remains unclear. Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, said on Telegram on Tuesday that 'The Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation. It cannot be in the Ukrainian Crimea,' in an apparent reference to the attack. It came as the 3mn Crimean Bridge - the main connecting link between Russia and the annexed territory - also fell under sustained attack, causing at least nine hours of traffic disruption. Footage purports to show the ship under fire in Crimea, the latest blow to the Russian fleet A large explosion in the direction of the Sergey Kotov, reportedly under drone fire Image shows the Sergey Kotov patrol ship, a 308-ft warship that entered service in 2022 File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His 65mn warship was reportedly hit in Crimea Ukrainska Pravda, a major Ukrainian media outlet, reported on Tuesday that a Russian Project 22160 patrol ship Sergei Kotov had been hit with watergoing uncrewed craft overnight. A Ukrainian intelligence source said the 308-ft patrol vessel was 'hit' and 'sustained damage'. The Ukrainian intelligence agency said on Telegram messaging app that its special unit Group 13 attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait. 'As a result of a strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Project 22160 Sergey Kotov sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides,' it said. The message added that the ship was worth about $65 million. Ukraine's military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said the ship had been hit previously but was destroyed after the overnight attack by maritime drones. 'As for the crew, the details are being clarified. There are dead and wounded. But it is likely that some of the crew managed to evacuate,' he told Ukrainian media. There was no official response from the Russian defence ministry. The Magura V5 was used in the sinking of the Caesar Kunikov Russian amphibious ship last month, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Measuring just 18ft, the unmanned boats costing around 215,000 are capable of delivering a payload of up to 200kg (440lbs) over an operating range of 400km (250 miles). The strategic waterway has become an increasingly important battleground as Ukrainian forces claim a string of attacks on Moscow's fleet. The Kerch Bridge connecting Russia with the occupied territory was also reported to have sustained damage overnight. The 3 billion crossing was closed to traffic for at least nine hours but Russian sources contested that the structure had been damaged. At least five 'powerful explosions' were heard in Kerch, at the Crimean end of the 12-miles road and rail crossing. Nine trains were blocked - four from Crimea and five to the peninsula, reported RIA Novosti state news outlet. While there was no official confirmation from the Russian side on the Sergey Kotov, pro-war outlets on Putin's side admitted loss of the vessel. 'As a result of an attack by unmanned boats of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Black Sea Fleet patrol ship of project 22160 Sergey Kotov was lost,' reported Russian Telegram channel Military informant. 'The crew is alive,' they said without providing evidence. A Magura V5 autonomous vehicle, reportedly used in the attack on the Sergey Kotov overnight Image shows the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to the occupied territory in Ukraine Footage purportedly of the Kerch Bridge in Crimea under fire after an attack in October 2022 Smoke billows over the Russia's Kerch Bridge to Crimea in August 2022 following an attack As the war enters its third year, Ukraine has sought to expand its provision of 'gamechanging' seaborne drones to counter Russian attacks in Crimea. 'Naval drones are a constant need,' a spokesperson for official fundraiser UNITED24 told MailOnline last month. 'Since February 24, Russia has fired over 4,500 missiles at Ukraine, with 20% launched from the sea. After losing 80% of its fleet in 2014 due to Crimea's occupation, Ukraine had no means to counter these attacks. 'However, on October 29, 2022, naval drones marked a turning point by damaging three Russian vessels, including the flagship Admiral Makarov, in a historic first attack carried out exclusively by unmanned vessels.' They said the small and fast unmanned surface vehicles had 'quickly changed the course of naval warfare' and allowed Ukraine to 'bury... Russian arrogance'. Ukraine also claimed to have attacked a Russian oil depot in a border region today, according to an intelligence source. And Ukraine's air force said earlier that it had downed 18 of 22 Iranian-designed attack drones launched by Russia over the Black Sea port city of Odesa. Russia has hammered Black Sea ports with strikes since leaving a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain to world markets through Odessa, near Moldova, in July last year. In late September, it was reported a drone attack had damaged a warehouse, charred dozens of trucks and injured two drivers. Explosions led to the suspension of the ferry service between Ukraine and Romania to the southeast. In August, another drone strike struck grain storage facilities and port infrastructure in the region, according to the Ukrainian military. Six Iranian-made Shahed drones swarmed an oil deport in Izmail, starting a fire that caused damage to facilities that transport crucial grain exports. After Russia left the deal in July 2023, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield assessed that Russia would ultimately 'have to return to the [Black Sea Grain Initiative]' if it wants to be able to export its products, like fertiliser. But eight months on, the pressure on Odessa shows no signs of waning, with devastating consequences for Ukraine and countries reliant on its exports. Late last month, Zelensky warned his country would be unable to continue defending the replacement corridor near Romania and Bulgaria, which was launched last August after Russia left the Initiative, without US support. The Caesar Kunikov large landing ship, struck by a Ukrainian maritime drone last month Kyiv's intelligence agency released drone footage of the attack on the Caesar Kunikov Russia's defence ministry did not provide any confirmation, but respected Russian milblogging channel Rybar later corroborated the Ukrainian claims of the drone strike in February Ukraine is currently on track to export all the grain from its 2023 harvest despite repeated Russian attacks on its ports, but warns if the US does not approve its new $60bn aid package, it might not be able to guarantee safe passage. Wayne Jordash KC, a world-leading human rights lawyer leading the war crimes investigations in the country, told MailOnline today: 'What is clear after two years is that there is a policy to target civilians, to target them in order to force their capitulation to Russian rule. 'The stark reality is that more and more Ukrainians are dying by the day as the Ukraine aid package remains stalled in Congress. 'There's no question that battlefield successes correspond to the type of weapons and the volume of weapons which have been provided by the West. Ukraine is fast running out of supplies to defend itself.' Wayne Jordash KC, Managing Partner of Global Rights Compliance, an international human rights law firm following abuses in Ukraine as the war rages. There are 'reasonable grounds' to believe Hamas committed rape, 'sexualized torture,' and other cruel and inhumane treatment of women during its surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7, a report from the United Nations has concluded. There are also 'reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing,' said Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, who visited Israel and the West Bank from January 29 to February 14 with a nine-member technical team. Based on first-hand accounts of released hostages, she said the team 'found clear and convincing information' that some women and children during their captivity were subjected to the same conflict-related sexual violence including rape and 'sexualized torture'. The report comes nearly five months after the October 7 attacks, which saw around 1,200 deaths, with some 250 others taken hostage. Israel's war against Hamas has since laid waste to the Gaza Strip, killing more than 30,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The UN says a quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people face starvation. Hamas has rejected earlier allegations that its fighters committed sexual assault. At the Nova music festival and nearby, UN envoy Pramila Patten said, 'there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped'. Pictured: Destroyed and damaged cars left on the side of the road at the site of the Nova festival The report comes nearly five months after the October 7 attacks, which saw around 1,200 deaths, with some 250 others taken hostage. Pictured: IDF troops patrol Kibbutz Be'eri on October 11 Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, briefs reporters at UN Headquarters Patten stressed at a press conference launching the report that the team's visit was not to investigate allegations of sexual violence but to gather, analyze and verify information for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' annual report on sexual violence in conflict and for the UN Security Council. Her key recommendation is to encourage Israel to grant access to the UN human rights chief and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Palestinian territories and Israel 'to carry out full-fledged investigations into the alleged violations' - and she expressed hope that the Security Council would do this. Patten said the team was not able to meet with any victims of sexual violence 'despite concerted efforts to encourage them to come forward'. While the number of victims remains unknown, she said, 'a small number of those who are undergoing treatment are reportedly experiencing severe mental distress and trauma'. However, team members held 33 meetings with Israeli institutions and conducted interviews with 34 people including survivors and witnesses of the October 7 attacks, released hostages, health providers and others. Patten said that based on the information it had gathered 'there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the October 7 attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations'. She said that across various locations the team found 'that several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered - mostly women - with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head'. While this is circumstantial, she said the pattern of undressing and restraining victims 'may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence'. At the Nova music festival and its surroundings, Patten said, 'there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped'. Based on first-hand accounts of released hostages, Patten said the team 'found clear and convincing information' that some women and children during their captivity were subjected to the same conflict-related sexual violence including rape and 'sexualized torture'. Pictured: An Israeli soldier walks through items left by fleeing festivalgoers at the site of the Nova music festival Festivalgoers are seen fleeing the site of the Nova music festival on October 7 A queue of cars leading away from the Nova music festival on October 7 'There are further accounts of individuals who witnessed at least two incidents of rape of corpses of women,' Patten said. 'Other credible sources at the Nova music festival site described seeing multiple murdered individuals, mostly women, whose bodies were found naked from the waist down, some totally naked,' she added, with some shot in the head, some tied to trees or poles with their hands bound. On Road 232 - the road to leave the festival - 'credible information based on witness accounts describe an incident of the rape of two women by armed elements,' Patten said. Other reported rapes and gang rapes couldn't be verified and require investigation. 'Along this road, several bodies were found with genital injuries, along with injuries to other body parts,' she said. 'Discernible patterns of genital mutilation could not be verified at this time but warrant future investigation.' She said 'the mission team also found a pattern of bound naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down, in some cases tied to structures including trees and poles, along Road 232'. People fleeing the Nova music festival also attempted to escape south and sought shelter in and around Kibbutz Reim where Patten said there are 'reasonable grounds' to believe sexual violence occurred. The mission team verified the rape of a woman outside a bomb shelter and heard of other allegations of rape that could not yet be verified. Patten said that at Kibbutz Be'eri her team 'was able to determine that at least two allegations of sexual violence widely repeated in the media, were unfounded due to either new superseding information or inconsistency in the facts gathered'. A Hamas gunman is seen outside Kibbutz Be'eri during the October 7 attack Several Hamas gunmen are seen in Israel during the October 7 attack This image from video provided by South First Responders shows charred and damaged cars along a desert road after an attack by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival, near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel, on Saturday, October 7, 2023 These included a highly publicized allegation that a pregnant woman's womb was reportedly ripped open before being killed with her foetus stabbed inside her, Patten said. Another was 'the interpretation initially made of the body of a girl found separated from the rest of her family, naked from the waist down,' she added. 'It was determined by the mission team that the crime scene had been altered by a bomb squad and the bodies moved, explaining the separation of the body of the girl from the rest of her family.' Patten said further investigation is needed of allegations, including of bodies found naked and in one case gagged, at Kibbutz Be'eri, to determine if sexual violence occurred. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Patten said, verification of sexual violence was not possible. But she said 'available circumstantial information - notably the recurring pattern of female victims found undressed, bound, and shot - indicates that sexual violence, including potential sexualized torture, or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, may have occurred'. Patten stressed that 'the true prevalence of sexual violence during the October 7 attacks and their aftermath may take months or years to emerge and may never be fully known'. She said the team, which also visited the West Bank, received information from institutional and civil society sources as well as through interviews 'about some forms of sexual violence against Palestinian men and women in detention settings, during house raids and at checkpoints'. Members of Army rescue and ZAKA crews search for bodies and body parts after the Hamas and Palestinians terrorists attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, on October 22, 2023 A woman holds a flag and a poster with pictures of revellers killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 at the Nova music festival The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Monday that hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel after the October 7 attacks have reported a broad range of ill-treatment, from having pictures taken of them naked to being threatened with electrocution. Phillipe Lazzarini told a news conference that his agency, known as UNRWA, had put together an unpublished internal report based on information from detainees returning to Gaza 'completely traumatized by the ordeal'. He said some had been detained for a couple of weeks, and some for several months. 'We heard stories of people not only having been systematically humiliated,' the UNRWA commissioner general said. 'People have been being obliged to be pictured naked.' Lior Haiat, a spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry, said: 'Israel welcomes the definitive recognition that Hamas committed sexual crimes by an official UN representative in the important report issued by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten. 'For the first time, a UN official has specifically acknowledged the sexual crimes committed by Hamas and other terrorist organizations on 7 October. 'The UN also recognizes that the crimes were committed simultaneously in different locations and point to a pattern of rape, torture and sexual abuse. 'The report also acknowledges the existence of ongoing sexual crimes against the Israeli women and men being held hostage by Hamas and calls for the immediate release of the hostages.' He added: 'Israel rejects the report's call to investigate Palestinian claims regarding "sexual violence by Israeli elements". 'That is a derisive and deliberate Palestinian manoeuvre aimed at creating an intolerable equivalence between the horrific crimes that were committed, and continue to be committed, by Hamas and malicious and baseless claims made against Israel and Israelis.' A North Carolina mother has been charged with killing her four-year-old twins sons after they were found dead by their father when he came to the home for a custody exchange. Genevieve Ellen Springer, 44, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder after her estranged husband found their sons' bodies on Saturday morning. The father, who was not named by authorities, called 911 after having arrived at her home in Murphy and found both boys deceased. He said he last saw his sons alive on February 26. Authorities are still working to determine the cause and date of the boys death, but Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith told ABC 13 it appears the children drowned in a 'bathtub full of water'. An autopsy will be performed later this week. Springer appeared in court Monday and was denied bond. Genevieve Ellen Springer, 44, (pictured) was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder over the apparent drowning of her four-year-old twin sons The boys were found dead at their mother's Murphy home (pictured) by their father who had come to the home for a custody exchange. He said he last saw his sons alive on February 26 Authorities are still working to determine the cause and date of the boys death, but Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith said it appears the children drowned in a 'bathtub full of water'. An autopsy will be performed later this week. Pictured: The home where the twins were found Springer was briefly hospitalized in north Georgia and taken into custody by officials in Union County after being discharged. She waived extradition and was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center in North Carolina on Sunday. Authorities are trying to determine when the children died. Springer's arrest warrant lists the offenses as a range of Feb. 26 to March 2. During her initial hearing on Monday, Springer was denied bond and transferred to the Haywood County jail, 'a facility that has no ties to this situation', the sheriff said. She was also assigned an attorney. Springer, who does not have a criminal history, according to authorities, is scheduled to appear in court in Murphy on April 15. In the statement about the slayings, Sheriff Smith asked for prayers for the victims' family, friends and the first responders involved in the incident. 'Our children are our most precious resource and our hope for the future. We all must stand united for their protection and for justice,' the statement added. One haulage boss says he feels powerless to stop gangs striking at rest stops Haulage firm bosses say they are powerless to stop rising thefts from their lorries conducted by Goodfellas-style organised crime gangs, who are stealing food, cigarettes and alcohol to sell on the black market. Figures produced by the British Standards Institution suggest 24 per cent of all thefts from lorries and warehouses last year were food and drink, up from 13 per cent in 2022 - with the goods being sold online within days. The managing director of one haulage firm told MailOnline the thefts were driving up the prices of deliveries - hitting shoppers' wallets - and creating recruitment problems. The crimes are also hard for police to detect, he added. Criminology experts say the gangs are professional - researching when and where lorries are making deliveries, as well as where drivers are likely to stop so they can pounce without using violence, unlike their fictional counterparts. The thieves typically strike in 'secure' car parks - protected by CCTV, but usually unmanned - slashing holes in the curtains on the sides of transporters or even parking another lorry alongside and moving the goods from one into the other. A scene from Goodfellas in which cases of Pall Mall cigarettes 'fall off of the back of a truck' Robert Di Niro as Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas, chronicling the fall of gangster Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta Rhys Hackling, managing director of freight firm Direct Connect, says companies like his are powerless in the face of organised crime gangs stealing from hauliers The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) says thieves are known to slash open curtains on transporters in order to access the goods The thefts often happen in 'secure' rest stops protected by CCTV - which haulage bosses say is not enough to dissuade the gangs The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVICS), a nationwide police initiative tracking and cracking down on freight crime, says it is aware of 5,000 freight crimes in 2022, with 70million of goods stolen. In December, it was made aware of thefts including a trailer containing 50,000 of cheese, while another was stolen containing food and washing powder at an industrial estate in Kidderminster. Rhys Hackling, managing director of Bicester freight firm Direct Connect, says companies like his have little choice but to left the thefts happen. In some cases, he even skips reporting the theft to the police because convictions are so rare. READ MORE: Lorry containing 50,000 of CHEESE is stolen from motorway service station Advertisement Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'I had three thefts last week and for me to make a complaint to the police takes me about an hour, an hour and a half each time and nothing happens. You just get a reference number. 'These gangs will do about 10, 15 vehicles in a row, slash the curtains, and the vast majority are happening in what are termed "secure" parking. 'Then it goes on sale within a day or so on places like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, trying to move it quickly. And unless these items have serial numbers and tags they can be very hard to trace back. 'They study up: they know when the whisky is leaving Scotland and arriving in Bristol and when the drivers are taking their breaks and where. 'We're having to put more and more processes in to protect our property but it is an uphill struggle and it is putting our prices up which will affect prices overall. 'There are very few truly secure parking areas for lorries - most of them just have CCTV and they will strike when nobody's looking. That's what's really frustrating. 'When a driver is having their trailer slashed while they're asleep their first response is: "I wish I had woken up." But we basically have to tell them to let it happen because there's a risk these guys have weapons. 'We just treat these as a fact of life now. Trying to retain drivers in this industry is hard enough already.' Mr Hackling wants rest stop operators to voluntarily adopt more secure parking standards in order to deter thieves from attempting robberies in the first place. Curtain repairs can cost hundreds of pounds each time a robbery takes place. The British Parking Association has introduced a new standard for truckers' rest stops called Park Mark Freight that requires continuous fencing, on-site security personnel and good lighting. But only around ten truck stops are certified as of last December; the BPA is encouraging members to consider joining the scheme - with vehicle-related crime down 80 per cent at certified rest areas. But Mr Hackling is not confident rest stops will invest in the extra cash to deter thieves - because the UK already has a significant lack of lorry parking. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), representing truckers, has previously estimated Britain needs another 11,000 lorry spaces to meet demand. 'Why would they spend money on secure parking when they're at 100 per cent occupancy every single night?' he said. 'In Europe, there are truck stops every two or three miles, but in the UK if you see a truck stop coming up for approval (for planning permission) the rejections are off the scale and drivers do not have secure places to park. 'The best way of stopping it is to put in security guards in high-visibility jackets patrolling the area. That is a huge deterrent.' The British Parking Association says it is working to encourage as many of its members as possible to sign up for the voluntary Park Mark Freight standard. A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The BPA is working to improve conditions across the entire parking sector; freight parking is no different. 'Users of dedicated freight parking are entitled to the same high standards as all other road users, which is why the BPA has launched Park Mark Freight. 'We urge all operators of freight parking to ensure they are offering their users secure and safe facilities and not put them at increased risk.' An RHA spokesperson added: 'A lack of lorry parking we estimate a shortage of 11,000 spaces across the country leaves truckers stuck in secluded spots like laybys and industrial estates where theyre more vulnerable to attack. 'Criminal groups know the regular freight routes and stopping areas which makes it easy to target trucks for their fuel or loads. 'Were campaigning for more safe and secure parking areas to reduce crime and to give truckers out on the road more piece of mind when theyre parked up at night.' Mr Hackling added that criminals avoid violence where possible to keep the potential offences low-level; any violence would exacerbate police investigations, according to Emmeline Taylor, professor of criminology at City University of London. She told the Times: 'Criminals are also familiar with the criminal justice system and will actively avoid using violence or weapons to evade their activities being elevated in seriousness by law enforcement. 'They are often then categorised as "theft from vehicle" akin to a mobile phone or handbag being snatched in a car park by an opportunist yet these are very well organised, resourced and organised criminals.' PC Mike Dawber, of NaVCIS's freight desk, said: 'NaVCIS is here to map cargo crimes more accurately such as curtain slashes and trailer thefts and we receive more than 5,000 notifications about such offences annually, but we are pleased to report there have been two big steps forward in the last 12 months. 'Firstly, the UK needs to adopt a UK secure truck parking standard via the British Parking Associations implemented scheme "Park Mark Freight" and ten sites are now accredited in the country. 'Secondly, there is 52.5million of government money being promised to improve driver welfare facilities such as showers and toilets and security such as CCTV, barrier access, lighting and fencing at existing truck parks and motorway services which is match-funded, meaning it is a potential overall investment of 105million. 'Im also pleased to report that there is good policing work going on nationally that has seen 56 arrests made in October alone for cargo crimes.' NaVICS was contacted for further comment. The desperate search for a missing father and son who were prospecting in the remote outback has ended in tragedy. James Dempsey, 33, and his 66-year-old father Ray were found in Western Australia's remote outback surrounding Polelle pastoral station, about 60km south of Meekatharra. The pair were reported missing on Saturday when police were notified by a station worker that they had not returned to their campsite since Friday morning. A huge land and air search was launched, using planes, helicopters, drones and highly-trained trackers from the tactical response group. Temperatures in Meekatharra soared above 40C over the weekend. James Dempsey, 33, and his 66-year-old father Ray were found in Western Australia 's remote outback surrounding Polelle pastoral station, about 60km south of Meekatharra (father and son are pictured together) Temperatures in Meekatharra (pictured) soared above 40 degrees Celsius over the weekend 'The deaths are being considered non-suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner,' a WA police spokesperson said. In August 2021, 83-year-old Trevor McDonald also went missing while prospecting near Meekatharra. His wife raised the alarm when he failed to return to their caravan. His body has never been found. WA's most high-profile missing prospector cases was the disappearance of a married couple near Sandstone in March 2015. Jennie, 49, and Raymond Kehlet, 47, were last seen near the town of Sandstone, about 700km north-east of Perth, in March 2015 after setting out with friend Graham Milne to find gold on a 10-day camping trip. But police began an intensive search after the couple's pet dog showed up at Sandstone caravan park unaccompanied nine days later. A horror discovery was made three weeks later when Mr Kehlet's decomposing body was found at the bottom of an abandoned 12-metre mineshaft. Ms Kehlet's body has never been found. This is the moment a furious woman launches a tirade at a hot-tempered meeting after a vote to ban transgender bathers from Hampstead Ladies' Pond failed. The annual meeting of the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association (KLPA) had to be abandoned moments after the vote because outraged women refused to stop shouting. Trans women have been permitted to bathe at the historic north London pond in Hampstead Heath since 2019. Venice Allan, who appears to defend Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists (Terf) on social media, stood up a chair and told the meeting to 'enjoy maintaining the fantasy porn set that you've created'. She also wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that 'there is talk of a legal challenge' to the vote and claimed to have 'shut down' the meeting with her tirade. Venice Allan stands on a chair and begins to shout shortly after the vote The meeting had to be abandoned after a group of women refused to stop shouting Venice Allan lifts up her skirt to reveal a Union Flag which has the words Terf Island on it Ms Allan posted this picture on X after the meeting with the caption Pond Squad In the video, Ms Allan is heard shouting: 'That when the inevitable happens, as a result of your trans inclusive policy, that the majority of women, and, so I'm told, two men, have voted for today, and one of these men, that you're so inclusive of, attack or rape a woman or girl, I want you to remember that you voted for that. 'I hope you wake up in the middle of the night and remember that you made that act of male violence in a sacred woman's space possible. 'Until then, enjoy maintaining the fantasy porn set that you've created for these perverted men and maintaining their erections. 'You'll be glad to hear that you won't be seeing me there ever again until this single-sex policy is implemented'. She claimed to have shut down the meeting, saying in the caption: 'Well I got the meeting shut down after TRAs (Trans Rights Activists) voted against our motion to make the pond women-only.' Ms Allan appears to use the 'Terf' acronym to describe herself on social media and posted a picture of herself pulling up her skirt to reveal a Union Flag with the words 'Terf Island', which is a derogatory slang used to describe gender critical countries like the UK, printed on it. MailOnline previously reported that campaigners shouted 'traitors' and 'shame on you' at the meeting following the vote. Earlier, the meeting heard pleas from women who said they no longer felt safe using the pond because of the policy of 'inclusivity' towards trans swimmers. Ms Allan captioned this post: 'Imagine if an NHS doctor joked about a "trans repellent spray"' Ms Allan also shared this picture on social media which appears to defend 'Terfs' A group of female swimmers lost a bid to bar trans women from using the pond (pictured: a sign outside the pond saying 'women only') Women at the Women's Bathing Pond on Hampstead Heath, London Sources inside the meeting said women accused the all-female KLPA management committee of prioritising the rights of trans women over those who had been born female Sources inside the meeting said women accused the all-female KLPA management committee of prioritising the rights of trans women over those who had been born female. The Ladies' Pond opened in 1926 and is billed as a 'unique women-only space' that 'provides a place of refuge and security for women and girls of all ages'. In 2019, the City of London Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath, adopted a gender identity policy allowing trans women to use the pond. It said it was needed to be 'fully compliant with the Equality Act 2010'. Campaigners called on the KLPA to amend its constitution to include the phrase 'biological female' and said single-sex spaces were allowed for changing rooms and swimming pools under human rights legislation. They accused the KLPA committee of prioritising the rights of trans swimmers over a larger number of women who wanted a female-only space, including those from religious communities whose beliefs mean they can swim only in female-only environments. The Kenwood Ladies Pond has been open to transgender women since 2019 Members supporting the rights of trans women said a ban would be unfair and unlawful and questioned how it could be enforced. The bid to change the KLPA constitution failed, with around three-quarters of the 200 votes cast against the resolution. The two-hour meeting which had opened with a plea for members to be kind and respectful was then said to have descended into a shouting match. In a statement, the KLPA said all women were welcome to join. Parties send big names to Suwon, Hwaseong By Nam Hyun-woo Suwon, Hwaseong, Icheon and a number of other cities hosting major chipmakers' plants in Gyeonggi Province are emerging as swing regions in the upcoming April 10 general elections. Parties have been rolling out semiconductor policies and nominating influential candidates to these areas, highlighting the regions' significance in the overall electoral landscape. According to the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), party chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung and other party leaders will visit an SK hynix plant in Icheon on Thursday to pledge support for semiconductor policies. The pledges are expected to include extended tax deductions for chips R&D and programs for expanding the talent pool for the semiconductor industry, the party said. The move is part of the DPK's efforts to maintain its control over the areas in southern Gyeonggi Province. The area is categorized as a "semiconductor belt" among Korean politicians, based on the collection of the headquarters of Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and other major chipmakers in the region. In the previous 2020 general elections, there were 17 parliamentary seats up for grabs in the regions, 13 of which the DPK secured. Most candidates in the region clinched victories within a margin of 10 percentage points. However, two more constituencies have been added due to the population growth. Also, the average ages of voters in those constituencies are younger than others, increasing the importance of the regions for the parties. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has already concentrated its efforts on the regions. The party's interim leader Han Dong-hoon held a town hall meeting on the semiconductor industry in Suwon on Jan. 31, promising to take advantage of the PPP's ruling party status for the progress of the semiconductor industry. "The semiconductor industry determines the rise and fall of the country," Han said. "As I always say, our party has the president. Our policies will be realized." The party has already scouted former Samsung Electronics President Koh Dong-jin for membership. Initially, Koh was anticipated to be nominated as a candidate in one of the semiconductor belt constituencies, but named as a candidate for Seoul's Gangnam-C, Tuesday. Instead, the PPP nominated big names for the areas. In Suwon, the party named former National Tax Service Commissioner Kim Hyun-jun for Suwon-A, former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu for Suwon-C and renowned forensic psychologist Lee Soo-jung for Suwon-D. The PPP also named Jung Woo-sung, professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology, for Pyeongtaek-B, and Han Jeong-min, former researcher at Samsung Electronics' memory chip department, for Hwaseong-B. As a countermeasure, the DPK named serving lawmakers such as Reps. Kim Seung-won and Park Kwang-on for the Suwon constituencies. The DPK also nominated former Hyundai Motor President Kong Young-woon for the Hwaseong-B constituency while naming former Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Sohn Myung-soo for Yongin-B. The Reform Party, which is a big tent group of conservatives and liberals, is also working on the areas. Reform Party head and former PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok announced that he will run in Hwaseong-B, competing against Kong. Reform Party floor leader Rep. Yang Hyang-ja, who is a former Samsung executive, will run in Yongin-A to compete against the PPP's Lee Won-mo, a former presidential secretary for personnel affairs who is known to be a key aide of President Yoon Suk Yeol. "Along with the political importance of those areas, parties are making greater efforts on the region because of the importance of the semiconductor industry to the country's future," a ruling bloc official said. Reform Party head Lee also said on Feb. 26, "I have been speaking a lot about the future of the country, so contending in a region where the future generation is and where policy changes are possible can be an option." An ex-BBC journalist has revealed that she was told to delete gender-critical tweets by an internal disciplinary board then reprimanded by the Corporation when she refused. Cath Walton, who worked at the broadcaster for 26 years, had to go before an internal BBC hearing after writing that men cannot scientifically be women on social media. In the series of tweets about the term 'cisgender', meaning someone who identifies with the sex of their birth, she said: 'It implicitly states that females are a subcategory of women. Contrasting 'trans women' and 'cis women' is in effect accepting that males can be women, thus expressing an entire belief system which as yet has no scientific support.' Although the tweets were written two years ago Ms Walton chose to speak out now after BBC Radio 4 host Justin Webb was found to have broken impartiality rules after he said on air 'trans women, in other words males'. Cath Walton, who worked at the broadcaster for 26 years, had to go before an internal BBC hearing after writing that men cannot scientifically be women on social media She wrote in a series of tweets her concern around the use of 'cis' in journalism She said that within an hour of writing on the social media platform her then boss told her to delete the tweets She claimed that she, like Mr Webb, was simply stating a fact and was concerned about the rising use of the term 'cis' by BBC journalists, even though they are taught not to adopt activist language. Who is Catherine Walton? She was a journalist with the BBC for 26 years, and a senior broadcast journalist for 13 of those years. During this time she wrote about health, education, legal affairs and politics, before focusing on sex and gender imbalance for the last five years. She now works freelance for different outlets, mainly on impartiality and womens rights. Advertisement 'I knew I had to tell this story as soon as the ruling about Justin came out. These conversations about how and when we should tell the truth about sex and gender are very live in the back rooms of all broadcasters, not just the BBC,' she told the Telegraph. She said that within an hour of writing on the social media platform her then boss told her to delete the tweets as they were in breach of the BBC's social media rules. After she refused she was hauled before a disciplinary hearing and again asked to delete the tweets and admit that 'I'd been wrong and would never do it again'. However, she refused again and the disciplinary process was eventually dropped, as no one could explain which part of her Tweet was untrue. Ms Walton said: 'Everything I'd said was true, and no one had been able to identify a single opinion I'd publicly expressed.' She continued in an article in The Critic Magazine: 'It eventually turned into a grievance hearing, and the outcome was revealing. Accuracy and impartiality are not the same, I was told: something can be entirely accurate but raise a question as to impartiality. This might seem like a trite observation: after all, if you insert someone's race or religion into a story where it is irrelevant, you may be using 'accuracy' to sneak your bias into the copy. 'However in this context, the impact is rather different. What this says, in effect, is that if the facts are on one side of a debate, we mustn't articulate them, because it would reveal your thinking. 'The very willingness to make certain indisputable statements about biological sex is the crime, because gender activists have rendered the debate landscape so toxic and chilling that truth has become an emblem of defiance rather than clarity.' Her full thread read: 'Cisgender' is such a contested term. Firstly, a lot of people have no idea what it means. Secondly, a lot of people object vigorously to being told they 'identify' with being a woman. She said that within an hour of writing on the social media platform her then boss told her to delete the tweets as they were in breach of the BBC's social media rules 'Thirdly, people who use it are expressing their belief in gender identity, which is contested in itself. BBC journalists shouldn't be expressing their beliefs as if they are facts, that's the whole impartiality drive. 'Finally, it implicitly states that females are a subcategory of women. Contrasting 'trans women' and 'cis women' is in effect accepting that males can be women, thus expressing an entire belief system which as yet has no scientific support.' Ms Walton then launched her own grievance hearing against the BBC for the months of turmoil she had been through because of the hearing. This was partly upheld on the grounds that correct procedures were not followed, but it rejected her complaints of harassment and discrimination. Writing in the Critic Ms Walton said: 'Biological sex has officially become a mere 'viewpoint'.' Adding that the BBC now has a 'festering problem with accuracy around biological sex the truth has become punishable: the lie that trans-identified men are women is not'. The BBC has been approached for comment. In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality. What started as protests on our streets, has descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence. Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveal their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with. Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Long standing Parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns. And it is beyond alarming that last night the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate who dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7th, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP. I need to speak to you all this evening because this situation has gone on long enough and demands a response not just from government, but from all of us. Britain is a patriotic, liberal, democratic society with a proud past and a bright future. We are a reasonable country and a decent people. Our story is one of progress, of great achievements and enduring values. Immigrants who have come here have integrated and contributed. They have helped write the latest chapter in our island story. They have done this without being required to give up their identity. You can be a practising Hindu and a proud Briton as I am. Or a devout Muslim and a patriotic citizen as so many are. Or a committed Jewish person and the heart of your local community and all underpinned by the tolerance of our established, Christian church. We are a country where we love our neighbours. And we are building Britain together. But I fear that our great achievement in building the worlds most successful multi-ethnic, multi faith democracy is being deliberately undermined. There are forces here at home trying to tear us apart. Since October 7th there have been those trying to take advantage of the very human angst that we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to the innocent, to women and children to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda. On too many occasions recently, our streets have been hijacked by small groups who are hostile to our values and have no respect for our democratic traditions. Membership of our society is contingent on some simple things that you abide by the rule of law, and that change can only come through the peaceful, democratic process. Threats of violence and intimidation are alien to our way of doing things: they must be resisted at all times. Nearly everyone in Britain supports these basic values but there are small and vocal hostile groups who do not. Islamist extremists and the far right feed off and embolden each other. They are equally desperate to pretend that their violence is somehow justified when actually these groups are two sides of the same extremist coin. Neither group accept that change in our country can only come through the peaceful democratic process. Both loathe the pluralist, modern country we are. Both want to set Briton against Briton to weaponise the evils of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred for their own ends. The faith of Islam, peacefully practised by millions of our fellow citizens is emphatically not the same thing as the extremist political ideology of Islamism which aims to separate Muslims from the rest of society. Islamist extremists and far rights groups are spreading a poison, that poison is extremism. It aims to drain us of our confidence in ourselves as a people, and in our shared future. They want us to doubt ourselves, to doubt each other, to doubt our countrys history and achievements. They want us to accept a moral equivalence between Britain and some of the most despicable regimes in the world. They want us to believe that our country, and the West more generally, is solely responsible for the worlds ills and that we, along with our allies, are the problem. In short, they want to destroy our confidence and hope. We must not allow that to happen. When these groups claim that Britain is and has been on the wrong side of history, we should reject it, and reject it again. No country is perfect, but I am enormously proud of the good that our country has done. Our place in history is defined by the sacrifices our people have made, in the service of our own freedom and that of others. And when these groups tell children that they cannot - and will not succeed - because of who they are. When they tell children that the system is rigged against them or that Britain is a racist country This is not only a lie, but a cynical attempt to crush young dreams, and turn impressionistic minds against their own society. I stand here as our countrys first non-white Prime Minister, leading the most diverse government in our countrys history to tell people of all races, all faiths and all backgrounds it is not the colour of your skin, the God you believe in or where you were born, that will determine your success but just your own hard work and endeavour. We must be prepared to stand up for our shared values in all circumstances, no matter how difficult. And I respect that the police have a tough job in policing the protests we have seen and that they are operationally independent. But we must draw a line. Yes, you can march and protest with passion. You can demand the protection of civilian life, but no, you cannot call for violent Jihad. There is no context in which it can be acceptable to beam antisemitic tropes onto Big Ben in the middle of a vote on Israel/Gaza. And there can be no cause you can use to justify the support of a proscribed terrorist group, like Hamas. Yes, you can freely criticise the actions of this government, or indeed any government: that is a fundamental democratic right. But no, you cannot use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a State or any kind of hatred or antisemitism. This week I have met with senior police officers and made clear it is the publics expectation that they will not merely manage these protests, but police them. And I say this to the police, we will back you when you take action. But if we are asking more of the police, we in government must also back up that call with action. To that end, this month the government will implement a new robust framework for how it deals with this issue. To ensure that we are dealing with the root causes of this problem and that no extremist organisations or individuals are being lent legitimacy by their actions and interactions with central government. You cannot be part of our civic life if your agenda is to tear it down. We will redouble our support for the Prevent programme to stop young minds being poisoned by extremism. We will demand that universities stop extremist activity on campus. We will also act to prevent people entering this country whose aim is to undermine its values. The Home Secretary has instructed that if those here on visas choose to spew hate on protests or seek to intimidate people we will remove their right to be here. And our Britain must not be a country in which we descend into polarised camps with some communities living parallel lives. It is not enough to live side-by-side, we must live together united by shared values and a shared commitment to this country. And I want to speak directly to those who choose to continue to protest: Dont let the extremists hijack your marches. You have a chance in the coming weeks to show that you can protest decently, peacefully and with empathy for your fellow citizens. Let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree we will never be disunited from our common values of decency and respect. I love this country. My family and I owe it so much. The time has now come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division and beat this poison. We must face down the extremists who would tear us apart. There must be leadership, not pandering or appeasement. When they tell their lies, we will tell the truth. When they try and sap our confidence, we will redouble our efforts. And when they try and make us doubt each other we will dig deeper for that extra ounce of compassion and empathy that they want us to believe doesnt exist, but that I know does. If we can do that, we can build on our great achievement in creating todays Britain, a country of kind, decent, tolerant people. We can make this a country in which we all feel a renewed sense of pride. This is our home. So let us go forward together, confident in our values and confident in our future. Were you a witness to the incident? Email richard.percival@mailonline.co.uk Met Police officers appear to watch on during the demonstration in London This is the moment a lone Jewish man confronted a pro-Palestine mob after one of them threatened to 'beat the f***' out of him. Shocking footage shows Joseph Cohen being subjected to horrific anti-Semitic abuse by a group of activists in what appears to be a London park near the Israeli Embassy. The mob call him a 'f***ing Jew' and a 'terrorist' before shouting 'f*** you Israel' and chanting 'Free, Free Palestine'. In response to their calls for violence, Mr Cohen then hits back by saying: 'You should all beat the f*** out of me. Go for it, all of you. Beat the f*** out of me all of you. Come on!'. Mr Cohen, who works at the Israel Advocacy Movement, then criticises Metropolitan Police officers who can be seen 'standing around' and apparently making no attempt to stop the threats. He tells the camera: 'The police are stood here doing nothing when they're literally inciting violence. Jews pay attention, leave the UK while you can'. MailOnline has contacted the Met for comment. The clip comes amid surging anti-Semitism across the country following Hamas' sickening October 7 attack on Israel. Pro-Palestine protests continued at the weekend even after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's stark warning outside Downing Street that Islamist extremists posed a threat to democracy. This Jewish man (pictured above) was targeted by a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Central London The activists (one pictured left) were hurling a tirade of abuse at the Jewish man The pro-Palestinian activists called the Jewish man a 'f****in' Jew' during the tirade of anti-Semitic abuse The activists were constantly chanting 'Free, Free, Palestine' during the rally in Central London Speaking at a lectern outside the doors of No10 on Friday, the Prime Minister warned: 'In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality,' he said in a hastily arranged address to the nation. 'What started as protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence. 'Jewish children, fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveals their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with. 'Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Long-standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns.' One activist seen chanting 'Free, Free, Palestine' during a demonstration in Central London The Jewish man eventually hits back and challenges the men to 'beat the f*** out of him' The Prime Minister also said a line has to be drawn so that while people should be able to 'march and protest with passion' in support of Gaza, demonstrators 'cannot call for violent jihad', justify the actions of Palestinian militant group Hamas - a proscribed group in the UK, which bans any show of support - or 'call for the eradication of a state or any kind of hatred or antisemitism'. He confirmed he has met senior police chiefs to tell them the public expected the pro-Palestine protests to be policed rather than simply managed. 'I say this to the police, we will back you when you take action,' he said. He said those instructions to police would be backed up by further action from the Government. What he called a 'new robust framework' would be introduced to 'ensure we are dealing with the root cause of this problem', the Prime Minister said. Mr Sunak said ministers would redouble their support for the anti-terrorism Prevent programme, demand universities stop extremist activity on campus and act to prevent people from entering the country whose 'aim is to undermine its values'. Police officers pictured during a Pro-Palestine protest in Westminster on Saturday Pro-Palestine activists are pictured protesting in Westminster, London on Saturday A recent report by the Community Security Trust revealed the number of anti-Semitic incidents jumped 147 per cent last year to record levels. The CST, a charity, recorded 4,103 instances of anti-Semitism, up from 1,662 in 2022. It included 266 violent assaults on Jews, up 96 per cent year-on-year and the highest figure since the CST started gathering data 40 years ago. For the first time, it recorded at least one anti-Semitic incident for every police force in the UK, with the majority more than 2,400 in London, including some at vigils for Hamas's Israeli hostages. Graph showing a surge in anti-Semitic incidents following October 7 A spokesman for the charity said: 'This was a watershed for anti-Semitism in the UK. The speed at which anti-Semites mobilised in the UK on and immediately after October 7 suggests that, initially at least, this increase in anti-Jewish hate was a celebration of the Hamas attack on Israel, rather than anger at Israel's military response in Gaza.' There were 31 incidents on October 7 alone, and they peaked in the week that followed with 416 including 80 on one day alone, October 11. Israel's military operation against Hamas began on October 27. The Met Police have been approached for comment. A British tourist has described how she was mugged, stranded on a ship and put into quarantine with severe sickness during a 'nightmare' cruise holiday. Melanie Mann, 67, and her partner Richard Bartlam, 77, sailed on the Norwegian Dawn ship from South Africa to Mauritius last month. The couple from Leicestershire forked out 8,200 for the dream holiday, but it ended up being marred by illness, a violent robbery and delays, with Melanie saying it was 'the worst holiday I've ever had'. They had been set to spend two nights in a luxury hotel on the Indian Ocean island before their ship was barred from docking by Mauritian authorities, who tested passengers for cholera before they gave the ship the all-clear. When the vessel was eventually allowed to dock, the holidaymakers had just six hours at their resort before they were rushed to the airport to fly home. Melanie Mann, 67, and her partner Richard Bartlam, 77, sailed on the Norwegian Dawn ship from South Africa to Mauritius last month The holidaymakers had just six hours at their luxury hotel in Mauritius (pictured), where they had been due to spend two night, before they rushed to the airport to fly home Melanie pictured on the Norwegian Dawn as the ship waited off the coast of Mauritius Melanie pictured in Mossel Bay, South Africa, before she embarked on the cruise, with the Norwegian Dawn ship in the background The trip began in Cape Town, where the couple stayed for two days before embarking on their cruise. After leaving their hotel, a gang of thieves attacked Melanie, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair some of the time. 'Just 100 yards from the hotel I was mugged and my gold chain with citrine pendant pulled from my neck, and I fell over,' Melanie said, adding: 'My partner, in trying to grab the man, fell over too.' The traumatised couple were helped by locals before calling the police. They spent the next two hours at the police station. While they hoped that embarking on the cruise would see their holiday improve, things continued to go downhill for the couple. Melanie came down with diarrhoea from the third day of the voyage and remained ill throughout the trip. She said that she and Richard were confined to their cabin for 48 hours and had their key cards taken away from them. While she is not certain what the illness was, Melanie said she suspects it was either gastroenteritis or food poisoning. 'The final disaster,' Melanie said, was that they missed out on the last part of their holiday because they were prevented from disembarking on the scheduled day. She said that many of those on board were 'fed up' and that there had been long queues at customer services as people tried to work out 'what was going on'. Melanie and Richard were among 2,200 passengers and 1,000 crew on the cruise liner Melanie said that many of those on board were left 'fed up' and that there had been long queues at customer services Melanie said the trip, which cost her and her partner 8,200, was 'the worst holiday I've ever had' 'We couldn't stay for the planned two days in Mauritius and instead had just six hours at the resort before we were taken to the airport for our flight home,' Melanie said. Melanie and Richard were among 2,200 passengers and 1,000 crew on the cruise liner which Mauritian authorities temporarily barred from docking 'to avoid any health risks'. At least 15 people on the ship were reported to have been put into isolation with a stomach illness, which authorities initially feared was cholera but later confirmed was gastroenteritis. Norwegian Dawn, which sails a 12-day cruise around southern Africa (file image) The ship's operator NCL said in a statement at the time: 'Upon Norwegian Dawn's arrival to Port Louis Mauritius on Feb. 25, 2024, there were a small number of guests experiencing mild symptoms of a stomach-related illness. 'Despite previous reports and speculations, there were no confirmed cases nor any evidence of cholera on board the vessel. 'Although only six guests were being monitored due to mild symptoms of a stomach-related illness, the government of Mauritius required testing in an overabundance of caution, thereby delaying the ship's original disembarkation.' The company has been contacted for comment. A couple say their new build home dream has turned into a 'nightmare' and has been plagued by damp, mould and an invasion of beetles, costing them thousands to fix. Diane Jackson, 61, and partner Mark, 59, bought their 320,000 four-bed house near Darwen, Lancashire after selling their old property to their daughter. They were looking forward to the next stage of their lives but have faced nothing but issues instead, they claim. The pair say they have discovered damp and mould alongside the insects and, as it stands, the home is unliveable. This has meant they've had to move into rented accommodation - for which they are footing the bill alongside their mortgage. Diane Jackson's kitchen has been removed to reveal mould growing on the walls behind all the units and appliances Mould can be seen growing on the plasterboard inside of Diane's home Diane, who has owned a business for 20 years, said: 'The beetles were in every room - it was awful. And the mould was horrendous. I couldn't believe it. 'I couldn't even go in the house at one point. I wanted to show my family my new home and be proud of it, but I was embarrassed. It was so upsetting I couldn't have anyone visit.' The couple got the keys to the brand new home, which is located on the Davyfields development, on April 21 last year. Before moving in, Diane decided to place new flooring down. But, while clearing the plinths from under her kitchen cabinets, she was shocked to discover the walls covered in damp and mould. And to make matters worse, two weeks later, thousands of small black insects began to appear all around the property - an infestation of plaster beetles that thrive in damp conditions. A panel with mould growing on it was taken off the wall in Diane's home Mould growing behind the skirting boards in Diane's home Some nine months later, after purchasing the four-bedroom detached home for 320,000, Diane says the property is still not suitable to live in and is now paying both a 1700 mortgage and 950 rent at another property. After discovering the mould and infestation, Diane appealed to developers, Applethwaite Limited, to fix the conditions in the property. A pest controller was sent as a good will gesture to conduct heat treatment on the property that would stop the infestation and also dry out the damp. At first, Diane saw a noticeable improvement as far as the beetles were concerned - but the smell of damp persisted and she noticed a plaster board was starting to come away from the wall. After calling out a plasterer to take a look, they cut out a piece of the board to find that behind the wall was covered in black mould and the cavity insulation was saturated with water. A closer look at the mould growing behind the skirting boards in Diane's home She said: 'I was absolutely beside myself by this point. It was causing me sleepless nights and was preventing me from concentrating on my work. We knew there were damp and mould issues - but certainly not to this extent.' Diane then contacted the National Housing Building Council (NHBC), who advised her to write an official complaint to the developer. After months of waiting for action to be taken by the developer, Diane says the NHBC has now taken over her complaint and provided compensation to replace the plaster board. Diane says she hopes her experiences will highlight how customers and tenants are often blamed for problems in new build homes. She added: 'We have spent hard earned money on our dream house and have been treated terribly. 'We have lost thousands of pounds, and if we wanted to seek legal advice it could cost us even more. Weeks after moving into an infestation of plaster beetles began to appear around the property 'They know that customers are not in any position to fight them - but we really wish we were. Your house is the most expensive and important asset that you ever own. 'We should not have to do this with a brand new house. It has been the worst experience of my entire life.' A spokesperson for Applethwaite Homes said: 'We are a small housebuilder with a dedicated team, who take great pride in creating high quality homes. 'We go out of our way to meet our customers' expectations and help them settle into their new homes. 'We have been disappointed to hear of this homeowner's experiences and have been engaging with them throughout this process. 'We are of the view that all issues brought to our attention have been dealt with appropriately and are now resolved. 'We have also been liaising closely with the NHBC and, where reports have been recorded, we have acted promptly on any recommendations contained within.' A spokesperson for NHBC said: 'Due to confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual cases without the permission of the homeowner concerned. Diane has moved into rented property as she says the home is unlivable in its current state 'NHBC is the UK's largest provider of warranty and insurance for new-build homes, covering around 70-80% of newly-built homes. 'Homeowners benefit from the NHBC Buildmark policy, our ten-year warranty for new build homes. 'The policy protects homeowners in the event of serious structural defects occurring in their homes. Snagging issues, however, are the builder's responsibility to resolve. 'In the first two years of an NHBC Buildmark policy homeowners are required to raise any concerns regarding their home directly with the house builder, following the house builder's formal complaints process. 'We're committed to quickly helping homeowners if they encounter problems with their new home - and in circumstances where they have exhausted the house builder's formal complaints process and are dissatisfied with the result, they can ask us to assist using NHBC's free Resolution Service. 'During years three to ten of the policy, we provide insurance cover for specific, structural defects.' A man has 'made a friend for life' after meeting his doppelganger on a flight from London to Bangkok. The pair have the same hobbies, the same number of children and even the same friend. Mark Garland, 58, a bus driver from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, went to check in at Heathrow and was told by staff that he already had. It took puzzled airline staff 40 minutes to work out that there were in fact two Mark Garlands on the flight. The two Marks met in the departure lounge and were amazed to see they didn't only share the same name, but looked remarkably similar as well, both with shaved heads. The coincidences continued when they ended up finding themselves seated next to each other on the plane - and they spent the rest of the flight chatting. They soon found out that they only lived 15 miles apart, had the same friend and the same hobbies. The other Mark, a 62-year-old builder from Warmley in Bristol, even sometimes rides on the younger Mark's bus. Both are single, and both have four kids, though younger Mark was never married, unlike older Mark who is now separated. They both also love Thailand - having visited more than a dozen times each. Bus driver Mark said: 'We were so shocked by how strange it was. We both kept laughing and smiling about it, it made me happy. 'I said 'you have caused me so much problems', and he said 'you have caused me so much problems'. 'I said, 'look I'm Mark Garland', showing him my passport, and he started laughing and opened his passport and showed me his name, and it was banter.' Builder Mark added: 'It was crazy - I have never known anything like it. 'They said there was another Mark Garland. They came to the bar, and asked to see my passport. 'I was thinking 'what is going on!'. 'My name was coming out of the antenna, and my phone was going. I thought someone was winding me up. 'I go to the desk and there's a bloke who looks just like me, but he's a bit bigger than me. 'I'm better looking and older. 'He's like me, I've got a character and I love winding people up - we're the same. 'He's actually a nice bloke, I've got to say.' The pair were both going on holiday to Thailand, bus driver Mark for four weeks, and builder Mark for three weeks, when they discovered each other on March 2, on the EVA Air flight. Bus driver Mark said the check in clerk didn't cross reference the booking number and checked the other one in his place, causing problems when he later arrived. He added: I was stood at the check in counter for 40 minutes whilst they tried to work out the problem. 'We then had to go to the boarding gate early to identify our cases.' It was there they met and 'saw the funny side of it' - but then burst out laughing when they boarded the plane and were sat next to each other. They realised that they lived very close to each other, and that they had crossed paths before. 'I'm a bus driver, and Mark said he sometimes uses my bus,' Mark said. 'I just found it astonishing that he was so near - up the road. 'One of my colleagues knows him and goes for drinks in the pub with him. 'It's crazy. What are the odds on that? The pair spent the entire flight chatting and finding out more similarities (Stock image) 'I'm a bit taller but people have said we could be brothers.' As well as looking the same, having the same name and living near each other, both men discovered that they have a shared passion for Thailand. 'We both love Thailand' said older Mark. 'I told him I'd been 13 times and he told me he'd been 83 times.' By the end of the plane journey, the two Mark Garlands were solid friends and 'I had a little nap on his shoulder' said bus driver Mark. They have vowed to stay in contact and are due to meet up for a beer in Thailand on holiday. 'I've made a friend for life,' said older Mark. The ammunition expert who supplied the Rust set only provided dummy rounds to the production, he testified in court as jurors were shown pictures of his chaotic office storage system. Seth Kenney, an Albuquerque-based movie firearms and ammunition supplier, took the stand Monday at the trial of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Alec Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on Rust, fatally shot the cinematographer on set in 2021. He has separately been indicted on charges related to the shooting. The outcome of Gutierrez-Reed's trial may hinge on testimony about the source of six live rounds discovered on the Rust set - including the one from Baldwin's gun. Live ammunition is expressly prohibited on movie sets by the industry and union guidelines. Kenney told the court that he cleaned and repackaged ammunition to Rust that was previously supplied to a production in Texas, handing off a box of 50 inert dummy rounds containing no gunpower to the film's props supervisor on October 12, 2021. But defense attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed, 26, showed the jury images of Kenney's 'cluttered' business, a storage system without written inventories, and highlighted his 'hazy' recollection of his timeline for receiving live rounds for another production. Seth Kenney, an Albuquerque-based movie firearms and ammunition supplier, took the stand Monday at the trial of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on Monday Gutierrez-Reed is charged with involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (pictured). She was fatally shot by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust in 2021 The jury was shown images of Kenney's 'cluttered' business, a storage system without written inventories Kenney told the court that he cleaned and repackaged ammunition to Rust that was previously supplied to a production in Texas , handing off a box of 50 inert dummy rounds containing no gunpower. Pictured are scenes from inside Kenney's 'cluttered' office Kenney testified Monday that he provided Rust props master Sarah Zachry, who also managed weapons and ammunition for the production, with dummy ammunition retrieved from a props storage truck on the Texas set of the television series 1883. 'Did you ever give any live ammunition to Sarah Zachry?' prosecutor Kari Morrissey asked Kenney. He responded, 'No.' Responding to additional questions, Kenney said he didn't have any ammunition that looked like the live rounds investigators found on the set of Rust. At the same time, Kenney acknowledged he stored live rounds that were used in a live-ammunition shooting exercise for actors on 1883, arranged at a private ranch of series creator Taylor Sheridan. Kenney said the live rounds from that shooting exercise were brought back to his shop, stored in a bathroom within a gray plastic container marked 'live rounds' on the outside. The live rounds were initially provided to 1883 by Gutierrez-Reed's step-father, the Hollywood sharp shooter and weapons consultant Thell Reed. Investigators from the Santa Fe sheriff's office searched Kenney's Albuquerque supply shop several weeks after the fatal shooting, seizing live rounds that were sent to the FBI for analysis and comparison with live rounds discovered on the set of Rust. Kenney acknowledged that at the time he supplied Rust, he also stored live rounds that were used in a live-ammunition shooting exercise for actors on 1883. Pictured is a photograph taken from inside Kenney's office Defense attorney Jason Bowles has argued that Kenney wasn't properly investigated for his role as a Rust supplier. This photograph from Kenney's office was shown to the jury Bowles on Monday highlighted the fact that the search of Kenney's business took place about a month after the fatal shooting. PIctured: Dummy rounds stored in the supplier's office Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, center, sits with her attorney Jason Bowles, left, during testimony in the trial against her in First District Court, in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Friday, March, 1, 2024 Prosecutors say Gutierrez-Reed is to blame for unwittingly bringing live ammunition on set and that she flouted basic safety protocols for weapons handling. She has pleaded not guilty. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey is pictured during the trial on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 Defense attorney Jason Bowles has argued that Kenney wasn't properly investigated for his role as a Rust supplier. Bowles on Monday highlighted the fact that the search of Kenney's business took place about a month after the fatal shooting. Kenney's testimony also delved into his disagreements with Gutierrez-Reed about her job performance on the set of Rust in connection with a gun misfire - prior to the fatal shooting. Testimony Monday also delved into evidence related to a tampering charge against Gutierrez-Reed. That charge stems from accusations that she handed a small bag of possible narcotics to another crew member after the shooting to avoid detection. A crew member from food services testified that she went to Gutierrez-Reed's hotel room the evening after the fatal shooting to keep the armorer company at the request of a union steward. She said Gutierrez-Reed handed her some white powder in a plastic baggie within another baggie, and that she felt insulted and threw it into a hallway garbage container after leaving the room. 'In fairness, you probably had five seconds to look at this bag, is that right?' said Bowles, the defense attorney. 'You have a belief, but you don't know for certain, what was in that bag.' Jurors were shown a video shot during production of Rust in which Alec Baldwin pointed the gun at the crew and cast members including a 12-year-old boy between scenes Baldwin, 65, who was the lead actor and a producer in the movie, will face a separate trial in July for involuntary manslaughter, which he denies Gutierrez-Reed is also facing a charge of tampering with evidence after prosecutors claimed she gave another person a bag of cocaine after a police interview to prevent law enforcement from obtaining it Prosecutors say Gutierrez-Reed is to blame for unwittingly bringing live ammunition on set and that she flouted basic safety protocols for weapons handling. She has pleaded not guilty. Defense attorneys say their client is being smeared and unfairly scapegoated for problems beyond her control, including Baldwin's handling of the weapons. Baldwin, 65, was pointing the gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal on the set outside of Santa Fe when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. He was separately indicted by a grand jury last month on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the fatal shooting of Hutchins. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for July. Tens of thousands have now made the crossing since Rishi Sunak became PM Around 400 asylum seekers were intercepted in the English Channel yesterday More than 40,000 migrants have now attempted the dangerous channel crossing from England to France since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister, figures show. Home Office figures also revealed 401 people made the journey in seven boats on Monday, the highest number recorded in a single day for 2024 to date. Meanwhile, footage shows at least 20 people packed into a dangerously-low-lying dinghy which was making the perilous journey across the English Channel. The video footage shows the packed boat moving slowly through the water while other cross-Channel vessels watch on. They were later picked up by a Border Force vessel and taken to a migrant processing centre in Kent on Monday. At least 20 migrants were pictured in one boat attempting to make the crossing across the channel The boat is seen bobbing up and down in the English Channel on Monday The dinghy was later picked up by a Border Force vessel which was patrolling the English Channel On Sunday, 327 migrants crossed the Channel in eight boats, meaning 728 people were recorded arriving within 48 hours. Border Force vessels were seen bringing men, women and children asylum seekers into the Port of Dover in Kent throughout the day - beginning shortly after dawn. Migrants were also seen disembarking the Border Force vessels at the immigration processing centre in the port. The latest crossings take the provisional total number of UK arrivals so far this year to 2,983. The second highest daily total recorded to date in 2024 was 358 migrants arriving on January 17 in eight boats. It comes as Home Secretary James Cleverly hosted a meeting in Brussels where Britain and France agreed to lead a new customs partnership in a bid to disrupt the supply chain of boats being used to make Channel crossings. Downing Street also insisted the Government's efforts to curb Channel crossings were making a difference. Asked whether the latest agreement will change anything, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Yes. The UK and France have agreed a new customs partnership to disrupt the supply chain of small boats materials. 'That obviously builds on the work that we already do to prevent small boat launches from northern France.' Latest Home Office figures show 401 people made the journey in seven boats on Monday More than 40,000 migrants have arrived in the UK in small boats since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister The latest crossings take the provisional total number of UK arrivals so far this year to 2,983 Number 10 stressed the UK's joint work with France is 'already delivering', with more than 26,000 crossing attempts prevented in 2023 at an interception rate of 47 percent. Asked whether Mr Sunak is sorry for being unable to deliver on his pledge to stop the boats, his spokesman said: 'The PM is focused on making further progress to reducing small boat crossings.' READ MORE: Public concern over immigration jumps to its highest level in six years as a quarter of Brits say it is one of the most important issues facing the country Advertisement The Prime Minister previously warned the unelected chamber against frustrating 'the will of the people' by hampering the passage of his Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, which has already been approved by MPs. Number 10 refused to say whether the Government has found an airline to undertake the deportation flights but insisted it is confident it will have the logistics in place should the scheme get go-ahead. It comes after Mr Sunak insisted his Rwanda deportation scheme, which is central to his pledge to stop migrants crossing the Channel in small boats, was a 'worthwhile investment'. The remarks came after the public spending watchdog disclosed the cost of the policy could soar to half a billion pounds. In a revelation branded a 'national scandal' by Labour, the National Audit Office (NAO) said the plan could cost taxpayers nearly 2 million for each of the first 300 asylum seekers sent to the east African nation. The Home Office had so far refused to say how much more money, on top of the 290 million already confirmed, the UK has agreed to pay Kigali under the stalled plan but a NAO report uncovered millions more in spending including 11,000 for each migrant's plane ticket. Speaking during a visit to Scotland, Mr Sunak told reporters: 'The current situation is unsustainable and unfair. More than 40 people can be seen in this image captured on Saturday in one boat - with the real number of those on board likely to be higher Despite the dinghy already appearing full, at least 32 men, women and children could be seen trying to reach it before it set off Rishi Sunak is pushing forward with his Rwanda deportation scheme as a solution to the growing number of crossings 'Taxpayers are already forking out millions of pounds a day to house illegal migrants in hotels across the country, that's not right. That's why I made stopping the boats one of my priorities. 'I'm pleased that we've made progress, last year the numbers were down by a third.' He continued: 'In order to fully resolve this issue we need to have a deterrent. We need to be able to say if you come here illegally, you won't be able to stay, we can remove you to a safe country. 'That's why the Rwanda scheme is so important. It's a worthwhile investment and I'm determined to see it through.' Meanwhile, on Sunday, a seven-year-old girl died while travelling with her family when their dinghy capsized with 16 people on board in a canal 20 miles inland near Watten, northern France. A new BBC documentary today paints a positive picture of the Met Police's investigation into Sarah Everard's disappearance, but hiding behind the force's latest publicity push is a story of missed opportunities and unanswered questions. Serving firearms officer Wayne Couzens kidnapped the 33-year-old marketing executive in March 2021 before driving her from London to woods near his home in Deal, Kent, where he raped and murdered her before dumping her body. Sarah Everard: The Search For Justice covers the ensuing police investigation and hears from officers including Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation. Describing her reaction to Couzens' finally being sentenced, she says: 'To hear him sentenced to a whole life order made me realise there was nothing else in our investigation that we could have done for Sarah's family.' Lord Justice Fulford, who sentenced Couzens, praised her investigation, calling it the 'most impressive' he had seen in 30 years. However, questions remain about the Met's pursuit of Couzens, including the time it took to identify him as a serving officer, a two-hour delay before his arrest and the fact that he had been reported to police for flashing three days before he murdered Miss Everard. Wayne Couzens looks at a picture of Sarah Everard as it is held up to a protective screen while he is being quizzed by detectives at Wandsworth police station in London Sarah Everard: The Search For Justice covers the investigation into her disappearance The warrant card that Couzens used to trick Miss Everard into getting into his car The marketing executive was reported as missing to the Met on March 4 and the day later her case was escalated to its Serious Crime Unit. Missing posters were plastered around her neighbourhood in Clapham, south London, which was gripped by fear. Public concern was exacerbated by a lack of information from police, with detectives left grasping for potential leads until March 9, when CCTV emerged from a bus showing Miss Everard getting into a white hire car that was later found to have been used by Couzens. READ MORE: Sarah Everard detective reveals chilling moment she discovered that her killer Wayne Couzens was a serving Met cop Advertisement In the BBC documentary, DCI Goodwin says that searches 'quite quickly' uncovered that Couzens had been linked to a report of indecent exposure at a McDonald's in Swanley, Kent, on February 27 - three days before Miss Everard disappeared. She sent her detective colleague, Nick Harvey, to Couzens' Kent home to speak to him, but it was only while he was still in the car that a 'researcher' revealed he was a serving officer in the Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Unit. MailOnline has asked the Met to reveal the length of time between Couzens' name being revealed from the check on the hire car and him being identified as a serving officer, but the force declined to comment. A similar delay characterised the force's separate investigation into the indecent exposure incident at McDonald's. As MailOnline revealed at the time, the Met knew they were investigating a man called 'Wayne Couzens' after being handed his credit card details by staff, but failed to realise he was a Met officer. PC Samantha Lee, who arrived at the restaurant on March 3 to investigate the crime report, was later sacked for lying about her failure to secure CCTV footage of Couzens' car. The documentary covers the ensuing police investigation and hears from officers including Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation Couzens (pictured) was a serving officer in the Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Unit Both cases have sparked bafflement about why the force was unable to identify the killer was 'one of their own' sooner, with there only being one person named Wayne Couzens on the electoral roll. Women's rights campaigner Jamie Klinger said: 'The most shocking part of the documentary to me is that the police had identified Wayne Couzens, knew he was a suspected sex offender and were en route to Kent to his home, before anyone realised/discovered he was serving.' Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice shows footage of Mr Harvey, 40, arriving at Couzens' home and arresting him before conducting an 'urgent interview'. READ MORE: Sarah Everard detective reveals chilling moment she discovered that her killer Wayne Couzens was a serving Met cop Advertisement Officers arrived at Couzens' home at 5.45pm, but did not knock on his door until two hours later at 7.47pm. The subsequent trial heard he had carried out a factory reset on his phone 40 minutes before being arrested. This wiped it of text messages, WhatsApps, photographs, videos and Internet history. This destruction of evidence makes officers' decision to wait before entering his home significant - but the Met refused to reveal the reasons behind it, citing the risk it could 'jeopardise future investigations'. The delay was not noted by the BBC documentary. As well as covering the police investigation, Sarah Everard: The Search For Justice also examined the aftermath of Couzens' arrest, including criticisms of the Met's handling of a vigil held in her memory on Clapham Common. It also revealed disturbing new footage of Couzens being interviewed at Wandsworth police station, with the murderer seen moaning about his mental health while rocking from side to side. He had been declared medically fit to be interviewed moments before, and is seen wearing a white plaster on his head following an incident of self-harm. In the video, the killer policeman moves his head from one side to the other and looks away as he says 'I'm in a dark place' after being asked how he is feeling. New images of Miss Everard were released for the documentary. The BBC said it liaised with her family The Durham University graduate's horrific murder renewed a debate around male violence against women and a toxic culture in the police Her family have previously said she would not have got into Couzens' car had he not been a policeman During the interview, Couzens is shown a picture of Miss Everard and asked if he recognises her. The Met's poor record keeping about sex offenders and their victims could be allowing attackers to go free, report reveals in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder Sex offenders could escape justice because Scotland Yard routinely fails to record basic details about them and their victims, a report has revealed. The internal report, commissioned in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder by Met officer Wayne Couzens, shows officers are not logging information about hundreds of reported sex offences that could help to identify trends or linked attacks. Last month, an independent inquiry found that Couzens, who was jailed for life, should never have been a police officer. The 2022 report into sex attack data, which the Met tried to keep secret following a freedom of information request by The Times, found suspects' relationship to victims, informants or witnesses was marked as unknown or not recorded in 1,289 offences in 2019-20 and 1,076 in 2020-21 around 20 per cent of serious sexual offences. It warns: 'Data is often incorrect, making it difficult to provide a true picture of the problem. There are regular errors and lack of detail when recording both victim and suspect ethnicity, ages and gender.' Advertisement After leaning forward to look at the image, he then shuts his eyes and rocks from side to side and replies 'no comment'. He shows no emotion as it is revealed to him the picture is of Miss Everard and answers 'no comment' again as he is asked if he used his warrant card to lure her into his hired car. He rolls his head around as the detective says to him: 'Is that how she trusted you? Because obviously as a police officer we know we are in a position... people trust us, don't they? 'People trust us to look after them. People trust us to help them. Protect and serve, that's what they say. We all took that oath. You included.' Earlier in the documentary, DCI Goodwin revealed how a colleague came into her office and said 'you need to shut the door' before revealing Couzens was a police officer. She continued: 'I knew that I had to tell my boss and I can just remember the shock of having to just sit on the floor of the office and say to her, 'You're not going to believe this, that he's a police officer'. 'And then the same questions went through her head as went through my head, ''Are you sure?''.' Meanwhile, Mr Harvey recalled the moment he discovered the suspect was a serving officer while driving to his house. He told the documentary: 'The gravity of the whole situation then became incredibly clear. 'You know, the moment I told the team, it just went silent.' Mr Harvey said Couzens' face 'went grey' after he saw his warrant card. Police footage in the documentary showed Couzens during interrogation. An officer said to him: 'People trust us to look after them. People trust us to help them. You know, protect and serve, that's what they say, isn't it? That's what we're here to do. We all took that oath, you included.' Couzens did not respond and kept his head bowed throughout the exchange. Couzens was giving a rare whole-life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder Last week saw the publication of the first stage of The Angiolini Inquiry, which looked at how Couzens was able to carry out his horrific crime. It found his history of alleged sexual offending dated back nearly 20 years before he murdered Miss Everard, with the married father of two was reported to police eight times for indecent exposure between 2008 and 2021, including the McDonald's incident on February 27. Inquiry chair Lady Elish Angiolini identified at least five incidents which were not reported to police and warned there could be more victims. She also revealed for the first time that Couzens allegedly carried out a 'very serious sexual assault of a child barely into her teens' while he was in his twenties. Couzens was accused of attempting to kidnap a woman at knifepoint in North London in 1995 while aged 23. He was also accused of raping two women and indecently touching a man in a bar while wearing a blonde wig. Lady Elish found the married father of two 'could and should' have stopped from getting a job as an officer, and that without a radical overhaul of British policing, there is 'nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight'. The inquiry team found that there were instances where he showed extreme violent pornography to friends and police colleagues, in a move to test their boundaries, and sent unsolicited images of his genitals to women. MailOnline contacted the BBC for comment. Linda Reynolds' defamation proceedings against Brittany Higgins and her fiance David Sharaz failed to reach a settlement on their first day of mediation, raising the likelihood they will go to trial. The Liberal senator had a mediation session with the couple in the WA Supreme Court on Tuesday to try and resolve the disputes. Yet, after nine hours of talks, both parties failed to reach an agreement. A trial, which could take as long as six weeks, is expected to take place in July. Linda Reynolds left the court with her lawyer Martin Bennett and her partner Robert Reid. 'Long day,' she told waiting media, grinning broadly. 'It's still ongoing so it's not appropriate for me to comment on it yet.' Linda Reynolds (pictured with her partner and lawyer leaving the WA Supreme Court on Tuesday) told waiting media it had been a 'long day' Brittany Higgins is pictured walking out of court on Tuesday evening Ms Higgins donned $1,300 a cornflower blue 'Ahana Dress' with long sleeves and a belt, while her fiance sported a $200 Ralph Lauren silk knit tie and cream blazer as they swanned into the building before Ms Reynolds' arrival on Tuesday morning. Ms Higgins told media that Perth was 'beautiful', but a difficult place to return to. Last time she was with Senator Reynolds in Perth was in 2019, weeks after her alleged rape, when she was a member of the then-minister's staff. However, outside court on Tuesday Ms Higgins said that she believes 'everyone's acting in good faith'. The mediation talks went on so long that security guards had left and turned the revolving doors off by the time both parties left the court. The mediation session was held after Judge Marcus Solomon urged the parties to resolve the issue before going to trial, citing immense costs that are often associated with defamation proceedings. Ms Higgins leaving court alongside her lawyer Leon Zwier Ms Reynolds' defamation case centres on social media posts fired off by Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz. She claims the posts imply that she pressured Ms Higgins not to proceed with a police complaint regarding the alleged rape, and that she interfered with Bruce Lehrmann's trial. Ms Higgins is also accused of breaching a non-disparagement clause in a settlement contract she entered in 2021 that prevents her from speaking negatively about Ms Reynolds. Ms Reynolds is simultaneously suing Mr Sharaz separately for allegedly defaming her in five social media posts, which were allegedly 'falsely defamatory' and caused her 'loss and damage'. The senator is seeking aggravated damages, an injunction to stop Ms Higgins from publishing allegedly defamatory material, and another injunction to stop her from breaching the settlement contract. Ms Higgins' fiance David Sharaz sported a $200 Ralph Lauren silk knit tie and cream blazer Linda Reynolds is pictured with Brittany Higgins in Perth in 2019 The senator first threatened legal action in July last year, claiming she has been the target of 'unwarranted criticism and abuse' since Ms Higgins went public with her rape allegations in 2021. Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz permanently relocated to France at the end of last year, having bought a house near Bordeaux. They had no plans to return to Australia, but they were required to attend court in Perth on Tuesday and Wednesday. It comes just months after Ms Reynolds sought to freeze Ms Higgins' assets. Ms Higgins received about $2.4million from the taxpayer in 2022 based on claims her political career was in ruins after she alleged she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019. Mr Lehrmann has continually denied the allegations and is currently suing Channel 10 and Lisa Wilkinson - who broke the story on The Project in 2021 - for defamation. By Jun Ji-hye Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has sparked controversy with his proposal to rename Dongdaegu Station Square to "Park Chung-hee Square" and build a statue of the former president at the site. The outspoken conservative politician disclosed his plans through Facebook recently, saying that the time is ripe to honor the legacy of Park, who the mayor said, "represents Daegu." The legacy of the late military dictator, who served as president for 18 years until he was assassinated by his intelligence chief in 1979, remains a controversial figure in Korea, with many accusing him of stifling democracy with his authoritarian rule. But he still commands huge support from conservatives, who praise him for laying the foundation for the countrys rapid economic development. In a Facebook post, the mayor expressed regret, noting the disparity between the limited spaces commemorating Park's accomplishments in Daegu compared to Gwangju, which boasts numerous facilities and installations dedicated to former liberal President Kim Dae-jung. I will begin accepting opinions from citizens regarding the proposal to rename Dongdaegu Station Square as Park Chung-hee Square and building Parks statue there, Hong wrote. The mayors comments provoked immediate criticism from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. In a statement, the Daegu branch of the party pointed out that the public's assessment of Park has already been established. They also questioned the timing of Hong's Facebook post, particularly with the April 10 general elections approaching. Hong's plans would be considered controversial unless they aim to acknowledge a contentious figure in history and educate the public about his actions, it said. Jang Ji-hyuck, a senior member of a civic group based in Daegu, also said, Mayor Hong has been inconsistent as he had criticized Park for his dictatorship, but now he is moving to honor the former president. Motorists are paying more for fuel after a surge in the price of petrol and diesel, according to the RAC. Their survey of average petrol prices across the UK suggests that a litre of unleaded will set you back 144.01p, while those seeking the more potent mixture will pay 155.88p. Diesel drivers will pay on average 155.88p for a litre - or those unfortunate enough to run low on fuel on the motorway will pay 176.50. Supermarket fuel is cheaper, averaging at 143p a litre for unleaded or 152.1p per litre for diesel. According to the RAC, shopping around could save the average motorist an estimated 6p per litre in fuel costs. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. However, in July 2022 the cost of a litre of unleaded petrol peaked at 191.43p while diesel cost 199.07p. According to the RAC, the price of a litre of fuel is affected by the price of crude oil and the supply and demand of the raw product. It is also impacted by the production and capacity of oil refineries. They predict the price of fuel is also expected to rise in the coming weeks. Also, the weak sterling exchange rate affects motorists as oil is bought in US dollars. In addition to the cost of the fuel and the retailer's margin, motorists pay 52.95p a litre in fuel duty. Worse still, motorists have to pay VAT at 20pc on top of the entire cost of the fuel - including 10.59 VAT per litre on the excise duty. According to the RAC: 'Petrol and diesel prices were last at historically low prices in February 2016, when the average price of a litre of unleaded fell to just 101.27p and diesel to 100.19p. This was caused by an extremely low oil price. Some UK fuel retailers charged even less than a pound a litre around this time. Motorists have noticed an increase in the price of a litre of fuel in recent weeks Petrol car owners pay on average 142.9p per litre while diesel motorists hand over 151.3p per litre 'But there is a limit to how low UK fuel prices can go, as tax fuel duty, plus VAT charged on the total price can make up the lions share of the price of a litre. Even if the fuel was given away and the retailers didnt take any margin, the price of a litre would still include duty and VAT. 'This high level of tax affects the price of a litre of fuel significantly. When the price of oil is falling it can also create a perception that pump prices are not reducing as much as they should because the lower the pump prices falls, the greater the percentage of tax. The Government also makes more in VAT when fuel prices are higher.' READ MORE: Smokers to be hammered in this week's budget Advertisement Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt is to extend a 5p cut in fuel duty for another year as he seeks to calm Tory jitters over dire opinion poll ratings. Whitehall sources told the Mail that the Chancellor will protect motorists in tomorrow's Budget in a bid to show the Government is on the side of ordinary motorists. In a 5billion package for drivers, fuel duty will be frozen for the 14th consecutive year and a 'temporary' 5p cut in the rate will be extended for another year. Last night Mr Hunt and Rishi Sunak were still working to agree the details of a Budget which was derailed last week when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) ruled that the Chancellor's tax-cutting proposals were 'unaffordable'. He is expected to confirm a 2p cut in personal taxes to demonstrate that the Conservatives are serious about reducing a tax burden that has risen to a peacetime record in the wake of the pandemic and energy crisis. But future public spending is set to be squeezed and a string of smaller tax rises will be introduced to help pay for the package. Whitehall sources said the NHS would miss out on extra funding, with no cash boost expected to cut waiting lists. The 5p cut in fuel duty was introduced by Mr Sunak in 2022 after oil prices were sent soaring by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It was meant to last for a year but was renewed again last March. Treasury officials had pushed to scrap it after a drop in pump prices but this idea was vetoed by Mr Hunt as politically untenable. James Cleverly tore into peers today after the House of Lords inflicted a series of defeats on the Government over its Rwanda Bill, suggesting they were helping people smugglers. The Home Secretary lashed out after the unelected upper chamber made changes to the marquee legislation designed to get flights off the ground within months. The Lords voted by majorities of more than 100 votes on a series of changes to the Bill, with the size of the defeats the biggest to have been suffered by Mr Sunak as PM. But Mr Cleverly said that blocking the bill only helped people smugglers who risked peoples lives while making huge sums of money cramming migrants into rickety boats to cross from France. 'There is nothing noble or honourable or righteous about watching this happen and not doing anything,' he told the Telegraph. 'The Government and the Prime Minister, we are taking action to break these gangs and people can help or they can get out the way but I'm not going to be deterred. 'If people, whether they be in the Lords, or the opposition parties in the House of Commons, if they are trying to take away one of the tools for dissuading people making these life-threatening journeys, and if they're trying to take away one of the tools to break the business model of people-smugglers and they are not suggesting what they would replace it, my assessment is they are not helping solve a problem.' More than 400 migrants arrived in the UK on Monday on the busiest day of the year so far for Channel crossings. Home Office figures show 401 people made the journey in seven boats. This is the highest number recorded in a single day for 2024 to date and suggests an average of around 41 people per boat. It came amid reports that flights will not start before the end of April at the earliest, because the Rwandan government does not want them to clash with commemorations for the 30th anniversary of the Hutu/Tutsi genocide. The Home Secretary lashed out after the unelected upper chamber made changes to the marquee legislation designed to get flights off the ground within months. The Lords voted by majorities of more than 100 votes on a series of changes to the Bill, with the size of the defeats the biggest to have been suffered by Mr Sunak as PM. Mr Cleverly said that blocking the bill only helped people smugglers who risked peoples lives while making huge sums of money cramming migrants into rickety boats to cross from France. Peers supported a move to ensure the controversial Bill is fully compliant with domestic and international law. They also demanded that Parliament cannot declare Rwanda a safe country for housing asylum seekers until a new treaty with Kigali is fully implemented. In a further change, the Lords voted in favour of establishing a monitoring mechanism able to determine whether the safeguards in the treaty have been, and continue to be, fully implemented. The Government is likely to suffer even more defeats in the Lords this week, with a string of other amendments having been tabled to the Rwanda Bill by peers. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and former judge Baroness Hale of Richmond are backing efforts to prevent ministers ignoring the European Court of Human Rights via the legislation. Although the amendments are unlikely to block the legislation altogether, with the House of Commons having the final say, many peers are determined to slow progress of the Bill. Last night's heavy Government defeats set the stage for an extended tussle between the Commons and Lords during 'ping-pong', where legislation is batted between the two Houses until agreement is reached. Mr Sunak has said he wants the first flights to leave for Rwanda this Spring, but Tories fear the policy will not be up and running before the general election, expected this Autumn. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (pictured) and ex-judge Baroness Hale are backing efforts to prevent ministers ignoring the European Court of Human Rights Downing Street suggested peers should 'work for the House of Commons' and 'protect innocent lives from perilous journeys. The Prime Minister's official spokesman today said: 'There is still an option for the Lords to work for the House of Commons, protect innocent lives from perilous journeys across the Channel, and we hope that they will take that opportunity in future votes.' Number 10 refused to say whether the Government had found an airline to conduct the deportation flights. 'I'm not going to comment on the operational details getting flights off the ground,' Mr Sunak's spokesman said. Downing Street insisted it was confident that it would have the logistics in place for flights to run should the scheme get the green light to go ahead. During last night's debate in the Lords on the Rwanda Bill, former Tory leader Michael Howard said the Government was 'fully entitled' to use the legislation to declare Rwanda a safe country to remove asylum seekers to. Lord Howard of Lympne told peers that the Supreme Court had been 'trespassing' on the Government's responsibilities in their November ruling that Rwanda is not a safe third country. 'All the Government is doing in this bill is to reassert its responsibility, as traditionally understood by the principle of the separation of powers, for executive decision-making,' he told peers. 'And there is a reason why it is the Government, and not the courts, which has that responsibility. It is because it is the Government, and not the courts, which is accountable. The courts is accountable to no one they pride themselves on that. 'But accountability is at the heart of democracy. That is why the Government is fully entitled to bring forward this bill and why much of the criticism which is directed at it for doing so is, for the reasons I have given, fundamentally misconceived.' Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Lilley urged peers to 'use common sense' and support the Bill otherwise 'more will die' crossing the Channel, he warned. But critics of the Bill lined up to deliver fresh criticism of the legislation. The Archbishop of Canterbury pointed out international human rights law had grown out of the horrors committed by Nazi Germany, where in 1933 a government that 'had been legally and properly elected, passed horrific laws that did terrible things'. He added: 'We are not in any situation remotely like that, let's be clear. The Government is not doing something on the scale of what we saw at that stage. 'But the Government is challenging the right of international law to constrain our actions. And the point of international law is to stop governments going ahead with things that are wrong.' Tory peer Lord Tugendhat, whose nephew is security minister Tom Tugendhat, accused the Government of behaving like the ruling party in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, in its move to legislate that Rwanda was safe. He said: 'If this Bill goes onto the statute book in its present form, Rwanda will be a safe country regardless of reality until the statute is repealed.' Crossbench peer Baroness D'Souza, the former Lord Speaker, branded the Bill a 'legal fiction' as she claimed it was an attempt at 'writing into law a demonstrably false statement that Rwanda is a safe country to receive asylum seekers and thereby forcing all courts to treat Rwanda as a safe country, despite clear findings of fact'. Ken Clarke, the former Tory chancellor, expressed his hope there would be a legal challenge to the Rwanda Bill, even if the legislation was passed by Parliament. 'I can't recall a precedent in my time where a Government of any complexion has produced a Bill which asserts facts, a matter of facts, facts to be fact,' Lord Clarke of Nottingham told peers. 'And then goes on to say that this should be regarded legally as a fact interminably until and unless the Bill is changed, and then goes on to say that no court should even consider any question of the facts being otherwise. 'It's no good blaming the Human Rights Act, I do not think it probable that the British courts were going to come to any other conclusion. 'And if the Labour party allow this Bill to go through, I very much hope there will be a legal challenge, and the Supreme Court will consider it obviously objectively again.' A trainee British Army officer at Sandhurst military academy raped a female colleague who was so drunk 'she could not walk', a court martial has heard. Officer Cadet Harry Waters, 24, is accused of carrying the young woman upstairs 'princess style' and having sex with her on his bed at his family home. The officers-in-training had shared a 'passionate' kiss downstairs on the sofa, the military court was told. OCdt Waters, who denies rape, claims his fellow cadet climbed on top of him prompting him to ask: 'Do you want to?'. But the female trainee officer later told him 'if you have to carry me up the stairs' that doesn't count as consent for sex. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, whose alumni include Princes William and Harry, is responsible for training the British Army's officers but in recent years the Berkshire institution has been rocked by sex abuse scandals. Pictured: Officer Cadet Harry Waters, 24, outside Bulford Military Court Centre Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, heard Waters invited a group of cadets to his family's home in Guildford, Surrey, for a weekend while his parents were away. The alleged rape came after a day of heavy drinking, which the alleged victim, who can't be named for legal reasons, was not accustomed to, it was heard. Rupert Gregory, prosecuting, said: 'OCdt Waters invited her and others to spend the weekend at his family home which is not far from Sandhurst. 'On the Friday they had drinks and food and had watched a movie. She says she fell asleep and this defendant carried her up to her room. 'The following day they went to a pub in London, drinking in the day. They met up with others. 'It got quite late and they ended up taking an Uber back to his family home, they sat down and they carried on drinking.' Mr Gregory said the female officer cadet was 'not used to the robust drinking culture' within the Army, had been drinking whisky, and was more inebriated than anyone else. The prosecutor said others went to bed, leaving OCdt Waters and the alleged victim alone, and that the pair started kissing. Officer Cadet Harry Waters is accused of carrying the young woman upstairs 'princess style' and having sex with her on his bed at his family home 'She had quite a lot to drink', Mr Gregory said. 'He carried her upstairs again. 'The next thing she recalls is that she has a flash of memory in his bed. He was on top of her having sex with her. 'She was not sure if he had a condom on. 'She was disoriented and froze. It was, she says, like a dream and she doesn't know if it happened or not.' In a police interview, the female cadet said: 'It starts to get a bit fuzzy.. I was disoriented, I had flashes. 'I was sitting and talking to Waters, I remember I kissed him. 'Then the next memory I remember was being carried upstairs, I didn't think much of it, I didn't think it was weird because he carried me up [the night before].' The officer cadet said she was carried 'princess style'. A stock image of Bulford Military Court Centre She continued: 'The next flash of memory was in his bed with him on top me. I think I still had my shirt on but didn't have my bottoms on.' At this point, the female officer alleged OCdt Walters was having sex with her. 'I was not sure if this was a dream, it was like a flash and all of a sudden this was happening,' she went on. 'The next morning I was in his bed and he was not there.' She said she realised they did have sex as she 'ached'. 'I didn't say anything about it, I was just confused at this point', she said. In a police interview, OCdt Waters claimed she 'climbed' on him on the sofa and he asked her: 'Do you want it? I don't have a condom.' He also told police that in the bedroom she told him he was 'good' at a sex act performed on her, but said he was 'embarrassed' because he finished 'very quickly'. The court heard the morning after the incident, downstairs at the house, OCdt Waters was 'regretful'. He told a male cadet who was staying there: 'I know, I'm stupid.' The group had a barbecue that day and the following day had a sexual assault briefing at Sandhurst. The female cadet said she had a 'visceral response' to the briefing and squeezed her chair hard while fighting back tears. Later that day at Sandhurst, OCdt Waters asked her how she was and claimed he didn't remember what happened. She suggested things were OK but thereafter tried to avoid him around Sandhurst. She confided in a friend who urged her to make a report however it was heard she did not make a formal report initially. She said she felt 'isolated' at Sandhurst and was not 'supported' there as she struggled to get an STI test when false rumours floated around that OCdt Waters had contracted one. It was heard she was left upset when OCdt Waters moved into a room opposite hers. While out with other cadets, the young woman was jokingly teased about 'getting with' OCdt Waters. Around four months later, after speaking with the Padre at Sandhurst, the cadet wrote a letter to OCdt Waters accusing him of sexually assaulting her. Mr Gregory said: 'She ended up asking OCdt Waters whether he had an STI and wrote to him a letter about how isolated she felt. 'They had a chat and he said he felt differently about what happened. 'She said to him she was so drunk she could not walk so she didn't consider that what they did in the bed was consensual. 'He said he had not carried her upstairs and that she said 'yes'.' The cadet said of the meeting: 'I told him you need to know this but I'm not able to say this, I handed him the note and walked back to my room.' The note said that she had been struggling to deal with the 'psychological' impact of what happened, that she was 'isolated', and that it would 'stick with me'. OCdt Waters came to her room and she told him: 'I don't know if you have a different definition of consent but if you could not walk up the stairs I don't see that as consent.' OCdt Waters left her room upset after telling her he didn't carry her upstairs. The trial, due to last over two weeks, continues. Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs and peers - as well as a split in Cabinet - over Government plans to broaden the definition of extremism. As part of a fresh crackdown on Islamist and far-right groups, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove is set to unveil proposals as early as next week. It is expected that an updated definition of extremism would attempt to capture groups or individuals that promote an ideology that 'undermines the rights or freedoms of others'. But, according to The Times, some Cabinet ministers fear it could ban gender critical groups who challenge transgender women's access to same-sex facilities. There are also concerns conservative Christian groups could be banned for opposing gay marriage or abortion. 'It's going to be incredibly difficult,' a Government source told the newspaper. 'You can see how, very quickly, small 'c' conservative groups will be hit with this.' Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs and peers - as well as a split in Cabinet - over Government plans to broaden the definition of extremism As part of a fresh crackdown on Islamist and far-right groups, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove is set to unveil proposals as early as next week Mr Gove's expected announcement will come after the PM expressed fears there was 'growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule' amid protests over the Israel-Hamas war Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Miriam Cates hit out at a move to broaden the definition of extremism Under Mr Gove's plans, it is expected the Government and public bodies would be able to bar groups from venues or campuses and block funding. There is also a backlash to the proposals among Tory backbenchers, with Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Miriam Cates hitting out at a move to broaden the definition of extremism. 'This is a slippery slope towards the abolition of fundamental freedoms,' she wrote on Twitter/X. 'In a free and democratic society with a plurality of opinions and beliefs, it is foolish and dangerous to separate 'extremism' from violence and terrorism. 'Some people think that gender critical views are 'extreme'. I think decriminalising abortion to birth is 'extreme'. 'Opposition politicians think the current government is 'extreme'. Martin Luther King, William Wilberforce and the suffragettes were all viewed as 'extremists'. 'If 'extremist' views are illegal, then the person who defines 'extremism' has the power to curtail free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of association. This is the path to authoritarianism.' Ms Cates, who is co-chair of the New Conservatives faction of Tory MPs, said Islamists glorifying terrorism and intimidating others were 'committing criminal offences under current law'. 'We just need to enforce the law by prosecuting those who incite violence, glorify terrorism, promote racism and make threats,' she added. Lord Frost, the Tory peer and former Cabinet minister, agreed with Ms Cates. 'What we need is proper enforcement of the laws we have against, for example, incitement to violence,' he posted. Mr Gove's expected announcement will come after the Prime Minister last week expressed fears there was 'growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule' amid protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mr Sunak also used an address from Downing Street to warn against increasing intimidation. A Government spokesman told The Times it was 'untrue' that the new definition of extremism would inadvertently ban Christian organisations opposed to gay marriage or gender critical groups. He said: 'We are taking action to tackle extremism at its root and to ensure that no extremist organisations or individuals are being given a platform by their actions and interactions with Government. 'This would absolutely not affect lawful expressions of beliefs and we will publish robust engagement principles and clear guidance for their implementation.' Frankfurt has become Germany's first city to hang up lights to celebrate Ramadan, with city officials citing London's bright display in Piccadilly Circus last year as inspiration. The city has begun hanging the lights near the Alte Oper concert hall in the centre of the city, and will keep them up for the month of Ramadan. Bild reported that since Monday, workers have been unpacking lights in the shape of stars and crescent moons and connecting them to the grid in preparation for the start of Ramadan on March 10. The lights, which read 'Happy Ramadan' were blocked last year by the CDU, but the Greens, who run Frankfurt, managed to push the motion through. The Green Party's application states: 'By decorating during Ramadan, the city of Frankfurt is sending an important signal for Muslim life and thereby appreciating the people of the Muslim faith in this city.' The city has begun hanging the lights near the Alte Oper concert hall in the centre of the city, and will keep them up for the month of Ramadan Frankfurt's lights were inspired by London hanging up Ramadan lights last year Frankfurt's mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grunberg said: 'They are lights of togetherness, against reservations, against discrimination, against anti-Muslim racism and also against anti-Semitism.' The lights will be hung across five steel cables at a cost of between 50,000 and 100,000 euros. Up to 150,000 Muslims live in Frankfurt, making up roughly 15% of the city's population. Last year, Sadiq Khan switched on the Ramadan lights in Piccadilly Circus. It was the first time a European city had hung up lights in celebration of the Islamic celebration. The London lights were spearheaded by Ramadan Lights UK, which pushed for the display to be set up through donations. The group's founder Aisha Desai, said at the time: 'As a child, a trip into central London to see the festive lights was an annual treat. 'My sister and I would lie in the back of the car looking at the lights through the sunroof. It was magical. 'As a proud Muslim, I wanted to bring some of that magic to my community And three years ago, that journey began with Ramadan Lights. 'And our generous donors have helped us go from strength to strength.' The Princess of Wales will attend Trooping the Colour in three months' time as part of her comeback to royal duties after Easter following surgery, it emerged today. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Kate Middleton will be present at the military parade on Saturday, June 8 at Horse Guards Parade in Westminster. Tickets are now being sold on the site for the spectacle on the weekend before the main Trooping the Colour ceremony, which is normally reviewed by the monarch. But while this is Kate's first official duty to be announced since she underwent surgery, Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed her attendance. MailOnline understands that Palace officials were not consulted on the update from the MoD. A royal source added that attendance by Prince William or Kate at events is always announced by the Palace, not the MoD. But it appears the MoD hopes Kate will be well enough to attend one of the key ceremonial events in the Armed Forces' year. Only the Palace can announce Kate's attendance at a royal event - and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time. MailOnline contacted the MoD for comment, but questions were directed to the Palace, which has also not issued a statement. Also this morning, King Charles met Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of tomorrow's Budget in a meeting at Buckingham Palace as his cancer treatment continues. Before a Budget is presented, the Chancellor meets with the monarch, usually the day before the Government's plans for the economy are delivered to the Commons. The audience is traditionally a private one, but, this time, the King was photographed shaking hands with Mr Hunt in the private audience room of the royal residence. And royal officials also confirmed today that Queen Camilla will lead the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey next Monday. Prince William, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent will also be at the event in London. The Ministry of Defence confirmed today that Kate will attend Trooping the Colour on June 8 The general public can watch from the stands by applying for tickets via the MoD website King Charles is pictured with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace in London today King Charles and Jeremy Hunt shake hands at Buckingham Palace today ahead of the Budget When Kate attends Trooping the Colour, it will be almost exactly the same as when the King reviews the parade - with the exception of fewer mounted officers riding. ANALYSIS: Should have been consultation with Kensington Palace By PHIL DAMPIER Im sure the Princess of Wales will be well enough to attend Trooping the Colour and Kensington Palace has said that shes recovering well from abdominal surgery. We will probably see her at Easter and then hopefully a lot of the wild rumours going about online will die down. Having said that it doesnt help when you get mix ups about announcements like this. Its not up to the Ministry of Defence to tell us months in advance if she will be there, especially as she has not been seen for a couple of months and there has been a lot of speculation. There should have been consultation with Kensington Palace and they should all be singing from the same song sheet. We all hope the King and Kate will be well enough to resume duties soon, but they must take their recoveries one step at a time, and it doesnt help saying they will be at this event or that event so far into the future. We know that the King and Queen Camilla are due at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa later in the year, and then are due in Australia and New Zealand, as confirmed the other day by the Australian Prime Minister. But both the King and Kate will act on the advice of their doctors and they wont want them stressing about events in several months time. If an announcement is made and then withdrawn it only fuels conspiracy theories so its essential that all departments dealing with these events talk to each other. Phil Dampier is a journalist and author who has been writing about the British Royal Family for more than 35 years. Advertisement Some 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will take part, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands. They will parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal reviews, while there will also be 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards lining the route along The Mall. There are two further Trooping the Colour parades being advertised by the MoD - one reviewed by Major General James Bowder on June 1 and another by King Charles III on June 15. Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed the monarch's attendance. The general public can watch from the stands on Horse Guards Parade by applying for tickets via the MoD website, which cost 15. The parade will finish by 12.25pm. There will also be a limited view from standing in public vantage points on The Mall or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade from 9am. Charles is receiving treatment for cancer and Kate is recovering from abdominal surgery, but it is understood that planning for major royal events continues with organisers remaining flexible in the event of possible changes. Speaking about the announcement 'mix-up', royal expert Phil Dampier told MailOnline today: 'I'm sure the Princess of Wales will be well enough to attend Trooping the Colour and Kensington Palace has said that she's recovering well from abdominal surgery. 'We will probably see her at Easter and then hopefully a lot of the wild rumours going about online will die down. Having said that it doesn't help when you get mix-ups about announcements like this.' He said it was 'not up to the Ministry of Defence to tell us months in advance if she will be there', especially given speculation surrounding for health as she has not attended a royal event since last December. Mr Dampier continued: 'There should have been consultation with Kensington Palace and they should all be singing from the same song sheet. 'We all hope the King and Kate will be well enough to resume duties soon, but they must take their recoveries one step at a time, and it doesn't help saying they will be at this event or that event so far into the future.' He added that Charles and Camilla are due at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa later this year as well as in Australia and New Zealand, as confirmed earlier this week by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. But Mr Dampier also said: 'Both the King and Kate will act on the advice of their doctors and they won't want them stressing about events in several months' time. King Charles III is pictured arriving at Clarence House this morning as his treatment continues The King, pictured arriving at Clarence House in London today, is receiving cancer treatment 'If an announcement is made and then withdrawn it only fuels conspiracy theories so it's essential that all departments dealing with these events talk to each other.' Trooping the Colour: 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses at parade for Sovereign's birthday Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. The parade sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians join each June in a display of military precision and fanfare. Crowds line the streets with flags as the parade travels from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, with Royal Family members on horseback and in carriages. A royal salute greets the Sovereign as they arrive at Horse Guards Parade before they inspect the troops, wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. The escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, then travels down the ranks of soldiers, with the commanding officer directing the soldiers with more than 100 words of command The Foot Guards march past the Sovereign before heading back to the Palace at the head of the soldiers. The display finishes with a flypast by the Royal Air Force which is watched by royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. There is also a 41-gun salute fired from Green Park. Advertisement Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. The parade sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians join together each June in a display of military precision and fanfare. On a ticket booking website for Trooping the Colour, the MoD said Kate, as Colonel of the Irish Guards, will carry out the inspection during the event on June 8. A section on the event information said: 'Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is identical to Trooping the Colour reviewed by His Majesty The King, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride when His Majesty The King is present. 'Taking part will be over 1,400 soldiers of the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, all of whom will parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal Reviews. 'Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales also includes 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who will line the processional route along The Mall. 'The soldiers will be inspected by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Colonel Irish Guards.' Kate is not set to return to official duties until after Easter, and William temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Princess was admitted to the London Clinic for a planned operation on January 16 and left the hospital on January 29 - almost two weeks later. The 42-year-old then returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children. Details of the Princess's condition have not been revealed. Kensington Palace however said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private. 2023 -- Prince William and Kate with their children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at Buckingham Palace for Trooping The Colour in London on June 17 last year A week after the Princess left hospital, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment. READ MORE When is Trooping the Colour 2024? Full details of the King's birthday parade Advertisement Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, are thought to be hands-on in helping the Waleses. Aides previously insisted that Kate would be out of sight until after Easter, but she is likely to be working behind the scenes on her early years projects. Yesterday, TMZ published a photograph of Kate near Windsor Castle in the passenger seat of a black Audi car being driven by her mother Carole Middleton. The photo of Kate, who was wearing dark sunglasses, is the first of her since she was pictured during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk. Last Friday, the Prince of Wales was asked 'William, how's Catherine?' during his visit to Wrexham AFC's Racecourse Ground to mark St David's Day, but did not respond to the question. William receives flowers for Kate from All Saints' Primary School pupils in Wrexham last Friday Later, William thanked a group of schoolchildren for giving him a bouquet of flowers for Kate while visiting a school. They gave him Welsh dragon toys for his three children - and then flowers for Kate. The Prince told them: 'I'll pass them onto Catherine as well, thank you very much.' Meanwhile, Kate's 'black sheep' uncle Gary Goldsmith - the brother of Carole - praised her as 'perfect' as he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house last night. He added that she could be watching the new ITV programme from 'behind a sofa'. Asked by presenter AJ Odudu if Kate would be watching, 58-year-old Mr Goldsmith said: 'If she is it will be behind a sofa, I guess... It'll be a nice one in a nice house, I can guarantee that.' In a pre-recorded interview which aired before he entered the house, Goldsmith said: 'She is simply perfect. 'First time I met William, Catherine was cooking and William said, 'Hi, do you want a cup of tea?' Very normal.' Towards the end of the programme, he told fellow housemate Fern Britton 'I absolutely adore my family' after the TV presenter praised his decision to come on the show. Speaking to The Sun before entering the house, Goldsmith described his niece as a 'doting mum'. 'She's beautiful on the outside, but more beautiful on the inside and really is a doting mum... so the way the monarchy is moving, it's family-centric.' Kate was last seen at a royal event on Christmas Day 2023 with her family at Sandringham He added he became 'upset' with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'because you don't put a stick into that spoke and reinvent history'. READ MORE King continues duties during cancer treatment: Smiling Charles holds traditional meeting with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of tomorrow's Budget Advertisement 'Throwing your family under the bus just seemed inappropriate, especially what was happening with the Queen. I just thought it was totally unnecessary,' he added. In Charles's absence from public duties, Camilla has become the most senior royal performing engagements and led the Royal Family at the service for King Constantine last week. This year has seen a sudden shortage of frontline royals after Charles and Kate both went into hospital around the same time. And the family's health woes have left William shouldering more of the burden of public duties while at the same time supporting Kate and helping care for their children. Charles was admitted for surgery for a benign prostate condition, but subsequently diagnosed with an unrelated cancer. The monarch has withdrawn from public-facing duties while he undergoes treatment. A repaired pothole crumbled just nine days after it was fixed by the council, as frustrated motorists argue Britain is having a 'crater crisis'. Pete Munro, 49, snapped a picture of a freshly tarmacked pothole in the village of Three Oaks, East Sussex, before returning two days later to take a comparison image. Shockingly he discovered that large cracks had already started to appear on the once smooth surface. Three days later he came back again to find even more cracks and even a small hole that had opened up. Then on his final visit nine days after the job was completed he was met with the sight of a large watery pothole that needed reporting to the council so it could be repaired all over again. Is your local area experiencing a 'crater crisis'? Get in touch lettice.bromovsky@mailonline.co.uk Day 1 (left) and 3 (right) Day 6 (left) and 9 (right) Council contractors repairing the pothole that would fall apart just nine days later Mr Munro said the episode is a scandalous indictment on the state of Britain's broken and neglected roads. Last month the RAC revealed that local council road maintenance in England dropped by 45 per cent last year compared to five years ago. There were almost 630,000 potholes reported to local authorities across the country, costing drivers as much as 500m in repair bills. Local residents in East Sussex have called the repair job 'scandalous' and accused council officials of 'pouring taxpayers' money down a bottomless pothole'. Mr Munro, a plumber, said he often walks around his village to look for potholes to report to East Sussex County Council. On his last visit he counted 19 that needed logging. He said: 'Ironically the pothole on Moor Lane I took photos of was not on that list. 'I saw some contractors repairing this pothole. It took them less than a minute to do. 'A couple of hours after they left I went and took a picture. At that moment I thought this would be a good opportunity to see how long the repairs last for. I just had a feeling this one wasn't going to last long. A map showing the village of Three Oaks in East Sussex. 'After three days it was already breaking up, after six days there were even more cracks and a hole had appeared and after nine days it was back to being a pothole again. 'It's a shambles. They can't be repairing potholes properly because they are failing so quickly and the contractors have to go back and fill them in again. They are chasing their tails. It's no wonder why there are so many potholes in our roads.' Mr Munro posted his photos on social media and wrote: 'This is a permanent pothole repair between Three Oaks and Westfield. We will never have safe roads while ESCC allow our roads to be repaired like this.' In reply Guy Harris, from nearby Rye, said: 'This is a powerful commentary. It's a painful display of our money being poured into a bottomless pothole. 'Yes, (the contractor) will be liable for the re-repair but that cost has clearly been written into the contract we are paying for. We're subsidising waste and inefficiency and we're still driving on dangerous roads that are damaging our cars.' Dave Upton said: 'There can't be many businesses that would be able to keep trading if they carried out shoddy work like this. Why is this being allowed to continually happen?' A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council's highways department said: 'We are aware of the failed repair on Moor Lane, which was identified through our regular quality inspections. 'Whilst it is regrettable that this pothole repair has failed, we have instructed our contractor to return and carry out a more substantial repair.' A double-decker bus has crashed into a building near Tottenham Court Road Station in central London. Police, ambulance and fire crews raced to the scene just after 10am today after a yellow bus appears to have driven front on into a shop front between Costa Coffee and All Bar One on New Oxford Street. One person is in hospital following the crash while another person was also injured but discharged by paramedics at the scene. Firefighters also evacuated around 200 people from the property, according to the fire service. Transport for London confirmed there were no passengers on board the route 8 bus, which was being operated by Stagecoach London, as it was moving to its first stop on the route. The shop front is thought to be an empty retail unit, which one witness said was being used for an art pop up. The London Fire Brigade said that the damage to the store is only superficial. A double-decker bus has crashed into a building near Tottenham Court Road Station in central London The yellow bus appears to have driven front on into a Costa Coffee on New Oxford Street A large cordon has been put in place, with a number of road closures in place to divert traffic away from the scene. The bus has now been removed from the hole in the wall, with images showing the bus's crumpled windscreen. The front bumper of the bus has also fallen off while the front top window has been smashed. Shocking pictures also show the aftermath of the crash inside the shop, where the entire window frame has been knocked out of place and wires can be seen hanging from the ceiling. It is understood that no-one suffered any major injuries. Student Vansh Patel, 17, arrived at the scene just moments after the crash. He said: 'I'm interested in photography, so I had come out into central London to take photos. But then I saw all the police cars and ambulances, and came over. 'The bus was basically crashed through the building, it was mad - it looked like it had just veered off the road and gone straight through into the shop.' Mr Patel stayed to watch as a lorry removed the bus from the building. 'It got dragged out,' he said. 'It's just waiting around the corner now.' The bus appears to have now been removed for the hole in the wall, with images showing the bus's crumpled windscreen The front bumper of the bus has also fallen off while the front top window has been smashed The hole in the wall where the bus crashed into early this morning The crash took place next to a Costa Coffee shop, seen on the right, which was not damaged during the incident Firefighters stand near to a damaged building on New Oxford Street, near Tottenham Court Road in central London Other pedestrians said they believe that the building the bus crashed into was an empty retail unit. 'Someone said it was being used for an art pop-up, so I don't think anyone works there yet,' another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said. 'But I suppose people could be preparing so I hope no one was inside at the time.' Two men, who work in the area, joked that the bus driver was 'practising for the F1'. One person added: 'The Number 8 comes down New Oxford Street, so I think it's that one. I see it while I'm working. 'Maybe it's yellow because it's been painted for some marketing or advertising campaign.' Images from earlier today showed the front of the bus buried in the wall of the shop front, with broken glass spread across the pavement. The bus was pictured surrounded by several ambulances and fire engines, with firefighters also seen examining the extent of the damage from the street. Mark Arby, a passer by who saw the aftermath of the crash, told the Metro: 'There was a lot of broken glass on the road and pavement. 'The bus itself looked okay, not much damage; the front of the building seemed to have gotten the worst of the impact.' The Costa Coffee shop next to the shop front which the bus crashed into was not damaged during the incident nor were any of its staff injured. The store is now temporarily closed while the scene is cleared by emergency services. A spokesperson for pub chain All Bar One, which has a premises on New Oxford Street, said the vehicle crashed into a 'neighbouring property'. They added: 'Our building has been evacuated as a precaution. We understand all buildings are being assessed for safety, but we are hopeful normal operations will be able to be resumed as soon as possible.' The number eight bus was towed away from the scene of the crash One witness said the bus was taken just round the corner of the scene of the crash The bus was removed earlier today by a large tow truck Emergency workers remove a double-decker bus that crashed into a building on New Oxford Street A group of firefighters watch as the bus is removed from the shop front in central London The yellow bus was taken towed out of the shop front after crashing this morning A yellow London bus crashed into a build next to a Cost Coffee shop A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'Firefighters are at the scene of a road traffic collision on New Oxford Street in Soho. 'One double decker bus collided into the front of a building. One man left the bus before the Brigade's arrival and is being assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews. 'There are currently no further reports of injuries. Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area at this time. 'Two fire engines and two fire and rescue units from Soho, Euston and Battersea fire stations are at the scene.' The fire service added: 'Firefighters evacuated around 200 people from the property using the building's rear entrance. Road closures remain in place and people are advised to avoid the area at this time. 'A structural engineer has declared the building safe with no further concerns. The brigade was called at 10.11 and the incident was over for firefighters at 13.02.' A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We were called at 10:16hrs on Tuesday, 5 March to reports that a bus had collided with a pub in New Oxford Street, WC1. Officers responded. There were no reports of any injuries.' A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 10:10am today (5 March) to reports of a road traffic collision on New Oxford Street, WC1A. 'We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a cycle paramedic, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team (HART). Our first paramedic arrived on scene in approximately five minutes. 'We treated two people. We took one patient to hospital and discharged the other at the scene.' A TfL spokesperson said: 'A route 8 bus has collided with a building on New Oxford Street. There were no passengers onboard the bus and we have support available for anyone affected by this incident. We are working with the Stagecoach London, the operator, to establish what happened.' The historic green benches in the House of Commons should be replaced because they are too big for women, shadow culture secretary Thangam Debonnaire has said. The Labour frontbencher - who is 5ft 1in tall - suggested the seating in the chamber should be ditched, complaining that it is 'ridiculous' that her legs dangle off the end. The comments came in an interview for the Spectator's Women With Balls podcast, where she also branded performances of Rule Britannia at the Last Night of the Proms 'alienating'. Ms Debonnaire welcomed a 'debate' on whether the music should be dropped, while stressing that politicians should not 'tell people how to run cultural events'. Tories waded in to accuse her of 'political correctness' and having 'very little pride in Britain'. In an interview for the Spectator's Women With Balls podcast, Thangam Debbonaire - who is 5ft1in - complained that the Commons green benches should be replaced because they are too big for women The Labour frontbencher welcomed a 'debate' on whether the traditional music should still be played on the Last Night of the Proms (file picture) Ms Debbonaire also spoke about her experience of arriving at Parliament in 2015, saying she was surprised how much she 'loved' it despite the atmosphere being like a boys' public school. 'The seating for a start - it's built for men with long legs,' she said mentioning elements she would like to change... 'If I sit back my legs dangle like a little girl. It's ridiculous. 'The fact the House of Commons is so small, the fact that most of the food is like school dinners. Some of it's great by the way, in case any of the chefs are listening they are fantastic and they work really hard. 'It surprised me, and I don't know why it surprised me, that it was so similar to a boys' public school because that's what it was probably modelled on.' Rule Britannia has long come under fire for its colonial overtones, Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason argued last month that the anthem should be cut from the Last Night of the Proms because it makes people 'uncomfortable'. Asked about the stance during her Spectator interview, Ms Debbonaire said: 'It's not my favourite bit of music. And the Proms is a fantastic institution and it's the world's greatest music festival 'I think it's a decision for the people who run the Proms and again, like I said, it shouldn't be politicians who tell people how to run cultural events. 'I think for a lot of people that feels like a very sort of British moment, which I think has to be respected as well, but for a lot of people, as Sheku Kenneh-Mason said, it will feel alienating. 'As I want the Proms, I want culture, to be accessible to everyone, I think it's a good debate for us to be having.' Tory MP Philip Davies said Ms Debbonaire's remarks were a 'sneak preview of the political correctness that we'd be likely to see from a Labour government'. He told GB News - where he works: 'Rule, Britannia! is an integral part of the Last Night of the Proms. Without things like Rule, Britannia!, what on earth is the point of it? 'I think this just gives everyone a sneak preview of the political correctness that we'd be likely to see from a Labour government and one that basically has very little pride in Britain and its history and its tradition.' A female firefighter has won a sex discrimination case after her managers made repeated derogatory comments to her. Sasha Acheson, who qualified as a firefighter in January 2020, was subject to a 'longstanding campaign' of offensive comments by bosses which got so bad she eventually quit, an employment tribunal heard. Ms Acheson was 'belittled' and targeted by Crew Manager Dean Davies and Watch Manager Simon Bailey, it was found. Comments included CM Davies asking if a new female recruit was 'fit' and male bosses suggesting a woman's place was 'in the kitchen'. Their actions created an 'openly sexist and discriminatory workplace environment' at Avon Fire and Rescue Service, it was found. Sasha Acheson (pictured), who qualified as a firefighter in January 2020, was subject to a 'longstanding campaign' of offensive comments by bosses which got so bad she eventually quit, an employment tribunal heard Ms Acheson was 'belittled' and targeted by Crew Manager Dean Davies and Watch Manager Simon Bailey, it was found. Pictured: Ms Acheson with colleagues Ms Acheson was part of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service from June 2017 but transferred to Avon Fire and Rescue Service in January 2021. She had previously played rugby for the Red Roses between 2014 and 2017 before training to be a firefighter. In July 2021, it was heard Ms Acheson was 'belittled' by CM Davies, who ignored her efforts to tell him how to solve a problem on exercise - but 'praised' a male firefighter who simply repeated what she had said. Now Ms Acheson, who is gay, has won claims of sex discrimination and constructive dismissal as well as numerous claims of sex harassment, victimisation and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation. Avon Fire and Rescue admitted to 'persistent sexual derogatory and offensive comments' towards or about women - which created an 'openly and over sexist and discriminatory workplace environment', it was heard. It also admitted male colleagues 'openly and frequently made openly sexist comments with managers joining in and even starting the banter'. In May 2021, CM Davies told colleagues he and Ms Acheson had watched porn together, had a 'bonding moment' and so were at 'next level' whilst moving 'uncomfortably close' by putting his arm around her - inferring an intimate relationship. The Bristol tribunal ruled this was 'clearly sexual harassment'. In July 2021, when discussing a new female recruit, CM Davies asked 'is she fit?'. It was heard bosses were heard discussing a female firefighter said 'yeah she's been in the gym, she should have been in the kitchen working up a sweat instead' - which the tribunal found 'simply reflects straightforwardly [the] sexist assumption that a woman's place was in the kitchen'. Now Ms Acheson, who is gay, has won claims of sex discrimination and constructive dismissal as well as numerous claims of sex harassment, victimisation and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation CM Davies created a 'genuinely held' belief at the station that Ms Acheson was lazy by falsely claiming she was asleep and telling someone to 'wake her up'. On July 17, 2021, in what was admitted as victimisation, CM Davies acted aggressively towards Ms Acheson, shouting, moving overly close whilst waving his arms close and making her feel 'physically threatened'. He then said he was 'not the worst for being sexist' and 'if you don't want to work in a sexist organisation you're in the wrong job'. The next month CM Davies said he would take Ms Acheson on a community visit, but not on a fire call - something the tribunal found was indicative of a 'sexist assumption that he did not want female firefighters on fire calls'. The hearing was told bosses also made homophobic comments, as CM Davies asked her 'do men not do it for you sexually?'. Following the incident in July, Ms Acheson made a complaint to the manager in November, submitting a formal grievance in December. But no progress was made as WM Bailey failed to advance her grievance, she eventually resigned in April 2022. Employment Judge Paul Cadney said: '[Ms Acheson] contends she was the subject of a longstanding campaign against her and the allegations are not separate individual events but necessarily connected and part of a continuing act. 'In our judgement the allegations we have upheld against both CM Davies and WM Bailey demonstrate a consistent pattern of behaviour by both over a relatively short period of time and do form part of a continuing act.' Upholding her claim of constructive dismissal, he added: 'We are satisfied that dismissal was a discriminatory in so far as all of the fundamental breaches of contract that we have upheld are in and of themselves acts of discrimination.' By Donald Kirk Heres the kind of irony that shows what an upside-down, topsy-turvy world were living in. American cargo planes are now dropping food supplies on the people of Gaza while Israel fires into terrorist targets in Gaza from American-made warplanes. You have to wonder what the Americans are saying to the Israelis while gearing up for the next food flight. Maybe something like: Hold off on that air strike into the suspected terrorist hideout while we hit them first with bags of wheat. Or better, Assuming youll kill and wound civilians as well as terrorists, wed like to drop some medicine first. Or, Ok, fire away on that suspected terrorist headquarters, and then well follow up with a medicine drop along with food. There are, of course, other ways of bringing aid and comfort to the citizens of Gaza, a Palestinian enclave thats bursting with nearly 2.4 million souls. Most of them have lost their homes in the war and are now cowering in the southern reaches of the 41-kilometer-long Gaza Strip, trying to avoid the next air strike or ground attack. A number of Palestinians were killed while scrambling for food, hoping to grab maybe enough wheat to make biscuits and bread for families that havent had a proper meal for days and weeks. In the struggle for food, the race goes to the swiftest and strongest, elbowing, clawing and shoving their way past the old and weak, grabbing what they can from bags shrouded by the parachutes that wafted them earthward. Dont blame the Israelis if the weakest and unluckiest dont get to the drop zone in time or get killed on the way. How else can we hope to annihilate the Hamas menace, some Israelis might ask. Cant be helped. Collateral damage. Seriously, though, cant the Americans do more than implore the Israelis, please stop blasting away at terrorist hideouts long enough for us and our NATO allies and friends to feed people and maybe get a stopgap, temporary, thoroughly inadequate deal? The primary goal would be to retrieve some of the 250 hostages whom the Hamas terrorists have been hiding in dungeon-like prisons since capturing them on that awful day five months ago when they stormed across the Israeli border. Pleas for a cessation of Israeli attacks on Hamas hideouts, though, will never be adequate. There is not the slightest doubt that Hamas will exploit any cease-fire to recover from the severe losses inflicted by the Israelis and certainly will never agree to an arrangement that might look like an admission of defeat. Knowing Hamas never-say-die attitude, Biden might still want to pressure the Israelis to simply suspend their offensive without any deal at all. But how could he possibly make that happen? The answer is simple and impossible. He could halt, suspend or delay shipment of American war materiel to Israel, including not simply guns and bullets but also planes, tanks, fancy communications gear and much else. As the biggest recipient of American military aid, Israel relies on its American benefactor for survival in a hostile region surrounded by Arab foes, all of whom have ganged up on Israel in the past and failed utterly. Politically, especially in an election year, Biden cannot betray Americas commitment, total dedication, to ensuring not only Israels survival but also its prosperity in a world of enemies. Multi-tentacled Israeli lobbying organizations are too influential, too enormous to risk losing their support, including the donations of their members and sympathizers. So the best that Biden can do, besides begging the Israelis to agree on any kind of a stopgap, temporary deal for the sake of the hostages, is to beg, plead, whine for Israel to respect and abide by the concept of a two-state solution under which the Palestinians, driven from their ancestral homes after the founding of the Jewish state in 1948, can at least have their own independent state beyond the River Jordan. And, yes, in Gaza. The two-state solution, though, has proven a palpable farce. Hamas long ago made a mockery of the idea, defeating the relatively liberal Fatah in Gaza and then driving it away. The Palestine Authority survives, barely, at its headquarters in Nablus on the West Bank, over which it has little real authority. The "two-state solution" is a sham, a cover story for Biden to be able to tell Americas allies hes doing all he can for the Palestinians as he is for the Israelis. Meanwhile, the best the Americans and their friends can do is wring their hands as the death toll of the Palestinians stuck in Gaza keeps rising. Donald Kirk (www.donaldirk.com) writes about war and peace from Washington and Seoul. This is the moment heroic police rescued a woman who had fallen unconscious at the wheel and driven into a swimming pool. Bodycam footage from Cobb County Police shows the daring rescue which took place in Kennesaw, Georgia. Cops were required to smash the car's window to get into the vehicle before dragging the unnamed woman out of the water. She had crashed her car onto a pool cover with the weight of the vehicle slowly forcing the cover lower as cold water seeped in. The video shows a police officer sliding onto the cover before dragging the woman out to safety where she was treated at the scene before being transported to hospital. Bodycam footage from Cobb County Police shows the daring rescue which took place at Heritage Park Townhomes in Kennesaw, Georgia The unnamed woman's car crashed and ended up on a slowly sinking pool cover as water seeped in Cops were required to smash the car's window to get into the vehicle before dragging her out of the water Police did not share any further information about the woman in question. It is unknown whether she is a resident at Heritage Park Town Homes or how her car got into the pool area The woman was treated at the scene as those nearby rushed to get blankets and towels to warm her up before she was taken to hospital On arrival at at Heritage Park Townhomes February 22, police were met by residents including a man who reported that 'she lifts her head up every once in a while' but was otherwise unresponsive. After the officer whose bodycam footage has been shared knocked on the window, it was clear that she was still unconscious and needed to be broken out of her navy saloon. Once lifted onto the side of the pool, she remained unresponsive as people gathered towels and blankets to warm her up. Cobb County Police did not share any further information about the woman in question. It is unknown how the car got into the swimming pool, to end up pointed at the pagoda, but the pool area is right at the heart of the gated community - some distance from the main, publicly accessible, road. Whether the woman is a resident, and how long she had been unconscious for before the incident are also unknown. Heritage Park is a mid-2000s condo featuring a selection of 153 two-to-four bedroom townhomes priced at roughly $300,000 to $400,000. It is unknown how the car got into the swimming pool (seen in the bottom right of the satellite image), but the pool area is right at the heart of the gated community - some distance from the main, publicly accessible, road A retired postal worker, 78, was handed nearly $3.8 million in a Denver court when a jury found that her civil rights were violated after a SWAT team mistakenly raided her home as she was stepping out of the shower while in pursuit of a stolen truck. The full and shocking incident was captured on the officer's bodycams. The verdict came thanks to a new Colorado law that allows people to sue police over violations of their state constitutional rights. Ruby Johnson's victory was announced by the ACLU's Colorado branch on Monday. The group supported Johnson during her court battle. Part of her legal team's argument was that Detective Gary Staab got a search warrant for her home through the Find My app, used to locate lost phones, which doesn't provide a precise location but rather a general location of where a phone could be. Officers were tracking the phone of the truck theft suspect when they came upon the woman's home in January 2022. This image taken from Denver Police body camera footage provided by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado shows Ruby Johnson, a 78-year-old Colorado woman, surrounded by SWAT officer Johnson was ordered to come out of her home in a robe in January 2022 as police were searching for stolen items pinged near her home The officers, led by Detective Gary Staab, had obtained a search warrant after using the pinged iPhone location to show the phone was in the home, despite the inaccurate reading Johnson was forced to sit in the back of a patrol car while officials raided her home 'She's still hurting. She still doesn't understand why this happened to her. And after everything, she still hasn't gotten as much as an apology from the police,' said Johnson's son Despite the law used by Johnson being brought about in the wake of the murder of George Floyd at the hands on Minneapolis police in 2020 and the fact Johnson is black, race was not mentioned in the lawsuit. The truck in question contained four semi-automatic handguns, a rifle, a revolver, two drones, $4,000 cash and an iPhone inside, which suggests why Johnson was subjected to such a show of force. Johnson had just gotten out of the shower on Jan. 4, 2022, when she heard a command over a bullhorn for anyone inside to exit with their hands up. Wearing only a bathrobe, she opened her front door to see an armored personnel carrier parked on her front lawn, police vehicles along her street and men in full military-style gear carrying rifles and a police dog. Detective Gary Staab had wrongly obtained the warrant to search Johnson's home because he did not point out that the app's information is not precise and provides only a general location where a phone could be, the lawsuit said. Lawyers for Staab and the supervisor who approved the search warrant, Sgt. Gregory Buschy, who was also sued, did not respond to an email and telephone calls seeking comment. The Denver Police Department, which was not sued, declined to comment on the verdict. This photo shows on the doors that was battered down by police on the woman's property The blue circle around the dropped pin shows that the phone was not actually located at the woman's address, but in the proximity of the location The lawsuit was brought under a provision of a sweeping police reform bill passed in 2020 soon after the murder of George Floyd and is the first significant case to go to trial, the ACLU of Colorado said. State lawmakers created a right to sue individual police officers for state constitutional violations in state court. Previously, people alleging police misconduct could only file lawsuits in federal court, where it has become difficult to pursue such cases, partly because of the legal doctrine known as qualified immunity. It shields officials, including police, from lawsuits for money as a result of things they do in the course of their job. The police used a battering ram to get into Johnson's garage even though she had explained how to open the door and broke the ceiling tiles to get into her attic, standing on top of one of her brand new dining room chairs, according to the lawsuit. They also broke the head off a doll created to look just like her, complete with glasses, ACLU of Colorado legal director Tim Macdonald said. Johnson is Black but the lawsuit did not allege that race played a role, he said. Macdonald said the biggest damage was done to Johnson's sense of safety in the home where she raised three children as a single mother, he said, temporarily forgoing Christmas and birthday presents to help afford it. She suffered ulcers and trouble sleeping and eventually moved to a different neighborhood. "For us, the damage was always about the psychological and the emotional harm to Ms. Johnson," he said. The Princess of Wales is set to attend the 2024 Trooping the Colour ceremony as part of her return to royal duties after undergoing abdominal surgery. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Kate Middleton will be present at this year's parade, which is held every year to mark the birthday of the reigning British monarch. While this would be Kates first official duty to be announced since she underwent surgery, Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed her attendance at the final rehearsal. More than 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will take part, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands. They will parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal reviews, while there will also be 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards lining the route along The Mall. The Princess of Wales is set to attend the 2024 Trooping the Colour ceremony as part of her return to royal duties after undergoing abdominal surgery More than 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will take part, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands If Kate attends Trooping the Colour, it will be almost exactly the same as when the King reviews the parade - with the exception of fewer mounted officers riding. So, when exactly is Trooping the Colour in 2024 and what exactly happens during the ceremony? Here is everything you need to know about Trooping the Colour 2024. When is Trooping the Colour 2024? This year, Trooping the Colour will take place on Saturday June 8 2024. The Trooping the Colour ceremony takes place to celebrate the birthday of the reigning monarch in the UK and has been held every year for the past 260 years. The popular event will attract big crowds, who will be seen waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. Some 113 words of command will be given by the Officer in Command of the Parade. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again. During the ceremony, Charles will be greeted by a royal salute, before carrying out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry will march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and the Royal Horse Artillery. Subsequently, the King shall ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace. His Majesty will then join other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. Iran executed a 'staggering' total of at least 834 people last year, the highest number since 2015 as capital punishment surged in the Islamic republic, two rights groups said Tuesday. The number of executions, which Iran has carried out by hanging in recent years, was up some 43 percent on 2022. At least 22 women were executed, marking the highest number in the past decade, the report said. Fifteen of them were hanged on murder charges and NGOs have long warned that women who kill an abusive partner or relative risk being hanged. It marked only the second time in two decades that over 800 executions were recorded in a year, after 972 executions in 2015, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty said in the joint report. Iran executed a 'staggering' total of at least 834 people last year The number of executions, which Iran has carried out by hanging in recent years, was up some 43 percent on 2022 The groups accused Iran of using the death penalty to spread fear throughout society in the wake of the protests sparked by the September 2022 death in police custody of Mahsa Amini that shook the authorities. 'Instilling societal fear is the regime's only way to hold on to power, and the death penalty is its most important instrument,' said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam in the report, which described the figure of 834 as a 'staggering total'. Iran has executed nine men in cases linked to attacks on security forces during the 2022 protests - two in 2022, six in 2023 and one so far in 2024 - according to the rights groups. But executions have been stepped up on other charges, notably in drug-related cases, which had until recent years seen a fall. 'Of particular concern is the dramatic escalation in the number of drug-related executions in 2023, which rose to 471 people, more than 18 times higher than the figures recorded in 2020,' said the report. Members of ethnic minorities, notably the Sunni Baluch from the southeast of Iran, are 'grossly overrepresented amongst those executed' on drug-related charges, it said. At least 167 members of the Baluch minority were executed in total, accounting for 20 percent of the total executions in 2023, even though the minority accounts for only around five percent of Iran's population. In 2023, only 15 percent of the recorded executions were announced by official Iranian media At least 22 women were executed, marking the highest number in the past decade, the report said ECPM director Raphael Chenuil-Hazan said the 'lack of reaction' by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was sending 'the wrong signal to the Iranian authorities'. Most hangings in Iran are carried out within the confines of prison but the report said that in 2023 the number of hangings carried out in public in Iran tripled from 2022, with seven people hanged in public spaces. In 2023, only 15 percent of the recorded executions were announced by official Iranian media, with IHR confirming the other executions with its own sources. Amiry-Moghaddam expressed concern that a lack of international outrage at the executions, in particular with attention focused on the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, was only encouraging the Islamic republic to carry out more hangings. 'The inconsistency in the international community's reaction to the executions in Iran is unfortunate and sends the wrong signal to the authorities,' he said. Five Extinction Rebellion activists were convicted of smashing a glass revolving door at JPMorgan's European headquarters as a judge said their beliefs did not 'afford them a defence'. Amy Pritchard, 38, Stephanie Aylett, 29, Adelheid Russenberger, 32, Rosemary Webster, 66, and Pamela Bellinger, 66, used hammers and chisel to cause 350,000 worth of damage during the protest. They smashed the custom-built revolving door and a large glazed panel at the entrance to the US bank's Victoria Embankment offices in the City of London. Pritchard told Inner London Crown Court the policies of JP Morgan had led to the deaths of 'hundreds of thousands of children.' But Judge Silas Reid asked the jury to 'put aside sympathy or prejudice' when the trial began. He said: 'You may have views about those actions or organisations, you may have views about climate change. Amy Pritchard, pictured, was among five Extinction Rebellion activists found guilty of criminal damage after they attacked a JP Morgan building in London with hammers and chisels The activists broke a revolving door and a glass panel at the office block in Victoria Embankment in September 2021 'This is not a trial about climate change. It is a trial about criminal damage. 'It is nothing more than that and nothing less.' Pritchard, former medical device representative Aylett, PhD student Russenberger, retired cook and beekeeper Webster and vegetable grower Bellinger, were convicted of causing criminal damage after a two week trial. Judge Reid adjourned sentencing the five women until 7 June and told the jury: 'Thank you for your patience in relation to this case. 'The reasons behind their protests don't afford them a defence in this case. 'None of these defendants did these things for the fun of it, or because they are criminal people. 'They did it because they honestly believed it was something they needed to do. 'Well, they are not allowed to do it. It is a crime.' Prosecutor Brett Weaver earlier said the activists made their way to JP Morgan early on 1 September 2021. Police found several protesters sitting outside the JP Morgan building on Victoria Embankment 'One of the security staff at the premises saw them approaching and recognised that some form of protest action was about to take place. 'The defendants climbed over the temporary railings that were positioned in front of the entrance area. 'They began to strike at the glass doors of the building using hammers, chisels and other implements. 'As they did so, cracks began to appear in the glass and one of the hinged doors shattered effectively. 'Security staff sought to usher them away but it was only once the glass had been damaged that the defendants and their companions moved back over the temporary railings and onto the street.' Police called to the scene found a group of protestors seated on the ground in a circle in front of the building. 'In front of the group, on the ground, were a number of implements, such as hammers and chisels,' said the prosecutor. Jurors heard police recovered CCTV footage and various social media postings after the incident. Mr Weaver said the protestors left 'damage to the revolving door, one of the hinged doors, and the larger glass panel which surrounded the hinged door. 'Pamela Bellinger was seen to strike at the revolving door, thereby causing damage. 'Amy Pritchard had implements in her hands which she used to strike at the hinged door, thereby causing damage. 'Stephanie Aylett was also someone seen to strike at the revolving door.' The prosecutor said Aylett was wearing clothing with a 'number of coloured signs attached to her, most obviously the pink sign on her back which stated 'Deeds not words'. He added: 'Russenberger was seen to use implements to strike at both the revolving door and the hinged door.' Jurors were shown an image showing Russenberger 'moving towards the hinged door and, again, she can be seen to bend down by that door and make a striking motion'. Webster was seen damaging the large, glazed panel on the frontage of the building, the court heard. 'It can therefore be seen from the footage and the stills that each defendant had, individually and collectively, damaged the glass windows and doors at the premises,' said Mr Weaver. 'Their actions, coupled with the fact that they also had implements intended to be used to damage the glass, demonstrate that each of them was part of a co-ordinated plan to cause both disruption and damage to that building. 'As a result of their actions, the damage caused was significant. The glass doors had to be replaced. More significantly, the large, glazed panel had to be replaced entirely. 'The loss caused from their actions was a substantial one, it cost many thousands of pounds to repair that damage.' Mr Weaver said the point of their actions was to 'disrupt the lawful business of JP Morgan and draw attention to their cause.' He added: 'The issue will be whether any or all of them had any lawful defence to causing such damage. 'This case is not about the rights and wrongs of the government's climate policy or the activities of financial institutions in respect of fossil fuels. 'Nor is it about whether the motives behind the actions of 'Extinction Rebellion' are right or wrong.' During legal arguments Judge Reid had ruled Aylett and her co-defendants could talk about their beliefs in relation to climate change in front of the jury. He said: 'Ms Aylett is entitled to tell the jury about her beliefs. She is entitled to say what her beliefs about climate change are. 'I would be shocked, having previously dealt with Ms Aylett, if the jury came to any conclusion other than that she holds her beliefs about climate change with anything other than the utmost honesty. 'They are perfectly entitled to talk about their beliefs in relation to climate change. What they hoped to achieve must be relevant. 'The depth to which they have feelings about something is potentially very important. 'What will not happen is the defendants using the witness box to further any protest.' Giving evidence Russenberger told jurors: 'Protest and direct action can, and does, lead to change *it's through protest and direct action that we have the right to vote even if we don't own property. 'That women have the right to vote, it led to the civil rights in the UK and it contributed to anti-apartheid in South African, it's given us LGBT rights and disability rights. 'So, breaking windows as part of civil disobedience and direct action, could give us the change we needed. 'So, on 30 August I said 'yeah', I would go and break one of the windows, I was confident it was the right thing to do and the board members of JP Morgan would see it was the right thing to do.' In her closing speech Russenberger told jurors: 'I do deny that the damage was criminal, not all damage is criminal. 'I thought about how the board at JP Morgan would surely want to know about what was happening. 'The prosecution said I was going to damage the building come what may but that is not the case. 'I have never suggested that the board members of JP Morgan knew what they were doing was wrong. 'I damaged a window because I believed that the board members of JP Morgan would consent to the damage.' Pritchard, of Walthamstow, Aylett, of St Albans, Herts, Bellinger, of Leicester, Russenberger, of Richmond-upon-Thames, southwest London and Webster, of Dorchester, Dorset, all denied but were convicted of criminal damage. A woman has bravely revealed the horrific injuries that she suffered at the hands of her 'monster' husband. Domestic abuse survivor Lauren Kilgariff was violently attacked by Shaun Kilgariff when he flew into a fit of rage during a booze-fuelled row at their home in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. The 29-year-old lost consciousness before waking up with blood running down her face just four months after they got married in Cyprus. She is now warning that aggressive men 'will never change' after her thug husband was spared jail. Ms Kilgariff said the monster 'treated her like a princess' when they first met online in 2017. She revealed that even though the pair initially had a good time together, he was a 'bully' and a 'narcissist'. She said: 'We went to the same school and had mutual friends, so I thought I might know him.' Lauren Kilgariff, pictured, was brutally assaulted by her husband Shaun The pair met up and it wasn't long before Ms Kilgariff realised he had an anger problem. She warned her boyfriend that he needed to get help and hoped that he would change. She would dread the weekends as his mood turned foul after drinking. She said: 'In front of people, he was this fantastic person, everything was great, he loved us. But behind closed doors, he was different. 'He didn't like my family coming over, he always just wanted it to be us. He was a bully, he is a bully. He got worse, especially with the drinking. When he drank it was worse. 'He got drunk every weekend. We dreaded the weekends because we knew what was coming.' Despite her reservations, the couple got married in Cyprus in May last year but there was no honeymoon phase for the newlyweds. Ms Kilgariff said: 'When we got married I thought it would change. He said he would do these courses and you think 'Great, he's going to change' but he didn't and he's not going to. He did change, but for the worse.' Shaun Kilgariff, pictured, avoided prison despite headbutting his wife. He was ordered to pay her 1,000 compensation, 185 costs and a 154 surcharge. He was also ordered to attend 25 days of rehabilitation and attend a better relationships programme 'He had to have control of everything. I ended up staying upstairs all the time. I never thought he was ever going to hit me.' On September 17 the pair were inside their home in Burslem. During a heated row, Ms Kilgariff threw a pint glass at the wall and it smashed. Kilgariff then lost control and struck Ms Kilgariff with his head. She lost consciousness and the next thing she can remember is waking up and feeling pain in her neck and blood running down her face. Kilgariff, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, at North Staffordshire Justice Centre. As part of the suspended sentence Shaun must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days and a Building Better Relationships programme. He was ordered to pay 1,000 compensation, 185 costs and a 154 surcharge. And he was made the subject of a restraining order which prohibits him from having any contact with Ms Kilgariff for 18 months. Ms Kilgariff said she's still grieving the relationship, adding: 'I'm still hurting. I still love him, because you can't stop love. I've got that trauma bond with him. 'At first I wanted him back, I wanted my husband back, but over time I thought to myself 'No, I can't keep torturing myself like this anymore'. I always used to say to him that he needs to stop before it's too late, and obviously now it is too late. He could have killed me. I want people to see what he's done. 'A lot of men think in their heads that they can control women, and they can't. Shaun had to have control of everything. The only thing he couldn't control was me.' Voters tell DailyMail.com in Colorado that border and economy are biggest issues for them heading into the polls. Brittany, a voter from Castle Rock says the border issue is the biggest issue she's concerned about. 'We could be taking care of our own, you know we have a lot of homeless people that are on the streets here, there are a lot of people who are American citizens that need our help,' she says. She volunteers that she is a Trump supporter. 'I've just been Trump the whole time. Honestly, you know, my opinion on Trump - is he an asshole? Yep he is. Is he not politically correct all the time, no he's not, but what I like is that he runs the country like a business and I think that's beneficial.' Alex wants to see both parties reach a compromise on the issue. 'I'm more concerned about the Southern Border, an issue that is most important to me. It needs to be resolved. I was wondering why the two sides can't come together. They need to be resolved.' Margaret cites the economy and immigration as her main issues. 'It's of course the economy and the immigration situation, I think the grocery store is a big one. I think the cost of medical care for seniors is important,' she says. Mark, another voter , says the economy is his biggest concern. 'Everything is really expensive, especially at the grocery store, everything seems almost double of what it used to be.' He said he was satisfied by the Supreme Court ruling allowing Trump to stay on the ballot. Elon Musk has slammed an 'extrem dumm' suspected arson attack on Tesla's gigafactory in Germany that has caused several millions of pounds worth of damage. Workers were evacuated today after a power outage that led to the evacuation and shutdown of the EV plant. Unknown perpetrators are suspected of deliberately setting fire to a high-voltage transmission line, according to the Interior Ministry in the state of Brandenburg. The early morning fire caused the power supply to fail to the surrounding towns, including Grunheide, where the Tesla factory is located. An investigation has been launched into the incident. Police said they had been made aware of an emailed claim of responsibility, which they were examining, German news agency dpa reported. The report said a far-left group called Volcano Group claimed it was behind the fire, accused Tesla of 'extreme exploitation conditions' and called for the 'complete destruction of the gigafactory'. It was not immediately clear who the email was sent to or who was behind the group. Referring to the possible attackers, Musk, who owns around 13 per cent of the Tesla stock, wrote on X that 'these are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals'. 'Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm,' he added, using the German words for 'extremely stupid'. The Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin. Unknown perpetrators are suspected of deliberately setting fire to a high-voltage transmission line on Tuesday Fire brigade and police units work in the area of the damaged high-voltage line, near the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide, on Tuesday Referring to the possible attackers, Musk, who owns about 13 per cent of the Tesla stock, wrote on X that 'these are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals' (File Photo) Andre Thierig, who manages the plant, estimated that damages caused by the suspected arson attack on power lines near the site would be in the 'high, nine-figure area'. The incident was highly disruptive, with more than 12,000 workers at the site currently unable to do their jobs. 'We don't expect to be able resume production this week,' Thierig said. 'We hope to find out whether we can restart at the beginning of next week.' Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stubgen said initial findings indicate the fire was intentional, according to the German news agency dpa. 'If the initial findings are confirmed, it will be a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure,' Stubgen said. The power outage at the Tesla factory comes as environmental activists have been staging a protest in a forest near the plant against plans by Tesla to expand. The 'Stop Tesla' protest has seen dozens of activists put up tents and built treehouses, some of them several metres above the ground - a tactic used in previous German environmental protests. Tesla factory fire brigade checks a plant building at the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide, near Berlin, on Tuesday Police works next to a damaged pylon. The Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide halted production and was left without power after a suspected arson attack set an electricity pylon ablaze on Tuesday Police investigators work in the area of the damaged high-voltage line, near the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide, on Tuesday Tesla factory fire brigade checks a plant building at the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide on Tuesday Tesla's production plant in Gruenheide on Tuesday. Workers were evacuated after a power outage that led to the evacuation and shutdown of the EV plant Tesla factory fire brigade checks a plant building at the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide on Tuesday An activist climbs to set up a tree house in a forest to protest against the expansion of the Tesla Gigafactory, in Gruenheide, on Tuesday The fire brigade checks a plant building at the Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide on Tuesday Tesla opened the factory in March 2022 - launching a challenge to German automakers on their home turf. The company now wants to expand the facility to add a freight depot, warehouses and a company kindergarten. Those plans would entail felling more than 100 hectares (247 acres) of forest. This has drawn opposition from environmentalists and some other local groups, who also worry about possible effects on the area's water supply. In a nonbinding vote in mid-February, residents of the municipality rejected Tesla's plans, which still need approval from local authorities. Supreme Court justices have temporarily blocked a new Texas law which would permit law enforcement officers to arrest and detail suspected illegal immigrants. Monday's freeze, known as an administrative hold, was issued by conservative Justice Samuel Alito. It postpones the law - titled SB 4 - from taking effect until March 13 - three days later than it was originally scheduled to begin. The freeze does not give any indication as to how the court's nine justices - six conservative and three liberal - would ultimately rule on the law. Migrants arrive at the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, on March 4. The Lone Star State has been temporarily banned from enacting a new law that would let its law enforcement officers arrest suspected illegal migrants The freeze on Texas' law SB 4 was enacted by conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito (pictured bottom row second from right, in group shot with his fellow justices) Texas' Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed the law in December, as the Lone Star State continues to be at the forefront of the worsening migrant crisis. He did so in a bid to deter border crossers from making the journey across the Rio Grande river and into Texas. SB 4 would make illegally crossing the border into Texas a Class B misdemeanor, with anyone convicted facing up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders could find themselves charged with a second-degree felony and face 20 years behind bars, the Texas Tribune reported. Last week, a federal judge in Austin - Texas' state capital - blocked SB 4 from being enacted. US District Judge David Ezra said the law 'threatens the fundamental notion that the United States must regulate immigration with one voice.' An appeals court in Louisiana subsequently reinstated the law, but the Supreme Court has now frozen it once again. Texas' Republican Governor Greg Abbott, pictured, enacted the new law in a bid to deter migrants from crossing into the Lone Star State illegally The Biden administration has condemned the law, with the Justice Department claiming it would fundamentally alter a longstanding status quo that lets federal agents deal with illegal migrants. Supporters of the bill say urgent action is needed to crack down on illegal immigration. More than 3.2 million were intercepted last year - the vast majority along the southern border, with the surge showing no signs of abating. Critics say the law will lead to racial profiling, and fear many of the Hispanic Americans who make up 40 percent of Texas' population could face suspicion or even wrongful detention. Gov. Abbott has been credited with forcing Democrats into a more hardline stance on illegal immigration over the last year. He has bused and flown more than 100,000 migrants to Democrat-run sanctuary cities, which offer additional legal protections to illegal migrants. The huge strain on services in cities including New York, Chicago and Denver has fermented anger even among liberal voters - and led to calls for a crackdown on illegal immigration. The BBC have refused to crack down on Chris Packham following his comments that Just Stop Oil eco-zealots should be able to protest outside MP's homes. The environmentalist drew a furious backlash for claiming 'radical' groups should be entitled to a 'portfolio of protests'. His comments came amid renewed fears over MPs' safety, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak having used a speech on Friday to warn against increasing intimidation. Now, it has been revealed that the television presenter has been awarded with a new series for the BBC exploring ADHD & Dyslexia. Yesterday morning Packham, who presents the BBC's Springwatch programme, refused to condemn the climate group's stance. Downing Street slammed 'irresponsible' BBC presenter Chris Packham after he defended Just Stop Oil 's call for eco-zealots to protest outside MPs' homes A look at the announcement of the second series of Chris Packham's new award-winning show about ADHD and dyslexia The broadcaster told Times Radio: 'I think that we need a portfolio of protests, basically, because we need a radical flank and Just Stop Oil are seen by many as that radical flank. 'They are the people who in some people's minds go a step too far. And that might be, you know, standing outside an MP's house. 'But the fact is that they are motivated, as I am, by a manifest fear for the health of our future. 'The science tells us we have to act. These people are frightened for my future, for your future, for the future of any children they might have. They need to draw attention to this issue.' Packham added that it was not going too far to target MPs' home addresses if it remained a 'peaceful, non-violent demonstration'. 'If this is a peaceful, non-violent demonstration then we in the UK for all the laws that have been radically changed in very recent times have to preserve that right to protest,' he said. 'We've got a law out there, it needs to be applied equally to everyone.' Discussing his comments, Talk TV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer said today that intimidating democratically elected MPs 'shouldn't ever be acceptable, no matter the cause.' Rupert Darwell, climate change author, also said it was 'clearly an incitement to intimidation.' Packham's comments drew a stinging rebuke from Downing Street yesterday, with No10 pointing to the establishment of a new policing protocol to crackdown on the targeting of MPs' homes. There has been recent condemnation of Just Stop Oil's claim that targeting MPs at their homes is justified It followed a recent incident in which Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood saw his family's home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters. The PM's official spokesman said: 'The defending democracy policing protocol agreed last week said any protests at the home of MPs, councillors and other elected representatives will be considered intimidatory. BBC wildlife star Chris Packham gets a BODYGUARD after Winterwatch host receives chilling emails Advertisement 'And the police will use their powers under the Criminal Justice and Policing Act to direct protesters away. 'We have seen examples that are clearly unacceptable and it's right members of the public expect the police to tackle this sort of behaviour and put a stop to it.' He added: 'It is clearly irresponsible to encourage people to protest at the home addresses of MPs.' Packham's comments were also criticised by Labour MP Steve McCabe, who told GB News: 'What a person does in their public life should be open to criticism and interrogation. 'But people are entitled, and particularly their families, to a degree of privacy.' Yesterday, a BBC spokesperson said: 'Chris Packham is a freelancer, not a member of staff, and he's not currently on air. His private activities and views are his own, not the BBC's.' Despite being contacted again today, the organisation did not want to comment further. By Chyung Eun-ju and Joel Cho OpenAI's recent introduction of Sora, a generative AI tool, marks a significant leap into an era where detailed minute-long videos can materialize from basic text prompts. Sam Altman demonstrated Soras ability to make videos based on text prompts on X, formerly known as Twitter. This cutting-edge technology, however, has raised eyebrows in a world already grappling with manipulated media. Evidently, we live in a world where there is a vast amount of manipulated media, and now, with advancements like Sora, the potential for manipulation has increased even further. As of now, Sora is accessible exclusively to experts tasked with identifying potential issues within the model. The sheer quality of this tool is truly remarkable, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was achievable. But in a landscape where fake media often gains viral traction, the potential for influence is undeniable. In Slovakia, there was a designated quiet period where media coverage of the election ceased, in order to allow people to think independently and make informed decisions without undue influence. But an audio snippet featuring a progressive party purchasing votes from the Roma minority emerged and spread rapidly on social media, and the party's candidate ended up losing the election. Elections are influenced by various factors, and it is difficult to measure the amount of impact the audio had on the candidates loss, but the potential implications of generative AI on elections are quite concerning. In the face of these advancements, ethical and societal concerns take front stage. Elections, an integral part of the democratic process, become susceptible to manipulations facilitated by AI generative tools such as DALL?E and Sora. OpenAI has acknowledged such potential misuse, evident in their rules explicitly prohibiting the creation of custom GPTs for political campaigning or lobbying. The ban also extends to the development of chatbots posing as real individuals, a preventive measure against the dissemination of deceptive information. However, the effectiveness of these rules remains dependent on strict enforcement and oversight. With the potency of generative AI technology, especially in the creation of lifelike videos such as the ones we have seen Sora is capable of producing, there is an urgent need for comprehensive regulations to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes, especially considering the upcoming Korean general elections. The upcoming parliamentary elections are even more unpredictable than previous elections with the current political disarray. Voters have lost faith in President Yoon Suk Yeol and the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) for their respective shortcomings. Yoon and his party are facing backlash for ineffective and authoritarian governance, while the DPK is being criticized for its alleged abuse of power. A couple days ago, a deepfake video titled President Yoons virtual confession of conscience circulated on social media. In the video, Yoon discusses his incompetence and how he has ruined Korea. In response, the Korea Communications Standards Commission convened an emergency communication review subcommittee to address the issue, as such a deepfake could cause social unrest. Starting with this election, the use of deepfake technology for election campaigns has been prohibited, and the National Election Commission has cracked down on over 100 cases. The use of deepfakes for election campaigns is prohibited for 90 days from the election date. Violation can result in imprisonment for up to seven years or fine ranging from 10 million won ($7,500) to 50 million won. Even if the subject of a deepfake has consented, its use will be punished, regardless of whether its content is factual or not. This amendment was in response to a fabricated video last year depicting President Yoon as appearing to endorse then-Namhae County Mayor candidate Park Young-il. Naver, Kakao and other platforms intend to attach labels to content created by AI to prevent harm caused by false information using AI ahead of elections. Kakao plans on introducing an invisible watermarking technology to its AI generation model, Kalio. The watermark will not be visible to ordinary users, but it will make it possible to determine what content was generated by Kalio. However, the extent to how far people will go with generative AI to swing elections is unknown. Despite regulations, there are platforms and messaging services that may be difficult to regulate. For instance, Google and Meta have policies regarding content made by AI, but X is not really enforcing much. Telegram which has a loose content moderation policy may be used a lot during the election, and people could share deepfakes in the messaging service. We will have to see how much elections will be influenced by synthetic media. Beyond the realm of politics, the implications of such technology extend to the individual level too, with potential threats ranging from misinformation to harassment. Sora's capability to generate realistic videos based on textual input introduces a new dimension to the existing and already extremely problematic challenges posed by manipulated media. Concerns arise relating to the potential use of generative AI for malicious purposes. As most of us already know, deepfakes have been a tool for harassment of individuals and with more advanced AI tools becoming broadly available, this form of personal violation has proliferated on the internet. So although OpenAI's commitment to preventing misuse is commendable, constant safeguarding and adaptive regulatory frameworks are needed to address these inherent risks and emerging threats. During a congressional hearing in May 2023 where OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified, Senator Richard Blumenthal showcased the potential risks of AI systems by using a demonstration of his AI-generated voice, prompting skepticism among U.S. politicians about the ability of tech companies to control their powerful AI systems. Generative AI tools like Sora present both remarkable advancements and profound ethical dilemmas. Such technologies make it difficult to differentiate fact from fiction, and pose potential threats to the democratic process. Regulations and monitoring will be essential to mitigate the misuse of AI technology, but also fostering digital literacy and promoting awareness about the capabilities of generative AI will be important to empower people to discern truth from manipulation. Chyung Eun-ju (ejchyung@snu.ac.kr) is a marketing analyst at Career Step. She received a bachelor's degree in business from Seoul National University and a master's in marketing from Seoul National University. Joel Cho (joelywcho@gmail.com) is a practicing lawyer specializing in IP and digital law. The Ministry of Defence was today claimed to have jumped the gun by announcing the Princess of Wales's return to royal duties without consulting Kensington Palace. The Army's official website has confirmed Kate Middleton will carry out her first major engagement since her abdominal surgery at the parade in London on June 8. Tickets are now being sold on the site for the spectacle on the weekend before the main Trooping the Colour ceremony, which is normally reviewed by the monarch. But while this is Kate's first official duty to be announced since she underwent surgery, Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed her attendance. MailOnline understands that Palace officials were not consulted on the update from the MoD. A royal source added that attendance by Prince William or Kate at events is always announced by the Palace, not the MoD. But it appears the MoD hopes Kate will be well enough to attend one of the key ceremonial events in the Armed Forces' year. Only the Palace can announce Kate's attendance at a royal event - and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time. MailOnline contacted the MoD for comment, but questions were directed to the Palace, which has also not issued a statement. The Ministry of Defence confirmed today that Kate will attend Trooping the Colour on June 8 The general public can watch from the stands by applying for tickets via the MoD website More than 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will take part, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands. They will parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal reviews, while there will also be 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards lining the route along The Mall. There are two further Trooping the Colour parades being advertised by the MoD - one reviewed by Major General James Bowder on June 1 and another by King Charles III on June 15. Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed the monarch's attendance. Also this morning, the King was pictured with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of tomorrow's Budget in a meeting in his private audience room at Buckingham Palace. 2023 -- Prince William and Kate with their children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at Buckingham Palace for Trooping The Colour in London on June 17 last year 2023 -- Glorious scenes down the Mall during Trooping the Colour in London on June 17, 2023 READ MORE When is Trooping the Colour 2024? Full details of the King's birthday parade Advertisement When Kate attends Trooping the Colour, it will be almost exactly the same as when the King reviews the parade - with the exception of fewer mounted officers riding. The general public can watch from the stands on Horse Guards Parade by applying for tickets via the MoD website, which cost 15. The parade will finish by 12.25pm. There will also be a limited view from standing in public vantage points on The Mall or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade from 9am. Charles is receiving treatment for cancer and Kate is recovering from abdominal surgery, but it is understood that planning for major royal events continues with organisers remaining flexible in the event of possible changes. 2022 -- William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Colour in London on June 2, 2022 2021 -- Trooping the Colour was held at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen on June 12, 2021 Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. The parade sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians join together each June in a display of military precision and fanfare. Trooping the Colour: 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses at parade for Sovereign's birthday Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. The parade sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians join each June in a display of military precision and fanfare. Crowds line the streets with flags as the parade travels from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, with Royal Family members on horseback and in carriages. A royal salute greets the Sovereign as they arrive at Horse Guards Parade before they inspect the troops, wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. The escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, then travels down the ranks of soldiers, with the commanding officer directing the soldiers with more than 100 words of command The Foot Guards march past the Sovereign before heading back to the Palace at the head of the soldiers. The display finishes with a flypast by the Royal Air Force which is watched by royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. There is also a 41-gun salute fired from Green Park. Advertisement On a ticket booking website for Trooping the Colour, the MoD said Kate, as Colonel of the Irish Guards, will carry out the inspection during the event on June 8. A section on the event information said: 'Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is identical to Trooping the Colour reviewed by His Majesty The King, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride when His Majesty The King is present. 'Taking part will be over 1,400 soldiers of the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, all of whom will parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal Reviews. 'Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales also includes 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who will line the processional route along The Mall. 'The soldiers will be inspected by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Colonel Irish Guards.' Kate is not set to return to official duties until after Easter, and William temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Princess was admitted to the London Clinic for a planned operation on January 16 and left the hospital on January 29 - almost two weeks later. The 42-year-old then returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children. Details of the Princess's condition have not been revealed. Kensington Palace however said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private. A week after the Princess left hospital, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment. 2019 -- William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019 2017 -- Philip speaks to William and Kate at Trooping The Colour in London on June 17, 2017 Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, are thought to currently be hands-on in helping the Waleses. Yesterday, TMZ published a photograph of Kate near Windsor Castle in the passenger seat of a black Audi car being driven by her mother Carole Middleton. The photo of the Princess, who was wearing dark sunglasses, is the first of Kate since she was pictured during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk. Meanwhile, Kate's 'black sheep' uncle Gary Goldsmith - the brother of Carole - praised her as 'perfect' as he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house last night. Kate was last seen at a royal event on Christmas Day 2023 with her family at Sandringham King Charles is pictured with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace in London today He added that she could be watching the new ITV programme from 'behind a sofa'. Asked by presenter AJ Odudu if Kate would be watching, 58-year-old Mr Goldsmith said: 'If she is it will be behind a sofa, I guess... It'll be a nice one in a nice house, I can guarantee that.' In a pre-recorded interview which aired before he entered the house, Goldsmith said: 'She is simply perfect. 'First time I met William, Catherine was cooking and William said, 'Hi, do you want a cup of tea?' Very normal.' Towards the end of the programme, he told fellow housemate Fern Britton 'I absolutely adore my family' after the TV presenter praised his decision to come on the show. Speaking to The Sun before entering the house, Goldsmith described his niece as a 'doting mum'. 'She's beautiful on the outside, but more beautiful on the inside and really is a doting mum... so the way the monarchy is moving, it's family-centric.' He added he became 'upset' with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'because you don't put a stick into that spoke and reinvent history'. 'Throwing your family under the bus just seemed inappropriate, especially what was happening with the Queen. I just thought it was totally unnecessary,' he added. Harrowing cockpit audio captured the panicked final moments of a pilot as his aircraft's engines cut out within eyesight of an airport. The frantic pilot warned air traffic control his 'engine turned off' as he was nearing John C. Thune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday night, before crashing next to a highway in a fireball that killed the pilot and four others on board. 'I'm too far away, I won't make it,' the pilot, who is yet to be named, told the operator - who desperately tried in vain to guide the aircraft to an emergency runway before the crash. 'I'm at 1,600 (feet)... I'm going to be landing, I don't know where,' the pilot responded to their help. The deadly accident unfolded within three miles of John C. Thune Airport, and the plane was seen in shocking footage exploding into a fireball within meters of Interstate 40. Although miraculously no one on the ground were killed or injured in the crash, the Nashville Fire Department described the tragedy as 'catastrophic.' Harrowing cockpit audio captured the panicked final moments of a pilot as his single-engine aircraft's engines cut out within sight of John. C Thune Airport in Nashville Shocking footage showed the single-engine aircraft explode into a fireball by the side of a highway. Miraculously no one on the ground was hurt, however all five on board the plane lost their lives The minute-long audio appears to begin after the pilot sent out an emergency alert to air traffic control, as the operator asks the pilot: 'Do you still have John C Airport in sight?' 'Not sure,' the pilot responds. The operator names the aircraft by its phonetic name, 'Charlie, Foxtrot, Bravo, Whiskey, Hotel', throughout the audio. 'Are you trying to land at John Thune?' they ask. 'My engine turned off,' the pilot answers. 'I'm at 1,600 (feet)... I'm going to be landing, I don't know where.' The air traffic controller says they are 'declaring an emergency', but reassures the panicked-sounding pilot they have the runway 'within shot.' 'Straight in runway 2, straight in runway 2 at John Thune, do you have the airport in sight?... you're clear to land,' the operator continues. Some have commented that the pilot appeared to sound inexperienced and more distressed than another may have been. He is heard saying that he does have the airport 'within sight', but admits: 'I'm too far away, I won't make it.' 'Okay... uhhh,' the operator responds for a few seconds, before ordering the pilot to try and coast into the runway without the use of his engines. 'See if you can glide in there, sir. Glide in, they're clearing the runway for you.' Nashville officials described the crash as 'catastrophic' The small plane went down shortly before 8pm Monday, exploding into a fireball near Interstate 40 as motorists drove past. It crashed behind a Costco store, and images showed the mangled remains of the aircraft smashed into the ground. Nashville resident and former city council member, James Hollin, said he was driving along I-40 after the time of the incident. 'My kids tried to rubber neck but couldn't make out what it was that burned so badly. They kept saying it wasn't a car and my mind didn't expect it to be a plane,' he told The Tennessean. Witness Dion Burnley added in a Facebook live broadcast: 'I'd just seen this pane crash on I-40, it went down and it blew up. I thought it was a car that crashed.' Witnesses reported seeing the plane coming over the interstate from the north and crossing over the lanes, before hitting the grassy median. Nashville International Airport spokesperson Stacey Nickens said the aircraft, a C-FBWH, left Mount Sterling, Kentucky around 7:19 p.m. and was set to arrive at John C. Tune Airport in Nashville around 7:43pm. Witnesses reported seeing the plane coming over the interstate from the north and crossing over the lanes, before hitting the grassy median Shocking footage captured the moment the plane exploded into a fireball by the side of a highway, killing all five on board Following the tragic accident, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell paid his respects to the five people killed in the crash. 'Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening,' he said on X. 'I want to thank the Metro emergency responders who were on site quickly and extinguished the fire.' Metro Fire Department Public Information Officer Kendra Loney added: 'We are saddened by the loss of souls that were on board. 'We are proud of the work that everyone is doing to stabilize this incident and to make sure that there were no additional casualties.' The Nashville Fire Department has said their crews extinguished the blaze without destroying evidence relevant to the crash probes. Loney added there were pieces of debris from the craft loose at the scene, but officials quickly cleaned them up so that drivers could keep moving. Despite that, traffic delays are expected to continue in the area through at least Tuesday morning. 'Now is the time' for King Charles to apologise for the British monarchy's role in the slave trade, with campaigners from Caribbean nations calling for reparations to be paid this year. The demands are being made by reparation campaigners as well as aristocratic families who have made public apologies for their family's historic ownership of the enslaved. Eric Phillips, who is vice chair for the Caricom Reparations Commission group that represents 20 Caribbean nations and states, said 'now is the time' for the King to 'not only apologise' but become 'the architect of change'. He told Sky News: 'He is the single most important person in this process and I think now is the time, considering all that is happening globally in terms of justice, with Black Lives Matter, human rights, it's an appropriate thing for him to do and the right thing for him to do.' It comes as the King steps back from his public duties to undergo cancer treatment. Despite his illness, the monarch is still meeting weekly for his private audience with the Prime Minister and reading his red box daily. 'Now is the time' for King Charles to apologise for the role Britain's monarchy played in the slave trade campaigners and Caribbean nations have said. Pictured: King Charles and Queen Camilla on the Sandringham estate last month Eric Phillips, vice chair for the Caricom Reparations Commission group that represents 20 Caribbean nations and states, told Sky that 'now is the time' for the King to 'not only apologise' but become 'the architect of change King Charles and Queen Camilla pictured on the Caribbean island of Grenada in 2019 Continuing his campaign Mr Phillips said: 'The King has an opportunity to not only apologise, but to have time to create the architecture of change and the architecture of negotiation that could move things forward.' 'We have so many examples, you look at the lack of technology, you look at under-development, you look at poverty,' he added. Racism was the second nuclear bomb, but slavery was the first.' Laura Trevelyan, a BBC journalist turned reparations campaigner also called on the King to speak up. She said: 'I would hope that the King would do something to make up for the fact his ancestors sanctioned slave trade in people at the very beginning. 'Because he's King of England - one of the largest monarchies in the entire world - anything he does will be hugely significant.' Last year Ms Trevelyan, along with her cousin John Dower, apologised to the Caribbean island of Grenada for their family's historic role in the slave trade. The family, who owned 1,000 slaves in the 19th century, said it would donate 100,000 to help community projects in Ghana and make up for their slave holdings. Trade minister Greg Hands was asked on the programme today if King Charles should apologise but he said it was a matter 'for each person' and it was a 'better thing' to look to the future. One of the Royal Family's most often cited links to slavery was the Royal African Company, which traded and transported hundreds of thousands of slaves from Africa to the Americas. Laura Trevelyan (pictured) donated money and apologised to the people of Grenada for her family's role in the historic slave trade Greg Hands was asked on the programme today if King Charles should apologise but he said it was a matter 'for each person' The Caribbean island, which is ruled by anti-royalist Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is said to be seeking funding from the U K Government. Pictured: The King with PM Holness The renewed call follows reports last month that Jamaica is thought to be mulling over plans to demand 500,000 in payments from Britain in reparations to fund its 'dark tourism' heritage sector. The Caribbean island, which is ruled by anti-royalist Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is said to be seeking funding from the UK Government and major museums to fund exhibitions about colonialism. The payments would go to conserving ports, hospitals and courthouses which are linked to imperialism on the island which was under British rule until it became independent in 1962. In September it was revealed that Caribbean nations were trying to negotiate inter-governmental agreements with several nations wanting to put their cases directly to the descendants of those who benefited - including Charles. Arley Gill, chairman of the Grenada National Reparations Committee said at the time:' We are hoping that King Charles will revisit the issue of reparations and make a more profound statement, beginning with an apology, and that he would make resources from the Royal Family available for reparative justice. 'He should make some money available. We are not saying that he should starve himself and his family, and we are not asking for trinkets. But we believe we can sit around a table and discuss what can be made available for reparative justice.' The King has stepped back from his public duties to undergo cancer treatment. Despite his illness, the monarch is still meeting weekly for his private audience with the Prime Minister and reading his red box daily. Pictured: Charles arriving in Westminster today The Reparations Commission for St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) was set to start issuing demands for reparations by the end of last year but this did not happen. Pressure for the King to apologise was heightened after the Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, has apologised for the Netherlands' involvement in slavery, saying he 'felt the weight of the words in my heart and my soul'. It came after a study commissioned by the country's government found that the Dutch royal house earned the equivalent of more than 800million from the trade and conquest of subjugated regions. Royal experts said the British monarchy would be put under 'more pressure' to apologise if other European royal families also start to say sorry. Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline at the time that the Dutch King's expected apology will 'influence the way that others respond in European monarchies where there are former empires involved.' Former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, a prominent critic of the royal family's finances, said he believes the Dutch decision will increase the pressure on Charles, adding that he 'probably will' apologise. And royal commentator Phil Dampier said that King Willem-Alexander's decision does 'open up the fear' that Charles may do the same. He added: 'I don't think the king would come out with another statement until he had consulted the PM. It is a very delicate matter. It's one thing to apologise, its another thing to start handing out reparations, because where do you stop? Prince William also spoke out on the matter while visiting Jamaica in 2022. Pictured: The Prince and Princess of Wales at a dinner in Kingston Prince William previously said: 'I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened.' Pictured: The Prince and Princess of Wales following the King's coronation in May 'You set a precedent if you start doing that. He might think about it and the more monarchies that do it would put him under more pressure but you have to draw the line on reparations.' Last year the King signalled his support for research into the monarchy's links with slavery for the first time after an American historian unearthed a document revealing one of the monarch's predecessors had shares in a transatlantic slavery firm. Buckingham Palace said last April that Charles took the issue of his family's links to slavery 'profoundly seriously' after a ledger revealed King William III was given shares in the Royal African Company. The document, which dates from 1689 and was found in a royal archive by Virginia-based historian Dr Brooke Newman, shows a transfer of 1,000 of shares in the business to William of Orange from its governor, Edward Colston. In 2023, the King also told Commonwealth leaders: 'I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery's enduring impact.' Prince William also spoke out on the matter while visiting Jamaica in 2022. He said while at a dinner in Kingston: 'I strongly agree with my father, The Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history. 'I want to express my profound sorrow. Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened.' Despite the words from the King and Prince of Wales tensions over the matter have continued to brew over the last few years. When William and Kate visited Jamaica they were both praised and criticised for speaking out against Britain's historical role in the slave trade. American forces in the Middle East made a second humanitarian aid air drop into Gaza with the help of the Royal Jordanian Air Force Tuesday, US Central Command said in a statement. According to CENTCOM, the aid was dropped around 2:30pm Gaza time and contained around 36,000 meals. The operation was conducted by members of the US Army and Air Force. The statement said that the Department of Defense will continue to drop aid into the areas of the territory most impacted by Israel's continued assaults in the wake of Hamas' brutal attack on the Jewish State on October 7. As the aid was delivered, ceasefire talks between Hamas and mediators broke up in Cairo without any agreement, with just days left to halt the fighting before Ramadan beqgins. Meanwhile in Washington DC, Vice President Kamala Harris met with Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's wartime cabinet, whose visit is in defiance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss a cease fire as well as the release of hostages. The vice president, over the weekend, called for 'an immediate ceasefire' in Gaza and for Hamas to accept the deal currently on the table. It was the most strident comments to date from a member of Biden's administration. This handout picture released by the Jordanian army on March 5, 2024, shows humanitarian aid being airdropped from a military aircraft over the Gaza Strip According to CENTCOM, the aid was dropped around 2:30pm Gaza time and contained around 36,000 meals Vice President Kamala Harris (left) will meet with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz (right) at the White House in defiance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu US Army soldiers shown moving the aid packed aid packages on Tuesday morning The statement said that the Department of Defense will continue to drop aid into the areas of the territory most impacted by Israel's continued assaults But it also led to questions on whether Harris and Biden disagree on the Israel-Hamas war. The former senator from California has maintained that she and the president are 'aligned and consistent' on Israel. Last Thursday, more than 100 people were killed when crowds rushed towards an aid convoy on the outskirts of Gaza city. Hamas has accused the Israeli military of opening fire, the incident remains under investigation. On Saturday, the US began the first of what it said would be a series of humanitarian airdrops of food into Gaza, as aid agencies warned of a growing humanitarian disaster in the Palestinian enclave in the absence of a ceasefire deal. Three C-130 U.S. military planes delivered more than 38,000 meals into a territory where the United Nations says at least 576,000 people are one step away from famine conditions. Palestinians posted videos on social media showing boxes of aid being dropped. Jordanian forces also participated in that operation. The White House has said the airdrops would be a sustained effort, and that Israel supports them. Critics say airdrops are far less effective than aid deliveries by truck, and it is nearly impossible to ensure supplies do not end up with militants. 'Israel welcomes the humanitarian airdrops by the U.S., which were discussed and coordinated with us,' said an Israeli official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity. A senior U.S. official said the framework for a deal on a six-week ceasefire was in place on Sunday, with Israel's agreement, and depended on the militant group Hamas agreeing to release hostages. 'The hostages have to be released,' the official told reporters. 'The deal is basically there. But I don't want to create expectations one way or the other.' In Jerusalem, thousands of Israelis marched to demand the release of about 134 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Protesters, led by families of hostages seized during Hamas' deadly rampage through southern Israel on Oct. 7, arrived at the city at sundown. President Joe Biden, Harris and other senior administration officials have become increasingly blunt about their dissatisfaction with the mounting death toll in Gaza and the suffering of innocent Palestinians as the war nears the five-month mark. A retired US Army colonel has slammed proposals for a new law that would allow vetted and qualified migrants an expedited path to citizenship by serving in the military. Former Colonel Douglas MacGregor described the new bill, introduced by Hudson Valley Congressman Pat Ryan, as a 'problem' stemming from the 'ideological bubble' of Washington. McGregor, a former senior advisor to the secretary of defense, told Tucker Carlson Uncensored the so-called 'Courage to Serve' bill is a plan to 'find people with no connection to the American people, arming them and sending them out to oppress us.' 'None of these people are Americans, we know from having interviewed them they have no aspiration to be Americans' he told the program on Monday. 'What they aspire to is to get in to the consumption machine. Get the ticket of entry, the free check, the free phone, the free transportation tickets, the free food, free medical care. Former Colonel Douglas MacGregor, a former senior advisor to the secretary of defense, raield against the new bill The so-called 'courage to serve' bill would allow migrants an expedited path to US citizenship 'They don't deserve this, they haven't worked for any of it. In the meantime what do Americans get?' he argued. 'We have a force right now that can't defend anything anywhere overseas very successfully. 'Look at the border' he said, referring to the record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border 'no one seems to care. 'The largest problem is Washington is this ideological bubble and they have decided the world has to be refashioned in a new image that exists only in their minds.' 'I listened to the comments coming out of the house and I'm reminded of that famous statement from Vietnam "in order to save the village we had to destroy it" 'I get the impression that's the plan in Washington, we have to destroy the country in order to save it' Macgregor said. Adding: 'From the standpoint of everyone in Washington, everything that happened before they arrived is wrong and the brave new world of the future must be built on the ruins of the past. 'They're doing a pretty good job of trying to make that work. MacGregor told Tucker Carlson Uncensored : 'None of these people are Americans, we know from having interviewed them they have no aspiration to be Americans' The southern border has seen record migrant crossings in recent months The US missed their recruitment goals by 41,000 recruits last year Active-duty personnel numbers have fallen under Joe Biden The US military missed their recruitment goals by 41,000 recruits last year. America also started the year with its smallest military in more than eight decades, falling to 1,284,500 troops. That is the lowest total since before the U.S. entered the Second World War in 1941 and officials said there should be a 'national call to service'. Military recruiters say Generation Z - those born between 1997 and 2012 generally have a 'low trust in institutions' and have 'decreasingly followed traditional life and career paths.' They have fewer relatives who served in the military leading to less inclination to serve. Two decades ago 25 per cent of young people had never thought about joining the military, but that figure is now more than 50 percent. According to MacGregor the military's recruitment issues stem from bungled overseas missions over the last twenty years in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. 'We say "you're building democracy" and people burst out laughing" it's nonsense, of course it's nonsense' MacGregor told Carlson. 'How is this defending America? and I think this is a huge part of the problem. 'If you ask 100,000 men white, black, or anything "what are you prepared to do?" they are prepared to defend the United States, but they don't see much evidence we are defending the United States' Macgregor concluded. A Florida pastor who runs an orphanage in war-torn Haiti has warned the situation is a 'ticking time bomb' for dozens of children they care for. David Wine, 56, directs the nonprofit Black and White for Jesus Ministries' shelter in Lilavois, less than six miles from the epicenter of the violence in Port-au-Prince. An employee of the Lakeland-based company told DailyMail.com the situation is 'pretty bad', while Wine told NBC he's never been more concerned for the children. The orphanage is one of the few places which provides education, including for special needs pupils on the island, where schools have been forced to close. Speaking from the warn-torn nation, Wine said: 'I am very concerned about the state of Haiti right now. It's a ticking time bomb.' An employee of Black and White for Jesus Ministries' shelter in Lilavois, Haiti, said the situation is 'pretty bad', while the director David Wine (far left) said he's never been more worried for the children Violence in the Caribbean nation spiraled over the weekend after thousands of inmates escaped a prison in Port-au-Prince and gangs stormed the capital (Pictured: tires on fire near the main prison of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 3, 2024) 'I am very concerned about the state of Haiti right now. It's a ticking time bomb,' orphanage director David Wine (pictured) told NBC from the war-torn nation Gang violence since Thursday in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince has left at least five dead An injured man waits to be treated at a health center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, February 29 Violence in the Caribbean nation spiraled over the weekend after thousands of inmates escaped a prison in Port-au-Prince and gangs stormed the capital. It comes as leader of the powerful G9 gang alliance Jimmy Cherizier - known as Barbecue - pledged to oust the country's acting prime minister Ariel Henry. He called on police and the military to 'take responsibility' and arrest Henry, who has been leader since the assassination of his predecessor Jovenel Moise in 2021. Haiti orphanage director David Wine Cherizier is a former police officer who has faced sanctions from the United Nations and US Department of Treasury. Prime minister Henry, 74, failed to hold elections last year and now says they will take place before Aug. 31, 2025. Haiti has been blighted by killings, kidnappings and rapes over the past several years amid the rise of heavily armed gangs roaming the streets. Wine's orphanage has been caught up in the chaos before. In August, a shooting between two rival gang members forced Wine and the children to flee temporarily. The humanitarian director told NBC he told the children to get on the floor, screaming over the cacophony of bullets and dogs barking. They stayed at another church for three weeks until it was safe to return. Over the past few years, Wine has redirected funds from private donors and churches in Polk County to security efforts rather than other essentials like food. He said this includes installing 18 surveillance cameras around the compound. On top of this additional cost, Haiti has been plagued by food and fuel shortages due to gangs blocking the ports. Wine said diesel costs around $25 a gallon. 'We depend on God because no amount of guns, unless it's an army, could fight these gangs,' Wine told NBC. Haiti has been blighted by killings, kidnappings and rapes over the past several years amid the rise of heavily armed gangs roaming the streets. (Pictured: A man drives past a burning barricade during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government and insecurity, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024) On Thursday, flights were suspended at the capital's Toussaint Louverture International Airport amid gunfire, while several fire stations across the city have since been burnt down. (Pictured: Workers put down a fire set at an office of Haiti's power company during a protest to demand the resignation of the Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, March 1, 2024) Over 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes from indiscriminate killing and rape in Port-au-Prince, which is largely controlled by gangs. (Pictured: People flee as police officers clash with gangs during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government and insecurity, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024) An employee of the Lakeland-based nonprofit told DailyMail.com the situation in Haiti is 'pretty bad', while David Wine (pictured) told NBC he's never been more concerned for the children An employee of the Lakeland-based company told DailyMail.com the situation is 'pretty bad', while Wine told NBC he's never been more concerned for the children The orphanage is one of the few places which provides education, including for special needs pupils on the island, where schools have been forced to close An inmate helps another prisoner inside the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, March 3, 2024 A demonstrator holds up the flag of Haiti during protests against the country's prime minister Pictured: A burnt car outside the city's National Penitentiary prison where hundreds of inmates are reported to have escaped The entrance of the Haitian National Penitentiary is pictured on Sunday A police officer points his gun while confronting a gang during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government and insecurity, in Port-au-Prince, March 1 Powerful gang leader Jimmy Cherisier, known by the nickname Barbecue, said in a video posted on social media that armed groups in Haiti were acting in concert 'to get Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down' The Caribbean country's government declared a state of emergency on Sunday - as well as a night-time curfew - in a bid to regain control amid a surge in violence An inmate waves through the bars at the National Penitentiary following violent clashes in the capital that have led to a prison escape from this main penitentiary in Port-au-Prince (pictured) Dozens were killed in the 'massacre' and only around 100 of the National Penitentiary's estimated 3,800 inmates were still inside the facility Sunday (pictured) after the assault, Pierre Esperance of the National Network for Defense of Human Rights said Home to what Wine describes as his 'large family', the orphanage is also one of the few places offering an education on the island. Over 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes from indiscriminate killing and rape in Port-au-Prince, which is largely controlled by gangs. One of the country's policing unions, the National Police Syndicate of Haiti, posted on X that if efforts to contain the escape of inmates were unsuccessful than 'we are done for'. It added there would be 3,000 extra criminals on the loose, and urged all officers to assist in regaining control of the prison. January was labelled by the UN as the most violent month in recent years, with around 1,100 people killed. On Thursday, flights were suspended at the capital's Toussaint Louverture International Airport amid gunfire, while several fire stations across the city have since been burnt down. Other pictures showed workers putting out flames at the offices of Haiti's power company after they were targeted by demonstrators. Michelle Obama has ruled herself out as a presidential candidate, putting to bed speculation that she would jump in at the last minute to give Democrats an alternative to aging Joe Biden. The former first lady maintains a star power within Democratic politics, despite largely removing herself from the political scene in recent years. 'As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president,' Crystal Carson, director of communications for her office, told NBC News. 'Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' re-election campaign.' Michelle Obama has ruled herself out as a presidential candidate, putting to bed speculation that she would jump in at the last minute to give Democrats an alternative to aging Joe Biden The former first lady maintains a star power within Democratic politics, despite largely removing herself from the political scene in recent years 'As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president,' said Crystal Carson, director of communications for her office, told NBC News A recent Rasmussen survey found that nearly 50 percent of Democrats support replacing Biden at the top of the ticket. More of them would like to see Michelle Obama, 20 percent, than Vice President Kamala Harris, 15 percent. The 60-year-old has said multiple times she isn't interested in running for office but recently sparked a new round of speculation when she admitted being 'terrified' about the outcome of this year's election. 'What's going to happen in this next election? I'm terrified about what could possibly happen, because our leaders matter,' she said. 'Who we select, who speaks for us, who holds that bully pulpit, it affects us in ways sometimes I think people take for granted,' Obama told Jay Shetty on his podcast 'On Purpose' in January. Last year, Obama explained to Oprah why she would not be running for office. 'Politics is hard,' she said in a Netflix special. 'And the people who get into it you've got to want it. It's got to be in your soul, because it is so important. It is not in my soul.' In a 2022 BBC interview she said she 'detests' questions about running for president. But NBC reports the former first lady was upset when Jill Biden ruled her out as a running mate for her husband on the campaign trail in 2020. Asked by CNN whether Obama was an option, Jill Biden laughed and said: 'You know, I'd love it if Michelle would agree to it. But I you know, I think she's had it with politics. I don't know. She's so good at everything she does. That would that would be wonderful' Asked by CNN whether Obama was an option, Jill Biden laughed and said: 'You know, I'd love it if Michelle would agree to it. But I you know, I think she's had it with politics. I don't know. She's so good at everything she does. That would that would be wonderful.' Two sources said Obama wasn't happy with that answer and wanted Biden to have a different one on hand that didn't close that door if she were asked the question again. Speculation on a replacement for Joe Biden reached a fever pitch last month when special counsel Robert Hur released a report on Biden's mishandling of classified documents that called him 'elderly' and 'forgetful' and therefore unfit for charges in the case. The destructive and adorable black-footed cats have been making a comeback at a Texas wildlife center. Thirteen of these deadly black-footed cats have been born at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose since 2019. Rhaegal, 9, and Morgan, 12, two of the seven black-footed cats at the sanctuary, are currently being trialed as breeding partners at the zoo. They dont get to pick who they want to mate with based on looksits whos going to create the most genetically diverse offspring, said carnivore curator Amanda Collins. If Rhae and Morgan are not a match, the wildlife center will introduce the female cat to another male in the species named Smidgen. This action just may be one of the reasons why Fossil Rim is the top North American breeding facility for black-footed cats. Thirteen black-footed cats have been born at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas since 2019 Rhaegal, 9, and Morgan, 12, two of the seven black-footed cats at the sanctuary, are possible breeding partners at the zoo If Rhae and Morgan are not a match, the wildlife center will introduce the female cat to another male in the species named Smidgen The 1,800 acre wildlife center first started housing black-footed cats in 2014 before the first kittens were born five years later on March 29. We wanted to add a new species that we felt we could make a difference for; take part in breeding and help a program out, said fellow carnivore curator Jason Ahistus in a blog post. The program that Ahistus is referring to is the Black-footed Cat Species Survival Plan, which is a cooperative breeding program. Today, two of the black-footed animals can be found in the centers Childrens Animal Center and the others can be seen during behind-the-scenes tours of the Intensive Management Area. Fossil Rim has given some of black-footed cat kittens to places like the Kansas City Zoo and the Prospect Park Zoo in New York. Another kitten, Gaia, went to Utahs Hogle Zoo and she has since received a lot of social media attention. Gaia may look harmless, but in reality, she and other black-footed cats are quite tenacious. The 1,800 acre wildlife center first started housing black-footed cats in 2014 before the first kittens were born five years later on March 29 One of the black-footed cats born at the wildlife center, Gaia, has received social media attention after her birth last May According to Texas Monthly, the animals are the most successful hunter of all wildcats. The animals can catch more prey than leopards within a six-month time period. They can also defend themselves against animals that are eight times their size. The black-footed cats are skilled at camouflaging themselves while hunting, and they also have a strong sense of hearing and night vision. Although the cats are avid hunters, their species was listed as vulnerable by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) back in 2002. As of 2019, only around 10,000 black-footed cats remain in the wild and 28 of those animals are in North America. According to Texas Monthly, the animals are the most successful hunter of all wildcats. The animals can catch more prey than leopards within a six-month time period The black-footed cats are skilled at camouflaging themselves while hunting and they also have a strong sense of hearing and night vision One of our goals is to raise awareness of the species as a whole, because we really need support from the public, said Hogle veterinary technician Janice Thompson. Its the rarest African cat. Were working really hard to increase their numbers. Thompson all praised the wildlife center for their care of the black-footed cats, including Gaia, who currently lives at the Hogle Zoo. Fossil Rim is so successful with their breeding program, said Thompson. Part of that is because its behind the scenes, and the cats have a lot of privacy. Daily Mail has reached out to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for comment. A nine-month-old baby girl has suffered severe third-degree burns after a bottle warmer allegedly spilled all over her body while she was at daycare. The family of little Addison Starnes from Concord, North Carolina, was informed that their child will need two surgeries to repair her horrifically burned skin. The incident allegedly occurred while she was in childcare at Concord Children's Academy on February 28. Addison suffered third-degree burns on her chin, neck, stomach, chest, arms, legs, and back. Attorneys for the family said: 'We believe that Addison was in a highchair waiting to receive her bottle, when a bottle warmer was overturned, causing the water in the warmer to spill and severely burn Addison.' Addison was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist to the Pediatric ICU burn center, where she is currently receiving treatment. Addison Starnes (center) suffered severe burns after a bottle warmer spilled on her body Addison's burns covered 20 percent of her body Little Addison is pictured with her siblings and her parents. She was burned while at daycare 'Addisons family would appreciate your thoughts and prayers,' the family's attorney statement continued. The initial call was made to 911 at 7:45 am. Upon arrival, first responders considered airlifting the infant to Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem, given the severity of the sustained injuries. The baby's family told WGHP that Addison's first surgery is expected to take place towards the end of this week, where she will have a skin graft done followed by physical therapy. The second surgery is expected to happen sometime next week. She will need two surgeries within the next two weeks to repair her burned skin First responders considered airlifting the infant to Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem Addison's first surgery is expected to take place towards the end of this week The victim will have a skin graft performed. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with costs A GoFundMe has been made for Addison by family member, Brooklyn Starnes, who confirmed that the baby's burns covered more than 20 percent of her body. 'We are trying to help anyway we can as both of them are out of work along with having two other small children who still need to be cared for and as we all know bills don't stop even in an emergency like this,' said the description of the GoFundMe. WGHP found that the Department of Health and Human Services previously raised concerns regarding first-aid training at the daycare. Representatives from DHHS did not confirm whether or not they were going to pursue and investigation with the daycare. Some staff members at Concord Children's Academy had not updated their first aid and/or CPR training, according to an October report. DailyMail.com has reached out to Concord Children's Academy, who previously refused to comment on the situation. A gang hired a hitman, who killed when he was just 14-years-old, to murder a drug rival for 100,000, in a plot to smuggle 40million worth of cocaine into Britain, a court has heard. Jimmy Gottshalk, 36, and Calvin Crump, 28, are said have hired hitman Michael Ematuwo, 28, to murder a fellow drug trader for the six figure sum. Peter Thompson, 60, was caught with a Glock handgun and ammunition to be used in the hit, jurors heard. The three are understood to have made up to 7m from importing cocaine in just two and a half months, through 50 importations of cocaine into the UK with a total weight of approximately 1000 kilograms. The Old Bailey (file photo). Jimmy Gottshalk, 36, and Calvin Crump, 28, are said have hired hitman Michael Ematuwo, 28, to murder a fellow drug trader for the six figure sum Ematuwo, who was convicted of manslaughter when he was just 14, was identified by Gottshalk as a potential hitman and offered 100,000 for the job, jurors were told. Thompson has admitted conspiracy to import large amounts of cocaine while Crump admits involvement in supply, jurors were told. Gottshalk, Ematuwo and Crump deny conspiracy to commit murder. Gottshalk also denies cocaine important and supply charges. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said: 'It is estimated that in the period of the conspiracy the conspirators made approximately 50 importations of cocaine into the UK with a total weight of approximately 1000 kilograms. 'Each importation involves 10s of kilos. The messages also show that once the cocaine was in the UK, it was broken into smaller parcels, of between 5kg and 10kg, and distributed across the UK to purchasers, who would then sell to end users. 'According to the messages, the conspirators purchased the cocaine for about 30,000 per kg and sold it for up to 40,000 per kg. 'An analysis of the messages that discuss money and financial gain suggests that the conspirators made 60-70,000 per importation and between 3.5m and 7m in in profit over a period of just two and a half months. Mr Atkinson said after Ematuwo's arrest on 3 June 2020, Crump identified Thompson as a source for a firearm. 'At the time of his subsequent arrest at his home address, Thompson was found in possession of a handgun and a quantity of ammunition. 'The defendants Ematuwo, Crump and Gottshalk are therefore each charged as co-conspirators with conspiracy to murder'. The prosecutor described EncroChat to the jury as a 'sophisticated form of end-to-end encryption, which was believed by them to be impregnable to any access by law enforcement.' Jurors were told the defendants have since been identified by their EncroChat handles. Gottshalk was 'notnice', Thompson was 'logicaldemon', Crump was 'blockmover' or 'brickmover' and Ematuwo 'randommist', the court heard. Only Gottshalk denies that the Enchrochat username in question belonged to him. The secretive app was taken down in April 2020 following an operation between the NCA - dubbed Britain's FBI - the French National Gendarmerie and Dutch police. On 13 June 2020 the administrators of the EncroChat system warned its users that its domain had been seized illegally by government entities. Gottshalk, of Ringwood Road, Wolverhampton, Ematuwo, of Morval Road, Brixton, and Crump, of Malmstone Avenue, Redhill, Surrey, deny conspiracy to commit murder. Gottshalk denies conspiracy to evade a prohibition on the importation of cocaine while Crump and Thompson have admitted the charge. Thompson had admitted possession of a firearm and ammunition but denies possession of both with intent to endanger life. Gottshalk denies conspiracy to supply cocaine. The trial continues. Ministers interviewed after opening meeting of second session of 14th NPC Xinhua) 13:05, March 05, 2024 Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) Chinese Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, gives an interview after the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Samsung, Honor and possibly Apple look to take new market By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics, Honor and possibly Apple are vying to compete in the blossoming smart ring market optimized for health care management, with Samsung recently unveiling its Galaxy Ring, Honor announcing plans for a new gadget and Apple filing several related patents, according to industry officials, Monday. A smart ring is a wearable device that monitors the user's heart rate, blood oxygen level, blood pressure, body temperature and sleep patterns, and enables various additional activities such as digital payments. Since continuous monitoring of users health data has become important in terms of health management, the industry view is that this device-related market will become a new battleground for IT device makers. Market researcher Global Market Insights estimated that the smart ring market, which was $210 million in 2023, will grow to $1 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.1 percent. On Feb. 26, Samsung Electronics unveiled its new smart ring, the Galaxy Ring, at the MWC tech fair held in Barcelona. Although visitors were not able to try on this new device, it was the first time that the actual product was revealed. Roh Tae-moon, president and head of the mobile experience business at Samsung, introduced the ring as a digital health care product in a meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won who visited Samsung's booth. "This product can be used for five to nine days without recharging and is always worn on the body, so it can capture important health information," Roh said. "It doesn't have a telephone feature yet. It currently only has sensors, so it can transfer biometric information to a smartphone." Hon Pak, vice president and head of the digital health team at Samsung, added that the sensor-equipped Galaxy Ring will be able to measure heart rate, respiration rate, movement during sleep and time it takes to fall asleep. Samsung has not yet revealed the specific release date for the Galaxy Ring, but the industry view is that the company is expected to launch the Galaxy Ring in the market through its Galaxy Unpacked event, which is usually held every August. Chinese phone maker Honor also officially announced its participation in the smart ring market. The company's CEO George Zhao confirmed in an interview with CNBC during MWC that they too are developing a smart ring. He said that this new product will have health-tracking features and be able to connect with smartwatches. This hardware capability will work together with AI-enabled apps (and) can help you make the professional training course tailored for you because they studied your habits and health data to give you professional suggestions, the CEO told the U.S. news outlet. Apple, which dominates the smartphone market, is drawing attention to whether it will enter the smart ring market. After initially filing a patent for smart rings in 2015, Apple has continued registering patents for related technologies, but has yet to offer any official response on this device. The patents Apple has filed so far have included ideas for incorporating biometric recognition, health sensors, gestures and voice commands. News outlets specializing in Apple news, such as 9to5Mac, have reported that Apple has been researching the idea of a ring that can be controlled by gestures and voice commands, allowing users to control other devices with finger movements and collect health data, suggesting the possibility of launching its own smart ring. Proposed restrictions and safeguards on owning XL bully dogs in Northern Ireland have been announced. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said he was bringing forward legislation requiring people to register their ownership of the breed and obtain an exemption certification, and also to keep them on a lead and muzzled while in public. There would also be a ban on breeding, selling, abandoning or giving away XL bully dogs in the region. XL bullies would also have to be neutered under the planned law changes, Mr Muir said. Additionally, owners would be required to obtain a form of public liability insurance and ensure the animals were kept in secure conditions. The rules will require additional legislation which may take until the autumn. Under the new restrictions, people will be able to hand over their dogs to be euthanised, file photograph Andrew Muir, pictured, announced restrictions on XL Bully dogs. Owners will be required to have their dogs neutered, muzzled and will need to take out public liability insurance How to defend yourself if you are attacked by an XL Bully dog People who chose not to keep their XL bullies would have the option of surrendering the animals to the authorities to be euthanised. Similar moves to place restrictions on XL bullies have been introduced in England, Wales and Scotland in recent months following a spate of attacks linked to the breed. Mr Muir told the Stormont Assembly there had been a 50 per cent spike in the number of XL bully owners applying for a dog licence with Northern Ireland councils since plans were announced to restrict the breed in England five months ago. The Alliance Party minister expressed concern that Northern Ireland remained the only place in the UK without such restrictions and was potentially becoming a home for XL bullies displaced from Great Britain. Mr Muir said there were countless 'genuine' owners of XL bullies who looked after their dogs with 'boundless love and dedication'. 'Breeds of this size and nature require careful, experienced and dedicated training by owners who understand their characteristics and temperament,' he said. A clip from an attack by an XL Bully on a small dog in a Hackney park in October last year The number of XL bully dogs getting a licence in Northern Ireland has increased by 50 per cent, file photograph 'The level of risk associated with XL bully breed-type dogs is however well known, with a concerning number of attacks resulting in serious and fatal injuries. Unfortunately, the development of these dogs has sometimes suffered at the hands of the wrong types of owners with dogs bred to have exaggerated features or to be overtly aggressive.' Mr Muir added: 'I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that I have not rushed into a decision. I have carefully considered all aspects and I have not taken this decision lightly. It became clear quickly that there was no perfect solution to this problem. 'I do not want to expose the public to an exacerbated level of risk. There are 140 XL bully breed-type dogs licensed right now, up from around 90 last October. Therefore, it is time to act, whilst numbers remain manageable and we can, in the main, track where these dogs are.' The minister insisted no owner would be forced to give their dog up. 'I am giving the owners of XL bully breed-type dogs the ability to be responsible and compassionate owners,' he said. 'I am offering them a pathway to enduring and lasting ownership of their valued dog. 'I am announcing these measures now so that people thinking of obtaining or breeding an XL bully breed-type dog in the near future know that their responsibilities and obligations will shortly change.' Mr Muir said he appreciated his announcement would prompt calls for more information. 'My department will develop guidance and practical support to allow owners to understand the impending legislative changes, including how to identify an XL bully breed-type dog using the standard developed by the UK Government,' he said. 'My department will provide further detail on these safeguards in due course and the dates when they come into effect. 'Longer term, I have a desire to explore the possibility of meaningful reform to our dog control laws, in close co-operation with key stakeholders in the sector. 'I am acutely aware of the calls to deal with 'the deed not the breed' and criticism of breed-specific legislation but am left, as minister, with the situation as it presents itself, with the legislation as currently available in the context of public safety risk.' The minister said he would establish a working group including representatives from his department and key council staff to design and implement the exemption scheme. Last month, a four year old girl was attacked by a suspected XL Bully dog . Rayven Hamilton was left bloodied needing surgery after the dog 'went for her' without warning whilst she played outside her home in Carmarthen. Police say tests are ongoing to determine the breed of the dog involved amid fears it may partially be a banned XL bully. Rayven's mum, Charis, 36, said she tried to get in between her daughter and the dog but she had already suffered several puncture wounds. She said: 'It's horrendous. We live in a cul-de-sac and she was out playing in the street as she does every single day. Following bans in England, Wales and Scotland, a refuge has been opened in Dundee for XL Bully dogs abandoned by their owners. Also in February, a suspected XL Bully dog attacked a horse in Hertfordshire. A West Midlands Police spokesperson added: 'We are looking into a video that shows a dog being punched and thrown over railings in a playground. 'Enquiries are ongoing to trace the people in the video. 'Anyone with information is asked to get in touch via Live Chat quoting crime reference number 20/288638/24.' A Royal Caribbean cruise ship employee has admitted to hiding under young female passengers' beds and using concealed cameras to film them in their bathrooms. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, worked as a cabin attendant on the Symphony of the Seas from December 2023. He was arrested on voyeurism and child porn charges on Sunday after a girl found a camera 'affixed to the counter underneath the sink' in her room, according to WPLG. The girl was sharing a room with her mother and sister, and when they told security about the camera, Mirasol appeared at the cabin and staff detained him. When police seized his electronic devices, they found several videos of naked women undressing in their bathrooms, child porn and even a clip of Mirasol installing a camera, according to NBC. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, was arrested on voyeurism and child porn charges on Sunday The Symphony of the Seas is run by Royal Caribbean Cruises with space for over 6,600 passengers When questioned, he admitted to investigators that he had installed the cameras when he started working on the ship in December. He said: 'I want to control it but I can't.' He admitted that he would choose young women - over the age of 16 - that he liked and then install the cameras in their bathrooms. He also said that he would hide under their beds and film them naked himself. The identity of the family who caught him has not been revealed. But they were staying in a stateroom on the 6,600 person mega-ship. Mirasol worked as a stateroom attendant and his duties included servicing their cabins including cleaning, restocking towels and making beds. They boarded the ship on February 24 and found the camera two days later on February 26, when one of the daughters reached under the sink to find toilet paper. She found the camera stuck to the bottom of the counter and called the ship's security. An example of a room onboard the Symphony of the Seas Mirasol turned up at the room while the security guards were investigating and they detained him until they returned to Port Everglades, Florida after a week at sea. He appeared in court on Monday charged with six counts of video voyeurism, production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said: 'We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior. 'We immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities.' Mirasol was being held without bond at the Broward Sheriffs Office jail. DailyMail.com contacted Mirasol for comment. In rare public remarks, Google co-founder Sergey Brin has acknowledged that the company 'messed up' its Gemini artificial intelligence launch after the tool generated historically inaccurate images. 'We definitely messed up on the image generation,' Brin told entrepreneurs at a gathering on Saturday at San Francisco's AGI House, according to video shared by an attendee. 'I think it was mostly due to just not thorough testing. It definitely, for good reasons, upset a lot of people on the images,' Brin said of last month's disastrous launch. Google temporarily suspended Gemini's ability to depict people after the tool generated images of black and Asian WWII Nazis, black US Founding Fathers and female popes. 'The images really prompted a lot of people to deeply test the base text models,' Brin noted of the controversy. Google co-founder Sergey Brin has acknowledged that the company 'messed up' its Gemini artificial intelligence launch Gemini drew backlash after generating historically inaccurate images, such as black and Asian Nazi soldiers from WWII Germany Brin, 50, co-founded Google with Larry Page in 1998, and remains a board member and major shareholder. Last year he returned to an active role at the company to help lead Google's AI push. At Saturday's event, Brin acknowledged that Gemini appears tilted to the left politically in many of its responses. 'We haven't fully understood why it leans left in many cases' but 'that's not our intention,' he said. Brin argued that rival chatbots including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Elon Musk's Grok suffer from similar issues, and also 'say some pretty weird things that are out there that definitely feel far left.' Following the image generation controversy, Gemini users have been sharing the tool's unusual text responses on a range of questions. In one instance shared on social media, Gemini dithered when asked whether Barbara Streisand or Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was 'worse for humanity,' calling the question a 'complex and sensitive issue'. Gemini also came under fire after failing to condemn pedophilia, in a lengthy response that declared 'individuals cannot control who they are attracted to.' Artificial intelligence programs learn from the information available to them, and researchers have warned that AI is prone to recreate the racism, sexism, and other biases of its creators and of society at large. In this case, Google may have overcorrected in its efforts to address discrimination, leading to Gemini 'hallucinating' diverse but historically inaccurate depictions. Google's Gemini AI chatbot generated historically inaccurate images of black founding fathers The inaccurate depictions drew criticism from multiple fronts and prompted Google to temporarily suspend Gemini's ability to generate images of people Last week, Google CEO Sundar Pichai responded to the Gemini controversy in a memo to staff calling the inaccurate images 'problematic' and telling staff the company is working 'around the clock' to fix the issues. 'No Al is perfect, especially at this emerging stage of the industry's development, but we know the bar is high for us and we will keep at it for however long it takes. 'And we'll review what happened and make sure we fix it at scale,' Pichai said. The internal memo, first reported by Semafor, said: 'I want to address the recent issues with problematic text and image responses in the Gemini app (formerly Bard). 'I know that some of its responses have offended our users and shown bias to be clear, that's completely unacceptable and we got it wrong. 'Our teams have been working around the clock to address these issues. We're already seeing a substantial improvement on a wide range of prompts. 'No AI is perfect, especially at this emerging stage of the industry's development, but we know the bar is high for us and we will keep at it for however long it takes. And we'll review what happened and make sure we fix it at scale. 'Our mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful is sacrosanct. 'We've always sought to give users helpful, accurate, and unbiased information in our products. That's why people trust them. This has to be our approach for all our products, including our emerging AI products. 'We'll be driving a clear set of actions, including structural changes, updated product guidelines, improved launch processes, robust evals and red-teaming, and technical recommendations. We are looking across all of this and will make the necessary changes. 'Even as we learn from what went wrong here, we should also build on the product and technical announcements we've made in AI over the last several weeks. Google temporarily disabled Gemini's image generation tool last week after users complained it was generating 'woke' but incorrect images such as female popes Asked to depict historically light-skinned groups such as Vikings, Gemini gave results showing black Vikings 'That includes some foundational advances in our underlying models e.g. our 1 million long-context window breakthrough and our open models, both of which have been well received. 'We know what it takes to create great products that are used and beloved by billions of people and businesses, and with our infrastructure and research expertise we have an incredible springboard for the AI wave. 'Let's focus on what matters most: building helpful products that are deserving of our users' trust.' Since the launch of Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT in November 2022, Alphabet-owned Google has been racing to create a rival AI software. It released the generative AI chatbot Bard a year ago. Last month, Google renamed it Gemini and rolled out paid subscription plans, which users could choose for better reasoning capabilities from the AI model. A British actress suing veteran film director Roman Polanski for defamation broke down in tears in a Paris criminal court today as she described how he allegedly raped her before launching a 'defamation campaign' to discredit the allegations. Charlotte Lewis, 56, said Polanski attacked her as a teenager before trying to portray her as a child prostitute after she went public with the allegations on the first day of her libel trial against the 90-year-old in the French capital on Tuesday. Waiving her legal right to anonymity, Ms Lewis said: 'It's a defamation campaign against me that has lasted since 2010. It almost destroyed my whole life.' She added: 'People believed what was written in the articles about me. They called me a prostitute.' Ms Lewis claims she was attacked on the first night she met Polanski, when she was auditioning for his 1986 film 'Pirates' in Paris. She first made the allegations of sexual assault in 2010, which were dismissed as a 'heinous lie' by Polanski years later. In court today, Ms Lewis said Polanski tried to present her as a child prostitute, with significant consequences for her reputation and social life. It was the first time that Polanski, a married father of two, has faced court justice since running away from America in 1977 after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl. British actress Charlotte Lewis arrives at the Batignolles district courthouse for a trial over allegations Franco-Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski defamed her, in Paris on March 5, 2024 Charlotte Lewis arrives with French lawyer Benjamin Chouai at the Batignolles district courthouse for a trial over allegations Franco-Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski defamed her Roman Polanski (pictured in 2017) has denied the claims made by Charlotte Lewis Charlotte Lewis (R) and Roman Polanski (C) pictured together in Cannes in 1986 Speaking at the 17th Chamber of the Paris Correctional Court today, Ms Lewis said: 'It was the first night I met him. He decided the hotel we were staying in wasn't great. 'So, he took us back to his apartment. We went out to dinner. Then we came back, Karen, a mutual friend, went to bed, and that's when he raped me.' Asked why she did not mention the attack until a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010, Ms Lewis said: 'I didn't realise it was rape.' 'I didn't even know that word. I knew what happened to me wasn't right, but I didn't know how to put a word to it. 'He was the only adult man in my life. I have no father, brother or uncle. I had no other male role model. He became the only male role model I had. So it was disturbing. Because of that, I became anorexic.' In 2010, Ms Lewis first accused Polanski of attacking her 'in the worst possible way' when she was a 16-year-old auditioning for his 1986 film 'Pirates' in Paris. Polanski - whose hit movies include Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown - later described the claim as a 'heinous lie' in a 2019 interview with Paris Match magazine. In the interview, he pulled out a copy of the now defunct British newspaper The News of the World, which quoted Ms Lewis as saying: 'I was fascinated by him, and I wanted to be his lover.' Ms Lewis, who was portrayed in the article as someone who became a prostitute at the age of 14, rebuked the claims and filed the libel complaint against Polanski. She started crying on mentioning her only child in court, saying he had read all the accusations made by Polanski. Ms Lewis told the court: 'My son was snubbed, he was no longer invited to birthday parties because his friends' parents had read the defamatory articles about me. It was hard, it was very hard.' 'Discrediting and defaming (people) is an integral part of the Polanski system, and this is what Charlotte Lewis is very bravely calling out,' her lawyer Benjamin Chouai told reporters earlier today. Polanski's lawyer Delphine Meillet said there had been no defamation in the Paris Match article. 'Polanski has the right to defend himself publicly, as does the woman who accuses him,' she said. His defence lawyers have called on Stuart White, who wrote the 1999 News of the World article, to appear as a witness during the trial. In the contested article about Ms Lewis, he purportedly described 'how she went from hooker to Hollywood'. The tabloid, which was regularly accused of libel and fabricating quotes, was forced to close in 2011 after its employees were accused of phone hacking in pursuit of stories. Polanski is not due to appear in court for the case involving Charlotte Lewis, his lawyers have said. British actress Charlotte Lewis (R) arrives with French lawyer Benjamin Chouaiat (L) at the Batignolles district courthouse for trial on March 5, 2024 (L to R) Chris Campion, Roman Polanski and Charlotte Lewis at the 'Pirates' photocall at the 39th International Cannes Film Festival, France, May 8, 1986 Roman Polanski's lawyers, French lawyer Alain Jakubowicz (C) and French lawyer Delphine Meillet (C-R) arrive at the Batignolles district courthouse for trial on March 5, 2024 Polanski is wanted in the United States over the rape of a 13-year-old in 1977 and faces several other accusations of alleged sexual assault dating back decades and past the statute of limitations - all claims he has rejected. The director fled to Europe in 1978. In 2010, Ms Lewis said she decided to speak out to counter suggestions from Polanski's legal team that the 1977 rape case was an isolated incident. She spoke in the Los Angeles offices of Gloria Allred, a high-profile attorney who has also represented women accusing US producer Harvey Weinstein, sit-com star Bill Cosby and former US president Donald Trump. Discussing her case outside the Paris Correctional Court, Ms Lewis said that the attack on her reputation was far more damaging than the rape. 'It was much worse because the defamation has made me suffer every day for fourteen years,' she told Le Parisien. 'I have had to deal with people thinking that I prostituted myself at the age of 14, which I could never have done and never did. 'When the smear campaign against me began in 2010, I felt treated like someone who wasn't even a human being. 'I felt like I had to flee and could no longer have any contact with others. 'It's like I'm living a nightmare that I can't wake up from. It consumed my entire being. I developed post-traumatic stress disorder, had a nervous breakdown and was blacklisted as an actress.' Asked about Polanski staying away from court, Ms Lewis said: 'I'm surprised he doesn't want to be in front of me. I'll be there, I'm not afraid. If he's so sure I'm lying, then why has he never sued me for defamation?' Polanski spoke out against Ms Lewis soon after Frenchwoman Valentine Monnier became the sixth woman to directly accuse the director of having raped her. British actress Charlotte Lewis as she appeared in the 1986 film 'Pirates' Charlotte Lewis (L) and Eddie Murphy appear together in The Golden Child (1986) Chris Campion, Charlotte Lewis and Roman Polanski (L to R) in Cannes, May 8, 1986 France, Switzerland and Poland have refused to extradite Polanski to the United States. But plans for Polanski to preside over the Cesars, the French equivalent of the Oscars, were dropped in early 2017 under pressure from feminists. Between 2017 and 2019, four other women came forward with claims that Polanski also abused them in the 1970s, three of them as minors. He has denied all allegations. Among them, California artist Marianne Barnard accused him of sexually assaulting her in 1975 after asking her to pose naked when she was 10 years old. At the 2020 Cesars ceremony, actress Adele Haenel walked out in protest at Polanski being awarded for his film 'An Officer and a Spy'. The director has in recent years kept a very low profile, his latest film 'The Palace' premiering without him in Venice last summer. The defamation trial comes as French cinema reels from accusations it has too long provided cover for abuse. At this year's Cesars Awards, actress Judith Godreche denounced 'impunity' in the film industry, after accusing two directors of raping and sexually assaulting her as a teenager. An elderly man who enjoyed chatting with people around him was propped up on a chair at a funeral home in Brazil as friends and family paid tribute at his wake. Quirino da Silva died at the age of 95 last Thursday after spending the last 10 years bedridden as he battled Alzheimer's, his daughter Flavia da Silva told Brazilian news outlet G1. The retired carpenter was rushed to a hospital in the central city of Aparecida de Goiania on Wednesday after his daughter noticed that he was very ill. Doctors put Quirino da Silva through a battery of testing that showed that only 45 percent of his organs were functioning and informed the family that was little that could be done to save his life. 'My father was a very hard working man,' Flavia da Silva said. He never drank, he never smoked. He practically died in my arms. I was very sad, but at least he had a beautiful passage.' The family of the late Quirino da Silva (center) honored his life by asking a local Brazilian funeral home to prop up his body on chair at his wake last Friday. The retired carpenter died at at age of 96 a day earlier after a battle with Alzheimer's disease Quirino da Silva was placed on a chair instead of a coffin at his wake last Friday because he was someone who throughout his life enjoyed being around people and talking Instead of holding a traditional open coffin wake, Flavia da Silva approached the staff at Paz Universal funeral parlor and asked if it was possible to place her father's corpse on a chair after he had spent the last 10 years of his life lying in a bed as the Alzheimer's condition advanced. 'At the time of death I wanted to surprise my family a little, to create a more harmonious environment,' she said. 'This idea came up and it was very good. There wasn't a sad wake moment.' Viral images showed Quirino da Silva's right leg crossed over the left and his left arm resting on the chair's armrest. Wanderley Rodrigues, who manages the funeral home which has been around for nearly five decades, said the it was the first time that a family had made such request. 'We make it possible for a family to pay their last respects in a way that reflects the uniqueness of the deceased,' Rodrigues said. Quirino da Silva's body was later placed in a coffin and laid to rest Friday. The dead body of Fernando de Jesus is seen seated at a funeral parlor in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 11, 2016 David Morales' body was embalmed and sat astride on his motorcycle during his April 2020 wake in Puerto Rico While the request, according to Rodrigues is uncommon in Brazil, the nontraditional funeral service is quite frequent in Latin America. In October 2021, the family of Jesus Pacheco, 27, approached a Toa Baja, Puerto Rico funeral parlor, where the had his body placed on a four wheeler just days after he was killed in an accident riding a similar bike. The wake of David Morales , 22, made headlines in April 2020 when his family honored his wishes and had a San Juan funeral home embalm his body, which sat astride on his motorcycle. In March 2016, the family of Fernando de Jesus held the young man's service in a local funeral home that was able to prop up the murder victim's body on a chair from his home to make it appear as though he was in the middle of holding a conversation. A nineteen-year-old died after they were struck by a flying cannister that was flung from a huge industrial fire in a vape distribution factory. Shocking footage captured the aftermath of the inferno as plumes of smoke filled the area in Clinton Township, Michigan on Monday night. Police said debris was flung over a mile away from the explosion, with the teenager reportedly fatally struck from over 1,000ft away. The explosion was initially caused by a truckload of butane that caught fire, sparking hundreds of smaller explosions as cannisters inside the factory burst into flames - leading officials to warn the surrounding area could be filled with toxic smoke. Shocking images captured the aftermath of the inferno as plumes of smoke filled the area in Clinton Township, Michigan The explosion was caused by a truckload of butane that caught fire, which then sparked hundreds of small fires as cannisters detonated, and officials warned residents to stay away from the region By Tuesday morning, the factory was almost entirely levelled by the explosions and all that was left was scattered debris and building foundations Stunning before and after images show the factory flattened by the explosion Emergency responders raced to the scene shortly before 9pm Monday at the vaping distribution company, which was around 25 miles outside Detroit. According to WXYZ, vape distributor Goo was the source of the fire, and the numerous butane and propane components in their factory sparked hundreds of smaller explosions as they were caught by the flames. As cannisters detonated in the factory, firefighters were initially prevented from reaching the fire, leading the Clinton Fire Department to deploy ladder trucks to pour water on the inferno from above. Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan said the inferno was one of the most challenging of his career, as there was a 'tremendous amount of fire.' 'In my 25 years, this, by far, was the biggest one that I've ever seen,' he said. Firefighters at the scene arrived to 'materials flying in all directions from the building', and officials warned locals not to touch a cannister if they find one on the ground. A firefighter also suffered a minor injury resulting from the blast, after one of the cannisters flew through the windshield of a fire truck and hit them. By Tuesday morning, the factory was almost entirely levelled by the explosions and all that was left was scattered debris and building foundations. Hundreds of small explosions prevented fire crews from initially reaching the flames, and ladder trucks were deployed to pour water on the inferno from above Police said debris was flung over a mile away from the explosion, with the killed teenager reportedly struck from over 1,000ft away Inspectors look over debris left from the terrifying inferno on Tuesday morning Debris was left scattered up to a mile away from the scene in Clinton Township, Michigan Officials warned locals not to touch the cannisters if they find them on the ground following the deadly explosions On Monday night, the Clinton Township Police Department issued an urgent warning for residents to stay away, because they did not 'know what was burning' at the time and didn't 'know the effects of the smoke.' 'We can not stress enough the danger that is happening right now. Please, please, please stay inside and out of the vicinity,' police said in a statement. 'Debris is being projected into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion.' On Tuesday morning, officials said there was no danger to the community, but were reportedly still battling the flames raging on from the night before. The nineteen-year-old killed by the flying debris has not been named. Four people were reportedly inside the factory when the fire began, but made it out safely after evacuating as soon as they heard the canisters popping and cracking. Fire Chief Duncan confirmed several firetrucks and police vehicles were damaged by the flying debris. Duncan added that there were also some smaller fuel fires on nearby railway tracks that were quickly extinguished. Four people were reportedly inside the factory when the fire began, but made it out safely after evacuating as soon as they heard the canisters popping and cracking Plumes of red smoke filled the area, leading officials to warn the surrounding area could be filled with toxic smoke One witness said they were initially confused by the commotion, and 'thought it was the next-door neighbor doing something... crazy outside.' 'And the wife is like 'no, I just checked Facebook, there's explosions going on,' he continued to WXYZ, while the fire raged on behind him. 'And I followed the plume of smoke and the shaking car, and here I am. And these are the baby explosions going off. There was much bigger ones going off earlier. 'You could feel the concussions from the explosions in the car.' Another witness described hearing the explosion, before checking outside to find the night sky filled with bright orange smoke. 'At the time when it first started off, I was actually inside the house... when I had a chance to get to the front, we all ran outside. We saw the sky was really orange,' they said. 'So at that point, we kept hearing consistent booming, booming noises. 'There was fire everywhere, fire in the street, fire behind the building... it was really, really crazy. I've never seen anything like that before.' Jeremy Hunt is making final preparations for his crucial pre-election Budget today as hopes mount that he could push through big tax cuts. The Chancellor had an audience with the King at Buckingham Palace this morning after finalising the package after months of wrangling. There are signs that Mr Hunt will be able to unveil a move on personal taxes, regarded by many as essential for the Tories to have a chance of clawing back Labour's massive poll advantage. Although most speculation has focused on a possible further 2p cut to national insurance, some Conservatives remain optimistic that Mr Hunt will go further and target income tax. While significantly more expensive, that is regarded as more likely to cut through with voters - and a counter to the burden reaching a new post-war high. Jeremy Hunt was pictured in his office at No11 last night making final preparations for his crucial pre-election Budget There are signs the Chancellor will be able to unveil a move on personal taxes in his Spring Budget Although most speculation has focused on a possible further 2p cut to national insurance, some Conservatives remain optimistic that Mr Hunt will go further and target income tax Suspicions remain that the Treasury is engaged in a campaign to play down expectations so the Chancellor's 'rabbit' has maximum impact Mr Hunt is pictured training for the London Marathon with his dog Poppy ahead of his Spring Budget The Chancellor had an audience with the King at Buckingham Palace today after finalising the package after months of wrangling The political importance of a Budget breakthrough for the Tories was underlined yesterday when an Ipsos poll put the party on a record low rating of just 20 per cent Targeting income tax is significantly more expensive, but it is regarded as more likely to cut through with voters - and a counter to the tax burden reaching a new post-war high (as shown in chart) What is expected to be in the Budget? Fresh 2p cut to National Insurance At his Autumn Statement in November, Jeremy Hunt announced a two percentage point cut to National Insurance contributions. It is speculated the Chancellor is poised to repeat the trick at the Budget at a cost of around 10bn a year. This would allow Mr Hunt to claim he has delivered a tax cut worth a total of 900 for the average worker, when combined with his action at the Autumn Statement. New tax on vapes Mr Hunt is expected to unveil a new tax on vapes in his Budget speech. Currently, vaping products are subject to VAT but, unlike tobacco, they are not also subject to a dedicated levy. A new duty is set to be levied on the liquid in vapes, with higher rates for products with more nicotine. Rise in tobacco duty To coincide with a new tax on vapes, the Chancellor is poised to bump up tobacco duties so there is still an incentive for people to opt for vapes. This would copy action taken by Mr Hunt at the Autumn Statement, when he increased the duty rates on all tobacco products. It has been suggested a further levy hike at the Budget would push the price of a packet of cigarettes to 16. Action on 'non-dom' tax status Mr Hunt has drawn up plans to scale back or even scrap Britain's 'non-dom' tax rules altogether. He is said to have considered the move as a means of raising as much as 3.6bn to pay for tax cuts elsewhere. It would also have the added benefit for the Tories of creating a huge problem for Labour. Sir Keir Starmer's spending plans rely heavily on the added tax revenue a Labour administration would receive by axing or reducing the existing tax break. Extension of windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas The Chancellor could also extend the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers' profits as a means of funding tax cuts elsewhere. Officially known as the Energy Profit Levy, the windfall tax was introduced in May 2022 after a jump in energy prices resulting from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Hunt is expected to extend the levy by one more year to 2029. Crackdown on tax breaks for holiday lets The Chancellor could raise another 300million by abolishing the furnished holiday lets tax relief. This would scrap a series of tax perks for landlords who rent out their properties to short-term holidaymakers rather than long-term tenants. Mr Hunt would likely argue the move will help tackle the housing shortage in areas such as Cornwall and the Lake District. Extension of 5p cut in fuel duty The Chanellor will extend a 5p cut in fuel duty for another year. In a 5bn package for drivers, fuel duty will be frozen for the 14th consecutive year and the 'temporary' 5p cut in the rate - first introduced in 2022 - will be extended for another year. Higher air passenger duty for business travellers Another revenue-raising move could see Mr Hunt hike air passenger duty on business travel. Air passenger duty on business class travel is currently charged at 13 for domestic flights, 26 for flights up to 2,000 miles, 191 for flights up to 5,000 miles and 200 for flights longer than that. A small rise in duties is already scheduled for 1 April, but Mr Hunt could announce a further hike. Advertisement Suspicions remain that the Treasury is engaged in a campaign to play down expectations so the Chancellor's 'rabbit' has maximum impact. No10 has long been pushing for income tax cuts. 'He knows he has to surprise everyone,' one ex-Cabinet minister told MailOnline. 'Too late if he doesn't.' Former home secretary Priti Patel was today among senior Tories to call for an income tax cut, as she warned hard-pressed families needed 'a breather'. Mr Hunt is set to extend a 5p cut in fuel duty for another year as he recommits to a 14th year of freezes as part of a 5billion package for drivers. The Budget planning is believed to have been thrown up in the air last week when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog warned that Mr Hunt's tax-cutting proposals were 'unaffordable'. Future public spending is set to be squeezed and a string of smaller tax rises will be introduced to help pay for the package. These could include extending the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas, a new tax on vaping coupled with higher taxes on smoking, plus raising air passenger duty on business flights and cutting tax breaks for second home owners. Whitehall sources said the NHS would miss out on extra funding, with no cash boost expected to cut waiting lists. Yesterday the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that the health service would need billions in additional funds this year to avoid job cuts. It also urged Mr Hunt to 'tread carefully' on reforming the tax regime for non-doms another proposed measure warning that thousands of wealthy foreigners could leave the UK if the tax breaks are scrapped. The political importance of a Budget breakthrough for the Tories was underlined yesterday when a poll put the party on a record low rating of just 20 per cent. The Ipsos Mori survey gave Labour a 27-point lead. If the figures were repeated at a general election, the Tories could be left with just 25 seats. On the back of the poll, ex-Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman urged Mr Sunak to step aside in favour of a more popular leader. A separate survey by Deltapoll put the Labour lead at 14 points and Tory support at 27 per cent. Yesterday Mr Sunak put his troubles to one side and was all smiles as he helped launch Panattoni Park, a 900million commercial complex on the site of the former Honda plant in Swindon. However senior Tories acknowledge that the Budget may be one of the last opportunities to show the public that they have returned to their tax-cutting traditions. Dame Priti told Sky News today: 'Right now this has to be about giving hard-pressed families a breather and actually giving more of their own money back.' The former Cabinet minister expressed concerns about 'more and more people' being 'dragged into paying higher rates' due to Mr Hunt's freeze on income tax thresholds. The Chancellor yesterday confirmed that he hopes to move towards a 'lower taxed economy' but acknowledged it would have to be done in a 'responsible' way. Ministers had hoped to produce a major tax giveaway this week but worsening projections from the OBR have constrained Mr Hunt's ability to act. Mr Sunak is pushing to cut the basic rate of income tax by 2p but the straitened circumstances mean the Chancellor may have to settle for a similar cut in national insurance. This is cheaper as pensioners do not pay it. To help balance the cost of the Budget package, Mr Hunt will trim future public spending plans by 5billion and raise a string of smaller taxes. There will be no new money for defence, despite threats from Russia and the Middle East crisis. The 5p cut in fuel duty was introduced by Mr Sunak in 2022 after oil prices were sent soaring by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It was meant to last for a year but was renewed again last March. Treasury officials had pushed to scrap it after a drop in pump prices but this idea was vetoed by Mr Hunt as politically untenable. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey today claimed any tax cuts in Mr Hunt's Budget would be a 'swindle'. On a visit to the Chancellor's Godalming and Ash constituency, which the Lib Dems hope to win at the general election, Sir Ed said: 'If they do cut taxes people will know it's a deception, because they've raised income tax by freezing the tax allowances, a sort of a hidden tax rise on millions of people.' He added: 'They may try and put on a swindle, but I think people will see through it. This is a tax-raising Conservative Government.' A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against an energy company, alleging that it is to blame for the largest wildfire in the state's history. The Smokehouse Creek fire has ravaged more than a million acres of land, killed two residents and burned dozens of cattle to death since igniting last Monday. Now Melanie McQuiddy, a resident of the fire-ravaged town of Canadian, is suing Xcel Energy for recovery of damages to real property, arguing that a splintered power pole owned by the company fell and started the catastrophic blaze. McQuiddy sued Southwestern Public Service Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, and Osmose Utilities Services, a Georgia-based contractor that inspects wood utility poles, late on Friday. The firms 'failed to properly inspect, maintain, and replace,' the pole which cracked and snapped off at its base, the lawsuit alleges. Canadian local Melanie McQuiddy (right) is suing Xcel Energy for recovery of damages to real property The Smokehouse Creek fire has ravaged more than a million acres of land, killed two residents and burned dozens of cattle to death since igniting last Monday Hundreds of residents have been displaced and no official cause for the fire has yet been given 'As a result of the utility, powered utility lines hit the ground, igniting a fire, which spread quickly into an uncontrollable conflagration,' it states. Osmose Utilities Services examined poles for Southwestern Public Service and was irresponsible in its inspection and reporting of the 'rotten pole that caused the fire' according to the lawsuit. Texas A&M Forest Service is officially investigating the fire but a cause has not yet been determined. 'Xcel will pay for every dollar that its wildfire has caused,' attorney Mikal Watts representing McQuiddy told News 4 'Our thoughts are with the families and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires across the Texas Panhandle' Xcel Energy said in a statement. 'As members of this community, we will continue to support our neighbors in this recovery. Adding: We will continue to work in coordination with first responders and local officials to support the power needs of our communities.' The CEO of Osmose, Mike Adams, told CBS News that the company takes the accusations made in the lawsuit seriously. Cindy Owen, right, from Amarillo died when she tried to escape from her truck after it was surrounded by flames outside Pampa on Thursday. Joyce Blankenship, 83, was also found dead as a result of the fires last week 'We are closely following reports of the devastation brought by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, and our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy,' Adams told the outlet. 'Osmose takes these allegations extremely seriously. 'We immediately launched an in-depth investigation, and we are committed to fully cooperating with any other local investigations into the cause of the fire. Adding: 'We stand by the quality and accuracy of our utility pole inspections.' Xcel's shares have dropped 13 percent since the lawsuit became public on Thursday. The company is set to face another lawsuit from multimillionaire trader Salem Abraham for damages to his 3,500 acre ranch. Around 95 percent of the fences and pastures on Abraham's land which stretches along five miles of the Canadian River were burned in the fire, along with wildlife and thousands of trees. Abraham told the Texas Tribune he intends to sue Xcel and Osmose Utility Services later this month over the Xcel Energy pole for damages. The fire consumed more than a million acres of land, leaving a trail of devastation Hundreds of properties were destroyed in the Smokehouse Creek fire Snow covers a home that was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire in Stinnett In Fritch, where up to 50 homes were destroyed, photos show a calf killed and burned trees by the Smokehouse Creek Fire covered in snow on Thursday 'I'm sick and tired of it,' Abraham said. 'This is not my first or second or third or fourth or fifth fire rodeo, and it's not my first one with these utilities [companies].' Two residents have died as a result of the fire so far. Cindy Owen from Amarillo died when she tried to escape from her truck after it was surrounded by flames outside Pampa on Thursday. Joyce Blankenship, 83, was also announced dead last week. Her body was found in Stinnett, Hutchinson County Public Engagement Coordinator Deidra Thomas said in a statement on Wednesday. The mothers of the youngest female hostages today make an impassioned plea from their daughters' bedrooms for negotiators to finally get the deal done to 'bring back our girls'. Teenagers Naama Levy, Daniela Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Liri Albag, and Agam Berger have now been held captive in Gaza for over 150 days and time is running out to save them. Diplomats this week are crashing out a ceasefire agreement to try to free them along with dozens of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners before Ramadan on Sunday. Negotiations hang in the balance with talks in Cairo ending today with Hamas rejecting the Israeli proposal and sending back their own revised demands. As the deal is set to run down to the wire, the 19-year-olds mothers each sat down on their daughter's empty beds and let out a maternal scream to negotiators. Liri Albag. Teenagers Liri, Naama Levy, Daniela Gilboa, Karina Ariev, and Agam Berger have now been held captive in Gaza for over 150 days and time is running out to save them Shira Albag. Shira, 51, demanded: 'Now, before Ramadan, we believe that something should happen - must happen' Agam Berger. Diplomats this week are crashing out a ceasefire agreement in Cairo to try to free them along with dozens of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners before Ramadan on Sunday Meirav Berger. Meirav, 48, implored politicians: 'Help me bring my baby home,' while Liri's mother, Shira, 51, demanded: 'Now, before Ramadan, we believe that something should happen - must happen' 'I ask everyone that deals with the negotiation - from the Israeli side, from Egypt, Qatar, Hamas - just do the deal and bring my daughter back home,' Daniela's mother, Orly, 38 told the Daily Mail. 'I beg you, please, do it.' Karina's mother, Ira, 44, cried: 'Please don't forget my little daughter - do everything that you can to bring her to us.' Naama's mother, Ayelet Levy-Shachar, 50, said: 'I urge everyone, anyone, who can have an influence - in Israel, the mediators, the United States, Qatar, Egypt - I just want everyone to do whatever they can to make this happen and to bring my girl back home.' Agam's mother, Meirav, 48, implored politicians: 'Help me bring my baby home,' while Liri's mother, Shira, 51, demanded: 'Now, before Ramadan, we believe that something should happen - must happen.' The Mail ran a powerful piece in January showing the terrified faces of Daniela, Karina, Liri and Agam hours after they were kidnapped from Nahal Oz, near the Gaza border. They were taken alongside Naama who too was paraded in harrowing footage which showed her pulled by the hair and loaded into a jeep in blood-soaked pyjamas on October 7. Karina Ariev. It is feared that the ceasefire talks in Cairo present the last chance after so many failed attempts and the negotiations hang in the balance with both sides threatening to walk out if demands aren't met Ira Ariev. Ira, 44, cried: 'Please don't forget my little daughter - do everything that you can to bring her to us' Dr Levy-Shachar, a GP, of Ra'anana, near Tel Aviv, sat on her daughter's untouched bed, surrounded by her cuddly toys and the young runner's trophies. 'You've seen my daughter's video,' she said. 'You can see her wounds and that she's terrified and bloody. This is what I'm experiencing every day, thinking about her. Every day for five months.' She told how she and Naama's siblings, Amit, 21, Michal, 16, and Omri, 11, now go 'in and out of her room all the time'. 'We feel her and we're waiting for her,' she said. 'I'm a mother and my heart is shattered,' she added, before she broke down and sobbed: 'I'm just tired of saying this. Having to plea and beg. I just don't want to do this anymore I just want this to happen.' Mrs Gilboa told how her youngest daughter Noam, 15, now sleeps in Daniela's bed every night to 'feel her' adored older sibling. Meanwhile the hostage's beloved 20-year-old boyfriend, Roy Dadon, is distraught waiting for her. 'I just want to see my daughter here,' she said, clutching her photograph. 'My Daniela, sleeping in her bed, in her cosy room with her family hugging her, supporting her.' Pointing to her dressing table, Mrs Gilboa, a banker from Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, said: 'She's a very beautiful child and she likes to dress up. 'I hope she will come back very soon, so I can see her dressing and standing in front of the mirror and look at herself and smile. I just miss her.' Karina's mother, Ira, 44, sat on her daughter's sofa bed clutching the teenager's reversible octopus toy which has a sad face, but can be flipped inside out to smile. Naama Levy. As the ceasefire talks in Cairo are set to run down to the wire, the 19-year-olds' mothers each sat down on their daughter's empty beds and let out a maternal scream to negotiators Naama's mother, Ayelet Levy-Shachar. Ayelet, 50, said: 'I urge everyone, anyone, who can have an influence - in Israel, the mediators, the United States, Qatar, Egypt - I just want everyone to do whatever they can to make this happen and to bring my girl back home' 'Whenever she is back at home this octopus suddenly becomes happy,' she says, as she turns it to smile. The medical secretary, originally from Donetsk, Ukraine, then returns it to how it was. 'Since October 7 we are waiting that the octopus will smile again, for her to be back again to us.' There are unopened birthday presents on the bed, left in the Jerusalem apartment by her best friend before Karina was kidnapped. 'We miss her very much, our heart is broken,' Mrs Ariev said. 'She is our heart and our light and our family.' Holding back tears, the slight mother-of-two adds: 'Please, don't forget about us.' Liri's mother, Shira, 51, hugs her daughter's huge cuddly elephant to imagine she is cuddling Liri as she sits on her bed in Yarhiv, near Tel Aviv. 'We didn't change the sheets for 150 days, because we believe that she needs to come back like the last day that she was sleeping here,' the account manager said. On the bed are more cuddly toys and Liri's Minnie Mouse pyjamas, while the room is packed full of letters and gifts waiting for her return after she turned 19 in captivity last month. 'All the mothers who are watching me, please help me bring my child,' the mother-of-four said. 'They are little girls. Liri needs to come back home to sleep in her room, in her safe room. We need to hug her, we need to kiss her.' Daniela Gilboa. The Mail ran a powerful piece in January showing the terrified faces of Daniela, Karina, Liri and Agam hours after they were kidnapped from Nahal Oz, near the Gaza border Orly Gilboa. 'I ask everyone that deals with the negotiation - from the Israeli side, from Egypt, Qatar, Hamas - just do the deal and bring my daughter back home,' Orly, 38 told the Daily Mail. 'I beg you, please, do it' Agam's mother, Meirav, sat holding her talented daughter's violin as she told how she wants her to come home and fill their house with music once more. 'I will be strong until my baby comes to my arms,' she said, sat on Agam's bed above which are messages of strength and support scrawled on the wall. The tearful 48-year-old industrial engineer then said a prayer in Hebrew for her daughter. 'My Agam, mummy misses your presence. You are my oxygen, my breath of fresh air here. 'I know I'm going to see you with God's help really soon. God is with you there and God is with us here. We are holding on to hug you and welcome you back home soon. Amen.' The mothers will launch a Bring Back Our Girls campaign on International Women's Day this week to demand feminists finally rise up to help free them. President Joe Biden plans to taunt Donald Trump every day in an attempt to rattle his rival for the 2024 race. The aggressive new campaign strategy is part of Biden's plan to go for Trump's jugular in the belief that goading the former president will result in him going 'haywire in public,' Axios reported. Biden has ratcheted up the tough talk against Trump in the past few months, calling him a 'loser,' comparing him to President Herbert Hoover, and mocking his memory. And Jill Biden attacked Trump repeatedly on her 'Women for Biden tour,' where she ripped into him for 'mocking women's bodies.' The attacks could have an side benefit in addition to the hope of rattling Trump's cage: they could make Biden, 81, seem younger and feistier as he faces questions from voters about his age. President Joe Biden plans an aggressive new strategy to taunt Donald Trump Biden has made his feelings clear about Trump in private. He refers to the former president as a 'sick f***' in conversations behind closed doors with his close aides and longtime friends, according to reports. And his aggressive new strategy has already been slowly seeping into the public. In the past two months, as Trump has come closer to sewing up the Republican presidential nomination, Biden has gotten more vocal in his criticism of the former president. While Biden has long called Trump a 'threat to democracy' - citing the former president's actions during the January 6th insurrection - last month he indicated he's considered punching his Republican rival and noted he has to 'hold his Irish temper' around him. The fighting words came as Biden talked about Trump's reported comments that fallen American soldiers were 'suckers' and 'losers,' growing angry as he brought up his late son Beau, who served in the Delaware National Guard in Iraq, before he died in 2015. 'I have to hold my Irish temper. I'm glad I wasn't with him. I'm not sure what I would've done. He said they're all suckers and losers,' Biden said of Trump during an event in Nevada. Trump is known to have a fiery temper of his own and can quickly pivot to focusing on his own issues instead of riling up his supporters. At times, during campaign events, he'll slip into a rant about the various legal cases against him. The first glimpse of this new strategy could come on Thursday night, when Biden gives his annual State of the Union speech to the nation. In his remarks, Biden will attack Trump and the 'MAGA Republicans,' all while asking voters whose side they want to be on. This all comes as Trump is on the cusp of wrapping up the Republican presidential nomination after the Super Tuesday contests, setting up a repeat election between the two men. The prime time address will give Biden a massive platform before the country, just two days after Trump will speak at Mar-a-Lago following the GOP nominating contests on Tuesday. Biden wants to taunt Donald Trump (above) so he will 'go haywire' Strategy comes as voters go to the polls in Super Tuesday contests The president has spent the weekend cloistered in Camp David with top aides working on his address, which will be laced with election year politics. 'President Biden will make the case to continue to build the economy from the bottom up and middle out that has led to record job creation, the strongest economy in the world, increased wages and household wealth, and lower prescription drug and energy costs instead of the MAGA Republican agenda: rewarding billionaires and corporations with tax breaks, taking away rights and freedoms, and undermining our democracy,' said White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt. The stark choices facing the U.S. will be the propulsive theme of Biden's third State of the Union speech, his advisers told NBC News. In his remarks, Biden will ask Americans if they want lower health care costs, democratic freedoms and to keep Ukraine from being swallowed up by Russian leader Vladimir Putin? Or do they want to side with drug company profits, tax breaks for the wealthy and Putin? The underlying argument will be that Biden is on the right side of these issues, as opposed to Trump. Biden is also expected to address the war between Israel and Hamas in his remarks. Many voters are expected to tune into the speech, which is one of the biggest platforms a president gets to speak to Americans. 'For regular folks who are not following the day-to-day news cycle, this will break through on [Super] Tuesday,' a Biden campaign adviser told NBC. 'There will be a number of Americans who on Tuesday will stop for the first time and really kind of digest that this is going to be Trump versus Biden in November.' Trump is expected to sweep a majority of the Republican primary contests on Tuesday. While he may not win enough delegates to have the nomination outright, the math will make it hard for Nikki Haley to come close to him. President Biden at least year's State of the Union address, which takes place in the House of Representatives Meaning, Biden's speech will come as many voters are finally seeing the 2024 contest as an inevitable repeat of Trump vs. Biden. The speech will take place in the House chamber on Capitol Hill and the audience will be filled with Republican lawmakers loyal to Trump. Expect them to try and throw Biden off his game as they did last year. Biden found himself in an unscripted clash with Republicans, when they heckled him for saying they wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare. But, if Biden makes a mistake, stumbles or falls on his way to the dais, that could be a political death sentence. After the president's speech, he and his team will spread out across the country to double down on their message. Biden will go to Pennsylvania and Georgia. Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Arizona and Nevada. Other cabinet officials will travel to additional swing states, including Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee. Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it has discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the semiconductor sector with the U.S. chipmakers' trade association. Deputy Minister for Trade Yang Byeong-nae met with John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in Seoul to discuss the latest agendas, including the U.S. CHIPS Act, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. During the meeting, Yang and Neuffer exchanged ideas on broadening bilateral cooperation in the global supply chain, including the chip industry. Korea's exports of chips jumped 66.7 percent on-year in February to $9.94 billion, growing for the fourth consecutive month and marking the sharpest increase since the 69.6 percent rise tallied in October 2017. Yang noted that the chip industry is anticipated to further gain ground throughout 2024 on the back of the booming artificial intelligence sector. Korea wishes to expand cooperation with the private sector to address trade uncertainties, including key elections in major countries, he added. The two officials also discussed ways to broaden cooperation among Korea, the U.S. and Japan through the trilateral industry ministerial meeting scheduled to be held later in 2024. (Yonhap) Sen. Rick Scott is eyeing a run for Senate Republican leader and may make an announcement on his bid Tuesday, one day after meeting with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home. The announcement will come close to 5:00 p.m. and is regarding Scott's Senate reelection campaign, a source familiar with the plan told DailyMail.com. Republican members of Florida's Congressional Delegation will also be in attendance. The Florida senator's anticipated announcement comes within a week of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's surprise speech informing the chamber he would not seek re-election in November. Monday evening, Scott posted a photo with the former president at Mar-a-Lago on X. 'Great to see President Trump tonight! We're going to continue working together to win big in 2024 and fix Washington,' he stated. Today, Scott is speculated to make his bid for McConnell's spot official. Scott posted a photo with former President Donald Trump the night before he announced he would run for the top spot in the Republican Senate conference Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (center) announced last week he would not run for Republican leader in November. Sens. Rick Scott,R-Fla., (second from left) and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., (second from right) have announced they are in the race to replace him. McConnell is the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history, serving in the post since 2007 But Scott's anticipated bid for leadership is not unexpected. He was the sole opponent who ran against McConnell for the leader position in 2022. He lost, receiving only 10 votes. And his surprise Mar-a-Lago visit could indicate Scott went to speak with the former president about his intention to run. McConnell, notably, has long butted heads with Trump, and the former president has made clear his disdain for the 82-year-old Senate stalwart. Another conservative thought to be in the race, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the third highest-ranking GOP senator, also made clear his intentions Tuesday. He decided he won't enter the heated race for leader, opting for whip instead. 'I have had time to reflect on how I might best serve the Republican Conference and our country,' Barrasso wrote in a statement Tuesday morning before Scott's remarks. 'After a lot of thought, I will ask my colleagues for their support and help to work for them as the Assistant Republican Leader.' Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., will also not run to be Republican leader. A source confirmed to DailyMail.com Tuesday Cotton would instead run for Senate GOP Conference Chairman, the third-highest leadership position in the caucus. Scott's bid would make him the third Republican to officially enter the race. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was the first to declare his run for leader following McConnell's announcement last week. 'I am asking my Republican colleagues to give me the opportunity to succeed Leader McConnell,' Cornyn wrote in a statement Thursday. 'I have learned a lot during my time both in and out of Senate leadership.' He said the Senate is broken but that it can be fixed and he intends to play a role in that. 'Throughout my time I've built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause,' Cornyn continued. The Texas senator previously has served in senate leadership as whip and as the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Sen. John Thune announced on Monday he is seeking to become the next Senate Republican leader after long-time leader Mitch McConnell announced he would not seek reelection Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming, John Cornyn from Texas and John Thune of South Dakota are considered the 'three Johns' Another candidate, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the second most powerful Senate Republican behind McConnell, announced he is running for the top Republican leadership spot on Monday. 'Well, I hope to be [leader], and I'm going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues,' Thune told a South Dakota news outlet. 'For me, it's really about trying to be a difference-maker,' Thune told Dakota News Now. 'I think I have something to contribute there.' 'In my view, this is a chance for a reset and I'd like to be a part of it.' Steve Daines, R-Mont., is also rumored to be mulling a run for the Republican leader role. A market town's new pizza delivery business has accused rivals across the road of 'sabotage' and 'harassment' in trying to shut it down. Manor Italia opened for business in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, three months ago with a mission to deliver the best pizzas, made from 'freshly kneaded dough' and 'quality ingredients', to local homes. But temperatures have been rising since as its two rivals directly across the road Milano Pizzeria and Pizza Pronto want planners to force the newcomer to close, claiming it is taking their business, dumping waste and parking illegally. In a heated war of words, the family run Manor Italia business has hit back to deny rivals littering and parking claims as 'lies' and accused one of its rivals of 'spying' by directing a CCTV camera at its premises. Manor Italia didn't realise it required planning consent to open a 'silent kitchen' for deliveries only and no takeaways in the former fishmonger's grade 11 listed premises and has now put in a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for change of use. Manor Italia didn't realise it required planning consent to open a 'silent kitchen' in the former fishmonger's grade 11 listed premises Rivals, Milano Pizzeria and Pizza Pronto, want planners to force the newcomer to close Both pizza restaurants claim the newcomer is taking their business, dumping waste and parking illegally A decision on the retrospective application is yet to be made by the council. Jabbar Ahmad from Milano Pizzeria fired the first salvo with a letter to the council objecting to the planning application. He said the new rival pizza business was losing his fast food outlet around 2,000 a week. All three pizza shops are within a few yards of each other on Millgate, a narrow street with double yellow lines. Mr Ahmad claimed two cars were 'consistently blocking the pedestrian footways' and 'impacting on customer access to my premises.' He added: 'Waste refuse has also been incorrectly discarded outside of the premises as a direct result of me having told them not to use my commercial waste disposal facilities.' In his objection to planners Terry Allinson, the owner of Pizza Pronto, argued there were too many takeaways and too little parking in the area. Commenting 'this is going to be a disaster' and adding 'we don't need it.' A decision on the retrospective application is yet to be made by the council Jabbar Ahmad from Milano Pizzeria fired the first salvo with a letter to the council objecting to the planning application Mr Ahmad said the new rival pizza business was losing his fast food outlet around 2,000 a week But Manor Italia has stood firm, insisting it had done nothing wrong. Responding to the allegations, the company said all its delivery drivers parked in a nearby mews or car park and never illegally on Millgate. Adding: 'We feel Mr Terry Allinson's comments are to purposely sabotage our application as we are a possible threat to his business and competition that he may not of had to worry about previously.' Manor Italia said Mr Ahmad's allegations were 'false' and amounted to 'libel.' Any losses incurred by the rival was 'not grounds for objection as this is simply healthy competition within the same business sector.' The spokesman said drivers parked illegally in the street 'are his own drivers' and their staff had recorded registration numbers as evidence. And all waste was removed each evening via commercial bins. The rival pizza business was accused by Manor Italia of foul play by repositioning a CCTV camera to watch its premises across the road. In his objection to planners Terry Allinson, the owner of Pizza Pronto, argued there were too many takeaways and too little parking in the area. Commenting 'this is going to be a disaster' and adding 'we don't need it' Responding to the allegations, the company said all its delivery drivers parked in a nearby mews or car park and never illegally on Millgate Manor Italia said Mr Ahmad's allegations were 'false' and amounted to 'libel' Planners were told this was a 'form of harassment.' Today a Manor Italia spokesman said the two rivals were 'scared that we are going to take a market share that's there.' Commenting on Milano's CCTV camera, he said 'they are wanting to know what's going on inside the building and keeping an eye on what we are doing.' The spokesman said its two full-time staff at Manor Italia had no direct contact with staff at the two rival pizza takeaways. He said feedback from customers was very good and they just wanted to carry on running an 'ethical business with high quality customer service.' Their pizzas have been given the thumbs up by residents, he said, adding 'we have been welcomed with open arms, and have been told on numerous occasions our concept is just what Thirsk needed.' A pub landlord and his wife have today been made jobless and homeless after being kicked out of their popular boozer by 'ruthless' brewery bosses with just seven days' notice. As dejected Mark and Wendy Richards bundled their remaining life's belongings into their car, supportive locals gathered outside, tutting at the way Marston's had 'shoddily treated them.' MailOnline captured the moment staff from the brewery giant took back control of the New Greyhound Inn in the tiny village of Billesdon, Leicestershire, as Mr Richards said: 'I feel like s**t'. I've got no idea what we are going to do, it is terrifying.' As shocked regulars wished him and his wife well, he added: 'We have been kicked out, we are not leaving on our own accord, and I feel very bitter by Marston's approach. 'We've been given no real reason and virtually no notice. As dejected Mark and Wendy Richards bundled their remaining life's belongings into their car, supportive locals gathered outside, tutting at the way Marston's had 'shoddily treated them' Mark and Wendy Richards (pictured) abruptly lost control of the New Greyhound Inn Mr and Mrs Richards standing outside of the pub, holding the eviction notice The couple were forced to remove their possessions and leave the property The eviction notice sent to the couple, rending them jobless and homeless 'We've been given just seven days to go with vacant possession. It is ruthless, heartless and absolutely brutal.' Fuming Mr Richards, 58, a publican for 35 years, vowed: 'I will probably never work in a Marston's pub again and I'll certainly never drink in one.' He and his wife, 63, were live-in tenants and were proud to have doubled the company's profits in nearly 12 months of running the inn, where they anticipated earning 100,000 a year working round the clock. One week ago they were giving their marching orders by two area managers who visited them to tell them: 'It's just not working.' In a move more reminiscent of Dickensian Britain, the father-of-two said: 'We're literally being put out on the street and we'll be there with our begging bowl.' Mrs Richards told how they had given their furniture away to the Heart Foundation, had binned food, crockery and cutlery and paid to store some belongings. Pictured are Rachael Greensmith and Sarah Ginger who are angry at the eviction Mr and Mrs Richards were live-in tenants and were proud to have doubled the company's profits in nearly 12 months of running the inn, where they anticipated earning 100,000 a year Mr Richards stands at the pub door as regional manager Adrian Grant waits to enter Marston's previously confirmed it was evicting landlord Mark and Wendy Richards from the New Greyhound Inn - one of 1,400 pubs the chain owns across the UK She sighed: 'We feel exhausted and drained and we have nowhere to live. We're staying with our daughter tonight but she doesn't really have any spare room. 'It is a disgusting way for the brewery to treat people who work all hours to run their pubs. We have worked so hard here to turn this place around.' Her husband added: 'We had no notification of things going wrong. We are so flummoxed.' Villager Anna Carey, among a crowd turning out to say goodbye to the outed publicans, said: 'Mark and Wendy seemed to get the perfect fit here. They have done incredibly well in a difficult trading time for hospitality. Pizzeria trader Jonnie Ginger chipped in: 'They we're doing a great job. In the past there were problems with the pub with drugs and underage drinking and police round be called all the time. 'But since Mark and Wendy took over a year ago it changed and it was lovely, welcoming pub with good people drinking there and running it.' His wife Sarah Ginger added: 'It is appalling that they were treated like this and given just seven days' notice. Shocked regulars wished Mr Richards and his wife well. Pictured outside of the pub As the ex publicans hovered in the car park chatting to locals who have become friends, a team from Marston's was inside the stripped out boozer 'They have lost their house and pub for doing their job. They had done exceedingly well.' Regular Rachael Greensnith said: 'It's an absolute disgrace the way they have been treated. I understand this is happening at other Marston's pubs too. It's very shoddy.' As the ex publicans hovered in the car park chatting to locals who have become friends, a team from Marston's was inside the stripped out boozer. Regional manager Adrian Grant, accompanied by area manager Andy McCulloch, a stock taker and an independent valuer for fixture and fittings, declined to discuss the eviction when approached by MailOnline. He simply said: 'It's no comment.' Marston's - described as the UK's 'leading independent brewing and pub retail business' and at 'the heart of the thriving local communities' - previously told our website it was putting in a temporary landlord and it would be 'business as usual from today.' Marston's - whose head office is in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire - has already advertised for a permanent new tenant to run the pub and live there.' The brewing giant states in the ad: 'The New Greyhound would benefit from a traditional landlord/lady who can adapt and integrate into village life, who can bring the pub back into the heart of the community. 'The site currently runs a small food offer and takes on average of 3,000 per week with 90 per cent of sales from the west side of the business. Mrs Richards told how they had given their furniture away to the Heart Foundation, had binned food, crockery and cutlery and paid to store some belongings Wendy Richards is pictured next to all the belongings they had to clean out 'We are offering you 20 per cent share of weekly wet sales, excluding VAT and keep 100 per cent of food sales. 'Low ingoing costs, starting with a 5,000 deposit an accommodation included with most bills covered, except council tax and TV licence. Former club DJ Mr Richards and his wife took over the ailing boozer - their second with Marston's after running Cromwells in Huntington, Cambridgeshire, on March 13last year. They spent 'many thousands of pounds' of their own money doing up the pub and had anticipated a minimum five year agreement they hope would stretch to 10. Mr Richards said: 'It was a great job, you'd work a 100-hour week, it was full on, but you could earn 100,000 a year and now it's being taken away from us and we have no idea why.' He told how they had doubled the profit of the once struggling pub, saying: 'On a good week you were bringing in 2,000 and we were congratulated by the brewery. 'They told us last summer we were smashing it and we were the right people for the right pub.' His wife told how they had re-kitted the pub at their own expense, buying new furniture and fittings and putting in a pool table, and had also installed a new kitchen with a pizza oven. The rural village boasts a corner shop and one other pub - the Queens Head run by landlord of 25 years who by amazing coincidence is also called Mark Richards. He said 'They are a nice couple and I am sorry to see them go. I supported them, they supported and my wife Jill. 'Marson's should have given them more than seven days notice. I run an Everards pub and we have six months notice either side.' He added: 'I think Mark and Wendy turned that pub around and the brewery should not have terminated their contract like that.' He quipped: 'How coincidental to have two Mark Richards running the only two village pubs. There's more chance of winning the lottery!' Another resident, who declined to be named, said: 'It's a shame they've gone, they've been treated poorly and they could have had more support from the brewery if the pub was not reaching targets. 'They are really nice and friendly people and have made a difference here. 'I hope people are not hostile to the new landlord and welcome him.' Mr Richards, now ex publican, says: 'We've been surrounded by loyal customers and I've been trying to be upbeat because of them. 'I am trying to be as amicable as I can towards Marston's. They are holding my 5,000 deposit which they will keep for 28 days and l don't know if I'll get it back.' He told how he was notified he was losing his livelihood and home by his female area manager - who did not turn up on eviction day. He explained: 'She came to our pub last week with a colleague, saying: 'I'll make this nice and quick. We want vacant possession within seven days. It's just not working.' 'We were shocked, absolutely flabbergasted. There had been no prior warning and we still don't know why. She didn't elaborate. 'We're furious at the brewery for doing this out of the blue and we have still been given no reason. It was too short notice. 'We have monthly business development meetings but there were no warning signs. It is absolutely mental. Mr Richards, now ex publican, says: 'We've been surrounded by loyal customers and I've been trying to be upbeat because of them.' They spent 'many thousands of pounds' of their own money doing up the pub. Pictured is Marston's regional manager Adrian Grant 'We've had a blast in our short time here and made some good friends amongst our customer and we will be very sad to go. 'This was our dream job until our retirement. We had wanted to stay here for 10 years. 'The area manger was ruthless, she had no empathy, and we have no idea what the pub's agenda is. 'It's staying open with a new person stepping into our shoes and who will benefit from the business we have generated for the brewery. It is very unfair. He said: 'The pub used to have a bad reputation for drugs and under age drinking issues but we got rid of all that with a zero tolerance policy. 'Just when we had started to do well and we were getting a 30 per cent share of weekly wet sales - which is being cut to 20per cent for the new people. 'The pub wasn't performing well when we took it over. The former landlord had been asked to go but over the months we worked like crazy and doubled the profits.' The couple, who employed two young part time staff they have had to let go, told how their customers had shown 'overwhelming support and sympathy' towards them. Marston's previously confirmed it was evicting landlord and lady Mark and Wendy Richards from the New Greyhound Inn - one of 1,400 pubs the chain owns across the UK. Operations Director Matt Whiting told MailOnline: 'This news should not have come as a surprise. Our concerns and a plan of action were minuted in a meeting with the company in Nov 2023. 'The licensee has cancelled several meetings since that date making it impossible to resolve those concerns and In turn causing a breakdown in the relationship.' Company spokesperson Jeremy Eaton confirmed that the pub would be opening the same day as the publicans are being kicked out and he hoped it would be 'business as usual.' He said: 'We have no new landlord or lady as yet but we have a holding manager who will be opening the pub on Tuesday.' An obsessed man flew more than 4,000 miles from Florida to stalk a famous astrophysicist at Oxford University, a court heard. Augustine Lopez, 47, had never met Dr Rebecca Smethurst, who has over 700,000 YouTube followers online, when he flew into Heathrow Airport from America after becoming a fan of her astrology videos. He had travelled to the UK, armed with a can of pepper spray, without any hotel reservations and bizarrely had his luggage sent to Dr Smethurst's place of work in Oxford after researching the university address. Lopez then camped outside her workplace, where he hoped to meet the renowned physicist, and tried to gain entry into her workplace a number of times before he was eventually arrested by police. The defendant appeared at Oxford Crown Court today where he denied stalking Dr Smethurst, causing her serious alarm or distress, dealing with goods with fraudulent intent and possession of a prohibited weapon. Dr Rebecca Smethurst has over 700,000 YouTube followers online where she makes videos about astrology One of her fans has now been accused of stalking her however after she flew more than 4,000 miles from Florida to try and meet her Dr Smethurst works as a researcher at the Oxford University (pictured) astrophysics department Today Lopez sat in the dock as his stalking victim gave evidence to a jury from behind a screen. The jury heard that despite never meeting or talking to Dr Smethurst in the past, Lopez bombarded her with emails, one of which asked her to 'be his Valentine.' He is also alleged to have brought a can of Mace pepper spray, a prohibited weapon, into the UK. The court heard that he was found in possession of the spray can. The jury heard that Lopez, of Circle Avenue, Florida, USA, accepted bringing and possessing the spray but claimed it was an 'oversight.' The court heard that Lopez sent messages to Dr Smethurst's social media account and work email address, travelled to the UK, camped outside her workplace and tried to meet her there. Kellie Enever, prosecuting, told the jury that Dr Smethurst works as a researcher at the Oxford University astrophysics department and is renowned for her work on the universe. Prosecutor Ms Enever told the court: 'Augustine Lopez is an American national. It is our case that Mr Lopez, who lives in Florida, flew to the UK to London Heathrow on February 13, 2023. 'Mr Lopez came to this country specifically with one sole purpose. That sole purpose was to stalk Dr Rebecca Smethurst. 'The Crown says Mr Lopez flew to this country with no hotel reservation and he didn't know a soul in this country. 'When he got to Heathrow he sent his luggage to her (Dr Smethurst's) workplace. 'Mr Lopez does not know her. All we say he knows about Dr Smethurst is what he has acquired from social media.' Dr Smethurst pictured on stage with a microphone, giving a speech. She is renowned for her work on the universe and has a large online following Ms Enever added: 'This is an individual that caused Dr Smethurst serious distress and alarm. His contact with her - unwanted contact - is unsettling and impacted on her daily life. 'He sent her unwanted messages, those being emails, Instagram and the like. 'Not only did he send his luggage to her work place so he could try to collect it, he also stalked her outside her workplace. There are witnesses who saw Mr Lopez hanging around the place that she works. 'On one occasion he tried to enter her workplace but was stopped by a receptionist.' Dr Smethurst gave evidence in court from behind a screen. She spoke of travelling into work on the train when she received an email from the receptionist at her place of work. The jury heard from Dr Smethurst that the receptionist described how a man had approached the building and asked her on reception to speak with the complainant. The receptionist had thought the man was homeless as he was sleeping rough. Dr Smethurst described how this had reminded her of an earlier 'rambling' email she had received via her work email address. Around a month after the incident, Dr Smethurst found Instagram messages from the defendant, the jury heard. Among them was one message with a picture of the outside of her workplace. It was captioned: 'I found the building but not you.' One message said: 'I owe you a delightful time, be my Valentine.' Dr Smethurst, who was audibly upset while giving evidence, said: 'The messages made me feel a mix of fear and revulsion. 'My skin was crawling that this person thought that I wanted to read this. It felt like such an invasion of my own life and privacy.' James Reilly, defence counsel for Lopez, asked Dr Smethurst is she had spoken to Lopez whilst she was in America. She replied: 'That is incorrect.' The case continues. Chef Maxcel Hardy of Detroit died unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 40, a representative confirmed. His cause of death remains unknown and the family has asked 'Detroit for prayers and privacy at this time,' according to David Rudolph, the family's spokesperson. Rudolph, according to the Detroit News, had, at the time of his death, been looking forward to the long-awaited opening of his seafood restaurant What's Crackin'. Hardy owned and operated several eateries around the city, including the shuttered Caribbean-Soul restaurant River Bistro, as well as Coop Detroit and Jed's Detroit. He is survived by two daughters. Chef Maxcel Hardy, a beloved fixture of the Detroit culinary scene, died on Monday at 40 His death was confirmed by a representative for the family, though no cause of death was given The chef, who specialized in blending Caribbean and Jamaican flavors, was a Detroit native who had spent time honing his craft in New York and Miami for a number of high-profile clients. His entrepreneurial streak led him to releasing a cookbook and signature line of dry spices. Over the course of his career, which began after he was trained at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Hardy strove to give back to his community. A decade ago he founded the nonprofit One Chef Can 86 Hunger. He described his charitable efforts as 'natural' and stemming from his childhood, during which his family sometimes suffered from a lack of resources. 'I just want to make sure if anybodys hungry, were going to feed them,' he told The Detroit News in 2021. 'But also teaching kids how to do the same thing and understand how food grows, where it comes from, how to spend money and how to save and do this with their family.' He worked on that goal with a handful of culinary-focused charities, in addition to his own. Hardy stands in front of his Detroit restaurant River Bistro - a Caribbean soul food eatery that shuttered during COVID Hardy (left) a decade ago in New York City catered an event hosted by then-New York Knicks player Amar'e Stoudemire (center) Hardy's Pizza and Burger takeout joint Jed's Detroit For his work, both charitable and culinary, Hardy earned several significant accolades over the years. The Detroit News presented him with the Angelo B. Henderson Community Commitment Award, in addition to naming him one of their Michiganians of the Year. He was then recognized by the New York Times as one of '16 Black chefs changing food in America.' He told the Times that he was proud of helping to turn Detroit into a city where food might become a primary focus. 'Growing up in Detroit, you didnt see chefs and restaurants elevated like that. It was Motor City, not Food City,' he said. In 2022, he told Eater Detroit: 'My goal is to always open restaurants in the inner-city to help employ the community while providing great food.' 'I find that though it may be easier to open in a larger suburban area, its typical and would only serve myself. Food is at the center of everything, and I want to create restaurants that help sustain communities in need. I also try to show you can open successful restaurants in your hometown.' Flores is at the center of a squatting row over a $2million home in Little Neck The notorious squatter refusing to leave a Long Island couple's $2million home previously modeled for raunchy male magazines. Brett Flores, 32, appeared in the saucy photospread naked, concealing his modesty with a fluffy pillow. In an accompanying interview, he talked cheekily about 'liking it' with the lights 'way down low, baby'. There was no mention of his nursing or care-taking career, that he claims wins him the right to stay in the mansion owned by Joseph and Susana Landa, the retired couple he is now sparring with in court and in the press. Brett Fisher Flores smiles in a sultry pose for a fashion spread in Homme Manifesto Magazine Flores is seen drenched in water as he models white button down shirt and matching briefs The Landa's bought the house in October for $2million, buying it from the nephew of its previous owner, gay bachelor Bernie Fernandez. According to Flores, he had a 'private arrangement' with Fernandez that involved him being paid $3,000 a week to look after him. It's unclear whether Flores' wife and child were also living in the house when Fernandez was alive. DailyMail.com can reveal that police were called to the property in December -ten months after Fernandez's death - for a domestic dispute. Flores was arrested for assaulting his wife, according to court documents. The 32-year-old Flores told the magazine he worked as a bartender and waiter in Waikki in Honolulu, Hawaii and Santa Monica in Los Angeles. He said personal training is a passion When asked what he has learned from modeling, he told the magazine: 'Things are not always what they seem on the surface. There's a lot of tedious work, and creative effects that goes into creating some of the final shots you see in photos' The former clotheshorse has now found himself cast as a real life villain over the squatting - with DailyMail.com also uncovering an upcoming court date on charges of assaulting his wife. NYPD detectives were called to the home he is squatting one morning in December 2023. Flores and his wife, who was not named, were said to have been arguing over their baby, who was in the hospital. His spouse was recording the argument, with Flores said to have shoved her out of the bedroom they were in and thrown her to the floor after she stopped filming. The alleged incident is said to have left Flores' wife with an injured left hand, wrist and sore pelvis. In the interview, Flores also spoke of how he enjoys sleeping in his 'birthday suit'. And asked about his dream role, the aspiring actor said he'd love to play a villain 'who has some ridiculous plan for world domination.' The $2 million house in Douglaston that Flores refuses to leave despite new owners Joseph and Susana purchasing the home in October 2023 Flores claims he was the live-in caretaker for previous owner, Bernard Fernandez before his January 2023 death Joseph Landa bought the home on the quiet residential street for his wife and his disabled son Susana Landa has been in and out of landlord tenant court trying to get Flores out of the home The Landas bought the house as a safe and comfortable place to live with their son, Alex, whwo has Down syndrome (pictured left) Flores was previously convicted for disobeying a traffic dev for a March 3, 2020 violation in Queens on December 31, 2020. The incident was two points off his license and he had to pay a $50 fine. He also had his driver's license revoked when he was living in his native California. During that time, he was involved in a burglary. He has also lived in Hawaii, California, and Ohio where he has had trouble with the law. Flores has insisted he is the rightful occupier of late bachelor Bernard Fernandez' spacious three-bed, four bathroom home. He has not clarified further. Neighbors spoke fondly of Fernandez, who they say had an on-off boyfriend, but knew little of Flores. He has resisted attempts by the Landas to kick him out. The couple bought the property so their son, who has Down syndrome, could have a safe and comfortable place to live. Eyewitnesses claim the house is in bad shape, with rubbish strewn outside. Much of the furniture inside is covered in dust sheets, with Flores allegedly renting out rooms to others via Airbnb-type websites. The house is also recorded by 10 security cameras, whose feeds appear to be monitored by the Landas. Chilling videos show Wayne Couzens after he raped and murdered Sarah Everard, with the killer policeman casually visiting Costa before calling a vet to book his dog in for an appointment while he was burning her body. Further footage aired in a new BBC documentary shows the callous murderer moaning about his mental health during a police interview and lying that he had been pressured into kidnapping Miss Everard by an Eastern European gang. Couzens tricked the marketing executive into getting into his hire car in March 2021 before driving her from London to woods near his home in Deal, Kent, where he raped and murdered her before dumping her body. Today, Sarah Everard: The Search For Justice published a photo of the warrant card he used to persuade the 33-year-old he was arresting her. The programme also revealed new footage of Couzens being interviewed at Wandsworth police station, with the firearms officer seen moaning about his mental health while rocking from side to side. He had been declared medically fit to be interviewed moments before, and is seen wearing a white plaster on his head following an incident of self-harm. Wayne Couzens being interviewed by police as he sits on the sofa at home. At first he denied knowing Sarah Everard Couzens buying a hot chocolate and a Bakewell tart at Costa on the morning after the murder The warrant card that Couzens used to trick Miss Everard into getting into his car In the video, Couzens moves his head from one side to the other and looks away as he says 'I'm in a dark place' after being asked how he is feeling. During the interview, he is shown a picture of Miss Everard and asked if he recognises her. After leaning forward to look at the image, he then shuts his eyes and rocks from side to side and replies 'no comment'. He shows no emotion as it is revealed to him the picture is of Miss Everard and answers 'no comment' again as he is asked if he used his warrant card to lure her into his hired car. He rolls his head around as the detective says to him: 'Is that how she trusted you? Because obviously as a police officer we know we are in a position... people trust us, don't they? 'People trust us to look after them. People trust us to help them. Protect and serve, that's what they say. We all took that oath. You included.' Couzens kidnapped Miss Everard from Poynders Road after convincing her to get into his car by showing his warrant card at around 9.35pm on March 3. He then took her to Hoads Wood near Ashford where he raped and murdered her, before hiding her body under a dumped industrial fridge. He then returned home and at 8.15am the following day - March 4 - he was caught on CCTV casually buying a hot chocolate with coconut milk and a Bakewell tart from a Costa Coffee shop in Dover. Couzens called in sick and spent the day at home before going out to buy petrol in a jerry can, which he took back to the wood. Couzens looks at a picture of Sarah Everard as it is held up to a protective screen while he is being quizzed by detectives at Wandsworth police station in London He was recorded calling a vet to book in for an appointment about his dog's 'separation anxiety' - at the very moment police believe he was burning Miss Everard's body. 'The fact that he was able to do things that were so horrific and thing that were so mundane and normal at the same time is really chilling,' Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation, told the BBC documentary. Couzens was eventually tracked down by detectives after finding CCTV of Miss Everard standing by a car he had hired and he was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping just before 8pm on March 9. Footage shows a team led by detective Nick Harvey interviewing Couzens as he sits on a sofa. The killer is shown a picture of Miss Everard and after denying knowing who she is goes on to admit kidnapping her before spinning a false story about being forced into doing so by an Eastern European gang. A recently published report found there were repeated missed opportunities to stop Couzens that left him able to stay in the police despite being a serial sex offender with a reputation for disturbing sexual behaviour. New images of Miss Everard were released for the documentary. The BBC said it liaised with her family The Durham University graduate's horrific murder renewed a debate around male violence against women and a toxic culture in the police An inquiry found Couzens' history of alleged sexual offending dated back nearly 20 years before he kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah in Clapham, south London. The married father of two was reported to police eight times for indecent exposure between 2008 and 2021 but was able to continue in the police due to 'lethargic and inadequate' investigations, a report found. Inquiry chair Lady Elish Angiolini identified at least five incidents which were not reported to police and warned there could be more victims. It emerged for the first time that Couzens, now 51, allegedly carried out a 'very serious sexual assault of a child barely into her teens' while he was in his twenties. Couzens was accused of attempting to kidnap a woman at knifepoint in North London in 1995 while aged 23. He was also accused of raping two women and indecently touching a man in a bar while wearing a blonde wig. Lady Elish found the married father of two 'could and should' have been stopped from getting a job as an officer, and that without a radical overhaul of British policing, there is 'nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight'. The inquiry team found that there were instances where he showed extreme violent pornography to friends and police colleagues, in a move to test their boundaries, and sent unsolicited images of his genitals to women. Both Kent and the Metropolitan Police were criticised for inadequate investigations into claims of indecent exposure against Couzens. There was a series of incidents where he was accused of flashing - three of which he was sentenced for last year, despite already having received a whole life jail term for Sarah Everard's murder. These were masturbating in front of a lone female cyclist in a Kent country lane in 2020, and twice exposing his genitals to staff at a fast food restaurant in February 2021 in the days before Sarah's murder. He drove his own car and used his own credit card at the outlet but no action was taken at the time, with investigating officer Pc Samantha Lee later sacked for failing to investigate properly. Another two similar incidents at the fast food restaurant were ordered to lie on file, and there were two incidents in 2008 and 2021 that were reported to the Met and Kent respectively at the time when Couzens allegedly exposed himself, but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. Couzens (pictured) was a serving officer in the Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Unit The documentary covers the ensuing police investigation and hears from officers including Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation In 2015, a member of the public reported having seen a man driving around in Kent with his genitalia exposed, giving the make, model, colour and registration number of the car. Couzens was identified as the keeper of the car but Kent Police closed the investigation with no further action and without even speaking to him. Lady Elish Angiolini said: 'This was a grave error and a very obvious red flag.' Today, Sadiq Khan will pledge to drive through cultural reforms in the Metropolitan Police to restore trust in the force after the damning report about missed chances to stop Sarah's killer. After the third anniversary of Sarah's death, the mayor of London will open the latest London Policing Board by expressing his 'deepest sympathies' to her loved ones, and labelling Lady Elish's report 'one of the most shattering accounts of failure in British policing history'. 'Knowing that a police officer harboured the capacity for such sadistic violence still haunts our city,' Mr Khan will say. Her family have previously said she would not have got into Couzens' car had he not been a policeman Sarah Everard: The Search For Justice covers the investigation into her disappearance 'It's a perpetual reminder of why we're here and the importance of this board. 'Our task is one of the most urgent facing London today: to ensure we drive through the wide-ranging cultural and performance reforms needed within the Met, to ensure that we support and challenge the commissioner in his mission - so that we can renew trust and confidence in policing in our capital. 'Whilst the Met is now on the path to fundamental reform, we're clearly not there yet. 'I see police reform as a critical part of my mayoralty, and we must not be satisfied until Londoners have the police service they deserve.' The board will hear from Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about progress on addressing the findings and recommendations of the Casey Review, which was commissioned by the Met after Ms Everard's murder. It found the force was institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynist, and that there might be more officers like Couzens in its ranks. Couzens was given a rare whole-life sentence for the rape and murder of Sarah. It means he will die in prison. The Scottish National Party was branded 'out of touch' today after it was revealed the separatists have applied to put 'independence' alongside its logo on general election ballot papers. Humza Yousaf's party has lodged an official request with the electoral commission to use one of two designs when people cast votes this year. They both feature the word 'independence prominently'. It comes a day after the party made its latest attempt to convince Scots to back independence, a decade after losing the referendum. But critics suggested the party should focus on other more pressing issues at the election later this year. The SNP is expected to lose a string of seats to Labour that could see it replaced as the biggest party in Scotland at Westminster. Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: 'Nobody can now be in any doubt that the SNP cares more about dividing people than it does about the issues which really matter to voters in an election like public services, the cost-of-living crisis, and the climate emergency. 'The nationalists are completely out of touch with the people of Scotland. 'This election must be about the people's priorities; not the SNP's negative campaign to break up the UK.' Humza Yousaf's party has lodged an official request with the electoral commission to use one of two designs when people cast votes this year. But critics suggested the party should focus on other more pressing issues at the election later this year. The SNP is expected to lose a string of seats to Labour that could see it replaced as the biggest party in Scotland at Westminster. And Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr posted images of the designs, saying: 'In case you don't believe us when we say the SNP are only interested in Independence, helpfully they've just applied for the below to be on the ballot: If people who oppose this abstain, the SNP will win under this label. Scottish Conservatives can stop this.' Yesterday's report, titled 'An Independent Scotland's Place in the World', pledged that Scotland would be a 'good global citizen' if it cut ties with the rest of the UK. It set out the SNP-led administration's plan for Scotland to represent itself on the world stage as a United Nations, European Union, and NATO member. The paper also discussed proposals for an independent Scotland to have its own armed forces, while it would also removed nuclear weapons from the country. But Unionists said the Scottish Government's plans showed both the SNP and their Scottish Green allies 'don't understand geopolitics'. They rubbished the document as 'nonsense' and questioned how an independent Scotland could join a nuclear alliance without nuclear weapons. The SNP were also derided for continuing to push their plan for an independent Scotland to be an EU member but somehow not adopt the euro single currency. It also emerged that Mr Yousaf plans to take paternity leave in the run up to the next election. Humza Yousaf announced last week that he and his wife Nadia El-Nakla were expecting a baby in July. Mr Yousaf - who will be the first sitting First Minister to welcome a child while in office - said he felt it was important to set an example that there was no 'contradiction' in being a parent and holding key leadership roles. The couple already have two children - their daughter Amal is four and Mr Yousaf is stepfather to 14-year-old Maya. Speaking to journalists in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, the First Minister thanked the public for their well wishes, adding he and his wife were 'excited and a little bit terrified' for the baby's arrival. He said: 'I absolutely will take paternity leave. For me, I intend, as I always have been with my two daughters currently, to be absolutely hands-on as a father and to be as supportive a husband as I possibly can be.' Scotland's Economy Secretary Mairi McAllan also announced she was expecting her first child with husband Iain in the summer. Harvard has hosted a pro-Palestine speaker who previously participated in a workshop with a senior Hamas leader - despite swirling anti-Semitism claims against the college. Noura Erakat, an associate professor of Africana studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey, was scheduled to speak at the Ivy League school on Monday. This is despite Erakat participating in an online workshop alongside senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad in 2020. He has since called for a repeat of October 7. The controversial professor was set to speak at a public event called 'We Charge Genocide; The Potential and Limits of International Law,' in Harvard's Science Center. Harvard has been embroiled in controversy since former President Claudine Gay's failure to condemn campus anti-Semitism during a disastrous Congress testimony. Harvard is hosting Noura Erakat, a pro-Palestine speaker who previously participated in a workshop with a senior Hamas leader, despite swirling antisemitism claims against the college Harvard has been embroiled in controversy since former President Claudine Gay's failure to condemn campus anti-Semitism during a disastrous Congress testimony Erakat participated in an online workshop alongside senior Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad (pictured) in 2020. He has since called for a repeat of October 7. The horrific October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel brought pro-Palestine protesters out en-masse around the college grounds. Erakat, who is also a human rights attorney, has been outspoken about her belief that Israel was responsible for the terror attack. 'Any condemnation of violence is vapid if it does not begin & end with a condemnation of Israeli apartheid, settler colonialism, and occupation,' she wrote on X on October 7. Nine days later, she addressed President Biden on twitter accusing him of repeating 'the lie about beheaded (Israeli) babies' and supporting 'Israel's genocidal warfare' in Gaza. In 2020, she spoke alongside former Hamas spokesman Hamad at an online workshop organized by Palestinian nonprofit the Masarat Center. Hamad served as the deputy foreign minister in the Hamas government of 2012, and he was quoted by the BBC in 2006 as saying that Israel should be 'eradicated'. 'Israel should be wiped from the face of the Earth. It is an animal state that recognises no human worth. It is a cancer that should be eradicated,' he told the British broadcaster. Last year, he called for a repeat of the October 7 terror attack, known by Hamas as the al-Aqsa Deluge, which killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis. 'Israel is a country that has no place on our land,' he told Lebanese TV channel LBC on October 24. 'We must remove it because it constitutes a security, military and political catastrophe to the Arab and Islamic nation. We are not ashamed to say this.' 'We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times,' he added. 'The al-Aqsa Deluge is just the first time. Will we have to pay a price? Yes, and we are ready to pay it. We are called a nation of martyrs, and we are proud to sacrifice martyrs.' DailyMail.com has approached Erakat and Harvard for comment. Erakat, who is also a human rights attorney, has been outspoken about her belief that Israel was responsible for the terror attack Former Harvard president Claudine Gay stepped down on January 2 after sparking fury and threats of a donor boycott with her remarks. By then, she had also been accused of plagiarism The Palestine Solidarity Committee holding banners outside the prestigious college The Hamas movement, which controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, attacked Israel on Saturday in the worst breach of the country's defenses since Arab armies waged war in 1973.(Pictured: a hostage taken by Hamas) The Hamas movement, which controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, attacked Israel on Saturday in the worst breach of the country's defenses since Arab armies waged war in 1973.(Pictured: a hostage taken by Hamas) Israeli soldiers stand next to the bodies of Israelis killed by Hamas militants in kibbutz Kfar Azza on Tuesday People mourn at the graveside of Eden Guez, who was killed a festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen that left at least 260 people dead, at her funeral in Ashkelon, in southern Israe A paramedic holds a little girl crying after being pulled from the scene of the bombing in Gaza More than 29,000 Palestinians have now also been killed in the latest strikes as Benjamin Netanyahu 's government struck Gaza, vowing to obliterate Hamas and their homeland It comes as six Jewish students from Harvard launch legal action against the school, claiming it has become a 'bastion of antisemitism and hatred' with descriptions of how they have been bullied since Gay resigned. The lawsuit, filed January in Massachusetts, alleges that Gay's congressional comments about campus antisemitism are just the tip of the iceberg of the school's problem. Gay stepped down on January 2 after sparking fury and threats of a donor boycott with her remarks. By then, she had also been accused of plagiarism. The school stood by her, refusing to accept that it had an antisemitism problem. In her resignation letter, Gay said she had been the victim of racist threats because she is a black woman. The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, Shabbos Kestenbaum, also told DailyMail.com that Jewish students are demanding tuition refunds from the pricey school over its 'abject failure' to protect them from antisemitism. For some students enrolled in the prestigious law school, that amounts to more than $75,000 a year. James Stunt was a well-known art collector who relied on his heiress wife Petra Ecclestone to help him pay for paintings, the art dealer who sold him the 4million masterpiece told the High Court. Dealer Fergus Hall said he had undergone 'protracted negotiations' with Stunt over six months in relation to Van Dyck's painting 'The Cheek Sisters' before finally selling it to him for 600,000 in January 2013. Lawyers acting for Stunt, the former son-in-law of ex-Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, insist the painting belongs to his father Geoffrey, who bought it for himself. But Geoffrey only claimed he owned the 17th Century masterpiece in 2020 - a year after his son was declared bankrupt with debts totalling millions of pounds. On Tuesday, Stunts creditors, Ian Defty and Adrian Hyde joint trustees of his estate - launched a legal battle at Londons High Court for Stunt and his father to prove they are the rightful owners of the painting. Art dealer Mr Hall told the court: 'James Stunt who wanted to add it [The Cheek Sister painting] to his collection. 'I had sold James Stunt other paintings. This was the most value painting that I sold him. James Stunt, pictured with Petra Ecclestone, left, is in a legal dispute with his creditors of a 4million painting after he was declared bankrupt, a court heard today Stunt, ex-husband of heiress Petra Ecclestone , bought the valuable Van Dyck piece 'The Cheek Sisters' in 2013, with a cheque for 600,000 from his father Geoffrey Stunt's bank account Stunt, ex-husband of heiress Petra Ecclestone, bought the valuable Van Dyck piece 'The Cheek Sisters' in 2013, with a cheque for 600,000 from his father Geoffrey Stunt's bank account 'What I thought then and I think now, is that it was for James Stunt's collection and his father was paying for it. 'It was not uncommon for the bankrupt James Stunt to pay in instalments by Amex credit car or his wife Petra Ecclestone to contribute to the balance. 'The facts are incontrovertible. The facts have not changed, until James Stunt was declared bankrupt.' Joseph Curl, KC, for the trustees told the Insolvency and Companies Court: 'This is a trial under the Trustees Insolvency Act over the ownership of a painting 'The Cheek Sisters' by Anthony Van Dyck. 'It was painted in contemplations about the marriage of the younger [Cheek] sister. 'The painting was sold by a company Fergus Hall Ltd in January 2013. The Trustees say it was sold to James Stunt. Geoffrey Stunt was the purchaser. 'But the fact that the cheque was drawn on the father's bank account is not explicit. What matters is who the contract was with in principle. 'The contract with art dealer Fergus Hall Ltd was with James Stunt. The court heard Geoffrey Stunt, pictured, only made claim to the painting 'in the middle of 2020' a year after his gold bullion dealer son was declared bankrupt and his assets seized by his creditors 'The bankrupt James Stunt always intended to be and was the owner of the painting.' Earlier, the court heard that Stunt wrongly transferred ownership of the 4million painting after he was declared bankrupt. The barrister said Geoffrey Stunt only made claim to the painting 'in the middle of 2020' a year after his gold bullion dealer son was declared bankrupt and his assets seized by his creditors. The High Court ruling was highly embarrassing for Stunt, who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle while he was married to Formula One heiress Petra. The playboy had embarked of months of legal wrangling to avoid insolvency by selling off his art collection including a 2.1million Claude Monet, a 1.6 million Mar Chagall and two pieces by Camille Pissarro valued at 400,00 each pay his creditors. But in a damning judgement, the insolvency court found he could not guarantee that he could raise the money and he was declared bankrupt. Mr Curl, KC, told the court that James Stunt had an 'unusually close financial arrangement' with his father and 'was in the practice of using other people's bank accounts to purchase' items. The High Court ruling was highly embarrassing for Stunt (pictured), who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle while he was married to Formula One heiress Petra He added that Geoffrey Stunt did not have a copy of the invoice of the sale of the painting. He told the court: 'James Stunt consistently represented that the painting as his property; when applying for an export licence, when asking Christie's [auction house] to sell it, when making an IVA statement to his creditors.' However, Geoffrey Stunt maintains he is the true owner of the 17th century Van Dyck masterpiece. His barrister, Lee Schama, the court: 'The Trustees contend that the painting was purchased by or for James Stunt. 'Geoffrey Stunt states the painting was purchased by and for himself. 'The Trustees state that James Stunt was the real source of the money and James Stunt was the person [art dealer] Fergus Hall Ltd was contracted to. 'But there is no evidence that James Stunt was the real source of funds. Bank evidence is the other way. James Stunt was not the buyer. The painting was purchased by Geoffrey Stunt with his own funds. James Stunt has a difficult relationship with certain substances. He made a mistake.' James Stunt and Petra Ecclestone at a Formula One party in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity in 2011 Mr Schama told the court that James Stunt owned over 200 paintings 'and more than 20 by Van Dyck. 'If I were able to buy a 600,000 painting by Van Dyck I would remember it. But if I owned 20 Van Dyck paintings then I could be mistaken.' Stunt relied on his heiress wife Petra Ecclestone to help him pay for paintings, the art dealer who sold him the 4million masterpiece told the High Court. Geoffrey Stunt maintains that he paid for the painting and that he is the owner. James Stunt creditors - Ian Defty and Adrian Hyde joint trustees of his estate, claim they are the rightful owners of the 4 million painting and have brought the case to the High Court to decide. The trial continues. By Baek Byung-yeul Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced new gallium nitride-based (GaN) power semiconductor products with higher power density and improved power-converter efficiency compared to silicon-based products, aiming to lead the automotive and industrial power management semiconductor industry, the Korean unit of the U.S. chip company said Tuesday. Recently, engineers have faced the challenge of supplying more power in a smaller space, from data centers requiring more storage to space-constrained battery systems of electric vehicles (EV). To address this, TI introduced two new power converter devices that support higher power density at lower cost. The company said that its new GaN power products, LMG2100R044 and LMG3100R017, apply enhanced thermal management with double-sided cooling package technology to simplify thermal design and boost power density. "Energy density in almost all applications has been improving much faster than before, requiring smaller and more efficient power supply devices, Jerome Shin, major accounts field application engineer manager of TI Korea, said during a press conference in Seoul. "TI's thermally enhanced double-sided cooling package enables more efficient heat removal from both sides of the device and provides improved thermal resistance compared to other companies integrated GaN devices," Shin said. Shin said there was a perception that GaN-based chips cost more than silicon carbide (SiC)-based chips, another next-generation semiconductor material, but as of 2022, the prices have reversed and GaN chips are now cheaper. TI also unveiled a new 1.5-watt isolated DC/DC power module for automotive and industrial systems. Anthony Ahn, automotive field application engineer manager of TI Korea, said this module will enable engineers to reduce the overall module size by over 89 percent and its height by up to 75 percent. For decades, its little carriages helped to ensure that much of the nation's post arrived on time. Mail Rail, which ran under London from 1927 until 2003, linked sorting offices between Whitechapel in the East End with Paddington in West London across six miles of track. Britons looking for an adventure can now tour the tunnels on foot, including on select Friday and Saturday evenings for the first time. The Postal Museum, which has run a tourist train on part of the line since 2017, has announced new dates for walking visits from April through to June. Tickets are also available for this month. They will cost 60 until April and will then drop to 58. Visitors have the chance to explore areas including the old staff mess hall, as well as stories about the staff who were involved in maintaining and running it. For decades, its little carriages helped to ensure that much of the nation's post arrived on time. Mail Rail, which ran under London from 1927 until 2003, linked sorting offices between Whitechapel in the East End with Paddington in West London across six miles of track A worker unloading post from Mail Rail in 1987. The system shut down in 2003 after being declared uneconomical The tours last for between 75 and 90 minutes and cover three quarters of a mile (1.2km). The Postal Museum first allowed walks through the tunnels in 2018. In January, campaigners suggested that Mail Rail could be reintegrated into the postal network to ease pressure on congested roads and delivery drivers. A spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport said Mail Rail is a 'ready-made solution' to congestion in London and pointed out how van use in the capital has nearly doubled since the service ended When it first opened, Mail Rail served eight stations across the capital. In its heyday it carried up to 12million letters every day to sorting offices across London. From these depots, letters and parcels would be carried by rail and road to their destinations around the country. At the time, the nation's postal system relied on the rail network. Royal Mail's Travelling Post Offices were specially adapted railway carriages that had been in use since 1830. For a time, the trains boasted large nets which would snatch pouches of mail suspended from trackside equipment, whilst at the same time depositing post into other nets. A Mail Rail train is seen being loaded in 1935. The system was then in its heyday A Mail Rail worker operates a shunting vehicle in a depot in 1935 Railway car sheds at Mount Pleasant in 1927. The system once ran across London The heyday of the TPO network was in the 1930s, but after the Second World War concluded, the daily services were cancelled and the system never returned to its former glory. The final TPO train ran on the night of January 9, 2004, and although a small proportion of mail is still carried on sealed train carriages most goes by road. The idea for London's Mail Rail - which was called the Post Office Underground Railway until 1987 - had its origins in a system that was devised in the 1850s. Back then, officials suggested that mail could be transported in underground tubes, using air pressure as a propelling force. Although experts said the scheme would work, the costs involved meant it did not progress further. However, in 1863, a short pneumatic railway running nine feet underground between Euston Station and Eversholt Street less than half a mile away. The wrought iron cars were sucked through the tube in around a minute. Although trials continued until 1866, financial difficulties initially led to its demise. The scheme was revived once again in 1873, when the line was extended to the General Post Office building near St Paul's Cathedral. Ultimately, the Post Office opted not to do a deal with the firm that ran the operation and so in October 1874 mail was carried for the final time on the track. In the early 20th century, when mail was being severely delayed by congestion and fog, a committee was set up to look into developing an underground electric railway with driverless trains. After the passing of an Act of Parliament, construction began in 1914 and tunnelling concluded in 1917. However, Britain's ongoing involvement in the First World War meant that the operating equipment could not be installed. Instead, the new tunnels were used to protect art treasures owned by the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Gallery. The subsequent high price of materials after the conflicted concluded in 1918 meant that work on the railway did not resume until 1923. The railway finally opened on December 5, 1927, with parcels initially running from Mount Pleasant in Farringdon to Paddington. Deliveries to Liverpool Street opened later that year, whilst the service was extended to the rest of the line the following year. The trains ran in a 9ft-wide tunnel on a 2ft gauge track. In 1930, new trains that could carry four mail bag containers had to be introduced due to excessive wear on the track. The Mail Rail system is seen above in 1927, the year it began its operations Workers load sacks of mail onto a train in 1927. The network was closed in 2003 1969: A worker loads mail bags into a container destined for the Mail Rail train Each container could hold 15 bags of letters or six bags of parcels. Another new fleet was introduced in 1980. In 1993, a new centralised computer-controlled system allowed the entirety of Mail Rail to be directed from a single point instead of via separate control rooms at each station. However, by the late 1990s - when an increasing proportion of mail was being delivered on the country's roads - Mail Rail trains were only stopping at Paddington, Western Delivery Office, Mount Pleasant and the East District Office. In 2003, the system was finally suspended by Royal Mail, despite opposition from workers and the London Assembly. By then, sorting offices had been moved away from the rail line, making it less suited to the overground mail operation. To book a walking tour of Mail Rail, go to www.postalmuseum.org/event/tunnel-walks/. A Miss Universe finalist was bitten and punched by her jealous ex-boyfriend who threatened to 'f** up the rest' of her life, a court heard today. Chloe Othen, 33, was left with bite marks, bruises and a septic cut all over her body after she went to see 'abusive' Ricky Lawrence at his 1.5 million Knightsbridge flat. Teary Miss Othen told jurors today that she feared Lawrence was going to murder her and was left 'scared for her life' after he invited her over by text in the early hours of October 15 2022. A row erupted upon her arrival, with Lawrence allegedly lashing out and refusing to let the model, who has 305,000 followers on Instagram, leave the apartment. She had tried to go but Lawrence is said to have snatched her phone from her hands, refusing to give it back. He then started repeatedly punching her head and biting her, jurors were told. Chloe Othen, 33, was left with bite marks, bruises and cuts - some of which turned septic - all over her body a court heard Ricky Lawrence's is accused of attacking Miss Othen in his 1.5 million Knightsbridge flat Teary Miss Othen told jurors today that she feared Lawrence was going to murder her and was left 'scared for her life' Miss Othen's partner at the time, Bora Guccuk, 39, called her while she was at the apartment. Lawrence picked up the phone and allegedly threatened to kill him. 'He said that he was going to finish me off and finish him (Bora) off, I saw him with my own eyes talking to Bora', Miss othern said. 'He was threatening Bora and myself. 'He said he was going to slit my throat and his (Bora's) throat, it is imprinted in my brain that whole night,' she added. Eventually Miss Othen managed to leave the property with Lawrence chucking the phone back at her, the court heard. When police arrested Lawrence the next day, police found messages that the businessman had sent on the day of the alleged attack. They read: 'You f***ed up tonight, watch what I do now, you silly c***' and 'you f***ing stupid c***, you're f****d now I swear, I will do anything in my power to f*** up the rest of your life, screenshot that.' Holborn Crown Court heard this afternoon how one of the bite wounds on Miss Othen's neck became septic and was left with a cauliflower ear which had to be drained following the punches. Miss Othen told the court she was punched 30 times by Lawrence and claims he grabbed two knives saying he was going to slit her throat. She said: 'He just went into a frenzy and attacked me, bear hugged me, punched me about 30 times, bit me, strangled me, it went on for about an hour and a half or whenever I left. 'He threw me on the floor, he dragged me by my hair, he pulled me up and down, he pinned me down, he strangled me, just as I was about to lose consciousness, he bit me on my neck and he punched me repeatedly.' Holborn Crown Court heard how one of the bite wounds on Miss Othen's neck became septic Miss Othen pictured at Suspect Lingerie launch party in Mayfair in April 2022 Lawrence and the model had been in an 'on and off' relationship for six months between December 2021 and May 2022 before it ended. Prosecutor Sheilagh Davies told the court that while the pair were no longer together and their relationship 'did not last very long' they were still in 'occasional contact and met up from time to time, including on October 15. She told the court: 'What happened there was obviously behind closed doors, there was conversation but it seemed that after a period of time, matters turned very ugly and Chloe Othen felt she needed to leave and go home. 'Her account is that as she got up to leave, Ricky Lawrence grabbed her phone out of her hand and refused to give it back. He then lashed out and punched her in the head. 'He was biting her multiple times and you will see that there are indeed what you might conclude are bite marks in various places about her body. 'She said Ricky Lawrence stopped her from leaving and she was effectively kept there for a period of time unwillingly.' A row erupted upon her arrival, with Lawrence allegedly lashing out and refusing to let the model, who has 305,000 followers on Instagram , leave the apartment Lawrence and the model had been in an 'on and off' relationship for six months between December 2021 and May 2022 before it ended 'Bora Gucuk, who at that time had become her boyfriend, tried to call her and the prosecution say it was Ricky Lawrence who answered Chloe Othen's phone and also threatened Bora Guccuk that he would kill him.' The prosecution said that after Miss Othen 'made her escape' she called Mr Guccuk for help. They met at the Berkeley hotel along with Miss Othen's female friend Alexandra Ivanovic. The prosecution added: 'Police were called, they turned up at the Berkeley Hotel. Ricky Lawrence was arrested and in due course he was taken to the police station and interviewed. 'He did not answer all the questions posed to him in the police interview, which is his right, but he did read a prepared statement. What he says is that the relationship had broken down but on 15 October. Lawrence has denied one count of bodily harm. He told the court today: Chloe had turned up at my address, her partner contacted her, I told her to leave the flat as I did not want any trouble from her or her partner, I then ended the call. He denied threatening to stab either Ms Othen or Mr Guccuk. His statement continued: 'She then began to scratch and hit me, I did not use unlawful violence against her and I believe her allegations are malicious and are a result of her not wanting to ruin her current relationship.' Miss Othen was a finalist in Miss Universe GB in 2015 and has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram Lawrence, of Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Miss Othen (pictured) Ms Davies said: 'Chloe Othen was also able to produce shortly after the incident, ten photographs that depicted her various nine or ten sites of injury and the following day further images were provided. 'Chloe Othen had a number of injuries and very nasty injuries at that, the question for you will be, who caused them, they clearly cannot have been self inflicted, the crown case is that angry at the situation with Chloe Othen, Ricky Lawrence inflicted all those injuries on her. Miss Othen told the court: 'Ricky started becoming very aggressive on the texts and I thought I would let him calm down and then I would go and see him. Throughout the day, Ricky had asked me to come over. 'I wanted to calm him down, Ricky was quite abusive during our relationship and he was quite aggressive. I did not want to be with Ricky anymore, it is really hard when you really love somebody but he is, to be honest with you a narcissist. 'He would send me abuse all of the time, because I did not want to be back with him.' Jurors heard Lawrence also sent Miss Othen messages saying: 'I am the worst enemy, I don't go away you silly c***, you thought you could mug me off' and 'I am going out of my way to f- your life up.' 'I did not want to take him back and that is the only thing, this happened a lot during the relationship, so sometimes I would engage in conversation as it was easy for me actually, he is quite scary. Miss Othen pictured with Georgia Harrison at Suspect Lingerie launch party in Mayfair in April 2022 'It was normal that he would send me messages like this and then the next message or the next day he would be normal. He used to punch himself in the head quite a lot, he used to punch the wall, he used to pull his hair out. 'Within five minutes of arriving, he snapped my phone. In hindsight, I genuinely think he wanted to kill me, I don't understand why he took my phone, he did not have access to it, it was as soon as I arrived. 'He did not say anything, he just snapped my phone, he told me I was not getting it back, it was his now and that was it.' The court heard that Lawrence had a 'big chip on his shoulder' with regards to Mr Guccuk who she had dated for almost two years before breaking up and meeting Lawrence. She accused the businessman of becoming 'abusive' and turning up unnaounced. 'He (Lawrence) had a big chip on his shoulder with Bora, he would always say about affording things, Miss Othen told the court. 'I did not demand anything from Ricky. I had not caused any problems, Ricky is the one who has been abusive. 'He would turn up numerous times at my place in Queensway, the concierge would let him up, he turned up when I was at restaurants, he would turn up when I was in clubs, he even turned up in Mykonos on a beach. 'He turned up for every dinner I had in Cannes, standing over me asking to talk, crying and punching himself. I was the one that was breaking up with him, he was the one that was begging me.' Lawrence, of Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The trial continues. Nikki Haley says she is not ready to 'get out' of the race for the White House and pushed back at efforts to pressure her as she faces a deluge of potential losses on Super Tuesday. The former South Carolina governor faced pointed questions about her future when she would get out of the race during a Super Tuesday appearance on Fox & Friends, as millions prepared to go to the polls in what could be another lopsided win for former President Donald Trump. As much as everybody wants to go and push me out, Im not ready to get out yet, she said as people began voting in 15 states across the country with hundreds of delegates at stake. I'm still sitting there fighting for the people that want a voice, so they deserve that, she added. Haley pushed back when asked about backing away from her debate stage pledge to get behind the eventual nominee, something she has dismissed as her criticisms of Trump have grown increasingly pronounced. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley spoke to Fox News Tuesday as millions headed to the polls on Super Tuesday. As much as everybody wants to go and push me out, Im not ready to get out yet, she said If you don't have a good night, are you going to drop out, and when will you realize it's time to unify? Will you unify and support Donald Trump if he does win tonight? asked Fox & Friends cohost Ainsley Earhardt. If I were to get out of the race, that would still be the longest presidential general election in the history. I don't know why everybody is so adamant that they have to follow Trump's lead to get me out of this race, Haley shot back. All of these people deserve to vote Its as pro-American as it gets. She said of Trump, who she said was responsible for a series of GOP losses: I havent heard him pledge to me that he would support me if I won. So I dont know why I have to pledge to him that I would support him if I won. Haley's campaign released a new digital ad Monday where the candidate says Trump had his 'fingerprints' on a series of losses. It begins with a clip of Trump telling supporters they would get 'bored with winning' they would do it so much. Haley has no public schedule of events that would establish her longer-term plans to continue the fight. Trump has announced plans to campaign in Georgia next week. 'When will you realize it's time to unify?' asked Fox host Ainsley Earhardt, prompting pushback from Haley Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump has announced plans to campaign in Georgia next week A voter fills out his ballot at the Fairfax County Government Center polling place in Fairfax, Virginia, USA, 05 March 2024. The 'Super Tuesday' voters in 15 states and territories will cast their ballots for presidential candidates in the 2024 United States The former South Carolina governor said days ago that she would be in her home state, which has already voted, on Super Tuesday. Donald Trump is not expected to mathematically capture the nomination today. Haley did announce a Louisiana leadership team, including several former members of Congress, on Monday, but no trip to the Pelican State. Asked on CNN Monday if she could name states she could win and how many she could point to in order to justify staying in, Haley avoided a direct answer. Well, we've said as long as we're competitive, we have been in 10 states just in the past week. I just finished a rally here in Houston, Texas, we have well over 1,000 people show up, she said. Police in Long Island have made arrests, days after body parts belonging to a man and woman were found in a park frequented by children, joggers and dogwalkers. The body parts, a head, two legs and three tattooed arms, were found in different locations in Southards Pond Park in Babylon, not far from where the Gilgo Beach murders took place between 1996 and 2011. The original gruesome discovery was found by a group of children on Thursday on their way to school. Multiple arrests were made Tuesday after investigators served a warrant in a home in nearby Amityville, reports Newsday. The head, legs and one arm belong to a woman, while the other two arms belong to man while officers have also located another piece of the woman's leg. Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer of the Suffolk police refused to comment on whether or not authorities believe that the feared MS-13 prison gang, known for dismembering their victims, could behind the discovery. MS-13 members plagued Long Island for years but have gone quiet in the region since 2017. The park where the body parts were found is popular with children, joggers and people walking their dogs The deaths have been declared a homicide with detectives being spotted on the scene throughout the day last Thursday and through the weekend The third body part, a right arm, wasn't found until night fall in the park Beyrer did say that it's thought the body parts had not been exposed to the elements for very long before being found. The man's arms had tattoos, the woman's did not. Officials are hoping to use the body art to determine his identity. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine described the incident as 'isolated' during a press conference on Monday, reports News12 Long Island. 'We are going to keep you safe and this didnt really happen at that park I believe this was an isolated incident where people chose a park to put the bodies, not where it occurred and I think anyone that is looking at that will tell you that, so it did not occur in the park,' Romaine said. He added that he felt 'very good' about how the investigation was progressing. It's not clear if other agencies are involved in the search. One resident, who returned to the park on Saturday morning, Tom Stroppel, told Newsday that he didn't suspect a local was to blame. 'Its a beautiful place, beautiful neighborhood. Somebody must have came from another town and dumped over here.' Stroppel explained that he was there on Thursday around the time that the discovery was made. 'It felt weird. When I walked in, there was nobody here, except the people I see every day. And then on the way out, I see cop cars. I said: "Holy cow!." Beyrer told the media on Friday that one of the teens, a high school student, alerted her father just before 9am, who went to the park, confirmed it was an arm and then called the police. A subsequent search of the area saw a police dog recover a human leg around a mile way in the same park at 1:30pm, close to an elementary school. A right arm was then found after night fall around 20 feet into a wooded area. 'Theres a mound of leaves. We dont know whats going to be under the mound. Once we clear the mound we may find the remainder of the body or we may not,' Beyrer said. Officials at nearby schools held students inside as the investigation unfolded. 'It is a little disturbing because the school is right here so I was kind of worried,' local parent Salma Lakhaney told ABC New York. Another local told the station that she no longer walks her dog in the park in question. 'There's definitely a bad vibe right here. Like the last two weeks for sure. I stopped walking here by myself because there's just weirdos,' she said. 'That it is terrible and very scary to hear something like that happen so close to home,' Babylon local Josephine Roche told Newsday. 'I think we are safe. There is a good police presence and I think that it wasn't necessarily related to this area. I told my kids, "Lock the doors, always, in any area.' The area is also close to where accused killer Rex Heuermann prowled for victims over a 15 years period. The area is also close to where accused killer Rex Heuermann, shown here in February, prowled for victims over a 15 years period Several arrests were made Tuesday, days after the find, following a search on a home in Amityville, around a 15-minute drive from where the body parts were discovered Earlier this month, Heuermann was formally charged in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, months after having been labeled the prime suspect in her death when he was arrested in July with the deaths of three other women. In addition, gang violence had been a problem in some Long Island communities for more than a decade, but local police and the FBI began pouring resources into a crackdown sparked by the killings of high school students Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16, in 2016. The most active violent gang has been the feared MS-13. The murders in Brentwood, about 30 miles east of New York City, shook parents and local officials and cast a spotlight on the deepening problem of gang violence in the suburbs. Police also began discovering the bodies of other young people mostly Hispanic who had vanished months earlier, but whose disappearances had initially gone unmarked by civic leaders and the news media. Some parents of the missing complained that police hadnt done enough to search for their missing children earlier. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-6392 or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-220-Tips. A Florida Sheriff's Office was forced to apologize after a crime scene photo seemingly of 13-year-old Madeline Soto's dead body was shared on the Sheriff's official Instagram account. Soto's body was found on Friday and the next day the Instagram account of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez shared a photo of a body wearing a green top and blue jeans lying under a mound of brush in a post about a seniors' social event. The post was captioned 'Great day with our seniors' followed by an emoji of a smiley face wearing a halo. It was immediately deleted but it sparked uproar online and forced the Sheriff's office to issue an apology, saying an 'investigative photo' was 'accidentally included' and 'immediately removed'. They did not say who posted the photo and did not confirm the body was Soto's, but former Sheriff Russ Gibson said the picture was of Soto and said he was 'shocked and appalled' that it had been shared. The picture was shared on the official account of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez A blacked out version of the post reportedly containing a photo of Soto's dead body Soto was found dead on Friday after she was reported missing last Monday, her mother's boyfriend is the primary suspect in her murder Soto's body was found on Friday in Osceola County, Florida in woods off of Hickory Tree Road four days after she was first reported missing. The grim discovery came hours after police revealed Madeline's mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, is the 'prime suspect' in her murder. Sterns is now in jail having been arrested on child porn charges and sexual battery after police recovered photos and videos on his phone which were described as 'disturbing'. He has not been charged in connection to the girl's murder and was not granted bond during an initial hearing. After the photo was shared, the Sheriff's office told the Orlando Sentinel: 'On March 2, 2024, a post was made on social media about a community event for seniors. In the post, an investigative photo was accidentally included. 'The photo was immediately removed. We deeply apologize for any confusion or disturbance this may have caused. As with any investigation, the information obtained is confidential and any mistaken disclosures will be immediately rectified.' Florida law forbids the release of photos or video of 'the killing of a minor,' without the permission of the surviving family and anyone who 'willfully and knowingly' shares photos could be accused of a third-degree felony. Former Sheriff Russ Gibson wrote on Facebook: 'This photograph was taken at an active crime scene where Madelines body was recovered and it was indeed a picture of Madelines lifeless body. 'This is 100% unacceptable and 100% shameful and disrespectful to Madeline, her family and friends. 'I do have a copy of the post but out of respect and reverence for Miss Madeline, the photograph will not be posted. The time for Marcos Lopez and certain members of his administration of dishonoring themselves, our agency, and our great County is coming to an end!' The department came under fire again on the same day the crime scene photo was shared after agency Executive Director Nirva Rodriguez shared a selfie of herself with the main suspect Sterns on her personal Facebook page. She captioned the photo: 'If Gods love has been poured out over your life, dont allow evil to keep you away from what He has prepared for you.' It has since been deleted. DailyMail.com contacted Osceola County Sheriff's Office for comment. Agency Executive Director Nirva Rodriguez was criticized the same day after she shared a selfie of herself with main suspect Sterns on her personal Facebook page The department has not confirmed if it was Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez who shared the photo Madeline was reported missing last Monday night in Orlando, Florida, after initial reports said she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane. Cops have since said she may have already been dead during her final sighting. Video has emerged of an interview Sterns gave to Orlandos WFTV 9 last Tuesday. 'I dropped her off [at school] early, I could have waited longer,' he said tearfully. 'She looked okay she was walking towards the school. I went on with my day. We dont know where she could be, and were scared. I just want her home.' He added: 'It just keeps coming in waves, reality keeps hitting. We dont know where she is, we dont know if shes safe. Its a living nightmare. I just wanna wake up.' Deputies say they believe Madeline was never dropped off at Hunter's Creek Middle School on Monday morning, and was dead before then. They said Sterns allegedly moved her body in the morning hours of Monday after killing her in Kissimmee. On Friday afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff's Office held a press conference in which that stated that they were 'confident' the girl was dead. Sheriff John Mina broke the 'devastating news' to Madeline's mother Jenn on Thursday night. 'We believe he moved her body in those early morning hours, and all that is still under investigation,' Sheriff Mina explained. Jennifer Soto (left) - Madeline's mother - is pictured next to her 13-year-old daughter Stephan Sterns, 37, the suspect in the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, has not appeared for his first appearance in court as footage has emerged of him saying 'it's hard not to blame myself' Madeline Soto, 13, was reported missing last Monday night in Orlando, Florida after she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane. She is pictured celebrating her milestone 13th birthday last Sunday Police found the teenager's body a short distance away from where she lived Video evidence shows Stephan Sterns discarding items that included Madeline's backpack and school laptop in a dumpster at the family's Kissimmee apartment complex at 7:35am. on Monday, February 26 Police say they believe the teenager was never dropped off at Hunter's Creek Middle School on Monday morning having been killed hours earlier in Kissimmee. After Sterns' arrest last week, investigators said they discovered 'disturbing images' when they looked through his phone, along with proof that he attempted to delete evidence of the related material. Following his arrest, Sterns invoked his right to an attorney and declined to speak during his interview. Investigators said he was also the last person to see the girl. He did not appear in person during his initial court appearance. Last Friday morning, Sterns was transferred from the Orange County Jail to Osceola County. Florida's condo market is in the doldrums, in a troubling sign for the Sunshine State's housing market after years of booming sales. In January, condo sales were down 6.8 percent statewide in Florida from a year ago, with pending sales down 3.5 percent on the year, according to data from brokerage firm Redfin. In most of Florida's major markets, condo sales are down despite falling prices, in contrast to the rest of the US, where prices are rising and sales are holding steady. In Miami, for example, condo prices fell 3 percent in January from a year ago, sales dropped 9 percent and new listings rose 27 percent, according to Redfin. And in Jacksonville metro, the median condo price declined roughly 7 percent, sales declined 27 percent, and new listings increased 32 percent. In January, condo sales were down 6.8 percent statewide in Florida from a year ago, according to data from brokerage firm Redfin. Of the major markets only Orlando saw a bump in sales Florida's condo market is in the doldrums, in a troubling sign for the Sunshine State's housing market after years of booming sales. Pictured: Condos in Miami Beach Experts say the soaring cost of insurance in Florida, along with rising monthly condo fees, are reducing demand from buyers by making condos more expensive to own. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowner's insurance in Florida has jumped 102 percent in the last three years, and costs three times more than the national average. Last year the average cost of home insurance in the Sunshine State was about $6,000, the highest average premium in the US, according to figures from the group cited by WTVT-TV. Earlier this week, finance guru Suze Orman told DailyMail.com that she had given up insurance coverage on her own 2,100-square-foot, ocean-side condo in Florida after she was quoted annual premiums topping $28,000 a year. Florida's susceptibility to devastating hurricanes, as well as a high fraud rate in the state, are factors driving the increase in insurance premiums. Condo fees in Florida have also jumped due to new regulations following the 2021 Surfside condo collapse, which require condo associations to maintain bigger reserve funds for maintenance and repairs. 'Condo costs are shocking,' Juan Castro, a Redfin Premier agent in Orlando, told Redfin. 'Condos that used to have a $400 monthly maintenance fee may now have a $700 fee. It's causing buyers to rethink their plans.' Lawrence Yun, chief economist and senior vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors, told Newsweek that higher costs are giving potential buyers pause. 'The higher condo association fees are an added burden for condo owners, which also deters buyersunless the price falls enough to compensate for the ongoing, higher monthly condo association fees,' he told Newsweek. Condos are seen in Palm Beach, Florida. Condo sales in Florida are in a slump, defying a national trend of rising prices and steady sales Aftermath is seen in Horseshoe Beach, Florida - which Hurricane Idalia reduced to rubble in August 2023. Severe weather has affected insurance premiums in the state Your browser does not support iframes. However, Yun remained positive about Florida's housing market in the long run. 'We must determine whether this trend [lower sales] is sustained or just a short run, because Florida has one of the fastest job creation and population additions among all states,' he said. 'More people mean more housing demand eventually, even though the short-term timing of the purchase may be influenced by mortgage rates.' Florida experienced a housing market frenzy during the pandemic, when it experienced an influx of newcomers moving from other states. Prices boomed until the market began to cool last summer, as higher mortgage rates impacted demand. Floridas market for single-family homes is faring better that the condo market, according to Redfin. In Miami, for example, the median sale price of single-family homes increased by double digits from a year earlier in January. Sales rose 9 percent and new listings increased 13 percent in the Miami market, according to Redfin. The British Museum has sparked a sexism row after it suggested single women should look 'confused' to attract men at its new exhibition. The TikTok video uploaded via its official account to promote its new exhibition, Legion: Life in the Roman Army, said: 'Girlies, if you're single and looking for a man, this is your sign to go to the British Museum's new exhibition, Life in the Roman Army, and walk around looking confused. You're welcome x.' With the caption: 'Come for the Romans, stay for some romance.' A British Museum spokesperson was quick to defend their position, which has received mixed responses online saying: 'We reposted a viral video from a female influencer on TikTok and Instagram to our own account. 'It was meant to be a playful joke linked to the 'Roman Empire' trend and apologise to anyone who was offended which was never our intention.' The British Museum has sparked a sexism row after it suggested single women should look 'confused' to attract men at its new exhibition The now deleted video which claimed it was just trying to follow a viral trend that had been going on on the social media platform One user, Lucia Nixon, an archaeologist at the University of Oxford, expressed her shock that it had come from the public museum: 'This is an official post from @britishmuseum?!?!?.' Dr Claire Millington, a visiting research Fellow at King's College London, wrote on X: 'Unrelenting fascist imagery and sexism dolloped on top. This is the BM's insta today.' Similarly Alexandra Wilson, a professor of music and cultural history at Oxford Brookes University, tweeted: 'Really misguided marketing approach,@britishmuseum - really alienating to your (very broad) audience to presume they would 'get' the intertextual reference to something on TikTok. 'This 'irony' was bound to go wrong. So boring when social media accounts try to be 'down with the kids'.' Dr Claire Millington, a visiting research Fellow at King's College London, wrote on X with a screenshot of the TikTok video In its own defence the public museum replied to one comment saying: 'Hello - it's actually poking fun at a TikTok meme called 'Roman Empire', where mansplaining is the butt of the joke. 'We can assure you that we are *not* actually suggesting that women need to look for dates or pretend to be stupid! 'Apologies to anyone who wasn't aware of the wider context who felt offended by this meme!' The original viral trend started in 2022 after TikToker Saskia Cort asked her followers to ask their male partners how often they thought about the Roman Empire. From there it took off after millions posted their shock reactions to some partners saying they thought about it multiple times per day. The boy's parents Katie and Chris Proudfoot cried as they spoke about Sebastian The heartbroken parents of missing teenage boy Sebastian Rogers have broken down in tears as the hunt for the autistic boy entered its second week. Sebastian's mother and stepfather, Katie and Chris Proudfoot, said they felt overwhelming 'helpless and hopeless' grief following the disappearance of their 15-year-old son in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He hasn't been seen since February 26, when he is thought to have snuck into the Tennessee woodlands near his house. During the desperate search, police blasted 'Eye of the Tiger' - his favorite song - on loop. Sebastian's stepfather told WSMV4: 'We're on one constant rollercoaster ride of helpless and hopeless and many other emotions all in one. 'And it's a never-ending rollercoaster. It doesn't stop.' Sebastian's mother and stepfather, Katie and Chris Proudfoot, said they felt overwhelming 'helpless and hopeless' grief following the disappearance of their 15-year-old son in Hendersonville, Tennessee Sebastian lives in Stafford Court, Hendersonville, on the north-eastern outskirts of Nashville, and he is believed to be wearing glasses with a black sweatshirt and sweatpants Hundreds of trained search team members have combed 2,000 miles on foot throughout Hendersonville. They include mountain experts In between shaky breaths, the boy's mom added: 'I wouldn't wish this on anyone.' The parents also detailed the circumstances surrounding Sebastian's disappearance: 'Everything was pretty normal. He was playing in his room. 'When I told him to go to bed, he did. He said: "Goodnight, mom. I love you." Given how normal everything was, it came as a complete shock to Katie Proudfoot when she went to wake her son up for school and 'he wasn't there.' They don't know what would have prompted their son to disappear into the woods in Hendersonville, Tennessee, which lies on the outskirts of Nashville. The day before, Sebastian, who loves games and has been described as 'smart,' had been 'laughing' and 'joking.' Sebastian's mother pointed out that it would make 'more sense if we'd been fighting.' 'He hadn't even been in trouble,' Sebastian's stepfather observed. By late last week, Craddock said they were 'operating under the assumption that Sebastian walked off', adding that his family had been cooperating The state Bureau of Investigation released an endangered child alert for the teenager on the day he disappeared - and officials have since deployed drones, dogs, boats, horses and helicopters in the search for him Katie Proudfoot explained to the interviewer how about three minutes after she found Sebastian's bed empty, she knew something was wrong. She called her husband, who was at work in Memphis, and told him that Sebastian wasn't in the house. The boy's mother searched for him everywhere, running 'all over the house, outside, inside.' She looked for him in every closet. They called the Sherriff's Office and made a report, and the authorities responded within minutes. She said: 'It was rapid fire. They had cars from here down to the [main] road.' An amber alert was issued, and state and local forces deployed helicopters, drones, boats, horses, and search-and-rescue dogs. Hundreds of trained professionals and volunteers descended en masse to look for Sebastian, combing through 2,000 miles of terrain on foot. Among the professionals, there were even mountain and cave experts. At one point, a drone was rigged with a speaker that was playing 'Eye of the Tiger' on a loop. The Rocky theme is Sebastian's favorite song, and authorities were hoping the song might lure him out of the woods if he was hiding. The search continues for 15-year-old Sebastian (left) who has been missing for one week Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, is believed to have left his family house with a flashlight in the early hours of February 26. He was reported missing by his parents at around 6.30am The whereabouts of Sebastian remain unknown, and on Monday, officials announced that they would be scaling down their search in order to transition to 'the investigative side.' Throughout their interview, Sebastian's parents continued to be resolutely optimistic, and a note of sincere hope underpinned their answers. 'He's gonna walk through that door, and the street will be flooded again with family and relatives all waiting to hug him and love him,' Sebastian's stepfather said. After pausing for a moment, Sebastian's mother added: 'That boy's gonna have more friends than he knows what to do with when he comes home' Brutal killer Luka Magnotta, who was found guilty for the murder of international student Jun Lin in 2012, has been transferred to a medium-security prison after revealing that he wants to be a woman. In documents seen by the Toronto Sun, a psychiatric team referred to the gruesome murderer with female pronouns and called him 'Violette' - arguing that Magnotta ought to have specialized prison support for being transgender. Magnotta, 41, was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 25 years in 2014, two years after he admitted to killing Jun Lin, a 33-year-old Concordia University student from China, in his apartment in Montreal, Canada. He dismembered Lin's body, and sent his remains paired with threatening messages to schools and federal politicians. The gruesome acts of the killer were featured in the release of the three-part Netflix docuseries 'Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer.' Luka Magnotta has been transferred to a medium-security prison after telling doctors that he wanted to be a transgender woman. A psychiatric team referred to the gruesome murderer with female pronouns and called him 'Violette' He admitted to killing Jun Lin, a 33-year-old Concordia University student from China Pictured: La Macaza Institution in Quebec - where the killer has been transferred to A transfer warrant signed in August 2022 and obtained by the Toronto Sun revealed Magnotta transferred from Port-Cartier Institution to La Macaza in Quebec - the same prison that's housing notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo. According to the psychiatric assessment from two years ago, the murderer told doctors: 'Gay is a choice. Trans is who I am.' But doctors said that they did not believe Magnotta truly wanted to transition. His desires to be a trans woman - which were first mentioned in October 2021 - were a way to 'reshape herself to preserve the illusion of specialness (and innocence).' Magnotta also informed his psychiatric team that his killer husband would be coming with him to the new prison. He married inmate Anthony Jolin in 2017 at the maximum security prison Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec. Like Magnotta, Jolin is guilty of first degree murder. He also stabbed fellow inmate Kevin Whyner to death in the prison showers in 2003. During his trial, experts claimed that Magnotta was not of sound mind at the time of Lin's murder, citing schizophrenia as the motivator behind his actions. Magnotta, who is a self-proclaimed 'international escort and model,' is serving an indeterminate life sentence for first degree murder. According to the report published by the Sun, McGill University Sexual Identity Centre said the killer didn't meet the criteria for gender dysphoria and instead his feelings were the result of 'fragile identity and need to periodically reinvent himself.' Doctors said that he is suffering with 'internal homophobia' and by saying he now wants to be trans, he is using the 'narrative of being born in the wrong body' as 'a way for this patient to wipe the slate clean once again.' The Toronto Sun obtained the transfer warrant confirming Magnotta's move to the medium-security prison Pictured: Luka Magnotta being escorted off the plane by authorities upon arrival from Germany on June 18, 2012 at Mirabel Airport outside Montreal The medical officials said Magnotta may be trying to 'reshape herself to preserve the illusion of specialness (and innocence). ' The 2022 report from doctors at McGill suggested that Magnotta: 'Ideally would work with someone she trusts sufficiently to be able to get in touch with her internalized homophobia, understand its roots and how it's affected her identity development and eventually undo it. 'She may then be able to find peace and even pride in living as an effeminate gay man, which seems more in keeping with her longitudinal history.' As a result, the doctors' report recommended that the murderer be offered: 'Space and support to explore around a proper gender identity exploration that would allow Violette to express and present her gender as she sees fit and for her to experience living within this gender identity.' Magnotta married Anthony Jolin in 2013 and claimed he was coming with him to the medium security prison A psychiatric team referred to the killer with female pronouns and called him 'Violette' In 2012, Magnotta recorded and posted an 11 minute video titled 1 Lunatic, 1 Ice Pick on Bestgore.com. In the video, a naked male tied to a bed frame was stabbed to death with an ice pick, which was later identified as a screwdriver. He then dismembered the body and performed acts of necrophilia. Prior to murdering Lin, Magnotta was sought after by animal activists for uploading a video titled 1 boy 2 kittens, in which he suffocated two kittens in a plastic bag with a vacuum cleaner in 2003. Magnotta was eventually arrested in an internet cafe in Berlin, Germany - where he was reading about himself - after his video prompted a worldwide manhunt. The mother of murdered Emma Caldwell has repeated her call for an inquiry after it took almost 19 years to bring her daughter's killer to justice. Iain Packer was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years on Wednesday after being found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of murdering the 27-year-old in 2005 and of multiple offences involving other women. Miss Caldwell's mother, Margaret Caldwell, reiterated her call for a public inquiry into failures by the authorities over the investigation of her murder after meeting Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf and Justice Secretary Angela Constance. Yousaf has 'promised that he will give primary consideration' to the call for a statutory public inquiry into the investigation of her killer, the family's lawyer said after the meeting. Her lawyer Aamer Anwar also said they do not accept there have been significant changes in the police since the 2005 murder. He said: 'How many women have to die or be raped before our police service and criminal justice system is held to account? Emma Caldwell (pictured) was reported missing by her family in April 2005 and her body was found the following month in Limefield Woods Iain Packer (pictured) was jailed for at least 36 years for the murder of Emma Caldwell in remote woods almost 19 years ago Miss Caldwell's mother, Margaret Caldwell, (left, with family lawyer Aamer Anwar) reiterated her call for a public inquiry into failures by the authorities over the investigation of her murder after meeting Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf 'We welcome the public statements of Humza Yousaf on tackling misogyny and violence against women, and we hope he will now commit to a robust and independent public inquiry on the catastrophic failures in the Emma Caldwell case. 'We appreciate that the Government will seek the views of the Lord Advocate and Chief Constable, whom we will also meet over the next two days, but they cannot be allowed to investigate themselves. 'Both institutions of Crown Office and the police must answer as to why one of the worst sex offenders in the UK was gifted his freedom for some 17 years.' He added: 'Margaret Caldwell wishes to thank the First Minister and Justice Secretary for meeting her today. They treated her with total compassion and empathy and she hopes they will deliver on the many promises they made today. 'The First Minister promised that he will give primary consideration to the family's demands for a statutory public inquiry, and the Justice Secretary Angela Constance promised to update parliament within days on their decision.' Margaret Caldwell previously acknowledged a probe could take many years to set up as she also called for a criminal investigation led by an outside police force and steered by independent prosecutors to scrutinise the conduct of authorities, the Sunday Post reported. Mrs Caldwell told the newspaper: 'The only thing the Crown Office should have been announcing after the trial was an immediate and independent criminal investigation. Pictured: Murdered Emma Caldwell, 27, whose body was found by a dog walker in thick woods near Rigside, South Lanarkshire, on 8 May 2005 Emma Caldwell's family's lawyer said: 'How many women have to die or be raped before our police service and criminal justice system is held to account?' Pictured: Margaret Caldwell 'It is not just my family that needs reassurance about our justice system. Everyone in Scotland needs that reassurance.' Packer was also convicted of 11 rapes and 21 further charges including sexual assaults and abduction, involving multiple women, over 26 years. The Crown Office said that following a full independent investigation Crown Counsel concluded that there was 'insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder'. However, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available, as in all cases. First Minister Humza Yousaf has said a public inquiry into the investigation of Packer is 'not off the table'. He and Justice Secretary Angela Constance are due to meet Mrs Caldwell this week and the Crown Office said the Lord Advocate is also due to meet with Miss Caldwell's family and their solicitor this week. Mrs Caldwell welcomed the possibility of a public inquiry but said there can be no more delay. She told the newspaper: 'I was 57 when Emma died and I'm 78 now. How long must I wait to be told exactly who failed Emma and why? 'I have no patience for more talk and empty promises. Only actions count now.' Police Scotland has apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and Packer's other victims, admitting they were 'let down' by policing. Miss Caldwell was reported missing by her family in April 2005 and her body was found the following month in Limefield Woods, near Biggar, South Lanarkshire. In 2015 a Sunday Mail newspaper story branded Packer 'the forgotten suspect' and Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case that year following instruction from the Lord Advocate. Mrs Caldwell said that her husband Willie died of cancer and 'with a broken heart' in 2011 before seeing justice for his daughter. She said her daughter always said she would come home and sort herself out, adding 'every day it breaks my heart' that she never got the chance. Emma Caldwell's mother, Margaret Caldwell arriving with family members and solicitor Aamer Anwar (left) at Glasgow High Court A screengrab of the police interview of Iain Packer from February 24, 2022 Miss Caldwell (pictured) came from a close-knit family and saw both parents twice a week and spoke to them daily A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: 'This week the Lord Advocate will meet with Emma's family and their solicitor to answer questions about the investigation and criminal proceedings. 'We feel that to respect this meeting it would not be appropriate to comment publicly on matters which should be discussed first with Emma's family. 'However, we can confirm a previous statement that following a full independent investigation Crown Counsel concluded that there was insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder. 'As in all cases, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available.' Following Packer's conviction on Wednesday, Assistant Chief Constable for major crime and public protection Bex Smith said: 'Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case in 2015 after instruction from the Lord Advocate. 'It is clear that further investigations should have been carried out into Emma's murder following the initial inquiry in 2005. Emma Caldwell, 27, vanished in Glasgow on April 4, 2005 Iain Packer was found guilty of murdering Emma Caldwell 'The lack of investigation until 2015 caused unnecessary distress to her family and all those women who had come forward to report sexual violence.' Police Scotland said it would cooperate with any legal proceedings. After Packer was sentenced, Assistant Chief Constable for Major Crime and Public Protection Bex Smith said: 'Emma Caldwell, her family and many other victims, were let down by policing in 2005. For that we are sorry. 'A significant number of women and girls who showed remarkable courage to speak up at that time also did not get the justice and support they needed and deserved from Strathclyde Police. 'Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case in 2015 after instruction from the Lord Advocate. 'It is clear that further investigations should have been carried out into Emma's murder following the initial enquiry in 2005. 'The lack of investigation until 2015 caused unnecessary distress to her family and all those women who had come forward to report sexual violence. 'It is the courage, resilience and determination shown by Emma's family, in particular her parents William and Margaret, and all those who survived Iain Packer's horrific catalogue of offending that got us to where we are today. 'William is, sadly, no longer here to see this day, but I hope this verdict gives Margaret and all those affected by this case, the justice they deserve. 'This was an extremely challenging re-investigation and without doubt the largest police enquiry of recent times in Scotland. 'Over seven years, a full review of the original enquiry by Strathclyde Police in 2005 was completed. 'More than 30,000 documents and statements were gathered and reviewed along with in excess of 23,000 productions. New forensic tests were carried out and new witnesses were identified and interviewed, leading to the convictions today. 'As part of the re-investigation a report was also sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to the Strathclyde Police investigation. 'Iain Packer was a calculating sexual predator who targeted women over many years. It is hard to comprehend how anyone could carry out such despicable, ruthless acts. 'He took Emma's life for his own gratification in the most appalling circumstances and cruelly left her body in remote woods hoping to cover his tracks. 'But time is no barrier to justice and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual violence to please come forward and speak to us. 'You will be listened to and you will be supported no matter when the offences took place. 'We have reflected and learnt from the initial investigation and subsequent re investigation. Significant changes have been made in recent years to improve our organisational culture and our response, particularly in respect of investigative structures, victim care and processes to these types of crimes. 'Our Violence against Women and Girls Strategy demonstrates our absolute commitment to tackling the violence and abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls. 'What shone through to the enquiry team throughout the investigations into Emma's life was her gentle personality, and I want to finish by saying that our thoughts remain with Emma, her family and all those affected by this terrible case.' Proxy adviser recommends shareholders vote for all director nominees By Park Jae-hyuk Glass Lewis, one of the worlds two most influential proxy advisers, recommended shareholders of POSCO Holdings to defy the stance of the National Pension Service (NPS), the biggest shareholder, at a regular general meeting of shareholders on March 21, a report showed Tuesday. The proxy adviser's recommendation to vote for all director nominees, including chairman nominee Chang In-hwa, went directly against the stance of the head of the NPS, which holds the largest stake of 6.71 percent in the holding firm of steelmaker POSCO. On Feb. 28, NPS Chairman Kim Tae-hyun raised doubts about a proposal to reappoint two non-executive directors former Environment Minister Yoo Young-sook and former Public Procurement Service Administrator Kwon Tae-kyun citing market criticism about their attendance at extravagant overseas trips funded by POSCO affiliates, under the pretext of holding board meetings in countries where the affiliates are operating. Regarding The Korea Times' request to show its stance on the external directors, Glass Lewis sent the newspaper its report, Monday, which read: Having reviewed the nominee list, we do not believe there are substantial issues for shareholder concern. The report has not been updated since its Feb. 25 publication, meaning the proxy adviser has not changed its stance after Kim showed a negative opinion about the two nominees. The head of the state pension fund told reporters that there were doubts about whether the two external directors had carried out their duties independently and without any conflicts of interest, citing their participation in the companys expenses-paid board meetings overseas, which are currently under police investigation. He criticized the management of POSCO Holdings for nominating them without addressing the doubts prevalent in the market. The company has refrained from responding to such criticism, with the NPS chief asserting that his opinion is "personal." However, his remarks were widely interpreted as the pension funds intention to vote against the reappointment of the two directors. If Glass Lewis maintains its stance, most institutional and foreign investors, such as BlackRock and GIC, are also expected to vote for the director nominees, even if NPS, which has invested 148 trillion won ($110 billion) into listed companies in Korea, votes against them. In 2021, when the pension fund opted to remain neutral on the reappointment of POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, both Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services, another prominent proxy adviser, recommended shareholders to vote for his reappointment. This recommendation led institutional and foreign investors to heed their advice. Glass Lewis also highlighted the trips funded by POSCO affiliates as one of the concerns shareholders should take into account. Additionally, the proxy adviser referenced the ongoing investigation into the outgoing chairman, involving allegations of his personal use of company vehicles and violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act concerning POSCO Future M, the group's chemical unit. We do not feel that any action is necessary at this time, the advisory firm said, although it acknowledged that shareholders should remain vigilant about any lawsuits or regulatory investigations involving the company. We will continue to monitor the proceedings going forward, it added. A Kentucky Democrat has sparked outrage after suggesting pedophiles should be allowed to have child sex dolls to stop them abusing kids. State senator Karen Berg made the comments on Thursday during a committee hearing where lawmakers discussed a bill that would make it a felony to have a sex doll that is styled to look like a child. 'There are what they call MAPS, Minor Attracted Persons, and the limited amount of research that's done on these dolls, guys, suggest that they actually for people who are attracted to minors that these dolls actually decrease their proclivity to go out and attack children,' Berg said. 'That it actually gives them a release that makes them less likely to go outside of their home.' Despite her comments, Berg voted with the committee to ban the dolls, and the bill is now headed to the full senate. Kentucky Democrat Karen Berg has sparked backlash online after saying pedophiles should be given child sex dolls as a way to prevent them from abusing kids KY Democratic Senator Karen Berg proposes sex dolls that resemble children as a way to stop pedophiles from raping children. @karenforky, I know how we can end MAPs from raping children and it has a 100% prevention rate. The death penalty. Heres the full story: pic.twitter.com/XYes7IeErb Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) March 3, 2024 During her Thursday remarks, Berg shared that she had Googled child sex dolls the night before and found research saying they could be helpful with pedophile's 'proclivities.' She added: 'What was interesting, is the research did not support the same conclusions for people who were adult-attracted using dolls.' The bill, HB 207, would also make it a felony to import or promote child sex dolls and include AI-generated images of children in the state's law against viewing and promoting sexual abuse images of minors. Berg's comments began spreading online after the Republican Party of Kentucky shared a post condemning her. They wrote: 'This might be the most disturbing thing you see today. Watch KY Democratic Senator Karen Berg propose Child Sex Dolls for Pedophiles. This type of disturbing proposition has no place in the Commonwealth.' Social media users quickly started piling on the criticism against the lawmaker. Berg, a physician and professor from Louisville, who spent 30 years practicing medicine before being elected to the state Senate in 2020 Democratic Senator Karen Berg (right) pictured with her late trans son (left) One X user wrote: ''Child sex doll' are 3 words that don't belong together.' Another added: Fire Karen Berg and any other democrat that thinks like her.' A third said: 'Wow! As a mom I can think of more permanent solutions for pedophiles!! None of them involve a blow up doll! ' Following the backlash, Berg issued a statement clarifying her position. She said: 'As a mom and a physician, I am of course deeply concerned with the harm of pedophilia and I regret if my question in committee didn't convey that. 'I voted in favor of House Bill (HB) 207 to outlaw child-sex dolls, a stance that aligns with my commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our youth and holding perpetrators accountable.' Berg, whose trans son died by suicide in 2022, is a fierce advocate of LGBTQ rights. Henry Berg-Brousseau is seen with his politician mother Karen, father Bob, a marketing director, and sister Rachael, a rabbi The Louisville lawmaker had talked about her son during legislative proceedings as she opposed Kentucky bills that take aim at transgender people, which have increasingly passed in Republican statehouses across the country. That includes a 2022 law that bars transgender girls and women from participating in school sports matching their gender identity, which applies from sixth grade through college. Berg said in a statement: 'On a daily basis at his job Henry would be aware of the hateful and vile anti-trans messaging being circulated around this country and focused at his workplace.' Berg, a physician and professor from Louisville, who spent 30 years practicing medicine before being elected to the state Senate in 2020. Elon Musk made an election-day intervention in one of the nation's fiercest contests as he urged followers to boot out Austin's ultra-liberal District Attorney Jose Garza. The X owner asked his followers to back Democrat rival Jeremy Sylestine in today's primary, retweeting his eve of poll campaign video in which he lashed the Soros-backed incumbent for betraying victims. More than 70 families of rape and murder victims have slammed Garza for 'revictimizing' them by dropping cases and offering plea deals. Musk has already targeted the current DA, retweeting an appeal for his removal at the ballot box by Palantir Tech founder Joe Lonsdale, before doubling down on his campaign this morning. 'Sorry to bother everyone with this note, as it applies to people in the greater Austin area, but please go to the polls and vote for a new District Attorney!' he told his 175 million followers. Elon Musk asked his followers to back Democrat rival Jeremy Sylestine in today's primary, retweeting his eve of poll campaign video Austin DA Jose Garza received $600,000 from billionaire George Soros-back Texas Justice and Safety PAC during his campaign, and vowed to end 'over-prosecution' of minorities and impoverished residents Elon Musk apologized to those of his 175 million followers unable to vote for Sylestine The socialist lawyer trounced his Republican rival to win the job in 2020 on a promise to prosecute police misconduct and reform the justice system. Garza had received $600,000 from billionaire George Soros-back Texas Justice and Safety PAC during his campaign, and vowed to end 'over-prosecution' of minorities and impoverished residents. He quickly abolished the use of cash bail for people charged with low-level, non-violent crimes while working with the Innocence Project of Texas to remove people from Death Row. 'I thought he might be lenient on people caught with pot, not that he would be letting murderers go,' Conny Branham, whose son was murdered in June 2020 told DailyMail.com. All charges are dropped in 50 per cent more cases than under his predecessor, an investigation by local TV station KXAN found. And Sylestine, a former assistant district attorney, claims that 75 out of 95 prosecutors have left the office under Garza's tenure. 'Having those people run away is a big red flag for voters and I hope y'all paying attention,' he said. 'The DA's office has let the backlog of cases grow to over 6,000 what that means is justice delayed for thousands of people sitting on the other side of those lawsuits. 'The current DA's treatment towards violent offenders is dangerously lenient,' he added. 'As District Attorney, I will prosecute those who have proven to inflict harm onto others and by doing so, make our community safer.' The election campaign in the liberal city has been dogged by allegations of harassment and intimidation, and Garza slammed a biker group that allegedly tried to stop his volunteers leafleting at the weekend. And he accused Sylestine of courting Republican donors after he raised $1.2 million compared to Garza's $204,000. Chris Branham (left) and his mother, Conny, (right) visiting the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2016 Kyle Cleveland and Anthony Davis both received plea deals from Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza for their roles in the beating, kidnapping and shooting of Chris Branham Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza is on record as being against the death penalty, vowing to never enforcing it as long as he's in office 'What you're seeing in my campaign is not any sort of Republican or GOP or right-leaning message,' Sylestine responded. 'I'm really throwing right down the middle here. This is a campaign about criminal justice and what it means to people and having someone in the office who's going to do the job.' Garza baffled colleagues when he offered a plea deal to Kaitlin Armstrong, the woman accused of killing the woman her boyfriend had briefly dated, in a jealous rage. She rejected the deal, and instead, went to trial in November where a jury sentenced her to 90 years in prison. In November last year, Garza was asked to leave the funeral of fallen Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore amid anger at his targeting of the department. 'When he came walking in, I thought what gall this man has to show up at a funeral for an officer killed in the line of duty when all he's done since he's been in office is go after cops,' said Dennis Farris, President of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association. The following month he allowed a man who killed two people in his seventh drunk-driving crash to walk out on bond after his charges were reduced from manslaughter to DWI. 'I just feel broken,' said JR Lopez, whose daughter was shot in the head during a deadly road rage incident before bleeding out in her father's arms. JR Lopez pictured with his daughter, Miranda, 21, who was killed in 2021 The two men who fired at Miranda Lopez while she was driving home from dinner with her sister were also offered plea deals, even though the families were told state law allowed prosecutors to seek up to 99 years in prison. Lopez said Garza refused to take the cases to trial. 'This isn't justice,' the victim's dad said. 'I'm not sure how much longer I can do this.' 'Over the last three years, the District Attorney's Office has focused on holding accountable people who commit acts of violence and addressing the root causes of violence,' Garza said in a statement. 'As a result, this is one of the safest communities in the country.' The first person born via IVF and the Texas woman who fled her state to get an abortion will be among Democrats' guests at the State of the Union address on Thursday in a clear message to Republicans on reproductive rights. Jill Biden will host Kate Cox in her box in the House chamber. The state of Texas denied Cox's request for an abortion after she learned her fetus had a fatal diagnosis as the result of a rare chromosomal disorder. And Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia will bring Elizabeth Carr, the first person born via IVF in the U.S. President Joe Biden other Democrats are using the abortion issue to rally their base after it was a successful battle cry for the party in the 2022 midterm election, where their candidates outperformed better than expected, largely thanks to abortion right issues on the ballot. Kate Cox was the first pregnant adult to sue for the right to terminate her pregnancy after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade Kate Cox was the first pregnant adult to sue for the right to terminate her pregnancy after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Cox would not have qualified to have an abortion under the medical exception to the state's abortion laws. Abortions were banned in Texas after the Supreme Court ruling in June 2022. Cox traveled out of state to obtain one. Her lawyers noted Cox's own health was at increased risk if she carried the fetus to term. Donald Trump has taken credit for the Supreme Court's decision and has said he's considering a nation-wide 15-week ban on abortions. Elizabeth Carr, born in 1981, was the first baby in the United States - and 15th in the world - born after IVF treatment. She was born at Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia. IVF treatment has come to the forefront after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered children under state law, raising questions about whether clinics or families could face wrongful death lawsuits if embryos are destroyed. The ruling was roundly criticized. Democrats slammed it and even many Republicans - including Donald Trump - said it went too far. The Bidens also invited Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian dissident Alexi Navalny, to the State of the Union address but she was unable to attend, Reuters reported. President Biden met with Yulia and her daughter Dasha in San Francisco last month. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden - the first lady's guests to the State of the Union typically represent themes in the president's speech Elizabeth Carr, the first baby born in the U.S. from IVF, will attend the State of the Union address as the guest of Senator Tim Kaine President Joe Biden (center) meets with Yulia Navalnaya (right), widow of Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and daughter Dasha Navalnaya (left) in San Francisco It's unclear who else will be in the first lady's box, a prominent perch in the chamber during the president's prime time address. Typically her guests are tied to the major themes in the president's State of the Union speech. Last year President Biden called out many of them by name during his remarks. Lawmakers are also allowed to bring a guest and Speaker Mike Johnson has his own box. Among the speaker's guests are Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, parents of journalist Evan Gershkovich. Ella Milman (left) and Mikhail Gershkovich (right), mother and father to detained journalist Evan Gershkovic, will attend the State of the Union address; they are seen above with their daughter Danielle Other members of Congress are bringing relatives of the American hostages in Gaza. In all, 17 relatives of Americans held captive or killed by Hamas terrorist will be in the House chamber on Thursday night, The Times of Israel reported. The six hostages believed to still be alive and in captivity who will be represented are Edan Alexander, Itai Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra, Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Keith Siegel. The two released hostages who will be represented are Liat Beinin Atzili and Avigail Idan, who turned 4 in captivity before being released during a truce in November. The two murdered hostages who will be represented are Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggai. More than 100 of the hostages were exchanged for Palestinian detainees during a break in the fighting in November. The Biden administration is pushing for a second temporary ceasefire to trade some of the remaining hostages. Biden is expected to discuss the Israel-Hamas war in his speech. A soldier who died from heatstroke while on a training run received no vital medical treatment for half an hour, a report by an armed forces regulator has found. Sapper Connor Morrison, 20, collapsed during the group run on July 21, 2022 - just days after the UK had recorded its hottest-ever day when temperatures reached 104F (40C) in Lincolnshire. The Defence Safety Authority (DSA), which regulates armed forces' safety and investigates accidents, has found that the young soldier's death could have been avoided if he had been given vital treatment earlier. Spr Morrison, of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment stationed at Rock Barracks in Woodbridge, Suffolk, waited 31 minutes to receive treatment for heat collapse and no water was on hand during the exercise. A nurse had to rush to a local shop to get some fluids, while some more was taken from eye irrigation bottles in the ambulance. Sapper Connor Morrison (pictured), of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment stationed in Woodbridge, Suffolk, collapsed during a group run on July 21 2022 - just days after the UK had recorded its hottest-ever day when temperatures reached 104F (40C) in Lincolnshire Now the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), which regulates armed forces' safety and investigates accidents, has found that the young soldier's death could have been avoided if he had been given vital treatment earlier The report also said there had been 'sufficient indicators' to support an 'immediate diagnosis' of heatstroke during the run. Colleagues had noticed the soldier, who may have been anxious about serving in his new unit, weaving from side to side towards the end of the run, which is often a strong sign of heatstroke. Spr Morrison was running at a slower pace to others in the group but was able to hold conversation. The DSA's panel has now made more than 40 recommendations to reduce risk during physical training in the armed forces. The report urged that water should be made immediately available by military units and a heat checklist would have been useful. It said: 'From the point of collapse it became apparent that water would be needed to aid cooling. 'But treatment for heat collapse was not initiated until 31 minutes after collapse and the only fluid available was water obtained by a nurse who obtained some from a local shop as well as one-litre eye irrigation bottles carried in the ambulance. Sapper Morrison suffered serious breathing difficulties and collapsed while at Rock Barracks in Sutton Heath, Suffolk (pictured) 'If water been immediately available amongst the group, cooling treatment may have been initiated earlier.' This comes after the inquiry concluded on Saturday that 'on the balance of probabilities Spr Morrison's cause of death was exertional heatstroke'. The soldier was not in poor physical condition but had gained some weight since joining the army, according to the report. The DSA report stated: 'There were sufficient indicators to support an immediate diagnosis of heatstroke but this was not acted upon immediately. 'The symptoms had become apparent during the latter stages of the run when participants had witnessed Spr Morrison's inability, he was seen weaving from side-to-side. 'In the opinion of the panel this late diagnosis of heatstroke may have significantly reduced Spr Morrison's chances of survival and was a contributory factor.' Earlier this year the Health and Safety Executive had concluded that the soldier had died from natural causes as a 'non-operational incident'. In a statement issued after the soldier's death, Lieutenant Colonel Jack Crossley, the regiment's commanding officer, described Sapper Morrison as a 'keen and enthusiastic soldier who worked hard to achieve his goals'. An army spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with Sapper Morrison's family and friends at this difficult time. 'We take our responsibilities as an organisation extremely seriously and are wholly committed to improving organisational learning to minimise the chances of repetition. 'We will review and action the recommendations made in the service inquiry report as a matter of urgency.' An arsonist has admitted setting fire to Tory MP Mike Freer's constituency office in North London in a terrifying incident that caused the minister to announce he was quitting politics. Paul Harwood, 42, was charged with arson with intent after a shed was set alight at the justice minister's office in Ballards Lane, North Finchley, on Christmas Eve last year. Photos revealed the extent of the damage caused by the fire, with charred remains of office furniture and blackened bricks on the exterior of he building. Mr Freer announced he would be stepping down from politics amid concerns for his safety shortly after the incident, which he described to the Mail as 'the final straw'. Appearing at the Old Bailey today via a video link from Wormwood Scrubs, Harwood, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offence but denied his actions were politically motivated. An arsonist has admitted setting fire to Tory MP Mike Freer's constituency office in North London. Pictured: Mike Freer Pictures show the damage caused by the blaze which took place on Christmas Eve last year He also pleaded guilty to arson without intent over another blaze, which took place at the back of a restaurant in Long Lane, Finchley, at around 11pm on the same evening. Zara Kasory, 32, was also charged with arson with intent and arson without intent in relation to the two fires on December 24. She appeared at the Old Bailey via a video link from HMP Bronzefield and she denied both offences. His Honour Judge John Lodge said a trial date would be set once Harwood's pleas had been considered. Earlier in the hearing, Prosecutor Thomas Coke-Smyth said: 'For the fire at Long Lane, the defendants face the simple charge of arson, but for the fire at Ballards Lane, Mr Freer's constituency office, they face the more serious charge of arson with intent, in that they were reckless in respect of whether other people's lives would be endangered.' Judge Lodge set Kasory's next appearance for 12 March. After the fire, Mr Freer announced he would be stepping down as MP for Finchley and Golders Green at the next general election. The Tory minister, who has served as an MP since 2010, explained: 'There comes a point when the threats to your personal safety become too much.' Harwood, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offence but denied his actions were politically motivated Fire engines are seen outside Mr Freer's office as they investigated the arson attack on Christmas Eve Mr Freer was separately threatened by a man who told the MP 'I'm coming for you' in a series of threatening phone calls. James Phillips, 46, called Mr Freer's constituency office in Finchley, north London three times at 4.45pm on January 31 and spoke to a female worker there. During the first two phone calls, 'heavy breathing' could be heard down the line, and on the third, Phillips said: 'Tell the police I'm coming for you, you c***. Not just Mike Freer, but you as well.' The phone call was made on the same day that Mr Freer, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, revealed he would be standing down at the next election following a series of death threats he received after expressing pro-Israel views. JetBlue, which is named as a defendant along with one of its flight attendants, is accused of 'malicious [and] willful' religious and racial discrimination The lawsuit claims another Orthodox Jew who was traveling with the couple was also removed, despite another passenger's offer to switch seats with Mr Lunger Rabbi Abraham Lunger was removed from the flight after he informed crew that he is 'unable to sit next to a woman unless she is a blood relative or his wife' A rabbi and his wife have sued JetBlue over claims they were kicked off a flight from Palm Springs to New York by 'antisemitic' staff following a request to switch seats for religious purposes. Abraham Lunger and his wife, Miriam Lunger, were removed from the aircraft after the rabbi informed flight crew that, as an Orthodox Jew, he is 'unable to sit next to a woman unless she is a blood relative or his wife', the lawsuits states. Mr Lunger had been allocated a seat next to a female passenger and asked to be seated beside his wife or another male instead. But instead of allowing the switch, a confrontation ensued between the Lungers and the flight crew, who are accused of rejecting the request outright and then removing the couple from the plane. During the incident, a male passenger offered to sit next to Mr Lunger to resolve the issue, but the plane's captain said it would create a 'weight imbalance', it is claimed. A rabbi and his wife have sued JetBlue over claims they were kicked off a flight by 'antisemitic' staff following a request to switch seats for religious purposes. Stock photo Abraham Lunger and his wife, Miriam Lunger, were removed from the aircraft after the rabbi informed flight crew that, as an Orthodox Jew, he is 'unable to sit next to a woman unless she is a blood relative or his wife'. Staff declined to accommodate for the request and removed them from the aircraft instead, a lawsuit claims. Stock photo The Lungers are named as plaintiffs in the case along with Brucha Ungar, another Orthodox Jew who was traveling with them and was also removed from the flight following the incident. JetBlue is named as the defendant along with a female flight attendant, who is referred to as Jane Doe because her identity currently remains unknown. The airline, which is accused of 'malicious [and] willful' religious and racial discrimination, told DailyMail.com it is 'proud to serve millions of customers each year from many different backgrounds'. 'We do our best to accommodate our customers' various requests while ensuring all customers are provided the experience they are expecting from JetBlue. Due to pending litigation, we will not be commenting further,' a statement from JetBlue said. The Lungers and Mrs Ungar were scheduled to travel on JetBlue Flight 2050 from Palm Springs International Airport to JFK on December 31, 2023, according to the complaint, which was filed in New York on February 27. They are described in the lawsuit as Orthodox Jews who observe the traditions of the faith, including through their clothing and appearance. Mr Lunger, who is described by his attorney as a 'respected rabbi', and Mrs Lunger, who works with special needs girls and serves lunch at a school, had tickets on one reservation. Mrs Ungar, a childcare provider, held a ticket on a separate reservation. 'Due to his religious beliefs, Mr Lunger is unable to sit next to a woman unless she is a blood relative or his wife,' the complaint states. 'Mr Lunger had no blood relatives on the flight so the only woman his religious beliefs allowed him to sit next was his wife. 'Upon arriving at the gate before boarding the flight, Mrs Lunger asked the JetBlue ticket agent if Mr Lunger could be seated next to her, or at least not next to another woman, due to his religious modesty beliefs.' The agent said they could 'try to change their seats on the plane and make arrangements with other passengers' if the seating arrangements did not meet those needs, according to the lawsuit. The couple were seated separately, with Mr Lunger in 18A and his wife in 21B. 'Mr Lunger waited patiently in his seat to see if the seat next to him would be taken by a man or a woman,' according to the complaint. 'When a woman went to sit in seat 18B, Mr Lunger quietly got up from his seat and stood in the aisle in order to adhere to his religious beliefs and not sit next to a female passenger.' The complaint alleges that 'before Mr Lunger could ask someone to switch seats with him' the flight attendant identified as Jane Doe 'yelled at Mr Lunger to go back to his seat'. He informed her of his religious beliefs but the attendant 'refused to accept that explanation and attempted to prevent Mr Lunger from switching seats with another passenger who had agreed to switch seats'. 'At no time while Mr Lunger was trying to observe his religious beliefs, did he force, become loud, or use a stern voice to intimidate any other passengers into changing seats with him,' according to the complaint, which said passengers 'often' switch seats on aircraft. The pilot was called to the incident and then 'falsely told the plaintiffs that they could not change seats because it was a violation and it would cause a weight imbalance.' 'The seat change that Mr Lunger attempted to do was on the same side of the aircraft, just a few rows in front of his original seat,' the suit adds. It further claims that the 'man who offered to change seats was physically very similar in weight to Mr Lunger'. 'The pilot came out to speak to Mr Lunger, who had changed seats, and to Mrs Lunger and Mrs Ungar who had only tried to explain Mr Lunger's need to switch seats to Defendant Doe. 'The pilot told the three Plaintiffs, "Sorry, you have to get off the plane. The crew members don't feel safe flying with you. The flight will not leave with you on the plane". 'The only individuals kicked off of the flight were the plaintiffs who were each dressed in clothing, which readily identified them as Orthodox Jews. 'Even though other passengers, who were not dressed in Orthodox Jewish Attire, had switched seats on the plane, either with Mr Lunger or someone else, only the plaintiffs were kicked off the plane. 'Even though Mrs Lunger and Mrs Ungar had not been falsely accused of causing a weight imbalance by switching seats, like Mr Lunger had been, JetBlue and the pilot still kicked them off the plane. 'Another passenger, who was not dressed in Orthodox Jewish Attire, had also objected to Mr Lunger being denied the ability to observe his religion, but she was not kicked off the flight like Mrs Lunger and Mrs Ungar.' Another passenger recorded audio of the confrontation in which the flight's captain is heard saying: '[If you don't] get off the airplane, we will deplane the rest of the airplane and leave you three on here.' He adds later: 'Right now the in-flight [crew] does not feel comfortable with you on the aircraft, which means I need to take you off the aircraft.' The passengers protest and at one point, one of the women is heard saying: 'We did nothing, we asked a favor for religious purposes and everybody please respect our religion. What did we do? Did we shoot, did we do anything, did we touch anybody? Nothing.' The person who is recording the incident then insists 'people seem fine [and] happy to help' by switching seats to accommodate, but the crew continue to remove the passengers. The lawsuit adds: 'Mortified and embarrassed, the plaintiffs exited the aircraft. 'The plaintiffs asked to get their suitcases but were told they could not. Once de-boarded, the plaintiffs spoke to the JetBlue ticket agent at the gate who informed them that JetBlue would not provide overnight accommodations, food or transportation. 'The plaintiffs had to call JetBlue to arrange for tickets for a return flight the following day, charging them for both the price change and ticket charge for same day change, and JetBlue claimed that plaintiffs never boarded their flight but rather missed the flight.' The case alleges a civil right violation, discrimination and harassment. Evan Brustein, a New York-based attorney at Brustein Law PLLC who is representing the three plaintiffs, told DailyMail.com: 'Everyone deserves to travel safely without fear of prejudice. 'Our clients boarded a plane expecting nothing more than to be taken home safely to their families. Instead, they were met with discrimination that scarred their experience because of their identity as Jews. 'Our clients are seeking justice in the courtroom and the reaffirmation that every individual, regardless of their religious beliefs, is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.' This is the shocking moment two masked thieves snatched a phone from a pedestrian and fled on their bikes in London's Hampstead - before crashing into an incoming car. The duo was spotted patrolling trendy Hampstead High Street this afternoon on the lookout for unsuspecting pedestrians carrying phones. Upon spotting a target they swiftly mounted the pavement and snatched a phone from a passerby. Despite a witness attempting to intervene, one of the thieves managed to avoid being captured and fled the scene. A witness tries to catch the thieves but they manage to escape on their bikes The two London robbers were masked on their bikes to hide their identities The duo were spotted patrolling trendy Hampstead High Street this afternoon Upon spotting a target the thieves swiftly mounted the pavement and snatched a phone from a passerby The two thieves were filmed riding around on their bikes looking for targets Moments later they targeted another unsuspecting pedestrian nearby. In a daring move, one of the thieves rode directly into oncoming traffic to escape, colliding head-on with a car before fleeing the scene with their accomplice. The two thieves were dressed head to toe in black clothing so as to not be identified. MailOnline has contacted the Met Police for comment. This is the heart-stopping moment a Florida sheriff's deputy brought a baby back to life on the side of the road after a devastating car crash. Deputy Sgt. Dave Musgrove came across the catastrophic crash along a main roadway in Englewood, about 50 miles north of Fort Myers, around 7:37 pm on February 8. Bodycam and dashcam footage shows the hero deputy running to the scene, rescuing one child from the mangled car, flagging down a member of the public for help before returning to the wreckage. The shocking footage shows Musgrove extracting the second infant - named Lola Foley - from the crushed vehicle and taking the unresponsive child in its car seat to the side of the road. After performing chest compressions while soothing the children's distraught mother Kayleigh Foley the baby finally inhales and Musgrove detects a pulse. Deputy Sgt. Dave Musgrove came across the catastrophic crash along a main roadway in Englewood, about 50 miles north of Fort Myers, around 7:37 pm on February 8 Bodycam and dashcam footage shows the hero deputy running to the scene, rescuing one child from the mangled car Footage shows Musgrove extracting the infant from the crushed vehicle and taking the unresponsive child in its car seat to the side of the road The Foleys' vehicle had been struck by a motorcycle travelling at more than 100 miles per hour, a collision that killed the motorcyclist. 'My baby, no! She's right there' Kayleigh could be heard screaming from the car as Musgrove approached in the moments after the crash. 'My baby, I need my baby' the mother can be heard shouting in desperation as Musgrove worked to free the trapped car seat. 'Is she dead, please, is she dead?' Kayleigh then pleads by the side of the road. The hero deputy called for EMS support but was forced to begin life-saving treatment before they arrived on scene. The mother and her two children are expected to recover, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. The baby, named Lola, has regained some mobility in her legs and arms since being hospitalized after the accident, although she has continued to have frequent seizures, said her grandfather, Tim Foley told CBS. Lola is largely back to her normal self, her grateful family says - and Sgt. Musgrove has since reunited with her, after being asked to become the infant's honorary uncle. 'It was a miracle that the officer was right there, witnessed the accident, and got to her right away,' Lisa Foley, the baby's grandmother, told the broadcaster. Sgt Dave Musgrove is pictured with baby Lola Foley, who he saved after a horrific motorcycle-car collision in Florida Sgt Musgrove is pictured with Lola, her mom Kayleigh and her older sister in hospital. The infant is recovering well from her ordeal 'Is she dead, please, is she dead?' the mother (pictured in white) is heard pleading by the side of the road as the deputy performs chest compressions on her unresponsive child After performing the chest compressions while soothing the child's distraught mother the baby finally inhales and Musgrove detects a pulse The hero deputy called for EMS support but was forced to begin life-saving treatment before they arrived 'The actions of Sgt. Musgrove are to be commended,' Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel said in a statement. 'His poise and calm demeanor in a scene of chaos and tragedy ultimately saved the life of a beautiful child. 'This was a senseless accident that resulted in a life lost, but it would have been two lives had Dave not been there. Adding: 'Still, I offer my thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the motorcyclist and I ask that you keep this mother and her children in your prayers.' The race for North Carolina governor could be one of the closest in the country come November, but the current Republican frontrunner Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has gained national attention for a history of offensive remarks and posts as he runs to lead the deeply purple state. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Robinson at a rally in Greensboro on Saturday, calling Robinson 'Martin Luther King on steroids.' But the right-wing conservative firebrand has been a polarizing figure who has come under fire for his past comments on women, Jews, Muslims and members of the LGBTQ community as well as posting about baseless conspiracy theories. Before running for lieutenant governor in 2020, Robinson frequently made antisemitic posts on Facebook. In one he stated that the Black Panther movie was 'created by an agnostic Jew and put to film by satanic Marxists.' Other posts have included Holocaust denialism. In one he wrote 'this foolishness about disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is a bunch of hogwash.' After the Hamas attack on October 7, Robinson said he supported Israel and denied ever being antisemitic. Lt. Governor Robinson speaking before Trump at his rally in Greensboro on Saturday Trump endorsed Robinson for NC governor at a rally in Greensboro on Saturday. He called the Republican who has faced backlash over offensive statements 'Martin Luther King on steroids' Robinson has also been condemned for his attacks on the LGBTQ community. After the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Florida in 2016, he wrote that homosexuality is 'STILL an abominable sin' and he would 'NOT join in "celebrating gay pride."' 49 people were killed in the shooting and more than 50 others were injured. He also suggested Ellen DeGeneres, who is openly gay, was a 'top ranking demon.' In posts after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018, Robinson called the survivors 'spoiled, angry, know it all CHILDREN' and 'media prosti-tots' according to a CNN report. During the 2020 race for lieutenant governor, it was reported that Robinson once described former President Obama as a 'worthless, anti-American atheist' and posted birther memes. He called Michelle Obama a man, referred to Joy Behar as a 'she beast' and Congresswoman Maxine Waters a 'ol maxie pad.' Robinson has also posted on Facebook that Muslims are 'not "immigrants," they are INVADERS' and claimed they 'refuse to assimilate' while 'demanding respect they have not earned.' Abortion is expected to be a top issue in the state, and it's one Robinson has been trying to avoid. According to a Rolling Stone report last summer, Robinson told a crowd he does not like to say the 'A-word' but instead likes to use the word 'life.' Rolling Stone reported that Robinson is now avoiding using the word 'abortion' as he campaigns for governor and instead likes to use the word 'life.' In the past, Robinson has said he would like an abortion ban without exceptions but has since backed away from that stance But in a radio interview earlier last year, Robinson said if he had the power and a willing legislature, they would 'pass a bill saying you can't have an abortion in North Carolina for any reason.' His campaign told CNN, Robinson has publicly supporter legislation that would limit abortion after a heartbeat is detected with protections in situations such as rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Robinson got his political launch in 2018 after a speech he made during a Greensboro city council meeting on gun rights went viral. The following year he launched his bid for lieutenant governor and won in 2020. Trump not only called Robinson MLK 'on steroids' but also said 'I think youre better than Martin Luther King. I think you are Martin Luther King times two.' But Robinson has attacked the civil rights leader, saying in a 2018 podcast that he was a 'communist.' He also blasted the Civil Rights Movement a communist plot to 'subvert capitalism.' Robinson has been leading in the polls in a race against State Treasurer Dale Folwell and trial attorney Bill Graham, who was endorsed by North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis. North Carolina is a swing-state that voted for President Donald Trump in 2020 but also Democratic Governor Roy Cooper who is term-limited and will be leaving office in January. State Attorney General Josh Stein is seen as the frontrunner to clinch the Democratic nomination in the governor's race. Should Robinson or Stein win, it would make history in the state. Robinson would be the first black governor elected in North Carolina. Stein would be the state's first jewish governor. Utah has passed a controversial bill to 'incentivize' teachers to carry guns and train them to use them in a school shooter scenario. If Gov Spencer Cox signs it into law, House Bill 119 will establish the Educator-Protector Program which would fund programs to train teachers to defend their classrooms in an attack. The measure will cost the state about $100,000 annually and would train license-holding teachers to safely store, carry, load and unload firearms in a school setting. The bill received final legislative approval last week when the Republican-controlled House voted along party lines to send it to the governor's desk. Some teachers have lauded the program but campaigners have slammed the bill, branding it 'unrealistic and potentially dangerous'. Brian Peterson of Lake Ridge Elementary School in Magna, said the training is 'invaluable' and is 'what teachers need.' House Bill 119 will establish the Educator-Protector Program which would fund programs to train teachers to defend their classrooms in an attack Timpanogos Academy secretary, participates in shooting drills at the Utah County Sheriff's Office shooting range during the teacher's academy training in 2019 Gov Cox, a Republican, has not yet said whether he will sign the bill, but told reporters on Friday that he is 'very worried about school safety' and supports arming and training school staff so they can 'respond very quickly if the worst does happen.' Under the measure, teachers who hold a valid concealed carry permit could participate for free in an annual program training them to defend their classrooms against active threats. The program would cost the Department of Public Safety about $100,000 annually, according to the bill, and begin May 1 if signed into law. County sheriffs would appoint instructors to lead the course, which participating teachers would be expected to retake each year. The bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Tim Jimenez, said it is a 'strictly defensive' measure that will benefit teachers who already own firearms but cannot afford tactical training. He said: 'What we're looking at here isn't having teachers running around the hallways trying to act like police officers.' Utah is one of 16 states that allow school employees to carry guns in K-12 schools. State law currently lets people carry firearms on public school property if they have permission from school administrators or hold a concealed firearm permit. The bill doesn't prevent a teacher with a permit who is not involved in the program from carrying a gun on school grounds. But those who participate will be shielded from civil liability if they use the gun at school while 'acting in good faith' and without gross negligence, according to the bill. School districts also cannot be held liable if a participating teacher fires their weapon. But not everyone supports the bill. The Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah told DailyMail.com: 'We disagree with money being taken from our education fund to support gun training. 'Our teachers need every penny of that money for education. We encourage every gun owner to get ongoing training, but it shouldn't come out of Utah's education funding. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has not yet said if he will sign the bill into law Spokesperson for the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, Nancy Halden, hugs Nia Maile, who spoke about losing her two brothers to gun violence 'Additionally, the amount of training offered in this program is wholly inadequate to prepare teachers for an encounter with an active shooter. It doesn't even offer live fire training. 'Law enforcement trains monthly with simulated high stress situations, and even they sometimes struggle to be effective in these incidents. 'The idea of a ''highly trained'' armed teacher is a myth. Expecting teachers with significantly less training to respond to violent incidents effectively is unrealistic and potentially dangerous.' For Nia Maile, a 23-year-old from West Valley City whose brothers were killed in a 2022 shooting outside Hunter High School, said the possibility of more guns in Utah classrooms is a terrifying thought. She worries the bill might give a troubled kid, like the 14-year-old who shot her brothers, easier access to a firearm. 'We do not need more guns in schools. We need to eliminate the ways and reasons for a kid to become a shooter.' The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a decision by Colorado's top court to exclude former President Donald Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot, clearing an obstacle for the dominant GOP front-runner's bid to return to the White House for a second term. The high-stakes decision came on the eve of "Super Tuesday" a pivotal moment of the intraparty nomination race, when 15 states, including Colorado, are to vote with more than a third of all Republican delegates up for grabs on the single day. The court justices overturned the Colorado court ruling, saying that states cannot invoke a post-Civil War constitutional provision to keep a presidential candidate from ballots as that power resides with Congress, according to the Associated Press. Trump hailed the ruling as a "unifying" factor, saying that it is a "very big day" for "America" and for "liberty." "You cannot take somebody out of a race because an opponent would like to have it that way," he said in a livestreamed speech. "Voters can take the person out of the race very quickly, but a court shouldn't be doing that and the Supreme Court saw that very well ... I really do believe that will be a unifying factor," he added. Trump also repeated his argument that presidents have to be given "full" immunity. "If a president does not have full immunity, you really don't have a president because nobody that is serving in that office will have the courage to make, in many cases, what would be the right decision," he said. "They have to make (decisions) free of all terror that can be raised upon them when they leave office." Colorado's Supreme Court ruled in December to disqualify him from holding office because of his involvement in connection with the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. The ruling pitted Trump's supporters who called it election interference, against those demanding accountability over the attack. Maine and Illinois also barred Trump from appearing on their ballots, but their decisions were put on hold pending the Supreme Court ruling. Trump has dominated the state-by-state nomination contest except for a loss to his last rival, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in Washington, D.C. on Sunday a minor defeat unlikely to affect the overall primary trajectory. Political watchers say that barring an unforeseen debacle, Trump could likely secure the party's nomination as early as this month to face Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 general election. A Republican candidate must reach the magic number of 1,215 a majority of the total 2,429 party delegates to become the GOP standard-bearer. The party will officially announce its ultimate nominee at its convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July. (Yonhap) Police have so far received 13 million for investigation into her disappearance Detectives hunting for Madeleine McCann are set to receive a 100,000 grant to help fund their investigation for the missing toddler. So far, the Metropolitan Police have received 13 million from the Government since 2011 as they pursue leads for Madeleine, who was just three years old when she vanished in May 2007. At the time, she was on holiday in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz with her parents Kate and Gerry and her two siblings. Nothing has been seen or heard of her since then. MailOnline can reveal that a request for further funding from the Home Office was made by the Metropolitan Police on behalf of Operation Grange - the unit tasked with hunting Madeleine. In June 2020, German police announced that convicted rapist and paedophile Christian Brueckner was 'prime suspect for her abduction and murder' and he is currently on trial accused of three rapes and two indecent assaults. The German national not been charged at any point with her disappearance and he has denied that he was involved. Madeleine was on holiday in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz with her parents Kate and Gerry and her two siblings and since then nothing has been seen or heard of her A source close to the McCann family said her parents Kate (right) and Gerry (left) welcomed the news of more funding being made available for Operation Grange (pictured in 2017) Christian Brueckner, a German national, is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007, but he has not been charged at any point with her disappearance and he has denied that he was involved A source close to the McCann family said: 'This is very welcome news - Kate and Gerry have never given up hope and nor will they, finding Madeleine or what happened to her is paramount to them. READ MORE - Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner will likely stay silent during upcoming trial for unrelated sex offences but 'has nothing to hide' his lawyer says Advertisement 'They are eternally grateful to the officers from Operation Grange and are being kept in touch on aspects of the hunt and the police obviously have leads if a request for funding has been made.' The request to the Home Office was made in the last few days as the 110,000 budget for 2023-24 was due to run out at the end of March. Operation Grange was launched in 2011 by then Home Secretary Theresa May after a request from PM David Cameron that British detectives should also help in the hunt. There were fears that the funding would be cut but it is expected to remain at the same figure as last year and the initial team of 40 officers is now down to just four. According to Home Office figures the funding has fallen in recent years from around 300,000 in 2018-2021 to 110,000 for the last financial year. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'In line with our Special Grant processes, funding for Operation Grange is approved on an annual basis. 'Funding for 2023-2024 will run until 31st match and decisions on 2024-2025 will be made in the next financial year in line with usual practice.' A spokesperson for the Met confirmed to MailOnline that a request for funding had been made to the Home Office but declined to discuss the amount requested. The last picture of Madeleine McCann taken on May 3 2007, the day she went missing Brueckner, a German national, is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine in Portugal in 2007, but he has not been charged at any point with her disappearance and he has denied that he was involved. He was made a formal suspect by prosecutors in Portugal in 2022, after his yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly spotted near the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where Maddie vanished. Brueckner, 47, is currently serving an unrelated jail term in Germany for rape. He is also set to appear in court in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16, accused of five offences between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal. Brueckner has denied he was in the area at the time and distanced himself from the allegations against him. Brueckner maintains that he was miles away with a young woman. But German prosecutors say phone logs show he received a call on May 3, 2007 near the Ocean Club. Pictures released last month showed the convicted paedophile partying with friends a few weeks after the police first interviewed him in connection with the missing child. Personnel at Barragem do Arade reservoir, in the Algave, Portugal, searching in May 2023 as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann Pictured is the Arade Reservoir in Portugal, where a shrine was found six months after the disappearance of Madeleine McCann Madeleine's family kept the investigation open with private detectives until Scotland Yard opened its own enquiry in 2011. Nine years later, police in Braunschweig, northern Germany, identified a convicted paedophile and German national as a new suspect. In 2021, prosecutors said they were '100 per cent sure' that they had the right man. German prosecutor Hans Wolters said evidence included phone analysis placing him at the Ocean Club resort the family was staying at when Madeleine went missing and an alleged confession Brueckner made to a friend. In April last year, it was reported Christian Brueckner may not face charges in Germany over Madeleine's disappearance after a court ruled prosecutors had no jurisdiction to pursue a case against him YouTube users are reporting an outage on the online video platform that is currently impacting some 5,000 users. The report comes after Meta products Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram went down globally earlier on Tuesday, impacting millions of users worldwide. the outage has reached the UK, parts of Europe, China, Australia and Mexico - sending Meta's stock price tumbling. YouTube, which is owned by Google, addressed the issue via X this morning, telling users: 'we're on it!' and 'will follow up here once things are back to normal.' The video-posting platform experienced an apparent outage on the same day that Meta products went down all over the world thanks to everyone who sent notes about loading issues with YouTube: we're on it! will follow up here once things are back to normal, you can also follow our Help Community post for details https://t.co/4Ezmtku3Em TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) March 5, 2024 Addressing the Meta outage, a source inside Facebook told DailyMail.com that the company's internal systems were also down. At around 10.30am EST on Tuesday, DownDetector, which monitors online outages, began showing hundreds of thousands in the US alone having problems with Facebook, and tens of thousands with Instagram. Facebook and Messenger's glitches surfaced when users noticed they were getting kicked out of their accounts and were unable to log back in - even with proper credentials. Users soon began flocking to X to complain about the outage and share memes, much to the delight of owner Elon Musk. Some people experiencing issues initially thought their accounts may have been hacked, but there are more than 80,000 posts on X about Facebook and Instagram being down. Musk soon took to his own platform to make light of his competitors' downfall. 'If you can see this post, it's because our servers working,' he gloated. Many users were trying to log on to Facebook thinking their accounts had been hacked - unaware that a global outage was occurring The issues cropped up around 10:20am ET (3:20pm GMT) and are impacting both apps and websites for the services - although Meta's WhatsApp seems unaffected Elon Musk shared this tweet suggesting his social media app was superior to Meta rivals Instagram, Facebook and Threads The source of the Meta and YouTube outages remained unclear into the afternoon on Tuesday. Meta, unlike YouTube, did not formally comment on the matter until the afternoon, when they said the issue had been resolved across its platforms. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone tweeted that the company had 'resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted' and though he did not disclose the reason for the outage, he said it stemmed from a 'technical issue.' 'Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services,' he posted to X. The timing of the outage has raised some eyebrows as Americans are heading to the polls today in 15 states to cast primary election ballots ahead of the November presidential election. Five more suspects arrested over the gang-rape of a Spanish influencer in India have been paraded with bags over their heads by local police. The attack on Fernanda, 28, who was on a motorbike trip with her husband Vincente, 63, took place last week in Dumka district in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand where the couple was camping for the night on their way to Nepal. Police have arrested another five men in connection with the attack and paraded them, handcuffed and tied to each other in a line by a rope, in front of seated police officers on national television today. Three other men - also with sacks on their heads - already appeared in court over the incident on Monday and were later remanded in custody. Fernanda posted a statement online after the latest arrests, thanking the 'efficient' police as she wrote: 'They have caught all the criminals, and there were eight in total. I ask for justice... (for) all of the women who also have to go through this.' The authorities today handed a cheque of 9,500 to Vincente as compensation under a 'victim compensation scheme', broadcaster NDTV reported. Fernanda (pictured, right) and her partner Vicente (pictured, left) have shared harrowing footage after the Brazilian influencer was allegedly beaten and gangraped by several men Police have arrested another five men in connection with the attack and paraded them, handcuffed and tied to each other in a line by a rope, in front of seated police officers on national television today Fernanda said she thought she and her partner were 'going to die' The authorities today handed a cheque of 9,500 to Vincente (centre) as compensation under a 'victim compensation scheme', broadcaster NDTV reported 'The three earlier arrested gave a new statement, in which they mentioned five more names so, until now, we have arrested eight culprits in total,' senior local police officer Pitamber Singh Kherwar told the Press Trust of India news agency. Kherwar said any of the men, if found guilty, would face 'strict punishment'. 'We are forming a strong case against them', he added. The couple have 300,000 followers online where they have been documenting their journey around the world on separate motorcycles. Breaking down in a video filmed at a hospital in India, Vicente, who was severley beaten in the attack, revealed the injuries they suffered to their followers, saying his 'mouth was destroyed' after the attackers used a helmet and a stone to beat him. Fernanda, who is a dual citizen of Spain and Brazil, said in a video posted to her Instagram page: 'My face looks like this, but it's not what hurts me the most. I thought we were going to die. Thank God we are alive.' Fernanda, who was seen with visible bruises on her face, said: 'They thrashed us and robbed us, but their main aim was to rape me.' Vicente said that he had also been 'brutally thrashed', adding: 'They put a knife around my neck and told me that they would kill me.' She added that they had approached the police for help, but later said that she was made to take down the video from her page so as not to 'disturb' the police's investigation. 'The police told me to turn off the post so as not to disturb the investigation. I will post it later,' she said in an Instagram story post. Three men accused of gang raping Fernanda appeared in court in India on Monday. Police in India are also currently hunting down four other suspects in connection with the violent assault Fernanda and Vicente (pictured) have been documenting online their travel across the world on a motorbike Three men arrested for the alleged gang rape of a Spanish tourist are brought by police to be produced before the Dumka District Court in Dumka, Jharkhand, India, Monday, March 4 The couple, known as @vueltaalmundoenmoto on Instagram, have been on a mission to travel across the globe for the past five years. Their bio states they have covered 170,000 km together, visiting 66 countries Fernanda told a Spanish broadcaster that the attack lasted for two hours, and each of the men 'took turns.' 'They raped me, they took turns while some watched and they stayed like that for about two hours,' she said on Sunday. Despite the terrible injuries she suffered, Fernanda said she would not stop until her attackers have been brought to justice. She wrote in an Instagram Story posted to her personal account: 'I will teach everyone what it takes for justice to be done. Nobody knows s*** about what I'm going through, so I'll know how to act. 'And no, I AM NOT ASHAMED, because it was not my fault, and without these monsters. I'm not like you, of course. 'That's why I do what I do, because I am strong and I will continue to be strong regardless of what anyone says. 'And I have had a second chance, to be alive, and I will take it and live my life HAPPY, it has marked me yes, but I will not let that consume me.' According to The Telegraph, Anjaneyulu Dodde, deputy commissioner of Dumku, said in regards to their compensation: 'We have given him a compensation of one million rupees. We are conducting a thorough investigation and will try to ensure a speedy trial and conviction.' The couple, known as @vueltaalmundoenmoto on Instagram, have been on a mission to travel across the globe for the past five years. Their bio states they have covered 170,000 km together, visiting 66 countries. They are now planning to return to Spain, where they live, before resuming their trip at a later date. Fernanda and her husband have been on a mission to travel across the globe for the past five years The couple are now planning to return to Spain, where they live, before resuming their trip at a later date Despite the terrible injuries she suffered, Fernanda said she would not stop until her attackers have been brought to justice The Brazilian embassy released a statement saying: 'The Brazilian embassy in New Delhi confirms that a Brazilian citizen with dual Spanish nationality and her Spanish husband, both on a motorcycle trip through Asia, were victims of a serious criminal attack in the Dumka district of Jharkhand state, northeast India, this weekend. 'At the same time, in view of the information about dual nationality, the Brazilian embassy coordinated with the Spanish embassy, which said it had been contacted by the local authorities since both had entered India with Spanish passports. 'The Spanish embassy said that it had offered all the assistance available, including psychological care, but that the victims had declined the offer as they were already being looked after by the Indian emergency services. 'In registering its strong repudiation of the barbaric crime committed against the couple, the Brazilian embassy in New Delhi reiterates that it will continue to be available to provide all appropriate assistance and monitor all developments in the case, in close coordination with the Spanish and Indian authorities.' The Department of Veteran Affairs has rescinded a memo banning the iconic J-V Day Times Square kiss photo from its buildings. VA Secretary Denis McDonough was forced to deny the photo's ban after a leaked memo signed by Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations RimaAnn O. Nelson began making the rounds online. 'Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities - and we will keep it in VA facilities,' McDonough said on Twitter. When pressed by DailyMail.com, the VA admitted the memo was sent out late last month but had since been rescinded. It's not clear if it was ever approved by McDonough. The memo instructed employees to 'promptly remove' the historic image and replace it with one deemed less offensive. The Department of Veteran Affairs has rescinded a memo banning the iconic J-V Day Times Square kiss photo from its buildings When pressed by DailyMail.com, the VA admitted the memo was sent out late last month but had since been rescinded The memo instructed employees to 'promptly remove' the image and replace it with one deemed less offensive 'The photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault,' the memo read. 'To foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the veterans we serve, photographs depicting the 'V-J Day in Times Square' should be removed from all Veterans Health Administration facilities.' Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations RimaAnn O. Nelson penned the complaint Despite secretary McDonough's announcement, many on social media slammed the VA for what they saw as another instance of woke policies. One critic wrote: 'Biden's VA UnderSec hates men almost as much as she hates vets. She's banning the V-J Day photo by because the sailor did not obtain consent before kissing the woman who said, '..It wasn't a romantic event. It was just an event of thank God the war is over kind of thing.'' Another added: 'They are trying to erase America's history. What is so wrong with this photo?' A third said: 'This V-J Day kiss photo is American culture. To ban this is to ban our very own culture and our veterans morale.' The iconic image J-V Day image, which captured New York's celebration as the Second World War ended, has recently been seen in a a new light, with many arguing it portrays sexual assault because the soldier kissed the woman without consent. It took decades before Greta Friedman and George Mendonsa, a sailor on leave, were identified as the couple locking lips in the picture taken by Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt on August 14, 1945. Freidman's son, Joshua, said his mother and Mendonsa became friends as they got older, despite Greta being kissed entirely out-of-the-blue on V-J Day all those years ago. Mendonsa and Friedman returned to Times Square in 1980 to recreate the photograph. By that time they were both happily married to other people, and had not seen each other in 35 years The couple are pictured at the World War II Memorial in 2005 'My mom always had an appreciation for a feminist viewpoint, and understood the premise that you don't have a right to be intimate with a stranger on the street,' Josh Friedman told the NYDN. '(But) she didn't assign any bad motives to George in that circumstance, that situation, that time.' Veterans Affairs did not reply when asked by DailyMail.com whether Nelson would face any consequences for sending the memo. It's not Nelson's first time being the subject of backlash over her handling of veteran affairs. Back in 2016, after she was made director of the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Arizona lawmakers including John McCain expressed concern over her 'questionable record' in a letter to then- president Barack Obama. In one letter, they cited a 2011 report that found a St Louis facility under Nelson's watch potentially exposed over 1,800 veterans to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The report found longstanding issues with dental equipment at the center, but also added that the chances of 'patient-to-patient transmission of a blood-borne infectious disease was unlikely.' Still, the facility notified the nearly over 1,800 patients of the risk. In another letter signed by lawmakers including then Democratic rep. Kyrsten Sinema, lawmakers called Nelson's past 'less than impressive.' The letter read: 'To think that Ms. Nelson, with her less-than-impressive past, is the best possible candidate to provide crucial leadership for the facility equated to "ground zero" of the VA scandal is unequivocally offensive to us and each of the veterans we represent.' The Queen and Prince of Wales are set to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service next week, as King Charles continues to undergo cancer treatment. With both the King and Princess of Wales away from public-facing duties, the rest of the institution's working royals will gather in force at Westminster Abbey on Monday. Queen Camilla and the Prince William will be accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. However, a pre-recorded video message from Charles, who is head of the Commonwealth, will be played during the service this year, Buckingham Palace said. The annual celebration will draw on the theme of resilience - at a time when the royal family has faced a barrage of health troubles. William's appearance at the event comes after he pulled out of attending his godfather King Constantine of Greece's memorial service last week Camilla will carry out a second engagement afterwards when she attends the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at Marlborough House in London But the service will focus on stories of environmental resilience and marine sustainability, through performances representing the five regions of the Commonwealth. William's appearance at the televised event - a key part of the royal calendar - alongside Camilla comes after he pulled out of attending his godfather King Constantine of Greece's memorial service last week at the last minute due to an undisclosed personal matter. Camilla will carry out a second engagement afterwards when she attends the annual Commonwealth Day Reception at Marlborough House in London, meeting foreign ministers, UK parliamentarians and High Commissioners. The pair have carried out their royal duties and continued appearances while their spouses continue to receive medical treatment and get rest. Some 2,000 guests will head to the Abbey in central London in honour of the Commonwealth network of 56 countries. The congregation will include Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, the president of Malta, foreign ministers, high commissioners, senior politicians and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth, faith leaders, and school children and young people from throughout the UK. Reflections will be given by one of the winners of William's Earthshot Prize - Notpla - a firm which specialises in creating alternatives to plastic. Writer Sir Ben Okri will read a specially commissioned poem for the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth King Charles is pictured arriving at Clarence House in Westminster today Princess Kate will carry out her first major engagement since her abdominal surgery at the Trooping the Colour parade in London on June 8, according to the Army King Charles reads cards and messages sent by well-wishers following his cancer diagnosis This comes as the Army's official website has confirmed Princess Kate will carry out her first major engagement since her abdominal surgery at the Trooping the Colour parade in London on June 8. Tickets are now being sold on the site for the spectacle on the weekend before the main Trooping the Colour ceremony, which is normally reviewed by the monarch. But while this is Kate's first official duty to be announced since she underwent surgery, Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed her attendance. MailOnline understands that Palace officials were not consulted on the update from the MoD. A royal source added that attendance by Prince William or Kate at events is always announced by the Palace, not the MoD. But it appears the MoD hopes Kate will be well enough to attend one of the key ceremonial events in the Armed Forces' year. Only the Palace can announce Kate's attendance at a royal event - and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time. MailOnline contacted the MoD for comment earlier today, but questions were directed to the Palace, which has also not issued a statement. The Tories have been hit by more polling woe after a survey found they had slumped to their lowest support among 'Blue Wall' voters since Rishi Sunak became PM. The latest Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll of 42 southern constituencies gave Labour (37 per cent) a 9 percentage point lead over the Conservatives (28 per cent). The Liberal Democrats were backed by 19 per cent of voters, while Reform UK were supported by 10 per cent. The Tory vote share in the 42 seats surveyed by Redfield & Wilton was the joint-lowest ever recorded by the pollster. It tied the result of their first poll of traditional Tory strongholds in October 2022, when Mr Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss was in 10 Downing Street. There was more grim news for the Tories as the results of the latest 'Blue Wall' poll - published on the eve of tomorrow's Budget - showed just half of those who voted Conservative at the 2019 general election would do so again. This was the lowest percentage of 2019 Tory voters to say they would vote Conservative again to have been recorded since Mr Sunak became PM. The latest Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll of 42 'Blue Wall' constituencies gave Labour (37 per cent) a 9 percentage point lead over the Conservatives (28 per cent) The Tory vote share in the 42 seats surveyed by Redfield & Wilton was the joint-lowest ever recorded by the pollster The survey also found Rishi Sunak's net approval rating was at -19 per cent in the 'Blue Wall'. This is the lowest approval rating he has ever recorded in these seats Among 2019 Conservative voters in 'Blue Wall' seats, 16 per cent said they would back Labour while 15 per cent would switch to Reform UK. 'Blue Wall' constituencies are defined as the 42 seats that - among other factors - are in the South of England and were won by the Tories in 2019, 2017 and 2015. The Conservatives won 49.74 per cent of the vote in these constituencies in 2019, with the Lib Dems supported by 27.45 per cent of voters, and Labour third on 20.6 per cent. In the latest Redfield & Wilton poll, 37 per cent of 'Blue Wall' voters chose Sir Keir Starmer when asked who would be a better PM between him and Mr Sunak. Only one-third (33 per cent) chose the Tory leader. The survey also found Mr Sunak's net approval rating was at -19 per cent in the 'Blue Wall'. This is the lowest approval rating he has ever recorded in these seats, with only 27 per cent saying they approve of Mr Sunak's performance, compared to 46 per cent who disapprove. But Sir Keir also slumped to his lowest net approval rating (-4 per cent) ever recorded in the 'Blue Wall'. Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, was found to have a net approval rating of -5 per cent. Redfield & Wilton polled 1,195 eligible voters in 42 'Blue Wall' constituencies online on 3 March. Law & Order actor Isaiah Stokes has appeared in court where his defense attorney pleaded for him to be moved out of Rikers Island jail as 'his life is in danger'. The 43-year-old has been in custody since July 2021 after he was charged with second degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon following a fatal shooting in February 2021. Prosecutors have accused him of firing 11 shots at Tyrone Jones, 37, after approaching his white rented Jeep Cherokee and shooting him multiple times in the face and head. The actor appeared in Queens Supreme Court on Tuesday, handcuffed and wearing a jail-issued beige jumper and khaki trousers, alongside his defense attorney Victoria Brown-Douglas. Isaiah Stokes, 43, appeared in Queens Supreme Court on Tuesday as he faces 25-years-to-life over daylight execution of Tyrone Jones, 37. Stokes appeared handcuffed and wearing a jail-issued beige jumper and khaki trousers, alongside his defense attorney Victoria Brown-Douglas She asked the court to move her client out of the infamous Rikers Island jail as he has been repeatedly beaten up despite being in protective custody and suffered a cracked tooth. But Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder said he did not have the power to do that and told her to take it up with the Department of Corrections. 'His life is in danger at Rikers Island, his tooth was cracked,' defense attorney Brown-Douglas said. 'A quarter of his front tooth is broken off and this happened while he was in protective custody.' She then asked the court for Stokes to be moved to the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center or to the west facility of Rikers Island which is a 'more secure environment.' But Justice Holder said: 'Since he is there and you're telling me he is getting assaulted I would suggest you take it up with the Department of Corrections. 'I personally don't have any ability to tell the Department of Corrections to move your client to a different facility. Stokes is accused of firing at Jones (pictured) 11 times after approaching his white rented Jeep Cherokee and shooting him multiple times in the face and head 'He is making an allegation that in protective custody, people are able to get to him. That's a very serious allegation.' He also pointed to Stokes' exclusive interview with DailyMail.com where the actor shared his frustrations about the delay in his case. 'I find it interesting you indicated you denied your involvement in the execution-style shooting and that you blamed ineffective counsel in this case which has seen you incarcerated for two and a half years,' Justice Holder added. 'Your new attorney Ms Brown was assigned in July. I see you're saying I am not guilty, I am super innocent. 'Everything you said in this article can be used against you in trial. It may all come back to bite you.' Defense attorney Brown-Douglas told the court she advised against the interview and informed Stokes he should remain silent. Stokes is set to appear in court again on May 3. In an interview with DailyMail.com last month from inside the Rikers Island Chapel at the Robert N. Davoren Complex, one of 10 facilities on the island, Stokes declared his innocence. He blasted the legal and prison systems for allowing him to remain locked up for so long still with no trial date. 'I'm not guilty, I'm super innocent,' he said. 'This is my first time ever being in jail. I never did juvenile detention centers or anything like that. 'The issue I'm facing now is trying to be someplace safe. It's a very, very uncomfortable environment, it's dangerous.' Stokes' defense attorney Victoria Brown-Douglas (left) asked for him to the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center or to the west facility of Rikers Island which is 'more secure' Brown-Douglas said Stokes had been repeatedly beaten up despite being in protective custody and suffered a cracked tooth Stokes faces a three-count indictment following the fatal shooting and if convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 25 years-to-life in prison. He played Mozzy in 50 Cent's TV series Power in 2019 and had parts in Boardwalk Empire in 2011 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2009. He also records music under the name I$AIAH. The actor told DailyMail.com that he believes that his situation will make him 'one of the greats' if he gets acquitted, but he believes he could be a target because of his fame. 'I'm not the first person to be in this predicament', he said. 'When I think about my situation, I think about Snoop Dogg. He's been charged with murder, he got off and had a beautiful career. 'I think about Nelson Mandela. I think about Lil Boosie. He was charged with capital murder and he made it out of that situation. And now he's back to being successful. 'I feel like I'm one of the greats. I'm only going through what successful people go through. 'Falling down is the easy part, getting up is the hard part, bouncing back is the hard part. A lot of people don't bounce back and they accept defeat. 'I'm a winner. I have to win. I have no choice.' When asked about Jones and how he plans to defend himself at trial, Stokes declined to go into further detail or confirm if he knew his alleged victim. But responding to whether he had a message for Jones's family if he was acquitted, he said: 'All I would say to the victims family is God Bless, God Bless him. It's not up to me. It's up to God. 'What I'm accused of is super whack. Whack with a cape on. But I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe that this was a blessing in disguise. 'I don't feel like the evidence that they have against me right now is enough to leave anybody in jail for 30 months at a time. Prosecutors and the DA are always going to try to paint the worst picture. But this ain't the right one.' Stokes is currently incarcerated at the Robert N. Davoren Complex (RNDC) on Rikers Island He appeared in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2009 Stokes plays character Mozzy in season 6 episode 7 of the popular Starz TV series Power The actor claims that he is struggling to fight his case as the prosecution have only handed over 'bits and pieces' of the evidence against him. He ditched his initial lawyer after a 'conflict of interest' over his bail application, which was set at $15million and has taken aim at his new lawyer, saying she has only met him twice in six months. 'It is virtually impossible to fight my case when I haven't received a complete discovery from the prosecutors. It makes it extremely hard for me. My bail is astronomical and quite excessive. But the bigger issue is the system.' Stokes was drinking champagne with 50 Cent and other musicians and actors on a red carpet the night before his arrest in 2021, telling DailyMail.com it was a 'shock' to both him and the rapper. He blamed the legal and prison system, claiming that African Americans are assumed 'guilty until proven innocent', rather than the other way around. 'I went from drinking champagne and eating hors d'oeuvres to being on Rikers Island,' he said. 'It was definitely a shock.' The actor says that at the time of his arrest he was in talks to star in the Watergate miniseries White House Plumbers with Woody Harrelson, as well as film a second season of Raising Kanan a spin-off of Power. Stokes has vowed to 'continue and pick up' where he left off if he is released, as well work on a project with Tyler Perry. At a court hearing in December, Stokes begged a court to allow him to move wings inside the New York City lock-up after being beaten up while in protective custody. He remains under protection but claims that he is struggling to 'be someplace safe', adding: 'There is really nothing protective about custody when you wake up among 50 men every day, and at times there are no officers on the floor.' 'You become vulnerable to things, I've seen stabbings, cuttings, officers being assaulted, people getting jumped, and a whole bunch of other violent things. That's not protective custody. 'I've been moved several times, and protective custody is for people that don't want to join a gang, maybe for those who are leaders not followers or who have been kicked out of a gang. 'I need to be in a safe environment, I've already been assaulted in protective custody. I'm an actor and I get paid for my likeness. Now I've come to jail and I've got a chipped tooth'. Stokes said that he needs to be separated from other inmates to 'prove his innocence' and 'get on with his life'. He added that he's been trying to study the law but claims his access from the law library has been blocked. Stokes said that he has helped 'several people get out of jail', by making them aware of 'how the law works', despite access being limited by the jail. Police said Jones was shot multiple times in the face and head while he sat in a white rented Jeep (pictured) near the corner of Linden Blvd. and 200th St. in St. Albans The scene of the 2021 shooting slaying in Forest Hills, Queens, which comes amid a surge in gun crime in NYC Brown-Douglas replaced the actor's original lawyer in June, with a court ordering Stokes to be put into protective custody in October following his move from the West Facility two months prior. Additionally, his lawyer doubled down on Stokes claims that he was being prevented from viewing all of the footage of the alleged incident while incarcerated, due to limitations accessing the library. Justice Holder was asked to allow Stokes to view the footage in court, or sign a motion forcing Rikers to allow him more time, but refused, telling Brown-Douglas: 'And watch hours and hours of video, some of which just shows the street before it shows him allegedly going up to a car and blowing someone's brains out? 'It just shows an empty street, just a car in the street. So, we're going to sit here for hours and hours and watch this while I have other things to do just so he can see the entire video? 'I'm not going to do that. I don't control Rikers Island. If they have decided that one hour a day is appropriate enough for every defendant to see their video, then that's it.' Prosecutors say surveillance footage shows Stokes walk past the driver's side window of the Jeep before doubling back, gunning down his victim and fleeing the scene. The gunman was captured on separate footage getting into a rented Audi, which police say they tracked to a parking spot near Stokes's home. Authorities have yet to confirm what they believe led to the slaying, with Queen's DA Melinda Katz saying at the time of his arrest: 'The defendant is accused of unloading nearly 11 shots during this brazen afternoon shooting. The mother of a 16-year-old Texas cheerleader who was killed by an illegal immigrant in December is calling for change after the murder of nursing student Laken Riley. Jacqueline Medina is the distraught mother of Lizbeth Medina, 16, who was allegedly stabbed by Mexican illegal immigrant Rafael Govea Romero in the bathtub of the apartment the mother and daughter shared. Jacqueline has spoken out after the brutal death of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was also allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant. Riley was allegedly killed by 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national living illegally in the U.S., who is believed to have murdered the young girl while she was out jogging on February 22. Lizbeth's mother said that 'as someone who has also lost a daughter to violence at the hands of an illegal immigrant,' she understands the 'pain and devastation' that comes with 'such a senseless act.' Jacqueline Medina (left) is the distraught mother of Lizbeth Medina, 16(right), who was allegedly stabbed by Mexican illegal immigrant Rafael Govea Romero in the bathtub of the apartment the mother and daughter shared. 'Since my daughter Liz's passing in 2023, too many beautiful young girls have lost their lives to violence. We must come together as a society to create a safer world for all,' Jacqueline said Jacqueline has spoken out after the brutal death of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley (pictured), who was also 'murdered' by an illegal immigrant Riley was allegedly killed by 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra(pictured), a Venezuelan national living illegally in the U.S., who is believed to have murdered the young girl while she was out jogging on February 22 'I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Laken Riley, and my heart goes out to her family during this difficult time,' Jacqueline said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Jacqueline shared how she was 'moved' by the fact that both her daughter and Riley wanted to become nurses. She shared a certificate won by Lizbeth, nominating her for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence. Lizbeth dreamed of attending the University of Texas at Arlington to become a nurse, her devastated mother shared. Jacqueline said there needs to be stricter laws in place to protect children. 'It is a cruel and unfair reality that their dreams were cut short by senseless violence,' she said. 'I believe that there need to be stricter laws in place to protect our children and communities from individuals with violent criminal histories, regardless of their immigration status.' She added that it isn't about politics, but 'ensuring the safety and well-being of our loved ones.' 'While I acknowledge that not all illegal immigrants are the same, we must take action to prevent tragedies like these from happening again,' she said. 'Since my daughter Liz's passing in 2023, too many beautiful young girls have lost their lives to violence. We must come together as a society to create a safer world for all. 'Let us look after each other and strive to make our communities places where everyone can feel secure and protected.' Lizbeth dreamed of attending the University of Texas at Arlington to become a nurse, her devastated mother shared Lizbeth's mother said that 'as someone who has also lost a daughter to violence at the hands of an illegal immigrant,' she understands the 'pain and devastation' that comes with 'such a senseless act' Lizbeth's alleged killer Romero was charged with capital murder after being arrested in Schulenberg, Texas, and indicted on February 8. He has been placed on Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer after the Edna High School cheerleader was discovered dead by her mother. Officials also confirmed that Romero is an undocumented migrant from Mexico and has lived in the US for the past five years. They did not clarify if Romero entered the country with a valid visa or when his status expired. Riley's alleged killer Ibarra entered the United States through the United States- Mexico border in 2022. He was arrested by the Border Patrol for crossing the border illegally but, was released shortly after he was granted temporary permission to stay in the country, as per federal officials. Jacqueline shared how she was 'moved' by the fact that both her daughter and Riley (pictured) wanted to become nurses Lizbeth's alleged killer Rafael Govea Romero, 23(pictured), was charged with capital murder after being arrested in Schulenberg, Texas Ibarra, lived in the New York City before moving to Athens, Georgia. He shared an apartment with his brother that was about a five-minute walk where he allegedly killed the young nursing student. His brother worked as a dishwasher at University of Georgia, but was terminated once school officials learned that he had fake green card documents, Fox News reported. Ibarra was arrested February 23 and formally charged the following day. He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. A Miss Universe finalist who was allegedly attacked by her jealous ex-boyfriend has told a court how he threatened to slit her and her new partner's throats. Chloe Othen, 33, was left with bite marks, bruises and a septic cut all over her body after she went to see 'abusive' Ricky Lawrence, 32, at his 1.5million Knightsbridge flat on October 15 2022. Lawrence and Miss Othen had been in an 'on and off' relationship for six months between December 2021 and May 2022 before it ended. At Nightingale Crown Court in Holborn today, the teary model said she was punched 30 times and feared Lawrence was going to murder her after he invited her over in the early hours of the morning by text. She claimed that Lawrence also grabbed two knives and said he was going to cut her throat. 'He just went into a frenzy and attacked me, bear hugged me, punched me about 30 times, bit me, strangled me, it went on for about an hour and a half or whenever I left,' she told the court. 'He threw me on the floor, he dragged me by my hair, he pulled me up and down, he pinned me down, he strangled me, just as I was about to lose consciousness, he bit me on my neck and he punched me repeatedly.' Chloe Othen, 33, was left with bite marks, bruises and cuts - some of which turned septic - all over her body a court heard Ricky Lawrence (pictured) is accused of attacking Miss Othen in his 1.5 million Knightsbridge flat Miss Othen said she was left with a cauliflower ear which had to be drained after it had swelled up from punches. 'I could not (get away), every time I tried to get up, he would not let me leave,' she added. 'I thought I was going to die. I was definitely in there for about an hour.' A row had erupted upon her arrival, with Lawrence allegedly lashing out and refusing to let the model, who has 305,000 followers on Instagram, leave the apartment. She had tried to go but Lawrence is said to have snatched her phone from her hands, refusing to give it back. He then started repeatedly punching her head and biting her, jurors were told. Miss Othen's partner at the time, Bora Guccuk, 39, called her while she was at the apartment. Lawrence picked up the phone and allegedly threatened to kill him. 'He said that he was going to finish me off and finish him (Bora) off, I saw him with my own eyes talking to Bora', Miss Othen said. 'He was threatening Bora and myself. 'He said he was going to slit my throat and his (Bora's) throat, it is imprinted in my brain that whole night,' she added. Eventually Miss Othen managed to leave the property with Lawrence chucking the phone back at her, the court heard. Teary Miss Othen told jurors today that she feared Lawrence was going to murder her and was left 'scared for her life' Holborn Crown Court heard how one of the bite wounds on Miss Othen's neck became septic When police arrested Lawrence the next day, police found messages that the businessman had sent on the day of the alleged attack. They read: 'You f***ed up tonight, watch what I do now, you silly c***' and 'you f***ing stupid c***, you're f****d now I swear, I will do anything in my power to f*** up the rest of your life, screenshot that.' Miss Othen told jurors how Mr Guccuk kept calling and she started screaming the address and for him to call the police. Speaking about the injuries she suffered, Miss Othen continued: 'He bit my face, bit my neck which got infected, I have a bite on my arm, my scar, he bit my hip, all of them really deep, I had a tooth mark for about eight months. 'I physically can't do this myself and bite my own neck. He bit me six times that drew blood. He punched me at least 30 times. 'He kicked me in the ribs, he kicked me on the floor like a dog, he was just hitting me and hitting me and he just would not stop. 'I begged him to stop. He went and got two kitchen knives and told me he was going to slit my throat and chased me around the dining room.' Telling the jurors how she escaped, Miss Othen said: 'He dragged me into the bedroom, he throws the phone and my glasses at the other side of the room, he then throws them back at me and that is when I escape and run. 'He was on the other side of the bedroom so I could run. 'The bedroom is opposite the front door. Miss Othen pictured at Suspect Lingerie launch party in Mayfair in April 2022 'I ran to the Berkeley and called my friend Alex to meet me and met her there. 'After all these events I cannot remember how it happened after, I just remember what happened in that flat. I was traumatised, in shock.' Miss Othen says she was left with bites on her hip, inner thigh, elbow, neck, shoulder and face. One of the bites to her neck became infected and required antibiotics and tetanus boosters. She claimed that she had to have scans for internal bruising and could not move her head, neck and jaw for a while. Miss Othen eventually had her jaw unlocked and ear drained, but suffered post-concussion syndrome and anxiety. A row erupted upon her arrival, with Lawrence allegedly lashing out and refusing to let the model, who has 305,000 followers on Instagram , leave the apartment Prosecutor Sheilagh Davies Davies asked her: 'Who do you say did this to you?' Miss Othen replied: 'Ricky Lawrence did this to me.' The court heard that Lawrence had a 'big chip on his shoulder' with regards to Mr Guccuk who she had dated for almost two years before breaking up and meeting Lawrence. She accused Lawrence of becoming 'abusive' and turning up unannounced. 'He (Lawrence) had a big chip on his shoulder with Bora, he would always say about affording things', Miss Othen told the court. 'I did not demand anything from Ricky. I had not caused any problems, Ricky is the one who has been abusive. 'He would turn up numerous times at my place in Queensway, the concierge would let him up, he turned up when I was at restaurants, he would turn up when I was in clubs, he even turned up in Mykonos on a beach. 'He turned up for every dinner I had in Cannes, standing over me asking to talk, crying and punching himself. I was the one that was breaking up with him, he was the one that was begging me.' Lawrence and the model had been in an 'on and off' relationship for six months between December 2021 and May 2022 before it ended Following their initial relationship, Miss Othen fell pregnant and so moved back in with Lawrence to give him a 'second chance'. But after just two weeks, Miss Othen alleges he became aggressive again and she moved back out. 'I did not want to get back with Ricky, did I love him yes, it is very hard being in a relationship with Ricky,' she explained. 'I always wanted to see the good and give him a second chance, it is actually pretty hard. 'I wanted to give Ricky another chance, I gave Ricky another chance because yes I was pregnant. 'This guy tried to kill me, beat me and assaulted me. 'I gave him another chance, I was pregnant and it is pretty tough being with someone like that. 'It was Ricky Lawrence that beat me up, it was Ricky Lawrence that tried to kill me, it was Ricky Lawrence that took my phone. 'Everything that Ricky did was nothing like he did that night, that night I thought I was going to die.' Miss Othen was a finalist in Miss Universe GB in 2015 and has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram Lawrence's defence barrister Tony Wyatt asked Miss Othen: 'You received those messages from an abusive man who had previously bitten you and yet you decided to go to his? She replied: 'I would not have gone there if I knew and I would not be here today and I would not have to go over this day every day.' Earlier, Ms Davies told the court that while the pair's relationship 'did not last very long' they were still in 'occasional contact and met up from time to time, including on October 15. She told the court: 'What happened there was obviously behind closed doors, there was conversation but it seemed that after a period of time, matters turned very ugly and Chloe Othen felt she needed to leave and go home. 'Her account is that as she got up to leave, Ricky Lawrence grabbed her phone out of her hand and refused to give it back. He then lashed out and punched her in the head. 'He was biting her multiple times and you will see that there are indeed what you might conclude are bite marks in various places about her body. 'She said Ricky Lawrence stopped her from leaving and she was effectively kept there for a period of time unwillingly.' 'Bora Gucuk, who at that time had become her boyfriend, tried to call her and the prosecution say it was Ricky Lawrence who answered Chloe Othen's phone and also threatened Bora Guccuk that he would kill him.' The prosecution said that after Miss Othen 'made her escape' she called Mr Guccuk for help. They met at the Berkeley hotel along with Miss Othen's female friend Alexandra Ivanovic. Lawrence, of Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Miss Othen (pictured) The prosecution added: 'Police were called, they turned up at the Berkeley Hotel. Ricky Lawrence was arrested and in due course he was taken to the police station and interviewed. 'He did not answer all the questions posed to him in the police interview, which is his right, but he did read a prepared statement. What he says is that the relationship had broken down but on 15 October. Lawrence has denied one count of bodily harm. He told the court today: Chloe had turned up at my address, her partner contacted her, I told her to leave the flat as I did not want any trouble from her or her partner, I then ended the call. He denied threatening to stab either Ms Othen or Mr Guccuk. His statement continued: 'She then began to scratch and hit me, I did not use unlawful violence against her and I believe her allegations are malicious and are a result of her not wanting to ruin her current relationship.' Ms Davies said: 'Chloe Othen was also able to produce shortly after the incident, ten photographs that depicted her various nine or ten sites of injury and the following day further images were provided. 'Chloe Othen had a number of injuries and very nasty injuries at that, the question for you will be, who caused them, they clearly cannot have been self inflicted, the crown case is that angry at the situation with Chloe Othen, Ricky Lawrence inflicted all those injuries on her. Miss Othen pictured with Georgia Harrison at Suspect Lingerie launch party in Mayfair in April 2022 Miss Othen told the court: 'Ricky started becoming very aggressive on the texts and I thought I would let him calm down and then I would go and see him. Throughout the day, Ricky had asked me to come over. 'I wanted to calm him down, Ricky was quite abusive during our relationship and he was quite aggressive. I did not want to be with Ricky anymore, it is really hard when you really love somebody but he is, to be honest with you a narcissist. 'He would send me abuse all of the time, because I did not want to be back with him.' Jurors heard Lawrence also sent Miss Othen messages saying: 'I am the worst enemy, I don't go away you silly c***, you thought you could mug me off' and 'I am going out of my way to f- your life up.' 'I did not want to take him back and that is the only thing, this happened a lot during the relationship, so sometimes I would engage in conversation as it was easy for me actually, he is quite scary. 'It was normal that he would send me messages like this and then the next message or the next day he would be normal. He used to punch himself in the head quite a lot, he used to punch the wall, he used to pull his hair out. 'Within five minutes of arriving, he snapped my phone. In hindsight, I genuinely think he wanted to kill me, I don't understand why he took my phone, he did not have access to it, it was as soon as I arrived. 'He did not say anything, he just snapped my phone, he told me I was not getting it back, it was his now and that was it.' Lawrence, of Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The trial continues. Leaders on the China Select Committee are pushing a bipartisan bill that would force Chinese state-affiliated ByteDance to sell its shares of TikTok or else the popular video-sharing platform will be banned across the U.S. Chairman Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and top Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Calif., introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would specifically designate ByteDance and TikTok as foreign adversary-controlled applications. The president would be the one to decide, in coordination with all federal agencies, whether TikTok was fully divested. The bill also would broaden the scope of the president's powers in general to ban foreign adversary-controlled applications, calling out those affiliated with China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. ByteDance would have more than five months after the law was signed to divest from TikTok. If it does not, app stores and web hosting platforms would not be allowed to distribute it in the U.S. Leaders on the China select committee are pushing a bipartisan bill that would force state-affiliated ByteDance to sell its shares of TikTok or else the popular video-sharing platform would be banned In a statement, TikTok called it an 'outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it.' 'This legislation will trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs.' The committee fired back, saying in a post on X: 'Actually, the bill incentivizes TikTok to remain in America.' The bill will be marked up by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday in a sign of swift action for the legislation. The committee is expected to vote to go into a classified executive session at 10 a.m. to talk about the bill on Thursday followed by a public mark-up starting at 2 p.m. The bill has at least 17 co-sponsors from both parties, offering it a decent shot of becoming law if it comes up for a vote. Still, banning a widely popular social media platform in an election year could prove to be difficult. TikTok has around 103 million users in the US, nearly a third of the population. 'This is my message to TikTok: break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users,' said Gallagher in a statement. 'America's foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States. TikTok's time in the United States is over unless it ends its relationship with CCP-controlled ByteDance.' Krishnamoorthi said in his own statement: 'So long as it is owned by ByteDance and thus required to collaborate with the CCP, TikTok poses critical threats to our national security.' Last year a group of Republicans launched a bill that would outright ban TikTok, but Democrats said the effort was rushed and would infringe on free speech rights. Senators have introduced their own bills to ban or curb the platform, but none have gained enough traction to come up for a vote. Congress already passed legislation to ban TikTok on government phones. But last month, Biden's re-election campaign joined TikTok. The bill has at least 17 co-sponsors from both parties, offering it a decent shot of becoming law if it comes up for a vote Last year the White House backed legislation put forth by Intel Committee Chair Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and more than two dozen other senators that would have given the administration the power to ban foreign-based technologies if they pose national security threats. In 2020 former President Donald Trump tried to ban TikTok, but that move was held up by courts. The U.S. Supreme Court handed Donald Trump a major victory on Monday, barring states from disqualifying candidates for federal office under a constitutional provision involving insurrection and reversing Colorado's exclusion of him from its ballot. The justices unanimously overturned a Dec. 19 decision by Colorado's top court to kick the former president off the state's Tuesday Republican primary ballot after finding that the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment disqualified him from again holding public office. The Colorado court had found that Trump took part in an insurrection for inciting and supporting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. The justices determined that only Congress can enforce the constitutional provision against federal officeholders and candidates. But four of the nine justices, including the court's three liberal members, faulted the rest of the court for announcing rules limiting how the provision may be enforced in the future. Trump is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election. His only remaining rival for his party's nomination is former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. The ruling was issued on the eve of Super Tuesday, the day in the U.S. presidential primary cycle when the most states hold party nominating contests. It came five days after the justices agreed to decide Trump's claim of immunity from prosecution on charges related to trying to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden. The court, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three Trump appointees, acted in a speedier manner in deciding the ballot disqualification issue, benefiting him, than it has in resolving the immunity question. Delays in deciding the immunity issue could help Trump by delaying his criminal trial. The 14th Amendment's Section 3 bars from office any "officer of the United States" who took an oath "to support the Constitution of the United States" and then "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof." "We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But states have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency," the unsigned opinion for the court stated. Trump welcomed the ruling, saying during an appearance in Florida: "Essentially, you cannot take somebody out of a race because an opponent would like to have it that way." Trump said he hoped the decision would help unify the country, but then lambasted political opponents and prosecutors behind four criminal cases against him. Trump was also barred from the ballot in Maine and Illinois based on the 14th Amendment. Those decisions were put on hold pending the Supreme Court's ruling in the Colorado case. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold expressed disappointment at the ruling "stripping states of the authority" to enforce the disqualification clause. "Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrections from our ballot," Griswold wrote in a social media post. 'Momentous and difficult issues' Though the justices unanimously agreed with the result, the three liberal justices, as well as conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, said the court's opinion decided more than what was necessary to resolve the case by specifying that Section 3 can be enforced only through federal legislation. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson objected to the majority's "gratuitous" decision to announce rules limiting the way Section 3 can be enforced in the future. "Today, the majority goes beyond the necessities of this case to limit how Section 3 can bar an oath-breaking insurrectionist from becoming president," the liberal justices said. "Although we agree that Colorado cannot enforce Section 3, we protest the majority's effort to use this case to define the limits of federal enforcement of that provision." In a concurring opinion, Barrett wrote that "this is not the time to amplify disagreement with stridency. The court has settled a politically charged issue in the volatile season of a presidential election. Particularly in this circumstance, writings on the court should turn the national temperature down, not up," Barrett wrote. "For present purposes, our differences are far less important than our unanimity: All nine Justices agree on the outcome of this case. That is the message Americans should take home," Barrett added. Trump's eligibility had been challenged in court by a group of six voters in Colorado four Republicans and two independents who portrayed him as a threat to American democracy and sought to hold him accountable for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. The plaintiffs were backed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a liberal watchdog group. CREW President Noah Bookbinder emphasized that while the court's ruling allows Trump back on the ballot, it did not directly address the Colorado Supreme Court's finding that Trump had engaged in insurrection. "The Supreme Court had the opportunity in this case to exonerate Trump, and they chose not to do so," Bookbinder said, adding that, "The Supreme Court removed an enforcement mechanism, and in letting Trump back on the ballot, they failed to meet the moment." As lawsuits seeking to disqualify Trump cropped up across the country, it was important for his candidacy to clear any hurdles to appear on the ballot in all 50 states. Not since ruling in the landmark case Bush v. Gore, which handed the disputed 2000 U.S. election to Republican George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore, has the court played such a central role in a presidential race. The justices in the immunity case in December declined the prosecutor's bid to speed up resolution of the matter before a lower court had weighed in, then last week agreed to take up the matter after lower courts had ruled setting arguments to take place in late April, a much longer timeline than the ballot issue. Ethan Strimling, one of three former lawmakers behind the disqualification bid in Maine, said Monday's ruling effectively ended the effort to remove Trump from that state's ballot. Capitol attack In a bid to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's 2020 election victory, Trump supporters attacked police, broke through barricades and swarmed the Capitol. Trump gave an incendiary speech to supporters beforehand, repeating his false claims of widespread voting fraud and telling them to go to the Capitol and "fight like hell." He then for hours rebuffed requests that he urge the mob to stop. The 14th Amendment was ratified in the aftermath of the Civil War of 1861-1865 in which seceding Southern states that allowed the practice of slavery rebelled against the U.S. government. In ruling against Trump, Colorado's top court cited the "general atmosphere of political violence that President Trump created" and that he aided "the insurrectionists' common unlawful purpose of preventing the peaceful transfer of power in this country." During Feb. 8 Supreme Court arguments, Trump's lawyer said he is not subject to the disqualification language because a president is not an "officer of the United States," that the provision cannot be enforced by courts absent congressional legislation, and that what occurred on Jan. 6 was shameful, criminal and violent but not an insurrection. (Reuters) A 15-year-old student allegedly stabbed five people, including three classmates, at a school in Brazil where he was bullied, his lawyer revealed. The boy, whose name was not released, also wounded a teacher and an adult monitor at the Sao Jose Educational Center just as classes were about to start Monday morning. One of the students who was stabbed is two months pregnant. The student, who had never been arrested, is facing assault and attempted murder charges, the Federal District Civil Police said. The teenager's lawyer, Marcos Akaoni, said the boy confessed to law enforcement investigators that he had been bullied for almost a year. 'Bullying, in this case, would affect the young person in different ways, from physical appearance to psychological issues, swearing,' Akaoni said, as quote by Brazilian newspaper Metropoles. Maria Rodrigues, a school monitor, shows the area where she was stabbed by a 15-year-old student at a school in Brazil on Monday. The attacker, who told police he had been bullied by his peers, also stabbed three classmates, including one who is two months pregnant, and a teacher Students at the Sao Jose Educational Center huddle around in front of the school in Federal District, Brazil on Monday morning moments after they were evacuated following the stabbing of three classmates - including one who is pregnant - and two adults Akaoni revealed that aside from his client, other students were also bullied by their peers at the Sao Jose Educational Center. 'We want support from the Federal District Government to pay attention to students. Punishment is just not enough,' he said. 'For what he did here today, he will receive just retribution. But authorities need to be aware that our children are sick,' said Akaoni, who added that the victims did not bully the teenager. 'Above all, it is a public policy that the government needs to take care of.' School monitor, Maria Rodrigues, 57, told Brazilian newspaper Metropoles that the attacker had gone to the bathroom and returned with two knives before someone shouted 'run.' She said the teen knocked down and stabbed a student before he walked inside the classroom and stabbed her on the shoulder. He then proceeded to attack two other students and a teacher. 'I felt the pain and as I have limited mobility, it took me a while to get up,' Rodrigues recalled. 'He struck me and went on to [stab) a student. At that moment, a student fell, and he managed to stab her in the back, from behind. Then, he went to the next (student).' Rodrigues, who works with special needs students, fled the room to seek help before the teacher, who was stabbed on his hand, managed to restrain the attacker. The victims were treated by paramedics on the scene. Classes were suspended for the remainder of the day. Maria Rodrigues said the student was holding two knives when he entered her classroom and first stabbed her before he wounded two students and a teacher Rodrigues called on the Department of Education to install metal detectors at all school. 'I hope we have peace. I wanted everyone to be well, to be happy, for our students not to be traumatized, because I know this will be a trauma for everyone,' Rodrigues said. 'The feeling I have is that every time I enter a school, I will be attacked, at least at this moment,' she added. 'But I don't know how it will be, I just have time to say.' Federal District Governor said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the government was 'We will take necessary steps to ensure that schools are safe and healthy environments for all students and teachers,' he wrote. 'We will work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure future incidents are prevented.' The school remained closed as of Tuesday. President Joe Biden on Tuesday chastized reporters for not reporting on polls he's winning but only looking at the New York Times' numbers, which has Donald Trump leading by four points. 'The last five polls you guys didn't report Im winning. Five. Five in a row. You guys only look at the New York Times,' Biden told reporters as he made his way back to the White House from Camp David. But it's unclear what five polls the president was referring to. Both RealClearPolitics' polling average and Five Thirty-Eight's polling average show Trump leading Biden in the majority of the recent national polls on the 2024 presidential race. However a combination of polls in indivual states, mixed in with national polls, paints a better picture for the president. Biden's defense comes after a new New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday has Trump leading Biden 48% to 44%. A recent poll from CBS News had Trump leading Biden 52% to 48%. Biden did lead in a Morning Consult poll but by one point: 44% to 43%. Trump has not wrapped up the Republican presidential election but it is increasingly apparent he will be Biden's opponent in November. The former president is expected to sweep the GOP primary contests being held on Super Tuesday, giving him a huge advantage in delegates. The New York Times/Siena poll this weekend had other bad news for Biden. The number of those who strongly disapprove of Biden's handling of the presidency has reached 47 percent, which is the highest it has ever been in any poll the news outlet has conducted. Twice as many voter believe his policies have hurt them personally compared to those who think they have helped them. Around 45 percent of registered voters said they would vote for Trump while just 43 percent would cast their ballot for the current president, according to a new poll by The New York Times and Siena College President Joe Biden speaks to reporters on his way back from Camp David, where he was working on his State of the Union address, to the White House Biden has minimal opposition in the Democratic primary but the poll, conducted in February, has revealed there is division amongst Democrats about him leading the party again. There is a split between those who think he should not be the 2024 nominee and those who do with many younger voters wanting a new generation of leadership. The majority in the poll also revealed they think the economy is in poor condition under Biden. The competition is heading up between Biden and Trump as each man gets closer to being his party's official nominee. Neither Trump nor Biden will be able to formally clinch their partys nominations on Super Tuesday. The earliest either can become his partys presumptive nominee is March 12 for Trump and March 19 for Biden. But the race has gotten started. In fact, Biden plans to taunt Trump every day in an attempt to rattle his rival for the 2024 race. The aggressive new campaign strategy is part of Biden's plan to go for Trump's jugular in the belief that goading the former president will result in him going 'haywire in public,' Axios reported. President Joe Biden admonished reporters for their questions on his poll numbers Donald Trump is coming close to wrapping up the Republican presidential nomination Biden has ratcheted up the tough talk against Trump in the past few months, calling him a 'loser,' comparing him to President Herbert Hoover, and mocking his memory. And Jill Biden attacked Trump repeatedly on her 'Women for Biden tour,' where she ripped into him for 'mocking women's bodies.' The attacks could have an side benefit in addition to the hope of rattling Trump's cage: they could make Biden, 81, seem younger and feistier as he faces questions from voters about his age. Biden has made his feelings clear about Trump in private. He refers to the former president as a 'sick f***' in conversations behind closed doors with his close aides and longtime friends, according to reports. And his aggressive new strategy has already been slowly seeping into the public. In the past two months, as Trump has come closer to sewing up the Republican presidential nomination, Biden has gotten more vocal in his criticism of the former president. While Biden has long called Trump a 'threat to democracy' - citing the former president's actions during the January 6th insurrection - last month he indicated he's considered punching his Republican rival and noted he has to 'hold his Irish temper' around him. The fighting words came as Biden talked about Trump's reported comments that fallen American soldiers were 'suckers' and 'losers,' growing angry as he brought up his late son Beau, who served in the Delaware National Guard in Iraq, before he died in 2015. 'I have to hold my Irish temper. I'm glad I wasn't with him. I'm not sure what I would've done. He said they're all suckers and losers,' Biden said of Trump during an event in Nevada. Trump is known to have a fiery temper of his own and can quickly pivot to focusing on his own issues instead of riling up his supporters. At times, during campaign events, he'll slip into a rant about the various legal cases against him. The first glimpse of this new strategy could come on Thursday night, when Biden gives his annual State of the Union speech to the nation. In his remarks, Biden will attack Trump and the 'MAGA Republicans,' all while asking voters whose side they want to be on. The prime time address will give Biden a massive platform before the country, just two days after Trump will speak at Mar-a-Lago following the GOP nominating contests on Tuesday. Politicians spend their lives trying to tiptoe around elephants in the room that the rest of us can see all too clearly. The publication yesterday of a paper on the rise of long-term sickness in Scotland was one such moment. Far too many people have absented themselves from the workplace and are instead claiming disability benefits. However, our political class seems determined to ignore the reasons why. Today, in his Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to address the issue directly. Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, which was one of the organisations behind yesterdays report I only hope our politicians in Scotland summon up the courage to be equally upfront before it bankrupts the country entirely. Yesterdays report, published by CBI Scotland and the Fraser of Allander Institute, set out the scale of the crisis we are facing. Post-Covid, the number in Scotland registered as economically inactive due to long-term sickness has shot up to more than 240,000. This is double the number on the unemployment register. Its also higher here proportionately than elsewhere in the UK. It amounts to a vast waste of human potential and a huge drag on our growth prospects. Commenting on the findings, Fraser of Allander Institute director Mairi Spowage cited many reasons for the surge, such as lengthening waiting lists and long Covid. But on other factors, the paper was less forthcoming. Dig into the numbers and you soon see why figures are on the rise. The most common reason for long-term sickness is a mental health condition. In Scotland, 124,000 people say it is their main health concern. Its a marked increase on a few years ago. So heres elephant number one: we need to ask why mental health conditions have risen so suddenly. Doubtless, the stress caused by our straitened times will be one factor. The welcome shift in attitudes from the days when people with clinical depression were forced just to soldier on will be another. But a steely eyed examination of this issue requires us to ask whether that cultural shift has gone too far. Are we medicalising conditions that need not be? Are GPs signing off fit and healthy people because they havent got time to say no? Havent we, post-Covid, become too used to the idea that we can stay off work and the state will pay, giving our mental health as a reason? Have some cottoned on to the fact that citing mental health is the best way to get a regular benefit cheque? Asking these questions, of course, is to invite accusations of heartlessness and cruelty. But you dont have to be an old fuddy-duddy complaining about the slacker generation to think that a cultural correction is required here. As a medical friend in occupational health has said, all of us have a mental health condition. Were on a sliding scale. The problem (as he puts it) is that we have a culture that encourages those in the middle of that scale to stay off work when, formerly, they wouldnt have thought twice about carrying on. The NHS is one institution thats enabled this culture. Our benefits system is another and its another elephant that needs to be tackled. The lack of public scrutiny on the system is, frankly, astonishing. In Scotland, support for the long-term sick is through Social Security Scotlands Adult Disability Payment (ADP). It provides up to 170 a week to those in need. It is, of course, a vital safety net for people with disabilities who require help to live independent lives. But with thousands of new claimants taking advantage, often for mental health reasons, its becoming unsustainable partly because of the way its been set up by our compassionate and human rights friendly Scottish Government. As the Fraser of Allander Institute recently noted, the system is friendlier than the UK system it replaced. For example, it has instituted light touch reviews, meaning people who receive the benefit will likely be able to keep claiming it for longer, or perhaps for ever. That may be a good way for the SNP to show how much nicer it is than the Tory Government in London but, according to the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission, the Scottish Government will need to find an extra half-a-billion pounds by 2028, over and above the sums it gets from the UK, to fund this friendlier regime. Due in large part to ADP, social security spending in Scotland is due to rise from 5billion this year to a mammoth 8billion by 2028. And all at a time when the overall budget is likely to stay flat. You will be hard pressed to find a politician in Scotland asking questions about this. None of them want to be seen to be attacking money going to the needy. But this is an elephant that cant be avoided. How much of this increase in benefit spending is due to people citing poor mental health? Should the Government not be supporting more of them back into work rather than encouraging them to remain on benefits? If not, how exactly are we going to pay for this vast rise in costs? I can answer the last one. We cant. Even the SNP and the Greens will quail at increasing taxes at the scale required to meet the cost of our benefits timebomb. This particular elephant is therefore going to knock our politicians off their feet in a few years time whether they have the courage to acknowledge it now or not. I raised half a cheer two weeks ago when economy minister Mairi McAllan acknowledged the problem, telling business leaders in Aberdeen: Our shared conundrum is that whilst you and others are struggling to find people to do the work, too many people in Scotland, around 240,000, are currently economically inactive due to ill-health. The question facing Ms McAllan, her SNP colleagues, and indeed the entire political class in Scotland is whether theyre prepared to act on their analysis. Ministers need to reform an NHS system that currently medicalises too many otherwise fit and well people. They need to tighten rules in the new Scottish benefits regime so people cant pass one test and promptly stay on the sick for ever. They need to invest more in non-medical support workers to help people who have fallen out of work, are going through a bad time and who need advice on how to get their lives back on the rails. Without reforms of this nature, other public services face demolition. The elephants in the room require confronting before they run all of us over. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday he will dispatch 140 state troopers to assist with the spring break crowds expected imminently. During a press conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the former Republican presidential candidate said about 45 troopers will be sent to Miami Beach specifically. The governor said state officials had reached out to communities across the Sunshine State asking what they anticipate needing by way of reinforcement ahead of the spring break chaos that arrives in the month of March. Other troopers will be sent to popular SB destinations including Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, and Panama City Beach. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at a press conference in Miami on Tuesday to discuss measures that will be in place this year to prevent spring break chaos from overtaking popular party cities like Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Daytona Spring break begins in southern Florida this weekend as thousands and thousands of mostly college-aged students descend on the beaches and bars of the Sunshine State DeSantis said that he and his state level employees are 'ready to help our local communities maintain order,' he added that he is willing to send additional backup, if necessary. 'We don't welcome mayhem,' he said. 'The state has a lot going on, its a fun place to be at and we want to see people do that, but we also are going to insist that people respect the law. 'Florida may be popular for spring break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.' In the weeks ahead of spring break, DeSantis has repeatedly said he is prepared to send help to Miami Beach and other cities that will receive hoards of out-of-control college students. The governor spoke with Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner about his city's needs ahead of the chaotic season. Meiner, on Tuesday, said, 'This is a pivotal moment for our city. They (the state government) came through, and they gave us even more.' In a widely circulated video produced by Miami Beach officials, actors discuss the city's intention to 'break up with spring break.' 'It's not us, it's you,' says one actor to camera. 'This March you can expect things like curfews, bag checks, and restricted beach access,' says another. A third continues the message, saying, 'DUI checkpoints, $100 parking, and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence' are all part of the plan. Last year, the former Miami Beach Mayor said he wanted to cancel spring break after fatal chaos broke out on more than one occasion. A midnight curfew went into place following two deadly shootings. City Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, who was sworn in in late November, spoke alongside Governor DeSantis ahead of his first spring break as the city's chief executive DeSantis was also joined at the press conference by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner, Mark Glass, (left) and Dave Kerner, Florida's executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (right). The pair outlined their plans to keep spring breakers in check Crowds walk up and down Ocean Drive during spring break on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Miami Beach. Miami Beach officials imposed a curfew beginning Sunday night, March 19, after two fatal shootings Spring Break begins in Miami Beach on Monday March 13, 2023. The beaches were packed as chaos erupted across the city Spring break 2023 also saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felony offenses, and more than 100 firearms were seized. Hoping to communicate an effective message, this year, officials have imposed an aggressive set of rules for this weekend and the one after. An announcement has not yet been made about a curfew, but some public parking will be closed, and license plate readers will be placed on the causeways entering the city. DeSantis called the preparation measures from the city and state 'really unprecedented.' He said he didn't want to wait until a state of emergency was declared. The founder and CEO of a Las Vegas internet service provider has been convicted of laundering drug money for a Mexican cartel and carrying out a brazen credit card fraud scheme. Martin Mizrahi, 53, was found guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft charges following a 12-day trial in Manhattan federal court, prosecutors announced on Monday. Mizrahi, a wealthy entrepreneur who flaunted his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, was initially arrested in 2022 and charged in the wide-ranging criminal conspiracy alongside three other men. Prosecutors say he used Bitcoin to launder up to $4 million, including $3 million stolen from a New York non-profit, as well as drug money on behalf of members of an unnamed Mexican cartel. He was also convicted of participating in a credit card fraud scheme, in which he ran nearly $8 million in fraudulent credit card charges through his company, backed by phony invoices sent to banks and credit card companies to justify the charges. LV.net founder Martin Mizrahi, 53, was found guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft charges during his federal trial in Manhattan Mizrahi, a wealthy entrepreneur who flaunted his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, was initially arrested in 2022 Mizrahi is the founder of Las Vegas internet provider firm LV.net, which he launched in 1994 in the early days of the internet. A attorney for Mizrahi did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com on Tuesday afternoon. However, he had previously insisted he was innocent of any wrongdoing, telling KLAS-TV that he was not involved in any illegal scheme. 'I can unequivocally state that I did not commit any of the acts of fraud alleged in the indictment,' Mizrahi said in January. 'The funds transmitted to me were simply payment in consideration for Bitcoin. At the time, I fully believed the funds that were wired to me were from a legitimate source and I had no reason to believe otherwise,' he added. 'Later, I learned that the origin of the funds was compromised and potentially the product of criminal activity,' Mizrahi claimed. But a trial, a jury found that prosecutors proved key charges against Mizrahi beyond a reasonable doubt. 'The jury's unanimous verdict sends a resounding message that individuals who steal and introduce illicit funds into the US financial system will be held accountable,' said US Attorney Damian Williams in a statement. 'Martin Mizrahi brazenly used his company as a front to launder millions of dollars in drug and fraud proceeds and to deceive credit card companies into processing additional millions of dollars in sham charges,' added Williams. Mizrahi is pictured with his parents in Las Vegas. He had previously insisted he was innocent of any wrongdoing in the case Prosecutors say Mizrahi used Bitcoin to launder $3 million stolen from a New York non-profit, as well as drug money on behalf of members of an unnamed Mexican cartel Prosecutors say that from February to June of 2021, Mizrahi participated in multiple schemes to defraud banks and credit card companies, and to launder cartel drug money in addition to the proceeds of the fraud. One scheme involved brazen theft from companies using a fraudulent email scheme, according to the indictment. The scam involved sending emails that appeared to be from a legitimate sender within an organization, requesting payments be re-directed to accounts controlled by the conspirators. One victim of that scheme was a New York City-based non-profit organization that had more than $3 million dollars stolen from it by hackers, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors say those funds were laundered by Mizrahi alongside cartel cash, by converting the funds to Bitcoin and sending them to anonymous cryptocurrency wallets provided to him by co-conspirators. In addition, Mizrahi was convicted of running nearly $8 million in fraudulent credit card charges through his company. Those charges were run on multiple credit cards issued in the names of third parties, some of which had been stolen, and without any legitimate work being done or services being provided, prosecutors say. Mizrahi was convicted on charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and identity theft. He faces up to 127 years in prison at sentencing. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been subpoenaed by Republicans in Congress to testify about his controversial nursing home policies during the height of the deadly covid pandemic. According to a copy of the subpoena and an accompanying letter obtained by DailyMail.com, the subcommittee is seeking additional information about Cuomo's order mandating nursing homes admit patients positive with COVID-19. 'Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo implemented nursing home policies that had deadly consequences for New Yorks most vulnerable population,' Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Not only did the former Governor put the elderly in harms way, but he also attempted to cover-up his failures by hiding the true nursing home death rate.' Wenstrup, who leads the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, announced the subpoena Tuesday. He is requesting Cuomo appear for a deposition on May 24. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo downplayed the number of nursing home residents who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state's Attorney General said in a 2021 report COVID-19 wrecked havoc in New York nursing homes, leading to over 12,000 dead 'It appears that politics, not medicine, was responsible for these decisions.' The subcommittee decided to subpoena the former governor because he has 'repeatedly refused the Select Subcommittees attempts to schedule a transcribed interview in a reasonable timeframe,' Wenstrup's letter said. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, called the Republican's demands 'a press charade.' 'New York followed the guidance put forth by the Trump administration in March of 2020 as did other Democratic and Republican states,' he told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'Congress is officially a circus and they are nothing but clowns,' he added. On March 25, 2020, Cuomo - then governor - issued an order that no 'resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the [nursing home] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.' That order required healthcare professionals to admit patients with COVID-19 to nursing homes that also housed healthy residents who were not infected. Later, on May 10, 2020, the Cuomo administration rescinded the policy. In July of that year, the New York Department of Health reported that 6,432 individuals died of COVID-19 in nursing homes. A 2021 report by New York Attorney General Letitia James, however, discovered that many more had died, and that Cuomo's administration was responsible. 'In addition to the March 25 Order itself, there is also troubling evidence suggesting the Cuomo Administration at best downplayed its impacts and at worst covered them up,' Wenstrup wrote to Cuomo. Rep. Brad Wrenstrup, R-Ohio, said in his letter to Cuomo that 'it is now clear' that he is trying to 'delay or undermine' the committee's investigation Cuomo has previously said his nursing home orders were in line with guidance from the CDC 'Accordingly, your testimony is vital to our investigation into the effectiveness of federal guidance and regulations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the protection of nursing home residents.' The Ohio Republican also included a detailed timeline of the committee's many attempts to schedule an interview with Cuomo. It shows how the two parties have been going back and forth trying to pin down an interview date since December. Cuomo and his attorneys have 'only worked to delay' the investigation, Wenstrup wrote, adding that such obstructions are 'unacceptable.' According to the letter, the committee wanted Cuomo to sit for an interview in February. Cuomo and his attorneys, meanwhile, have pushed for an interview date in August. Serial rapist Iain Packer is set to appeal against his conviction and sentence for the murder of Emma Caldwell, the Mail can reveal. Packer was jailed last week for 36 years for the murder of the 27-year-old in 2005 and a catalogue of other sexual offences including 11 rapes. Yesterday it emerged that Humza Yousaf is very open to the call from Ms Caldwells family for a statutory inquiry into the probe which initially targeted innocent men, allowing Packer to remain at large. The Mail can reveal that Packer will appeal against his conviction and sentence but it is understood that this should not lead to a delay in announcing a public inquiry. Ms Caldwells mother, Margaret, and family members met Mr Yousaf and Justice Secretary Angela Constance at the First Ministers official residence, Bute House, in Edinburgh. Margaret Caldwell listens to First Minister Humza Yousaf at a meeting in Edinburgh to discuss a statutory inquiry Emma Caldwell who was murdered in 2005 Following the meeting, Ms Constance said she and the First Minister were very open to the call for the public inquiry and a quick decision would be made. In a statement, the Caldwell familys lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said: Margaret Caldwell wishes to thank the First Minister and Justice Secretary for meeting her today. They treated her with total compassion and empathy and she hopes they will deliver on the many promises they made. The First Minister promised that he will give primary consideration to the familys demands for a statutory public inquiry, and the Justice Secretary promised to update parliament within days on their decision. Police Scotland have apologised to the family of Ms Caldwell and Packers other victims, admitting they were let down by policing in 2005. Packer, 51, was jailed for 36 years for murder and 32 charges relating to sexual violence against 22 women, including Ms Caldwell and his former partner. He murdered sex worker Ms Caldwell in 2005 after driving her 40 miles from Glasgow to Limefield Woods near Biggar, Lanarkshire, where he strangled her and dumped her body. The serial rapist had been interviewed six times by police investigating the murder and even led officers to the remote spot where her body had been found. Killer and serial rapist Iain Packer But he was not brought to justice until nearly 19 years after her death. Instead, police pursued a 4million botched prosecution of four innocent Turkish men. Yesterday Mr Anwar said: We welcome the public statements of Humza Yousaf on tackling misogyny and violence against women, and we hope he will now commit to a robust and independent public inquiry on the catastrophic failures in the Emma Caldwell case. Last night, a Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service spokesman told the Mail an intimation of intention to appeal against conviction and sentence has been lodged on behalf of Iain Packer. Mrs Caldwell will meet Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell today and Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain tomorrow. The Crown Office said in order to respect the meeting with the Lord Advocate, it would not be appropriate to comment publicly on matters which should be discussed first with Emmas family. The high-rolling mayor of a poor Chicago suburb has blocked an invitation for law enforcers to examine where millions of dollars have disappeared to. Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard earns $300,000 for her public duties but has spent thousands more on first class trips, a professional hair and makeup team and a security detail. She has been accused of unlawfully signing off contracts as dozens of unpaid suppliers threaten to take the town to court. And she faced furious calls to resign on Monday as she batted away demands to open up the books while vetoing a bid by the town trustees to call the FBI. 'I always stay the course, and I will be victorious when all the dust clears,' she told them. Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard vetoed a bid to refer her to the FBI on Monday, telling trustees their attempt was 'unconstitutional and in complete disregard of the law' But she faced angry calls to resign from the public as concern grows over the missing millions Henyard posted a video of herself with President Joe Biden at the White House in January after coming under fire for her high salary and questionable spending The town board voted through a motion to ask agencies including the FBI, the US attorney, the Cook County sheriff and Cook County state's attorney to investigate Henyard, last month. Henyard vetoed the invitation last night, but FBI agents are already talking to dozens of people in the town of 20,000 about the unpaid bills. Henyard has admitted a $2 million deficit, blaming the trustees for incompetence, but some fear the true figure could be as high as $5 million. WGNTV reported that the town owes more than $427,000 to a company that repaved its streets, and another $400,000 to a tree-trimming company that worked for it last year. 'You lied to us as residents. You do not, you do not stand for me. And I want you to step down as mayor today and save our village from this deficit you have caused,' Dolton resident Vivian Allen told her on Monday. 'The mayor can blame everybody for what's going on, but she has to look at herself,' added former trustee Edward Steave. Henyard, 40, had her charity 'Tiffany Henyard Cares' shut down last month by the Illinois Attorney General amid claims it used taxpayer money and the services of public employees. In one photo posted to Instagram, Henyard even appeared to pose with a dog laden with jewelry The FBI is now investigating spending on limos, first class flights and a professional hair and makeup team Residents claim she adopts the persona of movie gangster Nino Brown from the 1991 film 'New Jack City' during official meetings, dressing in an ensemble designed to instill fear Tiffany Henyard, 40, is accused of of shutting down businesses that refused to donate to her campaign, just weeks after being slammed for using city money to fund her glamorous looks Tiffany Heynard, the first female and youngest mayor of Dolton, Illinois, is under fire for hiring her former campaign worker Lavelle Redmond (pictured together, left) as a code enforcement officer. The 46-year-old is a registered child sex offender Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard has launched a YouTube channel where she plans on 'spilling the tea,' as she faces an FBI probe for her high salary and misuse of funds She and other officials spent more than $67,000 of public money on trips to Portland, Austin, Atlanta and New York City, traveling first-class on some of the flights, and spending $13,000 on a stay in New York. 'It's unfortunate that politics are being played. What's happened is a million dollars out of my budget have been cut because of politics,' Dolton Police Chief Lewis Lacey said. The first female mayor in the town's 128-year history was at the White House meeting President Joe Biden in January, but she has been accused of shutting down businesses that refuse to donate to her campaign. One resident, Lawrence Gardner, claimed that Henyard forced the closure of his trucking business after he refused to renew a $3,500 contribution to her political fund. 'I made the payment,' he said. 'Then every year she started coming and required the same thing, and we had a problem about that.' 'What is she, Nino Brown?' he said. 'Anything she wants done, she gets them to harass you. She likes nobody.' She was slammed for hiring her former campaign worker as the town's code enforcement officer despite the fact he is a convicted child rapist. She also raised eyebrows after spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on security details, including one occasion where she pulled cops off the street to perform a protection outfit. A successful recall vote was overturned on a technicality last year prompting her to dance on a podium at the subsequent board meeting to the strains of Rihanna's 'B***h Better Have My Money'. 'I am and forever will be Dolton's Mayor,' she posted on Instagram. But she has never been charged with an offense and is defiant against critics she claims 'should be ashamed of themselves'. 'You all forget I'm the leader,' she told a meeting last month. 'They want to hear from the mayor. You all ain't learned that yet. 'The mayor, not the trustees that don't do nothing. They only run their mouth. You all don't do no work, no work!' She slammed her colleagues' attempt to call in law enforcement as 'unconstitutional and in complete disregard of the law', after it was carried at a different venue. After a recall bid failed, Henyard posted this defiant image on Instagram declaring she 'forever will be Dolton's mayor' 'I continue to be shocked by what the trustees simply do not know about municipal government,' she added. But trustees have already launched a lawsuit against her and have vowed to override her veto at their meeting next month. 'When I say we are here to save Dolton, I mean that,' said trustee Brittney Norwood. 'We cannot survive like this, we have vendors calling us every day for nonpayment.' New York police are investigating whether a 'love triangle' is at the center of the gruesome discovery of numerous body parts in a Long Island park. Several arrests were made Tuesday, days after the find, following a search on a home in Amityville, around a 15-minute drive from where the body parts were discovered. Children stumbled onto the limbs on their way to school, and found a total of six body parts including a head, legs and an arm belonging to one woman, and two tattoed arms belonging to a man. Sources told NBC New York that a love triangle is being investigated in connection to the body parts, although details of this connection remain unclear. State police told the outlet they were also investigating a separate address in Bethpage State Park, around 15 miles from the park where the body parts were found, in connection with the case. Several arrests were made Tuesday, days after the find, following a search on a home in Amityville, around a 15-minute drive from where the body parts were discovered State police told the outlet they were also investigating a separate address in Bethpage State Park, around 15 miles from the park where the body parts were found, in connection with the case Cops raided this house in Long Island on Tuesday The body parts were found in different locations in Southards Pond Park in Babylon, not far from where the Gilgo Beach murders took place between 1996 and 2011. The original gruesome discovery was found by a group of children on Thursday on their way to school. Multiple arrests were made Tuesday after investigators served a warrant in a home in nearby Amityville, reports Newsday. The head, legs and one arm belong to a woman, while the other two arms belong to man while officers have also located another piece of the woman's leg. Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer of the Suffolk police refused to comment on whether or not authorities believe that the feared MS-13 prison gang, known for dismembering their victims, could behind the discovery. MS-13 members plagued Long Island for years but have gone quiet in the region since 2017. Beyrer did say that it's thought the body parts had not been exposed to the elements for very long before being found. The man's arms had tattoos, the woman's did not. Officials are hoping to use the body art to determine his identity. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine described the incident as 'isolated' during a press conference on Monday, reports News12 Long Island. 'We are going to keep you safe and this didn't really happen at that park I believe this was an isolated incident where people chose a park to put the bodies, not where it occurred and I think anyone that is looking at that will tell you that, so it did not occur in the park,' Romaine said. He added that he felt 'very good' about how the investigation was progressing. It's not clear if other agencies are involved in the search. One resident, who returned to the park on Saturday morning, Tom Stroppel, told Newsday that he didn't suspect a local was to blame. 'It's a beautiful place, beautiful neighborhood. Somebody must have came from another town and dumped over here.' Stroppel explained that he was there on Thursday around the time that the discovery was made. 'It felt weird. When I walked in, there was nobody here, except the people I see every day. And then on the way out, I see cop cars. I said: 'Holy cow!.' Beyrer told the media on Friday that one of the teens, a high school student, alerted her father just before 9am, who went to the park, confirmed it was an arm and then called the police. A subsequent search of the area saw a police dog recover a human leg around a mile way in the same park at 1:30pm, close to an elementary school. A right arm was then found after night fall around 20 feet into a wooded area. 'There's a mound of leaves. We don't know what's going to be under the mound. Once we clear the mound we may find the remainder of the body or we may not,' Beyrer said. Officials at nearby schools held students inside as the investigation unfolded. 'It is a little disturbing because the school is right here so I was kind of worried,' local parent Salma Lakhaney told ABC New York. Another local told the station that she no longer walks her dog in the park in question. 'There's definitely a bad vibe right here. Like the last two weeks for sure. I stopped walking here by myself because there's just weirdos,' she said. 'That it is terrible and very scary to hear something like that happen so close to home,' Babylon local Josephine Roche told Newsday. 'I think we are safe. There is a good police presence and I think that it wasn't necessarily related to this area. I told my kids, 'Lock the doors, always, in any area.' The area is also close to where accused killer Rex Heuermann prowled for victims over a 15 years period. The area is also close to where accused killer Rex Heuermann, shown here in February, prowled for victims over a 15 years period Earlier this month, Heuermann was formally charged in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, months after having been labeled the prime suspect in her death when he was arrested in July with the deaths of three other women. In addition, gang violence had been a problem in some Long Island communities for more than a decade, but local police and the FBI began pouring resources into a crackdown sparked by the killings of high school students Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16, in 2016. The most active violent gang has been the feared MS-13. The murders in Brentwood, about 30 miles east of New York City, shook parents and local officials and cast a spotlight on the deepening problem of gang violence in the suburbs. Police also began discovering the bodies of other young people mostly Hispanic who had vanished months earlier, but whose disappearances had initially gone unmarked by civic leaders and the news media. Some parents of the missing complained that police hadn't done enough to search for their missing children earlier. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-6392 or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-220-Tips. An American airline pilot was caught with alcohol in his system before he was due to fly a Boeing 767 from Edinburgh to New York, a court heard yesterday. Lawrence Russell Jr, 63, was remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to reporting for duty at Edinburgh Airport while impaired through drink or drugs. The Delta Airlines captain was found to have two bottles of Jagermeister in his bag one of them 'half full' when it was searched by security staff in June last year. Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told police were contacted and Russell Jr was arrested following a failed breath test at 9.30am. He was hauled into a local police station where his blood alcohol content was found to be more than twice the legal limit, the court heard. Prosecutor Matthew Millar told the court the pilot was due to captain a Boeing 767 flight to JFK Airport in New York when his luggage was selected for a security inspection at around 8am on June 16. Lawrence Russell Jr, 63, was remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to reporting for duty at Edinburgh Airport while impaired through drink or drugs Prosecutor Matthew Millar told the court the pilot was due to captain a Boeing 767 flight New York when his luggage was inspected (stock image) Mr Millar said the airport security staff 'noted Mr Russell was wearing a pilot uniform, a lanyard around his neck and a Delta Airline crew pass'. The pilot, from Georgia in the US, was 'identified as the owner of the bag' and when the luggage was searched the bottles of Jagermeister were found. The court was told one of the bottles of alcohol found in the bag had been opened and was 'half full'. Mr Millar said: 'Given that Mr Russell was wearing a pilot uniform the police were contacted. 'Mr Russell identified himself to the constables and said he was the captain of the aircraft.' The pilot provided police with a sample of breath at around 9.30am and he was subsequently arrested and taken to Livingston police station where he provided a sample of blood. The court heard that the alcohol level in the airline pilot's blood sample was 'not less than 49mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood'. The legal limit is 20mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The fiscal depute told the court that when Russell Jr was cautioned and charged he told officers: 'I'm terrified.' Lawyer Pamela Rogers, defending, provided the court with a medical report of the treatment Russell Jr has been receiving for his alcoholism and said he was 'under no illusion' about the seriousness of the offence. Russell was due to captain a flight from Edinburgh Airport (pictured) to JFK Airport in New York when his luggage was selected for a security inspection at around 8am on June 16, the court heard Sheriff Alison Stirling remanded Russell Jr in custody and deferred sentence for the preparation of reports to later this month. Russell Jr pleaded guilty to performing an aviation function at a time when his ability to perform the function was impaired because of drink or drugs and he reported for duty as a pilot and captain of a Boeing 767 where the proportion of alcohol was not less than 49mg in 100ml of blood at Edinburgh Airport on June 16 last year. Following the pilot's arrest, the flight from Edinburgh to New York was cancelled and Delta Airlines confirmed that the passengers were helped with their travel plans. Delta Airlines has been contacted for comment. France on Monday enshrined the right to abortion in its constitution, a world first welcomed by women's rights groups as historic and harshly criticized by anti-abortion groups. MPs and senators overwhelmingly backed the move, by 780 votes against 72, in a special joint vote of the two houses of parliament, under the gilded ceilings of Versailles Palace, just outside Paris. Abortion rights activists gathered in central Paris cheered and applauded as the Eiffel Tower scintillated in the background and displayed the message "MyBodyMyChoice" as the result of the vote was announced on a giant screen. Abortion rights are more widely accepted in France than in the United States and many other countries, with polls showing around 80 percent of French people back the fact that abortion is legal. "We're sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you," Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told lawmakers ahead of the vote. Women have had a legal right to abortion in France since a 1974 law which many harshly criticized at the time. But the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to reverse the Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion prompted activists to push France to become the first country to explicitly protect the right in its basic law. "This right (to abortion) has retreated in the United States. And so nothing authorized us to think that France was exempt from this risk," said Laura Slimani, from the Fondation des Femmes rights group. "There's a lot of emotion, as a feminist activist, also as a woman," Slimani said. Monday's vote enshrined in Article 34 of the French constitution that "the law determines the conditions in which a woman has the guaranteed freedom to have recourse to an abortion." "France is at the forefront," said the head of the lower house of parliament, Yael Braun-Pivet, from French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party. Abortion rights But the move was not exempt from criticism. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Macron was using it to score political points, because of the large support for the right to abortion in the country. "We will vote to include it in the Constitution because we have no problem with that," Le Pen told reporters ahead of the Versailles vote, while adding that it was an exaggeration to call it a historic step because, she said, "no one is putting the right to abortion at risk in France." Pascale Moriniere, the president of the Association of Catholic Families, called the move a defeat for anti-abortion campaigners. "It's (also) a defeat for women," she said, "and, of course, for all the children who cannot see the day." Moriniere said there was no need to add the right to abortion to the constitution. "We imported a debate that is not French, since the United States was first to remove that from law with the repeal of Roe v. Wade," she said. "There was an effect of panic from feminist movements, which wished to engrave this on the marble of the constitution." (Reuters) Trains will travel at speeds up to 220 mph and are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy The Biden Administration allotted California with $3billion for the train projects, one will run from LA to Vegas and the other from LA to San Francisco California has offered a first glance at the stations for the state's brand new bullet-trains California has offered a first look at the towering stations for the incredible bullet trains that will soon soar across the West Coast at speeds of 220 miles per hour. Biden has vowed to fulfil his election promise of building a 'world-class, high-speed rail' by splurging $8.2 billion in federal funding on 10 passenger rail projects across the U.S. The Biden Administration allotted $3.1 billion to California for the state's bullet-train line projects - one of which will race through the Central Valley and the other all the way from California to Nevada. Brightline is constructing the California to Nevada bullet train, which could be operational by 2026 and will be capable of transporting passengers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in just two hours. The California Inaugural High-Speed Rail Service Project will also receive a chunk of the federal funding to bring a high-speed railway to California's Central Valley. The high-speed rail stations in the Central Valley will be huge - with wide platforms and sprawling plazas, as well as spacious parking lots While construction the high-speed line has bene ongoing since 2015, passengers won't be able to get on board officially until at least 2028 Merced's station is the project's largest, encompassing 215,000 square feet. It will be a multi-story building with stunning wood ceilings and brick walls that will be built in the city's downtown district Brightline is constructing the California to Nevada bullet train 'Brightline,' which could be operational by 2026 and will be capable of transporting passengers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in just two hours Railroads will spread for 171 miles, from Bakersfield to Merced with stops in Madera, Fresno and Kings/Tulare. Eventually, the larger train project will run between Los Angeles to San Francisco and all the cities in between in a three hour journey, far shorter than the approximately seven hour drive. The overall goal is to connect smaller towns in Central and in-land California to bigger cities in the North and the South. Lawmakers have said the 'ambitious' railroads will be useful in many ways, with San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi saying 'these bullet trains will make travel quicker and easier, bring housing closer, create new jobs and economic opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach, secure cleaner air for our children and help save our planet.' While the new trains will far-exceed any existing U.S. rail travel in terms of speed, with Amtrak leading the current contenders at a less-impressive 160 miles per hour, the 220 mph speeds will come with no environmental harm. According to the White House, the trains will be all-electric and powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. Railroads will spread for 171 miles, from Bakersfield to Merced with stops in Madera, Fresno and Kings/Tulare Platforms will have fare gates that can only be accessed by ticketed passengers, according to the High-Speed Rail Authority The Bakersfield station, which is being built downtown, is set to have pop-up stalls with food and retail vendors While construction the high-speed line has bene ongoing since 2015, passengers won't be able to get on board officially until at least 2028. To get West-Coasters excited for what's to come, California High-Speed Rail Authority have released pictures of the ultra-modern train stations that will accompany the brand new bullet-trains. The high-speed rail stations in the Central Valley will be huge - with wide platforms and sprawling plazas, as well as spacious parking lots. The inside stations are light and bright - with tall ceilings and plenty seating surrounded by greenery and floor to ceiling windows. Each station except Fresno's will require passengers to board the bullet trains from elevated platforms. The inside stations are light and bright - with tall ceilings and plenty seating surrounded by greenery and floor to ceiling windows Biden has vowed to fulfil his election promise of building a 'world-class, high-speed rail' by splurging $8.2 billion in federal funding on 10 passenger rail projects across the U.S. The Biden Administration allotted $3.1 billion to California for the state's bullet-train line projects - one of which will race through the Central Valley and the other all the way from California to Nevada While the new trains will far-exceed any existing U.S. rail travel in terms of speed, with Amtrak leading the contenders at a less-impressive 160 miles per hour, the 220 mph speeds will come with no environmental harm Eventually, the larger train project will run between Los Angeles to San Francisco and all the cities in between in a three hour journey, far shorter than the approximately seven hour drive Platforms will have fare gates that can only be accessed by ticketed passengers, according to the High-Speed Rail Authority. The Bakersfield station, which is being built downtown, is set to have pop-up stalls with food and retail vendors. Merced's station is the project's largest, encompassing 215,000 square feet. It will be a multi-story building with stunning wood ceilings and brick walls that will be built in the city's downtown district. In Fresno, passengers will get on and off at a station that sits in the city's Chinatown neighborhood and features pedestrian bridges on both sides. The Fresno station, which sits next to the city's mall, is also encircled by spacious parking lots - reflecting a need for 'park and ride' services that many commuters using the bullet trains might require. A 'vehicle of interest' has been identified in the search for missing three-year-old Elijah Vue whose mother sent him to her boyfriend 'teach him to be a man'. Vue was last seen on February 20, at a home in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where prosecutors said he was sent to stay with his mother's boyfriend for a 'boot camp' for 'disciplinary reasons' before he disappeared. The toddler was said to have been forced to take cold showers, stand for hours on end and endure a dirty diaper. He's also said to have been banned from playing with the only one of his toys at Vang's house - a tool kit - during the eight day alleged torture because he was on a 'time out' throughout. The boy's mother, Katrina Baur, 31, was formally charged Monday alongside her boyfriend Jesse Vang, 39, in connection with the disappearance. Now police have identified a car of interest in the search, a beige 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, its number plate starts with 'A' and ends with '0'. Police have identified this Nissan Altima as a 'vehicle of interest' in their search for Elijah Vue They are looking for any footage of this vehicle's movements between 2pm and 9pm on February 19 Elijah Vue, 3, was last seen on February 20 after he was allegedly sent to his mother's boyfriend's home to learn to 'be a man' Police already have the car in their possession, but are asking the public to check surveillance tapes to see if they have any footage of the vehicle's movements between 2pm and 9pm on February 19. The time frame suggests they are looking into whether something happened to the boy hours before he was officially reported missing on February 20. Authorities did not say who the car belonged to but they did say that Jesse Vang and Katrina Baur are not owners. They added: 'Our interest is not with the current owner of the vehicle, only in the camera footage captured on February 19, 2024, between the hours of 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM.' They also increased the reward for any information leading to the discovery of Elijah or arrest of the person responsible to a total of $25,000. A multi-agency manhunt is underway for the missing child. When Elijah was last seen alive, he was spotted wearing red and green dinosaur shoes - one of which has since been found in the street in the search. The discovery of the shoe prompted an escalation in the manhunt, and officials have been pictured combing through a local landfill site. Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre said Friday that Baur had sent Elijah to stay with Vang for disciplinary purposes, and was 'aware of the tactics used and the lack of care provided.' Baur told detectives that Vang 'was the enforcer of rules in the relationship', and that was the reason she sent her son to stay with him, reports WBAY. Vang's alleged harsh discipline involved forcing Elijah to stand for up to three hours at a time, while he was forced to repeat the phrase 'I'm sorry, Mommy.' The boy's mother, Katrina Baur, 31, is facing one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer Baur's boyfriend Jesse Vang, 39, (pictured) claimed he was asleep when Elijah vanished, and is facing charges of party-to-a-crime child neglect Detectives said that he didn't identify specific incidents that led him to punish the boy, but said that if the boy failed his punishments, he would ask him: 'Do you want the cold water?' Vang also reportedly claimed that he didn't know why the boy was afraid of the phrase. 'Hes fine. Its not like his knees are shaking and about to fall over you know,' he allegedly told detectives. In an interview before his arrest, Vang also allegedly said he was trying to make Elijah understand that 'going home is like a privilege for him.' After saying the boy was afraid of him, he reportedly changed that to say Elijah 'respects me.' Baur also claimed to have discussed the limits of how far he could discipline the three-year-old, but 'other than that, she is fine with whatever discipline Vang enforces.' Vang told police he was in a relationship with Baur, and she had been staying with him in recent times. He said she would help take care of Elijah with him for around a month, 'but not continuously.' However, LeBre said that Baur wasn't in Two Rivers, located about 30 miles from Green Bay, when Elijah disappeared. Baur told police she had left Elijah with Vang on Feb. 12 because she wanted him to teach her son 'to be a man,' and she had intended to pick him up on Feb. 23, the station reported, citing a criminal complaint. Vang called police on Feb. 20 and reported Elijah missing, telling police he had taken a nap that morning and brought Elijah in the bedroom with him, but when he awoke some three hours later, he was gone, the complaint states. A multi-agency manhunt has since been launched for the missing child, which has so far failed find the child seven-days after he was last seen Manitowoc Police Officer Nick Place and a K-9 dog search for the missing 3-year-old in Two Rivers, Wisconsin Vang told police he was in a relationship with Bauer and had been trying to help with her son's bad behavior, according to the complaint. Katrina is facing one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect and two misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, and is being held on a $15,000 cash bond. Vang was formally charged with one felony count of party-to-a-crime child neglect. He was being held on a $20,000 cash bond. Both Baur and Vang both appeared in court last Monday afternoon for their initial court appearances, during which their preliminary hearings were set for March 7, according to court records. Officials also claimed that Baur lied to investigators about her whereabouts at the time Elijah disappeared on 'at least two occasions.' The criminal complaint against Baur states that she denied being in Two Rivers between February 12 and February 20, and denied being in the Manitowoc County area on February 16 or 17. However, she later admitted to being in Two Rivers on February 14 and again overnight on February 16. Court records show public defenders represented both Vang and Baur during Monday's hearing, but that a public defender had not yet been appointed for Vang. Oakland's controversial progressive district attorney is a racist who made hateful remarks about Asians, a bombshell $1.5 million legal filing claims. Alameda County DA Pamela Price - who is facing a recall over soaring crime in the dying Bay Area city - regularly dubbed 'the media and the Asians' her enemies, according to plaintiff Patti Lee. Lee, who worked as Price's spokesperson for around six months last year until she fired her, said the DA 'constantly and openly' made derogatory comments about Asian Americans. Her legal claim - a precursor to a lawsuit - says that she was fired because of anti-Asian discrimination, and after she complained about breaches of duty in the office. She is seeking a $1.5 million settlement for emotional distress stemming from retaliation, discrimination, wrongful termination and failure to pay wages. Oakland's progressive DA Pamela Price (pictured) regularly dubbed 'the media and the Asians' her enemies, according to plaintiff Patti Lee Lee said Price would often make the discriminatory remarks 'under her breath', while also accusing the former spokesman of leaking information to the press. The fired spokeswoman 'would frequently hear derogatory comments about her race made by supervisory employees, including District Attorney Pamela Price herself,' the claim said. 'Indeed, Ms. Price would constantly and openly make derogatory remarks against Asian Americans.' The allegations come as Price faces a recall effort barely a year into her tenure as the county's first black woman to hold the DA post. Recall campaigners turned in more than 123,000 petition signatures to the county's Registrar of Voters. The organization has 10 days to decide whether the petition includes at least 73,000 valid signatures to put the question to a vote. Lee also claims the DA's office violated the First Amendment by barring the Berkeley Scanner founder Emilie Raguso from a press conference in November. The office repeatedly banned the reporter from their press list without notice earlier in 2023, according to Lee. Per the scanner, the DA's office originally claimed Raguso was turned away for security reasons but later admitted it was an 'oversight'. The allegations come as Price faces a recall effort barely a year into her tenure as the county's first black woman to hold the DA post Lee said Price (pictured) would often make the discriminatory remarks 'under her breath', while also accusing the former spokesman of leaking information to the press In a February 26 letter to the DA's office from Lee's attorneys, the fired spokeswoman described what happened at the press conference as a 'content-based restriction of reporting' and a 'cartoonish violation of the First Amendment'. 'Ms. Lee was aware of the preexisting animosity and knew that the reasons for refusing Ms. Raguso access to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office's press conference were pretextual,' the letter says. Lee's letter adds that Raguso's exclusion came 'at the specific behest of District Attorney Pamela Price'. She says that Price's office repeatedly tried to delete, change and hide public records when the Scanner and other Bay Area news outlets began inquiring about the decision to exclude Raguso. Crime has continued to spiral on Price's watch, up by almost 20 percent in 2023 compared to 2019. A woman is pictured being dragged by her bag during a mugging in Oakland An Apple store in Oakland was raided by a customer who yanked multiple iPhones off their stands earlier this week. The Bay Area city has become synonymous with soaring crime and prosecutors seemingly unable to tackle it Oakland's only In-N-Out Burger announced it is closing amid a spate of crimes against its patrons, including break-ins such as this Lee also describes Price's communications officer and former TV news reporter, Haaziq Madyun, specifically as 'not being forthcoming with the documents' and accusing him of potentially deleting records. Oakland saw crime soar by 21 percent between 2022 and 2023. Robberies rose by 38 percent, while vehicle theft rocketed by 45 percent. The dystopian city saw 15,000 cars stolen last year - meaning roughly one in every 30 of its residents had their car stolen. In-N-Out Burger closed its only restaurant in the city over a spate of break-ins in its parking lot - the only closure in the chain's 70 year history. A nearby Denny's also closed, with California Governor Gavin Newsom sending in his own prosecutors in a bid to try and clear up the mess. Oakland's similarly progressive Mayor Sheng Thao is facing her own recall over the chaos after the city's reputation crumbled on her watch. Sunrise host Natalie Barr has slammed employment and workplace relations minister Tony Burke for 'taking the mickey' out of taxpayers who footed the hefty bill for a short trip to the United States. The federal minister and a staff member racked up a $57,000 bill over four days while attending the 30th Australian American Leadership Dialogue in July 2022. The expenses were double than that of Defence Minister Richard Marles on the same trip, Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority data showed. Mr Burke's spending spree funded by taxpayers included a whopping $44,000 on business class flights, $4000 on accommodation and food and more than $8000 on hire cars including having a private car waiting on hand for 10 hours, based on documents obtained under the Freedom Information Act by The Daily Telegraph. Taxpayers were also slugged an additional $1,066 each for two new passports- including a priority processing fee. Barr was astonished at the expenses incurred by Mr Burke and has called for an audit. 'Maybe we need to bring in some auditors who are normal people and go, 'hang on a second?' Barr said. Sunrise host Natalie Barr has called out employment and workplace relations minister Tony Burke over his taxpayer-funded spending spree Employment and workplace relations minister Tony Burke (pictured in parliament in February) racked up a $57,000 bill over four days during a four-day US trip in 2022 However Labor's home affairs minister Clare O'Neil to leapt to her colleague's defence when she appeared on the program on Wednesday morning. 'Look, Nat, as federal politicians, we do have to travel constantly,'Ms O'Neil began. 'International travel is a part of that. Absolutely I recognise the cost of these things. 'But it is really important for our country that our nation get represented overseas.' Barr's biggest gripe was over the amount spent on hire cars. '$8,000 on hire cars for four days though, it sounds like you could get Ubers for a lot cheaper than that,' she remarked. 'Do you reckon we could maybe do some fancy Ubers or something? 'That's a lot that taxpayers are paying. One car had to wait for 10 hours apparently. One private car for 10 hours, just sitting there!' The discussion between Ms O'Neil, Barr and Liberal Senator Jane Hume heated up after she vowed to take the feedback back to the Labor government. A graphic shows how much Tony Burke spent while in America Tony Burke is Anthony Albanese's 'right hand man' in Parliament 'I will just say that genuinely it is so important that we have our country represented overseas,' Ms O'Neil said 'So much of our defence, trade, national security depends on these close relationships.' Senator Hume interjected: 'But he doesn't do any of those things. Workplace relations, manager of government business? That doesn't really sound very internationally-focused.' Barr added: 'Look we understand you've got to travel. You just don't want to take the mickey.' Hume hit back: 'All federal ministers do have to go overseas from time to time, no matter what their portfolio is. Those engagements are really important. 'I say really politely to Jane I'm sure if I went through, trawled through all the work, I could find plenty of examples of people on all different sides of politics taking these trips.' 'I recognise people reading about this may feel those costs are significant.' Mr Burke's expenses previously came under the spotlight in 2015 for allegedly claiming first class flights for himself and a senior member of staff, Skye Laris, who has now became his partner. His 'world tour' included trips to Italy and Spain, as expense claims show that in 2008-2009 he spent $225,000 in overseas travel cost. Other perks Mr Burke enjoyed were free Robbie Williams tickets, taxpayer-funded trips to America and family flights to Uluru. Mr Burke's spending spree has renewed calls for more transparency on parliamentary spending. Assistant Competition Minister Andrew Leigh, Opposition leader Peter Dutton, MP Sarah Henderson and former minister Simon Birmingham were also all on the same trip but are yet to claim any expenses. Mr Burke justified his attendance at the event at the time. 'I was invited to the AALD because of my portfolio, which is especially relevant to this year's forum program which covers employment and workplace relations,' he said. 'I will also be presenting on the Australian Parliament in my capacity as Leader of the House. During my visit I will also be meeting with key stakeholders and officials related to my employment and workplace relations portfolio. 'Additionally, I will attend AUKUS-related meetings at the White House and Congress.' Police officers have rescued 11 dogs and two cats that were living in 'deplorable conditions' at a home in Queens, New York City, on Monday. Detectives from NYPD's Grand Larceny Squad searched the home of Cory Elder, 43, and discovered animals showing signs of neglect and malnourishment. In addition to the skeletal animals, investigators also found stolen tools and DJ equipment, as well as drugs like heroin and fentanyl. One of the animals which they recovered, a German Shepherd, was also stolen. Cory Elder, 43, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, torturing, injuring, or not feeding an animal, among other things. Pictured: One of the dogs that was rescued Elder was arrested after authorities finished searching his home on Beach 44th Street in the Rockaways. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, torturing, injuring, or not feeding an animal, criminal possession of stolen property, neglect of an impounded animal and aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle. The NYPD shared the stomach-churning photos of the animals taken inside Elder's home later Monday. In one picture, a dog appeared to be standing next to a pool of urine, and trash was strewn across the floor of his cage. The floor of the house was partially visible in this photo, and it was littered with various types of trash - including papers, empty soda bottles, and candy wrappers. In another photo, a dog was standing amid clumps of its own fur, with boxes of electronics visible behind the cage. The animals were discovered inside Elder's home in Queens, in conditions the NYPD called 'deplorable' The search was conducted by the NYPD'S Grand Larceny Squad, who later released the pictures of their heartbreaking discovery Elder's arraignment was pending on Tuesday. The NYPD turned all of the animals over to the ASPCA, where they are receiving health evaluations. Last year, a woman in Florida was charged after 309 animals including 164 ducks, chickens, geese, cats and dogs were seized from her squalid property and mobile home. Lisa Lacharite, 48, was arrested and charged with five counts of felony animal neglect, 304 counts of animal neglect and one count of elder neglect. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's office, performed a welfare check after someone had called regarding a possible 'hoarder situation' involving cats at the home on Fazzini Drive in Frostproof, a city near Central Florida. Lacharite's 75-year-old mother was also living in the home. Deputies noticed a strong stench of ammonia outside the home upon arrival. Lacharite told police that she was her mother's caregiver and that her mother had health issues. When deputies entered they made the horrifying discovery of more than 300 animals in squalor and unsanitary conditions. Many were roaming free climbing on the furniture many appeared sickly and malnourished. An Alabama mother was kidnapped and tortured for hours before being gang-raped and murdered by a gang of eight, police say. Mahogany Jackson, 20, was stripped, handcuffed, beaten, spit on and forced to perform sex acts at gunpoint in a Birmingham apartment before being shot in the back of the head on Sunday February 25. Her torturers were four men and four women, according to prosecutors. Around 8am on February 25 Jackson messaged family members to say she was being held hostage in apartment 3 at Serenity Apartments in southwest Birmingham. The mother's body was found in the early-morning hours the next day under a mattress at an illegal dump site in the 1700 block of Laurel Avenue that is known as 'Dead Man's Road.' Videos of the torture and assaults were taken by several of the perpetrators before Jackson, who leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, was killed. Mahogany Jackson, 20, was stripped, handcuffed, beaten, spit on and forced to perform sex acts at gunpoint in a Birmingham apartment before being shot in the back of the head Videos of the torture and assaults were taken by several of the perpetrators before Jackson, was killed Around 8am on February 25 Jackson messaged family members to say she was being held hostage in apartment 3 at Serenity Apartments in southwest Birmingham Giovonnie Clapp, Blair Green, Teja Lewis, Sinya McCall and Airana Robinson have been charged with felony murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sodomy. They were denied bond at a hearing on Monday. Jeremiah McDowell, 18, Francis Harris, 25, and Brandon Pope, 24, have been charged with first-degree kidnapping and capital murder. They are also being held without bond. Authorities said Monday that Harris is the suspect they believe fired the fatal shot after a projectile was recovered from Jackson's head. The young mother's ordeal began when she arrived at Pope's home on McMillon Avenue on Saturday night with several of the suspects, all of whom she knew, Birmingham homicide Det. Mark Green testified at Monday's hearing. The abduction began at the property and videos taken by the suspects show Lewis and McCall stomping and spitting on Jackson outside Pope's home. Jackson was on the ground, Green testified, while she was repeatedly assaulted by several of the suspects. At one point, Lewis was straddling Jackson while punching her in the head. The distressing footage reportedly shows Jackson telling her attackers they 'had won' and begging to be let go. Jackson leaves behind a three-year-old daughter Jackson's body was found in the early-morning hours the next day under a mattress at an illegal dump site in the 1700 block of Laurel Avenue that is known as 'Dead Man's Road' Blair Green (left) and Giovonnie Clapp (right) have been charged with felony murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sodomy Teja Lewis, (right) and Sinya McCall (left) were roommates in the Birmingham apartment where much of the torture took place. They have been charged with with felony murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sodomy. Francis Harris, 25, (left) and Brandon Pope, 24, (right) have been charged with first-degree kidnapping and capital murder. Harris is the suspect police believe fired the fatal shot. Jeremiah McDowell, 18, been charged with first-degree kidnapping and capital murder. Police believe he was part of the group that took Jackson from the Serenity Apartments building to where she was fatally shot. In another video Lewis was seen taking off Jackson's shirt and dragging the nude Jackson by her hair toward a vehicle. McCall was seen on the video yelling for someone to 'pop the trunk,' Green told the court. Jackson was then moved to Serenity Apartments where Lewis and McCall were roommates. Four more videos of Jackson's torture were recorded there, the detective said. Jackson was then shown being forced to perform oral sex on defendant Blair Green in McCall's bedroom. McCall, the detective said, threatened something would happen to Jackson if Blair Green did not 'enjoy' the oral sex. At one point, McCall made Jackson pull down her pants, and told McDowell to sexually assault her. There was no testimony indicating another sexual assault took place. Police believe all the suspects were present at Lewis' apartment during the assaults at varying points in the night. Jackson was then taken from Lewis' apartment by Pope, Harris and McDowell, and was fatally shot after sending the help messages to her family. Lewis and McCall initially denied any knowledge of the incident when questioned by police. They changed their statements after being shown the videos, which were sent to police by a witness, Green testified. 'This was a horrific attack perpetrated against Miss Jackson,' Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich said on Monday. 'She was subjected for a period of time to there's really no other way to say it torture which ultimately led to her death.' Adding: 'The nature of these offenses was horrific.' He was arrested last Tuesday for feeding an endangered species of Key deer by hand and posting it on Facebook from a home that didn't belong to him He was already on probation for drug convictions of trafficking cocaine Thomas Scancarelli was arrested for two felony counts of firearm possession A Florida man has been accused of smuggling cocaine and luring endangered deer into a home he was working on before watching Fox News with the animals. Thomas Geatal Scancarelli, 61, of Big Pine Key, Florida was arrested Monday just before 5pm on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Scancarelli, who was already on probation for convictions of cocaine trafficking, was previously arrested by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) last Tuesday for feeding an endangered species of Key deer by hand. Becky Herrin, a spokesperson from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, told local ABC affiliate WPLG that FWC officers noticed 'two rifles and an AR-15-style weapon mounted on the wall,' and alerted deputies immediately. 'They said they believed Scancarelli to be a convicted felon who should not have had those weapons in the house where he was staying,' said Herrin. Thomas Geatal Scancarelli was arrested on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm Scancarelli lured endangered Key Deer into his home and posted this video to Facebook Jail records showed that Scancarelli was carrying out the felonies at a home that did not belong to him on the 2000 block of Coral Way. 'Scancarelli did not have permission to stay in the home and was just supposed to be there painting it,' the homeowner confirmed with WPLG. During his stay, Scancarelli posted photos and videos of himself on Facebook illegally luring four deer into the home and hand feeding them. The animals were seen noshing on carrots and other bits of food that Scancarelli had left for them on a wooden stool in the middle of the living room. In another section of the clip, a hungry deer was seen licking its lips next to a knife that the man had used to chop up the treats he'd used to lure them into the home. Herrin said he was also charged with two different felonies 'due to his being in control of the firearms for the lengthy period of time he stayed there.' Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested Scancarelli last Tuesday At one point in the video with the deer, the man panned around the living room to show that he was watching Fox News at the same time Pictured: The caption of a Facebook post from Scancarelli, who was already on probation for drug trafficking The house Scancarelli filmed from did not belong to him In one of the clips that he posted to social media, the man was seen feeding a deer inside the home with his bare hands The felon also posted a video of him and one of the deer enjoying the Ingraham Angle on Fox News last Wednesday. The Florida man's deer obsessions dates all the way back to November - as Scancarelli has posted dozens of other videos of him feeding and petting the endangered animals. Authorities said Scancarelli seemed to be aware that what he was doing was a crime. On their website, the FWC warns against feeding wild animals as it 'lessens fear of humans.' 'Key deer can be found foraging in yards and on roadsides, where they approach people and slow-moving vehicles for handouts,' FWC told WPLG. 'Getting hit by vehicles is now the primary cause of Key deer mortality. Illegal feeding also causes a concentration of Key deer populations, facilitating the spread of parasites and disease.' Scancarelli is being held without bond in the local county jail. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine have now been charged with obstruction of justice as part of a federal bribery probe. The list of new charges were revealed in a superseding indictment with 18 counts related to the alleged corruption on Tuesday. The New Jersey Senator and his wife are accused of receiving cash, gold bars and luxury cars as part of a bribery plot to help the Egyptian government and help businessmen facing their own criminal investigations. Prosecutors accused the pair of causing their lawyers to make 'false and misleading' statements about a Mercedes-Benz convertible and mortgages payments. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine have now been charged with obstruction of justice as part of a federal bribery probe The Senator and his wife are accused of receiving cash, gold bars and luxury cars as part of a bribery plot to help the Egyptian government. FBI agents seized gold bars, $500,000 in cash and the Mercedes during a raid on his home when the investigation began These were allegedly bribes businessmen, who have also been indicted, are accused of giving the couple in exchange for favors. Jose Uribe, one of the Menendez associates, pleaded guilty last week to a slew of charges including obstruction for admitting he gave them the car in exchange for help with a friend who had been indicted in an unrelated matter. Uribe, 56, is said to be cooperating with prosecutors and admitted he caused his attorney to falsely admit monthly payments on the car were loans. The latest filing from prosecutors piles the pressure on Menendez as he faces calls to resign from members of his own party. Both Menendez and his wife have pleaded not guilty. He has also refused to step down from his post. FBI agents seized gold bars, $500,000 in cash and the Mercedes during a raid on his home when the investigation began. Menendez also was charged with helping another New Jersey business associate get a lucrative deal with the government of Egypt. He is set to go on trial on May 6. Just a day earlier on Monday, a federal just rejected Menendez's claims that search warrants that led to corruption charges and the discovery of gold bars and cash at his New Jersey home were unconstitutional. Judge Sidney H. Stein ruled that multiple warrants used to conduct 2022 searches of the Democrat's email accounts and his home were properly sought and carried out. Images of the gold bars federal agents seized from Menendez's home during the probe FBI agents seized gold bars, $500,000 in cash and the Mercedes during a raid on his home when the investigation began Senator Robert & Nadine Menendez Engagement at Taj Mahal Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and his wife Nadine Menendez arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, June 22, 2023 The June 2022 searches resulted in the discovery of over $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash - much of it hidden in closets, clothing and a safe, prosecutors said. The senator's lawyers had claimed the warrants were 'riddled with material misrepresentation and omissions that deceived the authorizing magistrate judge.' Disturbing video footage captured the moment a tourist couple was savagely beaten by taxi drivers in the Mexico resort city of Playa del Carmen. The victims, whose identities are unknown, reportedly were not happy with the exorbitant fare the driver had charged them after dropping them off near a night club over the weekend, Mexican newspaper Excelsior reported. One of the three taxi drivers could be seen pounding the man with a sign while another walked over and kicked the defenseless victim. His female companion leaned over him in an attempt to block the blows, but a third driver kicked the man repeatedly. Taxi drivers were seen beating a tourist couple in Playa del Carmen, Mexico over the weekend after they allegedly refused to pay a fare they deemed to be exorbitant One of the drivers was spotted walking away after he and two other men beat a couple who refused to pay a cab fare. Mexican news paper Excelsior reported that the couple thought their driver was charging them more than what they were supposed to pay The woman could be heard shouting, 'Stop it,' while two other drivers stood by and did nothing to stop the assault. One of the attackers then approached the couple and delivered multiple blows to the man with a sign as bystanders in the background yelled at them to stop. The Playa del Carmen police had not commented on the incident as of Tuesday. DailyMail.com reached out to the Quintana Roo State Attorney General's Office for comment. The assault comes on the heels of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico warning Americans to exercise caution if they visit the country for spring break. Cab drivers were seen on video assaulting a couple over the weekend in Playa del Carmen, Mexico after the pair reportedly refused to pay an exorbitant cab fare when they were dropped off near a nightclub A woman lies on top of her male companion as Mexican cab drivers beat the couple after they confronted a driver over a taxi fare they thought was exorbitant 'Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations,' said the advisory said. 'Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. The advisory, which was issued last Thursday, also called on Americans to be mindful when visiting the 'downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.' The embassy also warned travelers about the dangers behind the use of synthetic drugs or fake prescription pills that have caused Americans to get sick or die in Mexico. Americans were also told to be extra vigilant of being served bootleg alcohol. 'Unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and U.S. citizens have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming alcohol that was possibly tainted,' the advisory indicated. Arguably the most iconic wet shirt's ever worn has sold at auction for 25,000 - double its estimated sale price. The item of clothing was made famous after Colin Firth playing Mr Darcy strode out of a lake wearing it in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. The famous scene turned Oscar-winner Firth into a sex symbol and also rocketed the shirt's sale price 30 years later, after auctioneers estimated it would be sold for between 7,000 and 10,000. The shirt was one of more than 60 costumes from film and TV sold on Tuesday, with all the proceeds going to charity. The sale contained costumes archived by Cosprop, a costume house founded by Oscar-winning designer John Bright in 1965. Outfits worn by Madonna, Margot Robbie and Johnny Depp were also part of the auction hosted by Kerry Taylor Auctions in London and raised 285,300. The item of clothing was made famous after Colin Firth playing Mr Darcy strode out of a lake wearing it in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel The infamous wet shirt as worn by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice (left) sold for 25,000 at auction The wet shirt scene has become one of the most famous TV moments of all time, despite not actually featuring in the original story. Oscar-winner Firth played Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, opposite Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet - who is surprised when she visits his estate, Pemberley, to find him wet and not properly dressed. The moment has been re-imagined in Netflix series Bridgerton, when British actor Jonathan Bailey steps out of a lake, and was also referenced in Bridget Jones's Diary, which stars Firth as another Mr Darcy, a nod to his portrayal by writer Helen Fielding. The Mail has learnt it is one of seven such shirts made for Firth for the filming of his smouldering post-swim encounter with Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet in the hit series. It is thought that he wore each of them at some point during filming. The famous 'wet shirt' was designed by renowned costume designer Dinah Collin and then made by Cosprop. Cosprop's general manager Chris Garlick said multiple versions of the shirt were made as it was worn in wet and dry scenes, and in case of re-takes. The whereabouts of three fully verified shirts are known, according to Kerry Taylor. As well as the one in the upcoming auction, held live in London and online, one was auctioned for the BBC'S Children In Need in 1995 and made 500 and the other remains with Cosprop in their museum. Almost 30 years after the scene first aired, the now dry shirt was today sold for a hammer price of 20,000, with the buyer's premium of 5,000 taking the overall total to 25,000, all of which will go to charity. The now dry shirt has now been sold for a hammer price of 20,000, with the buyer's premium of 5,000 taking the overall total to 25,000 The wet shirt scene has become one of the most famous TV moments of all time, despite not actually featuring in the original story Bright described the auction as 'a wonderful opportunity to own a piece of screen history,' with the outfits all having been worn by acting legends. Costumes ranging in style from fantasy Renaissance to mid-20th Century silhouettes were a part of the collection which spanned more than 400 years of fashion history. A vintage 1950s Christian Dior taffeta ball gown, worn by Madonna in 1996's Evita, sold for 40,000, while Johnny Depp's Sleepy Hollow costume fetched 24,000. Costumes from TV drama series including Poldark, Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey also went under the hammer. The costumes were donated in support of the Bright Foundation, a Hastings-based arts education charity established by Bright to provide creative experiences for children and young people facing disadvantage. Bright said: 'My life's work has been committed to costume design for film, TV and theatre. 'It is my firmly held belief that the arts and creativity can shape happier and healthier children and enable young people to reach their full potential.' The charity will also run an online auction until March 10, featuring film and TV-related experiences and celebrity memorabilia, including a signed script for Love Actually donated by Richard Curtis and Emma Freud. Hollywood actor Depp has also donated an original piece of artwork. He said: 'Unfortunately, too many young, emerging artists lack access to proper resources and opportunities needed to hone their craft. 'I hope my artwork will help in providing those tools in a way that most empowers them to succeed.' Catherine, Princess of Wales, will attend her father-in-law King Charles III's birthday celebrations on June 8, her first official duty to be confirmed since undergoing surgery in January, the Ministry of Defence said Tuesday. The British Army posted the engagement on its official website, saying Catherine, who is married to heir to the throne Prince William, will help review soldiers as part of the annual Trooping the Colour. Kate and William's Kensington Palace office has not confirmed her appearance at the event. Meanwhile the king, who is currently being treated for cancer, is scheduled to review troops at the Trooping the Colour main event on June 15, according to the army website. Charles on Tuesday held an in-person audience with finance minister Jeremy Hunt ahead of the government's official budget announcement on Wednesday. The British head of state, dressed in a blue suit and a light tie, was photographed shaking hands with Hunt as he welcomed him at Buckingham Palace in central London. Kate was on Monday spotted in public for the first time since she underwent abdominal surgery in mid-January, according to photos published by US outlet TMZ. The 42-year-old princess has been recovering mainly at the home she shares with William and their three young children in Windsor, west of London, since leaving hospital on January 29. The photos published by TMZ showed Kate wearing sunglasses while being driven by her mother in a car, with the celebrity news site saying they were taken Monday near Windsor Castle. The sighting comes as social media has been alight with conspiracy theories over the princess's prolonged absence from the spotlight. (AFP) Harvard University has handed over some 1,500 documents to the House Education Committee after the Ivy League was subpoenaed late last year for communications pertaining to acts of anti-Semitism on its campus in the wake of October 7. The documents are part of a probe the committee - led by Rep. Virginia Foxx, who says the school has not been cooperative - is running into broader claims of anti-Semitism on the Cambridge campus. A spokesperson for the prestigious institution said of the ongoing probe: 'Harvard denounced antisemitism on our campus and have made clear that the university will continue to take actions to combat antisemitism in any form.' 'This includes ongoing efforts to engage with and learn from students, faculty and staff to identify the causes of antisemitic behaviors and address them when they occur on our campus. 'Harvard is focused on safety and ensuring a sense of belonging for our Jewish students - so that every member of our community is protected, embraced and valued, and can thrive at Harvard.' Harvard forked over 1,500 documents to the House Committee on Education, run by Rep. Virginia Foxx (pictured) - the committee is probing the presence of and response to anti-Semitism on the Ivy League campus In addition to the Congressional probe, the university is being investigated by the FBI and Department of Education In the wake of the barbaric Hamas attacks against Israel that took place on October 7, the university made few if any statements that touched specifically and exclusively on the safety of Jewish students on campus, despite a spate of deeply anti-Semitic incidents. At the outset of the congressional probe, Rep. Foxx said: 'College administrators have largely stood by, allowing horrific rhetoric to fester and grow. 'College and university presidents have a responsibility to foster and uphold a safe learning environment for their students and staff. Now is not a time for indecision or milquetoast statements.' The turmoil on campus and the administration's failure to adequately deal with it led, in large part, to the ousting of recently appointed university head Claudine Gay. Alan Garber has stepped into the role on an interim basis, but still, the school is struggling to come up with solutions for its anti-Semitism problem. At present, the institution is having trouble keeping together its so-called anti-Semitism task force, from which two members have so far resigned due to personal frustrations. In February, HBS Professor Raffaella Sadun resigned her post due to an overwhelming concern that the school would not commit to implementing the recommendations of the task force. Sadun was tapped by Garber in January to lead the group as a co-chair. Her position will be replaced by law professor Jared Ellias. The turmoil on campus and the administration's failure to adequately deal with it led, in large part, to the ousting of recently appointed university head Claudine Gay, who served just about six months in office before resigning Students who blame Israel for the October 7 terror attack orchestrated by radical Palestinian terrorists have made their presence known on Harvard's campus, as well as campuses across the country Demonstrators are seen at Harvard on October 14 - barely one week after the attack. Gay was criticized for being slow to condemn student justification of the Hamas terror attacks in Israel The task force, however, may have been dead on arrival due to the appointment of Derek Penslar as its head. Penslar was one of thousands of academics and other intellectuals who signed an open letter in August - before the radical Palestinian terror attacks - that accused the Israeli government of aiming to 'ethnically cleanse all territories under Israeli rule of their Palestinian population.' The letter further stated the frequently employed refrain that Palestinians 'live under a regime of apartheid.' At the time of his appointment, former Harvard President Larry Summers said he had 'lost confidence in the ability of Harvard leadership to maintain it as a place where Jews and Israelis can flourish.' Late last year, Rabbi David Wolpe publicly resigned from Harvard's anti-Semitism board. He suggested their effort may be in vain as the school is, in his opinion, permeated and overwhelmed by 'evil' ideology. In addition to the congressional probe, Harvard is facing an investigation by the FBI about an alleged instance of antisemitism that was carried out against a first-year Israeli MBA student on October 18. The FBI received a complaint that the student had his phone torn from his hands and was physically and verbally assaulted. Protesters encircled the Israeli MBA student (with arms up), as they moved through the yard, holding up keffiyehs (scarfs) before he managed to slip into a nearby building Footage of the student being harassed during the protest was widely circulated and several of the students who physically blocked the student while repeatedly shouting 'shame' at him have since been identified. It is not clear that any disciplinary action has been or will be taken against them. If that wasn't enough, Boston's Office of Civil Rights, which exists within the Department of Education, is also looking into whether Harvard 'failed to respond to alleged harassment of students based on their national origin (shared Jewish ancestry and/or Israeli) in a manner consistent with the requirements of Title VI.' Five serving SAS soldiers are facing possible murder charges over the death of a suspected jihadist in Syria, the Mail can reveal today. In a case that has provoked fury inside the Special Forces, top brass have alleged the troops used excessive force and should have arrested the man instead. The soldiers, who remain on active duty, were adamant he posed a threat and intended to carry out a suicide attack. According to Special Air Service sources, a primed suicide vest was found nearby but the suspect was not wearing it when killed. The incident, which happened two years ago, can now be reported for the first time. Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crimes Unit, military chiefs sent files recommending murder charges against the five soldiers to the Service Prosecuting Authority. The SPA is the military equivalent of the civilian Crown Prosecution Service. The soldiers, who remain on active duty, were adamant the man posed a threat and intended to carry out a suicide attack. Pictured: SAS ground troops in Syria Fighters from the al-Qaida linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant marching in Raqqa, Syria If charged, the men would appear before a court martial at a date to be confirmed. At a murder trial they would probably remain anonymous and provide testimony from behind screens. For now, and pending a charging decision by the SPA, they are permitted to remain in service with the Herefordshire-based regiment. The case has emerged as a High Court public inquiry continues into claims that SAS soldiers executed as many as 80 Taliban suspects in custody in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013. In response to the Syria case, a number of rank-and-file SAS have accused top brass of putting their careers before protecting their soldiers. According to sources, they have suggested that senior officers are too eager to appear transparent in their handling of controversial incidents. Apparently, they are seeking to distance themselves from their predecessors who, according to evidence heard at the ongoing public inquiry, failed to adequately investigate alleged war crimes. A source said: 'Seemingly a few people in the chain of command are looking for a gold star. So they've taken a case where five soldiers shot someone on the battlefield, not in custody, and have allowed it to be sent to the SPA as a murder case. 'It is a reputational management exercise for these officers, who would like to command the British Army one day, and perhaps for United Kingdom Special Forces as an organisation. 'But for the individuals at the tip of the spear, the guys who risk their lives on these treacherous operations, it is very nerve wracking. 'They feel exposed and let down. The hierarchy want to look squeaky clean because of the inquiry. I don't think this case would have got this far otherwise.' UK Special Forces units have been undertaking secret operations in Syria for several years. In 2018, Sergeant Matt Tonroe of the SAS was killed there by friendly fire during a joint operation with US units. The Mail has been told the five SAS soldiers were watching a suspected jihadi compound at night. Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crimes Unit, military chiefs sent files recommending murder charges against the five soldiers to the Service Prosecuting Authority. Pictured: SAS ground troops in Syria The judge-led public inquiry into SAS operations in Afghanistan is continuing to hear evidence. Pictured: The SAS badge They apparently intended to detain the persons inside because, according to intelligence reports, they were preparing an attack against coalition forces. But just before the raid was supposed to start the suspects bolted from the property. SAS troops equipped with night-vision gear tracked their movements and there was an exchange of fire. One of the jihadists was then seen lying motionless behind a bush either dead, wounded or simply attempting to hide. SAS soldiers approached his position and he was shot several times at point-blank range. According to sources, additional rounds were fired because they feared he could detonate a suicide vest. But when they searched his corpse no such device was found. However, a suicide vest was subsequently retrieved from the compound. The judge-led public inquiry into SAS operations in Afghanistan is continuing to hear evidence. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave is expected to report this autumn on whether he believes war crimes took place and whether they were adequately investigated at the time. His report could trigger a fresh criminal inquiry into the shootings and the possibility that Special Forces commanders perverted the course of justice by hampering attempts by military police to probe the killings. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said last night: 'We hold our personnel to the highest standards and any allegations of wrongdoing are taken seriously. 'Where appropriate, any criminal allegations are referred to the Service Police for investigation.' Kristyan Benedict, Amnesty International UK's Crisis Response Manager, said: 'If UK forces in Syria are alleged to have committed war crimes in Syria then a full investigation should be immediately undertaken. 'As a matter of principle, it's vital that all members of the UK's armed forces are fully answerable before the law. 'In both Iraq and Afghanistan there's been a glaring shortfall in how the UK authorities held members of the military to account over horrific alleged misconduct, and this must not be repeated with Syria. 'Accountability and justice should underly everything the UK military does - no-one is above the law, including those who wear military uniforms or operate as part of special forces.' A Queensland high school is under fire after a calendar filled with disturbing pictures from a staff photo shoot were leaked to the public. The photos showed staff at Balmoral State High School in Brisbane posed in compromising positions, with one teacher dressed as a nun and another in a sparkling gold mankini with his legs splayed. The photos were printed in a 2023 staff calendar that was displayed in the staffroom, the Courier Mail reported. A whistleblower raised concerns about the calendar after a staff complaint in December resulted in the denial of its existence. The school is in the inner Brisbane Bulimba electorate of the state's Education Minister Dianne Farmer. A Queensland high school is under fire after a calendar filled with explicit pictures from a staff photo shoot were leaked to the public. One photo is pictured Another photo shows a man in a gold mankini sitting at a desk with his legs splayed Poll Do you think the photos Cross the line Not a big deal Do you think the photos Cross the line 343 votes Not a big deal 171 votes Now share your opinion One photo shows a teacher wearing a gold mankini bent over on all fours, while a teacher wearing a nun outfit puts a foot on their lower back. Another shows a teacher pouring a carton of milk onto another teacher. The leaked photographs have drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some suggesting they cross the line, while others say they shouldn't be taken too seriously. 'I don't want to be a prude... they're probably having a bit of fun,' Queensland senator Matt Canavan said on Today. 'It's probably more embarrassing for them than it is for anyone else.' Nine reporter Heidi Murphy said the 'worst part' was the photos being been leaked out of the staffroom and put 'on the national stage'. A whistleblower told the Courier Mail the calendar is evidence of a toxic culture at the school. The whistleblower also said the calendar was on desks in a staffroom, where students may have seen them. 'It's the lack of professionalism, it's the fact they've involved a nun and he's dressed as some gay guy it's completely inappropriate and totally unacceptable,' they said. The Department of Education said it was 'looking into the matter', but that it 'does not comment on individual employee matters'. The department spokesperson said it had 'a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of employee information'. The Department of Education said the school said no students or parents had been shown the calendar. Balmoral State High School has been contacted for comment. An Aussie woman is urging shoppers to check their receipts after her mum was overcharged at a Woolworths checkout. The daughter shared a photo of a receipt showing her mother had been charged almost quadruple the price for a popular item at a Woolworths in Frenchs Forest, in Sydney's north. 'My mum grabbed a few things from Woolworths last Tuesday 27 Feb and it looks like the ham she bought scanned at the per-kilo price ($36.00) rather than the price for the 256g she actually bought ($9.22),' she wrote on Reddit. 'I cant see how this isnt an issue with their checkout system unless the cashier manually overrode the price? 'She [Mum] usually doesnt check the receipts as well so this was a bit of a lucky find!' An Aussie woman is urging shoppers to check their receipts after her mum was significantly overcharged at a supermarket checkout Some social media users suggested the checkout operator may have entered the figure incorrectly. 'Whoever wrapped it left a huge crease in the barcode which would mean the cashier had to type the number in manually,' one person said. 'I work at Woolies... this is exactly what has happened,' another agreed. 'Human error can still happen,' a third person wrote. Others said they've had similar experiences and encouraged the customer to take the label and receipt back to the store for a full refund. 'The exact same thing happen to me yesterday... the lady had her hand on the scale and weighed a handful of beans at 2.5 kilos and charged me $20,' one person said 'Checked the receipt on the way out and went to the front counter, they refunded the money and gave them to me for free.' She shared a photo of a receipt which revealed she had been charged almost quadruple the price for a one item at Woolworths in Frenchs Forest (stock image) Under Woolworth's price-scan policy, shoppers can get an item for free if the scanning price turns out to be higher than what is displayed in the store. A Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that it was an 'isolated incident' and encouraged the woman to contact them a refund. 'We do encourage any customers who are unsure to please check in with a team member in store to assist them, and obtain a refund where there has been an error,' he said. One of Britain's last surviving D-Day veterans, who took part in the allied invasion when he was just 19, has died at the age of 99. Tributes have poured in for World War Two hero Walter Bigland, who saved a fellow soldier's life before storming Pegasus Bridge and helping in the mission to liberate France on June 6 1944. The father-of-four, from Liverpool, landed in Normandy at La Breche with A Troop, 45 Commando, at 8.30am on one of the most famous days in British military history. Mr Bigland, who joined the Marines in 1942 aged 18, died just three months before the 80th anniversary of D-Day this summer. The grandfather was married to his late wife May for 55 years. Walter Bigland (pictured), one of Britain's last surviving D-Day veterans, who took part in the allied invasion when he was just 19, has died at the age of 99 Tributes have poured in for the World War Two hero, who saved a fellow soldier's life before storming Pegasus Bridge and helping in the mission to liberate France on June 6 1944 READ MORE: D-Day veteran who helped rig German defences with explosives the night before Normandy landings and rescued seven French sailors from burning vessel in the Channel dies aged 99 Advertisement The veteran followed in the footsteps of his father, also named Walter, who had been in the Machine Gun Corps in the First World War. Mr Bigland has previously played down his heroic role in the largest seabourne invasion in history referring to it as 'just another exercise' and crediting his fellow soldiers instead. He said: 'All the men on those beaches were heroes, it was a fantastic sight to see. 'I have been called a hero in the past but it's water off a duck's back to me. 'We were quite calm on the approach to Normandy because it just felt like another exercise - most of us even managed to have a doze on the way, in the bottom of the landing craft.' The war hero described the gruelling task that lay before him when he landed on the beach in northern France on the famous day. 'I was wheeling a bike and carrying a rubber dinghy on my back, as well as 100 rounds of ammunition and four grenades, so I was carrying around 80lbs in my rucksack,' he said. 'I managed to get the bike down the ramp but I hardly rode it because the roads were just covered in debris.' Mr Bigland (pictured, with fellow veteran Arthur Hampson), who joined the Marines in 1942 aged 18, died just three months before the 80th anniversary of D-Day this summer Mr Bigland (pictured, with son Alan) has previously played down his heroic role in the largest seabourne invasion in history referring to it as 'just another exercise' and crediting his fellow soldiers instead Mr Bigland was involved in the capture of Pegasus Bridge - the first main objective to be achieved on June 6 1944. He said: 'We all met up across the road and then fought our way towards the historic Pegasus Bridge in order to make contact with 6th Airborne Division. 'We were half an hour late because we had a bit of trouble on the way up, just little skirmishes with the enemy - but we apologised.' The significance of the mission did not weigh on Mr Bigland, who said that he and his comrades were 'apprehensive but never afraid'. The young marine's time in Normandy came to an unfortunate end after seven weeks when he contracted blood poisoning from cutting his hand on an ammunition crate. Mr Bigland added: 'My left hand swelled up and I had to be sent to a field hospital in Normandy, from where they evacuated me back to England. 'I was embarrassed because it didn't seem like a proper injury to me. 'I didn't want to go home. I wanted to go back to the unit but because I'd had surgery they insisted.' The main British ceremony this year will be held in the morning of D-Day itself at the Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, the first occasion when this has staged the UK's principal ceremony for a major anniversary (Pictured: British soldiers landing at Ouistreham on D-Day) That evening, the Royal Albert Hall in London will stage a televised D-Day concert featuring many major stars (Pictured: British soldiers arriving ashore at Normandy on D-Day) Before the 80th anniversary, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal British Legion and charities such as the Spirit of Normandy Trust hope to enable as many veterans as possible to make the trip across to Normandy with their families (Pictured: British soldiers arriving ashore at Normandy on D-Day) The teenager later met up with his unit again in Holland and then the Far East. After leaving the Marines in 1946, Mr Bigland became a Sergeant in the Reserves before making a career change and embarking on 32 years in the civil service. The veteran's funeral service will take place at St Giles Church, Aintree Lane on March 7 at 1.15pm. This will be followed by committal at Thornton Crematorium on Lydiate Lane. Just three months remain before the 80th anniversary celebrations of D-Day which will see Portsmouth host a major ceremony and concert on June 5, the eve of the anniversary, on live television in front of thousands of members of the public. The following day, the focus will shift to the Normandy coast where world leaders will gather for a series of international events. The main British ceremony will be held in the morning of D-Day itself at the Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, the first occasion when this has staged the UK's principal ceremony for a major anniversary. That evening, the Royal Albert Hall in London will stage a televised D-Day concert featuring many major stars. Even the youngest veterans of the allied invasion are now in their nineties, so many will be aiming for the national event in Portsmouth. There, thousands of members of the public will gather at a specially-constructed arena on Southsea Common, supported by serving personnel plus a fly past by the Royal Air Force. It is generally accepted that this will be the last anniversary when veterans are able to attend in significant numbers (Pictured: Commemoration service for the 78th anniversary of D-Day in 2022) Members of the Royal Family are expected to attend events across the anniversary, particularly the ceremony at the Normandy Memorial in France (Pictured: The memorial built with donations from Daily Mail readers) Even the youngest veterans are now in their nineties, so many will be aiming for the national event in Portsmouth (Pictured: Service of remembrance for last year's 79th anniversary) The famous D-Day landings were a triumph for Allied forces and constitute one of the best remembered military operations of the conflict. The project followed five years of war with Adolf Hitler's Germany and the Axis powers, during which the majority of mainland western Europe had fallen under Nazi occupation. D-Day signalled the beginning of a changing of the tide on the continent, which eventually ended with the Western Allies' victory. The landings, codenamed Operation Overlord, involved British, American, and other Allied forces crossed the English Channel to launch an offensive on the Nazi occupation in Normandy. The operation involved boats and aircraft of all shapes and sizes, for a variety of purposes, whether it was to sweep the area ahead for mines, or deliver the respective armies to France. In total the invasion involved 153,110 troops, supported by 10,440 aircraft and 6,330 ships, with paratroopers landing behind enemy lines in advance of the main assault. The forces were roughly divided across five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British troops, Juno by Canadian, and Omaha and Utah by the US. After less than a week, all five beaches had been secured, with more troops, vehicles and equipment being delivered to the Allies. Many historians describe D-Day as the 'beginning of the end' of the Second World War. With victory declared in Europe 11 months later, on May 7, 1945, this represented the start of the Allied forces pushing back from what was the furthest Nazi occupation expanded during the war. The move meant that Germany was at war on three fronts: in France, Italy, and Russia. This task eventually proved too much for Hitler's army, with Allied victory on the continent secured on May 8 1945. Television or radio is the sole source of company for a quarter of over-65s, a survey has revealed. Research by Age UK found that 1.6 million people over the age of 65 don't have someone to discuss their feelings with, while another 1.5 million don't leave home for social events. The figures mean nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of over 65s are more reliant on the TV and radio than human contact. It comes as Age UK announced a 2million fund-raising drive with retailer Dunelm in a bid to combat loneliness and provide increased practical support by phone and in communities. They will support through the free national Advice Line, Telephone Friendship Service and The Silver Line Helpline, as well as Age UK's day centres, benefits advice and social activity classes and groups. The figures were based on telephone research which saw 2632 people over 65 asked about statements. The figures mean nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of over 65s are more reliant on the TV and radio than human contact (stock image) Some 24.11 per cent of people 'slightly agreed' or 'strongly agreed' with the statement 'The TV/radio is my main source of company'. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Age UK said: '"Home" means so much more than bricks and mortar, it's a sense of belonging, of feeling safe, welcome and appreciated. 'Sadly, more and more older people are telling us that this simply isn't their reality. 'Together with Dunelm, we are on a mission to redefine the concept of home for those who are struggling to find warmth, companionship and practical help to do more than simply survive. 'Whether that's through advice and friendship delivered over the phone, or via frontline support, this partnership will prove pivotal in expanding our support network to more older service users up and down the country.' The announcement follows a report commissioned by Age UK which concluded there was a 'pervasive sense of pessimism and inevitability that normalises poor mental health' among older people. The report's authors said there was no national strategy or blueprint to help public services prevent mental ill health in later life, or to meet the needs of people with mental health problems in later life 'effectively and holistically'. Jeremy Hunt will slash National Insurance by another 2p today in a tax-cutting drive ahead of the next election. Whitehall sources told the Mail the Chancellor will press ahead with a second consecutive 2p cut in personal tax today, leaving the average worker 900 a year better off. Mr Hunt and Rishi Sunak hope the move will help persuade voters that the Conservatives are serious about cutting a tax burden which has risen to record levels in the wake of the pandemic and energy crisis. Some Tory MPs last night warned that a bigger package was needed, including a reduction in income tax. But Whitehall sources said that tight public finances had made it impossible to 'responsibly' offer bigger tax cuts. Mr Hunt will today stress that his Budget package is fully funded, allowing him to make the reductions 'permanent'. And he will hint at further tax cuts to come, possibly in a second Budget ahead of an autumn election. However, the possibility of a National Insurance cut has also sparked talk of a General Election in May. Jeremy Hunt (pictured) will slash National Insurance by another 2p today in a tax-cutting drive ahead of the next election King Charles III meets with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace, London, on March 5 Mr Sunak is also preparing to offer further tax cuts in the election campaign, and is considering reviving a previous pledge to knock 4p off income tax by the end of the decade. One senior Tory said the PM viewed today's Budget as a vital stepping stone in reviving the Tories' economic credibility. 'On tax, he believes we need to show, not tell,' the source said. Signalling further tax cuts to come, Mr Hunt will say: 'Because of the progress we've made because we are delivering on the Prime Minister's economic priorities we can now help families with permanent cuts in taxation. 'We do this not just to give help where it is needed in challenging times. But because Conservatives know lower tax means higher growth. And higher growth means more opportunity and more prosperity.' In what is set to be a key election battleground, the Chancellor will also contrast his approach with Labour's warning that the opposition would 'risk family finances with new spending that pushes up tax'. Labour claimed that today's Budget was designed to clear the way for a May election. Economic think-tanks warned the NI cut would not be enough to prevent the overall tax burden rising as a result of huge stealth taxes imposed in the wake of the pandemic. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said: 'Based on forecasts from last autumn, that tax cut would not by itself be enough to prevent taxes as a share of GDP from rising to record levels in 2028-29.' The Resolution Foundation said that people on less than 19,000 a year would be left worse off overall, as the impact of frozen tax thresholds on their income would be greater than the benefit of the cut in NI. Today's cut will cost 10billion and benefit 27million workers. The standard rate, which was 12p before November's autumn statement, has already been cut to 10p and will now fall to 8p next month. Mr Hunt and Rishi Sunak (left) hope the move will help persuade voters that the Conservatives are serious about cutting a tax burden which has risen to record levels in the wake of the pandemic and energy crisis Former Cabinet minister Priti Patel (pictured) last night said a cut in income tax would have been a better way to 'show that we back working households' A worker on an average earnings of 35,000 will gain 450 a year. But because the Chancellor cut National Insurance by an identical sum in November, he will present it as a package worth 900 to the average worker. People earning more than 50,000 a year will gain almost 1,500 a year from the two tax cuts. The Chancellor is expected to introduce a comparable package for the self-employed as he did in the autumn. But pensioners will miss out because they do not pay National Insurance. Dennis Reed, of the campaign group Silver Voices, said pensioners would be 'bitterly disappointed' if they miss out again, particularly as a growing number are being dragged into the tax system by the six-year freeze in thresholds. Former Cabinet minister Priti Patel last night said a cut in income tax would have been a better way to 'show that we back working households'. Mr Sunak had pushed to introduce a 2p cut in income tax instead, which would have benefited more people, including pensioners, But the plan was dropped after the Office for Budget Responsibility warned the 14billion price tag was 'unaffordable'. The OBR's ruling has triggered a scramble for cash at the Treasury as the PM and Chancellor try to identify the money needed to pay for today's tax giveaway. Mr Hunt has been weighing up a squeeze on post-election public spending which could yield up to 5 billion, and will warn today that the public sector needs to be 'more productive'. He is also planning a string of smaller tax rises. The Chancellor hopes to generate 2billion by curbing tax breaks for wealthy non-doms. Extending the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas could raise another 1billion. A new tax on vaping, coupled with higher taxes on smoking will raise a further 500million. And the Chancellor is expected to raise hundreds of millions more by hiking air passenger duty on business flights and cutting tax breaks for landlords. But tight public finances mean there will be no new money for defence, despite rising threats from Russia and growing tensions in the Middle East. Former Tory minister Sir John Redwood suggested the Chancellor should have been bolder, saying: 'We want a tax cutting Budget and you don't really create a tax cutting Budget if you begin by creating new taxes.' But Mr Hunt will today say that he also has a duty to cut public debt. Viewers watching the Sarah Everard documentary have slammed the Met Police for 'harbouring' her killer Wayne Couzens after a damning report found officers missed eight opportunities to catch him. Ms Everard, 33, was snatched by serving firearms officer Couzens after he used his police-issued warrant card to stage a fake arrest on March 3 2021. He then drove her to a rural area near Dover in Kent, raped and strangled her with his police belt before burning her body in a fridge and dumping her remains in a nearby pond. Three police forces - the Met Police, Kent Police and Thames Valley - 'could have and should have' stopped Couzens and missed a series of opportunities during his vetting, an inquiry published last Thursday found. A BBC documentary called Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice was aired on Tuesday night as the marketing executive's heartbroken family marked three years since the horrific murder. As viewers were reminded of the horrors committed by Couzens, one posted on X: 'This Sarah Everard documentary is one of the most horrific things I have ever seen. The sheer number of failings, the attitude men have towards women.' Another fumed: 'BBC documentary about Sarah Everard is absolutely devastating to watch. Remembering all the rage and grief we all felt about her death, and how the Met had harboured her killer.' Couzens was served a whole life order, and has more recently also been found guilty on three counts of indecent exposure which occurred prior to murdering Miss Everard The murder of Miss Everard, a marketing executive, prompted fury at the failure to protect women against male violence Viewers said the Sarah Everard documentary is 'one of the most horrific things' they have watched Meanwhile others slammed the documentary as a 'PR stunt'. One user wrote: 'Can't feel sorry for Met Police - looks like a staged PR stunt today with interviews of officers arresting Wayne Couzens. 'They were shocked it was a serving officer? Really? Ridiculous. They've ignored many, many serving criminal officers for decades.' Jade Blue, an advocate for women's rights, wrote: 'The BBC documentary 'Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice' reignites my long-held rage and grief, underscoring the lack of progress made in ensuring safety for women and girls. 'This powerful film exposes the failures of the Metropolitan Police (and other forces), emphasising the urgent need for improvement. We must continue to speak out until real change is achieved.' Another user wrote: 'This BBC Sarah Everard documentary is absolutely heartbreaking. I'm in floods of tears at what she must have felt in that car, appalled at failings of the police and furious that male-perpetrated violence against women remains an ongoing issue that society are desensitised to. And another posted: 'Another fumed: 'Watching the Sarah Everard documentary is making my blood boil. The useless not fit for purpose Met Police were a disgrace with the way they handled the vigil & their utter dereliction of duty in relation to the scum that is Couzens.' After Couzens was sentenced, the documentary touches on how the Met released new guidance for young women who are stopped by plain-clothed police officers. It said if anyone felt unsafe they should flag down a bus, shout to passers-by, or speak to the control room on the police radio. If there are still concerns, the advice was to run. But a furious viewer wrote: 'Met Police guidance for anyone feeling unsafe with a police officer: 'Flag down a bus or shout to a passer-by'. Seriously? Really inspires confidence, eh?' Viewers share their thoughts about the Sarah Everard documentary which was aired at 9pm on Tuesday Miss Everard's family have said she would have never got into Couzens' car if he hadn't been a police officer Viewers were irate that Couzens was allowed to stay in his position given his history. One wrote: 'Couzens should never have been a police officer and THREE forces could have stopped him. That is f***ing terrifying.' The same user added: 'The Met Police have blood on their hands. How was this predator even walking the streets let alone a serving police officer? It is truly mind-blowing.' Viewers also criticised the Met's handling of the vigil for Ms Everard, which took place while Covid restrictions were in place. Patsy Stevenson and Dania Al-Obeid were later paid 'substantial damages' by Scotland Yard after they were arrested during the vigil. A photo of Stevenson being pinned to the floor by officers sparked widespread fury. One user wrote: 'The way the police handled the Sarah Everard vigil is one of the most shocking and vile things I have ever seen.' Others accused the documentary of being a 'staged PR stunt' for the Met Police Jamie Klingler, founder of Reclaim These Streets - the group who organised Ms Everard's vigil - told MailOnline: 'It was really difficult to watch and relive that horrific time period and how much the police tried to gaslight us and unlawfully break our human right to protest whilst having blood on their hands for their dereliction of duty. They had so many chances to stop him. Sarahs death was so preventable. 'Boiling down the last three years of learning about how deep the misogyny in the forces is and how unfit for purpose the organisation is very difficult in an hour and I appreciate the gargantuan size of that task especially whilst needing access to the Met to elucidate on the details of the crime. The activist, who said she was 'too close to the subject to have a very impartial view', added: 'On a very specific point in the film, that when Couzens was initially listed as a suspect in indecent exposure who had rented the vehicle and they sent officers to his home and still didnt know he was police blows my mind. 'That the system has and still protects their officers so comprehensively reinforces their impunity and that there is one rule for them and one for the rest of us astounds me.' Last week, an inquiry found that repeated opportunities were missed to stop Couzens that left him able to stay in the police despite being a serial sex offender with a reputation for disturbing sexual behaviour that led to a nickname of 'the Rapist'. It found Couzens' history of alleged sexual offending dated back nearly 20 years before he murdered Ms Everard. The married father of two was reported to police eight times for indecent exposure between 2008 and 2021 but was able to continue in the police due to 'lethargic and inadequate' investigations, the report found. Inquiry chair Lady Elish Angiolini identified at least five incidents which were not reported to police and warned there could be more victims. Couzens, now 51, allegedly carried out a 'very serious sexual assault of a child barely into her teens' while he was in his twenties. Couzens was accused of attempting to kidnap a woman at knifepoint in North London in 1995 while aged 23. He was also accused of raping two women and indecently touching a man in a bar while wearing a blonde wig. Lady Elish found the married father of two 'could and should' have stopped from getting a job as an officer, and that without a radical overhaul of British policing, there is 'nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight'. The inquiry team found that there were instances where he showed extreme violent pornography to friends and police colleagues, in a move to test their boundaries, and sent unsolicited images of his genitals to women. A spokesman for the Met in response to the Angiolini inquiry said: 'The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met Police officer was unthinkably appalling and a betrayal of Sarah Everard and all who loved her. 'This most horrific example of an officer abusing his position led to us to implement a series of reforms to confront the risk of predatory people being part of the Met. 'The shared determination of the Met's officers and staff is leading to more reports, tougher vetting and more dismissals. 'No one in the Met is complacent, and we are relentlessly continuing our reform to make London safer for women and girls.We are truly sorry our failures allowed a monster to join and remain in our ranks.' A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 43-year-old man was fatally assaulted in west London on Monday night. Police and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene on Dawley Avenue in Uxbridge before the victim was rushed to hospital, where he later died. His family has been informed but formal identification has yet to take place, with a post-mortem examination due to be held later this week, Scotland Yard said. An 18-year-old man was arrested in Derbyshire on Tuesday where he remains in police custody, the force said. He will be transferred to a London police station. Police and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene on Dawley Avenue in Uxbridge (pictured), before the man was taken to hospital where he later died Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford said: 'We have launched a murder investigation. 'I know this will be concerning to local residents, however I want to reassure them and the man's family that we are working around the clock to establish what has happened. 'Our investigation is in its early stages and I am keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything out of the ordinary. Please get in touch with police or Crimestoppers.' A relative of young children who were allegedly cable tied by a tradie after they were caught swimming in a backyard pool said she was 'pushed away' by the man when she tried to intervene. Shocking footage posted to Facebook showed a six-year-old girl, seven-year-old boy and an eight-year-old boy in tears with their hands tied together outside a Conkerberry Road home near Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia, on Tuesday afternoon. It is believed the tradie, 45, had been working at the house for a local air-conditioning company and discovered the children swimming in a pool at the home. The six-year-old girl and the seven-year-old boy were bound with cable ties at the Broome property on Tuesday afternoon A fourth boy had also been in the pool but managed to flee and alert family members to what was going on. A woman, who is related to the little girl and the seven-year-old boy, livestreamed the shocking ordeal and said the tradie refused to let them go. 'When we tried to walk in there to get them he pushed me and my mum out of the yard,' she told the West Australian. 'When we pulled up there, and when that man was pushing me out of the gate... the little (eight-year-old) boy snapped the cable ties with his hands and then he just jumped over the fence and ran down the road. 'It was just upsetting, we were so angry with (the tradie) just shouting at him, telling him to let them go but he just didn't want to listen to us.' The relative said the man kept saying he was 'waiting for police' to arrive. She said one of the kids also claimed the man told them he was going to 'hit them with a big stick'. The tradie who allegedly tied up the children (pictured) has been arrested St John Ambulance paramedics assessed the children, who have since been reunited with their family. Western Australia Police confirmed a man was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault. Police were initially called to the property over reports of trespassing. 'The man, from Broome, was taken into custody, interviewed over the matter and charged,' Western Australia Police said. 'It is alleged the force used to restrain the children was not proportionate in the circumstances.' He was granted bail and is due to appear in court at a later date. The local air-conditioning company has since been subjected to online abuse and one-star Google ratings. An earlier photo on Facebook showed a third child tied up (pictured) One witness Leandra McKenzie said the children were distressed and calling out for their mum. 'They were frightened, they were crying, shaking and singing out for their mum,' she said. 'It would have been over an hour it was . . . we were yelling at him to tell them to release them . . . but he just wouldn't give up.' The witness claimed the children were tied up for as long as an hour, on a day when temperatures soared to 33C. The relative said the children knew it was wrong to enter the property but said they were 'just kids' and were trying to cool down on a hot day. Ceasefire talks between Hamas and mediators broke up on Tuesday in Cairo with no breakthrough, with just days left to halt fighting in time for the start of Ramadan. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told Reuters the militant group had presented its proposal for a ceasefire agreement to the mediators during two days of talks, and was now waiting for a response from the Israelis, who stayed away from this round. "(Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu doesn't want to reach an agreement and the ball now is in the Americans' court" to press him for a deal, Naim said. Israel has declined to comment publicly on the talks in Cairo. A source told Reuters earlier that Israel was staying away because Hamas had rejected its demand to furnish a list of all hostages who are still alive. Naim said this was impossible without a ceasefire first as hostages were scattered across the war zone and held by separate groups. The Cairo talks had been billed as a final hurdle to reach the war's first extended ceasefire - a 40-day truce during which dozens of hostages would be freed and aid would be pumped into Gaza to stave off a manmade famine, ahead of Ramadan, which is due to begin at the start of next week. Egyptian security sources said on Monday they were still in touch with the Israelis to allow the negotiations to continue without an Israeli delegation present. Washington, which is both Israel's closest ally and a sponsor of the ceasefire talks, has said an Israeli-approved deal is already on the table and it is up to Hamas to accept it. Hamas disputes this account as an attempt to deflect blame from Israel if the talks collapse with no deal. The United States has also called on Israel to do more to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed by Israel's assault, launched after Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people in October. Hunger stalks Gaza Famine is now gripping the besieged Gaza Strip as aid supplies, already sharply curtailed since the start of the war, have dwindled to barely a trickle over the past month. Whole swathes of the territory are completely cut off from food. Gaza's few functioning hospitals, already overwhelmed by the wounded, are now filling with children starving to death. Ahmed Cannan, a toddler with sunken eyes and an emaciated face, lay on a bed at Al-Awda clinic in Rafah, wrapped in a yellow cardigan. He had lost half his weight since the start of the war and now weighs just 6 kg (13 pounds). "His situation worsens each day. God protect us from what is coming," his aunt, Israa Kalakh, told Reuters. Nurse Diaa Al-Shaer said such emaciated children were now pouring into the clinic in unprecedented numbers: "We will face a large number of patients who suffer from this, which is malnutrition," she said. The situation is worst in the north of Gaza, beyond the reach of aid agencies or news cameras. Gaza health authorities say 15 children have died of malnutrition or dehydration at one hospital. Israel says it is willing to allow in more aid to Gaza through the two checkpoints on the southern edge of the territory it has permitted to open, and blames UN and other aid agencies for failing to distribute it more widely. The aid agencies say this has become impossible with a breakdown of law and order, and it is up to Israel, whose troops have stormed Gaza's towns and patrol them, to provide access and security for food distribution. "The sense of helplessness and despair among parents and doctors in realising that lifesaving aid, just a few kilometres away, is being kept out of reach, must be unbearable," said Adele Khodr, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. (Reuters) They look like a bizarre collection of objects, from an eagle spreading its wings to a spinning top and a Japanese 'shuriken' throwing weapon. But these stunning new images released today show 'planet-forming discs' swirling rings of gas and dust surrounding young stars in the Milky Way. Their locations several hundreds of light-years from us or trillions and trillions of miles away make them appear as tiny pinpricks in the night sky. So scientists used the powerful European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile to show over 80 of them in greater detail than ever before. Many appear like perfect circles or 'bowls' with bright light towards the centre, while others look like asymmetrical blobs with no uniformity. From wing-shaped to jagged spirals, new images show the incredible variety of planet-forming discs that surround stars The stunning images, captured using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESOs VLT) in Chile, represent one of the largest ever surveys of planet-forming discs What are planet-forming discs? Planet-forming or 'protoplanetary' discs are swirling rings of gas and dust that surround young stars. Gravity and other forces cause material within the disk to collide, and eventually the material fuses and grows, like a snowball. In our own solar system, the protoplanetary disc a swirling mass of dust and gas rotated around the sun and eventually coalesced into the planets we know today. Planet-forming discs can extend for distances hundreds of times greater than the distance between Earth and the sun. Their location several hundreds of light-years from us makes them appear as tiny pinpricks in the night sky. Advertisement In total, scientists have published the images of 86 young stars with planet-forming discs around them all of them in our Milky Way galaxy in three papers in Astronomy & Astrophysics. 'This study is the largest of its kind so far and used the most advanced telescopes and instrumentation to allow us this peak into the planetary nurseries,' Dr Christian Ginski, one of the authors and an astronomer at the University of Galway, Ireland, told MailOnline. The images reveal the 'extraordinary diversity' of planet-forming discs, but Dr Ginski and colleagues don't yet know why this is exactly. 'While we don't know for certain yet why the disks look so diverse, it is quite amazing to see this diversity,' he told MailOnline. Researchers used the VLT to study the 86 young stars across three different star-forming regions of our galaxy Taurus, Chamaeleon I and Orion. Taurus and Chamaeleon I are both around 600 light-years from Earth, while Orion, a gas-rich cloud about 1,600 light-years from us that is known to be the birthplace of several stars more massive than the sun. One of them, called T Tau in the Taurus region, looks like a little baby newt, while V1012 in Orion looks like an eagle spreading its wings. Many are remarkably circular, with prominent white in the centre and purple further outwards. The colours in the images are a visual aid to represent different levels of brightness, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) told MailOnline. Purple corresponds to the faint outskirts of these discs, whereas orange and white show the brighter regions towards the centre, closer to the host star. Planet-forming discs in the Taurus cloud. This cloud hosts a stellar nursery containing hundreds of newly formed stars Researchers used the VLT to study a total of 86 stars across three different star-forming regions of our galaxy - Taurus, Chamaeleon I and Orion. Pictured are the planet-forming discs in Chamaeleon I READ MORE: Planet forming 444 light years away contains key molecule for life Researchers studied a planetary disk around the young star IRS 48 Advertisement 'But the underlying data in each image were captured through a single colour so to speak,' an ESO spokesperson said. 'These images were taken in infrared light, and they show starlight scattered by dust particles in the discs around these stars. 'In these images we dont see the stars themselves because during the observations they were blocked with a special mask, akin to creating an artificial eclipse. 'This reveals the discs, which would otherwise be drowned in the intense glare of the stars.' The team was able to gain fascinating insights from the telescope data about star systems themselves. For example, in Orion they found that 'binary' star systems stars which have two or more stars that gravitationally bound to and in orbit around each other are less likely to have large planet-forming discs. This is a significant result given that, unlike our sun which is the only star in our solar system, most stars in our galaxy have solar companions. As well as this, the uneven appearance of the discs in this region suggests the possibility of massive planets embedded within them, which could be causing the discs to warp and become misaligned. Pictured, planet-forming discs in Orion. Orion, a gas-rich cloud about 1,600 light-years from us, is known to be the birthplace of several stars more massive than the sun This composite image shows the MWC 758 planet-forming disc, located about 500 light-years away in the Taurus region Pictured, instruments that form the Very Large Telescope in the remote, sparsely populated Atacama Desert in northern Chile Dr Ginski pointed out that a minority of these planet-forming discs might not end up forming any planets at all, despite the name. 'It is not at all clear if every disk will form a planet,' he told MailOnline. 'Some disks might not be massive enough, or disperse to quickly to allow planet formation. 'But indeed, from the many thousands of planets that we have discovered, it would seem that planet formation is a very common process around young stars. 'So, it is quite likely that most of these disks have planets embedded in them.' The three newly-published papers each corresponding to a region of the Milky Way can be accessed here: Taurus, Chamaeleon I and Orion. 'Where is everyone?' It's the famous question about aliens, echoing out to our quiet galactic neighbors after Manhattan Project physicist Enrico Fermi asked it in 1950. But perhaps even a highly advanced extraterrestrial civilization might find itself without the resources or the key information needed to escape their home world, at least according to a new study from Spain's Atlantico Medio university. Some so-called 'Super Earths' might be within their star's habitable zone, but so massive that their gravity makes interplanetary rocket launches all but impossible. These and other 'Fishbowl Worlds' are just one of several ideas introduced in the new paper, which hopes to help explain Enrico Fermi's infamous 1950 'Fermi Paradox.' Fermi's paradox has perplexed astronomers for over six decades, asking in short: In a universe teeming with as many as 200 billion trillion stars, and still more planets, many capable of supporting life, why haven't Earth's scientists spotted any aliens? Even highly advanced alien civilizations might find themselves without the resources - or key information - needed to escape their home world, according to a study from Spain's Atlantico Medio university. Above, Jupiter's watery moon Europa, imaged by NASA's Galileo spacecraft 'The image of a planet whose gravity makes it difficult or impossible to leave suggested to me the metaphor of a fishbowl,' the new study's author Professor Elio Quiroga told DailyMail.com via email. 'I found it to be a powerful analogy,' Prof. Quiroga, who lectures at Atlantico Medio in Spain, said. For one category of his Fishbowl Worlds, Prof. Quiroga calculated a value he termed the 'exoplanet escape factor' (Fex): a value comparing a given exo-planet's escape velocity to Earth's 7 miles-per-second (11.19 kilometers-per-second) escape velocity. Escape velocity, the speed needed for a spacecraft to break free from the gravity of any celestial body be it a moon, planet or asteroid varies with that body's mass. Escaping the potentially habitable exo-planet Proxima Centauri b, four light-years from Earth, for example, is relatively easy: 5.9 miles-per-second, or an 'Fex' of just 0.85-times Earth's own. But massive, yet hypothetically habitable planets like Kepler-131 b, 746 light-years from Earth, require a daunting speeds to break free: 21.8 miles-per-second to exit Kepler-131 b, for example, or an Fex of 3.13-times Earth. Some so-called 'Super Earths' might be within their star's habitable zone, but so massive that their gravity makes interplanetary rocket launches all but impossible, like Kepler-131 b (left), 746 light-years from Earth. Others, like Proxima Centauri b (right), are easier to blast off from 'Many worlds, particularly super-Earths,' Prof. Quiroga told DailyMail.com, 'may be dismissed due to prohibitive escape velocities.' But there were also interesting edge cases, like the habitable world GJ-1214b, 48 light-years from Earth, which has an escape velocity about 1.5 times that of Earth's. Planets like these, which also includes Kepler-103b, might prove harder for an advanced race to blast off from, but might not trap a species on their home world. Prof. Quiroga's research, published in last October in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, theorizes that any escape velocity with an Fex more than 2.2 times Earth's own may lock a civilization onto their planet of origin for good. The more than 5,000 exoplanets confirmed in our galaxy so far include a variety of types - among them these mysterious 'super-Earths' that are larger than our world and possibly rocky But Prof. Quiroga also pointed to unique cultural factors that might lock a species into their home planet, in one case discussing a more literal 'Fishbowl World.' An advanced civilization on an ocean planet, he speculated, might have mastered long-distance communication via their own evolution, given that communication travels much further naturally in a fluid environment (think sonar) than in open air. The dominant species on a watery planet, or a watery moon like Jupiter's moon Europa, may have enjoyed conversations that travel naturally for hundreds of miles. In those worlds, Prof. Quiroga wrote, 'communication between individuals could be feasible without the need for communication devices,' stifling the urge to innovate advanced communication technologies. There were also interesting edge cases, like the habitable world GJ-1214b (above), 48 light-years from Earth, which has an escape velocity 1.5 times Earth's: hard but possible to leave 'Telecommunications technology might never emerge on such a world, even though it could be home to a fully developed civilization,' Quiroga argued in his paper. 'Such a civilization would not be "communicative" and would not be contemplated in the Drake equation,' the famous calculation formulated to predict the chance of finding intelligent life in the universe, Quiroga said. An evolutionary feature like innate, biological, undersea sonar, in other words, could leave them both silent and unable to listen to humanity's SETI radio transmissions. But, as Prof. Quiroga told DailyMail.com, his research is not a cause for astronomers and planetary scientists to drastically change policies or research plans just yet. READ MORE: Could an advanced alien civilization wipe us out? Scientists identify two possible exoplanets where extraterrestrials may have had a five billion year head start on life on Earth Cardiff University's Professor Jane Greaves has identified at least two potentially super-advanced worlds that might exist in our own Milky Way galaxy, orbiting stars 70 and 110 light-years away. Advertisement 'The initial step is to search for basic life, simple life-forms,' he said. 'We are making progress in this direction, but we require more advanced tools (such as the future Vera Rubin telescope) and improved methods for analyzing the faint signals emanating from these exo-planets.' 'If we were to discover a world in another star system displaying clear and indisputable signs of intelligence,' Prof. Quiroga said, 'then we could contemplate whether those beings have achieved space travel, or if it's within their capability or not.' What those first, successful signs, which researchers call techno-signatures, will turn out to be remains to be seen, he noted, in part due to the truly alien possibilities of life outside our world. 'We can only assert that we know of one civilization in the cosmos, and that is our own,' Prof. Quiroga said. 'Consequently, we tend to humanize or anthropomorphize everything; it's inevitable.' 'However, there is something intriguing to consider,' he added. 'We emerged as a species more or less in the middle of the lifespan of our star, the sun, which suggests something profound: intelligence takes a considerable amount of time to evolve.' Perhaps, Prof. Quiroga suggested, an answer to Enrico Fermi's famous paradox is that most alien species are taking just as much time to evolve as life did here on Earth. Electric vehicles may release more pollution than petrol-powered vehicles, according to a report that has recently resurfaced. The study, which was published in 2022 but has begun circulating again after being cited in a WSJ op-ed, found that brakes and tyres release 1,850 times more particulate matter compared to modern exhaust pipes which have filters that reduce emissions. It found that EVs are 30 percent heavier on average than petrol-powered vehicles, which causes the brakes and tyre treads to wear out faster than standard cars and releases tiny, often toxic particles into the atmosphere. Hesham Rakha, a professor at Virginia Tech told Dailymail.com that the study is only 'partially correct' because even though EVs are heavier, their tyres will emit more microplastics into the air, but this could also be true for sedans versus SUVs. Electric vehicles may release more pollution than petrol-powered vehicles, according to a report that has recently resurfaced Rakha said it is very challenging to determine the difference between the amount of microplastics emitted from EV tyre treads and petrol-powered vehicles because you have to separate the microplastics that are already in the air from other sources with what's coming off the tyres. Rakha and his team at Virginia Tech are in the process of conducting field tests to determine how much microplastics are emitting from EV and petrol cars by using traffic simulators that will mimic an urban setting. He added that he doesn't expect there to be a major difference between the EV and petrol-powered vehicles, saying that they haven't measured it yet, but expect the difference to be about 20 percent. This doesn't mean that people should gravitate away from electric cars because they 'are more efficient depending zero emission,' Rakha said, but added the caveat that 'it also generates a lot of CO2 when charging your vehicle.' EV batteries weigh about 453kg, and can result in tire emissions that are nearly 400 times more than exhaust pipe emissions. Particle pollution can increase health problems including heart disease, asthma, lung disease and in extreme cases, can lead to hospitalisation, cancer, and premature death. New petrol-powered cars are created to be 'cleaner,' by updating the trims of their internal combustion engines to include particulate filters that reduce emissions. The EVs increased weight due to their lithium-ion batteries cause the tyre treads to wear faster, ultimately producing more emissions. The study, conducted by the firm Emissions Analytics, said the main difference between exhaust pipe and tyre emissions is that the majority of particulate emissions released from the tyre go directly into the soil and water, while exhaust negatively affects the air quality. The effects of tire composition come down to the materials the tyre is made from, the study reported. Light-duty tyres are typically made from synthetic rubber which is developed using crude oil natural rubber adds fillers and additives, some of which are recognised carcinogens. Emissions Analytics tested the tire wear on both EV and gas-powered vehicles after driving them at least 1,600km. The researchers used a sampling system to collect particles immediately behind each tire and then measured the size of the particles emitted from the tread. It found that the greater the vehicle's mass and weight, the more rapidly the tyre particulate emissions would be released due to the increased torque between the tires and the road. A new study revealed that tyre wear causes more carbon emissions than an exhaust pipe despite claims that EVs produce zero emissions A separate 2020 report by the Emissions Analytics firm said that tyres are likely to be a major concern in the coming years as consumers switch to bigger and heavier cars. Research shows they contribute to microplastic marine pollution, as well as air pollution from finer particles, the report continued. While most scientists look to the stars for signs of extraterrestrial life, others claim that the evidence might already be here on Earth. Mysterious remains surfaced in Colombia this week, which some say could have their origins beyond this world. Veteran public radio reporter, Josep Guijarro, claimed the unusual corpse could be an extraterrestrial or a 'tiny humanoid' from an ancient species. But experts now say that the real explanation is likely far simpler. Professor Sian Halcrow, a forensic anthropologist and expert on infant remains, told MailOnline that this is probably the remains of a preterm human baby. These bizarre images of an 'alien foetus' were shared by former public radio host and alien investigator Josep Guijarro These remains appear to have alien-like features, but experts suggest they are consistent with the appearance of mummified human foetuses What is being claimed? These strange images were shared by veteran public radio host Josep Guijarro who is now a full-time alien investigator. According to Mr Guijarro, the images were shared with him by a source who 'wanted to know if it could be a being from another world and informed me that the specimen comes from Colombia.' The alleged alien has a large elongated skull, slanted eyes, an umbilical cord and, an 'unusual number of ribs'. In an article published in Espacia Misterio, he claimed that the remains only had 10 ribs on each side of the body compared with 12 in the typical human. Mr Guijarro also claims that the remains emerged from 'el cerro de los enanos' ('the Hill of the Dwarves') in remote Colombia. However, in a later post on X, he added that he could not know the exact origin of the specimen because he lacked 'verifiable data'. The new find resembles Chile's mysterious, oblong-headed 'Atacama skeleton' (above), which according to a Spanish businessman who spent a decade studying it, may have once been a small class of terrestrial humanoid READ MORE: 'Alien corpse' row breaks out as American UFO expert slams Mexico's unveiling of 'non-human' bodies as 'an unsubstantiated stunt' The two 'alien corpses' were unveiled to a stunned Mexican congress this week Advertisement The post has sparked a wave of speculation online that these remains could be those of an extra-terrestrial species that came to Earth at some point in the distant past. One social media commenter wrote: 'Surely it's an intraterrestrial species that still lives among us?' These claims echo the theories that surrounded the 'alien mummies' that were presented to Mexico's congress last September. However, those claims were soon disproved when analysis revealed that the 'aliens' were nothing more than dolls made of animal bones. However, Mr Guijarro has attempted to distance himself from these theories and has proposed an alternative, though still far-fetched, suggestion. In an apparent dig at the Mexican alien debacle, he wrote: 'I am sure that someone in Mexico would have already given it the label "alien" but in my case I prefer to be more cautious.' Instead, pointing to the 'not trivial detail' of the umbilical cord, Mr Guijarros suggests these remains are those of an ancient species of 'tiny humanoid'. The Spanish public radio veteran did venture to suggest that the specimen might be related to 'Ata', an infamous, six-inch 'alien'-like corpse unearthed in Chile in 2003. He suggests that both of these specimens could be related members of a species of human-like creatures that lived around 800 years ago. 'The legends speak of a civilization of tiny beings, about 35-40 centimeters, that would live at the top of these mountains,' he wrote. Guijarro's scepticism has not stopped others weighing in with their own theories about the new Colombian corpse mystery. 'It is very similar to the Atacama being,' one said (above). 'Surely it's an intraterrestrial species that still lives among us?' The 'aliens' presented to Mexico's Congress in September were revealed to be nothing more than bone dolls made by humans What do the experts say? However, despite the online speculation, expert opinion suggests a far simpler explanation. Professor Halcrow told MailOnline that all the supposed evidence for the extra-terrestrial origins of the specimen could be easily explained. She said: 'There are always conspiracy theories and unfortunately some people pick up and run with these as they are the most sensationalist and get the most attention. 'However, they have ignored the most parsimonious explanation, that this is a preterm baby.' The unusual appearance of the remains is due to the mummification of soft tissue in arid conditions, according to Professor Halcrow. Since foetuses have softer bones and are not fully developed, this mummification process can leave the remains looking unusual to unfamiliar observers. Previous 'aliens' and tiny humanoids (pictured) have been studies by experts and all bear common features which can be explained by the mummification of soft tissue in foetus or preterm babies Alien claims debunked Unusual proportions - While it may look odd the head and body are proportional for a foetus. Elongated skull - The skulls of preterm infants are not stable and can be moulded during birth to give an elongated appearance. Slanted eyes - Babies only open their eyes in utero after 27 weeks. Malformed eyes are the result of eyes and eyelids mummifying. 10 ribs - There is no way to confirm this from a photo as the bottom two ribs are small and easily missed. Advertisement Professor Halcrow explained: 'The anatomy of this individual is consistent of a mummified human fetus. 'The misshapen appearance of the skull may be from fetal head moulding during birth where the parietal bone (large bones on either side and top of the skull) can overlap the frontal bones and other parietal bone.' Likewise, this theory can also explain the 'alien-like' features that are apparent in the mummy. 'Babies only open up their eyes in utero at about 27 weeks gestation so the purported malformed eyes are a result of the soft tissue mummification of the eyes and eyelids,' Professor Halcrow said. As for the claim that there are only 10 ribs on either side, Professor Halcrow says that there is 'no reason' to believe this is the case. Since the two lower ribs are very small, they are extremely difficult to see and would be hard to spot from the pictures alone. More worryingly, Professor Halcrow also points out that Mr Guijarros fails to mention the context of where these remains were found. She added: 'There is mention that it is from 800 years ago. If that is the case this baby is from a plundered ancient burial site.' Don't call girls 'cute' or 'sweet' because it might stifle their creativity, woke researchers claim. A new study, which was sponsored by Lego, suggests that using 'gendered' language stops girls from freely expressing themselves. Girls feel less inspired to be creative if they are praised with words like 'sweet' and 'beautiful' rather than 'cool' or 'brave', according to the study. The researchers also say that girls are more likely to try new things if their mistakes are not criticised but rather 'praised more as learning opportunities'. Commenting on these findings, author and parenting researcher Jennifer Wallace said: 'Biased language reinforces traditional gender roles, which can play a role in limiting girls' creativity and perpetuating systemic inequalities.' Woke researchers say that calling girls 'cute' or 'sweet' rather than 'brave' or 'genius' could stifle their creativity (stock image) The researchers surveyed 25,532 children between five and 12 years old as well as 36,000 parents from around the world. The results revealed that society is around seven per cent more likely to use terms like 'sweet', 'pretty', 'beautiful', and 'cute' for girls than boys. In contrast, terms like 'brave', 'genius', 'innovative', and 'cool' are twice as likely to be used just for boys. While this might seem relatively harmless, the researchers claim this can have an impact on their willingness to express themselves and explore new things. Nearly two-thirds of girls between five and 12 years old said that the language they heard made them feel worried about making mistakes and less likely to experiment. More than half of the children involved said they thought adults were more likely to listen to the creative ideas of boys rather than girls. Ms Wallace said: 'This implicit bias can hamper girls' confidence and restrict their opportunities in male-dominated fields.' Nearly two-thirds of girls between five and 12 years old said that the language they heard made them less willing to express themselves and try new things (stock image) The researchers also suggest that girls might be particularly prone to the pressures of perfectionism as they get older. This, they claim, leads to girls feeling like they can't make creative decisions due to the risk of failing or getting something wrong. British girls may feel this pressure particularly acutely, with 71 per cent agreeing they had to be 'more perfect' than boys - six per cent above the global average. At the age of five, 76 per cent of girls surveyed said they felt confident about their creativity, but by the age of 12 this had declined by seven per cent. Dr Anika Petrella, a researcher and psychotherapist says: 'A perfection mindset encourages us to stay in our lanes, to fear failure and give up at the first sign of struggle. 'Teaching girls that experimentation triumphs over perfection is crucial to empower their authentic, creative selves'. This isn't the first time that researchers have suggested that gendered language might be having a long-term effect on children. Some research has suggested that children learn stereotypes about gender by the age of seven, which can have an impact on what kinds of jobs they think would be suitable for them. One study found that girls who were given Barbies to play with believed they had fewer career options compared with boys. Scientists have even claimed that children's books with 'female-associated worlds' might be perpetuating gender stereotypes. The study suggests that books with female main characters are more likely to be about affection than professions. Female-associated words focused on affection, school-related words and communication verbs, like 'explained' and 'listened.' Meanwhile, male-associated words focused more on professions, transportation and tools, with less of a focus on emotional needs. Charlotte the stingrays immaculate conception that has captivated marine wildlife enthusiasts worldwide now has a scientific explanation. While the stingray conceived her pups without a male mate, experts said her pregnancy is not so uncommon - and attributed it to parthenogenesis, the scientific term for a virgin birth. Parthenogenesis is common in sharks and stingrays and occurs when the mammal has been in isolation for long periods and effectively produces a clone of itself. Charlotte is on display at the Aquarium & Shark Lab in Hendersonville, North Carolina, which previously speculated she was impregnated by a white-spotted bamboo shark that was supposedly in the tank with her. The aquarium has been saying the stingray is set to give birth 'any day now' since last month and the uncertainty is likely due to them not knowing exactly when the embryo developed. Stingray experts say Charlotte's 'miracle birth' is most likely due to parthenogenesis - a scientific term for virgin birth Another, more unlikely scenario, for Charlotte's immaculate conception is that stingrays can carry sperm for up to a year. But she has been in isolation for too long for this to be a possibility, experts say There is only one other possible explanation for Charlottes miracle birth, according to Dr. Christopher Lowe, a professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University. They can become pregnant without observed mating with a male in two ways, Lowe told Dailymail.com. The first is that many species of sharks and rays can store sperm for at least up to one year, but said this is unlikely because Charlotte has been on her own for too long. Turns out that parthenogenesis is more common in sharks and rays than we previously thought, so this is the most likely explanation, Lowe said, adding that a quick DNA test will confirm if the female produces viable young. Kevin Feldheim, a researcher at Chicagos Field Museum who is a parthenogenesis expert told Dailymail.com that Charlotte's case is the first time parthenogenesis has been documented in her species, making it the 15th species to be documented altogether. The aquarium has been relaying regular updates on Charlottes condition, saying there is no sign of the pups yet, although an ultrasound showed shes carrying as many as four offspring. Researchers say Charlotte's ultrasound shows she's carrying up to four pups Certain animals are capable of reproducing through 'facultative parthenogenesis' in which the egg is fertilised with cells from the mother rather than by a male However, the team has so far been unable to provide a date for when Charlotte is expected to give birth. Lowe said its probably because they dont know exactly when she started developing an embryo, and we dont know if parthenogenesis requires longer gestation periods. Round stingrays typically have a shorter gestation period compared to other species, with their pregnancy lasting three to four months depending on the temperature of the water. He added that the more and longer some species are kept in captivity, the more we learn about oddities like this. Its hard to know the due date because it's difficult to determine how far into the pregnancy the stingray was when she conceived, Lowe said. Ultrasounds are typically conducted in late-term pregnancies, Lowe said, so they could only tell the stingray was pregnant about one month before it gave birth. The Aquarium & Shark Lab announced Charlottes miracle birth in a Facebook post early last month, sparking global interest in how the stingray could have conceived on her own, going so far as to suggest she was impregnated by a shark. The Aquarium & Shark Lab suggested Charlotte could have been impregnated by a shark, but experts said that's impossible Feldheim said his guess is the aquarium 'made that as a kind of an offhand comment, but for whatever reason, the idea of a ray-shark hybrid really took off.' READ MORE: What is a virgin birth? Step-by-step graphic reveals how a female stingray was able to get pregnant - despite living alone Certain animals like sharks and snakes are capable of producing healthy offspring without ever mating, through a process known as parthenogenesis. Advertisement In a separate interview, Feldheim told NBC News that the theory that a shark impregnated the Charlotte might have propelled her story into the global spotlight, but it has no basis in reality. The divergence between sharks and stingrays is 350 million years. And as a comparison, the divergence between humans and platypus is 180 million years, he told the outlet. The shark scientists were not really happy with that press release. No one would even think of that as an option, he added. Kady Lyons, a research scientist at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta told AP News the theory is impossible because the animals substantially different sizes mean they wouldnt match up anatomically and neither would their DNA. A round stingray like Charlotte measures between 10 and 22 inches in width while the white-spotted bamboo shark which was reportedly in the tank with Charlotte measures between 24 and 37 inches long. We should set the record straight that there arent some shark-ray shenanigans happening here, Lyons told the outlet. Theres nothing unnatural about asexual reproduction, Mercedes Burns, a biologist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County told NBC News. Invertebrates or fishes are doing amazing things in their lifetimes in order to reproduce successfully. Arctic sea ice naturally shrinks in the summer and re-freezes in the winter, but a new study has found that the region could be 'ice-free' in just 10 years. A team of scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder discovered that the ice has melted more than usual in the summer and frozen back smaller in the winter. They concluded that the Arctic's first ice-free period could happen in this decade, decreasing by nearly 25 percent. Less ice means that oceans will heat up more quickly, melting more of the ice caps and contributing to heatwaves on land. Slide me Shown here are satellite images of the Arctic from 1979 (left) and 2022 (right). Scientists predict that the Arctic will be mostly ice-free in the summers by 2035 to 2067 if current global warming trends continue This figure from the new study shows what the Arctic looked like (a) in the 1980s, with 5.5 million square kilometers (about 2.1 million square miles) of sea ice area; (b) between 2015 and 2023 with 3.3 million square kilometers of sea ice (1.27 million square miles); and (c) in a possible future scenario, with fewer than a million square kilometers of sea ice (about 386,000 square miles) Sea ice is usually at its smallest extent in the middle of September, after the summer heat has melted it away and before it begins to freeze again. These are normal annual changes between summer and winter, as the ice naturally melts and re-freezes. But both summer and winter ice are getting smaller, NASA has found. READ MORE: Amazon rainforest could collapse by 2050 Researchers warn largest rainforest in the world is approaching 'tipping point' due to droughts, deforestation and fires The Amazon Rainforest, sometimes called 'the lungs of the Earth,' is home to more than 10,000 species of plants and animals. They face extinction if too much of the Amazon is lost Advertisement On September 19, 2023, the Arctic saw its sixth-lowest minimum ice extent since NASA started tracking it with satellites. Around the same time on the south pole, when ice is supposed to be at its peak, NASA recorded the region's smallest maximum in history. It's not a new trend, but it appears to be worsening. Arctic sea ice has been shrinking since at least 1978, when NASA began observing it with satellites. And based on the new analysis, the study authors predicted that the first ice-free conditions might occur in September sometime in the 2020s or 2030s. To be clear, 'ice-free' doesn't mean 100-percent ice-free. Rather, it means that the ocean would have less than a million square kilometers (about 386,000 square miles) of ice coverage. It sounds like a lot, but even at the 2023 minimum, the Arctic sea ice covered 1.63 million square miles or 4.23 million square kilometers. So based on their prediction, summer ice in the Arctic will shrink to about 24 percent of its 2023 size by the 2030s. This shrinkage will occur 'independent of emission scenario,' they predicted. In other words, Arctic sea ice is on track for record lows even if greenhouse gas emissions are curbed. This minimum sea ice coverage would just be for a one-month average, but over time it would last longer, the study authors predicted. By 2067, they predicted that the Arctic would be frequently ice-free, not just at the September peak but also in August and October. But in this case, reducing greenhouse gas emissions would delay the milestone, as Arctic ice melting is particularly sensitive and responds quickly to changes in carbon emissions. As more sea ice and glaciers melt, the sun will heat up the oceans more quickly, leading to more heatwaves and more sea ice melting - a vicious cycle Polar bears have suffered malnutrition in the past couple of decades as sea ice - their hunting territory - becomes smaller each year The study was published today in the journal Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. 'This would transform the Arctic into a completely different environment, from a white summer Arctic to a blue Arctic,' said study first author Alexandra Jahn, associate professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at CU Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. 'So even if ice-free conditions are unavoidable, we still need to keep our emissions as low as possible to avoid prolonged ice-free conditions,' she said. These are just predictions, but the study based them off of many other teams' previous work, not just one source of data. CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS THAT HAVE COME TRUE In the late 1970s, petroleum company ExxonMobil predicted that its fossil fuel products could lead to global warming. Scientists analyzing their data in 2023 called the oil company's predictions 'breathtakingly accurate.' In 1990, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change wrote its first report, predicting that the Earth would warm about 1.1 degree Celsius by 2030. This prediction turned out to be accurate, but sooner than expected: This past decade's average rise was 1.1 Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In 1985 the Villach conference report alerted scientists to the possible link between greenhouse gases and climate change. The overwhelming scientific consensus 39 years later supports this idea. Advertisement CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICITONS THAT DID NOT COME TRUE In 1970, biologist Paul Ehrlich predicted that 100 to 200 million people would starve to death each year by 1980. According to a 2021 report from the United Nations World Food Program, that figure is closer to 9 million per year. In 1970 some experts predicted a new ice age in the 21st century. This has obviously not happened. A 1979 New York Times story predicted that people who were infants then would live to see the North Pole melt. This has not yet happened, but scientists have predicted the Arctic will have its first ice-free year in the 2030s. Advertisement Se ice loss of this magnitude would have multiple consequences. Polar bears, which need sea ice to hunt, have famously suffered in recent years. With less sea ice for them to travel and hunt, their situation will worsen. As the Arctic ice shrinks, some political analysts have pointed out that it makes things easier for companies who want to ship manufactured goods and - perhaps most importantly - oil between Europe and Asia. For ships, in theory the shortest route between Europe and Asia is to go over the North Pole, but sea ice has made that difficult in practice. In recent years, though, the shrinking summer and winter ice cover has made it easier and easier for ships to pass through. Previous reports showed that in the 18 months leading up to June 2023, there were 234 Chinese companies registered to operate in the Russian-controlled parts of the Arctic. The Russian '50 Years of Victory' nuclear-powered icebreaker is seen at the North Pole on August 18, 2021 Blue whales roam the ocean alone for much of the time, using their songs to find mates. Increased shipping noise in the Arctic would make that harder for them This represents an 87 percent increase over the two preceding years. More ships in the Arctic brings new issues for wildlife, too. Ship engines make low-frequency noises that can drown out the songs of whales, making it harder for Arctic-dwelling species like the blue whale to find their mates. A recent study on whale songs showed that they can't adjust their voices enough to be heard over ship sounds. So as melting Arctic ice makes it easier for boats to pass through, the noise pollution will only get worse for them. Similarly, melting ice begets more melting ice - and heating leads to more heating. Arctic ice fields reflect sunlight back into space, preventing it from heating the ocean. But as the ice cover declines, there is less reflective surface to bounce the sun's rays back - accelerating the rate of melting, and increasing the rate that the oceans heat up and contribute to heatwaves. To a significant degree, this process is already in motion. Predictions are just that, though: predictions. Science is about making the best use of the available data, which is often limited. Fortunately, Jahn said, sea ice is much more responsive to changes in climate than, say, glaciers or land-based ice sheets. 'Unlike the ice sheet in Greenland that took thousands of years to build, even if we melt all the Arctic sea ice, if we can then figure out how to take CO2 back out of the atmosphere in the future to reverse warming, sea ice will come back within a decade,' she said. Winning name will join asteroids like Bennu named after a mythical Egyptian bird Japan's space agency is open to any, 'non-offensive' name under 16-characters Japan's space agency, JAXA, wants your help naming a silicon-based asteroid giant that roughly the size of the Golden Gate Bridge. The researchers are looking for any 'non-offensive' suggestions, 16-characters long or less, that are better than the current name: 2001 CC21. The campaign, which ends May 9, comes ahead of JAXA's plans to fly their Hayabusa2 space probe passed this stony, approximately 1,300-to-1,800-foot long near-Earth asteroid in July 2026. The winning name will join the likes of asteroid 162173 Ryugu, named after a magical underwater 'Dragon Palace' from Japanese folklore; 101955 Bennu, named after a bird from Egyptian mythology; and many more orbiting our solar system. Japan's space agency, JAXA, wants your help naming a silicon-based asteroid giant very roughly the size of the Golden Gate Bridge. The campaign comes ahead of JAXA's plans to fly their Hayabusa2 space probe (depicted above) passed the stony, nearly 1,800-foot long object JAXA researchers are looking for any - 'non-offensive' - suggestions, 16-characters long or less, and better than the S-type asteroid's current name: 2001 CC21. After May 9, the winning name will join Bennu, named after the Egyptian mythological bird, and many more in orbit Asteroid 2001 CC21 orbits the sun once every 383.1 days or 1.05 years, just a little longer than Earth's own orbit around the Sun. While the space rock's distance qualifies it as a 'near-Earth object,' by the standards of NASA's science definition team, the asteroid only ever gets as close as 0.08 astronomical units, or 7,436,465 miles, from Earth's orbit. Those millions of miles are a healthy, safe distance for an asteroid like 2001 CC21, which is larger than 97-percent of known asteroids but small compared to the the largest known giants in our solar system, like record-holder 'dwarf planet' 1 Ceres. Ceres, which orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter and carries a payload of salty ice, clocks in at 600 miles-long and weighs an estimated 1035 tons (939,300 kg), making it over 1,700 times larger than 2001 CC21. Japan's space agency, JAXA, has given the Hayabusa2 probe its own cartoon mascot, Haya2-kun (above) - whose motto is 'Do My Best!' The probe will image the asteroid 2001 CC21 in July 2026 First discovered on February 3, 2001 by the US Air Force's Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) effort, 2001 CC21 has gone over two decades unnamed. In 2026, Japan's Hayabusa2 probe will pass 2001 CC21, under the asteroid's new name, flying by at a speed of 5 kilometers-per-second (11,200 miles-per-hour). The new mission unlike Hayabusa2's sample-collecting mission to asteroid Ryugu, where it launched a copper-cannon ball to break up and harvest samples will only take high-quality images of 2001 CC21 from as close as it can get. But for those who want to lay claim to naming 2001 CC21, JAXA notes that their competition will adhere to strict International Astronomical Unions guidelines. The new mission unlike Hayabusa's sample-collecting mission to asteroid Ryugu, where it launched a copper-cannon ball to break up and harvest samples will only take high-quality images of 2001 CC21 from as close as it can get. Scientists hope Hayabusa2's asteroid missions, like the upcoming trip to image 2001 CC21, will provide clues into what the Solar System was like at its birth some 4.6 billion years ago Hayabusa2's 2019 mission to the asteroid Ryugu (above) had a price tag of around 30 billion yen ($270 million) and made history by creating of the first man-made crater on an asteroid To start, the international body frowns upon names that a un-pronounceable, offensive, or longer than 16 alphabetical characters. The ideal name is only one word and 'not too similar to an existing name of a Minor Planet or natural Planetary satellite.' READ MORE: NASA moves one step closer to answering human origin story as they study asteroid that may carry the building blocks of life NASA's OSIRI-REx spacecraft returned to Earth in September, carrying samples of the asteroid Bennu. Early analysis of the rocks and dust show signs of water and organic molecules. Advertisement The guidelines encourage submitters to avoid offering the names of their pets or names of commercial brands. They also said that the names of any political or military leader or event from history, no matter how beloved, are 'unsuitable until 100 years after the death of the individual or the occurrence of the event.' 'Objects that approach or cross Earth's orbit (so-called Near Earth Asteroids or Near Earth Objects: NEOs) are generally given mythological names,' JAXA noted in a statement announcing the campaign. 'That said, there are exceptions to this rule,' they noted, 'such as asteroid Itokawa.' 'So you are also welcome to suggest a name outside mythology.' Discovered in 1998 by a US Air Force LINEAR threat assessment program, the potentially hazardous 25143 Itokawa was named in honor of Japanese rocket engineer Hideo Itokawa in 2009. Aspiring campaign-winners might want to take note that observations of 2001 CC21 suggest that it bears an elongated shape, similar to Itokawa, unlike the roughly spherical, meatball shape of asteroids like Ryugu. Previously successful asteroid names, including 128 Nemesis, 16 Psyche, and 48 Doris, have come from characters of Greek mythology. Others like, 324 Bamberga, which is named after the German town of Bamberg, or 511 Davida, named after Amherst astronomy professor David Peck Todd, were given a personal name more tied to their discovery. JAXA said that interested parties can submit their asteroid name ideas online via their form, so long as they are 'non-offensive,' through May 9. This is the moment a killer whale took down a great white shark in a pitched battle in the sea around South Africa. The footage, captured by National Geographic as part of the series 'Queens', shows a 60-year-old grandmother killer whale called Sophie pounding into a great white shark off the coast of South Africa. 'Orca are very smart animals, they're very powerful, and in some cases probably even more powerful than a white shark', Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology, told ABC news. But killer whales are ordinarily pack animals, preferring to hunt and live in small groups of families known as pods. 'I think what we're seeing is probably an anomaly. We often thing of white sharks as being the top predator in the ocean, when actually orca are', the professor added. The footage, captured by National Geographic as part of the series 'Queens', shows a 60-year-old grandmother killer whale called Sophie pounding into a great white shark killer whales are ordinarily pack animals Despite their tendency to hunt and live in pods, orca behaviours have been noticeably changing in recent years. Many scientists believe that climate change is forcing the marine mammals to change their behaviours to adapt. Earlier this month, another orca was seen killing an eating a great white shark within just two minutes. The orca, a male called 'Starboard', was seen tearing a great white shark to shreds by tourists. Dr Alison Towner, from Rhodes University, led an international research team into the discovery by analysing footage captured by tourists on a nearby boat. She said: 'What we witnessed was an orca, nicknamed Starboard due to his collapsed dorsal fin performing alone to incapacitate and consume a white shark within an astounding two-minute timeframe. 'Starboard was observed preying on a 2.5-meter (8.2 feet) juvenile white shark, later carrying the shark's liver in its mouth past a boat. 'Analysing the footage of Starboard surprised us. We were not aware that he was able to prey upon this shark species solitarily and in such a rapid time frame. Despite their tendency to hunt and live in pods, orca behaviours have been noticeably changing in recent years Many scientists believe that climate change is forcing the marine mammals to change their behaviours to adapt READ MORE: Pod of a dozen killer whales disappear a day after they were seen trapped and gasping for air in a tiny gap in ice flow off Japan Advertisement 'It just goes to show how proficient and skilled he is - a true super predator.' During the observed interactions of this event, at least two white sharks were killed, as evidenced by the discovery of a second carcass measuring 3.55 meters (11.6 feet) nearby. Esther Jacobs, from the marine conservation group Keep Fin Alive, witnessed the event firsthand. She said: 'I worked with white sharks for many years and to me, they are always a beautiful and powerful sight to see. 'To witness one of these incredible sharks brought down so swiftly and efficiently by an orca, and being reduced to easy prey, was mind-blowing, but soul-crushing. 'White sharks already face enough battles just trying to live in our overexploited oceans, never mind losing their place in the food chain.' The Great Barrier Reef is 'in grave danger' of disappearing due to Earth being on the 'cusp of the worst bleaching event in history.' The warning comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which cited record-breaking ocean heat, fueled by the one-two punch of climate change and the El Nino weather pattern. NOAA said the trio of events could trigger the fourth mass bleaching, which could see wide swathes of tropical reefs die - about half a trillion live across the Pacific Ocean alone. The agency has predicted that the entirety of the Southern Hemisphere will likely bleach this year. Shown in this photograph is bleached coral at Heron Island in Queensland, Australia. Severe bleaching is unfolding along the Great Barrier Reef as the world stands on the edge of another mass bleaching event Coral bleaching can trigger a cascade of unpredictable changes, because the sensitive ecosystem contains so many different plants and animals with specific niches Ecologist Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA's Coral Reef Watch, said: 'We are literally sitting on the cusp of the worst bleaching event in the history of the planet.' The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of Queensland, on Australia's east coast. WHY DOES CORAL BLEACHING HAPPEN? Corals have a symbiotic relationship with tiny marine algae called 'zooxanthellae' that live inside and nourish them. When sea surface temperatures rise, corals expel the colorful algae. The loss of the algae causes them to bleach and turn white. While mildly bleached corals can recover if the temperature drops and the algae return, severely bleached corals die. Advertisement Already affected is a nearly 700-mile-long stretch of reefs from Lizard Island to the Keppel Islands, Australian news agency AAP reported today. Diana Kleine, project manager for environmental monitoring group CoralWatch, told AAP it is the worst bleaching event she has seen. Kleine said she has been visiting Heron Island Research Station for 25 years. It is located in the area that is most affected. 'Heron Island has luckily escaped several bleaching events in the last couple of years, but the way it is looking now is just devastating,' she told AAP. Triggered by heat stress, coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the colorful algae living in their tissues. Without these helpful algae, the corals become pale and are vulnerable to starvation and disease. Coral bleaching can be devastating for the ocean ecosystem, as well as fisheries and tourism-based economies that depend on healthy, colorful reefs to attract scuba divers and snorkelers. The last global mass coral bleaching event ran from 2014 to 2017. It cost the Great Barrier Reef nearly a third of its corals. Preliminary results suggested that about 15 percent of the world's reefs saw large coral die-offs in this event. This year is shaping up to be even worse as observations trickle in. Following the Northern Hemisphere summer last year, the Caribbean registered its worst coral bleaching on record. Now at the end of its summer, 'the Southern Hemisphere is basically bleaching all over the place,' Manzello said. READ MORE: Coral bleaching could cause Nemo to get in a FIGHT Reef fish find it harder to identify competitors following mass bleaching events, study finds. Advertisement 'The entirety of the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching. We just had reports that American Samoa is bleaching.' American Samoa is over 2,500 miles away from Australia. Before the 2014-2017 bleaching event, mass bleaching occurred in 2010 and 1998. Coral bleaching is often tied to the naturally occurring El Nino climate phenomenon which leads to warmer ocean waters. But the world also just registered its first 12-month period with an average temperature over 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. Over a longer period of time, a rise of 1.5C is believed to be the tipping point for mass coral die-offs, with scientists estimating that 90 percent of the world's corals could be lost. For an event to be deemed global, widespread bleaching must occur in three ocean basins - the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian. Scientists assess sea surface temperature data and satellite imagery to determine whether reef pixels are passing key thresholds of bleaching. These corals are located in the Florida Keys, but they experience the same stresses that are affecting the Great barrier Reef: Warm waters hurt the delicate balance between algae and coral that keep the reef alive To merit a global mass bleaching event, a certain percentage of reef pixels need to reveal a level of heat stress in each ocean basin. Based on that definition alone, 'technically we're already there' in 2024, Manzello said. However, he said NOAA was still waiting for final confirmation from Indian Ocean scientists or photographs of Indian Ocean reefs to raise the flag for the fourth mass bleaching event. At Australia's Great Barrier Reef - which has seen six localized bleaching events since 1998 - scientists are conducting fly-overs of the reef to determine the extent of bleaching. So far, aerial surveys have revealed extensive coral bleaching across the Keppels region and Capricorn-Bunker groups, said Joanne Manning, a spokesperson with the Australian Institute of Marine Science. 'The aerial surveys are continuing as coral bleaching has been reported in all areas of the marine park, ranging in severity,' she said, adding they aim to wrap up fly-overs in the coming weeks and expand to in-water coral surveys. Half Price Books. Half Price Books The reading community is growing across the Texas Hill Country with new bookstores setting up shop across I-35. However, some businesses are closing their doors permanently and leaving a demand. After the announcement of Half Price Books closing a longtime store in San Antonio, residents in New Braunfels began to discuss the need for more bookstores in their area. Reddit user savagesamus asked the community "Do you think the population of NB would patronage a Half Price or similar book/media store enough to keep it open?" Many of the responses were in full support at the idea of having their own local or at least relatively close bookstore. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I would love a used book store like a Half Price Books... The only option for anyone in New Braunfels is the thrift stores and the store in the public library. I've slowly built my collection of books through the thrift stores around here, but there's not too much variety," user Krabsyen said. Although there were many supporters, several had hesitation and contradictions questioning the vitality of such businesses. "I would like one but after seeing multiple bookstores close over the years I have little hope it would survive," user neuroflea said. Another user followed followed with some more statistical backing to their opinion. "Won't happen, Market research shows that San Antonio is one of the worst book markets. So a smaller town would not fair much better," user BlueVelmaXXX said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other users with a ground to the local scene suggested maintaining the support for a new bookstore set to open at the end of the year, Chapter & Co. The new shop will launch its book selection with fantasy and romance but owners told MySA they would consider expanding its selection based on demand. "New Braunfels doesn't have any bookstores, other than the library bookstore and thrift stores - but there is supposed to be a new bookstore/cafe called Chapter & Co opening downtown, next to the Brauntex late this year/early next year," user EnormousGenitals. Elon Musk's SpaceX released out-of-this-world photos of its Starships third launch rehearsal as the company attempts to send the worlds biggest rocket into space this month. The Starship and its Super Heavy booster were filled with more than 10 million pounds of propellent including liquid methane and liquid oxygen. The massive rocket stands 395 feet tall and has 33 Raptor engines that emit 17 million pounds of thrust the force exerted by the rocket that causes it to blast off. However, the world's most powerful rocket will remain grounded until the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completes its mishap investigation that was opened when a previous Starship took off and exploded mid-air in November. The Starship is filled with 10 million pounds of propellent including liquid methane and liquid oxygen The test launch took place at SpaceXs Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas The force Starship releases at launch is almost doubled Saturn V that was the most powerful rocket in NASAs space launch arsenal until Elon Musk came on the scene. Musk has previously estimated the total development cost of the Starship project to be between $2 billion and $10 billion. SpaceXs photos of its rehearsal for launch show the rocket billowing smoke from all angles as it reached the T-10-second countdown. Musk hopes to fully launch the Starship at least nine times this year with the intention of eventually carrying humans to Mars. The company has had trouble getting FAA approval after its two failed launches, the first of which ended in an explosion over the Gulf of Mexico in April of last year. It was supposed to travel 90 miles above ground for 90 minutes, but shortly after the Super Heavy booster detached, Starship exploded over the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Texas about four minutes into the mission. After the explosion, SpaceX posted on X: With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and todays test will help us improve Starships reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary. The Starship rocket is 395 feet tall and has 33 Raptor engines that blast out 17 million pounds of thrust SpaceX has nine planned launches this year, despite not having received FAA approval yet The FAA announced it was temporarily grounding the entire Starship fleet shortly after the explosion, and said in a statement: An anomaly occurred during the ascent and prior to stage separation resulting in a loss of the vehicle, CNN reported. It continued: A return to flight of the Starship / Super Heavy vehicle is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. The FAA closed its investigation in September, saying the company had taken 63 corrective actions including redesigning the rockets hardware to prevent leaks and fires, redesigning its launch pad, and testing safety critical systems including the Autonomous Flight Safety System. READ MORE: Why did the SpaceX Starship explode after launch? All you need to know after the world's most powerful rocket blows up just minutes into its maiden orbital flight After just three minutes, the rocket blew up as its two halves could not separate as planned. Advertisement Two months later, SpaceX made its second launch attempt but it failed about eight minutes into the test mission when it reached an altitude of 91 miles above the Earths surface before exploding. More things were successful than in the previous test, including some new capabilities that were significant, said Carissa Christensen, CEO of space analytics firm BryceTech, told Reuters at the time. There's not money and patience for unlimited tests, she said, But for a vehicle that is so different and so big, two, three, four, five tests is not excessive. After the second Starship's failed launch, the FAA said it wouldnt authorize SpaceXs Starship for liftoff without further safety considerations, but a spokesperson told Payload that the FAA is working closely with the company to give it approval. Theyre looking at a pretty aggressive launch schedule this year, Kelvin Coleman, the FAAs associate administrator for commercial space transportation said last month at a Commercial Space Transportation Conference in DC, ArsTechnica reported. If youre doing modifications and doing it one by one, thats a lot of work. Weve been talking to SpaceX constantly around the clock, talking about how do we do this? He added: We're invested with the company, and so we'll work with them to get them back going as soon as they can. Coleman said the FAA expects to be able to issue a launch license to SpaceX for its Starship flight in mid-March as the company has a target of at least nine launches in 2024. Starship is not currently capable of sending humans to Mars, but all that could change with the development of Elon Musk's Starship, which has been built to take the first astronauts to the Red Planet by 2030. Its creation is part of the billionaire's grander vision of making us a 'multi-planetary species', first by starting a human colony on Mars and even getting to the point of building cities. The outage that hit Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram has spurred countless conspiracy theories to what caused the platforms to cease operation for two hours. Taylor Swift has become a unlikely reason for the glitch - some claimed her her Instagram story telling her followers to vote took down the social media platforms. Others posts on Elon Musk's X said it was a result of underwater data cables being cut in the Red Sea of the New World Order. Many of the posts pointed to liberals attempting to stop Super Tuesday from taking place, but others believed it could have been Nikki Haley supporters due to the presidential candidate hosting ads on radio, print and television. Conspiracy theorists flocked to X to accuse Meta's outage of 'silencing' them Conspiracy theorists believe Taylor Swift is conspiring to get President Joe Biden re-elected The outage hit Meta's platforms around 10am ET and lasted until a little after 12pm ET. While the company blamed 'technical issues,' the public cooked up ideas of their own to what caused it - and the popstar was one of them. An ongoing theory that Taylor Swift is pushing people to vote against Trump was exemplified after the outage, cementing peoples original belief that she is trying to influence the presidential election. Swift posted a message on her Instagram Story telling people to head to the polls, saying: I want to remind you guys to vote the people who most represent YOU into power. If you havent already, make a plan to vote today. The outage reportedly occurred shortly after Swifts post, and people accused the popstar of being against right-wing voters, saying she is trapped in a debilitating mindset. Swift has been a trailblazer for her followers - self-proclaimed 'Swifties' - and the most recent question asks whether she could sway her fanbase to vote for one presidential candidate over another. President Joe Biden's campaign has even gone so far as to try to lock down her endorsement, while Trump's allies have declared a 'holy war' on the popstar and Fox News commentators urged her to keep her political ideologies locked down. However, conspiracy theorists believe Swift could affect the turnout by telling people to head to the polls, and secure a win for Biden. Her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has also promoted theories that the pair is using their celebrity status to rig the 2024 presidential election in favor of Biden. Others posted on X that the glitch happened because Taylor Swift told her some-odd 200 million followers on Instagram to vote People accused Taylor Swift of causing the outage and trying to influence people's voting decisions Meta's social media outage also spurred conspiracy theories that the cables cut in the Red Sea caused users to be locked out of their accounts. One person wrote on X: 'Red sea underwater internet cables damaged.....some one wanted TikTok down but got d wrong cable cut,' while another wrote that someone 'cut the Red Sea cable for Meta.' Three cables under the Red Sea that provides internet and telecommunications was cut on Monday, a full 24 hours before Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger experienced the two-hour outage. There is suspicion that the cables were targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels as part of an ongoing effort to pressure Israel to end the war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have denied accusations that they attacked the cable lines. Conspiracy theories ran rampant after the outage Many of the posts pointed to liberals attempting to stop Super Tuesday from taking place, but others believed it could have been Nikki Haley supporters due to the presidential candidate hosting ads on radio, print and television Others posted on X said it was a result of underwater data cables being cut in the Red Sea of the New World Order A Facebook inside source told DailyMail.com that the company's internal systems were down and may have led to Tuesday's outage. But the fact that it was a global outage didnt stop American conspiracy theorists from rushing to claim it was a blatant attempt to stand in the way of their right to free speech. Nationwide AT&T outage recently and now FB and Instagram experienced a worldwide outage its not coincidental and is all planned, one person wrote on Facebook once they were able to get back into their account. They keep warning about cyber attacks and possible EMP attacks. This is all a part of the New World Order coming soon, they added. The New World Order is a conspiracy theory that the government has an agenda to create a totalitarian world power For those who dont know, the New World Order is a conspiracy theory that believes the government has an agenda to quietly create a totalitarian world power. Former President Donald Trump is going up against Republican candidate Nikki Haley in the Super Tuesday primaries to determine who will face off against President Joe Biden in November. Super Tuesday voting is held in a majority of U.S. states including Vermont, Virginia, Alaska, Maine, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Metas social media platforms went down for roughly two hours, locking many users out of their accounts and people questioned if it was a voting coincidence or conspiracy. The outage affected other countries including the UK, other parts of Europe, China, Australia, and Mexico. Other users clapped back at the ludicrous conspiracy theory, with one person writing on X: This is stupid. WTF does Facebook or Instagram have to do with voting? You show up and you vote (or mail in your ballot, in which case you've probably already voted). They are unrelated. Everything's not a grand conspiracy people. Calm down! Users on X accused Metas outage of trying to interfere in the presidential race, with another person writing: Facebook and Instagram go down on Super Tuesday as @realDonaldTrump is destroying the polls. Its not even conspiracy anymore, they just do it right in front of our faces. Users accused Meta of trying to influence Super Tuesday's outcome at the polls Social media users are linking the Meta outage to AT&Ts outage on February 23, claiming the conspiracy extends to the phone company that left millions of people unable to make calls or send texts without WiFi. CONSPIRACY THEORY ! FB just experienced an outage/disruption on a TUESDAY. Some reports are saying that HACKERS are getting ready - PRACTICING - for upcoming elections also called SUPER TUESDAYS...... unconfirmed reports of course......., one person wrote on Facebook. They added: In this DIGITAL / WI-FI / INTERNET age/Era, we always need to stay vigilant with our personal info/ data & personal safety. Stay Alert. Stay Safe. Stay Alive. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has examined a galaxy that formed just 430 million years after the big bang. If scientists are correct, this galaxy is one of the very oldest in existence and could have been a nursery for ancient Population III stars - a holy grail of modern astronomy. The galaxy, named GN-z11, has a supermassive black hole at its center that weighs the equivalent of 2 million suns. Its exceptional brightness comes from all the hot, heavy materials that the black hole is sucking in. This image is from the James Webb Space Telescope's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera). It shows a portion of the GOODS-North field of galaxies. At the lower right, a pullout highlights the galaxy GN-z11, which is seen at a time just 430 million years after the Big Bang. The JWST launched in 2021 to collect the faintest light from distant stars. This gives us a glimpse back into the earliest days of our universe's formation, around 13.8 billion years ago. Its new discovery suggests that the space telescope is well equipped to deliver on its promises. The galaxy was first spotted back in 2015 by the Hubble Space Telescope. GN-z11 is brighter than the other stars and galaxies nearby. At the time, scientists could tell that it was exceptional, but the Hubble Space Telescope wasn't powerful enough to help them explain why. Part of its brightness, astronomers have now claimed, is that the galaxy hosts a central, supermassive black hole that has two million times the mass of our sun. It is rapidly accumulating matter, so the area around the black hole appears exceptionally bright. GN-z11 is also the most far-away supermassive black hole ever described by astronomers. Galaxy GN-z11, shown in the inset, as it was first spotted in 2015 by the Hubble Space Telescope 'We found extremely dense gas that is common in the vicinity of supermassive black holes accreting gas,' said lead scientist Roberto Maiolino, professor of experimental astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, in a statement. 'These were the first clear signatures that GN-z11 is hosting a black hole that is gobbling matter,' he said. The JWST's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) located GN-z11 in the GOODS-North field of galaxies. READ MORE: NASA's James Webb spots 'impossible' galaxy This galaxy shouldn't exist, astrophysicists said. Yet, it does. Advertisement The new images from JWST may not appear to have the same level of detail as the 2015 Hubble image, but whereas the Hubble captured ultraviolet light, JWST was able to show infrared. Infrared is a type light with a wavelength almost twice as long as ultraviolet. It matters in this case because there were some clues about GN-z11 that Hubble had missed because they could only bee seen in infrared. The NIRCam revealed ionized chemical elements, which are often the signature of supermassive black holes that are accumulating material. Along with this signature, the scientists also observed a strong 'wind' being blown by the galaxy at 800-1,000 kilometers per second (about 500 to 600 miles per second). This, too, is a typical signature of a supermassive blackhole, said study co-author Hannah Ubler. 'Webb's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) has revealed an extended component, tracing the host galaxy, and a central, compact source whose colors are consistent with those of an accretion disk surrounding a black hole,' she said. Taken together, these factors explained the unusual brightness of GN-z11. Maiolino, Ubler, and their colleagues published their findings in the journal Nature. Another team used the telescope's NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) instrument to spot a clump of helium gas surrounding the galaxy. 'The fact that we don't see anything else beyond helium suggests that this clump must be fairly pristine,' said Maiolino. 'This is something that was expected by theory and simulations in the vicinity of particularly massive galaxies from these epochs - that there should be pockets of pristine gas surviving in the halo, and these may collapse and form Population III star clusters.' Population III stars were some of the universe's very first stars, made of helium and hydrogen. Based on the fact that the scientists observed helium and nothing else, they think they have found one of these holy grails of astronomy. A small box identifies GN-z11 in a field of galaxies (top right). In the middle, it can be seen zoomed in on. The far left box shows the helium gas halo around the galaxy, including a clump that can't be seen in the infrared colors in the middle box. The graph at the bottom shows the distinct light signature of helium and no other element. Scientists concluded that this must mean the helium clump is a pristine remnant of the big bang These Population III stars formed around the transition point in the early universe, when it was shifting from simplistic and disordered to complex and ordered. Starting with its very first findings, astronomers have excitedly claimed that the JWST is revealing details about the early universe that overturn our understanding of astrophysics. Not everyone agrees, however. There may be simpler explanations than 'everything we know is wrong,' according to a recent study. A team of researchers compared images taken by JWST to similar ones captured by the older Hubble Space Telescope, and they concluded that it's not time to throw out the rules of astrophysics. Instead, they suggest that the findings from both space telescopes are compatible, as long as scientists are willing to seek conventional explanations. For instance, they suggest that perhaps some yet-to-be-understood conditions of the early universe made it possible for brighter stars to form. European scientists received data from the newly revived comet lander Philae on Thursday night, a boost to the team as they try to establish a secure line of communication for their historic scientific experiments on the surface of the comet. The European Space Agency landed Philae on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in November, but the lander bounced and landed in a position too shadowy to power its solar panels. As the comet approached the sun, the lander surprised scientists by waking up and sending signals to Earth on June 13. It is claimed that the distinct features of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, such as its organic-rich black crust, are best explained by the presence of living organisms beneath an icy surface ROSETTA: THE STORY SO FAR The Rosetta probe, which was carrying Philae, launched into space in 2004, using the gravity of Earth and Mars to slingshot its way towards comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. It chased the comet through space for more than ten years, entering orbit in August 2014. After a four-billion-mile (6.4 billion km) journey, the probe then successfully released the Philae lander (artist's impression shown left) from its grip to land on the comet on 12 November 2014, travelling at 3.3ft (one metre) a second relative to the comet. But when it first made contact with the surface it failed to fire harpoons that would have kept it attached to the comet. This resulted in it bouncing twice above the comet before landing. Philae managed to perform more than 90 per cent of its goals on the surface before running out of power. Rosetta, meanwhile, continued to orbit and study the comet. From data collected by the two probes, Esa said that water on the comet was different to that on Earth - suggesting water on our world came from an asteroid, not a comet. Now, after a wait of seven months, enough sunlight is reaching Philae's solar panels that it has been able to communicate again. It will now turn on some of its instruments again to perform new science. Whether there is any ice in the cliff it is wedged under, though, is unknown. However, since then scientists have struggled to restore a secure data link between Philae and the orbiting Rosetta mothership. The secure link is needed for the scientists to relay commands to Philae's instruments and receive data back from the surface of the comet. Philae radioed Rosetta for 12 minutes on Thursday evening, and was able to transmit data from one of its instruments, CONSERT, which is probing the internal structure of the comet, the DLR German Aerospace Centre said on Friday. The team, which had not received communication from Philae since June 24, had attempted to turn on the CONSERT instrument on July 5 but were not sure if the command had been picked up. 'This sign of life from Philae proves to us that at least one of the lander's communication units remains operational and receives our commands,' said Koen Geurts, a member of the lander control team at the DLR in Cologne. However, the team is still unsure as to why Philae managed to communicate on Thursday but not before, the statement said. 'The new information will help us understand why we're having these difficulties communicating with Philae,' Geurts said. Recently the comet hit the headlines when it was claimed comet lander Philae may be sitting on an object teeming with alien microbial life, according to two leading astronomers. Thursday's eighth contact was the longest yet, with an uninterrupted stretch of 12 minutes, said the CNES, which allowed the downloading of critical data obtained from Philae's prodding and probing of its alien world. 'The link was by far the best yet, with very few interruptions,' said the statement. 'It bodes well for the future because such a good connection would allow the teams to take control of Philae and give it commands'possibly to shift position or start its drill for a sub-surface examination. Distinct features of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, such as its organic-rich black crust, are best explained by the presence of living organisms beneath an icy surface, they claim. The experts go as far as to suggest the comet is more hospitable to life than the Earth's polar regions. Rosetta, the European space craft orbiting the comet, is also said to have detected strange 'clusters' of organic material that look suspiciously like viral particles. But neither Rosetta nor its lander are equipped to search for direct evidence of life after a proposal to include this in the mission was allegedly laughed out of court. Steep ravines, icy surfaces and a thick dusty veil are captured on the comet's surface in high-resolution photographs taken by the Rosetta spacecraft Astronomer and astrobiologist Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe, who was involved in the mission planning 15 years ago, said: 'I wanted to include a very inexpensive life-detection experiment. At the time it was thought this was a bizarre proposition.' He and colleague Dr Max Wallis, from the University of Cardiff, believe 67P and other comets like it could provide homes for living microbes similar to the 'extremophiles' that inhabit the most inhospitable regions of the Earth. Prof Wickramasinghe and Dr Wallis have carried out computer simulations that suggest microbes could inhabit watery regions of the comet Comets may have helped to sow the seeds of life on Earth and possibly other planets such as Mars early in the life of the solar system, they argue. The astronomers will present their case for life on 67P at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Llandudno, Wales. Philae made history last November after detaching from its Rosetta mothership and bouncing down onto the surface of the comet, coming to rest close to a cliff or crater wall. After being forced into hibernation by the lack of sunlight reaching its solar panels, the probe has delighted scientists by 'waking up' as the comet races towards the sun. The comet, described as looking like a 'rubber duck', has two lobes joined by a thinner neck and measures around 2.5 miles (4km) across. Currently it is about 176.7 million miles (284.4 million km) from Earth and travelling at more than 73,000 mph (117,482km/h). Professor Wickramasinghe and Dr Wallis have carried out computer simulations that suggest microbes could inhabit watery regions of the comet. Organisms containing anti-freeze salts could be active at temperatures as low as -40C, their research shows. The comet has a black hydrocarbon crust overlaying ice, smooth icy 'seas', and flat-bottomed craters containing 'lakes' of re-frozen water overlain with organic debris. Professor Wickramasinghe said: 'What we're saying is that data coming from the comet seems to unequivocally, in my opinion, point to micro-organisms being involved in the formation of the icy structures, the preponderance of aromatic hydrocarbons, and the very dark surface. The comet has a black hydrocarbon crust overlaying ice, smooth icy 'seas', and flat-bottomed craters containing 'lakes' of re-frozen water overlain with organic debris In total, more than 70 per cent of the comet's surface has now been imaged and beamed back to earth 'These are not easily explained in terms of pre-biotic chemistry. 'The dark material is being constantly replenished as it is boiled off by heat from the sun. Something must be doing that at a fairly prolific rate.' He said several cracks in the ice had been shown to be 'spewing out material' that is falling on to the surface. 'I think the microbiotic activity just under the surface results in gas which builds up to the point where the overlaying layers of ice can't withstand the stresses,' said the professor. Biological mechanisms were the likely explanation for the large quantities of organic gases that had been observed around comets, along with water, he maintained. Philae had confirmed the presence of 'ring and linear chain' organic molecules on the surface of 67P that were more complex than simple hydrocarbons such as methane, said Professor Wickramasinghe. However it was impossible to say if these represented amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. One tantalising find was the discovery of organic 'particle clusters' by Rosetta in the gases surrounding the comet, which resembled viral particles collected from the Earth's upper atmosphere. 'They might be viral particles,' said Professor Wickramasinghe. Philae will now join the comet as it makes its closest approach to the sun on 13 August 2015. After that, the comet will begin to move away back out into the solar system. It is expected that Philae will no longer have enough sunlight to continue working by about mid-October Do you dream of globetrotting but feel limited by your annual leave - and budget? You may be surprised to learn that it's possible to visit 30 destinations across seven countries in 55 days - using just 25 days of annual leave. And the total cost for travel? Under 1,400. The itinerary has been dreamt up by flight-deal subscription service Jack's Flight Club, which divides it into five separate 2024 holidays, spanning key dates that take advantage of UK bank holidays, from Easter to May Bank Holiday and Christmas. It also combines flight deals and Trainline prices to create a trip with a starting price for travel of 1,358. This includes return flights to various European locations and New York, as well as all internal train fares to each destination. Here is how it works... EASTER - 16 DAYS OF EUROPEAN ADVENTURING This 16-day break uses just eight days of annual leave and covers 11 cities - including Amsterdam, pictured - across four countries Date Location Travel details Train price Duration March 23 Cologne, Germany Fly from London Stansted to Cologne Bonn March 24 Dusseldorf, Germany Early train to Dusseldorf From 9 25m March 25 Dortmund, Germany Early train to Dortmund From 19 1h10m March 26 Amsterdam, Netherlands Midday train to Amsterdam From 18 3h45m March 27 Amsterdam March 28 Utrecht, Netherlands Early train to Utrecht From 9 26m March 29 Rotterdam, Netherlands Early train to Rotterdam From 12 37m March 30 Antwerp, Belgium Early train to Antwerp From 14 1h5m March 31 Brussels, Belgium Early train to Brussels From 10 52m April 1 Brussels April 2 Luxembourg, Luxembourg Midday train to Luxembourg From 23 3h17m April 3 Luxembourg April 4 Frankfurt, Germany Mid-morning train to Frankfurt From 28 4h15m April 5 Frankfurt April 6 Bonn, Germany Early train to Bonn From 20 1h24m April 7 Cologne / London Early train to Cologne. Return flight to London Stansted From 9 1h7m This 16-day break uses just eight days of annual leave and covers 11 cities across four countries from March 23 to April 7. Fly from London Stansted to Cologne, Germany, and then take the train to Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Bonn, before ending back in Cologne for your return flight. Airfares start from 30 return for a 1h15m flight with Ryanair, according to Jack's Flight Club. Annual leave dates to book: March 25, 26, 27, 28 and April 2, 3, 4, 5. Overall travel cost: From 201 per person. USA TRIP FOR EARLY MAY BANK HOLIDAY Book a return flight from London Gatwick to JFK Airport and explore New York City (pictured). Then hop on a train to explore Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C Date Location in U.S Travel details Train price Duration May 4 New York City Fly from London Gatwick to JFK International May 5 New York City May 6 Philadelphia Early direct train to Philadelphia From 8 1h25m May 7 Philadelphia May 8 Baltimore Early direct train to Baltimore From 4 1h17m May 9 Baltimore May 10 Washington D.C Early direct train to Washington D.C From 4 40m May 11 New York City Early direct train to New York From 26 3h20m May 12 New York City / London Return flight to London Gatwick Use just four days of annual leave for a nine-day trip in the U.S from May 4 to 12. Book a return flight from London Gatwick to JFK Airport and explore New York City. Then hop on a train to explore Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C before returning to the Big Apple for your flight home. Airfares start from 400 return for an eight-hour flight with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways, according to Jack's Flight Club. Annual leave dates to book: May 7, 8, 9, 10. Overall travel cost: From 442 per person. SPRING BANK HOLIDAY IN ITALY Go on a mesmerising interrailing journey through the beautiful Italian countryside, stopping at the cities of Venice (pictured), Bologna, Florence, Pisa and Milan Date Location in Italy Travel details Train price Duration May 25 Milan Fly from Manchester to Milan Malpensa May 26 Milan May 27 Venice Midday direct train to Venice From 40 3h5m May 28 Venice May 29 Bologna Early train to Bologna From 27 2h5m May 30 Florence Train to Florence From 10 37m May 31 Florence Early train to Pisa From 9 54m June 1 Pisa Early train to Milan From 17 54m June 2 Milan / London Return flight to London Gatwick / Stansted Enjoy a nine-day break using just four days of annual leave, exploring five cities across Italy from May 25 to June 2. Fly from Manchester to Milan Malpensa and then embark on an interrailing odyssey through the beautiful Italian countryside, stopping at the cities of Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pisa and Milan. Flights start from 200 return for a two-hour flight with Ryanair, according to Jack's Flight Club. Annual leave dates to book: May 28, 29, 30, 31. Overall travel cost: From 303 per person. AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA AND IN MONACO This nine-day break uses four days of annual leave and covers four cities in the south of France, plus Monaco (pictured) Date Location in France Travel details Train price Duration Aug 24 Marseilles Fly from London Gatwick / Stansted to Marseilles Aug 25 Toulon Early train to Toulon From 13 43m Aug 26 Cannes Early train to Cannes From 23 1h13m Aug 27 Nice Early train to Nice From 8 36m Aug 28 Monaco Midday train to Monaco From 5 21m Aug 29 Monaco Aug 30 Marseilles Early train to Marseille From 38 3h15m Sept 1 Marseilles / London Return flight to London Gatwick / Stansted This nine-day break uses four days of annual leave and covers four cities in the south of France, plus Monaco, from August 24 to September 1. Fly from London Gatwick or Stansted to Marseille, and then take the train to Toulon, Cannes, Nice and Monaco before ending back in Marseille for your return flight. Flights start from 130 return for a one-hour 55-minute flight with Ryanair, according to Jack's Flight Club. Annual leave dates to book: August 27, 28, 29, 30. Overall travel cost: From 217 per person. CHRISTMAS - FESTIVE FUN IN SWITZERLAND Jet off to Geneva and explore Switzerland by rail, stopping at Lausanne, Fribourg, Bern (pictured), and Neuchatel Date Location in Switzerland Travel details Train price Duration Dec 21 Geneva / Lausanne Fly from the UK* to Geneva, then catch a train to Lausanne From 7 35m Dec 22 Lausanne Dec 23 Fribourg Midday train to Fribourg From 14 44m Dec 24 Fribourg Dec 25 Fribourg Dec 26 Bern Train to Bern From 8 22m Dec 27 Bern Dec 28 Neuchatel Train to Neuchatel From 13 34m Dec 29 Neuchatel Dec 30 Geneva Early train to Geneva From 13 1h13m Dec 31 Geneva Jan 1 (**or Jan 2) Geneva / London Return flight to the UK* *London Gatwick / London Stansted / Glasgow / Edinburgh **January 2 is a public holiday in Scotland Use five days of annual leave for this 12-day festive break in Switzerland from December 21 to January 1 - or January 2 for Scots making it 13 days. Book a return flight from the UK (London Gatwick, London Stansted, Glasgow or Edinburgh) to Geneva and then explore the country by rail, stopping at Lausanne, Fribourg, Bern, and Neuchatel before returning to Geneva. Flights start from 140 return with British Airways, KLM or Jet2, and take two to four hours, depending on your airport and airline of choice. Annual leave dates to book: December 23, 24, 27, 30, 31. Overall travel cost: From 195 per person. HOW TO VISIT 30 DESTINATIONS IN 55 DAYS USING 25 ANNUAL LEAVE DAYS Dates No. of days Annual leave days Dates to take off work Number of cities Cities visited Mar 23 to Apr 7 16 8 Mar 25 to 28 and Apr 2 to 5 11 Cologne, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Luxembourg, Frankfurt May 4 to 12 9 4 May 7 to 10 4 New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington May 25 to June 2 9 4 May 28 to 31 5 Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pisa Aug 24 to Sept 1 9 4 Aug 27 to 30 5 Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, Nice, Monaco Dec 21 to Jan 1 (or Jan 2*) 12 or 13 5 Dec 23, 24, 27, 30, 31 5 Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, Bern, Neuchatel TOTAL 55 or 56* 25 days 30 cities *Those in Scotland get an additional day off with this hack as January 2 is a bank holiday Katy Maclure, editor of The Detour weekly newsletter by Jack's Flight Club, said: 'Many people tend to feel restricted by the amount of time they are able to take off from work. 'Choosing the right days to book off on annual leave can feel stressful to some, with people putting pressure on themselves to make the most of their time off. 'We understand the value of a good holiday and believe everyone should have the opportunity to travel more during their precious annual leave.' For more information, visit Jack's Flight Club. British Airways was recently voted among the worst airlines for both long and short-haul travel in a survey by consumer champion Which? but the carrier is likely to be more confident about its standing in 2025s ranking. Thats because it has announced a 7billion transformation plan, with upgrades unveiled across the business, including brand-new short-haul seats, a new website and mobile app, free onboard messaging, and AI technology to improve its operations. The investment will also bring a brand-new first-class cabin to the A380, making its debut at the end of 2025, and new lounges in Dubai and Miami. The announcements were made last night at a glittering event in central London, with rows of the brand-new short-haul seats on display in a mock-up cabin. MailOnline tried them out, and they seemed impressive though, of course, the only true test is during a flight. British Airways has announced a 7billion transformation plan, which includes new short-haul seats. Pictured above are the new short-haul business-class seats Pictured above are the new short-haul economy-class seats MailOnline Travel Editor Ted Thornhill tries out the new short-haul business-class seats The new seats, by Collins Aerospace, will feature on Airbus A320neos and A321neos, and will enter service, initially, on eight retrofitted aircraft from May, with bigger overhead bins and superior ergonomics. Calum Laming, Chief Customer Officer at British Airways, said: [The seats] represent the best of Britain in terms of design. Theyve been manufactured in Northern Ireland, they have Scottish leather, there will be larger overhead bins, [and] they incorporate USB A and C technology thats located right in front of you. Were listening to our customers, thats crucial. Listening to the feedback. The mock cabin, which included both business (Club Europe) and economy seats (Euro Traveller), revealed how USB ports are placed very handily next to the tray table. And the seats look dynamic with racy red piping around the headrests. In terms of comfort, they seem, from a brief initial inspection, perfectly adequate for short-haul trips, with decent-enough padding and anti-head-lolling winglets on the headrests. Ted is all smiles in the new short-haul economy class seats USB ports are placed very handily next to the tray table The new seats, by Collins Aerospace, will feature on Airbus A320neos (above) and A321neos, and will enter service on eight retrofitted aircraft from May Watch this space for a more thorough appraisal. British Airways explained, meanwhile, that its website and app upgrade would offer deeper personalisation, adding: The new ba.com browser is already in beta testing with platforms designed to offer a range of new services, including empowering customers to self-serve if they wish, taking control of and making changes to their journeys online, rather than having to call one of the airlines customer care centres to alter their plans. Initial changes will start to roll out by the end of the year. Wi-Fi enhancements for customers are also being introduced as part of the bumper investment package. BA revealed: From April 3, British Airways Executive Club members will start to be able to send messages free of charge on a single device using the airlines Wi-Fi - whatever cabin theyre travelling in. The service will be available on every Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft within two weeks of the rollout date. BA revealed that from April 3, Executive Club members will start to be able to send messages free of charge on a single device using the airlines Wi-Fi The flag carrier explained that a 100million portion of the investment was being piped into machine learning, automation and AI across [the] operation, a move that would drive improvements from bookings to baggage handling and help to revolutionise operations, speed up departures and respond to disruption. BA added: Innovative new tools are helping to predict delays - prompting pre-emptive action to reduce disruption - and analyse real-time weather, aircraft capacity and customer connections data to help teams make better decisions. Since the introduction of the systems, alongside a number of new processes and ways of working, the airline has seen improvement to its on-time departures. At the event, BA also announced that flights from London to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are set to return, re-starting in October and November respectively. The airline will operate daily flights between the Malaysian capital city and London Heathrow on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, as well as three flights a week between the Thai capital and London Gatwick on a 777-200ER. Were on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest 7billion over the next two years to revolutionise our business, Sean Doyle, British Airways Chairman and CEO, said. Were going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability. Were also heavily investing in the development of a new ba.com website and app and are laser-focused on transforming our business and fixing any pain points for our customers. Michael Douglas was seen heading back to school to catch up with old friends at his alma mater. The Oscar-winning actor spent Wednesday afternoon with his pals on the Goleta campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. As seen in these exclusive DailyMail.com photos, the 79-year-old actor looked dapper in a navy blue suit, black shoes, and dark sunglasses. He graduated with a BA in dramatic arts in 1968 and now serves as a member of its advisory board. DailyMail.com spotted Michael Douglas visiting the University of California Santa Barbara on Wednesday The 79-year-old Oscar-winning actor met up with old pals and was seen greeting one woman with a hug Michael and his pals walked into the private club on campus for distinguished alumni while listening attentively to their famous friend Douglas, husband to Catherine Zeta-Jones, graduated in 1968 with a BA in dramatic arts and now serves as a member of their advisory board The 79-year-old Oscar winner looked suave in a navy blue suit, black shoes, and dark sunglasses Douglas has made no secret of his love for UCSB. In 2004 he donated $1million towards the construction of a Center for Film, Television and New Media After parking his car, two women and two men rushed over to greet him with a hug, telling him he should have parked in a VIP area they had saved just for him. 'Oh great! I'll move it over now,' he told them. Douglas turned down an acceptance from Yale to attend the seaside college where he studied dramatic arts. He's pictured in a yearbook photo The group then walked into the private club on campus for distinguished alumni while listening attentively to their famous friend. Douglas has made no secret of his love for UCSB. While he was accepted at Yale, he chose the seaside college to complete his education. In 2004 he donated $1million towards the construction of a Center for Film, Television and New Media on the campus. To recognize his gift, the lobby of the center's theater was named after Douglas. 'I love UCSB and I'm proud to be associated with [the new center]. I have watched UCSB become an international leader in education, and as an alumnus and benefactor I have the personal satisfaction of having played a part in that transformation,' he said at the time. He reminisced about the good old days with GQ magazine in 2013, saying, 'I wasn't studying anything. Nothing. We did a lot of drugs, it was a magical time. 'I lived in sort of a commune. We rented a little A-frame house, three of us. We all swam naked, smoked a lot of weed, got high. We had wine stops and festivals, it was a crazy, beautiful time.' He visited India with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and their kids Dylan, 23, and Carys, 20, over the Christmas holidays The couple shared plenty of pictures from their adventure in India on Instagram Catherine posted a photo of the pair in the snow with the caption, 'Its been a while since I have seen the snow. East Coasters await the first snowfall in a few years,' [sic] There was no sign of wife Catherine Zeta Jones, 54, or any of his children for the trip to his old college stomping grounds. He recently visited India with Catherine and their kids Dylan, 23, and Carys, 20, over the Christmas holidays. The couple shared playful pictures from their adventure on Instagram. And in January, the pair continued their holidays and took it to the mountains for a ski trip. Catherine posted a photo of the pair in the snow with the caption, 'Its been a while since I have seen the snow. East Coasters await the first snowfall in a few years,' [sic]. The couple, who share September 25 as both their birthdays, celebrated their 23rd anniversary in November. Douglas also has a son Cameron, 45, with ex-wife Diandra Luker, 68. They were married for 23 years before finalizing their divorce in 2000. Brad Pitt may have been embroiled in a very bitter, and public, divorce from his ex-wife Angelina Jolie - but the tumultuous time was made easier thanks to his girlfriend Ines de Ramon, insiders have claimed. The Hollywood A-lister, 60, reportedly feels he has found 'the one' in 34-year-old jewelry designer Ines, who is free from drama and stresses and who he respects to help him make decisions about his career. 'Brad is happy that there is zero drama with Ines,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'He doesn't have to think of anything negative when he is with her. 'They're in their own world and enjoying each other's company. Not that Brad has many stresses in his life, though everyone knows that one major one is Angie.' Brad Pitt (left) is said to be beyond happy with his drama-free girlfriend Ines de Ramon (right) following his tumultuous divorce from ex-wife Angelina Jolie 'Brad is happy that there is zero drama with Ines. He doesn't have to think of anything negative when he is with her,' a source told Dailymail.com (Ines pictured in March 2023) Brad is reportedly enjoying his carefree romance with Ines following the 'stress' of his split from Angelina (pictured) The source added that Brad loves discussing his various acting roles with Ines and 'appreciates' her input in his career as they stressed that the reason things are going so well is because there's 'no drama and no pressure.' 'He trusts her and finds that she is the best for him and there isn't any hidden agenda to anything,' they said. But despite living together and seeing a 'future' - they have no plans to say 'I do' just yet. 'He sees this as his last relationship,' the source continued. 'If that leads to marriage it won't be anytime soon as they haven't been talking about it. 'They are happy and want to see where living together takes them.' Dailymail.com has reached out to Brad's representative for comment. Sources previously told DailyMail.com: 'Brad is happy and in love with his girlfriend, Ines, but any sign of engagement or getting married or eloping is not in the near future,' the insider continued. 'Brad isn't gun shy to get married again, it just is not anything on the mind of both of them.' Ines was recently spotted cradling a large bouquet of flowers (pictured) as she headed back to the apartment she shares with Brad The source stressed that the reason things are going so well between Brad and Ines is because there's 'no drama and no pressure' The latest news comes a week after Ines was pictured carrying another huge bouquet of flowers while on her way home to the Los Angeles pad she shares with the Fight Club actor. Last month she was spotted carrying a massive crystal vase of flowers, believed to be from Brad, with the help of an assistant on Valentine's Day. The couple have put on several loved-up displays since first being pictured together at a Bono concert in Los Angeles in November 2022. Brad took Ines to his Babylon premiere in December 2022, before the pair went on to enjoy his 60th birthday celebrations later that month, as well as New Year's Eve and a trip to Paris. Their romance came just two months after Ines announced her split from Vampire Diaries actor Paul Wesley. The pair had been married for three years. He filed for divorce in February 2023. Last week they attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where Brad was on hand to help honor his pal Bradley Cooper with the outstanding performer of the year award. The loved up couple struggled to keep their hands off of one another, with Ines resting her hand on Brad's thigh as they laughed with each other. 'Not that Brad has many stresses in his life, though everyone knows what one major one is, and that's Angie. He finds no stress in his life when it comes to Ines,' the source said Brad and Angelina married in August 2014 after 10 years together but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016 Their relationship blossomed six years after his split from Angelina, 48, who accused him of volatile behavior, and also came amidst the legal battle over their French vineyard. The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor sued the actress for selling her stake in Chateau Miraval in 2021, accusing her of staging a 'hostile takeover' of the business. They allegedly had a verbal agreement that they would not sell without the other's consent. The movie stars, who met in 2004 while filming Mr. And Mrs. Smith and were collectively known as 'Brangelina,' share six children: sons Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Knox, 15, and daughters Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 17, and Vivienne, 15. They married in August 2014 after 10 years together, but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016. At the time, the Maleficent actress chose to file 'for the health of the family' and asked for full physical custody of their children following an incident on the couple's private plane during which she claimed Brad became violent and abusive. He vehemently denied the allegations and was cleared. Angelina was granted the full physical custody in September 2016, with Brad allowed visitation rights. Two months later, he requested joint and physical custody of the children. In the December, Brad filed - but was later denied - a request to seal the custody related documents. Brad was previously accused of volatile behavior by his ex Angelina Angelina chose to file for divorce 'for the health of the family,' and asked for physical custody of their children In January 2017, the estranged couple released a joint statement announcing that they had signed an agreement to keep their court documents confidential. The judge ordered Angelina to help repair Brad's relationship with their children and he was given more time with them. But in August 2018, Angelina accused Brad of not paying any 'meaningful' child support. Within 24 hours, Brad's lawyers filed a response claiming he had paid her $9 million since their split. A judge granted them both legal single status on April 12, 2019, while the couple continued to finalize their divorce. Brad was granted joint custody by private Judge John Ouderkirk in May 2021 - but Angelina challenged it. Two months later, a California appeals court disqualified Judge John on the grounds that he did not sufficiently disclose business relationships with Brad's attorneys. The joint custody ruling was then vacated after his removal. Tom Sandoval has been 'crushed' by Rachel Leviss' 'absolutely shocking' revenge porn lawsuit, according to insiders, who claim he believed his former Vanderpump Rules costar was 'the one he would spend forever with.' Leviss, 29, last week filed to sue both Sandoval and his ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix for revenge porn, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy and inflicting emotional distress following last year's 'Scandoval' drama - which saw the reality star exposed for cheating on Madix with Leviss. In the lawsuit, Leviss - formerly known as Racquel - accuses Sandoval of 'secretly recording their private communications and... capturing sexually explicit footage... without her knowledge or consent.' She also claims Madix 'distributed, disseminated, shared, and publicized the illicit videos intentionally' after finding them on Sandoval's phone. Insiders claim the aspiring musician, 40, was unaware of the toll his actions had taken on Leviss and that he hopes to settle outside of court in a bid to avoid a 'huge mess.' Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval has reportedly been left 'crushed' by Rachel Leviss' revenge porn lawsuit Leviss is suing Sandoval and Ariana Madix for revenge porn, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy and inflicting emotional distress following last year's 'Scandoval' drama 'Tom is so crushed right now by this lawsuit,' a network insider exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com. 'None of them ever realized that this would take the toll on Rachel that it did.' The insider insisted that Sandoval only ever had genuine intentions towards Leviss during their six-month fling, which played out on season 10 last year. 'Tom honestly thought that he and Rachel would ride off into the sunset together,' they said. 'He was obsessed with her. 'He loved her so much and was so sure that she was the one he would spend forever with. For her to turn around and sue him is so absolutely shocking.' They continued: 'She is demanding a jury trial. This would suck everyone into court and create a huge mess, so she will likely be paid off privately so that it does not get there. 'At the time, they all let their human emotions get the best of them and were not thinking about the ramification to their careers. 'Things were said on air to Rachel that would never be okay, such as Katie [Maloney] saying she wanted to light her on fire. Scheana [Shay] attacking Rachel and causing bodily harm is documented.' Sandoval was not aware of the toll his actions took on Rachel (pictured), according to a source Leviss - formerly known as Racquel - is claiming Sandoval recorded conversations and sexually explicit videos of her without her consent The insider continued: 'She was painted as the villain and yes, Rachel was in negotiations to return for season 11 and could have returned if she wanted to. She chose to not do so to protect her mental health. 'Instead, she sued the two people that she believed, through documented and sometimes filmed evidence, are responsible for inflicting irreversible trauma on her.' The source claimed that the 'network and show treated her with respect' and that she 'had a good relationship with production.' DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Sandoval, Madix, and Leviss for comment. Bravo, NBCUniversal, Andy Cohen, and producers who work on Vanderpump Rules are not named in the lawsuit, but are mentioned frequently. The lawsuit, which spans 19-pages, was filed by Leviss on February 29 at the Los Angeles Superior Court. 'Plaintiff Rachel Leviss is a former cast member on Vanderpump Rules, a reality television show produced by Evolution Media (Evolution) and broadcast by Bravo Media (Bravo), an asset of NBCUniversal (NBC) (together with Bravo, Bravo). This case arises from a scandal of epic proportions starting in March 2023,' it reads. 'Stemming from an affair between Leviss and another cast member, Tom Sandoval, Scandovalas it came to be knownwent instantly viral and was the subject of extraordinary press coverage, even in the mainstream media. Scandoval injected new life into a previously faltering series, causing its viewership to explode to unseen levels and making its cast members mega-celebrities. Due to a narrative deliberately fomented by Bravo, Evolution, and the cast, Leviss became an object of public scorn and ridicule.' It states that Leviss 'repeatedly acknowledged that her actions were morally objectionable and deeply hurtful to Madix,' before adding that Leviss is 'a victim of the predatory and dishonest behavior of an older man, who recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her knowledge or consent, which were then distributed, disseminated, and discussed publicly by a scorned woman seeking vengeance, catalyzing the scandal.' The documents claim Leviss checked herself into a mental health facility for three months while Bravo, Evolution, and the cast 'milked the interest her excoriation had peaked.' Sandoval may have the pay a hefty price for his actions as a source claimed to DailyMail.com: '[Leviss] will likely be paid off privately' The fallout of the affair was captured on camera and both Leviss and Sandoval were heavily shamed by viewers and their costars The lawsuit also claims she was 'misled by Bravo and Evolution into believing that she was contractually barred from speaking out about her mistreatment' which ultimately meant she 'suffered in silence' as viewership exploded, and the 'rest of the cast enjoyed unseen levels of public recognition and professional opportunity.' It claims a 'humiliated and villainized' Leviss remains 'a shell of her former self' and that her career has suffered. Leviss' affair with Sandoval marked the end of his nine-year relationship with Madix. He and Leviss were heavily shamed by their costars and viewers. Madix reportedly came across the sexually explicit videos of Leviss when Sandoval's phone was handed to her after it fell from his pocket while performing with his band. The suit reads: 'Leviss is informed and believes, and on such information and belief alleges, that the explicit videos were recorded by Sandoval without her knowledge or consent in or around February 2023. 'The two videos Leviss has seen depict her in a state of undress and masturbating. However, given Sandoval's apparent practice of secretly recording their video calls, Leviss has every reason to assume there are additional illicit videos and/or photographs of her that she has not yet seen.' Leviss claims in the lawsuit that Madix 'obtained at least two illicit videos of Leviss and distributed them and/or showed them to others without Leviss' knowledge or consent.' Leviss, pictured in 2022, is seeking compensatory, special, general and consequential damages in her lawsuit The suit adds that Madix sent the two sexually explicit videos to Leviss when she confronted her over the affair via text message. Leviss received the two videos along with the text: 'You are DEAD TO ME.' The lawsuit also goes into depth about the alleged physical altercation between Leviss and Scheana Shay, who the suit claims 'violently assaulted' Leviss after learning about the affair. Leviss ultimately filed a restraining order against Shay over the incident but it was dismissed. The alleged assault occurred on the night of March 1, 2023 when Leviss received the text message with videos from Madix. Leviss was in New York to film Watch What Happens Live with her castmate Shay and was left in 'shock' on receiving the footage from 'someone who hated her guts and was out for blood.' She alleges in reaction to the news, Shay 'violently assaulted' her, 'shoving her aggressively into a brick wall, punching her face, and throwing her phone into the street.' The blow to Leviss' face caused a rupture above her left eyebrow and severe swelling and bruising. Leviss was told by a treating physician that her busted brow would 'permanently scar.' The lawsuit also recalls the moment news of the affair broke on March 3. The following day tabloids were reporting on the pornographic videos of Leviss, citing unnamed sources. Leviss allegedly confronted Sandoval on camera over the videos and he 'offered a reluctant admission and a sheepish apology.' 'Sandoval was clearly rattled,' the suit continues. 'After filming ended, an erratic and unsettled Sandoval refused to leave Leviss' apartment in spite of her requests. Leviss was forced to have her sister and brother-in-law pick her up and drive her to their home. That day, Leviss retained an attorney to mitigate the risk of the illicit videos leaking.' Leviss' affair with Sandoval sparked the end of his nine-year relationship with Madix last year; Tom and Ariana seen in 2023 The suit makes the claim that their affair was 'well-known to many cast members and suspected by others' The suit says Sandoval was reportedly concerned over his portrayal in the scene, and fearful of how 'being accused of recording nonconsensual pornography would "paint him in a negative light."' The suit alleges that Sandoval 'reportedly threatened to cease all further filming for the show unless he was granted editing rights over the scene. Shockingly, Bravo and Evolution obliged his demand. 'The scene was selectively edited to omit any mention of Sandoval's illicit recording or Leviss' lack of consent. This was part of a pattern and practice of Bravo and Evolution throwing Leviss under the bus in favor of Sandoval.' The suit also blasts Bravo for its handling of the scandal, claiming the network 'deliberately sacrificed Leviss for the sake of its commercial interests from its refusal to allow her the opportunity to tell her side of the story and defend herself, which she repeatedly begged for permission to do.' Leviss is seeking a trial by jury and has requested that the court order the destruction of all copies of the illegally obtained recordings of her and for the defendants to stop distributing them. She is also seeking compensatory, special, general and consequential damages. Sir Lenny Henry has revealed missing his former Comic Relief co-hosts - including ex-wife Dawn French- was one reason why he decided to step down from presenting the iconic telethon after 39-years. The comic, 65, who co-founded the charity alongside Richard Curtis, has fronted the Red Nose Day specials since its inception as a charity in 1985, but confirmed that this month's show will be his last. Sir Lenny, who was married to Dawn from 1984 to 2010, told Radio Times he 'missed his gang' of fellow comics who co-hosted with him in the 80s including French and Saunders, Billy Connolly and the late Victoria Wood. Telling the publication: 'We were like a little gang. But for a few years Ive felt, Wheres the new gang?'. '[Comic Relief] is a baton to be handed on to a new group of people who are going to take on Comic Relief'. Sir Lenny Henry, 65, has revealed his absent former Comic Relief co-hosts - including ex-wife Dawn French- was one reason why he decided to step down from presenting the iconic telethon after 39-years The comic was married to the actress from 1984 to 2010 (pictured together in 2005) The comic, who co-founded the charity alongside Richard Curtis, has fronted the Red Nose Day specials since its inception as a charity in 1985, but confirmed that this month's show will be his last (pictured in 1989) Lenny then tipped his replacement after praising David Tennant who hosted the show in 2019 due to theatre commitments. Saying: 'I thought, well, actually, [David was] brilliant. And I think theres other people, newer people, who are coming up like Romesh Ranganathan, Alesha Dixon, AJ Odudu. 'There are new people coming up now who can absolutely take the reins'. However Sir Lenny did admit that while he would not be on screen during the big night he'd continue working for the charity behind the scenes as it's Life President. In 2010, Dawn and Lenny, who share daughter Billie, divorced on the grounds of his 'unreasonable behaviour'. There were rumours that Lenny, who is now in a long term relationship with Lisa Makin, cheated on Dawn in 1999, an allegation he denied. The move shocked the nation and the pair have not given much insight into why their seemingly happy life eventually turned out in divorce. A statement released on behalf of the couple read: 'The separation is entirely amicable and they fully intend to maintain their close friendship. Sir Lenny said he 'missed his gang' of fellow comics who co-hosted with him in the 80s including French and Saunders, Billy Connolly and the late Victoria Wood (Dawn, L, and Victoria R, pictured in a 1990 Red Nose Day sketch) He then tipped his replacement after praising David Tennant who hosted the show in 2019 due to Lenny's stage commitments (David and Lenny pictured in 2023 Comic Relief Sketch) Saying: And I think theres other people, newer people, who are coming up like Romesh Ranganathan , Alesha Dixon , AJ Odudu (pictured)' 'Their priority is to commit to the future joint parenting of their daughter.' Fans wanted more and while they wanted closure for themselves, the pair stayed strong and kept a low profile on their split, making life for the daughter much more manageable. Read Sir Lenny Henry's interview in Radio Times out now For six years, the topic of their breakup was taboo until 2016, when Lenny hinted that the pair thought about divorce for a while before the inevitable end, but neither one realised that the other also felt the same. In an interview with the Express, he said: 'There's generally a situation where one partner wants the marriage to finish more than the other. I think maybe one of us did, then the other one did, and then the other did over a period of time and then, in the end, we thought, 'Oh, actually maybe we both do'. 'We knew it wasn't possible to continue,' he added. Dawn, who has since wed Mark Bignell, did not publicly commented on the divorce at the time but her unofficial biographer, Alison Boyer said the comic duo had been 'outgrowing' their marriage before their split. In an interview with The Mail, Alison said: '[Dawn] and Lenny have long been moving in increasingly different directions and have spent little time together in the past two years.' The pair waited until Billie turned 18 to announce the devastating news to the world. They were so protective over the teenager that they even took the extraordinary step of taking out a lifetime legal injunction preventing any disclosure about her natural parents or adoption. Many people have speculated that they simply never overcame the schism caused by Henry's dalliance with a young blonde woman in a hotel room 11 years before, which he has denied. In 2010, Dawn and Lenny, who share daughter Billie, divorced on the grounds of his 'unreasonable behaviour' (pictured 2009) There were rumours that Lenny, who is now in a long term relationship with Lisa Makin , cheated on Dawn in 1999, an allegation he denied (pictured at their 1984 wedding) But the truth is that a dramatic shift in the balance of power between the couple may have signalled the death knell of their relationship, according to her unofficial biographer. Alison said: 'Dawn, for so long was the more successful and confident of the two. But in the couple of years leading up to the split, she seen her husband's career hit new heights while hers, to be blunt, has been on the wane.' Following the separation, the pair were able to maintain a health friendship and amicable relationship in front of their daughter and cameras. Dawn told The Mirror at the time: 'Remarkably, we seem to have shifted with relative ease from a 25-year marriage to a lasting friendship. I am amazed by us there is no war, we've turned out to be the best of friends. There were lots of good years but one tricky last year.' Read Sir Lenny Henry's interview in Radio Times out now. Comic Relief airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer Friday March 15 from 7pm. China, U.S. should meet each other halfway, turn "San Francisco vision" into reality 13:46, March 05, 2024 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily In recent times, both China and the United States have been working together to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state at the San Francisco meeting. They have engaged in dialogues and exchanges in various fields and at different levels, which has helped stabilize the China-U.S. relationship from deterioration and sent a positive signal to the world. The international community has positively evaluated the constructive interaction between China and the United States. It is believed that both countries are taking concrete actions to effectively implement the "San Francisco vision," which is beneficial for the well-being of their respective peoples and also contributes to global peace, stability, and prosperity. Last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden held a summit meeting in San Francisco. The two heads of state had in-depth exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations. The two sides reached more than 20 deliverables in such areas as political affairs and foreign policy, trade and finance, people-to-people exchange, global governance, and military and security, and embraced a future-oriented San Francisco vision. These efforts have pointed the way forward and drawn a blueprint for the development of China-U.S. relations. These important deliverables are further proof of the broad common interests of China and the United States and the mutually beneficial nature of China-U.S. relations. They demonstrate that dialogue and cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries. The most important task for both China and the United States at present is to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and make the San Francisco vision a reality, so as to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of the bilateral relationship. The two sides decided to resume military-to-military communication, and launched working groups on economy, finance, trade, climate actions, and counternarcotics cooperation. The Chinese side also invited young Americans to China on exchange and study programs, and government talks on artificial intelligence have been initiated. The dialogues and exchanges between China and the United States have received wide attention. To turn the San Francisco vision into reality, the right approach for the two sides is to respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. The two sides should jointly develop a right perception, manage disagreements effectively and advance mutually beneficial cooperation. In the past 45 years since establishing diplomatic relations, China and the United States have experienced ups and downs in their relationship, which has maintained a positive momentum in general. The two sides have achieved fruitful results in their cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. China and the United States have engaged in beneficial cooperation on various regional hotspots and global issues, promoting world peace, stability, and prosperity. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The two sides should take this opportunity to sum up experience and draw lessons, treat each other as equals instead of in a condescending way, build common ground and shelving instead of highlighting differences, and respect instead of undermining each other's core interests. Both sides should work together toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, finding the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other. This is a natural requirement of historical evolution and a universal expectation of the international community. David Lampton, professor emeritus of China studies at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, believes that currently, the relationship between the United States and China is in a state of dynamic evolution. Both countries need to steer this evolution towards a better rather than worse direction and strive to find common ground. To turn the San Francisco vision into reality, the United States should view China's development in an objective and rational way, pursue a positive and pragmatic China policy, and honor commitments with concrete actions. The China-U.S. relationship is the most important and complex bilateral relationship in the world. To responsibly manage the relationship, the U.S. side must form the right perception of China, and reflect on the fundamental and overarching issue of whether the two sides are adversaries or partners. There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China's territory. This is the true status quo of the Taiwan question. It is the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and the connivance and support of external forces that are trying to change this status quo. The United States should abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and follow through on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence". The attempts to "de-China" in the name of "de-risking" and to build "a small yard with high fences" to "decouple from China" will ultimately backfire on the U.S. itself. The U.S. side should lift its illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals and refrain from doing things harmful to China's legitimate development rights and interests. It should stop the unwarranted harassment and interrogation of Chinese citizens and do more things conducive to enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples. The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and finds itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. The humanity is facing many challenges. The international community needs a stable China-U.S. relationship now more than ever. China and the United States need to have a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, and plan the next stage of interactions at all levels between the two countries under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. Both sides should meet each other halfway, strengthen dialogue and communication, actively cooperate with each other when there are opportunities, resolve problems when they arise, and manage differences where they exist. Only by doing so can they benefit themselves as well as the people of both countries, and jointly promote world peace and development. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Zendaya as Chani in Dune: Part Two. Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuves long-anticipated second chapter of the science-fiction epic, hit theaters this weekend. But it was secretly screened more than six weeks earlier in an unusual location: a palliative care facility, for a movie buff whose last wish was to see the sequel before he died. With the curtains drawn in a room inside the facility in Quebec, the man, who was in his 50s, and one of his friends watched the film on the screen of Villeneuves laptop - which the directors assistant had flown in that day. Secrecy was paramount - those involved signed nondisclosure agreements and put away their phones to avoid leaks. Getting the film to the man was a race against the clock, Josee Gagnon, whose charity made the moment happen, told The Washington Post. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gagnon, founder of Canadian charity LAvant, which is focused on helping people at the end of their lives realize their dreams, detailed the story in a Monday interview and in a recent Facebook post. Gagnon said she was able to speak freely after the film was publicly released, but declined to reveal the mans identity to protect his privacy. The race began in January,whenLAvant put out a call on Facebook for anyone who could reach Villeneuve. I would like to make some magic for a person at the end of their life, said the charitys post. Time was of the essence, the post said, because the person had only a few more weeks left. The post did not provide more details about the request - but shortly thereafter, the charity posted that its request had reached Villeneuve. A representative for Villeneuve declined to comment Monday. Gagnon, in a Facebook post on Friday, said that Villeneuve and his wife, Tanya Lapointe, an executive producer of Dune: Part Two, were extremely touched by this mans last wish when they spoke. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They told me, Its precisely for him that we make films, she recounted. So they got to work. Villeneuve and his wife initially wanted to fly the man to Montreal or Los Angeles so he could watch the film, Gagnon said in her post and in an interview with Radio-Canada. But, she said in her post, it was impossible because he was too weak. Time was passing. The dying man was dying, she wrote. Then, a breakthrough: On Jan. 16, Villeneuves assistantflew to Quebec with the directors laptop, and took it to the palliative care center about 130 miles north of Quebec City, Gagnon said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The man didnt speak English and had to watch the film with French subtitles, Gagnon told The Post. He was so weak that we thought he might die while watching the film, she wrote on Facebook. The man ultimately was not able to watch the full 2 hours and 46 minutes of the film. He was in pain and saw only about half of it before he had to stop, Gagnon told The Post. He died a few days later. He died taking the secret of the film with him, Gagnon said in her post. Gagnon told Radio-Canadas Place publique program that some of those involved in the project felt it was a failure because the man never got to see the ending of the film. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But she felt differently. I said: You dont understand, its extraordinary what this man went through. The ending of a film, when youre going to die, it doesnt mean anything. All this existed for him. Missing the ending didnt matter, she said. The man had a very difficult start to life and saw people around him - and those who didnt know him - work to carry out his last wish. And that, she wrote, was worth all the gold in the world. Now, she has just one message: People have to continue to believe that everything is possible when it is done with heart, she told The Post. Following its release, Dune: Part Two has turned into a hit with critics and viewers, collecting an estimated $178.5 million across 72 markets in its opening weekend. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Daisy Ridley has revealed what it was like to work with her husband Tom Bateman in the upcoming movie Magpie. The actress, 31, who keeps her relationship with Tom Bateman, 34, tightly under wraps, confirmed their marriage in January after years of speculation. And slowly unveiling more information about her marriage, Daisy discussed what their professional relationship is like. Speaking to the Radio Times, Daisy - who plays Anette in the movie - said: 'I found that process wonderful, because our tastes align on basically everything. 'I think hes a brilliant writer and we were so clear about what it is that we wanted to make. And weve achieved that.' Daisy Ridley, 31, has revealed what it was like to work with her husband Tom Bateman, 34, in the upcoming movie Magpie (Daisy pictured in 2019) The actress, who keeps her relationship with Tom Bateman tightly under wraps, confirmed their marriage in January after years of speculation (pictured together in 2022) The upcoming movie, which is written by Daisy's husband Tom, will be released March 9. Magpie is a contemporary noir thriller which follows a couple who lives are thrown into disarray when their daughter is cast alongside a controversial major star. Daisy and Tom have been dating since 2017 and sparked engagement rumours when he was spotted with a ring on his wedding finger in 2019. The Star Wars actress made a long-awaited return to social media after a nearly six-year hiatus in April 2022. The actress was less than a year removed from her first major film role as Rey in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where she played Rey, when she deactivated her Instagram in August 2016. She made quite the surprising return sharing new snaps, with her first post already amassing nearly 50K likes in just under a day. Her first post was seemingly from a posh hotel as she relaxed in a white robe while sipping a hot beverage, wearing unique 'glasses' that emitted a red glow on her face. 'Coming out of social media hibernation refreshed, recharged, and ready for what Im calling my Year of Yes. (And thats the tea),' Ridley said. And slowly unveiling more information about her marriage, Daisy discussed what their professional relationship is like (pictured together in 2022) Speaking to the Radio Times , Daisy - who plays Anette in the movie - said: 'I found that process wonderful, because our tastes align on basically everything' (Sir Lenny Henry pictured on the cover) She added: 'I think hes a brilliant writer and we were so clear about what it is that we wanted to make. And weve achieved that' (Tom pictured in 2022) The Star Wars actress made a long-awaited return to social media after a nearly six-year hiatus in April 2022 (Daisy in character as Rey in Star Wars) She added that the photo was, 'courtesy of my <3 glam @lipstickkelly and @dayaruci' in her post. The actress shared even more photos in her second post, which featured digitally-painted backdrops, and her mimicking two famous paintings - Edvard Munch's The Scream and Johannes Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring. 'Trying to remember how to use this app. Maybe its a good thing I didnt have Insta during quarantine, or else I would have posted these. Oh, well, still posting them,' Ridley said. Robert Irwin and his girlfriend Rorie Buckey announced their split last month after almost two years of dating. But on Tuesday, the conservationist, 20, dodged questions about his recent breakup during an interview on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O show. Robert and his new co-host Julia Morris made an appearance on the radio program to discuss the upcoming season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The young star was discussing his new role before Kyle Sandilands asked: 'What happened with the girlfriend?' 'That's a really perfect segue mate. That was so smooth,' Robert said. Robert Irwin dodged questions about his breakup with Rorie Buckey during an interview on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O show on Tuesday 'Is everything alright? I know young love can be heartbreaking and this is natural and will happen many more times with young love,' Kyle continued. 'Yeah yeah,' Robert simply said before Julia joked: 'You could do what I've done and find a person that hates you and buy them a house.' Robert then said: 'Julia Morris you are a beautiful human being and I love you dearly.' It comes after the conservationist and Rorie announced their shock split in a joint statement shared to Rorie's Instagram Story last month. The statement read: 'We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future. 'We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths. 'We won't be commenting further on this, and really appreciate your respect and privacy at this time.' He was discussing his new role on I'm A Celebrity when host Kyle Sandilands asked: 'What happened with the girlfriend?' Robert responded: 'You spared no expensive. That's a really perfect segway mate. That was so smooth' Robert, 20, and Rorie, 19, were believed to have been dating since November 2022, but went Instagram official almost a year later in August 2023. Prior to that, the pair had made their red carpet debut at the Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One premiere in Sydney. The duo were last seen together in January looking smitten as they jetted out of Melbourne following their appearance at the Australian Open. At the time, Robert couldn't take his eyes off his girlfriend as the pair waited in the terminal. Rorie reportedly completed an Irwin-approved 'wildlife warrior boot camp' before she and Robert became an official couple. It comes after the conservationist and Rorie announced their shock split in a joint statement shared to Rorie's Instagram Story last month In December, Woman's Day claimed that Rorie had to win over the family by having a willingness to get out into nature. The couple went on crocodile research trip together where they uncovered 'critical data' for the Wildlife Warriors' Worldwide foundation. Robert's mother Terri - who shares her kids with her late husband Steve - and sister Bindi, 25, had been impressed by Rorie's dedication to Australian wildlife. An insider claimed Rorie was 'determined to not let Robert down and show him - and his mum and sister - that she's not just some puff piece. And she blew them away'. The pair were in a long-distance relationship, as Robert is based at Australia Zoo in Queensland while Rorie lives in Perth. Married At First Sight's Timothy Smith had an epic clash with Tori Adams during last week's dinner party. So fans were left understandably baffled after Monday night's episode, during which the online business owner, 51, described Tori as a 'great chick'. Timothy was engaged in conversation with Lauren Dunn and Sara Mesa, with the trio planning to confront Tori about her husband's worrying behaviour, when he made the odd comment. 'Tori...is a great chick? The one that called Timothy smug? And said he said worse things than Jack?' one confused fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'By all rights Timothy should hate Tori and yet bigs her up to everyone behind her back,' commented a second. Married At First Sight fans were left baffled after Timothy Smith (pictured) described bride Tori Adams as a 'great chick' during Monday's episode - despite clashing with her days earlier during the dinner party Timothy was in conversation with Lauren Dunn and Sara Mesa planning to confront Tori about her husband's worrying behaviour A third agreed: 'Surprised at Timothy going to the girls about Tori but goes to show we don't see everything. Makes me respect him more for having her back.' It comes just days after Tori was mercilessly mocked by fans for an 'embarrassing' and 'classless' remark after she accused Timothy of looking 'smug' following his blazing fight with Jayden Eynaud. Speaking to camera, Tori fumed that Cassandra wasn't 'top of the food chain' on the show as she slammed the administration officer, 29, for picking a fight with her. 'Tori...is a great chick? The one that called Timothy smug? And said he said worse things than Jack?' one confused fan wrote on X, formally known as Twitter 'By all rights Timothy should hate Tori and yet bigs her up to everyone behind her back,' commented a second A third agreed: 'Surprised at Timothy going to the girls about Tori but goes to show we dont see everything. Makes me respect him more for having her bac.' She seethed of Cassandra's criticism: 'Small bites babe, don't come for the top. There's a f**king food chain here and you are not at the top. Shut up.' The tension kicked off when Tim became embroiled in a row with Jayden, who had criticised his relationship with Lucinda Light and accused him of making no effort. A seething Tim, 51, said he didn't want advice from a 27-year-old and punched the table in anger, fuming that Jayden had 'nothing in life'. Tori was left enraged by his comments towards Jayden and then accused Tim of looking 'smug' as he calmly chatted to the other couples after the fierce blow-up. Elle Ferguson and Gracie Otto looked as elegant as ever as they stepped out at Australian fashion brand Zimmermann's Paris Fashion Week show on Monday. The Australian stars pulled out all the stops as they brought the glamour to the glitzy fall 2024 runway show, hosted by the luxury brand. Influencer Elle, 38, put on a leggy display in a black floral mini dress with a corset-style bodice, which she wore over a knitted turtleneck top. She completed her stylish ensemble with a pair of brown patent Mary Jane heels and toted her essentials in a small black handbag. The Block star was joined at the front row by filmmaker and actress Gracie, 36, who put on a very fashionable display in an all-black suit. Elle Ferguson and Gracie Otto looked as elegant as ever as they stepped out at Australian fashion brand Zimmermann's Paris Fashion Week show on Monday She strutted her stuff in flared satin trousers with a matching wrap-around blazer, which she styled with a smart black shirt. Gracie gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black pointed heels and shielded her eyes with dark oval shades to complete her look. Gracie is the the daughter of acting great Barry Otto, and younger sister of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy star Miranda, who portrayed Eowyn in the franchise. The Aussie stars stuck together as they sat side-by-side while showing their support for Sydney-based luxury fashion brand Zimmermann, founded by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann. They were also seen sitting alongside Sunshine Coast-based artist Amanda Shadforth, who showed off her incredible style in a tan leather-look ensemble. The Aussie stars stuck together as they and Sunshine Coast artist Amanda Shadforth sat side-by-side while showing their support for Sydney-based luxury fashion brand Zimmermann A whole host of stars descended on the show to see Zimmermann, founded by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann Also in attendance to see the Australian brand's latest designs were the likes of French model Thylane Blondeau and Belgian model Rose Bertram, among others. A whole host of stars from around the globe have descended on the French capital for the hotly-anticipated Paris Fashion Week. The fashion extravaganza runs through until March 5, with esteemed designer labels Chanel and Louis Vuitton set to show on the final day. Last week, Victoria Beckham's PFW show was disrupted by PETA activists as they stormed the runway on Friday, furious with the designer's use of leather. Last week, Victoria Beckham's PFW show was disrupted by PETA activists as they stormed the runway on Friday, furious with the designer's use of leather The activists caused chaos as they took to the catwalk while waving placards that read 'viva vegan leather' and 'animals are not fabric'. VB is known to incorporate leather into her brand's clothes and accessories, including Nappa leather (made from lambs) and shiny calf leather bags costing upwards of 2,000. The show's livestream was also interrupted, and the models were later filmed for a second strut down the runway after the protesters had been removed by security. Married At First Sight is set to hit new levels of drama this week, as the participants attempt to rebuild their frazzled romances at a couples retreat. Despite appearing excited on screen, the brides and grooms were spotted looking drained and downcast on arrival at Hinterland House in Bungalow. Located less than 10 minutes from the heart of Byron Bay, the heritage-listed mansion, built in 1901, provided the ultimate comfort for each of the couples. The couples looked ready for a holiday of their own as they unloaded their suitcases at the accommodation, which costs up to $5,500-per-night and houses 16 people. Daily Mail Australia can reveal that getaway trip did more damage than good, with several marriages appearing to fall apart just minutes after checking into the resort. Married At First Sight is set to hit new levels of drama this week, as the participants attempt to rebuild their frazzled romances at a couples retreat Despite appearing excited on screen, the brides and grooms were spotted looking drained and downcast on arrival at Hinterland House in Bungalow According to well-placed sources, the three-day trip away will send four 'marriages' downhill, with wild claims one won't last past the next commitment ceremony. Exclusive photos taken by Daily Mail Australia on September 18 suggest that it might all be over for Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart. Michael, 34, had a pensive look on his face as he played with his wedding ring while chatting to a producer. Located less than 10 minutes from the heart of Byron Bay, the heritage-listed mansion, built in 1901, provided the ultimate comfort for each of the couples Daily Mail Australia can reveal that getaway trip did more damage than good, with several marriages appearing to fall apart just minutes after checking into the resort His partner, Stephen Stewart, was nowhere in sight. The pair were notably standing on opposite sides of the baggage carousel when they arrived into Gold Coast Airport. Timothy Smith meanwhile looked strained as he sat in the hired van and rested his head on his palm. According to well-placed sources, the three-day trip away will send four 'marriages' downhill, with wild claims one won't last past the next commitment ceremony. Pictured Lauren Dunn Exclusive photos taken by Daily Mail Australia on September 18 suggest that it might all be over for Michael Felix and Stephen Stewart Timothy Smith meanwhile looked strained as he sat in the hired van and rested his head on his palm Timothy, 51, was seen chatting to his wife Lucinda Light and fellow groom Jono McCullough The 51-year-old was seen chatting to his wife Lucinda Light and fellow groom Jonathan McCullough. Elsewhere, Jayden Eynaud and his bride Eden Harper, Ridge Barredo and Jade Pywell looked to be arriving at the resort in good spirits. Jayden and Eden were seen hugging as crew members attached microphones onto them. Hinterland House accommodates 16+ guests with its 8 bedrooms, 8 beds, and 6 baths Drone photos taken by Daily Mail Australia show the cast filming scenes by the pool Lauren and Jono were seen laying down on sunbeds while Tim opted to lay down on the floatie MasterChef Australia has announced a major change to the cooking show's format for 2024. The Channel Ten confirmed that the sixteenth season of the much-loved series will be heading overseas for the first time in seven years. Judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli are heading to Hong Kong to film three episodes. It marks the first time since 2017 that the contestants and judges will head to an international location. The series has previously travelled to America, Dubai, Italy, Japan, London, New York and Paris, but the past six seasons have stayed in Australia. MasterChef Australia 2024 will be heading overseas for the first time in seven years. Judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli (all pictured) are heading to Hong Kong It is also the second time the show is heading to Hong Kong, after previously filming there during season one in 2009. 'I've never been to Hong Kong, but I've been really interested in the place for a long time,' judge Andy Allen said. 'That's because I see the city's array of food is off the charts: it's a melting pot of different cultures, bold flavours, and one-of-a-kind ingredients.' 'Blending Michelin-starred restaurants with bustling street markets, it seems to have this world-class food culture going on,' he added. 'It's so good that now myself, the other judges, and contestants can finally get amongst it this season.' It marks the first time since 2017 that the contestants and judges will head to an international location. Pictured (L-R) Jean-Christophe Novelli, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow and Sofia Levin Jamie Oliver (front centre) is also joining the cast as a guest judge Daily Mail Australia revealed late last year that beloved celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will be joining the program as a guest judge. After months of speculation, Channel Ten recently confirmed that Oliver, 48, will serve as a guest judge during the first two weeks of the new season. The new season, which will air in 2024, began filming in Melbourne in late 2023. Oliver first appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef during season four in 2012. It was previously rumoured that he would replace Jock Zonfrillo as a permanent judge for the show in a $2million deal. (L-R) food critic Sofia Levin, Oliver, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, and restauranteur Jean-Christophe Novelli It was previously rumoured that he would replace Jock Zonfrillo as a permanent judge for the show in a $2million deal. The hit cooking contest was thrown into turmoil after Zonfrillo's shock death at the age of 46 in April. Channel 10 announced soon after it would search for a replacement for the fan favourite. Judge Melissa Leong subsequently exited the show to launch her own spinoff series Dessert Masters. The hit cooking contest was thrown into turmoil after Jock Zonfrillo's shock death at the age of 46 in April. Pictured: The former MasterChef Australia cast including Melissa Leong (L) Jock Zonfrillo (centre) and Andy Allen (right) Madeleine West smiled outside the Taj Mahal as she headed on an Indian retreat after bravely detailing how she confronted the paedophile who abused her. The Neighbours actress, 44, took to Instagram on Monday to share a gallery of photographs of herself posing outside the famous mausoleum. She appeared to be in good spirits as she flashed a smile while sitting on a bench, while the stunning landmark could be seen in the background. Madeleine cut a casual figure in a long-sleeved black top and jeans, which she styled with a pair of bright blue trainers for the outing. In a caption, she wrote: 'The Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Madeleine West smiled outside the Taj Mahal as she headed on an Indian retreat after bravely detailing how she confronted the paedophile who abused her 'She bore him 14 kids, so he built her a palace. For all the mums out there, I reckon thats a fair trade.' Madeleine also tagged meditation teacher Tiffany Jackson in her post, who took to her own Instagram to give an insight into the seven-day Indian retreat they had been on. She described the retreat as a 'deep profound inner and outer cleanse' and said the group will 'never be their old selves' after the experience as she shared videos from the trip. The meditation retreat comes after Madeleine bravely detailed how she confronted her paedophile neighbour more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse. Peter Vincent White, now aged in his seventies, received a 15-year sentence for his cruel abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14. His life came crashing down when Madeleine came knocking at his door in July 2022 while wearing a secret recording device. The Neighbours actress, 44, took to Instagram on Monday to share a gallery of photographs of herself posing outside the famous mausoleum She shared an array of photographs of the stunning landscape as she visited the landmark during a seven-day long meditation retreat The recording was crucial in prosecuting White, and was shared publicly for the first time in a 60 Minutes episode that aired last month. In the audio, Madeleine could be heard exchanging pleasantries with White and his wife, who is profoundly deaf, before confronting him about the abuse. She was left shocked when White said he could not remember committing any of the crimes - only to then beg her for forgiveness with four damning words: 'I'm very, very sorry.' 'I don't understand,' he was heard saying in the recording. 'I'm not quite sure what you're asking me. I am so sorry. I don't remember doing anything like that. I am sorry. Please, please forgive me. 'If... if I did, I... I don't remember. I'm very, very sorry if I did... it's been washed from my mind.' At one point, West could be heard telling her abuser his apology 'meant a lot'. The trip comes after Madeleine bravely detailed how she confronted her paedophile neighbour more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse However, in reality the actress said she wanted to 'claw his eyes out' when he asked to be forgiven for his crimes. 'At the time, you're in acting mode and you go, 'Of course,'' West said. 'What else am I going to say? Punch him in the face? Kick his teeth in? I felt like doing that. I wanted to claw his eyes out. 'Forgive? Give you words to make you feel better so you can go back to your life, and your happy, healthy family and your international travel. 'Meanwhile, I'm in the deepest, darkest hole I've ever been in my life - and you want forgiveness?' West was abused by the married father-of-two between the ages of four and 10 in his home in Woodend, 70km north-west of Melbourne. She said the popular plumber's home was a 'magnet for children' and he used his swimming pool, sandpit and VHS player to lure them inside. Peter Vincent White (pictured), now aged in his seventies, received a 15-year sentence for his cruel abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14 He abused seven children aged between four and 14 in the front room of his home and in a caravan parked on the driveway between 1977 and 1988. She required surgery after one incident left her with serious physical injuries. West, whose childhood name was Melanie Ann Weston, shared the abuse with her parents who she said 'didn't know what to do'. She went to the police in 2017 - decades after the abuse had occurred. Her childhood friend Amanda Lee separately contacted police two years later. Their testimonies helped police build a case against the paedophile, whose 'brazen' offending shocked even the most hardened sex crime officers. 'It was just abhorrent, disgusting, horrific, calculated, intentional offending,' investigator Scott Tuddenham told 60 Minutes. At a Victoria County Court plea hearing last year, West demanded White look her in the eyes while she read out her victim statement. His life came crashing down when Madeleine came knocking at his door in July 2022 while wearing a secret recording device. The recording was crucial in prosecuting White White pleaded guilty to 33 charges of child sexual abuse against the seven victims including sexual penetration of a child aged under 10 and gross indecency. He was sentenced last December to 15 years in prison, but will be eligible for release on parole in nine years, by which time he will be 82 years old. After the sentencing, Madeleine celebrated with other victims, saying the ruling 'took 40 years to be delivered but now it's here'. For support, contact National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028. Breckin Meyer and Kelly Rizzo seem to be heating up their relationship. The couple, who traveled to Mexico for together for a friend's wedding, shared a long hug and a kiss as they bid each other goodbye over the weekend in Los Angeles. Kelly, 44, who is the widow of the late comedian Bob Saget, looked relaxed in a pair of jeans and sneakers with a khaki green jacket as she prepared to get into her silver SUV. The Eat, Travel, Rock host's dark blonde hair was styled in straight layers and she wore dark sunglasses. It appeared the two had taken part is some outdoor adventure, as Breckin, 49, removed a large backpack from her car. Breckin Meyer and Kelly Rizzo continue to spend time together as they build their new relationship. The couple shared a kiss as they bid each other goodbye over the weekend in Los Angeles The Good Girls actor was dressed in gray corduroy pants, and a blue and gray plaid shirt. The Clueless star's dog seemed to have adjusted to the new relationship and waited patiently while the couple said goodbye. It's unknown when the pair met, or when they started dating. The couple have tried to keep their budding relationship quiet, but as they were in the presence of friends, seemed to feel comfortable expressing their affection for each other. Kelly lost her husband, comedian and actor Bob Saget in January 2022, after the actor fell and suffered head trauma in his Orlando hotel room. She and the Full House star were together for three years before they married in 2018. On January 9, she marked the second anniversary of the Fuller House star's death writing, '2 years. Wow. Simultaneously feels like a week and an eternity.' 'I will forever be grateful that I got to share life with this extraordinary person for 6 years.' Kelly, 44, who is the widow of the late comedian Bob Saget , looked relaxed in a pair of jeans and sneakers with a khaki green jacket as she prepared to get into her silver SUV. The Eat, Travel, Rock host's dark blonde hair was styled in straight layers and she wore dark sunglasses. It appeared the two had taken part is some outdoor adventure, as Breckin, 49, removed a large backpack from her car. The Good Girls actor was dressed in gray corduroy pants, and a blue and gray plaid shirt Kelly interviewed Full House star Dave Coulier, 64, on her Comfort Food with Kelly Rizzo podcast. The comedian spoke about how he and Kelly's late husband, Bob Saget, would used dark humor to get through difficult times Kelly has said she felt 'guilty' for a 'long period of time' whenever she thought about moving on from Bob - the couple were married from 2018 until his death in 2022 (pictured with her late husband) Kelly interviewed her late husband's Full House co-star Dave Coulier, 64, recently on her Comfort Food with Kelly Rizzo podcast. The actor shared that he and Bob bonded over many things during their eight years on the highly rated sitcom together, including have sisters with life threatening diseases. Bob's sister Gay, died from scleroderma in 1994 at the age of 47. It's an autoimmune disease that affects tissue elasticity. Dave's sister, Sharon, died from cervical cancer sometime in the early 1990s. 'Bob came up to me and said "Hey, do you want to start a Dead Sister Club?" and you know, it would make us laugh,' he told Kelly. 'That's what comics do. you know, in times of great adversity or dark times,' he explained. 'We'll joke our way out of it.' Continuing, he said, 'And we'll try to make other people around us laugh, 'cause it just, kind of, disintegrates that dark feeling, for us anyway.' Lara Worthington cut a stylish figure as she stepped out for the Coperni fall 2024 runway show at Paris Fashion Week. On Monday, the Australian model attended the runway show while wearing an oversized black raincoat complete with a dark brown fur-lined hood. The 36-year-old paired the outerwear with a black mini dress and knee-high brown laced boots that drew attention to her long legs. Opting for a light nude makeup palette, Lara sported a peach blush and a pink-nude lip while her blonde hair was styled in a natural wave with a middle part. Two days prior, Lara made an appearance at an exclusive Camilla and Marc dinner hosted by Dree Hemingway for Paris Fashion Week. Lara Worthington cut a stylish figure as she stepped out for the Coperni fall 2024 runway show at Paris Fashion Week The model wore a sheer pencil skirt that showed off her black undergarments, paired with a black corset top from designer brand Alaia. She layered the outfit with a white shirt that buttoned at the back and accessorised with sheer stocking and black pumps. Lara's Paris appearances come after she revealed how she and her actor husband Sam Worthington are a 'team' and always work together to keep their family a well-oiled machine. On Monday, the Australian model attended the runway show while wearing an oversized black raincoat complete with a dark brown fur-lined hood Two days prior, Lara made an appearance at an exclusive Camilla and Marc dinner hosted by Dree Hemingway for Paris Fashion Week The model wore a sheer pencil skirt that showed off her black undergarments, paired with a black corset top from designer brand Alaia The model told Stellar magazine in October that the pair, who met in 2013 and married a year later, are enjoying getting older together. 'As a family unit, we're all very close. We've only got each other. Sam and I are a good team,' she said. 'We're both Australians and we have the same values. We come at our children as a team and I think that's really important.' Lara shares three sons - Rocket, seven, Racer, six, and River, two - with Sam. Married At First Sight star Eden Harper came forward with very explosive claims about her fellow bride Sara Mesa during Tuesday night's drama-packed episode. Eden, 28, was left conflicted during the Byron Bay retreat as she revealed she was keeping a huge 'secret' about one of her co-stars but didn't know whether to share it. Daily Mail Australia had exclusively revealed that Eden would expose Sara's 'secret meetings' with her ex-boyfriend, and the shocking scenes have finally played out. After isolating from the group activities at the retreat, her husband Jayden Eynaud expressed his concern, leading to her claiming that Sara had secretly met her ex-boyfriend behind her 'husband' Tim Calwell's back. She claimed that via text, Sara had asked her to borrow some clothes for dinner, before shockingly revealing that she was meeting up with her ex-boyfriend. Married At First Sight star Eden Harper came forward with very explosive claims about her fellow bride Sara Mesa during Tuesday night's drama-packed episode Jayden was left enraged upon learning of his wife's claims, and insisted that it was 'cheating' as he told Eden that they needed to tell Tim, and she was quick to agree. A teaser clip for Wednesday's episode showed Eden telling Sara that if she didn't come clean about her antics the weekend before, then she would tell Tim in a cliffhanger ending. The drama first kicked off when Eden told producers how she had been feeling 'stressed' and 'anxious' due to holding back a 'secret'. She revealed: 'I've been given information that I didn't want that is a secret, that can affect a lot of people here. It makes me not want to hang out with everyone, I feel so uncomfortable and so anxious and I don't know what to do.' Eden admitted she felt like she was in a 'lose lose situation' because she could ruin her friendships over revealing the texts, but didn't want to damage her relationship with Jayden by lying. She isolated herself from the group activities - including a fun workshop hosted by Lucinda Light - and walked out during the nightly drinks as she remained unsure of what to do. Eden claimed that via text, Sara had asked her to borrow some clothes, before shockingly revealing that she was meeting up with her ex-boyfriend, allegedly behind Tim Calwell's back 'I've found it hard to be here tonight, because I really strongly feels that it needs to come out, I'm scared. It's just too much,' she said. Eden then broke down in tears behind a closed door and was comforted by a producer, who asked her what the secret was she was hiding. She cryptically said: 'Something's happened, it's not to do with Jayden, it's to do with someone else. I've received a text message of something that someone's done to someone else that's quite bad. 'I feel really stressed about it because they're all going to hate me, every single one of them when it comes out. If I don't do that, then Jayden's going to hate me for doing the wrong thing.' The next morning, Jayden then spoke to Eden privately and shared his concern over her withdrawn nature, leading to her coming clean about the secret. Dropping the bombshell, she claimed: 'Just before the retreat, someone in the experiment sent me a message asking me for clothes, she's like "I want to wear a cool top to dinner tonight". Eden, 28, was left conflicted during the Byron Bay retreat as she revealed she was keeping a huge 'secret' about one of her co-stars but didn't know whether to share it 'And I was like sweet, and I'd written to her, "where are you going to dinner?" and when I've opened it, she's said "I'm seeing my ex-boyfriend". It's Sara.' A shocked Jayden insisted Sara's alleged actions equated to 'cheating' and the couple - who have both been cheated on by exes - agreed that Tim needed to know. Jayden fumed: 'Even if nothing happened, we know that they were obviously talking in some way of communication and they met up. 'Talking - if it's calls or messaging - is a form of cheating, and meeting up with your ex-partner behind your husband's back is also a form of cheating. No matter what way you look at it, it's wrong.' A teaser trailer for Wednesday night's episode showed Eden and Jayden talking to Sara and Tim at the dinner party as the explosive scenes unfolded. Eden boldly told Sara that if she didn't tell Tim what she was doing the weekend before, then they would, with Tim then being shown storming out of the party. After isolating from the group, her husband Jayden Eynaud expressed his concern, leading to her claiming that Sara had secretly met her ex behind her 'husband' Tim's back Their co-stars' shocked faces were also seen around the table while Sara was shown seemingly having an explosive row with someone as the tension looks set to rise. Daily Mail Australia recently revealed that Sara's clandestine meetings with her 'ex' occurred during a filming break behind Tim's back, according to an insider. 'Eden confronts Sara with the bombshell claims during this week's dinner party because she didn't think it was right the way she was treating Tim,' the spy claimed. 'She gave her an opportunity to be honest... and then Sara tells the group about catching up with her ex.' 'Sara eventually admits to everyone that she was still in contact with her ex despite her giving it all to Tim. 'Everyone was absolutely living for Eden and praised her for confronting Sara with the claims.' Online business owner Tim was said to be left reeling from the shocking news. 'Shattered doesn't even cover it,' the source close to the heartbroken husband said. 'He was broken when he heard what happened. It's a mess.' A teaser clip for Wednesday's episode showed Eden telling Sara that if she didn't come clean about her antics the weekend before, then she would tell Tim in a cliffhanger ending But Sara was quick to shut down Eden's claims as sources close to her acknowledged while Sara was still friendly with her ex, 'there's really nothing else to tell'. 'Sara and her ex run in similar circles, when he is in Sydney they catch up with our whole group,' a friend said. 'There's really nothing else to tell, nothing salacious or scandalous like people would want to hear. 'They broke up so long ago and have both since had other serious relationships.' Married At First Sight continues at 7.30pm on Wednesday on Channel Nine. National security adviser Jake Sullivan has promoted a foreign policy for the middle class. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post Portfolio The Internationalists, Alexander Wards new chronicle of the Biden administrations foreign policy efforts, opens on election night in 2016 as Jake Sullivan, then a staffer for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign, watched the victory of Donald Trump, who had rejected establishment catechisms about the benefits of alliances and globalization with a brazen unilateralism. It concludes in 2023 with Sullivan, by then President Bidens national security adviser, proclaiming a new Democratic foreign policy agenda that promotes U.S. interests - especially those of the middle class - more directly than either Clintons globalized orthodoxy or Trumps America First isolationism. Read in isolation from the rest of Wards book, these two moments suggest that the book will follow a classic narrative arc of crisis and redemption - how liberal internationalists lost their way and won back power with electorally savvy policy. The story that Ward tells between those bookends, however, is more complex. Hard as it is to devise a new worldview, Wards book shows that its still more difficult to implement one, even under the best of circumstances. And the Biden team has not been blessed by circumstances. Ward, a Politico reporter and Pulitzer finalist, drew on a deep array of sources to create this subtly composed portrait of a team juggling policy and politics. These sources seem to cluster in the Old Executive Office Building and Foggy Bottom more than in the Pentagon or Capitol Hill. The result is a book that relies largely on staffers-eye views of the administrations strengths and flaws. (Disclosure: Ward interviewed me as a source for stories when he wrote for Vox.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad Process, the fetish of staffers, receives extensive attention. This often flatters an administration that prides itself on its competence. To coordinate policy and talking points during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for example, the administration employed a shared doc that kept everyone up to date in a chaotic situation. Descriptions of how Bidens team deployed intelligence to blunt Russian President Vladimir Putins moves before the invasion also reveal a cool, well-gauged strategy that achieved tactical successes even if it could not stop a war. At other times, the focus on staff work reveals the peculiar insularity of senior staffers, as when Ward reports that, during the run-up to the Russian invasion, some of them griped about having to stay at work after the White House Mess closed at 8 p.m. Even more telling is a description of whether Sullivan would resign (or be dismissed) following the chaotic evacuation of Kabul in August 2021 - a failure of process and foresight. If Sullivan had left office at that moment, Ward writes, any plans to be secretary of state or run for political office would assuredly have to be set aside for a career making money in the private sector. Well, sure, but the bigger question should have been whether another official could have done the job better. Given Sullivans able performance in handling the Ukraine invasion later, the answer is (at worst) a qualified no, but that wasnt quite what those who wondered about Sullivans future were getting at. As should always be the case for officials in senior positions, the state of ones career should remain subordinate to questions of public good. And its not just staffers who should have reflected more on those considerations - Ward would have done well to ponder them, too. Ward focuses on major crises in the administrations first two years, particularly the decision to pull out of Afghanistan, fighting in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That choice means numerous topics - China, climate change, supply chains, Iran, immigration - receive scant or no attention. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The choice also highlights the jarring shift between the books analyses of the administrations aspirations and of its record. Sullivan spent the Trump years forging a Democratic coalition around a new vision, a foreign policy for the middle class, which he defines as demonstrating how U.S. actions abroad can improve the daily lives of Americans. Once the Biden team was in office, though, Ward shows that it had to engage in the actual business of running a global superpower, like brokering a deal in which the United States would send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, providing political cover for a German coalition government torn over sending its (probably more useful) Leopard tanks to aid Kyiv. Such maneuvers are tough to explain in terms of mortgages, health-care affordability and other middle-class American preoccupations - but they are also the inescapable tools of great-power politics. The book also clearly illustrates the strengths and limits of Bidens approach to foreign policy leadership, including his emphasis on personal ties even during a crisis. A chapter about U.S.-Israeli relations details Bidens long-standing, complex relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and illuminates how the presidents Zionism and personal links to the country influenced U.S. responses to the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2021. Yet when the book describes how Israels tactics during that crisis divided U.S. officials and Democratic legislators, it demonstrates that such individual relationships cannot replace a more collective policy vision. Personal ties are not synonymous with national interests - or political ones. Relying on them can deepen insider-outsider divides at the worst moments. Eventually, these details resolve into a picture of a team that struggled to put out fires, much less make progress, even before the loss of the House majority in the 2022 midterms complicated the politics of foreign policy. Tactical competence matters, but it cannot overcome every circumstance. As it became clear that the administration could not deter Russia from invading Ukraine, for instance, one official exclaimed: This sucks. Were doing everything right and the Russians are probably going to invade anyway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Readers accustomed to dishy Trump-era policy books will find little gossip here, though there are a few morsels. In an Oval Office meeting just weeks before the fall of Kabul, the president of Afghanistan turned away from security discussions to beg for investment in 5G cell networks. Later, eyes rolled in the White House and other capitals at last-ditch efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to meet with Putin before the Russian invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, grew exasperated at U.S. intelligence assessments that the Russians were about to invade, leading one official to complain that the Ukrainian leader was in La-La Land. Unsurprisingly, these anecdotes - most of which involve figures beyond Bidens immediate orbit - make his team look like the adults in the room. (There are a few potshots at the Biden administration, seemingly from Ukrainian sources.) Even though the book concludes with Sullivans triumphant proclamation, its impossible to read its last chapter without thinking of how the story continued in the months after the manuscript was finished. Repeatedly, the book shows the administration telling the public and itself that the United States faces a challenge: It must demonstrate that democracies can deliver. The loss of the Democratic majority in the House in 2022 made it vastly more difficult to carry out even measures supported on the Hill, like furnishing aid for Israel and Ukraine. And the Israeli response to the Oct. 7 attacks has posed problems for the administration with its political base, its relations with regional powers and even inside its own ranks. It is depressingly easy to see how American democracy might fail to meet these challenges. And in polls that must gall the architects of a foreign policy crafted to both remedy the disasters of the Trump administration and win over voters, foreign affairs lags behind other areas of Bidens public approval ratings. The stakes are high: A defeat at the ballot box in November might lead to an indefinite rejection of any form of internationalism. Ironically, Wards portrait of the disjuncture between the administrations ambitions and its challenges suggests that the Biden team needs to campaign this year on a bolder vision than it did in 2020. Policies seemingly remote from middle-class interests, such as promoting the defense of democracies, resonate with the administrations supporters and independents. Depicting the White Houses foreign policy record as part of a struggle for a new deal for the world might help frame its failures and successes - and even its compromises - as part of the story of redemption that the administration desperately wants to tell. Advertisement Article continues below this ad - - - Paul Musgrave is an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. - - - The Internationalists Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Fight to Restore American Foreign Policy After Trump By Alexander Ward Kaia Gerber, 22, visited the Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Monday, just days after attending the Make March Matter kickoff. The model and daughter of Cindy Crawford spent time and posed in sweet photos with the children. She opted for a dressed-down outfit as she wore jeans and a cropped blue cardigan. Her brown hair was loose and framed her face as she wore natural makeup that made her eyes pop. Gerber wore jet-black leather boots as she accessorized her ensemble with a variety of necklaces. The hospital wrote, 'What a treat! Kaia Gerber's patient visit brought a magical blend of enchanting story time, Waldo hunts, joyful singing, a dash of Spiderman fun, and, most importantly, an abundance of heartwarming smiles. Thank you for Making March Matter and spreading joy to our young patients!' Kaia Gerber visited the Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Monday, just days after attending the Make March Matter kickoff The model and daughter of Cindy Crawford spent time and posed in sweet photos with the children The model attended the 9th Annual Children's Hospital Los Angeles' Make March Matter kick-off on Friday. Other famous faces attended the event and put a smile on children's faces. Nikki DeLoach opted for a short-sleeve patterned dress for the annual charitable function. The Awkward actress added a bit of brightness to her look with beige high-heeled shoes, and her gorgeous brunette locks contrasted perfectly with the darker tones of her clothing. Tony Cavalero wore a bright red crewneck sweater underneath a beige jacket, while his wife Annie stood out in a multicolored dress. Danny Trejo sported a t-shirt bearing the logo for his donut shop, Trejo's Coffee & Donuts, underneath button-down shirt at the event. The Machete star also brought several boxes of donuts for the charitable event's attendees. Although she appeared to be enjoying her time at the event, Gerber is currently preparing for the release of the upcoming series Palm Royale, in which she will appear. The show will be centered on a woman who attempts to make a name for herself in Palm Beach's high society. The program is also based on Juliet McDaniel's novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie, which was originally published in 2018. Gerber is currently preparing for the release of the upcoming series Palm Royale, in which she will appear She and other famous faces attended the event and put a smile on children's faces The cast of the program will be led by Kristen Wiig and rounded out by performers such as Laura Dern, Allison Janney and Ricky Martin. Gerber is currently set to portray a hairdresser named Mitzi in the upcoming series. The first episode of Palm Royale is scheduled to premiere on the HBO Max streaming service on March 20 and run for ten episodes. Sophie Turner and boyfriend Peregrine Pearson were spotted as they held hands following a romantic dinner in Paris amid the city's Fashion Week on Monday. The actress, 27, appeared in greats spirits as she left swanky restaurant La girafe with the property developer, 29, in the French capital. Sophie went braless beneath a chic blue shirt which she wore open and layered with a long wool coat. She completed the look with a pair of jeans while toting her essentials for the evening in a pricey 1K Louis Vuitton bag. Meanwhile Peregrine donned a green sports jacket which he teamed with jeans and Adidas trainers. Sophie Turner, 27, and boyfriend Peregrine Pearson, 29, were spotted as they held hands following a romantic dinner in Paris amid the city's Fashion Week on Monday The actress appeared in greats spirits as she left swanky restaurant La girafe with the property developer in the French capital Sophie, who is divorcing Joe Jonas, shared a series of snaps from her ski trip with Peregrine as she confirmed their relationship. Peregrine is the eldest son and heir of Michael Pearson, the 4th Viscount Cowdray a former film producer who owns a significant chunk of the Pearson media empire. While Sophie is said to be worth a whopping 10million, this pales in comparison to Peregrine's family fortune which is said to be more than 224million. He has a 5million pad in Chelsea while his father owns a sprawling mansion in West Sussex with 22 bedrooms and 16,500 acres of grounds. His ancestral estate is home to Cowdray Park Polo Club which boasts ten pitches and hosts more than 450 matches each year. The prestigious club hosts the annual Gold Cup, where both Prince William and Prince Harry have played. Peregrine previously admitted that despite being the heir to the sprawling estate, which also features a farm shop and cafe, he does not play polo himself. He told the Telegraph in 2018: 'I'm getting lessons, I grew up riding and over the next few years it's something I can see myself doing a lot more.' Sophie went braless beneath a chic blue shirt which she wore open and layered with a long wool coat She completed the look with a pair of jeans while toting her essentials for the evening in a pricey 1K Louis Vuitton bag The couple strolled together through the romantic Paris streets Sophie also left the swanky eatery with some leftovers She put on a very animated display as she posed for selfies with fans following her busy day of runway shows and festivities Meanwhile Peregrine donned a green sports jacket which he teamed with jeans and Adidas trainers It comes after Sophie (pictured second from right) and British aristocrat Peregrine (far right) went Instagram official with their relationship in January Peregrine is the eldest son and heir of Michael Pearson, the 4th Viscount Cowdray a former film producer who owns a significant chunk of the Pearson media empire. While Sophie is said to be worth a whopping 10million, this pales in comparison to Peregrine's family fortune which is said to be more than 224million. He has a 5million pad in Chelsea while his father owns a sprawling mansion in West Sussex with 22 bedrooms and 16,500 acres of grounds. His ancestral estate is home to Cowdray Park Polo Club which boasts ten pitches and hosts more than 450 matches each year. The prestigious club hosts the annual Gold Cup, where both Prince William and Prince Harry have played. Sophie's ex Joe has also moved on, and was seen on a romantic ski trip in Aspen, Colorado, earlier in January with the pageant queen-turned-model Stormi Bree. Rumours had already been swirling that Joe had taken up with Stormi, a one-time Miss Teen USA, in the midst of his ongoing divorce. Joe filed for divorce from Sophie in September 2023 and their battle over custody of daughters Willa, three, and Delphine, 17 months, made headlines worldwide. Earlier in January, Sophie asked the judge presiding over their case to dismiss her child abduction claim against him after they finally hashed out a custody plan. The exes were previously engaged in significant conflict over where their children would live and Sophie claimed Joe prevented them from traveling to the UK with her by withholding the kids' passports. Sophie and Joe began dating in 2016. They got engaged in 2017 and a Las Vegas wedding in May 2019 before marrying properly a month later. Simon Cowell broke down in tears as he took to the stage at the annual Together For Short Lives charity ball on Monday. The music mogul, 64, was in attendance alongside his fiancee Lauren Silverman for the event at London's Dorchester Hotel. In exclusive footage obtained by MailOnline, Simon emotionally admitted he 'couldn't talk' as he urged guests to show their support for the charity. Fighting back tears, he said: 'So, I can't talk, so we discussed doing something slightly different previously we've asked people to stand up and pledge 1,000.' Simon is a longtime patron of the charity Together For Short Lives, which raises money for palliative care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Simon Cowell broke down in tears as he took to the stage at the annual Together For Short Lives charity ball on Monday The music mogul was in attendance alongside his fiancee Lauren Silverman for the event at London's Dorchester Hotel In exclusive footage obtained by MailOnline, Simon emotionally admitted he 'couldn't talk' as he urged guests to show their support for the charity Lauren cut a glamorous figure in a busty black gown as she joined a dapper Simon for the annual charity gala. The couple were joined by Vanessa Feltz , who slipped into a gorgeous champagne coloured sheer gown. Lizzie Cundy wowed in a plunging dark blue gown with elegant white gloves as she arrived for the charity event. It comes after Simon left fans in shock with his 'frozen' appearance on a recent episode of Saturday Night Takeaway. He made an appearance on the first episode of the new series of Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly's show. However, viewers found it difficult to focus on what he was saying and were more concerned about his appearance. Simon has previously denied having a face lift but admitted to regretting his extensive use of Botox. Taking to X, several viewers commented on his looks, with one writing: 'Is that definitely Simon Cowell? He looks like a melting Ken Doll?' Lauren cut a glamorous figure in a busty black gown as she joined a dapper Simon for the annual charity gala The couple were joined by Vanessa Feltz , who slipped into a gorgeous champagne coloured sheer gown Her gown was adorned with silver sequins as she exited the charity event, wrapping up in a cosy white fur-lined jacket Lizzie Cundy wowed in a plunging dark blue gown with elegant white gloves as she arrived for the charity event The WAG stunned in an eye-catching blue dress as she headed to the swanky charity event Lizzie posed up a storm in her busty blue gown as she headed into the London hotel to join Simon for the charity ball Also in attendance for the charity ball was interior designer Kelly Hoppen and her partner John Gardiner A second user added: 'Simon Cowell looks more and more like a cartoon every time I see him,' while a third wrote: 'Simon Cowell doesn't look like Simon Cowell anymore.' A fourth penned: 'Not sure Simon Cowell has aged gracefully!' Simon was pranked by Ant and Dec as they had him pulled over by fake police while on his bike in Malibu. Commenting on the clip, Stephen, 49, joked: 'I didn't like it... I loved it. that was my Simon impression it wasn't very convincing because my face moved.' The comedian's quip also drew a swift response from viewers with one writing: 'Stephen Merchant just propper mugged off Simon Cowell then.' Another wrote: 'Ahaha Stephen Merchant "it's not quite convincing because my face moved" after his Simon Cowell impression.' Jonathan Majors got candid about his romance with girlfriend Meagan Good during their red carpet debut in Los Angeles on Sunday. In his first public appearance since being convicted in a December 2023 domestic violence trial, the embattled actor, 34, appeared in high spirits at the AAFCA Special Achievement Awards luncheon where he admitted the couple were 'in love'. During an interview with Extra, the Marvel star said, 'We're in love... We're doing good, thanks for asking.' Meagan, who has been dating the Love Country actor since May 2023, chimed in too, saying, 'We're doing great. God's good.' The news comes after Jonathan, who is facing up to a year behind bars in his domestic violence trial against one ex-girlfriend, was accused of abusive behavior by two more of his former girlfriends. Jonathan Majors got candid about his romance with girlfriend Meagan Good during their red carpet debut on Sunday in Los Angeles In his first public appearance since being convicted in a December 2023 domestic violence trial , the embattled actor, 34, appeared in high spirits at the AAFCA Special Achievement Awards luncheon where he admitted the couple were 'in love'; pictured at Manhattan Criminal Court on December 15, 2023 Emma Duncan, one of them, asserted that her four-year relationship with the Emmy nominee commenced in 2015 during their time at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, CT. She detailed allegations of frequent threats of violence, including one incident where Jonathan reportedly threw her across a room. Another ex-partner, Maura Hooper, asserted that during her relationship with Majors from 2013 to 2015, she became pregnant. She claimed that although he dropped her off at the abortion clinic, he failed to pick her up after the procedure. Majors' criminal defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry called both women 'toxic' during an interview with People. His original sentencing date had been delayed until April 8 after his defense team filed a motion to set aside the verdict. The Creed III actor was convicted in December of reckless assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, and harassment in the second degree, which is a violation. The charges stemmed from an alleged altercation between him and his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, which unfolded on the streets of Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood in March 2023. Jabbari recounted in court that during a car ride, she noticed a suspicious text on his phone hinting at infidelity, prompting her to grab the device. According to her testimony, the actor proceeded to harm her, forcibly removing her finger from the phone, hitting her head while attempting to snatch the device, and ultimately tossing her back into the car. Surveillance footage also captured Majors shoving Jabbari into the vehicle and later, she was seen chasing him down a street. However, Majors has adamantly denied the accusations and during a recent interview with ABC, he expressed that he had been 'shocked' by his guilty verdict. 'I have never hit a woman. I have never struck a woman,' he stated, adding that both he and his attorneys believe it is unjust that he was prosecuted 'as a black man' while his ex, who is white, was not - despite her chasing him down a street and also being arrested. During an interview with Extra , the Marvel star said, 'We're in love... We're doing good, thanks for asking.' Majors claimed he's never hit a woman 'ever' when he spoke to ABC News on January 8, but admitted he does demand that his partners have the grace and manner of Coretta Scott King or Michelle Obama since he's a 'great man' On December 18, the Loki star was found guilty of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment against his 31-year-old ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari (R, pictured in 2022) 'I was absolutely shocked and afraid. I am standing there... I say "how is that possible? Based off the evidence, based off the prosecution's evidence, how is that possible?'" In regards to Jabbari's injuries, he stated that he does not know how she sustained them. 'I wish to God I knew. That would give me some clarity, some type of peace about it.' Following his arrest, Majors faced professional repercussions as Marvel Studios severed ties with him. Subsequently, he also experienced removal from the cast of the Dennis Rodman movie, 48 Hours in Vegas. Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly has a priceless collection of original Star Wars toys which he goes undercover to buy online. The academy-award winning actor uses a pseudonym to bid for rare items online as he continues to grow his beloved collection, The Sun has reported. His obsession began after he splashed out on a rare poster for classic 1927 science-fiction film Metropolis, which inspired droid C-3PO in the Star Wars movies. The star, 49, is believed to now have a whopping 80 figurines from the 1970s and 1980s as part of his collection, which he keeps under lock and key for protection. A source told the publication: 'Leo is a huge Star Wars fan. He grew up watching the films and loves collecting anything to do with the original movies. Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, reportedly has a priceless collection of Star Wars toys which he goes undercover to buy, The Sun has revealed The star is believed to now have a whopping 80 figurines from the 1970s and 1980s as part of his collection, which he keeps under lock and key for protection 'Fans on dedicated sites would be gobsmacked to know the man bidding for rare items at auction when they come on the market is actually a Hollywood legend. 'Leo's collection is worth an absolute fortune. But when you have the kind of money he has, it's a lot more understandable.' Despite his passion for the franchise and extensive toy collection, Leonardo turned down the part of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels because he 'didn't feel ready to take that dive'. Leo previously revealed he had a meeting with George Lucas but didn't feel ready to take on such an anticipated role. The actor explained he was set to take the role of the young Jedi knight in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith but it eventually went to Hayden Christensen because he wasn't 'ready to take the dive'. Asked whether he auditioned for the role, he said: 'I did have a meeting with George Lucas about that, yes. I just didn't feel ready to take that dive. At that point.' It comes after a Playboy model threw shade on the star after sharing a kiss with him on a night out in Los Angeles. Hieke Konings, 22, claims she snogged the Hollywood star in an invite-only nightclub, but slammed him as 'too weird and too old'. A source told the publication: 'Fans on dedicated sites would be gobsmacked to know the man bidding for rare items at auction when they come on the market is actually a Hollywood legend' Despite his passion for the franchise and extensive toy collection, Leonardo turned down the part of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels because he 'didn't feel ready to take that dive' (Leonardo pictured in the film The Beach, 1999) It comes after Playboy model Hieke Konings, 22, threw shade on Leonardo after sharing a kiss with him on a night out in Los Angeles Appearing on the cover of the Dutch edition of Playboy she recalled the night she met the Oscar-winning actor. Hieke said: 'It was in a secret club in LA, one where you only get in by invitation. I saw him sitting there in his black hoodie and black cap and we made eye contact.' She explained how Leo's manager brought her over to the star's table, saying: 'Leo wants to talk to you.' Hieke took the opportunity to bring up Leo's famous reputation for only dating models who are under the age of 25, to which the Titanic star admitted he was 'guilty'. The pair then shared a snog, but Hieke described the kiss as average, saying: 'It was okay, but definitely not the best Ive had.' She was then invited to go home with the Killers Of The Flower Moon star, but turned him down. Hieke said: 'He reacted very shocked. Of course he wasnt used to it. When I said I didnt know him well enough, he responded sweetly. I respect that.' But she added: 'Whereupon he turned to another girl and took her home.' Hieke said that while she had not slept with Leo, she had several pals who had spent the night with him and claimed he has some questionable preferences in the bedroom. She said: 'One friend said he kept his earphones in during sex because he didnt want to hear her. And another said he even put a pillow on her head.' The blonde beauty then said: 'No, Leo is too weird and too old.' Brian Austin Green admitted he might not have been the best boyfriend to his former Beverly Hills, 90210 leading lady Tiffani Thiessen, with whom he dated from 19931995. 'I'd never been in a real serious relationship before,' the 50-year-old nineties teen idol confessed to their fellow co-star Shannen Doherty on her Let's Be Clear podcast Sunday. 'I was incredibly jealous every time she would f***ing have to work with anybody else because we'd already been doing the show for four years. Like, this is my family.' The 50-year-old Daytime Emmy nominee was specifically cast as Valerie Malone to fill the void after Shannen Doherty's departure, and her character hooked up with Brian's character David as well as Brandon, Dylan, Steve, Ray, and Noah. Green recalled: 'I used to bring Tiffani to events so she knew everybody from then and then all of a sudden she's doing sex scenes and s*** with people that were like my family and my brothers. It was strange. I remember I was really just f***ing jealous and boisterous.' Brian Austin Green (L, pictured in 1993) admitted he might not have been the best boyfriend to his former Beverly Hills, 90210 leading lady Tiffani Thiessen (R), with whom he dated from 19931995 The 50-year-old nineties teen idol (R) confessed to their fellow co-star Shannen Doherty (L) on her Let's Be Clear podcast Sunday: 'I'd never been in a real serious relationship before' The Special Forces: World's Toughest Test contestant now regrets his actions and lamented: 'I can't imagine what it was like for her being with me for three years at that point and then having to do these scenes and having her f***ing boyfriend, who she lives with by the way, freaking out the way that I was.' It definitely wasn't easy for Thiessen, who previously admitted sharing a love scene with her late co-star Luke Perry was 'probably the most awkward thing.' 'Literally having your boyfriend on the show and then literally kissing another man, "I'm getting paid for this, honey. I don't know what to tell you,"' the Here We Go Again author recalled on The Meredith Vieira Show in 2015. 'We made it work. We are still very close and good friends.' Tiffani - who's best known for her work on NBC's Saved by the Bell - is mother to 13-year-old daughter Harper and eight-year-old son Holt from her 18-year marriage to That's Funny actor and children's author, Brady Smith. Meanwhile, Brian has fathered five children with his former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Vanessa Marcil, his former Hope & Faith co-star Megan Fox, and fiancee Sharna Burgess. Green proposed to the Australian 38-year-old five months ago after three years of dating, and they share 20-month-old son Zane Walker. The Pictionary team captain has three children - Noah Shannon, 11; Bodhi Ransom, 10; and Journey River, 7 - from his nearly decade-long marriage to ex-wife Megan Fox, which ended in 2021. He continued: 'I was incredibly jealous every time she would f***ing have to work with anybody else because we'd already been doing the show for four years. Like, this is my family' The 50-year-old Daytime Emmy nominee (L, pictured with Jason Priestley) was specifically cast as Valerie Malone to fill the void after Shannen Doherty's departure, and her character hooked up with Brian's character David as well as Brandon, Dylan, Steve, Ray, and Noah Green recalled: 'I used to bring Tiffani to events so she knew everybody from then and then all of a sudden she's doing sex scenes and s*** with people that were like my family and my brothers. It was strange. I remember I was really just f***ing jealous and boisterous' The Special Forces: World's Toughest Test contestant now regrets his actions and lamented: 'I can't imagine what it was like for her being with me for three years at that point and then having to do these scenes and having her f***ing boyfriend, who she lives with by the way, freaking out the way that I was' It definitely wasn't easy for Thiessen, who previously admitted sharing a love scene with her late co-star Luke Perry (R) was 'probably the most awkward thing' The Here We Go Again author recalled on The Meredith Vieira Show in 2015: 'Literally having your boyfriend on the show and then literally kissing another man, "I'm getting paid for this, honey. I don't know what to tell you"' Tiffani continued: 'We made it work. We are still very close and good friends' Thiessen - who's best known for her work on NBC's Saved by the Bell - is mother to 13-year-old daughter Harper and eight-year-old son Holt from her 18-year marriage to That's Funny actor and children's author, Brady Smith (pictured November 23) Brian has fathered five children between the ages of 20 months and 21 with his former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Vanessa Marcil, his former Hope & Faith co-star Megan Fox, and fiancee Sharna Burgess (2-L, pictured December 25) Green will next produce and star as counterfeiter and conman Frank Swain in Nick Leisure's heist thriller Golden, which is 'coming soon' Brian recently co-starred in Paul G. Volk's western The Night They Came Home with his eldest son Kassius Marcil-Green, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on March 15. Green fathered Kassius during his two-year relationship with ex-fiancee Vanessa Marcil, which acrimoniously ended in 2003. The Bootyology actor currently co-hosts iHeartMedia podcast Oldish with Sharna and Randy Spelling, the brother of his former Beverly Hills, 90210 leading lady Tori Spelling. Brian will next produce and star as counterfeiter and conman Frank Swain in Nick Leisure's heist thriller Golden, which is 'coming soon.' And Green is every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for brands like Moviac, HexClad, Cartier, Prenuvo, GATSBY Chocolate, Andaz Hotels, and Resorts World. Married At First Sight's Timothy Smith sent tongues wagging when he described Tori Adam as a 'great chick' despite clashing with her at the last dinner party. In an unfiltered post-show debrief, Timothy, 51, did not mince words as he made scathing remarks about the 27-year-old and her partner Jack. 'I made a mistake on the show, which was giving Tori any sort of credibility,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Now looking back, there's a difference between arrogance and confidence and Tori's got to be one of the most arrogant people I've ever met,' Timothy stated, reflecting on his experience. His criticism didn't end there. Married At First Sight's Timothy Smith (pictured) sent tongues wagging when he described Tori Adam as a 'great chick' despite clashing with her at the last dinner party In an unfiltered post-show debrief, Timothy, 51, did not mince words as he made scathing remarks about the 27-year-old and her partner Jack Timothy went on to compare Tori unfavourably with the strong, independent women in his life, suggesting that she had a lot of growing up to do. 'And as for strong women, I've got strong women around me everywhere in their own businesses. And I look to them for advice.' 'Tori needs about 20 years to grow up. She's not a strong woman. She's actually a smart ass, arrogant.' 'I made a mistake on the show, which was giving Tori any sort of credibility,' he told Daily Mail Australia 'Now looking back, there's a difference in arrogance and confidence and Tori's got to be one of the most arrogant people I've ever met,' Timothy stated, reflecting on his experience He also ripped into her partner, Jack, who he referred to as a 'sleaze ball'. 'Tori, look in your own backyard, because the sleaze ball is going to be revealed in the next couple of weeks.' When probed about the ongoing rumours that Jack and Tori's relationship was still going strong, Timothy's contempt was palpable. Timothy went on to compare Tori unfavourably with the strong, independent women in his life, suggesting that she had a lot of growing up to do 'They're both so desperate it's almost laughable. Any woman in there, any true strong woman in their own right would actually kick him to the curb a long time ago,' he said 'They're both so desperate it's almost laughable. Any woman in there, any true strong woman in their own right would actually kick him to the curb a long time ago,' he said. 'But it just shows how desperate Tori is. To have a guy with a six pack, which is absolutely a joke.' 'He's a joke and she's a joke. And as for calling me out on on TV and radio, any time people, any time you want to go head to head, let me know.' 'Ridge is another moron that's just entered the show, but I think Australia's figured out that kid's about as dumb as two rocks,' he expressed with blatant disrespect The drama didn't stop with just Tori and Jack. Timothy also disclosed his beef with Ridge, another groom from the show. 'Ridge is another moron that's just entered the show, but I think Australia's figured out that kid's about as dumb as two rocks,' he expressed with blatant disrespect. Lastly, Timothy was asked if he perceived a 'boys club' among the male participants on the show. He quipped, 'Oh, there's a morons club and that's between Jayden and Jack and Ridge. The three dumbest guys on TV make no mistake about that.' Married At First Sight continues on Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine The beautiful two-story home built in 1926 was sold to William Morris talent agent Norman Brokaw Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone's charming Los Angeles compound sold for over $4 million less than two weeks after she listed it - nearly double the amount she purchased it for in 2019. The Poor Things star listed her Spanish style home in Comstock Hills for $3.9 million less that one week after she won a Golden Globe Award in January. The two-story home built in 1926 was sold to William Morris talent agent Norman Brokaw for $4.3 million just 10 days after it hit the market, reported Fox Business. That's just below the city's mansion tax law, Measure ULA, which took effect in April that puts a 4 percent charge on all residential and commercial real estate sales in the city above $5 million. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom estate is nestled in the suburbs of Comstock Hills in Westwood, an upscale neighborhood bounded by Sunset Boulevard to the north and the Los Angeles Country Club to the east. Emma Stone 's charming Los Angeles compound sold for over $4 million less than two weeks after she listed it The two-story home built in 1926 was sold to William Morris talent agent Norman Brokaw for $4.3 million The four-bedroom, four-bathroom estate is nestled in the suburbs of Comstock Hills in Westwood, an upscale neighborhood bounded by Sunset Boulevard to the north and the Los Angeles Country Club to the east Stone, 35, has been nominated for the Best Actress Award at the upcoming Oscars for her role in Poor Things The 35-year-old actress paid $2.3 million for the house in 2019, according to property records. The main residence and guesthouse span a combined 3,276 square feet, all situated on 0.15 acres. Stone, who owns properties in Austin, Texas, and an apartment in New York City, had been using the home while working in LA and living there with her husband, writer-director Dave McCrary, 38, and their daughter Louise, who is almost three. She carried out some significant renovations after purchasing the home five years ago, expanding the kitchen and adding a guest house. The home features moss-green accents on the doorframes and shutters, plus a red shingled roof that perfectly contrasts the crisp white exterior paint. A tiled patio outside is framed by lush foliage, and the driveway is tucked away behind a double-swinging wooden gate. The front door opens to a sun-soaked entryway. To the left is a staircase with a wrought-iron handrail. The living room features cheery green accents and a built-in fireplace. Several rooms have vaulted ceilings and bountiful windows throughout let the light in. The updated kitchen includes an island girding a small sitting area and beyond, a door leading to a tiled deck that overlooks the grassy backyard. The kitchen is separated from a downstairs bedroom by a red French door. Two additional bedrooms can be found upstairs, with additional space to accommodate a baby nursery. One bathroom features a clawfoot tub and separate tiled shower, built-in vanity and dual mirrors. She originally purchased the home, which was built in 1926, for $2.3 million in 2019. One bathroom features a clawfoot tub and separate tiled shower, built-in vanity and dual mirrors A tiled patio outside is framed by lush foliage, and the driveway is tucked away behind a double swinging wooden gate The updated kitchen includes an island girding a small sitting area and beyond, a door leading to a tiled deck that overlooks the grassy backyard Despite its sleek modern touches, the house has its quirks, like a smaller bathroom with blue-and-white floral wallpaper and a bright green sink Despite its sleek modern touches, the house has its quirks, like a smaller bathroom with blue-and-white floral wallpaper and a bright green sink. The cozy guesthouse includes its own kitchen, den and bedroom suite with laundry -'perfect for extended stays for family and friends or a well-appointed office,' the listing declares. The actress has been booked and busy following the huge success of her performance on Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film Poor Things - which she also produced. Her acclaimed role as Bella Baxter got her a Desert Palm Achievement award at the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards earlier last week as well as Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture at Golden Globes. Now she is one of the best bets to win the Best Actress Award at the upcoming Oscars - which is set to take place on March 10 - battling it all out with Lily Gladstone, Margot Robbie and Carey Mulligan. Sydney Sweeney looked effortlessly chic in a sophisticated black dress as she stepped out amid Paris Fashion Week on Monday. The actress, 26, oozed elegance in a long-sleeved jumper dress and covered her toned legs in black opaque tights. The Anyone But You star was the epitome of class as she headed out in the French capital in her stylish ensemble. Sydney - who attempted to keep a low profile by wearing black-rimmed glasses - was swarmed by fans in the area. She accessorised her outfit with a trendy short-strapped Fendi handbag, which retails around 2,400. Sydney Sweeney, 26, looked effortlessly chic in a sophisticated black dress as she stepped out amid Paris Fashion Week on Monday The actress oozed elegance in a long-sleeved jumper dress and covered her toned legs in black opaque tights Just days before her outing in France, Sydney appeared on Saturday Night Live for her debut performance. She hosted the sketch comedy series while Kacey Musgraves performed as the musical guest. During her performance, Sydney poked fun at those affair rumors with Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell, who made a surprise appearance during the sketch show. Sydney stepped onto the stage wearing a figure-hugging, white dress that clung to her toned frame and was greeted by a cheers from the live audience. Sydney - who is currently engaged to businessman Jonathan Davino - brought the affair speculation that revolved around her and the Top Gun: Maverick star, 35, last year while gushing about her fiance to the crowd. 'But the craziest rumor is that I was having an affair with my co-star Glenn Powell. That's obviously not true,' Sweeney began. 'Me and my fiance produced the movie together, and he was there the entire shoot,' she explained. 'And I just want to let everyone know that he's the man of my dreams, and we're still together and stronger than ever. He even came here tonight to support me. Can we cut to him?' Sydney asked. She accessorised her outfit with a trendy short-strapped Fendi handbag, which retails around 2,400 The Anyone But You star was the epitome of class as she headed out in the French capital in her stylish ensemble Just days before her outing in France, Sydney appeared on Saturday Night Live for her debut performance last week During her performance, Sydney poked fun at those affair rumors with Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell, who made a surprise appearance during the sketch show Sydney - who is currently engaged to businessman Jonathan Davino - brought the affair speculation that revolved around her and the Top Gun: Maverick star, 35, (pictured) last year while gushing about her fiance to the crowd Glen made a surprise appearance during the sketch show as Sydney jokingly referred to his as her 'fiance' She is currently engaged to businessman Jonathan Davino; seen in 2018 However, the camera then cut to Glen in the audience rather than showing Davino. The actress quickly exclaimed, 'That's not my fiance! He's in my dressing room!' The joke comes shortly after Powell opened up about wanting to work with Sydney again on another project while attending the 2024 SAG Awards earlier this month. 'When you find somebody that you really jive with, Sydney is so easy to work with and so fun,' the actor told Variety. 'We're definitely trying to find the next thing. Please send us all the scripts you got. You know we're here for it.' 'It's been really wonderful to read a lot. Sydney reads everything, by the way, and in record time,' the actor said. 'She's the fastest reader I think I've ever met. It takes me a little longer, but we're reading everything and just trying to see what makes sense, what we can turn into something that audiences are going to respond to.' Joey Graziadei sent Maria Georgas home despite her last-minute declaration of love during the Hometowns episode of The Bachelor on Monday on ABC. Maria, 29, took Joey, 28, aside before the rose ceremony and shared that she's fallen in love for him after regrettably failing to tell him that on her hometown date. It wasn't enough though as Joey declined to offer her a rose. 'I hope you know how difficult this was for me,' Joey told Maria. 'We've had a bumpy road. But you know I've fought for you every time and I've chosen us. I've tried everything in my power to get to the point of continuing to see a future.' Joey told her it would be dishonest for him to move forward with the amount of doubts that he had about them. Joey Graziadei sent Maria Georgas home despite her last-minute declaration of love during the Hometowns episode of The Bachelor on Monday on ABC 'I'm confused,' said Maria, 29, an executive assistant from Ontario, Canada, as she drove away in the car. 'I told Joey that I am falling in love with him and if that's not enough for him, then what more can I give this man. It sucks.' The two-hour season 28 episode started with Joey eager to visit the four remaining women in their hometowns. He first went to see Kelsey Anderson, 25, a junior project manager, in her hometown of New Orleans. Kelsey kept seeing butterflies and said they reminded her of her late mother. 'My Mom would love Joey,' Kelsey said in a confessional. Kelsey took Joey to meet her family and Kelsey's father Mark showed Joey a family photo album with photos of Kelsey's mother. Mark told Joey that it must be difficult for Kelsey to see him go on a date with other women. Mark asked him how he knew when he found the right person. 'It's difficult for me,' Joey said. 'All I can tell you is my feelings for her are real and they do make sense. And I'm extremely hopeful.' Kelsey cried telling her father she was looking for someone like him that would stick by his wife in the good times and the hard times. 'Already, I just think I love him,' Kelsey told her father. 'I hope you know how difficult this was for me,' Joey told Maria. 'We've had a bumpy road. But you know I've fought for you every time and I've chosen us. I've tried everything in my power to get to the point of continuing to see a future' Maria, 29, took Joey, 28, aside before the rose ceremony and shared that she's fallen in love for him after regrettably failing to tell him that on her hometown date Rachel Nance got the final rose during the rose ceremony 'I'm confused,' said Maria, 29, an executive assistant from Ontario, Canada , as she drove away in the car. 'I told Joey that I am falling in love with him and if that's not enough for him, then what more can I give this man. It sucks' Joey first went to see Kelsey Anderson, 25, a junior project manager, in her hometown of New Orleans 'I think Joey will take care of Kelsey and I do hope she is engaged when she comes home,' Mark said. Kelsey told Joey later that she had a great day. 'I would count myself lucky to be part of this family,' Joey said in a confessional. Next, Joey went to Rancho Cucamonga, California, for Rachel Nance's hometown. Rachel, 26, an ICU nurse from Honolulu, Hawaii, had some of her family fly in to see them. Rachel took him to her aunt's home where they had roasted a whole pig for them. 'In the Filipino culture if the suitor is interested in a woman he has to eat the ear,' said Rachel's mother Noela handing him the pig's ear. Joey ate it. Noela started crying telling Joey about how her daughter had been hurt in the past. 'My concern for her is that there are three other women involved,' Noela said. Rachel told her mother that she really liked Joey. 'I think Joey will take care of Kelsey and I do hope she is engaged when she comes home,' Mark said Next, Joey went to Rancho Cucamonga, California for Rachel Nance's hometown Noela started crying telling Joey about how her daughter had been hurt in the past 'He seems like a nice guy but I'm still cautious,' Noela said. 'Just guard your heart sweetheart.' You are such an amazing lady and I don't want your heart to be broken.' Joey told Rachel's father Hakim it would feel wrong if he did get down on one knee at the end and not ask for his blessing. 'If that time comes, she has my number and you can call me man to man,' Hakim said. Rachel told Joey she saw a future for them. 'I know I told you before that I am falling for you but I'm definitely falling in love with you,' Rachel said. Next, Joey traveled to Becker, Minnesota, to meet Daisy Kent, 25, an account executive, and her family. Daisy met him on her family's Christmas Tree farm where they went for a horse carriage ride, drank hot cocoa, and met up with Daisy's friends. 'You deserve everything and more,' Joey said. 'You've literally changed my perspective in my life on me,' Daisy said. ' You have helped me see myself completely different in a better light.' Joey told Rachel's father Hakim it would feel wrong if he did get down on one knee at the end and not ask for his blessing Next, Joey traveled to Becker, Minnesota, to meet Daisy Kent, 25, an account executive, and her family Daisy met him on her family's Christmas Tree farm where they went for a horse carriage ride, drank hot cocoa, and met up with Daisy's friends Daisy got emotional talking to her mother and Julie said she just wanted her to be happy. 'I want you to know I am falling in love with you,' Daisy said to Joey. 'I'm so excited to see where this is going. You make me feel so special.' 'I feel the same way,' Joey said. 'I can see Daisy being my wife, which is exciting,' Joey said in a confessional. 'Today was one of my most favorite days in my life, honestly' Daisy said to the camera. 'It feels really good that my family might have met my fiance.' Joey traveled to Niagara Falls to meet Maria and her family. She took him on a boat trip under the falls. Joey told her it was hard for him when she said last week that she wanted to walk away. 'It was just hard to see you with anyone else,' Maria said. 'I just want to feel confident,' Joey said. Maria told him that her family meant everything to her and that she had never brought anyone home. Joey sat down for a meal with Maria's family. Daisy got emotional talking to her mother and Julie said she just wanted her to be happy 'I want you to know I am falling in love with you,' Daisy said to Joey. 'I'm so excited to see where this is going. You make me feel so special' Joey traveled to Niagara Falls to meet Maria and her family and she took him on a boat trip under the falls Joey sat down for a meal with Maria's family 'The last thing I want to see is my kid get hurt,' Maria's father Nick said. 'I understand that,' Joey said. Maria started crying talking to her father Nick who urged her to open up to Joey. 'If Maria gets engaged I'm the happiest man in the world,' Nick said. 'I want you to know I feel very strong about you,' Maria said. 'I appreciate you being here.' Maria said in a confessional that she was too worried to tell Joey that she was falling in love with him. 'I don't know why I didn't say it,' Maria said. 'I just froze.' Back in Los Angeles, the women nervously gathered in an airplane hangar next to a waiting private jet for the rose ceremony. 'The last thing I want to see is my kid get hurt,' Maria's father Nick said 'I want you to know I feel very strong about you,' Maria said. 'I appreciate you being here' 'I don't know why I didn't say it,' Maria said. 'I just froze' Back in Los Angeles, the women nervously gathered in an airplane hangar next to a waiting private jet for the rose ceremony 'At this point I have to go with my gut,' Joey said. Before he handed out the first rose, Maria asked Joey if she could talk to him. 'I told you I can see myself falling in love with you but that thing is, I can't because I'm falling in love with you,' Maria said. 'And I didn't feel that I got to tell you that that night. Regardless of what happens tonight, honestly, I just wanted you to know I would regret not telling you that.' Joey thanked her. 'I told you I can see myself falling in love with you but that thing is, I can't because I'm falling in love with you,' Maria said. 'And I didn't feel that I got to tell you that that night. Regardless of what happens tonight, honestly, I just wanted you to know I would regret not telling you that' 'What was that about?' Rachel asked Maria. 'It was just what I had to do at the moment, sorry I will tell you one day,' Maria said. Joey picked up the first rose and gave it to Daisy. He gave the second rose to Kelsey and the third and final rose to Rachel sending Maria home. The Bachelor will return next Monday on ABC. Simon & Schuster Long before Taylor Swift may or may not have folded herself into a suitcase to avoid the paparazzi, Luke Perry hid in a laundry hamper to avoid a frenzied mob of teenage girls in a mall department store in Bellevue, Wash. In May 1991, in what came to be known as the Bon Marche incident, a publicity appearance by Perry, star of the hit Fox show Beverly Hills, 90210, went sideways, writes pop culture journalist Margaret Wappler in her hybrid biography-memoir, A Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up. The crowd swelled to 20,000, by some estimations, and quickly spiraled out of control. Several fans were injured, and the junior section had to be evacuated. When a similar incident happened later in Florida, Perry apologized (I want all those people out there to know that it wasnt my fault, for one) and phoned most of the injured young fans in the hospital, because that was the sort of thing Luke Perry did. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is impossible to overstate the influence of Beverly Hills, 90210, watched by 20 percent of American teenagers during its early-90s peak. A soapy, supremely watchable drama about teens at the fictional West Beverly Hills High that was unafraid to tackle then-third-rail issues like teen sex, eating disorders and sexual assault, it belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Gen X culture alongside Nirvana and John Hughes. Perry, who played brooding, attractively damaged Dylan McKay, complete with a Porsche and a decidedly un-90s pompadour, was the shows breakout star, a phenom among phenoms, as much of an icon of his time as Leo DiCaprio or Harry Styles. Like everyone else in the shows core cast, Perry (23 when the show first aired in 1990) was a 20-something who looked like a 30-something playing a teenager. His sideburns and famous corrugated forehead wrinkles heightened the effect. Out of two unrelatable archetypes - rich guy and James Dean-like rebel - Perry fashioned a solemn, soulful character somewhere between a hero and an antihero, the platonic ideal of the sensitive man hiding his wounds behind a shield of cool, writes Wappler. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Good Bad Boy, its release tied to the fifth anniversary of Perrys death from a stroke at 52, chronicles Perrys small-town Ohio childhood; his struggling-actor era, when he toggled between roles on soaps like Loving and manual-labor jobs; his vertiginous rise to teen idol-dom; and its bruising aftermath. His 90210 audition went badly, a former girlfriend of his recalls to Wappler. Perry was in the car to the airport headed back home, possibly done with acting for good, when the call came that he had landed the part. Although no one in Perrys immediate family would consent to be interviewed for the book, nor would any of his 90210 co-stars, A Good Bad Boy doesnt necessarily suffer for it. Wappler relies on existing interviews with Perry and firsthand accounts from old friends, roommates, ex-lovers and co-workers. According to those interviewed, Perry was a doting father to two children and a potbellied pig named Jerry Lee. He was a gentle lover and a good listener who never lost his Midwestern humility. His presence helped bring close friend and former co-star Jason Priestley out of his coma after a car crash. He punched Tori Spellings bad-news boyfriend in the face at the annual Spelling Christmas Eve party, much to the delight of his castmates. He was a doer of good deeds who spent time with dying fans and unhoused people. He could calm strangers crying babies. He seemed pure, writes Wappler. His fellow actors adored him. He was somebody who I could look to as an oracle, claimed his Riverdale co-star Madelaine Petsch. Perry left 90210 after Season 6 and struggled to avoid typecasting (Im going to be this guy forever, Perry once correctly predicted). He landed recurring roles on Oz and Riverdale, and, in one of his last performances, played a television cowboy in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for Quentin Tarantino, who was a fan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The books portrayal of Perry can veer dangerously close to cardboard sainthood. Wappler does her best, despite being robbed of a biographers most useful tools: Perrys life was both extraordinary and, for a celebrity, remarkably uneventful, light on madness, scandal, substance abuse or famous love affairs, though he did briefly date Yasmine Bleeth. A Good Bad Boy knits together intimate reminiscences from Wapplers own difficult adolescence, young adulthood and marriage with an unavoidably more distant recounting of Perrys life. The biography and autobiography are told in alternating chapters, which makes it difficult to get any narrative momentum going. As a memoir, its raw and frequently moving. As a Luke Perry primer, its not definitive, but its as empathetic as youre likely to find, a moving meditation on his life and the still-unthinkable strangeness of his absence. - - - Allison Stewart writes about pop culture, music and politics for The Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune. She is working on a book about the history of the space program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad - - - A Good Bad Boy Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew Up By Margaret Wappler Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deborra-Lee Furness was all smiles as she attended the CARE International Women's Day event in New York City on Monday with a male friend. The 68-year-old was captured at the She Leads the World Portrait Gallery event alongside photographer friend Nigel Baker, 51. The Australian actress wore a simple yet stylish black ensemble consisting of a long sleeve shirt and pants. Deborra-Lee had her blonde locks back and opted for a natural make-up look to the star-studded event. She was all smiles as she posed alongside Nigel shortly after arriving. Deborra-Lee Furness attended a Women's Day event in NYC with friend Nigel Baker six months after split from Hugh Jackman The sighting comes after the actress recently revealed that she is excited yet also frightened about her future following her shock split from husband Hugh Jackman in September. The Australian actress said she has 'big plans' for her post-breakup career and is embracing change. 'It is kind of exciting,'she told Adelaide Now this week of the direction her life is taking going forward. 'You know what, change, transition, evolution is a little frightening and we are all a bit scared of it but I think it is probably our greatest gift' she added. The 68-year-old was captured at the She Leads the World Portrait Gallery event alongside photographer friend Nigel Deb returns to the screen in Force of Nature: The Dry 2, co-starring with Eric Bana in the sequel to the hit 2020 mystery film. 'I've got a few [projects] up my sleeve, I'm working on a script with Rebecca Rigg, which I want to direct and act in,' she said in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle. 'And who knows there might be a reprisal from the character I play [in Force of Nature]. It comes after the actress revealed that she is in equal parts excited and frightened about her future following her shock split from husband Hugh Jackman in September The Correlli actress and her former husband announced their shock split in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated 'to pursue our individual growth'. The pair had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995. During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18. Robert Irwin has revealed he laid down the law to producers before accepting his new role hosting I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here Australia. Appearing on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the 20-year-old said he wanted to alter one of the show's major gimmicks - the eating challenge. 'The one thing that I was like ''mmm I got to change this'', was eating the African wildlifeI'm a conservationist at heart,' he said. 'They have changed it so were just doing the cow, and the chicken, and the fish, and the cockroachbut its cool cause we really get to bring this to a whole new level.' At one point in the chat Kyle and Jackie O Show co-host, Kyle Sandilands teased the famed Wildlife Warrior. Robert Irwin (pictured) has revealed he laid down the law to producers before taking on his new role hosting I'm a Celebrity ...Get Me Out of Here. Appearing on KIIS FM's the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the 20-year-old said he wanted to alter the eating challenge 'You've ruined the show with your own personal opinions on life, is that right?,' he joked. Robert went on to reveal that Australia Zoo 'does a lot of conservation work in Africa' and thought that the new season was an opportunity to 'celebrate' the wildlife. Co-host Julia Morris also appeared on the breakfast show and stood behind the fresh look of the show. He said he did not want the contestants to 'eat' African wildlife in the new series 'I think what Roberts been doing is making people think ''do you need it or not?'' like if you need it, tell me why you need the wildlife in places like that?,' she said. Elsewhere in the chat Robert managed to dodge a question about his recent breakup with ex Rorie Buckey. The young star was discussing his new role before Kyle asked: 'What happened with the girlfriend?' Robert went on to reveal that Australia Zoo 'does a lot of conservation work in Africa' and thought that the new season was an opportunity to 'celebrate' wildlife 'That's a really perfect segue mate. That was so smooth,' Robert said. 'Is everything alright? I know young love can be heartbreaking and this is natural and will happen many more times with young love,' Kyle continued. 'Yeah yeah,' Robert simply said before Julia joked: 'You could do what I've done and find a person that hates you and buy them a house.' Robert then said: 'Julia Morris you are a beautiful human being and I love you dearly.' Elsewhere in the chat Robert managed to dodge a question about his recent breakup with ex Rorie Buckey It comes after the conservationist and Rorie announced their shock split in a joint statement shared to Rorie's Instagram Story last month. The statement read: 'We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future. 'We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths. 'We won't be commenting further on this, and really appreciate your respect and privacy at this time.' Meanwhile, Channel 10 will premiere the new season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia on Sunday, 24 March. He and ex Selena Gutierrez, 20, are parents to Dareli, three, and Esmi, one 16 and Pregnant personality Sean Garinger died in an ATV accident February 28 at the age of 20 in Boone, North Carolina. He was seen on the series with ex Selena Gutierrez, 20, as they welcomed their two children, Dareli, three, and Esmi, one. Garinger had been in front of MTV's cameras in part B of the show's sixth season, as Gutierrez was one of five expecting teenagers whose motherhood journeys were documented on the program. His mother Mary Hobbs told The U.S. Sun about the circumstances of the tragic accident, in which Garinger's skull was 'crushed.' Hobbs said, 'He was just moving [the ATV] from one parking spot to the next for me, so I could back into park. He pulled [in] front of me to park the ATV and the ground gave way from all the rain and mud.' 16 and Pregnant personality Sean Garinger died February 28 in an ATV accident at the age of 20 in Boone, North Carolina Hobbs said her son's head suffered severe head injuries when the ATV flipped over. She added: 'I ran to neighbors trying to get someone to help me get the ATV off of him. No one answered. I ran back to him. By that time, I realized he wasn't alive anymore.' Hobbs said that she 'laid next to' her son on the ground prior to the ambulance showing up at the scene. She told the outlet, 'There was a huge part of my heart that died with my son on Wednesday. He was my only son, my rock, my strength when I had none left.' Garinger had been ready to purchase a vehicle to visit his daughters, who reside in Fountain, Colorado with their mother and grandmother, according to his mother. Hobbs told the outlet that she and Garinger had visited a car dealership in the hours prior to the deadly incident and were planning on returning, but they 'never made it back to the dealership.' She said that her late child 'loved spontaneously jumping in the car for a road trip or a beach sesh' and had 'bonded over music, fast cars and shooting guns and taking new adventures. 'Sean brightened my world in a way no one else could ever come close to. He was my baby boy, my squishy, my heartbeat.' He was seen on MTV with ex Selena Gutierrez and their two children, Dareli and Esmi The ATV landed on top of Garinger after he had gone to move it and it careened off of an embankment, the sheriffs office said Garinger had been in front of MTV cameras in the show's sixth season Watauga County Sheriffs Office Major Kelly Redmon told the Watauga Democrat March 1 that Watauga Medics and the Watauga County Sheriffs Office had responded to the fatal accident, identifying Garinger as the victim. The ATV landed on top of Garinger after he had gone to move it and it careened off of an embankment, the sheriffs office told the outlet. 'Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss experienced by the family and loved ones of the victim,' the WCSO said in a news release. According to an obituary posted by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, Garinger, 'known affectionately as "Squishy," was a military brat who touched lives all around the country. 'He never knew a stranger, regardless of age, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. His kind and generous nature endeared him to all who knew him.' The obituary noted that Garinger 'had a passion for living life to the fullest' and that 'his adventurous spirit and love for excitement were evident in all aspects of his life. 'He enjoyed driving RC cars, sky diving, shark diving, dirt bikes, flying his drone, driving ATVs, surfing, and spending time in the ocean.' A service was held in his memory Saturday at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Gutierrez was one of five expecting teenagers whose motherhood journeys were documented on the program Garinger had been ready to purchase a vehicle to visit his daughters, who reside in Colorado with their mother, according to his mother The MTV show depicted the fallout between Garinger and Gutierrez during her first pregnancy, as she believed he had been unfaithful to her. A family source told The U.S. Sun that Garinger and Gutierrez had been separated for more than a year, and had been romantically involved with others as of late. Garinger 'visited Selena's family literally a week before his death because he came to Colorado to visit his daughters,' the source said, adding that Gutierrez was 'not in a good place' following her ex's passing. Garinger 'was doing well' at the time prior to his passing and 'wanted to finish school,' with an eye on a career in welding, the source said. Garinger is survived by daughters, Dareli and Esmi, mother Mary and sisters Shania, Lydia, Isabella, Ember, Kayden, and Casslyn, according to the obituary. An award-winning broadcaster has quit her job at Adelaide's Mix 102.3 to pursue a passion project with her son. Kate Meade recently sparked concern after she vanished from her post as executive producer at Max & Ali in the Morning, just over year after joining the show in December 2022. Clearing up the confusion on Tuesday, Kate told the Courier Mail that she had in fact quit, but not because she wasn't enjoying her time at Mix 102.3. Rather, she wanted to focus on developing her new business venture Pavely, a mobile app she created to help users find venues with accessibility and inclusion ratings in South Australia. 'I left swiftly because of Pavely app,' she says, adding: 'I loved my time at Mix and I loved working with Max [Burford] and I loved working with Ali [Clarke].' Award-winning broadcaster Kate Meade (pictured) has quit her job at Adelaide's Mix 102.3 to pursue a passion project with her son She went on to say that her son Chester, 14, who has autism and a mild intellectuality disability, has been involved in the development of Pavely as 'chief vibe officer'. Pavely launched in 2022, and Kate said she struggled balancing early morning wake ups for her radio shift with running her app. She had been working on Pavely for 10 hours a week before finally deciding to quit Mix 102.3. Kate (pictured with fellow radio star Kate Langbroek) recently sparked concern after she vanished from her post as executive producer at Max & Ali in the Morning, just over year after joining the show in December 2022 Clearing up the confusion on Tuesday, Kate told the Courier Mail that she quit to focus on developing her new business venture Pavely, a mobile app she created to help users find venues with accessibility and inclusion ratings in South Australia Kate noted that Mix's parent company ARN had offered her other roles within the network, but that she ultimately decided it was time to say goodbye. Kate, who is the sister of The Kyle And Jackie O Show producer 'Intern' Pete Deppeler, boasts an impressive broadcasting career. She previously served as a producer at Jonesy & Amanda on WSFM Sydney and as a presenter for The Morning Rush on Ace Radio. Kate has also been honoured for her hard work in broadcasting, having won the Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) award in 2018 for Best Sport Presenter for her coverage of that year's AFL draft. She went on to say that her son Chester, 14, (left) who has autism and a mild intellectuality disability, has been involved in the development of Pavely as 'chief vibe officer' Bella Thorne posed in a skintight black dress at the Mammoth Film Festival in California on Monday. The 26-year-old filmmaker who attended Marni's Milan Fashion Week show last week contrasted a snowy, mountainous backdrop as she modeled the cloak-like number, which had a statement hood. The slinky material draped over the entertainer's dark hair, which was parted down the middle and pulled back. Adding a pop of color to the stark setup, Bella coated her plump pout in a bold, red lip stain. Her long-sleeved dress boasted a dramatic train that stretched out before her as she posed for snapshots. Bella Thorne posed in a skintight black dress at the Mammoth Film Festival in California on Monday The 26-year-old filmmaker contrasted a snowy, mountainous backdrop as she modeled the cloak-like number, which had a statement hood Bella showed off a long, vampy, wine-colored manicure complete with ornate gold decals. It comes after last month she cosied up to her fiance Mark Emms while attending the amfAR NYFW cocktail party at celeb hotspot The Mulberry in New York City. She put on a busty display in a snug-fitting, zip-up, long-sleeved dress, which featured a modest split at the center. She wore gold bangles at the cuffs of her sleeves and matched her earrings, which were made of gold and black stone, to the accessories. The wife-to-be flashed her stunning diamond engagement ring at the star-studded event. Bella and Mark got engaged in in May 2023 after nine months of dating, after meeting on the beach in Ibiza at Cara Delevingne's birthday party. In December, Bella revealed that her huge rock was actually her fifth ring, after Mark got her a batch of five to choose from. She explained that her husband-to-be 'saw her face' after he popped the question and knew it wasn't 'the one.' The slinky material draped over the entertainer's dark hair, which was parted down the middle and pulled back Adding a pop of color to the stark setup, Bella coated her plump pout in a bold, red lip stain The film festival appearance comes after last month Bella cosied up to her fiance Mark Emms while attending the amfAR NYFW cocktail party at celeb hotspot The Mulberry in New York City Bella admitted she 'didn't see anything wrong' with the first ring but the entrepreneur insisted on her finding the perfect style. The former Disney star said she 'wore each ring for like two weeks to try it out' as Mark 'wanted it to be perfect.' Before Emma, Bella was in a relationship with Italian actor Benjamin Mascolo, with whom she was also engaged. The former couple broke up in June 2022 after first being spotted together in April 2019. Ashley Benson was spotted out with her newborn daughter for the first time in Los Angeles on Monday. The 34-year-old Pretty Little Liars star enjoyed an afternoon stroll with her bundle of joy and her husband Brandon Davis, 43, in the tony suburb of Brentwood. Maintaining a discreet appearance behind dark sunglasses, the actress lovingly wrapped her baby girl in a charming pink blanket, cradling her gently during their outing. The adorable new parents strolled in close tandem through an outdoor shopping center, lavishing attention on their precious cargo. The sunny jaunt comes after Ashley and Brandon had shared the news of their first child's arrival on social media Thursday. Ashley Benson was spotted out with her newborn daughter for the first time in Los Angeles on Monday The 34-year-old Pretty Little Liars star enjoyed an afternoon stroll with her bundle of joy and her husband Brandon Davis, 43, in the tony suburb of Brentwood Ashley and Brandon's connection began slightly over a year ago in January 2023, as they were spotted sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game. In a romantic twist, the lovebirds unveiled their engagement news in July of the same year, with the Pretty Little Liars star showcasing her stunning diamond ring in a post on Instagram Stories. Brandon called her the 'love of my life' in another photo he posted with a closeup of the massive rock, and Ashley called him her 'best friend' when she reposted the image to her Stories, adding, 'I love you.' However, they kept their nuptials under the radar and wed at an undisclosed later date. The marriage was confirmed in November 2023, shortly after Ashley's mother shared a photo to social media of the couple wearing their wedding bands. They revealed they were expecting their first child after they were spotted shopping at the Babylist Beverly Hills Showroom in November 2023. The pair managed to keep their fans on the edge of their seats regarding the pregnancy, strategically withholding any public revelation of her due date before the actual birth In January, Ashley was featured on the cover of Ladygunn magazine, revealing her growing baby bump in a topless photoshoot. In her cover story, she admitted that 'Being a parent is gonna f***ing change everything. Maintaining a discreet appearance behind dark sunglasses, the actress lovingly wrapped her baby girl in a charming pink blanket, cradling her gently during their outing The adorable new parents strolled in close tandem through an outdoor shopping center, lavishing attention on their precious cargo The sunny jaunt comes after Ashley and Brandon had shared the news of their first child's arrival on social media Thursday Ashley and Brandon's connection began slightly over a year ago in January 2023, as they were spotted sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game The marriage was confirmed in November 2023, shortly after Ashley's mother shared a photo to social media of the couple wearing their wedding bands They revealed they were expecting their first child after they were spotted shopping at the Babylist Beverly Hills Showroom in November 2023 In her cover story for Ladygunn magazine in January, Ashley admitted, 'Being a parent is gonna f***ing change everything ' 'The person that Ive always wanted to be, I was becoming,' she explained, referring to when she was getting to know her future husband. 'And I just wanted to just let that ride out and see where life takes me. Which ironically is when I connected with Brandon.' Ashley's previous high-profile romances involved G-Easy, Cara Delevigne and Chord Overstreet. Brandon is the grandson of the late oil tycoon Marvin Davis, and an heir to his fortune. In the early 2000s, he dated The OC star Mischa Barton and partied with Paris Hilton. He has remained friends with the Hilton Hotel heiress and he and Ashley attended the annual Hilton family holiday party in December. Elle Macpherson revealed on Tuesday the surprising activity she does with her American musician boyfriend Doyle Bramhall II. The Australian supermodel, 59, spoke to Nova's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie and told the hosts she sits with her boyfriend in the studio while he records music. 'He's in the middle of writing at the moment. It's been amazing, I've been in the studio with him as he writes his new album,' she began. 'It's been a really fun process together working on music and lyrics, he's opened up my perspective because he's so free.' Elle said that she was learning a lot by watching Doyle perfect his craft, which she could then apply to her own situations. Elle Macpherson revealed on Tuesday the surprising activity she does with her American musician boyfriend Doyle Bramhall II. Both pictured 'When he expresses himself, his creativity comes from his heart. That teaches me a lot on how to apply that in my own life.' Macpherson is currently in Australia and triumphantly returned to the catwalk for the first time in almost 14 years at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival's opening show on Monday. The bombshell revealed why she decided to make her runway comeback just weeks before celebrating her 60th birthday. The Australian supermodel, 59, spoke to Nova's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie and told the hosts she sits with her boyfriend in the studio while he records music Speaking to Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo on Tuesday's Today show, the Australian supermodel said she's feeling 'better now than ever' and wanted to use her fame to support local designers. In September, Elle fired up her Instagram page to celebrate her one-year-and-running relationship with guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, 54. Doyle, a silver fox who has worked with such names as Roger Waters and Eric Clapton, has previously dated Renee Zellweger. Macpherson is currently in Australia and triumphantly returned to the catwalk for the first time in almost 14 years at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival's opening show on Monday His romance with Elle went public in October 2022, but on her Instagram last year the Sydney-born star revealed they have been together a tad longer than that. 'Life beyond my wildest dreams they say - as I celebrate my 20 years anniversary this week ..I am also celebrating 365+days of heart expanding bliss @doylebrahmall,' she wrote alongside an album of throwbacks. The '20 years anniversary' she was referring to first was her two decades of sobriety, which earned her a blue and gold tri-plate token from Alcoholics Anonymous. In September, Elle fired up her Instagram page to celebrate her one-year-and-running relationship with Doyle Ted Lasso star/creator Brendan Hunt has welcomed his second child with fiancee Shannon Nelson, a son named Archibald Felix Nelson Hunt. The 51-year-old actor and writer was supposed to be welcoming the child on Monday, but he revealed in a new post the child came three days early. 'We were supposed to go to @cedarssinai today to have a baby. Instead, we got home today, because our fourth family member felt like rolling up three days early,' he began. 'Say hello to Archibald Felix Nelson Hunt (Archie will do), born Friday March 1st, coming in at 9+lbs,' he continued, adding the child is in 'perfect health.' 'His weary hero of a mother @snoopshan is recovering peacefully. He looks just like his brother; not sure about hair color yet tho,' he added. Ted Lasso star/creator Brendan Hunt has welcomed his second child with fiancee Shannon Nelson, a son named Archibald Felix Nelson Hunt 'His weary hero of a mother @snoopshan is recovering peacefully. He looks just like his brother; not sure about hair color yet tho,' he added Hunt continued that Archie has, 'met his bro and his grandmother and hes even watched his first Arsenal game,' before dropping a Beatles reference. 'Hes beautiful and perfect and we are in love. I dont know if hes our George (youngest Beatle) or our Ringo (last Beatle to join) but we are now a Fabulous Foursome and ready to rock forever.' He concluded by joking, 'And as you can see in the last pic, he also looks a little like his dad.' Hunt shared 10 snaps of the newborn, the last of which featured Hunt's beard photoshopped onto the child's face. The first pic showed the adorable newborn sleeping while all bundled up, with the second showing Brendan holding him while next to his fiancee Shannon. The third pic showed the proud papa holding his son while clad in a hair net and scrubs with a facemask around his neck. He also shared a pic of his fiancee Shannon holding the tiny child, along with pics of other family members doting on the child. Shannon shared the same snaps in her own post, adding, 'We were all scheduled to report in to Cedars this morning to meet our little guy. Friday afternoon he decided he wanted to make the rules and meet us first.' Hunt continud that Archie has, 'met his bro and his grandmother and hes even watched his first Arsenal game,' before dropping a Beatles reference 'Hes beautiful and perfect and we are in love. I dont know if hes our George (youngest Beatle) or our Ringo (last Beatle to join) but we are now a Fabulous Foursome and ready to rock forever' He concluded by joking, 'And as you can see in the last pic, he also looks a little like his dad' 'Meet Archie Felix Nelson Hunt. Born roaring on Friday 3/1/24 at 11:06pm. 9lbs 3.4oz and 21 inches long (my torso wasnt mad at the early reprieve. Thanks buddy),' she joked 'Meet Archie Felix Nelson Hunt. Born roaring on Friday 3/1/24 at 11:06pm. 9lbs 3.4oz and 21 inches long (my torso wasnt mad at the early reprieve. Thanks buddy),' she joked. 'Your mom and dad, big brother Seanie and Lucy are so completely in love and so lucky you decided to join us so our family hugs will only be stronger. I love you my sweet baby,' she concluded. Hunt and Nelson got engaged in June, but when speaking with US Weekly in September he confirmed the wedding planning is on hold because they're expecting. When asked how the wedding planning is going, he confirmed, 'Not very much at all, because we are pregnant again. I'm excited.' 'Shannon has decided she basically doesn't want to have any wedding pictures of her while she's pregnant, and we've both been married before, so we're not full of wonder of what's it going to be like,' Brendan added. 'We wanted to do it properly, so we'll take our time. But it probably won't be until kid No. 2 is here,' he added. Tori Spelling opted for a casual cool look as she stepped out for a trip to CVS in Calabasas on Monday. The 90210 actress, 50, sported an oversized black t-shirt with blue baggy jeans and black converse for the outing. Her platinum blonde tresses were pulled back into a low ponytail, and she shielded her eyes with black sunglasses. The outing comes after the Scary Movie actress had a tense reunion with her estranged husband and the father of her five kids, Dean McDermott, 57. Tori shares children Liam, 16; Stella, 15; Hattie, 12; Finn, 11; and Beau, seven, with Dean. Tori Spelling opted for a casual cool look as she stepped out for a trip to CVS in Calabasas on Monday On February 29, the former couple was spotted together leaning against a metal railing in Agoura Hills, California. Although the two didn't appear to smile at all, they seemed somewhat casual in demeanor, and both Tori and Dean relaxed against the metal railing at times. It's unclear what brought the two together after seemingly spending months apart. Tori and Dean were most recently pictured together back in June of 2023, when they attended the Luskin Orthopedic Institute For Children Gala with four of their five kids. Just over a week later, Dean announced in an Instagram post that he and his wife were separating, though he quickly deleted the post. Dean seems to have found some much-need stability with his new girlfriend Lily in recent months, but Tori has had a stressful series of moves for her and their children. She became functionally homeless when she moved out of the family home into a $100-per-night hotel which she said was due to a dangerous mold infestation at the family home in July of last year. A month later, she and the kids were seen temporarily living in an RV in a trailer park. The 90210 actress, 50, sported an oversized black t-shirt with blue baggy jeans and black converse for the outing The outing comes after the Scary Movie actress had a tense reunion with her estranged husband and the father of her five kids, Dean McDermott, 57; they are seen in 2023 Tori and Dean were previously pictured together back in June of 2023, when they attended the Luskin Orthopedic Institute For Children Gala with four of their five kids (pictured). Dean announced their separation a week later in a since-deleted Instagram post But things are looking up for the former primetime soap star after DailyMail.com exclusively reported last week that she had moved into a $15,000-per-month rental home in Woodland Hills. The San Fernando Valley property features 3,000 square feet of space and boasts five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The rental allows for cats and dogs, though it's unclear if Tori will be allowed to bring along some of the more exotic pets that Dean claimed made the end of their time together particularly miserable. In his exclusive two-part interview with DailyMail.com from November, the actor revealed that he and Tori hadn't regularly shared a bedroom since 2017, due to her insistence about letting animals stay in the room. Although they have standard pets, including dogs, the animal guests became increasingly absurd when a chicken and a pig were allowed to stay in the bedroom. Elsewhere in Dean's interview, he described a final drunken fight with Tori in which he also raged against the children, and he recounted seeing the 'final flicker of the flame go out in her eyes,' signaling that their marriage was beyond repair. Afterward, he announced the end of the marriage on social media, a post that shocked Tori when she saw it with no advance warning. In his shame, he said he took 'six or seven Ambien' after consuming a considerable amount of alcohol, and he went to sleep hoping that he 'would not wake up.' As Dean has been moving on, Tori appeared to have found love again after she was seen kissing the advertising agency CEO Ryan Cramer, but the two haven't been seen together since late October. In an interview with DailyMail.com, Dean described a final drunken fight with Tori that ended their marriage, leading him to post the quickly deleted split announcement online She shares Liam, 16; Stella, 15; Hattie, 12; Finn, 11; and Beau, seven, with McDermott; pictured here at the Beverly Hilton in June 2023 In the same interview, Dean revealed that he met his girlfriend Lily Calo through a joint project at the charity Conscious Community Global, where she works as an account manager. Since moving on, he says he only speaks with Tori via text message, though that appears to have changed with their latest meet-up. While speaking to DailyMail.com, Dean admitted that he had been treating his stress from the failing marriage and their money woes by drinking and using drugs alone every night, sometimes to the point of passing out. And when he was conscious he could fly into an alcohol-fueled rage at Tori that left their family frightened. Dean subsequently spent much of the summer of 2023 in rehab, and he even stayed apart from his family over the Thanksgiving holiday to stay at a sober living facility. The Canadian actor made it clear that he still 'loves' his wife, even as he is quickly setting up a new life with Lily. Ty Pennington expressed gratitude for still being here after his harrowing health scare last July. The former Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host, 59, provided an update on his recovery during an interview with ET on Monday, showcasing his new outlook on life after being flown to an ICU for emergency throat surgery. 'I'm great,' he exclaimed, before showing off his signature wit. 'You know what's great is if you almost die, you get so much attention. It feels so nice to be that loved.' He added, 'I'm planning another one... No, I'm kidding!' The TV host went on to say that the sudden brush with death put things in perspective for him. Ty Pennington expressed gratitude for still being here after his harrowing health scare last July; pictured 2019 The former Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host, 59, provided an update on his recovery during an interview with ET on Monday, showcasing his new outlook on life after being flown to an ICU for emergency throat surgery 'It made me realize you just don't know when your timecard's gonna get pulled, so wake up, live every single day to the fullest,' he explained. In July, Ty was officially released from the ICU after he was hospitalized for an abscess that was 'closing off my airway' which he candidly revealed in an Instagram post. In a detailed caption along with photos of himself in a hospital bed, the star explained, 'Turns out, that sore throat Ive had for the last month was actually an abscess which had grown so large it was closing off my airway.' 'Next thing I know, I was intubated and flown to the ICU in Denver,' but added, 'Wednesday I had surgery and yesterday [Thursday] afternoon I was released from the ICU.' According to Cleveland Clinic, a 'peritonsillar abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms near one of your tonsils' and 'can be serious, especially if it grows so large that it blocks your throat.' At the beginning of his message to fans, Pennington wrote, 'From the red carpet, to the ICU this last week has been interesting!' and added that he was 'okay' but 'still recovering...' He further explained that he felt 'it looked weird that I hadnt posted about my teams #BOTB VICTORY!!,' referencing to his recent third season win on the HGTV real estate competition show titled, Battle On The Beach. 'To shed some light on why I was MIA Sunday I hit the red carpet for @barbiethemovie, monday I flew to Colorado to start filming in Breckenridge and Tuesday morning I woke up at 4am and could barely breathe.' 'I'm great,' he exclaimed, before showing off his signature wit. 'You know what's great is if you almost die, you get so much attention. It feels so nice to be that loved' The former Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host notably attended the Barbie premiere in Los Angeles on Sunday, but two days later, was rushed to the ER after he 'could barely breathe' 'It made me realize you just don't know when your timecard's gonna get pulled, so wake up, live every single day to the fullest,' he explained After opening up about what had directly caused the health scare, Ty gave a special shoutout to the healthcare workers that were by his side every step of the way. 'Thank you so much to all the amazing staff at St. Anthonys in Lakewood, CO & Summit Health in Frisco for taking such great care of me,' and gave a few words of caution to his followers. 'A great reminder to LISTEN to your body when its telling you something.' Ty is known for starring on hit shows such as Trading Spaces, which he worked on as a carpenter from 2000 until 2003. However, after three years, he made the choice to exit the show. While talking to People earlier this year in February, Pennington opened up about the decision. 'I had to quit that job because I knew I was worth more than I was being paid,' he admitted. Ty leapt into stardom when he began hosting the hit series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, from 2004 until the show ended on its ninth season in 2012 When the television host is not busy working on sets, Ty enjoys spending quality time with his wife and social media manager, Kellee Merrell 'I took a real ballsy move, and I quit the best job I'd ever been given because I was sort of insulted,' and added, 'The thing about luck to me is sometimes something bad can happen that actually leads to something even bigger and better.' Ty expressed that, 'You think that it's the end of the world, but it's actually just a whole new page that's being turned into a chapter.' And it appears luck was indeed on his side as he further leapt into stardom when he began hosting the hit series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, from 2004 until the show ended on its ninth season in 2012. He currently hosts RockThe Block makeover show, which kicks off its latest season on Monday, March 5 on HGTV. Riley Tavern in Hunter, TX. Victoria Lopez/ MySA The smell of cigarettes, the colors of a lit stage, and the sound of music echoed by laughter are what fill a small tavern caught between the tracks in the Texas Hill Country. The 90-year-old honky-tonk has managed to stay frozen in time in an ever-changing world, hidden from society. Its caught between two tracks and if you're lucky, the trains stop on both ends of the track, and you get stuck here, San Marcos native Dee Bartlett said to MySA. Riley's Tavern is embedded into the community as a staple, serving as a time capsule. The honky-tonk tells the story on its walls with writing scribbled by bargoers dating back to the 90s. Its wooden beam architecture gives a rustic feel with the smell of smoke engrained into its core as Riley's is one of the few businesses that still allows smoking in its establishment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the state's first bar to legally serve alcohol after the Prohibition era, Riley's Tavern has made its roots strong in the farmers' region of Hunter, between New Braunfels and San Marcos. From its opening in 1933, the tavern has been an instant success in its location, which was once considered a boom town of farmers and cattle ranchers. The original owner, James Curtis Riley, secured the future of the tavern before its opening when grabbing the state's first beer license by camping on the Capitol steps. Throughout the years, the bar has managed to hit many milestones, such as its historic marker distinction at both the state and national levels, along with its most recent celebration of 90 years of business in September 2023. Historic marker outside Riley's Tavern in Hunter, TX. Victoria Lopez/ MySA Almost a century later, the business has been passed down to various owners, but all have left the bar a time capsule. Although the current owner, Joel Hofmann, has expanded a bit from the 30s, he has maintained its history as he didnt want to change anything. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He only expanded with an indoor stage and dance floor to truly classify the tavern as a honky-tonk. Bargoers can enjoy live music four nights a week, including from the Joel Hofmann Band, who recently released an album. Riley's Tavern weekly line up sign hung on a wall covered in community writing in Hunter, TX. Victoria Lopez/ MySA Riley's Tavern owner Joel Hofmann preforms center stage. Victoria Lopez/ MySA Hill Country band preforms at Riley's Tavern in Hunter, TX. Victoria Lopez/ MySA Hofmann purchased the bar at the age of 25 as a sort of passion project to maintain his true ambition of being a musician while creating stability in his life. Nearly 20 years later, Hofmann says he has gained much more than his original intent; he has gained a community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everybody that I have met, there have been a lot of folks I have met here, and they have turned into 20 years of friendships now," Hofmann said to MySA. "The people are the best." Riley's Tavern owners Joel and Angie Hofmann pose for a photo with tavern regular Dee Bartlett. Victoria Lopez/ MySA Bartlett told MySA she had been stopping by Riley's Tavern since the previous decade. Bartlett says, in earlier years, it wasnt always so consistent as she left for the military, but when returning home, Riley's always had its familial history. Coming home and recognizing some things dont ever change," Bartlett said. "Its the same people. Its the same good accepting crowd that wants to hear good music and play fun games, have a drink, and enjoy their evenings." Advertisement Article continues below this ad That nostalgic feeling is like a boomerang that draws other bargoers back to grab a seat at the tavern. As everything evolves around here, they're putting up buildings on every square inch of farmland out here, and as the times change this place literally stays the same. Its the nostalgia, longtime Riley's Tavern visitor AJ Sotto said to MySA. Sotto went on to detail his history with the business as he used to stop by the tavern as a boy with his father in the 80s and even met Riley himself. Sotto also worked at Riley's at the food truck outside the tavern and served up drinks at the bar. Friend to Sotto, Darrell Martin, followed by saying at the end of the day, It's regular good people not looking for anything crazy but a good beer and a good conversation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Martin also shared his found love for Riley's when he attended Texas State University. Martin says he stumbled upon the tavern as a nontraditional college kid looking for a place to have a good conversation and beer. Riley's Tavern bargoers in Hunter, TX. Victoria Lopez/ MySA When sitting at the bar, one by one, each bargoer shared their story of finding Riley's Tavern, reiterating the sense of community that every patron feels. From outcasts to inherited love, all described the tavern as a sanctuary. We have a lot of new people, and we have a lot of the same old. Its a great blend of everybody. Just come and join in, Bartlett said to welcome new bargoers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Man playing pool at Riley's Tavern in Hunter, TX. Victoria Lopez/ MySA Comedian Sinbad made his return to social media for the first time since November 2022, following his first public appearance in nearly four years. The 67-year-old actor and stand-up comic has largely been out of the public eye since suffering a stroke in November 2020. However, last week he put in a virtual appearance through Zoom at the first stop of A Different World's 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities. The actor (born David Adkins) returned to Instagram on Monday, sharing his thoughts about the Atlanta event and offering an update on his health. 'Thank you for your prayers, support, and positive thoughts. Theyve carried me this far and will see me through to the finish line. It really is a different world out here!' he said, adding the hashtags #WeGettinThereYall #ADifferentWorld. Comedian Sinbad made his return to social media for the first time since November 2022, following his first public appearance in nearly four years However, last week he put in a virtual appearance through Zoom at the first stop of A Different World's 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities The video begins with the actor watching footage of the students at Moorehouse cheering loudly when the actor appears on the video screen. 'Man, that was so cool. A Different World going to Atlanta, going to Moorehouse College on the campuses, and getting a chance to be on a Zoom and say something to the kids... it's wild that the kids even know who I am,' Sinbad began. 'That's beautiful. Thank you to everybody who's been praying for me and saying good things and supporting me during this time in my life,' he added. 'It means a lot to me. Thank you so much. God has been with us and he's carried me. Well, he's carried me through my whole life,' Sinbad admitted. 'It means so much when I hear from y'all and you tell me, "Sinbad, keep going, Sinbad, we're sending prayers,' he added. 'Those words are important and I feel it. I feel those prayers. I want to say this to all th people who've emailed me through the website, some of you are going through what I'm going through, and even worse than me,' he continued. He added that he's, 'reading these things' and he's going to, 'try to answer as many as I can.' 'I pray for you and understand what it's like. It's rough. I want to thank all of you all who have been fans and friends all these years of mine. Thank you so much.' The video begins with the actor watching footage of the students at Moorehouse cheering loudly when the actor appears on the video screen 'Man, that was so cool. A Different World going to Atlanta, going to Moorehouse College on the campuses, and getting a chance to be on a Zoom and say something to the kids... it's wild that the kids even know who I am,' Sinbad began 'That's beautiful. Thank you to everybody who's been praying for me and saying good things and supporting me during this time in my life,' he added 'It means a lot to me. Thank you so much. God has been with us and he's carried me. Well, he's carried me through my whole life,' Sinbad admitted. 'It means so much when I hear from y'all and you tell me, "Sinbad, keep going, Sinbad, we're sending prayers,' he added He added one parting note, telling fans, 'Expect to see more of me soon and don't freak out if you turn around and I'm standing right behind you.' 'Sinbad, I can't believe you're here! You can't believe it? You better believe it. Miracles happen,' he concluded. Sinbad hadn't posted on Instagram since November 2022, when he shared the website The Journey Forward that documented his journey. He most recently played himself in a 2022 episode of Atlanta and voiced a Business Manager in 2023's Good Burger 2. Taylor Swift has left fans concerned after appearing to nurse a cold during her first show in Singapore. The American pop superstar was seen coughing as she performed during the Singapore leg of her Eras Tour at National Stadium. The clip showed Swift cough and then clear her throat while she was performing her song Delicate. Fans were quick to chime in in the comments, including American rapper Lil Uzi Vert, who wrote, 'Hope she's okay for real'. 'I was there and so worried about Taylor,' one Swiftie commented while another said, 'Oooh no she needs some rest'. Taylor Swift (pictured) has left fans concerned after appearing to nurse a cold during her first show in Singapore 'You can hear a raspy tone in her voice, she also seems more calm and reserved in her movements. The show must go on... a queen,' said another. 'I hope she's okay. Take some rest Taylor as soon as possible. We love you! Stay safe and well,' someone else wrote. 'Looks like she's only got two shows then the whole of April off so hoping she can rest!' yet another chimed in. 'I can only imagine how exhausting it must be whilst on tour giving it 100 percent with every performance. She is incredible!' one more said. Fans were quick to chime in in the comments It comes as Southeast Asia Swifties have grown enraged over Swift performing only one stop in the area under controversial circumstances. The global superstar, 34, is currently in the middle of her stint at National Stadium in Singapore, which marks her only stop in South-East Asia after it was reported the country is paying the pop star $4.3million per show to perform there exclusively. 'Singapore paid a hefty amount so that NO other South-East Asian country can have their chances,' complained a fan on social media. 'Should boycott Singapore and Taylor,' wrote another. 'Typical Singaporean behaviour, they would do anything to get one up on their neighbours,' complained another. The clip showed Swift cough and then clear her throat while she was performing her song Delicate Swift's grant from the Singapore Tourism Board to bring her tour to the wealthy nation sparked a row between the neighboring countries. Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin last month accused Singapore of paying Swift millions per concert to secure her exclusively, something he found out after the deal was cut. Speaking at the Bangkok iBusiness Forum 2024 Thavisin said 'The Singaporean government is clever. They told not to hold any other shows in Asia,'. The Thai PM called Singapore's move 'astute,' adding that he'd long wondered why Swift had not opted to play in Thailand. The Singaporean shows will likely be a boom to the economy. Swift has sold out six nights at the 55,000-seat National Stadium this month. It comes as Southeast Asia Swifties have grown enraged over Swift performing only one stop in the area under controversial circumstances Elle Macpherson ensured all eyes were on her as she attended the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Tuesday. The supermodel opted for a fitted pink ensemble that accentuated her statuesque figure. She worked her angles while arriving at a lunch on Chapel Street in Melbourne as part of the festival. Elle paired a candy pink jacket with matching trousers that featured a tapered wide leg cut. A pair of nude heels were swamped by the bell bottoms, while the beauty added a smattering of gold accessories. Elle Macpherson (pictured) ensured all eyes were on her as she attended the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Tuesday She kept her makeup clean and fresh with a nude lip gloss and wore her blonde locks down in waves, while adding a pair of sunglasses. Elle was back on the runway at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Monday. The Australian model took to the catwalk for the first time in almost 14 years, opening the event at the Royal Exhibition Building. The 59-year-old, who turns 60 this month, proved she is still The Body as she strutted down the runway in an ensemble by Viktoria + Woods. The supermodel opted for a fitted pink ensemble that accentuated her statuesque figure She worked her angles while arriving at a lunch on Chapel Street in Melbourne Elle was back on the runway at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Monday (pictured) She also showcased a look from Bianca Spender, which included a bright yellow trench and matching slacks. The WelleCo Australia founder last walked for Louis Vuitton in Paris back in 2010. Elle told the Daily Telegraph she was more than happy to open the distinctly Aussie fashion event. 'I'm grateful to be coming home, not to be seen necessarily as an icon, but I'm grateful for my Australian heritage,' she said. 'I've had such an extraordinary career that's brought me unusual and interesting experiences and I'm extremely grateful.' Only Fools And Horses legend Nicholas Lyndhurst is set to become a bigger name in the US at the age of 62. The actor first appeared in the reboot of the iconic US sitcom Frasier in October of last year - and his role is only set to get bigger. With the show's fans engrossed by the stoic British persona of his character, Alan Cornwall, writers are keen to explore his past when filming picks up again next year. A TV insider told The Sun: 'Viewers are fascinated by Alan and want to know more about him. 'Writers are discussing ideas surrounding his family and potentially bringing in new faces to aid his storylines.' Only Fools And Horses legend Nicholas Lyndhurst is set to become a bigger name in the US at the age of 62 (pictured in 2019) Writers are keen to expand Nicholas role (left to right: Toks Olagundoye as Olivia, Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan) The actor is well-known on this side of the pond for playing Rodney Trotter in the famed British sitcom Only Fools And Horses. The series, which ran from 1981 to 2003, saw Rodney, Del Boy and Grandad running around a rough estate in Peckham making a flurry of dodgy deals in a bid to become millionaires. The honesty and hilarity of the comedy show became a corner stone in British culture, with British adults voting it the greatest comedy series of all time in 2023. Now Nicholas is gaining quite the reputation across the Atlantic in the role of Alan - a former Oxford University friend of Dr Frasier Cane (Kelsey Grammar). In the absence of Frasier's on-screen brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) in the show's reprise, Alan's deadpan humour is quick to put the psychologist turned lecturer in his place. It isn't only writers who have been eager to explore Alan's backstory, fellow British actor Jack Cutmore-Scott, who portrays Frasier's son Freddy, has also supported the idea. He told The Sun: 'I would love it if we met Alan's mum or his parents. I think that Maggie Smith would be perfect. If you're available, Maggie, just let us know.' During a US TV event in February, the star of the 1990s hit sit-com, Kelsey, branded the Only Fools And Horses star a 'comedic genius' and a 'national treasure'. Nicholas is best-known for his portrayal of Rodney Trotter in the iconic British show - Only Fools And Horses (pictured 1981 L-R: Lennard Pearce; David Jason And Nicholas Lyndhurst) He added that reboot of the sitcom, which originally ran from 1993 to 2004, has given the actor the opportunity to showcase his acting 'pipes' and skill in the US. Kelsey said he was 'ecstatic' to work with the British actor, describing the experience as a 'pleasure'. The announcement of the actor's role expanding comes after it was confirmed the revived version of the 1990s sitcom was officially renewed for a second season. Executive Vice President of programming at Paramount +, Jeff Grossman, praised Kelsey for reviving his old role as the radio psychiatrist. 'Kelsey made a triumphant return as one of the most iconic and beloved characters on television. The new series introduced Frasier to a whole new generation while reminding fans of Kelsey's truly timeless portrayal of Dr. Crane,' he said. 'We're so excited to see what the creative team and superb cast serve up for season two.' Grammer himself also issued a statement to show his excitement about being able to portray the psychiatrist in the show's new run. 'Frasier is a love story, and I am very happy we will be allowed to continue it,' he said. The first season of the reboot centred around the titular character, who journeyed back to Boston in a bid to revive his relationship with his son Frederick. As well as Nicholas Lyndhurst, the reboot featured new faces such as, Toks Olagundoye as Olivia and Jess Salgueiro playing Eve. Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin returned to the program in order to reprise their roles as Lilith Sternin and Roz Doyle, respectively. Only Fools And Horses was hit with Brits, having been voted the greatest comedy series of all time in 2023 (L-R in 1996: David Jason as Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney) Wings were traded for a Eurostar carriage on Tuesday morning as Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr and their respective wives returned to London after a brief appearance at Paris Fashion Week. The former Beatles legends had a ticket to ride from the French capital, where they were on hand to support Paul's designer daughter Stella as she presented her latest autumn-winter womenswear range. Sir Paul, 81, greeted onlookers with a characteristically cheerful smile as he made his way across a busy Kings Cross St. Pancras station with wife Nancy. Joining his former bandmate, Ringo, 83, flashed a trademark peace sign while walking alongside wife of 43-years Barbara Bach, a model and actress best known for her starring role in James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. Stella, whose latest collection proved to be one of the highlights from Paris, completed the group as they left the station and climbed into a waiting car. Wings were traded for a Eurostar carriage on Tuesday as Sir Paul McCartney , Sir Ringo Starr and their respective wives returned to London after a brief appearance at Paris Fashion Week Stella McCartney accompanied her father and step-mother for their journey back to London on Tuesday morning Back in 1999, a 28-year-old Stella wore a statement vest top to watch her famous father be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. And 24 years later, the fashion designer, 52, resurrected the vest - which read 'About F**king Time' - at her Paris Fashion Week show at Parc Andre Citroen on Monday morning. The fashion show set tongues wagging around the world thanks to the incredibly A-list front row - including dad Sir Paul and his former bandmate Ringo. As well as her famous father, she was also joined by her siblings Mary, 54, and James, 46, who made sure to be by their sister's side as she threw things back to the 90s. Speaking about the vest at the show, Stella said: 'Well, I mean, we're in a bit of a state here, aren't we? I always want the platform of Stella McCartney to have an environmental message... 'I am here to remind people that this is one of the most harmful industries. But I'm not here to make people depressed and scared... 'I want to celebrate Mother Earth and all of her creatures and to remind us all to be conscious of that, but at the same time, I want it to be an uplifting experience.' At the time, Stella paired the look with a 90s-appropriate slip skirt and barely-there make-up while the model on Monday wore chaps with the look. Sir Paul greeted onlookers with a characteristically cheerful smile as he made his way across a busy Kings Cross St. Pancras station The legendary musician was flanked by bodyguards and police officers while making his way out of the station on Tuesday Joining his former bandmate, Ringo flashed a trademark peace sign while walking alongside wife of 43-years Barbara Bach Sir Paul and Nancy (left) and Ringo and Barbara (right) hurried through the sprawling station after travelling back to London on the Eurostar Fashion designer Stella (front) caught the eye in a chic grey winter coat on Tuesday morning Sir Paul, a committed vegan, took the opportunity to pose for photos alongside his daughter after travelling to France to support her. As well as Stella, Mary and James, the musician is also father to adopted daughter Heather with late wife Linda Eastman. After Linda's death from breast cancer in 1998 at age 56, the rocker married Heather Mills in 2002, and they welcomed daughter Beatrice, 20. He split from Heather in 2006, with the divorce finalised two years later, and began dating socialite Nancy Shevall, with whom he exchanged vows in 2011. The fashion show set tongues wagging around the world thanks to the incredibly A-list front row - including her Beatles star father Sir Paul, Paris Jackson and Ringo Starr Sir Paul and Ringo took the opportunity to pose for photos with Stella during Tuesday's show After the show, Stella walked the runway to rapturous applause, beaming at her family as she sauntered past The Bachelors lovebirds Luke Bateman and Ellie Rolfe have hinted they have called time on their relationship, by unfollowing each other on social media. Eagle-eyed fans expressed their sadness over the apparent breakup, noting that Luke, 28, had also deleted almost all traces of Ellie from his Instagram. His followers quickly commented on one of his publicity photos, asking him to confirm if his relationship with Ellie was over. 'Where are all the photos with Ellie? Don't tell me that you guys broke up?' one upset fan asked. 'Bet she broke it off. Poor Luke,' a second person added. The Bachelors lovebirds Luke Bateman and Ellie Rolfe have hinted they have called time on their relationship, by unfollowing each other on social media. Both pictured 'Hope they haven't... but the signs are there,' a third person chipped in and another wrote: 'They've broken up'. Meanwhile, Ellie, 29, posted a gallery of photos to Instagram capturing her attending Melbourne Fashion Week on Monday - and Luke was nowhere in sight. Tellingly, she was seen posing with fellow Bachelors alum Thomas Malucelli, 35, with the two rocking their best angles together amongst their celebrity friends. Eagle-eyed fans expressed their sadness over the apparent breakup, noting that Luke, 28, had also deleted almost all traces of Ellie from his Instagram Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Luke and Ellie for comment. The pair fell in love in front of the cameras last year on series 11 of Channel Ten's dating show. In December, the couple appeared on The Project to reveal they've already cemented their union in a surprising fashion. His followers quickly commented on one of his publicity photos, asking him to confirm if his relationship with Ellie was over The genetically blessed duo told the panel they sealed the deal with fresh ink on the way to The Project studios, following a boozy lunch. 'Yeah, we had an eventful day today,' Rolfe told the co-hosts. 'It was very spontaneous. We went out for lunch and had a few cocktails and got excited and thought it would be a good idea to get matching tattoos,' she continued. Luke and Ellie no longer follow each other on Instagram Millie Bobby Brown returned to the promotional circuit on Monday evening as London's Ham Yard Hotel presented a screening of her latest film. The young actress, 20, takes a starring role in Damsel, a forthcoming fantasy drama co-starring Ray Winstone, Brooke Carter, Robin Wright and Angela Bassett. And she was on hand to discuss her role as fictional princess Eloise in the Juan Carlos Fresnadillo directed film during a Q&A and screening at the central London venue. The British star, best known for her role as psychokinetic teenager Eleven in Netflix show Stranger Things, caught the eye in a shimmering blue sleeveless minidress as she posed for photos upon her arrival. She rounded off her look with a pair of strappy black heels, while her hair was tightly pulled into a neat, conventional bun. Millie Bobby Brown returned to the promotional circuit on Monday evening as London's Ham Yard Hotel presented a screening of her latest film, Damsel The actress, best known for her role in Stranger Things, plays princess Eloise in the new film She was on hand to discuss her role in the Juan Carlos Fresnadillo directed film during a Q&A and screening at the central London venue Millie was joined by co-stars Robin, Ray, Brooke and the film's Spanish director as they fielded questions about their latest project at the exclusive event. The cast were in London after attending its official premiere at New York City's Paris Theatre on March 1, during which Millie was supported by fiance Jake Bongiovi and her future in-laws, Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley. 'Family is everything,' she told Extra. 'I know family means a lot to Jake, family means a lot to me, and being able to incorporate both of our families. 'I love his parents, I love his family. I am very lucky that they took time out to come and watch my move.' Asked if the premiere served as a 'date night,' she added: 'Well, not with the family, no. But it's always date night. I feel this is very romantic in its own way. I'm very grateful.' She was also asked if Bon Jovi legend Jon might oversee the music for her wedding, to which she replied: 'He is a wizard at music. I feel that my music sense, actually, we share a music sense. 'We like Ed Sheeran, we love Adele. So I think maybe we'll just have the same playlist.' Shot on location in Portugal, Damsel was initially slated for release in October, but the Hollywood writers strikes caused its debut to be pushed back to March 8. (L to R) Damsel co-stars Brooke Carter, Millie Bobby Brown, Robin Wright and Ray Winstone The cast were on hand to field questions about their latest project at the exclusive event (L to R) Brooke Carter, Robin Wright, Ray Winstone and Millie Bobby Brown onstage during Tuesday evening's special London screening of Damsel Millie took a selfie from the stage with her cast-mates and the event's assorted audience members A celebrity doppelganger who duped people into thinking she was Kate Moss at the Paris Fashion Show is actually a model and mother from Ormskirk who has thanked 'fans' for their interest - but how tricky is it to differentiate between the pair? Supermodel Kate's uncanny lookalike stormed the runway at the Marine Serre Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show yesterday. While many have been tricked into thinking it was the real Kate Moss, 50, it was actually someone who dubs herself 'Fake Moss' - 43-year-old mother-of-two Denise Ohnona, from Ormskirk in Lancashire. While Kate was launched as a fashion superstar as a teenager, Denise has only been modelling professionally for the past six years - after enduring not only a tricky divorce but also a traumatic car collision that left her with lasting scars. And while Kate has embraced a glittering transatlantic hard-partying lifestyle - before launching her own wellness brand of products - Denise says she is happy to focus on being a mum while enjoying the attention as a lookalike. Kate Moss' uncanny lookalike Denise Ohnona stormed the runway at the Marine Serre Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show on Monday Will the real Kate Moss please standup? Kate is pictured, left, at the Bottega Veneta Winter 24 show in Milan, Italy, last month, while Denise is seen, right, at Paris Fashion Week Denise, pictured, has told how being compared to Kate Moss helped her recover after divorce The real Kate Moss is seen here leaving an Yves Saint Laurent after-party Eco-brand Marine Serre appeared to take inspiration from budget supermarket Aldi who pulled a similar stunt using Denise just weeks earlier. When stars were descending on Manchester for a Chanel show last December, 'Kate' was papped carrying a 65p bag from the supermarket - although it was later revealed to be Denise in disguise. She has her own Instagram account called @iamnotkatemoss, with 67,400 followers, in which she replicates famous catwalk appearances and adverts by the real Kate - enjoying her moments in the spotlight after suffering upsetting setbacks in the past. She recently told the Times how she was thrown from a car driven by a then-boyfriend in October 1998, smashing her face through the windscreen. She described how the doctor who operated on her had not been trained in plastic surgery and she endured the effects of surplus collagen production and thick scars. Denise said: 'The first time I saw a mirror I collapsed on the floor in screams.' As she struggled with what she described as 'a mental breakdown', her weight plunged to five and a half stone and she suffered stomach ulcers. She later spent some time living in America, in Orange County, where she worked in telecoms and got married in Las Vegas - but she and her husband divorced in 2011. She has said she gained weight after becoming depressed and losing interest in going to the gym - only to become inspired to get fit again by people pointing out her resemblance to Kate Moss. It seemed Marine Serre took inspiration from budget supermarket Aldi who pulled a similar stunt, this time in Manchester, last December Denise shared images and videos from her fittings on Instagram, where she goes by the handle 'I Am Not Kate Moss' The real Kate Moss, pictured here, has also been at this year's Paris Fashion Week - here attending the Saint Lauren Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show last week This week's runway show decision by the eco brand was captured on Denise's social media Denise previously told Mail Online:When I split up with my ex-husband eight years ago, I went a bit 'mumsy,' I lost my sense of fashion and gave up on the gym. 'I would look after the kids day and night and it was more important to run around after them than look after myself. Then I started getting people mistaking me for Kate Moss when I would go anywhere. 'Being told that I could look like Kate Moss picked me back up and I started focusing on myself again. I got back into the gym and looking after my appearance and the comments started all over again!' During her appearance in Paris on Monday, Denise harked back to Kate's indie days in an oversized leather jacket emblazoned with the brand's crescent moon-shaped logo with a matching handbag. She wore heavy black eye make-up while her trademark dirty blonde locks were worn in loose waves to add to the indie ensemble. Denise's Instagram posts have included miming to the sound of Moss's testimony at Johnny Depp's court case battle with Amber Depp. She has also been photographed in the window of a McDonald's, playing on Kate's famous quote suggesting 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'. Despite her lookalike work, she describes herself as a full-time mum to daughters Elise, 13, and eight-year-old Anais. Denise said: 'When I first started to get papped, I used to get very shy and felt like a fraud became I am a Fake Moss. Denise's likeness to Kate is regularly highlighted both in public and on social media The real Kate Moss is seen her modelling John Galliano in Paris in October 1993 Denise's leather look stole Monday's show as she headed down the runway 'But then as time went on I started to enjoy it and now find it very flattering - who wouldn't want to get mistaken for Kate Moss? She's one of the most incredibly iconic women ever! 'I get mistaken for her on a daily basis now - especially when I am out in central London - that's where the paps tend to find me. 'However even members of the public get us confused, and I get asked to pose for selfies in nightclubs and in the supermarket all the time. 'It's amazing that I've been able to find something that has transformed me from my frumpy mum lifestyle, to a glamorous "supermodel".' From love life to divorces, children, modelling careers and social media fans: How 'Fake Moss' and the REAL Kate Moss compare after celebrity doppelganger fooled the world at Paris Fashion Week Their physical resemblance is strikingly similar and they both work as models, yet the lives of Kate Moss and 'Fake Moss' Denise Ohnona have taken very different turns. They come from different ends of England, have varying heights, weights, ages and dress sizes, but have experiences in common, including parenthood and divorce. Mail Online provides a head-to-head look at the two women with familiar faces... Supermodel Kate Moss From: Croydon, south London Age: 50 Croydon-born Kate Moss now has a 10-bedroom mansion in the Cotswolds Height: 5ft 7in Weight: 121lb/55kg Dress size: 8 Career: Supermodel since the age of 14, she also now promotes her own wellness brand Cosmoss Kate's wellness brand Cosmoss had a debut event at Harrods in September 2006 Instagram followers: 1.6million Children: Lila, 21, also a model Kate Moss, right, is seen here with daughter Lila at a Paris show in January this year Love life: Married to musician Jamie Hince between 2011 and 2016; ex-boyfriends include actor Johnny Depp and Dazed and Confused co-founder Jefferson Hack, father of her daughter Johnny Depp and Kate Moss dated between 1994 and 1998 Jefferson Hack, left, is the father of Kate's model daughter Lila Setbacks: She was dropped from some fashion campaigns in 2005 after pictures were published appearing to show her snorting campaign Clothing: Kate has modelled for brands including Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vutton and Dolce and Gabbana Kate was 17 when she advertised Calvin Klein jeans in 1992 Advertisement Ant McPartlin wrapped up warm in a padded coat while walking his dogs in a London park, on Monday. The TV presenter, 48, appeared to be somewhat lost in thought as he enjoyed a strolled on what was his pregnant wife Anne-Marie's 47th birthday. Ant kept things casual in a dark pair of tracksuit bottoms and a jumper, which he teamed with a tan pair of sturdy trainers. The Geordie star was joined by his pet pooches: two maltipoos (Maltese and poodle crossbreeds), called Milo and Bumble. Ant shares his gorgeous Labrador named Hurley with his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. Ant McPartlin, 48, wrapped up warm in a padded coat while walking his dogs - two maltipoos called Milo and Bumble, and his black Labrador, Hurley - in London, on Monday The TV presenter appeared to be somewhat lost in thought as he enjoyed a strolled on what was his pregnant wife Anne-Marie's 47th birthday Ant's second wife, Anne-Marie, turned 47 on Monday Last month, Ant broke his silence on becoming a father for the first time in a candid interview as he spoke about taking a break from hosting Saturday Night Takeaway. Ant opened up about the real reasons for the show's pause in an interview with Fault Magazine as he publicly addressed his wife's pregnancy for the first time. He said: 'We [he and Declan Donnelly] have both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit. 'We need time to think and, and time to step back and look at the bigger picture and just see where we are now.' Ant is set to become a father for the first time in June. It will be Ant's first while Anne-Marie has two children from her previous marriage. Meanwhile Dec shares two children - Isla, age five, and Jack, one, with his wife Ali Astall. It was previously rumoured in December that Anne-Marie could be expecting their first child, after she appeared to be several months pregnant while returning from a trip to Dubai. Ant credits his wife, who he married in a lavish 500k wedding in 2021, for getting him through his alcohol and prescription drug addictions (seen at their wedding) The pair got together after meeting while Anne-Marie worked for Ant and his former wife, Lisa Armstrong (pictured in 2021) According to The Sun Ant had already confided the wonderful news to Dec following weeks of speculation, with a source telling the publication: 'This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne- Marie are beyond delighted.' 'It's no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with.' They went on to describe Ant as a 'wonderful doting father' to Anne-Marie's children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret for as long as possible. Adding: 'To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant.' Ant has always been open about his desire to be a father. In 2013 he revealed his and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong's struggles, saying: 'There's a rumour that I'm holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right. 'I love that idea, but I'm afraid it's not true. Lisa and I would love to have kids. We're trying. It's tougher than you think when you get a bit older.' The TV star credits his wife, who he married in a lavish 500k wedding in 2021, for getting him through his alcohol and prescription drug addictions. The Beckhams enjoyed a big night out at Oswald's private members' club for Brooklyn's birthday with their in-laws on Monday evening. The family didn't spare any expense for their eldest son's 25th, as the whole brood got together with Brooklyn's wife Nicola Peltz and her mother Claudia. As they left the establishment, David, 48, was spotted slipping the doorman a 20 tip by way of thanks, as they made their way home after dinner. The family returned from Paris earlier this week, where Victoria, 49, had been showcasing her new collection from her self-titled fashion line on Friday. They joined forces with the Peltzs in London to celebrate Brooklyn's birthday as Claudia, 68, accompanied them for the evening at the swanky venue. The Beckhams enjoyed a big night out at Oswald's private members' club for Brooklyn's birthday with their in-laws on Monday evening As they left the establishment, David, 48, was spotted slipping the doorman a 20 tip by way of thanks, as they made their way home after dinner The family didn't spare any expense for their eldest son's 25th, as the whole brood got together with Brooklyn's wife Nicola Peltz and her mother Claudia Her husband Nelson, 81, was not pictured with them on the night. Former model Claudia looked chic in a black coat and wore her blonde locks loose with soft, glamorous make-up and a black Bottega bag. Fashion designer Victoria also opted for an all black look, as she sported a form-fitting blouse with a pair of belted flared trousers. Victoria, who is currently wearing a medical boot and using crutches, added a black blazer to the ensemble and a pair of oversized shades. Meanwhile, Nicola, 29, looked chic in a sheer blouse with feathered detailing, which she teamed with a pair of pinstripe trousers. Her sister-in-law Harper, 12, was wearing a long black dress and trainers, similar to the look she wore for her mother's Fashion Week showcase. All of the Beckham boys were suited and booted in shirts and ties for the special family occasion. During the day, Victoria was once again showcasing her adoration for her nearest and dearest as she took to social media to mark her son's birthday. The family returned from Paris earlier this week, where Victoria, 49, had been showcasing her new collection from her self-titled fashion line on Friday They joined forces with the Peltzs in London to celebrate Brooklyn's birthday as Claudia, 68, accompanied them for the evening at the swanky venue All of the Beckham boys were suited and booted in shirts and ties for the special family occasion Fashion designer Victoria also opted for an all black look, as she sported a form-fitting blouse with a pair of belted flared trousers Harper, 12, was wearing a long black dress and trainers, similar to the look she wore for her mother's Fashion Week showcase David shook hands with the doorman at the club The fashionista marked the aspiring chef's birthday with a series of sweet snaps including an incredible throwback of her son dressed as a chilli The fashionista marked the aspiring chef's birthday with a series of sweet snaps including an incredible throwback of her son dressed as a chilli. In the image, taken as she and husband David shot to stratospheric levels of fame in the early Noughties, she was showing off her famed pixie crop. The stunner beamed at the camera while David cradled their son in his hilarious costume, before also posting more recent snaps with her son. The Beckhams are also parents to Romeo, 21, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 12, but were throwing it back to their days as a family of three in the social media snap. Victoria looked incredible with her pixie cut and curtains paired with double denim while David wore complementary low-slung jeans. She then shared an image from her Paris Fashion Week show over the weekend, in which she draped one arm around her son and another over Brooklyn. The chef attended the event with his wife Nicola Peltz, with whom Victoria reportedly had a feud previously however they have now mended fences. In her caption, Victoria praised her and David's parenting skills, penning: 'Today we celebrate Brooklyn turning 25!!! David I love you so much and Im so proud of the parents we are. We are a good team!!!!... 'Happy birthday @brooklynpeltzbeckham @davidbeckham'. Elsewhere, brother Romeo posted an incredibly sweet baby picture of the duo, in which the birthday boy was kissing his brother on the head. Camera shy Nicola covered her face as she left the venue Nicola, 29, looked chic in a sheer blouse with feathered detailing, which she teamed with a pair of pinstripe trousers Victoria, who is currently wearing a medical boot and using crutches, added a black blazer to the ensemble and a pair of oversized shades David cut a dapper figure in a navy suit with a purple and blue tie Romeo, who recently split from Mia Regan, looked cool in a gold button jacket and trousers Cruz snapped pictures as he left the club Bike or ride horses through 405 acress of Texas Hill Country when you stay at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort. Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort Fan favorites in Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country are being recognized as some of the top travel destinations across the state. One Central Texas town has stood out from the rest, boasting its charm and winning big between San Antonio and Austin. The City of Bastrop won three Texas Travel Awards this year, beating out larger cities and metros. Bastrop was awarded for the city's attractions including music, family-friendliness, and outdoor adventures. In the Music Festival or Event category, Bastrop dominated the small/midsize market for its four-day live music festival. Bastrop was also named the People's Choice for the Best Destination for Families because of its kid-friendly attractions like Dinosaur Park, historic landmarks, museums, and downtown sector. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city was also won People's Choice Destination for Outdoor Adventures. With its location along the Colorado River, Bastrop offers a wide variety of outdoor adventures for visitors and locals alike, including birding, hiking, zip-lining, fishing, swimming and more, according to the Texas Travel Awards website. The Bastrop State Park, better known as "Lost Pines," is an outdoor space filled with scenic hiking trails, scented trees, and campsites, perfect for a secluded getaway. The city is also home to over 277 different species of birds and is located along the prolific route that millions of birds take on their way to South America and back during their biannual migration, making the Bastrop State Park ideal for bird watchers. Bastrop also has a prime Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa with trap shooting and pony rides, adjacent to McKinney Roughs Nature Park connected by way of a trail system where tourists can explore wildflower meadows, lazy river bends, go horseback riding or plan a guided kayak trip. For those with RVs, Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, features Airstreams, 11 RV campsites and eight tent campsites. And if you've always wanted to sleep in a treehouse, The Hobbits Nest, can fulfill your childhood dreams in the city. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Laura Sharrad is expecting a baby in a matter of weeks. The former MasterChef Australia star and her husband, Max Sharrad, shared the good news in the past week. Posting to Instagram, the pair cuddled up in sweet images where they showed off Laura's bump and their ultrasound. In her caption, Laura revealed the baby will arrive in April, writing, 'Our little miracle. Baby Sharrad, due April 2024'. The former cooking competition runner-up held a baby shower at the weekend, with Laura posting images of the happy event to Instagram. Laura Sharrad is expecting a baby in a matter of weeks. Pictured with husband Max Sharrad She cradled her bump while wearing a multicoloured frock that clung close to her blossoming belly. 'Celebrating baby Sharrad,' she wrote in the caption, alongside images of guests enjoying a party at home. They feasted on sushi, sandwiches and ribs, while mingling outside at a table set under umbrellas. There was another party the week prior, with the couple posing outside Lost Phoenix Farm in South Australia. The former cooking competition runner-up held a baby shower at the weekend Laura was wearing a multicoloured frock that clung close to her blossoming belly 'Celebrating baby Sharrad,' she wrote in the caption They feasted on sushi, sandwiches and ribs, while mingling outside at a table set under umbrellas Max cuddled up to his gorgeous wife who showed off her bump in a clinging dress in tones of green. The good news comes less than a year after Laura announced she had suffered a miscarriage. The star posted a photo of herself alongside her husband and their dog, Alfie, to Instagram, alongside a long caption. Laura wrote: 'A lot of you have noticed that I've been very quiet on here lately, and to be honest I've been avoiding all my platforms. There was another party the week prior, with the couple posing outside Lost Phoenix Farm in South Australia Laura was gifted a sweet outfit for her baby 'I share every part of my life with you all, so this feels right to share our heartache... I wanted nothing more to share with you that our little family was growing. 'I don't think anything can ever prepare you for losing a little one, and although our baby was still so tiny, it doesn't make it any less hard'. She went on: 'Not a lot of people talk about miscarriage, and I now truly understand how hard it can be, but for me, it's helped me heal physically and mentally. 'We are feeling very positive about the future and I'm so grateful to have Max by my side. 'We've taken time to process it all, and we cannot wait to be parents one day soon, and of course Alfie is very excited to one day be a big brother'. The good news comes less than a year after Laura announced she had suffered a miscarriage. The star posted a photo of herself alongside her husband Max and their dog, Alfie Laura and Max married in 2018, three years after meeting as colleagues at the Orana restaurant in Adelaide, which was owned by Jock Zonfrillo Laura and Max married in 2018, three years after meeting as colleagues at the Orana restaurant in Adelaide, which was owned by Jock Zonfrillo. She runs Nido Bar and Pasta restaurant in Adelaide, South Australia, with her husband, fellow chef Max. Laura narrowly missed out on winning MasterChef: Back to Win in 2020, placing second to champion Emelia Jackson. She was undone by her overly icy gelato dessert, which she'd accidentally left in an open freezer. There was good news for Laura, however, as she was awarded $30,000 to help grow her business. Celebrity Big Brother star Ekin-Su Culculoglu threw Lorraine into chaos on Monday morning when she inexplicably cancelled an appearance on the show last minute. The reality veteran, 29, who won Love Island in 2020, was ejected from CBB on Friday night, after which she caused a social media storm by insisting she was badly-edited on the show without a true depiction of her behaviour. As Lorraine Kelly teased her upcoming show on Good Morning Britain, she told host Susanna Reid that her planned appearance was cancelled under mysterious circumstances - leading to a snide dig from Susanna. Celebrity Big Brother star Gary Goldsmith didn't take long to open up about his connection to the royal family as the Princess Of Wales' uncle. The 58-year-old businessman, who is the younger brother of Carole Middleton, first touched on his relationship with Kate during the launch episode on Monday. And in the upcoming episode, Gary will discuss his relationship with the royals in greater detail as he his probed by co-stars Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne. Gary doesn't hold back as he explained it is 'difficult at the best of times' to get hold of his niece Kate, who is currently recovering from abdominal surgery. Louis asks: 'Is it difficult for you, being related to famous people?' Celebrity Big Brother star Gary Goldsmith didn't take long to open up about his connection to the royal family as the Princess Of Wales' uncle The 58-year-old businessman, who is the younger brother of Carole Middleton, first touched on his relationship with Kate (pictured) during the launch episode on Monday Gary, who made millions owning a recruitment company, said: 'I didn't vote for it, it happened to me, and then suddenly there's a spotlight on you.' Discussing his thoughts about his nickname, he says: 'They call me the buncle! Have you heard of a buncle? Bad uncle, apparently every family has them.' Gary has been married four times and was convicted in 2017 of assaulting his fourth wife, Julie-Ann. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and was fined 5,000 and handed a 12-month community order with 20 sessions of rehabilitation. Gary then admits: 'It's difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times, and she's got children and I love the fact that she's putting family first.' Kate was seen for the first time since her surgery during an outing in the car with her mother Caroleand is expected to return to her duties at Easter time. Gary also confesses he thinks Will and Kate are both the 'the saviour of the royal family', as the heirs to the throne. Louis presses: 'I have to ask you, have you met Meghan Markle?' The 58-year-old businessman, who is the younger brother of Carole Middleton, first touched on his relationship with Kate during the launch episode on Monday Celebrity Big Brother's Gary Goldsmith revealed his niece Kate Middleton will be 'hiding behind the sofa if she is watching' as he became the sixth contestant to enter the house during Monday's launch During Monday's explosive launch episode as Gary prepared to enter the house, host AJ Odudu wasted no time in asking him whether his royal niece would be tuning in. Gary joked: 'She will be hiding behind the sofa if she is watching'. Gary, who is reportedly worth 30 million, has enjoyed a close relationship with the Princess of Wales over the years, and attended her wedding to Prince William in 2011. Kate was a bridesmaid at Gary's first wedding to sales executive Miranda Foote in 1991, and her uncle previously revealed how the heartbroken royal sought solace at his Ibiza villa after a break-up with William. Kate is away from official royal engagements after major surgery in January, with Kensington Palace insisting last week that she was still 'doing well'. She has not been seen at any royal events since attending church at Sandringham on Christmas Day with William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis. Gary is said to have told friends that he won't do anything to hurt Kate or William - but he has previously attacked Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and they could therefore now be in the firing line. The star also admitted that he is hoping his stint on Big Brother will allow the public to see a different side of him. He said: 'I often read that people think I'm a bit of a bad boy. It would be lovely to put the record straight but winding people up is probably one of my favourite hobbies. 'Every part of me is just riddled with mischief and danger.' Gary joked: 'She will be hiding behind the sofa if she is watching' The star also admitted that he is hoping his stint on Big Brother will allow the public to see a different side of him Referring to his four marriages, he added: 'I am an absolute nightmare to live with, there's a reason why I have had four wives.' Speaking to hosts AJ and Will upon entering the house, he added: 'I'll take everyone face value but if they are a bit mean or a bit rude, I'll be the enforcer.' Gary exclusively told The Sun in January: 'I've spoken to Carole just to send my love and we talked about Kate given what's going on. 'There's lots going on in the family moment. So she's spinning a lot of plates right now, it's quite stressful. So the last thing I'm going to do is bring any stress to them.' He added: 'I think she [Carole] will probably be watching me from behind the sofa, slightly anxious, but I do think if the best version that Gary turns up, she'd be very proud of me - that's what we were hoping for!' Gary has previously spoken in support of Kate including to the Mail on Sunday in March 2021 after Harry and Meghan's infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey interview. He said at the time: 'I've known Kate since she was born and she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. It's just simply not in her nature. 'She's even lovelier on the inside than on the outside. If anyone had a hissy fit, it must have been Meghan. Kate would have been trying to make the peace. I would fight for Kate's honour until the day I die. She is the most spectacular person I've ever met.' He previously spoke out against Harry and Meghan after the release of Spare and is known for his outspoken opinions on the couple. Writing for the Mail last year, he slammed Harry's autobiography Spare as 'petulant, self-serving...fluff'. Elsewhere in the upcoming episode, Zeze Millz quizzes Louis on why she was voted as one of the three who may face elimination this week Louis comes face to face with Zeze, who asks: 'What was the criteria?' Elsewhere in the upcoming episode, Zeze Millz quizzes Louis on why she was voted as one of the three who may face elimination this week. Fern says to Sharon: 'How could you have judged three of them out, straight away? Terrible!' Louis comes face to face with Zeze, who asks: 'What was the criteria?' Louis replies: 'I'm not telling you, it was who we liked and didn't like!' Adding that it was 'On first impressions, I can't say anymore.' Zeze questions: 'You didn't like me on first impressions?' Louis has also reportedly landed in hot water with fellow contestant Lauren. The first explosive row has allegedly already broken out as Louis and Lauren came to to blows after both wanting the same double bed, reports The Sun. Just hours after they entered, the famous faces headed the bedroom to make claim to where they wanted to sleep. Lauren had settled herself on the plush bed only to then be turfed out by Louis who wanted it too, the report claims. A source told the publication: 'Lauren isn't used to not getting her own way but when it comes to age and star-power Louis of course totally outranks her. 'It was hard for her to form any kind of solid argument as to why he ought to make way for her to enjoy the bigger bed solo over him, but she put up a good fight. 'It was the first sign of tension in the house, just hours after the celebs entered - and suggests none of them will be shy about sharing opinions or holding their own.' Louis has also reportedly landed in hot water with fellow contestant Lauren (Lauren Simon pictured) The wild reception she was afforded during her Saturday Night Live debut extended to the French capital on Tuesday as Sydney Sweeney joined Emma Corrin at Paris Fashion Week. Sweeney, 26, who flew to mainland Europe after winning plaudits for her guest role on the American skit show, inevitably commanded attention in sheer black tights and sparkling silver underwear as she greeted onlookers outside the Palais de Tokyo. A black crop-top drew attention to her slender waistline, visible between the open lapels of a chic, single-breasted blazer. Joining the Euphoria star, Emma, 28, caught the eye in a sporty red tracksuit top and matching skirt. Corrin, best known for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown, completed their latest look with long grey socks and buckled black dress shoes. The wild reception she was afforded on Saturday Night Live extended to the French capital on Tuesday as Sydney Sweeney (L) joined Emma Corrin (R) at Paris Fashion Week The actress, who flew to Europe after winning plaudits for her guest role on the American skit show, inevitably commanded attention in sheer black tights and sparkling silver underwear Elsewhere Nina Dobrev claimed her own share of the spotlight in a pleated shirt dress and matching jacket as she posed for photographers outside the Paris venue. The Vampire Diaries star, 35, completed her ensemble with burgundy leather sling-backs, while a tasteful black handbag and heavily tinted sunglasses appeared to be her only notable accessories. Cindy Bruna, 29, was also in attendance on Tuesday, with the French model opting to throw a striking gold cape over her Miu Miu microskirt and green striped tee. Also present for the exclusive show, fellow model Camille Rowe, 34 - the former girlfriend of Harry Styles - wore a comparatively subdued pair of low-slung jeans beneath a long-sleeved jersey. Other front row guests included Thylane Blondeau - once dubbed 'the most beautiful girl in the world' by Vogue Enfant. The 22-year old model looked stunning in an olive co-ord that fully exposed her shoulders as she acknowledged onlookers before making her way inside. Guests were treated to an inclusive presentation that included Kristin Scott Thomas joining a troupe of conventionally younger models on the catwalk, among them Gigi Hadid. The celebrated actress, 63, led the show's finale to rapturous applause shortly after Hadid made her own appearance on the runway. A black crop-top drew attention to her slender waistline, visible between the open lapels of a chic, single-breasted blazer Sweeney completed her look with strappy heels, while a Miu Miu handbag and heavily tinted sunglasses rounded things off Joining the Euphoria star, Emma caught the eye in a sporty red tracksuit top and matching skirt Guests were treated to an inclusive presentation that included Kristin Scott Thomas joining a troupe of conventionally younger models on the catwalk Elsewhere Nina Dobrev claimed her own share of the spotlight in a pleated shirt dress and matching jacket as she posed for photographers outside the Paris venue French models Carla Bruni (L) and Camille Rowe (R) posed for photos before making their way inside the Paris venue on Tuesday afternoon Bruna opted to throw a striking gold cape over her Miu Miu microskirt and green striped tee Gigi Hadid walked the Miu Miu runway during Tuesday's Paris Fashion Week show The fashionista led a troupe of models as they showcased Miu Miu's ready-to-wear collection Gigi (L) was joined by fellow American model Amelia Gray Hamlin (R) during the presentation Gigi was one of the highest profile names on the catwalk during Tuesday's presentation Leonardo DiCaprio's model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti (L) and French actor Vincent Cassel's model ex-wife Tina Kunakey (R) were also present at the show American supermodel Gigi gave onlookers a wave after appearing on the Miu Miu catwalk Despite the fashion industrys promise to be more inclusive, there has been little evidence of real change at this Paris Fashion Week. Paris has always been the city most wedded to the ideal of the ultra-skinny model. According to the curve model Felicity Hayward, whose Including the Curve initiative tracks size inclusivity across the four major fashion capitals of New York, London, Milan and Paris, Paris ranks last, with only 28 plus-size models appearing on the catwalk last season, out of an estimated 4,000 looks shown. Judging by the collections unveiled so far, this season the number looks set to be even lower. At the Chloe and Saint Laurent shows, as well as the show for Swedish brand Acne Studios, not only did the models have to be as slender as a reed: they also had to pass the pencil test. Some may argue that you could wear the sheer look at any age, with one proviso: that your breasts arent any larger than an A cup. Or maybe, at a push, a pert little B. Which is a low blow for body diversity. A cynic might even argue that this was the point. American actress Joey King, best known for her starring role in The Kissing Booth, caught the eye in a bold double denim co-ord Other front row guests included Thylane Blondeau - once dubbed 'the most beautiful girl in the world' by Vogue Enfant Japanese singer and rapper Momo Hirai also opted for double denim in Paris on Tuesday Gigi Hadid wore an elegant black ensemble as she exited the venue following her latest appearance on the catwalk American actresses Demi Singleton (L) and Aja Naomi King (R) posed for photos before making their way into the venue on Tuesday afternoon Naomi Campbell looked demure in a floral dress and cardigan, on Thursday. The supermodel, 53, made a stylish arrival at Chanel's runway show, which was held at the Grand Palais during Paris Fashion Week. Naomi was elegantly refined in a black and purple over-the-knee dress boasting 3D appliques resembling flowers. The fashionista teamed her chi frock with a matching coloured jacket, which featured a black check print. Naomi completed her look with black almond-toed slingback stilettos, a top-handle bag and a glamorous pair of oversized shades. Naomi Campbell, 53, looked demure in a floral dress and cardigan, on Thursday as she arrived at Chanel 's runway show, which was held at the Grand Palais during Paris Fashion Week The supermodel was elegantly refined in a black and purple over-the-knee dress boasting 3D appliques resembling flowers The fashionista teamed her chi frock with a matching coloured jacket, which featured a black check print It comes after the fashion icon has reportedly grown closer to film producer Mohammed Al Turki, after the duo were seen attending multiple events together. Naomi and the Saudi Arabian multimillionaire, 37, were most recently seen together at the BAFTAs last month. The couple posed together on the red carpet, and reportedly stayed close to each other all night, according to The Sun. Naomi and Mohammed have been seen to be firm friends for several years, with Mohammed sharing a snap with the beauty on his Instagram in November 2021 in Doha. They made their first public appearance together the following month at the Red Sea film festival, linking arms as they arrived together. They have been fixtures at each other's sides at many events since, including Cannes film festival last year, Paris Fashion Week in 2022 and 2023 and several exclusive parties, like Edward Enninfuls recent birthday bash. At a special birthday event held for Naomi last year in France, Mohammed was seen sat right by the birthday girl for the evening. Naomihas reportedly grown closer to film producer Mohammed Al Turki, after the duo were seen attending multiple events together (pictured in October) The Sun reports that the pair have become even closer recently as Naomi has spent time with Mohammed in the Middle East, claiming they appear to have 'a spark'. A source told the publication: 'Naomi is very selective with who she spends time with and she has become close to Mohammed. 'They bonded over their love of fashion and art and have a lot of mutual friends. Naomi has been in Dubai with him and she seems to be the happiest she has ever been. 'They spend a lot of time together and there appears to be a spark between them, even if it is just a friendship at this point.' Fans have frequently called for the pair to get together, commenting on their many Instagram posts of each other, and predicting they would be 'the next IT couple'. Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks star Captain Charlie Griffin has reportedly died in a boating accident on Monday. The reality TV star with his dog Leila at the time of the wreck that claimed both their lives. The tragic incident took place near Pea Island in Dare County, North Carolina. The announcement was made this week on Facebook. 'It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4th,' the note said. 'Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff!' The US Coast Guard also posted a message regarding Charlie's death. Wicked Tuna star Charlie Griffin has reportedly died in a boating accident on Monday. The reality TV star with his dog Leila at the time of the wreck that claimed both their lives near Pea Island in Dare County, North Carolina Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks cast member with a white labrador Fans left sad messages that they will miss the star and that their hearts are broken Some followers said he was a 'sweetheart of a guy' as they mourned his 'fur baby' 'On the morning of 3/4/24, the US Coast Guard received a report of an overdue vessel traveling from Virginia to Wanchese, NC,' the statement began. 'The 35 vessel was subsequently located off Pea Island and the body of Charles Griffin Jr (Charlie Griffin) of Wanchese, NC and his dog (deceased) were recovered onshore near the same. 'The vessel appears to have capsized somewhere near Oregon Inlet.' Fierce currents and extreme weather conditions have made the Oregon inlet one of the most difficult waterways on the East Coast. 'Officers are still searching for a second occupant that was aboard the vessel,' it was added. 'North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is leading the ongoing investigation along with assistance from officers from US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, NC Marine Fisheries, Dare County Sheriffs Office, and the US Coast Guard.' It is not known who that other person was. In an effort to locate the missing second sailor, the Coast Guard said they were searching the shorelines using ATVs and a cutter on the water. The announcement was made this week on Facebook . 'It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4th,' the note said A poster from the reality TV show when it was named Wicked Tuna: North Vs. South The name of the show was then changed to Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks A helicopter that left from USCG Elizabeth City was conducting aerial searches. But it started to rain and get foggy which caused the search to be called off. The last communication with the boat was March 3 around 6:15 p.m. and the boat was near Nags Head at the time, a Coast Guard spokesperson told 13News Now. Griffin was a native of Wilmington, North Carolina. Griffin and the crew of his boat starred in episodes two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks. Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks used to be named Wicked Tuna: North vs. South. It is a reality television series about commercial tuna fishermen based in the Outer Banks of North Carolina on the east coat of the US. The men are fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna which can be very expensive. The teams of fishermen go head to head to see who can catch the most fish, much like the fishermen in George Clooney's movie The Perfect Storm. Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks also touched on the dwindling supply of the bluefin tuna. The captains are given size limits to ensure the tuna will no go extinct. Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks is a spin-off of National Geographic's popular series Wicked Tuna which kicked off in 2014. The first series was set in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The cast includes Dave Marciano, first mate Jay Muenzner, and Tyler McLaughlin as well as Paul Hebert. Dame Kristin Scott Thomas marked her fashion runway debut on Tuesday afternoon as she walked for Miu Miu during Paris Fashion Week. The actress, 63, who appears to have never featured on a catwalk before, was a complete natural as she walked alongside the likes of Gigi Hadid, 28. Kristin led the way in a chic dark denim coat, which featured a dazzling silver broach and was styled with a pair of black leather gloves. The French star wore her jacket over a white blouse and styled her grey locks in a cool, swept back style. Also in the show was runway veteran Gigi, who cut a cool figure in a white collared dress, which she layered with a cropped fur jacket. Dame Kristin Scott Thomas marked her fashion runway debut on Tuesday afternoon as she walked for Miu Miu during Paris Fashion Week The actress, 63, who appears to have never featured on a catwalk before, was a complete natural as she walked alongside the likes of Gigi Hadid , 28 (pictured) Gigi accessorised her runway look with a pearl necklace Gigi was among a slew of other models on the catwalk Gigi styled her blonde locks in a centre parting which was slicked into a wet-look ponytail, complete with a soft coat of make-up. She stormed the runway toting a large black handbag under her arm, followed by a troupe of other models. Celebrated actress Kristin led the show's finale to rapturous applause shortly after Gigi made her own appearance on the runway. Inside the event, Sydney Sweeney joined the likes of Emma Corrin as they took their seats on the FROW. Sydney, 26, who flew to mainland Europe after winning plaudits for her guest role on Saturday Night Takeaway, inevitably commanded attention in sheer black tights and sparkling silver underwear as she greeted onlookers outside the Palais de Tokyo. A black crop-top drew attention to her slender waistline, visible between the open lapels of a chic, single-breasted blazer. Joining the Euphoria star, Emma, 28, caught the eye in a sporty red tracksuit top and matching skirt. Emma, who is best known for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown, completed their latest look with long grey socks and black dress shoes. Also in the show was runway veteran Gigi, who cut a cool figure in a white collared dress, which she layered with a cropped fur jacke Gigi waved as she made her way inside the fashion event Gigi looked cool in an oversized jacket with a Miu Miu bag and shades Gigi was sporting black satin trousers with square toe boots Elsewhere Nina Dobrev claimed her own share of the spotlight in a pleated shirt dress and matching jacket as she posed for photographers outside the Paris venue. The Vampire Diaries star, 35, completed her ensemble with burgundy leather sling-backs, while a tasteful black handbag and heavily tinted sunglasses appeared to be her only notable accessories. Cindy Bruna, 29, was also in attendance on Tuesday, with the French model opting to throw a striking gold cape over her Miu Miu microskirt and green striped tee. Also present for the exclusive show, fellow model Camille Rowe, 34 - the former girlfriend of Harry Styles - wore a comparatively subdued pair of low-slung jeans beneath a long-sleeved jersey. Other front row guests included Thylane Blondeau - once dubbed 'the most beautiful girl in the world' by Vogue Enfant. The 22-year old model looked stunning in an olive co-ord that fully exposed her shoulders as she acknowledged onlookers before making her way inside. Guests were treated to an inclusive presentation that included Kristin Scott Thomas joining a troupe of conventionally younger models on the catwalk, among them Gigi Hadid. Inside the event, Sydney Sweeney joined the likes of Emma Corrin as they took their seats on the FROW. Louise Thompson has shared photos of her recovery, after being hospitalised for the fourth time. The Made In Chelsea star, 33, took to Instagram on Tuesday where she posted snaps of herself spending quality time with her young son, Leo, whom she shares with her fiance Ryan Libbey. Alongside a slew of adorable shots of herself and her little boy strolling along together, Louise told her followers: 'Made it to the park at the end of the road. The world is moving at light speed but that doesnt mean you have to keep up.' In another picture, the TV personality was seen looking cosy on a sofa with a blanket over her, while her brother and fellow reality star Sam Thompson was sat beside her. Louise recently spent two weeks in hospital after losing 'cups of blood' due to Ulcerative Colitis while in Antigua on a family holiday. Louise Thompson, 33, took to Instagram on Tuesday where she shared photos of her recovery, after being hospitalised for the fourth time The Made In Chelsea star posted snaps of herself spending quality time with her young son, Leo, whom she shares with her fiance Ryan Libbey. In another picture, the TV personality was seen looking cosy on a sofa with a blanket over her, while her brother and fellow reality star Sam Thompson was sat beside her Following her discharge after the 12-day stint, Louise was then admitted to hospital three times in one week over extreme pains, ultrasounds and check ins. Revealing that her friends and family have played a huge part of her recovery, she captioned her honest post: 'Things that helped me in H. Louise previously revealed what has helped her get through her gruelling hospital stints as she said she has feeling feeling 'really s***'. The mother-of-one shared a heartfelt post on Instagram updating her 1.4million followers on how she was feeling on Sunday afternoon. Alongside an album of hospital pictures, Louise captioned her post with 31 tips that she would recommend when staying in hospital for a long period of time. 'Before I press forward I just want to go back and talk about some nuggets that have helped me as an inpatient - Because yesterday afternoon someone* at the hospital said 'thank you so much for sharing all you do because it actually helps people' 'The funny thing is I probably added the word 'actually' into that sentence in my own head because it still shocks me as to how much of an impact social media can have.or I could have but her comment made me realise I need to keep talking, even if it's for the minority of people. Actually especially for the minority of people. 'I know by waxing lyrical about my problems I'm liable to extra scrutiny and am keen to stave off this narrative of 'poor me' or 'look at me i've spent time in hospital', given that there are a lot of people going through a lot of s**t, but I shouldn't invalidate my lived experience. Louise previously revealed what has helped her get through her gruelling hospital stints as she said she has feeling feeling 'really s***' (pictured with fiance Ryan Libbey) The mother-of-one shared a heartfelt post on Instagram updating her 1.4million followers on how she was feeling Louise has been incredibly open about her health struggles following the birth of her son Leo Revealing that her friends and family have played a huge part of her recovery, she captioned her honest post: 'Things that helped me in H.. 'I have been through a lot. It has been really s**t. I have been really bloody strong. And I have learnt a lot along the way. And now I want to educate people in a really simple way about the inevitable struggles that come with spending time in hospital. And also how pants lifelong chronic conditions can be. 'So I'm sharing this incase you or someone you know has to spend a bit of time here. (Could indeed be the joyful occasion of giving birth, doesn't always need to be doom and gloom) but let me tell you - it really is the little things that help. 'It's basic stuff,' she noted before going on to write a list of 31 things. Her open Instagram post comes after the star was admitted to hospital three times in one week in February . Louise has been in and out of hospital since giving birth to Leo, two, following a traumatic birth that left her with PTSD. She was discharged following a 12-day stint earlier this week before she had to return days later for a check in and again 24 hours later for an ultrasound after her pain became unbearable. Ryan shared a heartfelt post to his Instagram Stories during the end of February revealing that she returned to hospital over extreme pains. Sharing a sweet post of the two of them in the back of a car, Ryan wrote: 'This little warrior is doing well, but the pain has ramped up in the last 48 hours. 'So we are back at the hospital for an ultrasound to check nothing there is nothing sinister happening.' Earlier that week, Louise informed fans she will be spending a lot of time in hospital going forward as she needs to return for 'weekly check ins'. Taking to her Instagram Stories, the star shared a selfie and wrote: 'Big Steps. 1. First school run with the gang. 2. Then back to hospital for weekly check ins.' Louise shared a sweet video earlier that week again of her son Leo visiting her in hospital after 12 days apart as she gave an update on her health. Taking to Instagram, Louise shared the moment they were reunited and how it gave her 'the motivational boost I needed' to get her home. She shared a Reel to her page alongside the words: 'I didn't see this peanut for 12 days. But a visit was just the motivational boost I needed to hurry my recovery on and get me home for good. 'More on children visiting hospital in the caption. Would love to learn your thoughts.' The Reel was sweetly set to Betty Who's I Love You Always Forever. Her open Instagram post comes after the star was admitted to hospital three times in one week in February . The mum-of-one has been in and out of hospital since giving birth to Leo, two, following a traumatic birth that left her with PTSD She added in a lengthy caption: 'One of the strange things about this whole experience has been navigating time spent in hospital with a little one at home. 'When Ryan was young(ish) well we've now established he was about 8 years old - he saw his mum in hospital connected to lots of wires after a major back surgery and the memory still stings him to this day. 'Ryan's not very good with hospital. I don't judge him for it. That's one of the reasons why we thought long and hard about bringing Leo in to visit.' Louise said during her first seven days in hospital Leo wasn't allowed to visit but while she was in ITU a doctor recommended that it was good idea for her to see Leo when she was further along in her recovery. 'This is going to sound horrendous but when I was, say, 'septic' post op I didn't think about Leo. I couldn't think about anything. I couldn't concentrate. Plus I was on Fentanyl for 5 days so I was drifting in and out,' she continued. 'It was only as I started to feel a bit better that I could think more rationally and could weigh up the pros and cons. 'I'd facetimed him on one of the days and got a bit upset. I didn't want to show him lots of sadness. I didn't want to add any more confusion. 'I didn't want to disrupt the challenges that Ryan was dealing with at home - my health uncertainty and the change to Leo's routine. She was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis during her last stint in hospital which is the inflammation of the lower end of the digestive system. The condition sadly has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time 'Leo was happy and busy at nursery several days a week. Lots of family rallied around to play with him. Things were really ok for him. 'I also reminded myself that some young parents go away for work or for holidays with their partners leaving their kids behind for a week or so anyway! That made me feel a lot better.' Louise also shared an update on Instagram stories. She said: 'I wanted to let you know that I am actually doing really well recovering at home. '(I keep touching my hair, aka, touching wood, whenever I say this to anyone that visits because I'm mindful I don't want to speak too soon and I don't want to jinx anything'. Louise, the elder sister of Sam Thompson, has faced series of health issues since the birth of Leo-Hunter in November 2021. She was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis during her last stint in hospital which is the inflammation of the lower end of the digestive system. The condition sadly has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time. Before Louise's latest health scare, she was posting photos from her family trip with Ryan, Leo and her father to Antigua And Barbuda. A post on January 28 featured a carousel of snaps of herself with little Leo, alongside which she wrote an emotive caption about 'learning to lean into and be grateful for those imperfect in-between moments because nothing lasts forever'. Louise revealed a while after welcoming Leo that she and he nearly died during the traumatic labour Louise revealed a while after welcoming Leo that she and he nearly died during the traumatic labour. On December 23, 2021, Louise announced the birth of her son on her Instagram page and revealed she had been discharged from hospital to recover at home. She said: '5 weeks ago I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy Leo-Hunter Libbey weighing in at 7lbs. Unfortunately it wasn't the easiest start for either of us. One ended up in NICU and the other ended up in ICU.' Louise said that Leo recovered quickly, but she had to deal with 'many bad things', saying: 'To dance with death twice brings a whole new view of the world.' In December, two years after Leo's birth, she reflected on the time since the traumatic series of events. She said: 'Here's a reminder that a lot can change in a year. A lot can change in 6 months. Indeed a lot can change in a month but it's hard to witness the change until you create some sizeable distance from it. 'I'm crying writing this. I'm feeling very emotional today. I can't lie it feels nice to purge my pain. I encourage you to try writing and crying too. 'Sometimes it helps. But the main reason I'm writing this is because I really want you guys to know that you must keep moving forward. Don't give up. Because there will be a time when you will want to wear a pretty party dress again. You will shine again.' The reality star announced last month she is releasing a book, Lucky, where she will tell the story of the near-death experience. Paris Hilton shared one of her son's newest milestones in an adorable video Tuesday. The 43-year-old, who recently shared sweet snuggles with young Phoenix, 13 months, posted another clip of the energetic little one showing his latest skill. 'Look who just started crawling,' she wrote at the bottom of the screen as the little whippersnapper made his way across a pink throw rug with the words 'That's Hot,' referring to Paris' favorite phrase during her party days. The tyke was dressed in a gray onesie with with Halloween characters on it. The adventurous Phoenix continued to bravely explore his space until he ran into the dreaded baby gate, which prevented him from heading toward the stairs. Paris Hilton, 43, shared one of her son's newest milestones in an adorable video Tuesday. Phoenix, 13 months, energetically displayed his new skill 'Where are you going sir?' someone was heard asking the baby, who sat down in defeat. 'Let's go back to your playroom,' he was told, as he looked sweetly into the camera. The doting mom wrote her new catchphrase, #Slivingmom, under the video. It's a combination of 'slaying and 'living, (your best life), i.e. being successful, glamorous, etc,' according to the Collins Dictionary. Paris' fans were thrilled with the little one's progress. 'Educator here! Crawling is great for brain development! Using the left and right side of the brain together! Go Phoenix!' wrote one follower. 'Get ready for that cardio 24-7. They get quicker now,' advised another mom. The heiress and her husband, Carter Reum, 43, welcomed their first child via surrogate in January 2023. 'Look who just started crawling,' she wrote at the bottom of the screen as the little whippersnapper made his way across a pink throw rug with the words 'That's Hot,' referring to Paris' favorite phrase during her party days The adventurous Phoenix continued to bravely explore his space until he ran into the dreaded baby gate, which prevented him from heading toward the stairs 'Where are you going sir?' someone was heard asking the baby, who sat down in defeat. 'Let's go back to your playroom,' he was told, as he looked sweetly into the camera The heiress and her husband, Carter Reum, 43, welcomed their first child via surrogate in January 2023. They added to their family less than a year later, when the couple announced the birth of their daughter London in November They added to their family less than a year later, when the couple announced the birth of their daughter London in November. Both children were born via surrogacy and she and her husband kept both pregnancies secret. 'My life has been so public, so out there,' she told Romper after Phoenix was born, 'I didnt want my son to come into this world with any negative energy. Im really happy I did it that way, just for Carter and I to have that journey together without the outside world chirping in.' Paris' younger sister Nicky, 40, and mom Kathy, 64, were aware the couple were expecting London, whose birth was announced at Thanksgiving when the infant was introduced to her extended family. Amber Turner has reportedly split from her new man after being left 'heartbroken' by her ex Dan Edgar's new romance with Ella Rae Wise. The TOWIE star, 30, is said to have been seeing someone new for the last few months but the relationship has now come to an end. It has happened at the same time as her ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar has been enjoying a burgeoning romance with fellow TOWIE beauty Ella while filming in Bali. A source told The Sun: 'Amber had been seeing a guy who was based out in Dubai in recent months, but she recently called it a day with him. 'She realised it was a rebound after her break-up with Dan, and she didn't see a future in the new relationship, so she quietly ended things before she went to Bali to film Towie.' Amber Turner has reportedly split from her new man after being left 'heartbroken' by her ex Dan Edgar's new romance with Ella Rae Wise It has happened at the same time as her ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar has been enjoying a burgeoning romance with fellow TOWIE beauty Ella while filming in Bali The insider also claimed Amber was hoping to rekindle things with Dan while they are filming the new series of TOWIE abroad but his growing romance with Ella has got in the way. The source added: 'Amber had a breakdown on camera about it and sobbed to her co-stars, which will all play out on the new series of TOWIE.' The insider told how Amber wasn't expecting to see Dan move on with another castmember and she found it difficult to watch and now feels 'heartbroken'. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Amber Turner and Dan Edgar for comment. The ITVBe stars have been busy filming in Bali the past couple of weeks during a cast trip. Dan and Ella have been spotted looking loved up before they shared a kiss on the sunbed earlier this month. An insider told The Sun: 'Dan and Ella have been growing close while on the away trip with their friends. 'Ella's always had a thing for Dan and the cast could sense there was chemistry between them. A source said: 'She realised it was a rebound after her break-up with Dan, and she didn't see a future in the new relationship, so she quietly ended things before she went to Bali to film Towie' Dan was previously in long-term relationship with Amber until the couple split in May last year (pictured in July 2022) 'On a night out with the rest of the cast, Dan and Ella kissed and have spending time together ever since. The fling is set to cause major drama and fallouts between the group.' Dan was previously in long-term relationship with Amber until the couple split in May last year. In December, ITV announced that TOWIE would release two series in 2024. Nominate your favorite nurse. Salute to Nurses 2024 Advertising Feature: This article is from a special section that was not produced by the newsroom. The San Antonio Express-News and MySA are thrilled to announce the launch of our annual Salute to Nurses program, which is dedicated to recognizing the exceptional contributions of nurses in our community. Despite the ongoing demands and complexities of the healthcare landscape, nurses have remained steadfast in their commitment to providing compassionate care and unwavering support to those in need. Nominations for this year's Salute to Nurses program are now open, providing an opportunity for colleagues, family members, friends, and patients to honor deserving nurses across 18 healthcare specialties. Whether it's a nurse's dedication to patient care, leadership within their field, or extraordinary acts of kindness, we invite everyone to nominate the nurses who have made a difference in their lives. 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In partnership with the Texas Nursing Association - District 8, a blind judging process will be conducted to select a Best-in-class nurse for each category. These outstanding nurses will be celebrated at an event hosted at the Doseum on May 5, where they will be recognized for their exemplary service and dedication to the nursing profession. Reflecting on the significance of the Salute to Nurses program, Express-News CRO Kate Weber emphasized the importance of honoring nurses. "San Antonio's nurses are the heart and soul of our community's healthcare, and it's an honor to shine a spotlight on their incredible dedication and compassion. We're excited to continue growing our Salute to Nurses program, celebrating these remarkable individuals who make a difference in the lives of so many. This program serves as a powerful platform to express gratitude and appreciation for the tireless efforts of nurses in San Antonio and the surrounding area." Nominations for the Salute to Nurses program will remain open until March 20. Visit mysa.com/stn to submit your nominations and join us in celebrating the extraordinary individuals who embody the true spirit of healthcare excellence. Vanderpump Rules stars Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix have sparked speculation their sandwich shop has closed before even opening its doors. Madix, 38, and Maloney, 37, had first announced their plans to open a gourmet sandwich shop in new West Hollywood in 2022 - with Something About Her slated to launch in May the following year. However, the shop's launch has been hit by countless delays with Madix saying they've had 'a lot of hoops to jump through' to secure the correct permits. Although the pair had been flogging merchandise for the shop - Maloney seemed to confirm the shop had folded during a chat on Vanderpump Rules aftershow. Maloney and Madix were discussing how much renting an apartment costs in LA - with Maloney saying: 'We were paying a mortgage and then for a long time we were also paying the rent on Something About Her, so...' Vanderpump Rules stars Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix have sparked speculation their sandwich shop has closed before even opening its doors Madix, 38, and Maloney, 37, had first announced their plans to open a gourmet sandwich shop in new West Hollywood in 2022 - with Something About Her slated to launch in May the following year DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for the pair for comment. Fans quickly took to X to speculate about the shop's future with one writing: 'I caught that! Im wondering if she misspoke or if someone else is paying their rent.' Another typed: 'Thats the sandwich shop that was supposed to be to be open by Katie and Ariana..: it never opened' while another typed: 'They're getting caught in too many lies if people were really paying attention.' Others wrote: 'I think it's just a story line. I do not believe they will ever open as I think it's just a scam' and 'Katie and Ariana cant even get a damn sandwich shop open.' The sandwich shop created by the Vanderpump Rules stars was originally slated to open in May, but lacked the proper permits. An Instagram page for the shop - which boasts 392,000 followers - has not been updated since November 2023. A source previously shared with The US Sun that the reality television personalities' establishment would open soon. 'It will definitely be open mid-August at the latest,' the insider dished. The person added, 'Everything is completely done - the menu is done, the interior is done, staff is hired.' However, the shop's launch has been hit by countless delays with Madix saying they've had 'a lot of hoops to jump through' to secure the correct permits The business owners were forced to shell out 'six-figures' to destroy and recreate the outdoor space and bring it up to code. Ariana and Katie also had to remove their signage. The insider said the two Bravo TV stars are 'frustrated' due to fans thinking they're 'lying about why they're not opening.' Their supporters have also accused them of 'not actually being close to opening.' But the person close to the situation insisted that is a 'complete lie' and the permits remain the only roadblock. While shooting the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion, the two shared that they had already sold $200,000 of merchandise connected to the shop. Products include sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats, with prices ranging from $29.99 to $49.99. The business owners were forced to shell out 'six-figures' to destroy and recreate the outdoor space and bring it up to code. Ariana and Katie also had to remove their signage The gal pals recently hammed it up in a video shot inside the store, lip-syncing to the voice of Nicole Kidman's AMC commercial. 'We come to this place for magic,' they both mouthed while standing in the doorway. The camera then cut to Katie as she lip synced, 'We come to AMC theaters to laugh.' The shot then switched to Ariana as she dramatically mimed, 'to cry.' It ended with the two friends in an embrace as they pretended to recite the words, 'to care.' Meadow Walker was spotted getting cozy with the handsome model Kit Butler in Paris on Tuesday, which is less than three weeks after filing for divorce from Louis Thornton-Allan. The 25-year-old actress, whose father was the late Paul Walker, was married to Louis for just over two years before announcing their split in December. Then last month, less than three weeks ago, court documents obtained by The Blast revealed she had officially filed for divorce. This Tuesday night in the midst of Paris Fashion Week, Meadow was seen enjoying a night on the town in the French capital with Kit. The pair stayed cuddled up to one another as they strolled together down a picturesque sidewalk, gazing into each other's eyes. Meadow Walker was spotted getting cozy with the steamy model Kit Butler in Paris on Tuesday - less than three weeks after filing for divorce from Louis Thornton-Allan They appeared delighted with each other's company, laughing and smiling cheerfully during their on-the-go conversation They appeared delighted with each other's company, laughing and smiling cheerfully during their on-the-go conversation. Meadow, who is a model as well as an actress, draped her petite frame in a sleek denim trouser suit that emphasized her vertiginous legs and slight build. Sweeping her dark brown hair up into a high ponytail, she accessorized with a black leather handbag that perfectly matched her shoes. Kit meanwhile was a sizzling sensation in a color-block Off-White sweater with walnut brown trousers, adding the fashion forward touch of a pendant. Over the course of her outing, Meadow was also approached by a fan of her father's, and during their warm chat they shared a hug. Meadow's evening out with the dashing model came on the heels of her divorce filing, which went public via court documents obtained by The Blast. Louis and Meadow tied the knot in the Dominican Republic in a ceremony attended by some of Paul's old co-stars from the Fast And Furious franchise. Vin Diesel, who in addition to being Paul's castmate in the movie series was also a close friend of his, walked Meadow down the aisle. This Tuesday night in the midst of Paris Fashion Week, Meadow was seen enjoying a night on the town in the French capital with Kit Over the course of her outing, Meadow was also approached by a fan of her father's, and during their warm chat they shared a hug Meadow, who is a model as well as an actress, draped her petite frame in a sleek denim trouser suit that emphasized her vertiginous legs and slight build Sweeping her dark brown hair up into a high ponytail, she accessorized with a black leather handbag that perfectly matched her shoes The 25-year-old actress, whose father was the late Paul Walker, was married to Louis for just over two years before announcing their split in December; the pair are pictured in New York 'We couldnt have imagined it to be any more perfect and personal - and honestly it was easy and simple,' the bride effervesced to Vogue. Louis is an actor who was trained at the Stella Adler School Of Acting, named for the fearsome teacher whose students included Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. The couple traveled extensively during their brief marriage, taking trips to locales ranging from Miami and New York to the Austrian ski resort Lech am Arlberg. Two years and two months after the wedding, Meadow and Louis jointly announced on social media that they were going their separate ways. 'We have come to the agreement to amicably separate. This is truly a united decision,' they posted three days after Christmas. 'And we sincerely hope everyone can respect our wishes for privacy. We maintain mutual love and respect for one another, and will continue to support each other.' Kaia Gerber looked stunning during a casual outing in Los Angeles on Monday. The 22-year-old model, who looked just like her supermodel mother Cindy Crawford, put on a chic display in a light gray button-down knit cardigan and bootcut jeans. She left the top two buttons and the bottom one undone for an effortlessly stylish look. The Bottoms star also had her brunette tresses styled in a fresh blowout with soft waves. She was seen picking up food from Erewhon and sipping on a smoothie after spending time with the kids at the Children's Hospital. It looked like Hailey Bieber's $17 Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie. Kaia Gerber, 22, looked stunning during a casual outing in Los Angeles on Monday She looked just like her supermodel mother Cindy Crawford; seen in November 2023 She donned a pair of chunky black boots to complete her look. The American Horror Story alum carried her belongings in a black Celine purse. To match the gold logo on her bag, she opted for dainty jewelry to complete her look. Peeking out of her soft waves were a pair of delicate stud earrings. She also wore a dainty pendant necklace and a chain-linked watch. For makeup, the brunette beauty opted for soft brown eyeshadow, light blush and a pinkish-brown matte lip. Earlier in the day, Gerber posed for photos while visiting the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, just days after attending the Make March Matter event. She was seen posing for sweet snaps and spending time with the kids in the hospital. The model put on a chic display in a light gray button-down knit cardigan and bootcut jeans The Bottoms star also had her brunette tresses styled in a fresh blowout with soft waves. She was seen picking up food from Erewhon and sipping on a smoothie after spending time with the kids at the Children's Hospital It looked like Hailey Bieber 's $17 Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie In a joint Instagram post with Gerber, the hospital shared photos of the model sharing smiles and laughs with a young patient. 'What a treat! Kaia Gerber's patient visit brought a magical blend of enchanting story time, Waldo hunts, joyful singing, a dash of Spiderman fun, and, most importantly, an abundance of heartwarming smiles,' they wrote in the caption. 'Thank you for Making March Matter and spreading joy to our young patients!' On Friday, Gerber had attended the 9th Annual Children's Hospital of Los Angeles' Make March Matter kick-off event. She is also currently preparing for the release of her upcoming series Palm Royale. Earlier in the day, Gerber posed for photos while visiting the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, just days after attending the Make March Matter event. She was seen posing for sweet snaps and spending time with the kids in the hospital In a joint Instagram post with Gerber, the hospital shared photos of the model sharing smiles and laughs with a young patient On Friday, Gerber had attended the 9th Annual Children's Hospital of Los Angeles' Make March Matter kick-off event; seen with Nikki DeLoach, Alexandra Carter, Paul S. Viviano on her left and Danny Trejo, Dawn Wilcox on her right The show will be centered on a woman who attempts to make a name for herself in Palm Beach's high society. The program is also based on Juliet McDaniel's novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie, which was originally published in 2018. Gerber is currently set to portray a hairdresser named Mitzi in the upcoming series. The first episode of Palm Royale is scheduled to premiere on the HBO Max streaming service on March 20 and run for ten episodes. Sean Garinger's ex Selena Gutierrez has broken her silence in the wake of his tragic and untimely death, revealing he was 200 days sober and had been 'so happy' to spend time with their two young daughters just one week prior. Sean, 20, who featured on MTV's 16 and Pregnant, was killed last Wednesday when an ATV he had attempted to move in front of his home in Boone, North Carolina, flipped and landed on top of him. Speaking to DailyMail.com for the first time since the tragic accident, Selena, also 20, described Sean as her 'first love, my first everything' as she lamented how to break the news to their daughters Dareli, three, and Esmi, 19 months. 'Me and Sean werent on the best of best terms but we had finally got on with our lives,' she said. 'We never really talked one on one, it was always through my sisters or his mom and he was doing better. He was over 200 days sober. He had just come to visit the girls a week prior. Sean Garinger had been 200 days sober and 'so happy' to see his daughters Dareli, three, and Esmi, 19 months,just one week before he died Sean and Selena, both 20, had featured on the sixth season of 16 and Pregnant, which documented their journey as first time parents 'I know from what his mom said he was happier than ever to see them. The girls loved him. He was planning to come back and see them on his own. 'I know he was in school. He had got out of rehab and moved with his mom to Carolina. My heart aches for her.' She added: 'I wish we had got to have one more good conversation about everything.' The former reality star recalled how she was getting ready in her bedroom in Fountain, Colorado, when her sister came in to break the devastating news last week, leaving her in a state of shock. Selena said: 'She just looked at me and said "Seans gone." I was like "what do you mean?" She said "Seans dead." 'I remember just being in shock saying "no way, you're lying." She was like "no, [Sean's mom] just called me."' Sean and Selena featured on the sixth season of 16 and Pregnant, which documented their journey to becoming first time parents back in 2020. Their struggles also featured on the reality show, with Selena accusing Sean of cheating on her while she was pregnant. Selena is struggling with how she will break the devastating news to their daughters in the future Selena's older sister Thalia, 25, also paid tribute to Sean, saying her 'heart will forever break' for her nieces Sean was killed when an ATV he was planning on moving flipped on top of him They also got into a fight that lead to Selena allegedly getting arrested. But despite their tumultuous time together, the mother-of-two said she has been 'crushed' by the news and is struggling with how to tell their young daughters. 'No matter the circumstances that was my kids' father,' she said. 'Not only was I with him for nine plus years, he was my first love, my first everything and we had two beautiful daughters that Ill always be grateful for. 'They didnt deserve this they need their daddy. I dont know how Im going to tell them when they get older.' Selena's older sister Thalia, 25, also paid tribute to Sean, saying her 'heart will forever break' for her nieces, who will only know their dad through 'pictures and videos.' 'Sean's loss was very sudden and tragic,' she told DailyMail.com. 'The last few months of his life he was trying to better himself for my nieces. Its really sad to see that his life was cut short. 'We all had a different relationship with Sean. As for myself, we were close until there were family conflicts and then the last time I saw him it was like everything was back to normal - he was goofy and definitely knew how to push your buttons but that was his way of showing love.' She continued: 'My condolences go out to his family especially his mother. As for my nieces, my heart will forever break for them. They never really got the chance to know their dad. All they have left are pictures and videos of him.' Sean's mother Mary Hobbs, 40, witnessed the accident which 'crushed' his skull. She 'laid next to' him on the ground before the first responders arrived. 'I ran to neighbors trying to get someone to help me get the ATV off of him,' she told the U.S Sun. 'No one answered. I ran back to him. By that time, I realized he wasn't alive anymore. 'There was a huge part of my heart that died with my son on Wednesday. He was my only son, my rock, my strength when I had none left.' According to an obituary posted by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, Sean was known affectionately as 'Squishy' Watauga County Sheriffs Office Major Kelly Redmon told the Watauga Democrat on March 1 that Watauga Medics and the Watauga County Sheriffs Office had responded to the fatal accident, identifying Sean as the victim. 'Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss experienced by the family and loved ones of the victim,' the WCSO said in a news release. According to an obituary posted by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, Sean was 'known affectionately as "Squishy,"' and was a 'military brat who touched lives all around the country.' It read: 'He never knew a stranger, regardless of age, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. His kind and generous nature endeared him to all who knew him.' The obituary noted that Sean 'had a passion for living life to the fullest' and said 'his adventurous spirit and love for excitement were evident in all aspects of his life. 'He enjoyed driving RC cars, sky diving, shark diving, dirt bikes, flying his drone, driving ATVs, surfing, and spending time in the ocean.' A service was held in his memory on Saturday at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Mary & George Rating: Your starter for ten: which scheming figure in royal history told her dim but charismatic boy: 'Second sons offer nothing, inherit nothing raise yourself or you will be nothing'? The answer, of course, is Mary Villiers, whose son George became the favourite of James I. Why, who were you thinking of? The bawdy, lavish, 17th-century costume drama Mary & George (Sky Atlantic) follows the lad as he rises to claim a dukedom, as second sons sometimes do. Serials of this era follow two patterns, the literary or the lecherous, Wolf Hall or The Tudors. This is definitely in the latter camp and, if you like your history raunchy, randy and sweary, it's great fun. Julianne Moore, left, and Nicholas Galitzine in a scene from Mary & George The bawdy, lavish, 17th-century costume drama Mary & George (Sky Atlantic) follows the lad as he rises to claim a dukedom The real George Villiers was notorious as 'the handsomest-bodied man in all of England' but, though he's the hero of the tale, it's his mother (Julianne Moore) who steals the show. Crafty and savagely ambitious, she is also devoted to her sons (though she detests her poor daughter). After contriving the death of her drunken, bullying husband, social climber Mary selects a wealthy widower, introducing herself as, 'Your next wife.' He fits her designs nicely, because King James and his greedy courtiers are in the habit of dropping in for visits. Judging by the monarch's behaviour on a visit, you wouldn't want to bed down on a four-poster bearing the inscription, 'King James slept here'. In fact, you'd have to burn the bedlinen. By now, Mary has packed George off to finishing school on the Continent, where he discovers aristos enjoying orgies in every room. 'This is France,' shrugs his tutor, as if that explains everything, which it probably does. The next few scenes become a soft porn coming-of-age fantasy, with fencing matches, dancing lessons and stable lads, until it's almost Fifty Shades Of Bridgerton. But the story rights itself when George returns to England and lands a job waiting on the king at banquets. Though the drama is loosely based on Benjamin Woolley's serious tome The King's Assassin, the historical detail is dubious. It's difficult to believe that, in the Stuart court, the punishment for any gentleman who brawled in the presence of the crown was to have his hand chopped off on the spot. Roles like that are rare, and Julianne Moore must be thrilled Tony Curran as King James VI of Scotland and I of England, centre But George is a believable youth, a spoilt mummy's boy with a tendency to histrionic suicide attempts. He's selfish but he isn't vain, and seems largely unaware of the effect his good looks have on others. His mother is aware enough for both of them. She's also a sly manipulator, a quick liar, a ruthless pragmatist and a clever psychologist, who's hiding a secret about her past in other words, a truly interesting character. Roles like that are rare, and Julianne Moore must be thrilled. Fans of BBC2's Bring The Drama might be intrigued to know she was chosen for the part by the show's chief judge, casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry. Cate Blanchett opted out of wearing her wedding ring again as she attended the Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week show on Tuesday. The Australian actress, 54, has sparked speculation around her marriage to Andrew Upton, 58, in recent days as she has been seen on multiple occasions without wearing her dazzling ring. Cate, who has been married to playwright Andrew since 1997, looked incredible in a satin blue blouse at the star-studded PFW show for the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 ready-to-wear collection. She wore a striking shoulder-padded blouse with a pair of leather black trousers and court heels. The blonde beauty upped up the ante with a statement pair of black-rimmed sunglasses as she headed to the catwalk. Cate Blanchett, 54, opted out of wearing her wedding ring again as she attended the Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week show on Tuesday The Australian actress has sparked speculation around her marriage to Andrew Upton, 58, in recent days as she has been seen on multiple occasions without wearing her dazzling ring Cate seemed in great spirits as she couldn't wipe a smile off her face while posing inside the venue. She left fans puzzled after also stepping out at the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards without her wedding ring. Cate stunned at the British film industry event in a maroon Louis Vuitton gown and striking body chain combo. However, rather than wearing her white gold and diamond wedding sparkler, the Blue Jasmine star sported a large emerald cocktail ring. Her husband didn't attend the event. Curiously, Cate was also spotted ring-free last month, when she attended an event in New York at the Museum of Modern Art on February 6. Cate made no attempt at hiding her bare wedding finger as she smiled for photos outside the exclusive event. In October 2023, Cate was once again seen without her wedding ring as she sat front row at the Stella McCartney runway show during Paris Fashion Week. Cate, who has been married to playwright Andrew since 1997, looked incredible in a satin blue blouse at the star-studded PFW show for the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 ready-to-wear collection She wore a striking shoulder-padded blouse with a pair of leather black trousers and court heels The blonde beauty upped up the ante with a statement pair of black-rimmed sunglasses as she headed to the catwalk Cate seemed in great spirits as she couldn't wipe a smile off her face while posing inside the venue Instead the thespian wore a set of elegant gold bands on her wedding finger. Speaking to Woman's Day magazine, a source close to the couple said Cate's missing ring has sent off alarm bells about the status of her marriage. 'Seeing Cate without her ring has sent shockwaves through their friends. For the first time they're wondering if things aren't so rosy,' the insider claimed. A question mark has been hanging over Cate and Andrew's marriage for some time now. The couple also haven't been seen out on a date since August, when they were photographed enjoying a sun-drenched holiday in Ibiza. They also raised eyebrows last month after putting their sprawling mansion in Prahran, Melbourne, on the market. The three-bedroom family home, which the couple purchased in 2006, went under the hammer for more than $3million. Cate and Andrew have been living in the UK since 2015 and still own several other properties together. A source close to the couple has said Cate's missing ring in recent months has sent off alarm bells about the status of her marriage. Pictured: Andrew and Cate, October 2017 It's not the first time Cate has stepped out without her ring, as mystery continues to surround her marriage Their portfolio includes a glorious Victorian mansion in East Sussex, England, which they bought for 4.9 million (AU$9.4million) in 2015. The couple also own an investment property in Sydney's CBD. Cate and Andrew share three sons, Dashiell, 22, Roman, 19, and Ignatius, 16, and a daughter named Edith, eight. Rocco Ritchie and his girlfriend Olivia Monjardin put on a loved-up display as they stepped out for the world premiere of new Netflix series The Gentlemen. The LA-born actor, 23 - who is the son of Madonna, 65, and Guy Ritchie, 55 - attended the premiere of his director dad's new project at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, on Tuesday. Rocco looked dapper for the event as he paired a black suit with a statement yellow and black patterned tie. His hair was backcombed as he posed alongside his model girlfriend Olivia - who looked elegant in a black gown. Olivia's floor-length figure-hugging dress had lace inserts, and she paired it with black patent stilettos. Rocco Ritchie and his girlfriend Olivia Monjardin put on a loved-up display as they stepped out for the world premiere of new Netflix series The Gentlemen on Wednesday The LA-born actor, 23 - who is the son of Madonna , 65, and Guy Ritchie , 55 - attended the premiere of his director dad's new project She accessorised the look with a black patent snake-print handbag and slicked her hair back into a bun. Rocco's was last snapped with Olivia in Milan in November. Rocco tends to keep a fairly low profile, despite his famous family. Madonna and Guy welcomed Rocco in August 2000, shortly after they married. The exes divorced in 2008. In August, Madonna wished Rocco a happy 23rd birthday with a sweet post. She wrote: 'Happy Birthday Dearest Rocco. From the day you were conceived, Life with You Has been an adventure. 'From Your Premature Birth to your love of Skate Boarding, Dirt Bikes. Break Dancing, Parkour, Graffiti and all Adrenaline Provoking activities! 'You have made me worry possibly more than any other person on the planet. But You have taken the road less travelled by and that will make all the difference! Nothing gives me more Joy then to watch you grow as an artist! 'To quote your favourite painter Lucian Freud "What do I ask of a painting? I ask it to astonish, disturb, seduce, convince!" Keep Walking Down Your Own Road. Im so proud of you!' Rocco showed his support for dad Guy who arrived at the red carpet premiere with his wife Jacqui Ainsley Rocco looked dapper for the event as he paired a black suit with a statement yellow and black patterned tie Olivia's floor-length figure-hugging dress had lace inserts, and she paired it with black patent stilettos Olivia opted for a minimal make-up look for the premiere Rocco's dad Guy Ritchie previously took to Instagram to share a sweet selfie of the pair, telling his eldest 'youve given me more than I can ever give you' Madonna also regularly posts snaps with Rocco - who she shares with her ex-husband Guy - on social media Rocco has worked as a model and actor, crediting both his parents for his career. He told Vogue Man Hong Kong in a 2022 interview that he was inspired by growing up with people who were 'passionate' about art. Rocco - who co-founded his own gallery called Maison Rhed, the name taken from his alias Rhed which he used at the beginning of his career - credited his parents for raising him in a 'creative household'. He said: 'It certainly helped growing up in a house that was passionate about art and culture. 'Neither of my parents are painters, but both are artists in their own right and they taught me to appreciate and respect it. Their shared fascination eventually piqued my interest and since I can remember I've always been surrounded by it.' Daniel Day-Lewis, 66, currently has no plans to come out of retirement after leaving the movie business seven years ago. The legendary thespian delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2017 film Phantom Thread and then withdrew from acting completely. Last month, however, he set off a swirl of comeback rumors when he was spotted meeting up with Jim Sheridan and Steven Spielberg, both of whom have directed Daniel in Oscar-winning performances. But Jim, who made three movies with Daniel including in My Left Foot, has now quashed hopes Daniel will return to Hollywood. 'He says hes done, I keep talking to him. Id love to do something with him again,' the Irish filmmaker remarked to Screen Daily. Daniel Day-Lewis, 66, currently has no plans to come out of retirement after leaving the movie business seven years ago; pictured in January at the National Board Of Review Awards Gala The legendary thespian delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2017 film Phantom Thread (pictured) and then withdrew from acting completely 'Hes like everybody else, he opens up the streamers and theres seven thousand choices, none of them are good,' he explained. 'Film has been moved out of the public domain into a private domain you have a remote, you can stop it. Its not the same experience.' Nevertheless, the Dublin-born director said: 'Itd be great to see Daniel coming back and doing something cos hes so good.' Daniel won his first-ever Academy Award for My Left Foot, a 1989 dramedy in which he played a man suffering from cerebral palsy. In 1993 he and Jim collaborated again on In The Name Of The Father, a crime drama about the Troubles that netted Daniel another Oscar nomination. They returned to the theme of the IRA with the 1997 movie The Boxer, starring Daniel alongside Emily Watson and Brian Cox. Daniel won a total of three Oscars, including one for his searing 2007 western There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. His final Oscar triumph came for Steven Spielberg's 2012 movie Lincoln, in which Daniel played the title role of America's 16th president. Daniel won his first-ever Academy Award for My Left Foot, a 1989 dramedy in which he played a man suffering from cerebral palsy In 1993 he and Jim collaborated again on In The Name Of The Father, a crime drama about the Troubles that netted Daniel another Oscar nomination Daniel is pictured on the set of his 1997 film The Boxer with its director Jim Sheridan, who also helmed My Left Foot and In The Name Of The Father Paul and Daniel reunited for what would turn out to be the latter's final movie - Phantom Thread, loosely inspired by the life of Cristobal Balenciaga. A few months before the movie was going to be released, Daniel dramatically announced through a spokesperson that he was retiring. 'This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject,' the statement concluded. In a subsequent interview with W, he explained that he had wanted to retire multiple times before and finally issued the announcement to force his own hand. 'I knew it was uncharacteristic to put out a statement. But I did want to draw a line. I didnt want to get sucked back into another project,' he said. 'All my life, Ive mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I dont know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do.' Rebecca Judd has taken another swipe at Victorian lawmakers for its management of a spate of youth crimes plaguing Melbourne's most affluent suburbs. On Tuesday, Victoria Police announced via X that a group of teenagers had been charged following an aggravated burglary in Brighton, the ritzy suburb where Rebecca lives. Rebecca, 41, who lives in a $7.3 million Brighton mansion with her AFL star husband Chris and their four children, promptly reposted the announcement to Instagram Stories alongside a sarcastic caption. 'Thank you @VictoriaPolice. They probably got let out on bail and you might have to arrest them again tonight. And tomorrow. And the next day,' she wrote. Her post referred to a recent report published by the Herald Sun about Melbourne's Bayside suburb crime wave, which confirmed that 80 repeat youth offenders had been arrested and released more than 10 times each over the past year. Rebecca Judd, 41, (pictured) has taken another swipe at Victorian lawmakers for its management of a spate of youth crimes plaguing Melbourne 's most affluent suburbs The footy WAG had initially responded to this report last week, writing on Instagram Stories: 'Victoria Police are doing their job. The justice system and State Government are not.' The footy WAG then took a direct swipe at Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, accusing her of 'staying quiet while we wonder if a gang of machete wielding youths are going to invade our homes while our children sleep.' 'Lock bail offenders up. Ban machetes and other weapons. There's a start,' she added. Reposting an announcement from Victoria Police about a group of teens being arrested, Rebecca wrote: 'Thank you @VictoriaPolice. They probably got let out on bail and you might have to arrest them again tonight. And tomorrow. And the next day' Her post referred to a recent report published by the Herald Sun about Melbourne's Bayside suburb crime wave, which confirmed that 80 repeat youth offenders had been arrested and released more than 10 times each over the past year. (Rebecca pictured with husband Chris) It's not the first time Rebecca has publicly spoken about her concerns regarding the youth crime wave plaguing Victoria. In January, Rebecca publicly called for Ms Allan to 'fix the system' in January, following the alleged murder of Dr Ashley Gordon by two teenagers. Posting to Instagram at the time, Rebecca said it was sad to see how broken the justice system had become, and implored Ms Allan to lock offenders up. The footy WAG had initially responded to this report last week, writing on Instagram Stories: 'Victoria Police are doing their job. The justice system and State Government are not' 'This story is so sad. The justice system is broken. Fix this Jacinta Allan. Let this be your legacy,' she wrote alongside a report of Dr Gordon's death. 'Until the "prevention first" strategy starts to work among teens (might take years. Might never work!), you must keep the community safe by locking up violent offenders.' In June 2022, Rebecca once again made headlines by saying she felt 'unsafe' in her mansion, after a spate of home invasions in her area. The footy WAG then took a direct swipe at Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured), accusing her of 'staying quiet while we wonder if a gang of machete wielding youths are going to invade our homes while our children sleep Posting to Instagram, the WAG claimed the Victorian Government didn't 'seem to care' about the 'rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of the gangs in Bayside'. 'I personally know two women who have experienced home invasions in Brighton in the last few weeks while they were at home,' she said. She also reposted CCTV footage of a group of young men lurking outside properties in her affluent suburb and claimed it made her feel 'unsafe'. The teenagers, who were allegedly armed with knives, were filmed lurking outside several properties in the Bayside area before crashing a stolen BMW into a tree. Advertisement Joshua Jackson and his new girlfriend Lupita Nyong'o could not keep their hands off each other during their Mexican getaway this week. The 45-year-old Dawson's Creek alum and the 41-year-old Black Panther star were spotted putting on a loved-up display on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Lupita, who celebrated her birthday March 1, lovingly wrapped her arms around Joshua, who split from wife Jodie Turner-Smith last fall. She was clad in an itty-bitty patterned thong bikini, showing off her slim and fit figure. Meanwhile, the father-of-one opted for dark-hued swimming trunks. They shared a passionate embrace before smiling at each other then holding hands as they both appeared to be in top shape. Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong'o could not keep their hands off each other during their Mexican getaway this week The 45-year-old Dawson's Creek alum and 41-year-old Black Panther star were spotted putting on a loved-up display on a beach in Puerto Vallarta Lupita, who celebrated her birthday March 1, lovingly wrapped her arms around Joshua who split from wife Jodie Turner-Smith last fall A source shared with E! News that the new A-list pair marked Lupita's birthday with a celebration at their resort. According to the insider, Joshua arranged for a large balloon display and bouquet of flowers to be set up in their hotel suite. It was also reported that the two were seen enjoying the spoils of the resort, including a spa visit. 'They looked madly in love, like they just couldn't get enough of one another,' someone who saw the duo said. It comes after Nyong'o admitted she wants to keep her new relationship with Joshua out of the public eye after being burned in the past. The Star Wars actress was open about the collapse of her relationship with ex Selema Masekela, describing it as 'devastatingly extinguished by deception.' She now insists she will be going back to the 'old ways' of keeping her love life private. The beauty told Porter that keeping mum on her romances in the past 'was very, very sage of me. I'm going back to those days, by the way.' Lupita was clad in an itty-bitty patterned thong bikini, showing off her slim and fit figure The father-of-one opted for dark-hued swimming trunks The new couple kept close after taking a dip in the ocean Joshua's dark hair was soaked with water and he sported a full, graying beard. Lupita's complexion glistened after the pair ventured into the ocean With her last relationship, Lupita hard-launched her then-boyfriend on Instagram, sharing a video with the hashtag #thisismylove. Revealing her reason behind the December 2022 post, she said: 'In my mind, when I shared my relationship status with the world, it was because I felt sure about it.' Just 10 months later, Lupita revealed that their relationship had come to a sudden end and she posted a vulnerable announcement. The heartbreaking prose detailed her vast pain and determination to 'run into the shadows' in the wake of the break-up, which came just hours before she was spotted putting on a cosy display with newly-single Joshua. Her statement read: 'There are much more important things going on in the world right now, and my thoughts are with those who are deeply suffering. 'At this moment, it is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly dissociate myself from someone I can no longer trust 'I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception. 'I am tempted to run into the shadows and hide, only to return to the light when I have regained my strength enough for me to say, 'Whatever, my life is better this way.' 'But I am reminded that the magnitude of the pain I am feeling is equal to the measure of my capacity for love. And so, I am choosing to face the pain, cultivating the courage to meet my life exactly as it is, and trusting that this too shall pass. The actress looked animated as she and her new beau had a conversation The trip comes after Nyong'o admitted she wants to keep her new relationship with Joshua out of the public eye after being burned in the past The lovebirds held hands while walking through the sand The sighting comes five months after Jackson's ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith filed for divorce Jackson's ex Turner-Smith at the 3rd Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in December Turner-Smith cited 'irreconcilable differences' in her divorce filings as she made a bid to remove herself from her 'unhealthy' marriage with Joshua last October. Weeks after she filed for divorce, the actor was photographed holding hands with Lupita, hours after it was confirmed they were dating. Jodie recently spoke for the first time to the Sunday Times Style magazine about why her marriage ended. 'Sometimes things we really want to work just don't end up working. And that's OK. The most important thing is that you choose what's healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children. There are so many different moments in our life where we look at ourselves and say, "Who am I and am I being true to that?" 'If the answer is no, then you have to make a move because I believe that there are visible scars from staying in places that are not good for us. And they don't just affect us, they affect everybody around us. I don't think it's a failure. We obviously had such a beautiful moment together. And now it's time for a new moment for both of us,' she stated. The Little Fires Everywhere actor was spotted back in Los Angeles on Tuesday, following the romantic escape Joshua kept casual in a reddish brown sweatsuit teamed with yellow rubber boots with black trim. Missing from the sunny scene was his new lady love The Little Fires Everywhere actor was spotted back in Los Angeles on Tuesday, following the romantic escape. Joshua kept casual in a reddish brown sweatsuit teamed with yellow rubber boots with black trim. Missing from the sunny scene was his new lady love. Jackson looked pensive during the solo outing as he rocked a tousle of graying curls and a full beard. Ron Wells, Manager of Distribution System, Jeff Stracener, Vice President, Distribution Region Operations, Judith Talavera, President and COO and Tony Arce, Jr., External Affairs Manager, AEP Texas. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP Melissa Cigarroa, Monica Y. Martinez and Tony Arce Jr. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in Laredo late in February. Courtesy/AEP Judith Talavera, AEP President and COO. Courtesy/AEP Tony Arce Jr., Monica Y. Martinez and Gene Lindgren. Courtesy/AEP American Electric Power Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the AEP Distribution Service Center in late February. AEP is one of the largest electric energy companies in the U.S. that powers nearly 5.6 million customers in 11 states. Its mission is to redefine the future of energy and developing innovative solutions that power communities and improve lives. The states served by AEP include: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AEP Texas External Affairs Manager Tony Arce Jr. said that it took more than a year to complete the $35 million project located in south Laredo. Groundbreaking for the facility occurred in August 2021; the building was completed by March 2023 and employees completed the move to the new facility in July 2023, he said. Arce said that AEP saw an opportunity to combine the Laredo District office and the Distribution Services Center into one facility. Having employees from two separate office located in one facility creates more opportunity to coordinate activities and address customer issues, he said. Additionally, locating the new facility to an area with less traffic congestion should help reduce response time when responding to outages. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Situated on a 36.8-acre lot, the Service Center Building accommodates approximately 106 full-time employees, up to 30 bucket trucks and three drive-through bays for fleet maintenance. A proclamation issued by the City of Laredo noted that the AEP Texas Service Center investment is expected to generate an initial economic impact of $21.4 million, and on-going operations contribute $47.5 million annually to the gross regional product in the Laredo and Webb County region. As of Dec. 31, 2023, AEP reported $19 billion in revenues. Arce offered his thanks for all the strong local support received in recognition of this project. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Swifties have been sent into meltdown after footage went viral of Taylor Swift appearing to nurse a cold during her first show in Singapore. The megastar, 34, who recently wrapped her whirlwind tour of Australia, was seen coughing as she performed her hit song Delicate at National Stadium on Saturday evening. Fans have grown concerned this could be a sign Swift will cancel the rest of her Eras world tour due to sickness. 'She looks like she's not feeling her best... girl needs some rest,' one wrote, while another added: 'She should cancel the rest of the shows for health reasons.' 'She needs a break,' another lamented, as someone else agreed: 'Tour is taking a toll on her health.' Swifites are afraid Taylor Swift, 34, could cancel her entire Eras Tour after she appeared sick during her first Singapore show on Saturday evening Swift is due to perform three more shows in Singapore before flying to France to continue her global tour. It comes as Southeast Asia Swifties have grown enraged over Swift performing only one stop in the area under controversial circumstances. Singapore is Swift's only stop in South-East Asia, after it was reported the country is paying the pop star $4.3million per show to perform there exclusively. 'She needs a break,' another lamented, as someone else agreed: 'Tour is taking a toll on her health' 'Singapore paid a hefty amount so that NO other South-East Asian country can have their chances,' complained a fan on social media. 'Should boycott Singapore and Taylor,' wrote another. 'Typical Singaporean behaviour, they would do anything to get one up on their neighbours,' complained another. The megastar, who recently wrapped her whirlwind tour of Australia, was seen coughing as she performed her hit song Delicate at National Stadium on Saturday evening It comes as Southeast Asia Swifties have grown enraged over Swift performing only one stop in the area under controversial circumstances Swift's grant from the Singapore Tourism Board to bring her tour to the wealthy nation sparked a row between the neighboring countries. Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin last month accused Singapore of paying Swift millions per concert to secure her exclusively, something he found out after the deal was cut. Speaking at the Bangkok iBusiness Forum 2024 Thavisin said 'The Singaporean government is clever. They told not to hold any other shows in Asia.' The Thai PM called Singapore's move 'astute', adding he'd long wondered why Swift had not opted to play in Thailand. The Singaporean shows will likely be a boom to the economy. Swift has sold out six nights at the 55,000-seat National Stadium this month. Singapore is Swift's only stop in South-East Asia, after it was reported the country is paying the pop star $4.3million per show to perform there exclusively Halle Bailey flaunted her very impressive post-partum figure on her latest magazine cover just months after welcoming her first child. The 23-year-old The Little Mermaid star - who recently hung out with Halle Berry - looked absolutely stunning as she is featured as one of the cover stars of Essence magazine's Black Women in Hollywood issue. The mother of young son Halo poured her curves into a clinging burgundy velvet number which showcased her stunning physique in the shoot by celebrity photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis which was styled by Jason Rembert. The dress featured an intricate detailing at the chest which resembled a hood and a knee high split as she donned matching dark red heels. Her hair was pulled back into braids as she showcased her natural looks by wearing minimal make-up. Halle Bailey flaunted her very impressive post-partum figure on her latest magazine cover just months after welcoming her first child The 23-year-old The Little Mermaid star looked absolutely stunning as she is featured as one of the cover stars of Essence magazine 's Black Women in Hollywood issue. In another snap from the shoot Halle channeled old Hollywood glamour as she sported a midnight blue sleeveless dress featuring a feathery detailing at the top. Her final look was a black sleeveless blazer dress which she wore with a massive gold necklace. Halle shocked fans earlier this year when she announced the birth of her first child in January, following months of pregnancy speculation. The actress kept the baby news to herself throughout 2023, and only updated fans after the New Year. Sharing a snapshot of her, her baby, and boyfriend rapper DDG's hands, she added a sweet caption. The image showed the newborn with a small gold bracelet that had his name, Halo, engraved. Bailey wrote in the January 6 caption, 'even though were a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son..' 'Welcome to the world my halo,' the proud parent gushed. The mother of young son Halo poured her curves into a clinging burgundy velvet number which showcased her stunning physique in the shoot by celebrity photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis which was styled by Jason Rembert In another snap from the shoot Halle channeled old Hollywood glamour as she sported a midnight blue sleeveless dress featuring a feathery detailing at the top Her final look was a black sleeveless blazer dress which she wore with a massive gold necklace Halle shocked fans earlier this year when she announced the birth of her first child in January, following months of pregnancy speculation And she added, 'The world is desperate to know you.' Halle recently fired back at critics who called her a 'liar' for hiding her pregnancy by Photoshopping her baby bump away. It started when she shared a flashback video on Snapchat, writing, 'lmaooo do y'all remember seeing this pics on my insta? we photoshopped out my belly,' and adding a laughing emoji. But some fans didn't see the humor and accused her of lying. She defended her decision by writing on X: 'I never lied or even said anything about it honey, making a joke about my nose was the farthest i went.' 'Ill never understand why you are mad I protected my own peace, wouldnt you do the same?' she asked. Stevie Wonder is reportedly in talks to headline Glastonbury 2024 after negotiations with Madonna broke down. The legendary musician, 73, who last appeared at the festival in 2010, has been offered the Sunday night headline slot. If he accepts, Stevie will join Coldplay and Dua Lipa - who are rumoured to be taking to the stage at Worthy Farm in Somerset - as the three headliners at the festival from June 26 to 30. A source told The Sun: 'Stevie's team have been working on a big tour and Glastonbury is something they want to make happen. 'He last performed there in 2010, when it was Glastonbury's 40th birthday, and the American soul legend's set went down a storm. To have him back on the farm is something organisers Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily are keen to make happen and they'll move heaven and earth to get Stevie on the line-up. Stevie Wonder is reportedly in talks to headline Glastonbury 2024 after negotiations with Madonna broke down The legendary musician, 73, who last appeared at the festival in 2010, has been offered the Sunday night headline slot 'Stevie's team are working on his dates now and hopefully things will be firmed up in the coming days.' It comes after sources previously revealed that talks with Madonna collapsed after organisers refused to pay the fee to bring her live show to the festival. A Glastonbury source told The Mail on Sunday at the time: 'To be honest it's been a real blow not being able to nail down a deal with Madonna. 'Emily was so keen to have her play the legend slot. After she saw Madonna's tour in London in October she raved about her on Instagram, something she rarely does without Glastonbury in mind. 'But everyone knows that after last year, and the criticism over the gender balance, we've got to have big name females heading the line-up. Dua Lipa is a real catch. Now we need another. 'There is still some hope it an be resurrected but it's pretty unlikely. There are money issues at the root of this, it's a real shame.' The hotly-anticipated festival will be taking place from Wednesday June 26 to Sunday June 30, 2024. It comes after sources previously revealed that talks with Madonna collapsed after organisers refused to pay the fee to bring her live show to the festival (Madonna performs on the first night of her 'Celebration Tour' at the O2 Arena in London) Coldplay are said to be in the running to headline on the Saturday. Coldplay have headlined four times before in 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2016. Glastonbury bosses have been accused of choosing too many male acts to headline. Last year the line-up was all male, with Arctic Monkeys, Guns N' Roses and Sir Elton John taking the top slots. British singing sensation Dua is said to be under consideration for Friday's top act, though the official line-up hasn't been confirmed yet. Earlier this year, Dua found herself embroiled in controversy after she failed to join Sir Elton John on the Glastonbury stage for their duet Cold Heart. Fans claimed there must have been a falling-out between the pair, though Dua insisted she was just working in New York. Addressing the lack of women headliners, Emily previously said: 'I've always been really passionate about gender split [on festival line-ups] and I think, actually, our problem was that I'd been so outspoken about it that having a year when there wasn't a female sent people a bit mad or some people. If he accepts, Stevie will join rumoured performers Coldplay and Dua Lipa (pictured) as the three headliners at the festival from June 26 to 30 'And we did have a female she pulled out and we replaced them with Guns N' Roses. But everyone knows that it's top of my list. 'It is difficult with female artists because there aren't enough headliners. But we're also creating them. We're putting the bands and female artists on smaller stages and bringing them through all the time. And who knows? Next year we might get two. And certainly, I can say that the Legend is female.' Last year, revellers enjoyed the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Guns N' Roses and Elton John, who played his last ever UK gig on the Pyramid stag to close the 2023 edition of the festival. Rick Astley, Lil Nas X, Blondie, Lizzo and Aitch were joined by hundreds more performers across the weekend, proving to be an enviable line-up and giving many of those who didn't attend FOMO. The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) silhouette is unmistakable and exceedingly popular, now most associated with the Kardashians and Instagram influencers. But in the quest for a perfectly plump bottom and shapely thighs, women may overlook its effect on personal cleanliness. A recent TikTok video inspired a site-wide dialog among men about the BBL smell that meets them during intimate moments. His post, where he says the smell was like an assault of my nose, has garnered more than 3.5 million views, 152,000 likes and thousands of comments with both men and women confirming the odor and explaining the reasons behind it. There was a general consensus on where to place the blame. Women, including those who have undergone BBLs, said that a larger backside is simply harder to keep clean after using the restroom. The male TikToker who goes by the username @donpsoundsoff, set the app aflame with his first-person account about going on a date with a woman with a BBL who, later in the evening, when undressed, emitted a smell that suggested she had not wiped properly or washed that area well enough. A recent TikTok video inspired a site-wide dialog among men about the BBL smell that meets them during intimate moments It sparked several reaction videos from women on the site. @PrettyRealist said: When God created us, he gave us arms. All of our arms [are] made specifically for our body. You probably have a hard time wiping your a** properly because your body is a little bit wider than your arms are allowing you to reach in that area. Dr Roger Tsai, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, confirmed the theory in a video disclosing two secrets that Instagram models dont want you to know about their BBL. He said: Wiping down there is gonna be a lot more difficult because theres more to reach around. So if youre around somebody with a BBL and they smell Plastic surgeons typically give their patients fair warning about difficulties in the bathroom. Sitting is not allowed for about two months after undergoing a BBL, though sitting on the toilet for a relatively quick bathroom break is ok. Many physicians recommend bidets to wash the area thoroughly. Otherwise, it may take some painful yoga maneuvers, according to one Reddit user who recently had a BBL. They said: As far as wiping goes, the butt cheeks themselves are super hard and plump immediately following surgery as your body is recovering, which makes each buttocks harder to separate. Alternating leg lifting and bending over in various ways- and a sizable wad of toilet paper to really get up in there. I always alternate between toilet paper and baby wipes multiple times to make sure I'm clean before painfully squeezing back into the surgical compression garment that has to be worn 23/7 for 6 months. It's unclear whether trouble in the bathroom is a large enough drawback to convince people not to undergo the surgery, though it doesnt appear to be. According to a survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of BBLs performed globally increased by nearly 78 percent from 2015 to 2021. But while it has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, the procedure is considered one of the riskiest out there, with one in every 3,000 patients dying from complications. A 'butt lift epidemic': Doctors warn against 'deadliest type' of plastic surgery as number carried out in US rises by a third in a year Doctors are warning the popular trend of Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) can be deadly - especially when women travel overseas in search of a cheaper procedure. Advertisement And because many women go overseas to get a cut-rate procedure, follow-up with the doctor who performed it is minimal or, in most cases, nonexistent. In fact, the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery advised UK surgeons in 2018 to avoid performing it altogether. But it didnt matter - women are so determined to achieve a fuller backside that they are willing to cross borders and put their lives at risk. Thousands fly yearly to foreign destinations like Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and India to get the procedure. A BBL involves a surgeon harvesting fat from the hips, lower back, abdomen, thighs and other areas via liposuction. That fat is then reinjected in certain points on the buttocks with a cannula, or long metal tube. But its hard for doctors to see exactly where they are injecting the fat and it could be mistakenly pumped into the gluteal muscle, which can inadvertently introduce fat particles into blood vessels. These fat particles can travel through the bloodstream and block blood flow to vital organs including the heart, leading to a condition called fat embolism syndrome. Fat embolism syndrome can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, and even respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. This can also cause nerve damage in the area where the fat was injected, leading to paralysis of the lower extremities, chronic pain, and impaired mobility. Additionally, injecting fat in deep tissue raises the risk of infection. The risk of complications and potentially deadly after-effects have convinced some plastic surgeons to stop offering the service altogether. Dr Lara Devgan, a New York City-based board-certified plastic surgeon, said: This is my litmus test, my personal golden rule of plastic surgery: If you wouldnt let your mother or sister or brother have a procedure, you shouldnt let your patients either. The Brazilian butt lift is an operation that I do not perform any longer, because the mortality data speaks for itself. The risk-benefit calculus simply does not add up. More Americans are filing their taxes for free this year, according to latest data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The use of IRS Free File is up 9.7 percent from last year, with 943,000 taxpayers using the service through February 24. Free File is a partnership between the agency and a selection of tax preparation companies which provide filing free of charge for Americans with an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less. The average American will spend $240 - and 13 hours - just to prepare and file one yearly federal return, according to organization Taxpayer Advocate. Free File allows eligible taxpayers to use guided software to prepare a tax return with one of eight partners. More Americans are filing their taxes for free this year, according to latest data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) For this year, the partners participating in Free File are 1040Now, Drake (1040.com), ezTaxReturn.com, FileYourTaxes.com, On-Line Taxes, TaxAct, TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA) and TaxSlayer. But for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for Free File, there are also other free options available. After weeks of testing, the IRS launched its government-run free tax filing service for users in 12 states on Monday. Direct File aims to be a free competitor to commercial software such as Intuit's TurboTax. It differs from Free File as it allows taxpayers to file directly with the IRS, cutting out the middle man of a tax preparation company. The service is open to taxpayers in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Americans who live in participating states, have simple filing needs and who report certain tax credits and deductions on their tax return, can create an account and file their taxes any time, the IRS said. After Congress authorized the government-run tax filing service, the IRS was quick to set up a website for the pilot, which was originally open only to government employees. 'We're starting small: as the filing season begins, the pilot is undergoing continuous testing with taxpayers, so we can identify and resolve issues,' IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement at the time. Direct File aims to be a free competitor to commercial software such as Intuit's TurboTax If you are comfortable doing your own taxes, Free File also offers the option of Fillable Forms. These are electronic federal tax forms which you can fill out yourself - and provide a free filing option for those with an adjusted gross income of more than $79,000. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help and e-file for taxpayers who qualify. VITA offer free tax help to people who have an income of $64,000 or less, people with disabilities and taxpayers with limited English. TCE, meanwhile, offers help in particular to taxpayers over 60 years old. The IRS also recommends using one of its authorized e-file providers - tax pros who are qualified to prepare, transmit and process electronic returns. After weeks of testing, the IRS launched its government-run free tax filing service for users in 12 states on Monday (Pictured: IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel) While many big name tax preparation services may be marketed as free, this is not always the case for many, a consumer watchdog has alleged. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last month accused H&R Block of 'coercing' taxpayers into higher-cost products made for more complicated tax filings which they did not need. H&R Block also 'deceptively' markets its products as 'free', the complaint alleged, when often customer returns are not eligible. It comes after the government watchdog banned Intuit from advertising its popular TurboTax tax filing product as free, despite the majority of people having to pay. Intuit said it was appealing the ruling. The order followed a $141 million settlement faced by the company in 2022 for 'predatory' marketing campaigns. 'H&R Block designed its online products to present an obstacle course of tedious challenges to consumers,' said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection So far this year, the average tax refund is up over 4 percent, according to the IRS. As of figures from February 23, the agency has already issued 28,945,000 refunds totaling almost $93 billion. The average tax refund is $3,213 - up 4.3 percent from the same time last year. Because the tax filing season started almost a week earlier last year, the IRS had only been receiving returns for 26 days by February 23, as opposed to 33 days by the same date in 2023. Considering the loss of seven days in this comparison, statistics continue to show a strong start to filing season this year, the agency said. But some experts warn that while a refund may seem like a windfall, overpaying taxes means missing out on using the money during the year. A roundtable discussion on Alzheimers was hosted at the UT Center at Laredo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 with prominent national, state and local leaders discussing research opportunities with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases and ways to improve access to care. Jason Mack/Laredo Morning Times Laredo is positioned to become a key hub for Alzheimers research and see a significant boost in treatment following a roundtable discussion Thursday, Feb. 29 gathering prominent leaders in health, education, government and more at the national, state and local levels at the University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo. Held on the eve of Womens History Month, three female leaders fittingly featured primarily in the discussion. Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimers Association; Dr. Sudha Seshadri, founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases; and Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini, Dean of the Texas Senate; were instrumental in identifying Laredos needs, discussing the research opportunities it provides and building toward a five-year plan to implement ideas. The level of Mexican-American population in Laredo makes this ground zero for being able to understand how these early markers work and how treatments work in a Mexican-American community, Carrillo said. That is the contribution Laredo can bring to the table, and you must do it, not only for the rest of us but for yourselves. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A collaborative effort Seshadri said she was inspired by the cooperation displayed during the roundtable as the event also featured representatives from Doctors Hospital, Gateway Community Health Center, Laredo Medical Center and Laredo Specialty Hospital, local physicians, representatives from UTMB, UTRGV, UTSA, the UT Science Center at San Antonio, and more. With the commitment showcased by the Laredo medical community and the surrounding educational organizations, she is optimistic about the opportunity for Laredo to become that important contributor for research. This was an amazing event because I learned so much. We saw the commitment of such a wide variety of people, which is what you need to be able to provide the kind of comprehensive care and support umbrella that patients and families need, Seshadri said. We had a state senator saying, What do you need in terms of legislation? We had large scientific organizations, local leaders from the city and medical providers. It was really nice how everyone was constructive and building on each others ideas. I sensed no competition. It was about cooperation. Zaffirini also was encouraged by the cooperation on display. However, she emphasized the importance of quickly translating that potential into results. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We discussed so many aspects of Alzheimers, not only prevention and early detection but also research and treatment. We also talked about what the City of Laredo needs to do, Zaffirini said. Obviously we have a wonderful, growing partnership with the Biggs Institute, but where do we want to be in five years? We need our own program here, certainly in collaboration with the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, where we dont simply rely on experts from San Antonio coming here to provide services. We want to be at the forefront of research related to Alzheimers, of early prevention programs, of diagnosis, and even of treatment. The UT Center at Laredo is the states only multi-institution facility. It features faculty, researches and clinicians and is focused on both cultivating health care leaders and professionals along with conducting progressive research. UT Center at Laredo executive director Adriana Nunemaker said the center is eager to continuing increasing its research efforts and further supporting the community. Weve looked at so many different things here and talked about research and patient care and growing, she said. This meeting is extremely important to have here at the UT Center at Laredo. We want our community to know that we are not just having Alzheimers support group meetings. We are also actively providing patient care. We have this group of physicians, clinicians and researchers that are wanting to participate and be part of a solution in Laredo. Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer's Association, speaks at a roundtable discussion on Alzheimers hosted at the UT Center at Laredo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 with prominent national, state and local leaders discussing research opportunities with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases and ways to improve access to care. Jason Mack/Laredo Morning Times At-risk population The need in Laredo is magnified by having the least ethnoracially diverse population in the entire nation at 95.52% Hispanic. Research from the Alzheimers Association shows Hispanics are 1 times more likely to suffer from Alzheimers and other dementia than non-Hispanic whites. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first Alzheimers data by county was made available in 2023. It showed Laredo ranked No. 1 in Texas and No. 9 in the nation for the highest rate of prevalence of the disease among the elderly population. Laredo is estimated to have 15% of people 65 and older impacted by the disease. Laredos Joe Arciniega, a member of the Alzheimers Associations National Board of Directors, said that data does not even fully represent the severity of the situation. First, it only accounts for the elderly population and not a rapidly rising segment of early-onset Alzheimers. Second, he said the cultural stigma surrounding diagnosis leads many cases to go undiscovered and unreported. The disease has made itself present to the degree that nobody can ignore it anymore, Arciniega said. That is pretty heartbreaking for Laredo, but those of us that have been on the front lines for this, it is giving all of us the shot in the arm we need. Having the threat right in front of you and watching people suffer motivates you to get the job done. Alzheimers research has grown exponentially in recent years with drugs such as Leqembi and Donanemab showing an ability to slow the progression in those with early-onset Alzheimers. Early detection is also more viable than ever with blood tests developed to detect Alzheimers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dr. Maria Carrillo, Dr. Sudha Seshadri, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, Adriana Nunemaker, Joe Arciniega, Dr. Angelica Davila and Dr. Mohamad Habes are pictured at a roundtable discussion on Alzheimers hosted at the UT Center at Laredo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 with prominent national, state and local leaders discussing research opportunities with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases and ways to improve access to care. Courtesy/UT Center at Laredo An important research opportunity With these advancements, Carrillo said Laredo could be crucial for studying the impact of these and other advancements on the Hispanic population. Most of those tests have been done in non-Hispanic whites. We really need to understand and ensure what those tests look like in the Hispanic community and how they can contribute to treatments in the Hispanic community, she said. We have that opportunity here in Laredo. We must be able to take that information Laredo can help us provide and disseminate it to the entire country, because Mexican-Americans are everywhere. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio is the only facility in Texas designated by the National Institute on Aging as an Alzheimers Disease Research Center, and it is one of only 33 such centers in the nation. Carrillo said a partnership between it and the UT Center at Laredo is a perfect match. What weve already seeded with the Alzheimers Association through the Laredo medical centers all working together on awareness and articulating the need, it is a perfect time to bring in this resource that is federally funded and mandate it to support the Hispanic community. That is fantastic, she said. That opportunity is not only to talk about awareness but actually talk about implementing clinical care and treatment. That is the opportunity we have today. It is necessary to bring the Laredo community into the South Texas Alzheimers Center. Seshadri agreed and is eager to continue building on the partnership. She said the roundtable was so effective that she suggested holding a similar event every three months going forward. With the relationships built here, Im hoping 2024 is going to be a transformational year for our provisional services and the opportunities for research and care in Laredo, Seshadri said. There is a strong tradition of public health. During COVID, it did a wonderful job. And there are all these schools where local children are being trained to have these health profession careers. It is a wonderful resource to pilot effective programs. You have such an engaged patient and patient care community that come to these events and are willing to provide feedback and be part of research. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Along with wanting to benefit the Laredo community, Seshadri said the findings from research locally could have a global impact. Laredo has a lot of the infrastructure in place as well as being exactly the type of city that if we figure out how to prevent and provide care for dementia here, we can reproduce that model to benefit many parts of the Earth, she said. A roundtable discussion on Alzheimers was hosted at the UT Center at Laredo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 with prominent national, state and local leaders discussing research opportunities with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases and ways to improve access to care. Jason Mack/Laredo Morning Times Focusing on treatment and prevention Dr. Luis Benavides is a family physician working with Laredo Premier ASAS Health who has lived in Laredo for 43 years. He said along with the research, it is crucial to keep local physicians trained on how best to care for their patients. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As Baby Boomers go into that age group, we are going to see this more and more. We need to be better trained and better prepared in order to serve our population, Benavides said. What can we do for the people who have it now? What can we do with the research to find out how we can prevent people from getting to this position of having this life-threatening disease? This was a good opportunity for everyone to find resources not only for those who have the disease but for caregivers as well which is just as important. In addition to caring for and conducting research with Laredo residents who already have Alzheimers and other dementia, the roundtable featured discussions on ways to help minimize risk factors for the disease. Omar Oropeza, Director of Special Programs at UTRGV for the Alzheimers Disease Resource Center, said city planning is instrumental for increasing exercise opportunities and for making it easier for patients to get to clinics. It is really important because we can have a lot of neurologists and research and medical experts with state-of-the-art facilities, but if they dont find a way where a patient can walk to the clinic, it is pointless, he said. It is important to include the city planners. They provide city transportation, parks where people can exercise. The architecture impacts health. Zaffirini spoke with District III Councilmember Melissa Cigarroa after the roundtable and said they are working to organize a meeting led by her and other members of the city along with representatives from the Health Department and the City Planning Department to talk about what the City of Laredo can do to aid the effort. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other topics discussed at the roundtable included preparing the area to collect and store research-level MRIs, providing assistance with insurance and how to file and appeal, utilizing research or philanthropic programs to help people being denied coverage and more. Joe Arciniega, Dr. Sudha Seshadri and Adriana Nunemaker are pictured at a roundtable discussion on Alzheimers hosted at the UT Center at Laredo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 with prominent national, state and local leaders discussing research opportunities with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases and ways to improve access to care. Jason Mack/Laredo Morning Times Available resources The UT Center at Laredo has visiting physicians available every Monday at its clinic and nurse practitioners available other days once care has been established, and it is working to increase availability. There are also a wide variety of other resources available for those with Alzheimers and other dementia and their caregivers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Anyone with questions about Alzheimers and available resources and support can contact the free 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900. Laredo is hosting an education series on the third Tuesday of every month at the UT Education & Research Center. For more information on the events and other resources offered by the San Antonio & South Texas Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, visit alz.org/sanantonio. Now that the groundwork has been laid and relationships have been established, Arciniega said he is eager to see everyone get to work toward their common goal. This is groundbreaking. Several things happened concurrently with this. Primarily it is bringing the leadership from the Biggs Institute here and letting them know that Laredo is not going to be without, he said. Laredo can no longer be without, whether it is diagnosis and treatments, understanding what caregivers need, connecting them with insurance opportunities, this is the hub that has to be built here in Laredo now. We have to large a segment of the population who cant do the two-hour drive to San Antonio. They certainly cant if they are already diagnosed and have to have regular treatment. We brought all the people together, and now the hard work begins. But we got everyone together in one room and that is a step that has not happened yet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A roundtable discussion on Alzheimers was hosted at the UT Center at Laredo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 with prominent national, state and local leaders discussing research opportunities with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimers and Neurodegenerative Diseases and ways to improve access to care. Jason Mack/Laredo Morning Times With discussions spanning from reforming the UN to navigating complex geopolitical dynamics, the Dialogue underscores India's strategic importance Think tanks play a pivotal role in the policymaking and implementation of these policies. In India, though the Prime Minister and the government officials articulate policies, it's the intellectual prowess of these institutions that shapes Indias cultural diplomacy landscape. Their influence in shaping foreign policy is increasingly recognised, with India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) leveraging their expertise to advance Indian interests on the global stage. A prime example of this collaborative effort is evident in the annual Raisina Dialogue, a prestigious forum jointly organized by the MEA and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), which serves as a platform for global leaders to address pressing issues facing the international community. Around 2500 participants from 115 countries took part in the recent edition of Raisina Dialogue this year. Under the theme 'Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create,' the dialogue provided a platform to discuss the evolving dynamics of the global landscape. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's call for reforms in the United Nations and Security Council to better reflect the contemporary world order was a significant highlight of the dialogue. This emphasised India's push for a more inclusive global governance system that acknowledges the rise of new global powers. The discussions at the Raisina Dialogue delved into the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Russia. India advocated for a balanced approach that provides Russia with multiple options beyond aligning closely with China. This stance, amidst differing views from Western countries, reflects India's strategic positioning as a 'middle power' capable of navigating between competing global interests. Additionally, discussions on cultural rebalancing and challenging skewed narratives demonstrated India's commitment to promoting fairer representation in global diplomacy and challenging the status quo. The significance of the Raisina Dialogue lies not only in its high-profile participants but also in its ability to generate discourse that transcends traditional diplomatic channels. Through multilateral conferences and facilitated dialogues, think tanks like ORF play a crucial role in bringing together stakeholders from like-minded states to devise solutions to common challenges. The Raisina Dialogue showcased Indias prominence in shaping the future world order and its assertiveness on a global level. The Raisina Dialogue, often compared to Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue, attracts distinguished participants from various fields, including politics, defence, diplomacy, academia, and journalism. Over the years, it has witnessed the participation of eminent figures such as former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This year's event, held in New Delhi, featured panels addressing critical topics, including discussions on the Indo-Pacific security framework, showcasing India's commitment to regional stability and cooperation. At the Raisina Dialogue, these think tanks present insights on how India's cultural diplomacy can foster mutual understanding and respect among nations. They offer recommendations on leveraging cultural heritage, soft power assets, and digital platforms to enhance India's global influence. At its core, the Raisina Dialogue serves as a testament to the growing importance of think tanks in shaping international relations and cultural diplomacy. By providing an informal space for the exchange of ideas between states, these dialogues foster dialogue and cooperation on a wide range of issues, from security and defence to trade and climate change. Moreover, think tanks have a long history of influencing foreign policy and diplomacy, dating back to the Cold War era. For example, initiatives like the Dartmouth Conference and the Neemrana Dialogue paved the way for unofficial dialogues between adversaries, leading to confidence-building measures and cooperation on critical issues. Similarly, the Raisina Dialogue has become a platform for India to assert its role in the Indo-Pacific region and engage with stakeholders on a new security framework. Think tanks like the Observer Research Foundation, India Foundation, and Vivekananda International Foundation are at the forefront of formulating policies that project India's cultural heritage and values on the global stage. Through research, analysis, and strategic recommendations, they facilitate dialogue and cooperation between India and other nations. The prominence of Indian think tanks in cultural diplomacy has surged in recent years. Institutions like India Foundation and Vivekananda International Foundation have stepped up, providing innovative solutions and policy frameworks for cultural exchange programmes, educational initiatives, and people-to-people connections. Furthermore, think tanks collaborate with universities and academic institutions to deepen cultural ties through educational exchanges, research partnerships, and language programs. By engaging with diverse stakeholders, including civil society, diaspora communities, and international organisations, they amplify India's cultural narrative and promote intercultural dialogue. Through their research and advocacy efforts, they contribute to shaping a vibrant and inclusive cultural diplomacy agenda for India. Not only do they play a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural understanding, but they also help in countering cultural stereotypes related to India in the West. By highlighting India's rich diversity and pluralistic ethos, they challenge misconceptions and foster a more nuanced appreciation of Indian culture and society. (The writer is an associate professor, views are personal) Religious teachings assert the presence of a higher power in every facet of existence We all are today living in an age where technology rules, yet many of us believe that god is everywhere and in everything around us. According to religious scholars, HE is present in every creature and every particle and everything is a manifestation of HIM. Is it so? If thats the case then why is there so much strife, hatred and sorrow in this world? For ages, humans have prayed to HIM and undertaken penances to get a glimpse of HIM or receive HIS blessings. Now! From a rational point of view, the very act of prayer is contrary to the belief in God's omnipresence, because if HE is present everywhere and in everyone, what is the need to pray? And why have saints, seers and other holy people searched for Supreme if HE was everywhere? In the 18th Chapter of the Gita which is a summary of the entire Bhagavad-Gita, God says sarva-dharman parityajya ,mam ekam saranam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo,moksayisyami ma sucah meaning Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. This brings up the most important question of liberation or salvation. It is believed that God comes or descends to this world to liberate humanity from sorrow. Now! if he is already present everywhere, where is the need for him to come from anywhere? nor should sages and saints need to undertake rigorous practices to attain moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Going by the history of various religions, it is said that the founders of those religions brought the Supreme's message to mankind at different points in history to rid humanity of evil. Now! If HE were in this world HE wouldn't need to send any messenger to communicate with HIS children among whom He is present. Does he? There is also the belief that all human souls are fragments of God and they will ultimately merge into HIM. This mistaken belief also implies that the Supreme Soul and human souls are separate, though the fact is that souls are children, not fragments, of God and both of them are eternal and they never merge. When all these things contradict the idea of an omnipresent God why is it that it still has a hold on human minds? One reason is that the devotees have misinterpreted the omnipotence of God as omnipresence because HE helps them wherever they are and whenever they need HIM, often by giving them divine visions. This is mistaken by many devotees to be a manifestation of the omnipresence of God. But in reality, it is not so. In Bhagavad-Gita, the Almighty Supreme clearly says that humans cannot reach HIM by prayer, penance, reading scriptures or doing charitable deeds. HE gives HIS introduction to everyone when HE comes to this world at the end of the Iron Age when unrighteousness has reached extreme proportions and humanity is experiencing great sorrow. He also reminds us of our true identity, that we all are eternal souls and not bodies and finally HE teaches us the unique art of Rajyoga, by which the souls can cleanse themselves of all their sins and become worthy of taking birth in the Golden Age where there is complete peace, purity and happiness. So, stop searching for him, instead start following his divine teachings. (Writer is a spiritual educator & popular columnist; views are personal) At the WTO Ministerial Conference, India stood firm on its stance on public stock-holding programme, drawing strong opposition from the developed countries The 13th ministerial conference (MC) of WTO (World Trade Organisation) held on February 26-29, 2024 in Abu Dhabi has ended in a deadlock. This is because India leads about 80 countriesthe G33 including India, African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, together called ACPon on one hand and the European Union (EU) and the USA representing the developed countries on the other didnt budge from their respective pre-meditated positions. On the most important issue of finding a permanent solution to the public stock-holding (PSH) programme for food security, Indias stance was vehemently opposed by the USA/EU. Currently, under Indias PSH programme, government agencies like the Food Corporation of India (FCI) buy agri-produce such as wheat, rice/paddy, and coarse cereals from farmers at the minimum support price (MSP) and give it free to Indias poor population under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The cost of supplying food i.e. MSP plus handling, storage and distribution costs is paid as a subsidy from the Union Budget. This can be bifurcated into two components (a) subsidy to the farmer, which is the excess of MSP of, say, rice over its international price also known as External Reference Price (ERP) and (b) subsidy to the food consumer, being the excess of ERP over nil. The WTO is concerned with (a) branded as product-specific subsidies. The international price/ERP of any commodity is based on global demand-supply forces and is determined competitively. All farmers irrespective of their country of location are expected to receive this price. In case, because of the intervention by the government of a member country say India, the farmers therein receive a price/MSP higher than this, they are presumed to have been subsidised to the extent of excess of MSP over ERP. The WTO is also concerned with subsidies on agricultural inputs like fertilisers, seeds, irrigation, power, etc., referred to as non-product specific subsidies. Termed as Amber box subsidies, under the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), the total of product and non-product-specific subsidies or aggregate measurement support (AMS) is capped at 10 per cent of the value of agricultural production for a developing country. If a member country gives AMS over 10 per cent, it is a violation. The AoA came into force in 1995. For India, until 2005, MSP was less than ERP. Thereafter, MSP has been higher than ERP and, in the last decade, this gap widened. During 2019-20, in the case of rice, AMS was 13.7 per cent, exceeding the 10 per cent cap. The big question is:-Does this excess subsidy distorts international trade? The answer is a categorical no. This is because the formula for the computation of AMS is flawed. The ERP used for comparing with MSP (albeit current) dates back to 1986-88. This is bound to artificially inflate the subsidy. Besides, AoA calculation doesnt exclude subsidies given to resource-poor farmers. These farmers mostly produce food for self-consumption meaning they dont have a surplus to sell. Both these flaws need to be removed. By using the current ERP and excluding subsidies to resource-poor farmers, Indias subsidy will automatically go below the 10 per cent threshold. Second, the entire purchases from the farmers albeit at the MSP are meant for sale to the poor beneficiaries under the NFSA. Hence, the question of cereals thus procured entering the global market doesnt arise. For over a decade, India has been hammering on these points to constitute what is being touted as a permanent solution. But, developed countries have looked the other way. All that they conceded was sanction for a peace clause at the MC-9 in Bali (2013). It said, If a developing country gives AMS over 10 per cent, no member will challenge this until 2017 when the WTO would look for a permanent solution. This was modified in the General Council (GC) held in December 2014, to say The peace clause will stay till a permanent solution is found. However, the peace clause comes with several riders, such as the submission of data on food procurement, stockholding, distribution and subsidies. These also include establishing that subsidies are not trade distorting. Besides, programmes implemented after 2013 are not covered under the ambit of the peace clause. India has invoked the peace clause several times for breaching the 10 per cent ceiling in case of subsidy on rice. However, developed countries have objected to such invocation citing it is not transparent and that cereals procured under PSH are illegitimately exported. It would appear that charge levelled by Thailand Ambassador to the WTO Pimchanok Vonkorpon Pitfield (she said, 40 per cent of Indias rice exports were stocks diverted from PSH) was made at their behest. The developed countries have an interest in ensuring that their agri-produce occupies a big space in the international market. This, in turn, will require that Indian exports be discouraged. Therefore, the extant arrangement (read: peace clause with riders) suits them. Hence, they have no interest in finding a permanent solution. It has been deferred for over a decade and they will continue to do so. Meanwhile, India will do well to ensure smooth sailing with the peace clause. To avoid pinpricks by developed countries, the government should ensure that purchases by its agencies are synchronized with the requirements of NFSA; that excess stock situations are avoided and that there is no leakage of subsidised food from the PSH programme. On fisheries subsidies, in sync with the principles of polluter pays and common but differentiated responsibilities, India had proposed that developed countries abolish their subsidies over the next 25 years even while exempting developing countries from over-fishing subsidy prohibition within these 25 years. In this regard, the MC - 12 held on June 12-17, 2022 (Geneva) decided that no subsidies will be given for fishing in areas outside exclusive economic zones (EEZ) or RFMOs (regional fisheries management organisation). It also agreed to check illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and mooted very strict controls on overfishing so that fish stocks are restored. India was allowed to give subsidies for fishing in the EEZ - merely a reiteration of its rights under the UN Law of the Sea Convention. However, this was subject to putting in place a regime for managing and monitoring marine fish stocks within two years. If it fails, it will be compelled to stop subsidies for poor fishermen. In the MC13, India wanted unconditional exemption to the poorer nations for the subsidies they give for their small-scale and artisanal fishermen. The developed countries refused to give it. As for the moratorium on customs duty on e-commerce (developed countries have been its prime beneficiaries since 1998), India wanted this to go as developing countries are losing billions of dollars in duties foregone. The MC12 had decided to extend the moratorium till MC -13 or March 2024, whichever is earlier. During the Abu Dhabi Ministerial, India reiterated this demand. It stuck to its stance till the last moment but had to give up as the majority of the members (including the UAE) decided to continue the moratorium for two more years. Meanwhile, India stalled attempts by China to get through an agreement on investment facilitation. It also opposed efforts by developed countries to bring other non-trade issues such as environment, labour standards, industrial policy etc to the table. (The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal) An Indian was killed and two other Indians injured in a missile attack by Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border prompting the Indian Embassy there on Tuesday urging its citizens to move to safer areas in Israel. It was the first Indian casualty since the Hamas-Israel conflict began in October last year. The advisory came shortly after a man hailing from Kollam, Kerala was killed on Monday in the attack on an orchard in Margaliot in north Israel where he was working with some others also hailing from his native State. While the deceased was identified as Nibin Maxwell, the injured were identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin. In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indians nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel. The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals, the Indian Embassy in Israel said. The Israel Embassy here said in a statement on Tuesday that two others, also from Kerala, were injured in the cowardly attack by Hezbollah. The three were cultivating an orchard at the time of the missile strike, the statement said. The Israel Embassy has said its prayers go out to the families of the dead and the injured. Israeli Medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured who are being treated by our very best medical staff. Israel regards equally all nationals, Israeli or foreign, who are injured or killed due to terrorism. We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance, it said. Continued on Page 2 Indian citizen killed in Israel Our countries, who are sadly well versed in civilian loss, stand united in hopes of a speedy recovery for the injured and solace for the family of the bereaved, the statement added. Israels Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, said he had spoken to the brother of the Kerala man killed in the missile strike. I offered my heartfelt condolences to him and the family and reassured that Israel will be by their side for anything and everything, he said in a post on X. The anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon, news agency PTI has reported. The Shia faction of Hezbollah has been carrying out rocket strikes and drone attacks in north Israel in support of Hamas since the war began. A report by PTI from Kollam said the deceased had gone to Israel only two months ago to work in a poultry farm, according to his father. Maxwells father said it was his elder son who informed him about his younger sons death. My elder son called me around 4.30 pm on Monday and told me that Maxwell was injured in the attack and was hospitalised. Later, at around 12.45 am, he told me that my younger son had died, the father told a TV channel. He also said Maxwell left behind a four-and-a-half year old daughter and his wife was pregnant. Maxwell was in Muscat and Dubai earlier and then returned here. Thereafter, he went to Israel. First my elder son went there and a week later my younger son too went there, he said. He also said according to his elder son, Maxwells body would be brought back to Kerala in four days time as there are some formalities and paperwork to be completed. The missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11 am on Monday, Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), told PTI. The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Shiite Hezbollah faction in Lebanon, which has been launching rockets, missiles, and drones at northern Israel daily since October 8 in support of Hamas amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The Israel-Hamas war has raged on for nearly five months after the October 7 attacks on Israeli cities. Tel Avivs brutal counter strike has led to thousands of deaths in the Gaza Strip. New Delhi has said it is deeply troubled by the conflict and the humanitarian crisis it has led to. At a briefing at the UN General Assembly, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, said the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children. This is simply unacceptable. We have strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict. India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, she said. India is committed to supporting a two-State solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders with due regard to the security needs of Israel, she added. There was a high drama at the Bengal Police headquarters at Bhavani Bhavan in South Kolkata when the State Police (read Criminal Investigation Department) refused to comply with the Calcutta High Court by handing over the papers and the prime accused Sandeshkhali Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation in the high-profile Sandeshkhali case. Though neither the police nor the CBI officials would react officially to the high-voltage drama, sources in the agency said there is a likelihood of them moving a contempt petition in the High Court again on Wednesday. A three-member CBI team flanked by the Central forces had to return empty handed after the CID refused to transfer the accused to the CBI. The act of the police may be seen as a contempt of court, advocate Srinjay Sengupta said adding, If there is no stay expressly given by any higher forum the order of the High Court would prevail and should be complied to For the police to act in that manner the High Court order had to be stayed by the Apex Court if such is not the case here then the police are liable to contempt proceedings. Earlier on Tuesday, the Bengal Government rushed to the Supreme Court to obtain a stay on the Calcutta High Court order transferring the Sandeshkhali cases to the CBI. However the State would not get a relief as the apex court directed senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing the Bengal Government to mention the petition before the Registrar General. This window of time, legal experts said, would provide the CBI the time to get the papers related to the Sandeshkhali case transferred to it from the Bengal Police. Earlier, the Division Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya directed the Bengal Police to handover all papers as well as the custody of prime accused Shahjahan Sheikh concerning the Sandeshkhali cases to the CBI. The Sandeshkhali cases include the January 5 attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials when they went to raid the house of Shahjahan in connection with Rs 10,000 crore ration scam and subsequent allegations of land-grab and sexual attack on women. Shajahan went at large from January 5 and was arrested last week by the State police in connection with Sandeshkhali violence. The Uttar Pradesh Government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath embarked on its first Cabinet expansion during his second term, strategically broadening its representation across regions and castes in anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The move aims to resonate with a diverse electorate and consolidate support for the ruling party. On Tuesday, four new Ministers were sworn in, signaling a concerted effort to encompass varied interests. The inductees include Om Prakash Rajbhar, chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP); Anil Kumar from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD); and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma. The swearing-in ceremony, officiated by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, took place at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. Expressing his gratitude, SBSPs Om Prakash Rajbhar remarked on the significance of representation for marginalised communities in governance. This appointment is a testament to the acknowledgment of the marginalised societys aspirations, he said, indicating a broad spectrum of political approval for his inclusion. RLD leader Anil Kumar, acknowledging the responsibility bestowed upon him, extended thanks to his party chief Jayant Chaudhary, Yogi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised a commitment to honesty in his endeavours and expressed determination towards achieving electoral success for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the State. This Cabinet expansion marks a strategic move by the BJP to fortify its foothold across various regions of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the impending Lok Sabha polls, slated to be a crucial battleground for electoral dominance. The recent political developments have seen RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary formalising the partys alliance with the ruling NDA, underscoring a concerted effort towards coalition building and electoral preparation. RLD has also announced its candidates for the upcoming general elections, reinforcing its commitment to the alliance. With these strategic appointments, the Uttar Pradesh Government aims to navigate the electoral landscape effectively, catering to the aspirations of a wide-ranging populace as the State gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After prolonged anticipation and numerous postponements, the much-awaited Cabinet expansion has finally taken place, just ahead of the looming Lok Sabha elections. Speculations had been rife since last years Diwali festivities, but it was not until now that the expansion materialised. The BJP has reportedly aimed to honour its commitments to alliance partners, offering Ministerial positions under the poll deal. One inclusion in the expanded Cabinet is Omprakash Rajbhar, who previously served as a Cabinet Minister during Yogis first term in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar had defected to the Samajwadi Party (SP) before the 2022 Assembly elections but returned to the BJP fold a few months ago, after falling out with the SP. His re-inclusion in the Cabinet is believed to be part of the pre-election agreement within the alliance. Continued on Page 2 Yogi expands UP Cabinet to include diverse voices The BJP leadership is optimistic that Rajbhars return to the Cabinet will help alleviate tensions and foster greater cooperation. Rajbhar had expressed discontent over the denial of a ticket to Rajesh Singh Dayal from the Salempur Lok Sabha seat, openly voicing his grievances during a recent event in Ballia, where he also criticised BJP candidate Ravindra Kushwaha. Another significant addition to the Cabinet is Dara Singh Chauhan, who also made a comeback to the BJP fold after a stint with the SP. Despite losing the Ghosi seat in a by-election, Chauhans stature within the BJP remained intact, leading to his elevation to ministerial status. Hailing from the Nonia-Chauhan community, which holds sway in the OBC demographics of Azamgarh, Mau, and Varanasi in Purvanchal, Chauhans inclusion is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate support among non-Yadav OBC voters. With Akhilesh Yadavs campaign focusing on the PDA (Backward-Dalit-Extremely Exploited) slogan, the BJP aims to counterbalance by leveraging Chauhans influence to attract OBC votes in crucial constituencies. The cabinet expansion, therefore, not only signifies a fulfillment of alliance promises but also underscores BJPs strategic maneuvers ahead of the impending electoral battle. Biswajeet Banerjee n Lucknow The Uttar Pradesh Government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath embarked on its first Cabinet expansion during his second term, strategically broadening its representation across regions and castes in anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The move aims to resonate with a diverse electorate and consolidate support for the ruling party. On Tuesday, four new Ministers were sworn in, signaling a concerted effort to encompass varied interests. The inductees include Om Prakash Rajbhar, chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP); Anil Kumar from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD); and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma. The swearing-in ceremony, officiated by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, took place at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. Expressing his gratitude, SBSPs Om Prakash Rajbhar remarked on the significance of representation for marginalised communities in governance. This appointment is a testament to the acknowledgment of the marginalised societys aspirations, he said, indicating a broad spectrum of political approval for his inclusion. RLD leader Anil Kumar, acknowledging the responsibility bestowed upon him, extended thanks to his party chief Jayant Chaudhary, Yogi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised a commitment to honesty in his endeavours and expressed determination towards achieving electoral success for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the State. This Cabinet expansion marks a strategic move by the BJP to fortify its foothold across various regions of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the impending Lok Sabha polls, slated to be a crucial battleground for electoral dominance. The recent political developments have seen RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary formalising the partys alliance with the ruling NDA, underscoring a concerted effort towards coalition building and electoral preparation. RLD has also announced its candidates for the upcoming general elections, reinforcing its commitment to the alliance. With these strategic appointments, the Uttar Pradesh Government aims to navigate the electoral landscape effectively, catering to the aspirations of a wide-ranging populace as the State gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After prolonged anticipation and numerous postponements, the much-awaited Cabinet expansion has finally taken place, just ahead of the looming Lok Sabha elections. Speculations had been rife since last years Diwali festivities, but it was not until now that the expansion materialised. The BJP has reportedly aimed to honour its commitments to alliance partners, offering Ministerial positions under the poll deal. One inclusion in the expanded Cabinet is Omprakash Rajbhar, who previously served as a Cabinet Minister during Yogis first term in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar had defected to the Samajwadi Party (SP) before the 2022 Assembly elections but returned to the BJP fold a few months ago, after falling out with the SP. His re-inclusion in the Cabinet is believed to be part of the pre-election agreement within the alliance. The BJP leadership is optimistic that Rajbhars return to the Cabinet will help alleviate tensions and foster greater cooperation. Rajbhar had expressed discontent over the denial of a ticket to Rajesh Singh Dayal from the Salempur Lok Sabha seat, openly voicing his grievances during a recent event in Ballia, where he also criticised BJP candidate Ravindra Kushwaha. Another significant addition to the Cabinet is Dara Singh Chauhan, who also made a comeback to the BJP fold after a stint with the SP. Despite losing the Ghosi seat in a by-election, Chauhans stature within the BJP remained intact, leading to his elevation to ministerial status. Hailing from the Nonia-Chauhan community, which holds sway in the OBC demographics of Azamgarh, Mau, and Varanasi in Purvanchal, Chauhans inclusion is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate support among non-Yadav OBC voters. With Akhilesh Yadavs campaign focusing on the PDA (Backward-Dalit-Extremely Exploited) slogan, the BJP aims to counterbalance by leveraging Chauhans influence to attract OBC votes in crucial constituencies. The cabinet expansion, therefore, not only signifies a fulfillment of alliance promises but also underscores BJPs strategic maneuvers ahead of the impending electoral battle. Two women were apprehended by police on the charge of looting a passenger in a moving train in Baleswar district on Monday. The accused, who are natives of West Bengal, were handed over to Government Railway Police (GRP) by the passengers after they caught them red-handed. Reports said one Jayanti Behera was travelling with her family from Bhubaneswar in the Jan Shatabdi Express to Soro in the district. However, when the train was approaching the station and she was standing near the compartments door to get off at the station, one of the miscreants stole money from her vanity bag and disappeared in the crowd. When she raised an alarm, other passengers caught the woman at the Soro station and seized Rs 6,000 from her. Getting information, police detained the two women and began an investigation into the incident, reports said. The politics of Odisha underwent a transformation in many spheres with the dawn of the 21st century. First, it centred around the newly formed Biju Janata Dal ( BJD) and the Bhartiya Janata Party( BJP) alliance from 2000 to 2009 and later, revolved singularly around the BJD. The Congress party, the second player since 2000, fell to the third position in the 2019 poll. While the BJD almost maintained its 2014 polls vote-share percentage in 2019 poll, the BJPs vote share almost doubled due to the fall in the same quantum of the vote share of the Congress. The post-2019 by-elections and the local body polls have indicated the 2019-poll political status of the three parties in order of score, though the Congress lost more percentage of its vote-share. The fall of the Congress partys vote share in by-polls and local body polls have benefitted the BJP mostly. Therefore it is widely believed that the performance of the Congress in the forthcoming 2024 poll shall decide the political status of the BJP in the State. There are two possible scenarios relating to the performance of the Congress in the next general election. One scenario is the revival of the Congress party and the other is its further decimation. These two scenarios shall yield two different electoral outcomes in the State. If the Congresss vote share falls further lower than its 2019 -level, it shall benefit the BJP immensely. This is what the BJP leaders are also anticipating. As the Congress voters are primarily anti- BJD, it has been found that they move to another opposition party ( BJP) when Congress becomes weak at the constituency level. The fall in the vote share of the Congress helps the BJP more as there is no secular versus communal debate in Odisha to keep the Congress voters away from the BJP. Secondly, in a situation of the growth of the BJP at the constituency level during the poll, the dissident BJD- voters also move towards the BJP. This happened in Brahmagiri, Puri and some other Assembly constituencies enabling the BJP candidates to win without previous organisational strength. The same situation was also applicable to a Congress-ally in the fray. The fall in the vote share of the Congress in Lok Sabha poll also helped the BJP. In 2014 poll , the BJD had bagged 20 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP had bagged one. The Congress could not win in any seat. The margin of win was very high for the BJD as the Congress was in better position. The Congress was in the second position in 11 seats and the BJP was in the second position in 9 seats. Except Koraput and Nabarangpur , the BJD defeated the Congress by over one lakh votes margin in nine constituencies. Similarly, except Kalahandi, Bargarh and Sambalpur, the BJD defeated the BJP by over one lakhs votes in other constituencies. But in 2019 poll, the BJD won 12 , the BJP won eight and the Congress won one Lok Sabha seat. The BJD defeated the BJP by over one lakh votes only in six seats (Kandhamal, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Aska). The BJP defeated the BJD within 30,000 vote- range in Sambalpur, Baleswar, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Bhubaneswar and Mayurbhanj seats. On the other hand, the BJP lost to the BJD in Puri , Bhadrak and Dhenkanal within 35,000 vote margin. In Sundargarh seat, the BJP defeated the BJD by over two lakhs votes. The winning margin and the winning scenario of the BJD was disturbed due to the weakness in the Congress. Let us look at the other possibility. If the Congress party revives at the national level and the State level and the State unit of the Congress makes better election- management, then there shall be a fall in the poll outcome of the BJP at the Lok Sabha and Assembly Constituency level which shall benefit the BJD like the 2014- poll. What is happening to the BJD? The BJD shall obviously target to increase its vote share beyond 45% level of last election and enhance its last time score of 113 Assembly and 12 Lok Sabha seats, taking into account the BJP-Congress electoral dynamics. Last time, the BJDs Assembly poll vote share increased marginally by 1.3% to reach 44.71% level whereas that of the BJP increased by 14.5% to reach 32.5% mark. But in the Lok Sabha poll, the BJPs vote share increased by 16. 9% to reach 38.4% mark whereas the BJDs vote share fell by 1.3% to 42.8% level. For the first time, the BJDs vote share dropped by 1.3% in Lok Sabha electoral domain. It appeared that there was resistance at 45% vote share level for the BJD in 2019 poll. The BJDs growth depends on how it overcomes this resistance. The BJD shall also examine if the electoral-dynamics between the BJP and Congress can affect its voting domain. The BJD Government has lunched many new programmes during 2019-24 period, including strengthening the Mission Shakti programmes to reach out to its traditional women voters. It may declare some more schemes. Organisational secretary MLA Pranab Prakash Das has contributed to the strengthening of the organisation at the district level under the direction of BJD Supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The recent entry of the previous 5T Secretary VK Pandian into the BJD and his work under the direction of the BJD Supremo shall strengthen the election management efficiency of the BJD. Ticket selection, ticket-dissident management and countering the oppositions propaganda shall play a crucial role in the electoral outcome of the BJD, though the political climate is favourable for Naveen Patnaik to become the sixth-term Chief Minister in 2024. The shortage of candidates in 147 Assembly seats might continue to haunt the BJP and the Congress in the next elections in the State. nThe Enforcement Directorate on Monday alleged that mining contractors linked to the District Mineral Fund (DMF) in Chhattisgarh paid huge amounts of illegal gratification to officials and political executives in exchange for getting work tenders. The agency said in a statement that it carried out searches in this case at 13 locations in the state on March 1 and seized about Rs 27 lakh in cash apart from incriminating digital and paper documents. The money laundering probe into the alleged DMF scam was initiated after studying three FIRs registered by the Chhattisgarh Police. The FIRs booked the contractors and some other accused on charges of siphoning off government funds in collusion with officials and political executives. This case is related to corruption in the use of funds from the DMF in Chhattisgarh. The DMF is a trust funded by miners that has been set up in all districts of the state with an aim to work for the benefit of those affected by mining-related projects and activities, the ED said. The contractors paid huge amounts of commission/illegal gratification to officials and political executives, which is to the tune of 25 to 40 percent of the contract value, it alleged. The ED said the cash used for payment of kickbacks was generated by the vendors using accommodation (hawala) entries. Quoting an instance, the ED said the DMF allocated to Korba district was more than Rs 2,000 crore (till FY 2022-23). At the prevalent rate, the commission amount in Korba alone would be Rs 500-600 crore. Analysis of data for the whole state and quantification of proceeds of crime is underway, the ED said. A scheduled wedding, taking place between two alleged gangsters Anuradha Choudhary alias 'Madam Minz' from Rajasthan and Sandeep alias Kala Jathedi from Haryana is being discussed in police circles. The gangster duo is going to tie the nuptial knot on March 12 at Sonipat in Haryana after a courtship of about four years. Sandeep will be out on bail for just six hours for his wedding. The court has granted parole to Sandeep for his marriage. Anuradha is already on bail. Their marriage invitation card also went viral on social media. Anuradha, a closed confidante of slain gangster Anandpal Singh, is facing over half-a-dozen cases related to money laundering, abduction, giving threats and arms Act in Rajasthan and Delhi. Sandeep, who is a close associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is facing over a dozen cases of robbery, murders, attempt to murder, extortions and arms Act in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, according to Delhi police records. An officer said both were arrested by a team of Delhi Police Special Cell from near a dhaba on Yamuna Nagar-Saharanpur highway on July 30, 2021. They were staying together at that point in time. Then, Anuradha was carrying a reward of Rs 10,000 by the Rajasthan Police while Sandeep was carrying a reward of Rs 7 lakh for his arrest, the officer said. The duo's love story began in 2020, when Anuradha met Sandeep in Madhya Pradesh's Indore through a common associate, Vicky Singh, who is also Anandpal's brother, an officer said, adding both were on the run then. According to Sandeep's dossier, he got married to Anuradha in a temple and stayed in a rented accommodation in Indore for a few months. The police said in March, 2021, the duo went to Bihar and stayed there for a few months. In June, they left from Bihar and went to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Later, they went to Shirdi in Maharashtra and also visited Mathura in UP. They finally spent a few days in Uttarakhand, Haridwar before getting arrested by Delhi Police, as mentioned in Anuradha's dossier. Another officer said after getting bail, Anuradha would meet Sandeep in jail using legal methods. We got to know that Anuradha was taking care of Sandeep's parents in Sonipat, he said. The officer said Anuradha got the title 'Minz' from her first husband, Deepak Minz, whom she married in 2007 but parted ways in 2013. The police said Anuradha also pursued MBA before joining banking business. Later, she got involved in money laundering cases and joined hands with Rajasthan's slain gangster Anandpal Singh, who was gunned down in an encounter in Churu in 2017. A resident of village Jathedi in Sonipat, Sandeep was a student of ITI in Sonipat in Haryana. While studying, he fell in bad company, according to his dossier shared by a senior officer of Sonipat police. In 2004, he came to Delhi with his associates. On the same day that he visited Delhi, he snatched a mobile phone of one person in Siraspur area. He was caught by the police red-handed on the spot and a first case was registered against him at Samaipur Badli police station, said the senior police officer. Last year, the Haryana government ordered demolition of his house and shops constructed on the government's 'panchayati' land. We had to announce a reward of Rs 7 lakh on his head. At the same time, the Delhi Police imposed MCOCA on him, a Haryana police officer said. Jose Luis Carmona. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office A man accused of raping a woman said he had erectile dysfunction, according to Laredo police. Jose Luis Carmona, 54, was served with an arrest warrant on Feb. 19 charging him with sexual assault, a second degree felony. He remained behind bars as of Friday, according to Webb County Jail records. The case unfolded at about 9:32 p.m. Aug. 20 when officers responded to a sexual assault report in the 4500 block of La Brea Lane. A woman reported that she had just been sexually assaulted by a male yet to be identified. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She stated she had been outside in the backyard of the residence's property where she is one of several people who rent separate rooms at the location. The woman stated she had been drinking since about 1 p.m. At approximately 9 p.m., she went into her own rental room. Then, a male she had been outside with went into her room and struck her in the face. The male then sexually assaulted her. During the assault, the woman pulled out her cellphone camera and recorded a short clip, where she is heard crying and saying No, no, states the arrest affidavit. The camera recorded an image of the alleged perpetrator who is seen wearing a distinctive cap and sunglasses. Authorities then spoke to the landlord. He identified his handyman, electrician as the alleged suspect. Police identified the suspect as Carmona. Carmona met with an investigator for an interview at LPD headquarters on Aug. 31. Carmona arrived at the meeting wearing a distinctive cap and sunglasses. He agreed to answer questions, according to court documents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Carmona stated he arrived at the landlords property after doing some work for him at another location and joined the get-together in the yard. Carmona stated the group drank beer and ate chicken while they played cards. Among the group was (the woman), whom Carmona stated was teasing him with sexual innuendos, states the affidavit. Carmona mentioned that he wound up inside the womans residence after she invited him in. She was naked, and the two started kissing. Carmona stated he has erectile dysfunction but did admit that he used his hands during the sexual encounter, according to court documents. Carmona further stated that he was in the video clip wearing the same cap and sunglasses during the interview with the investigator. He provided a buccal swab saliva sample, according to court documents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 17-km long additional section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor from Duhai to Modi Nagar North on Wednesday, NCRTC officials said on Tuesday. A Namo Bharat train will be flagged off on the new additional section by the prime minister from Muradnagar Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) station remotely through video conference from Kolkata. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will also remain present during the inauguration. With this, an additional 17-km stretch from Duhai to Modi Nagar North on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, beyond the operational priority section, will be ready for operations. The extension encompasses three stations - Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar South and Modi Nagar North. With the inauguration of this additional 17-km section, Namo Bharat services will be seamlessly available on 34 km of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, incorporating eight stations from Sahibabad to Modinagar North, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) said. The foundation stone for India's inaugural RRTS corridor, linking Delhi to Meerut, was laid by the prime minister in March 2019. It was started for passenger operations in October 2023. The newly-added 17-km stretch of the Namo Bharat train service extends the coverage of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor beyond its initial operational priority section. This expansion is poised to boost regional connectivity, making commuting within the area more convenient and seamless, the NCRTC said in a statement. The RRTS boasts a design speed of 180 kmph and operation speed of 160 kmph. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, stretching over 82 km, is expected to shrink travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday said it had accepted the Congress' invitation to join the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat between March 7 and 10. In a release, the Gujarat unit of AAP announced that a large number of party workers and leaders will take part in the yatra in the state. The yatra is scheduled to enter the BJP-ruled state at Jhalod in Dahod district on March 7 and will cover a distance of 467 km before entering neighbouring Maharashtra on March 10. The 6,700km 'Manipur to Mumbai' Yatra, which started on January 14, will pass through seven Gujarat districts with a sizable tribal population and cover 14 of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. "Both AAP and Congress are part of the INDIA bloc. Our state president Shaktisinh Gohil talked at length with AAP's state unit president Isudan Gadhvi (on phone) today and extended our invitation to join Rahul Gandhi's yatra during its Gujarat leg. AAP has accepted our invitation," said Doshi. "A large number of AAP cadres and leaders, including Gadhvi, will join the yatra when it enters Dahod on March 7. AAP will contribute in making this yatra a success in Gujarat. A joint press conference in this regard will be organised in coming days," the AAP release said. The yatra will pass through Dahod, Panchmahal, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Tapi, Surat and Navsari districts before entering Maharashtra. Notably, one AAP MLA and three Congress MLAs in Gujarat have resigned and joined the ruling BJP since December last year. As Karnataka is facing an acute water crisis due to severe drought, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced setting up control rooms at Taluk level and helpline numbers. Briefing reporters after a meeting with the principal secretaries and deputy commissioners in the districts, he said task forces headed by the local MLAs have been constituted to tackle drought in the state. "There will be district and Taluk level control rooms to face water crisis. A helpline will be created. The state government will take up all the measures to tackle the water crisis and will ensure that there is no shortage of funds," Siddaramaiah said. According to him, out of 236 Taluks, about 223 of them have been drought hit, including 219 severely affected. "We had called the principal secretaries and deputy commissioners and directed them that there should not be any drinking water crisis. We will give as much money as possible to provide drinking water. The deputy commissioners of the districts have a fund of Rs 854 crore of which Rs 130 crore is with the Tahsildars," the chief minister said. The task forces at Taluk level will ensure drinking water, fodder for cattle and jobs for people there. Till now, these task forces have convened 646 meetings at Taluk level, Siddaramaiah said, adding, 20 drought management authorities in the state had 307 meetings till now. The chief minister said there is a drinking water crisis in about 412 Panchayats in 98 Taluks and water is being supplied through 204 water tankers in 175 villages. In 500 Gram Panchayats, water is being supplied through 596 private borewells. In Bengaluru city, 120 municipal tankers and 232 water board tankers are supplying water. Siddaramaiah said local administration will take control over private borewells and agreements will be made with them and money will be paid accordingly. He also said Rs 70 crore has been released to drill new borewells with the permission of Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat chief executive officers. An instant relief amount of Rs 2,000 has been paid to each of the 33.25 lakh farmers, which has cost the state government Rs 631 crore, he said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday filed his nomination papers for re-election to the state legislative council. Kumar, who is running for a fourth consecutive term, filed his nomination papers in the presence of a host of senior leaders of the ruling NDA, including his deputies Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who belong to the BJP, and Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan" whom he succeeded as the JD(U) national president. Besides Kumar, nomination papers were filed by his cabinet colleague Santosh Suman and JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar. Suman's father Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former chief minister who heads Hindustani Awam Morcha, was also present. The Election Commission has announced biennial polls for 11 seats of the state legislative council, the terms of which would end in May. Of these, the JD(U) had held four, though following a diminution in its strength in the assembly, the party has given up its claim on two of the seats. Besides Kumar and Anwar, those from the JD(U) whose terms were nearing expiry are Sanjay Kumar Jha, who recently got elected to the Rajya Sabha, and Rameshwar Mahto, who has been dropped. JD(U) sources said sitting MLC Khalid Anwar was considered for a second consecutive term. The BJP is yet to announce its candidates, though Choudhary had said, "We will contest four seats, leaving one for our partner Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)." The BJP held three of the seats for which elections have been announced. Of the remaining seats, two are held by the RJD's Rabri Devi, a former chief minister and currently the leader of the opposition in the legislative council, and Ram Chandra Purve, who is deputy chairman of the Upper House. One seat is held by Prem Chandra Mishra of Congress. Meanwhile, Choudhary had cryptically said, "Seven is the minimum number of seats that the NDA will contest. If the need arises, we may fight for more." Filing of nominations will come to a close on March 11, and the last date for withdrawal is March 14. Voting is scheduled for March 21. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered transfer of the probe into an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials at Sandeshkhali on January 5 from the West Bengal Police to the CBI. The court also directed that the custody of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal police on February 29 in connection with the attack, be handed over to the central agency. A division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam directed that the directions be complied with by 4.30 pm on Tuesday. Both the ED and the West Bengal government moved separate appeals challenging a single bench order which on January 17 ordered formation of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and the state police to probe the mob attack on the ED officials. While the ED wanted the probe to be transferred to the CBI only, the state prayed that the investigation be given to the state police only. The TMC leader was arrested by the state police a day after the high court ordered that Sheikh, who is also the prime accused in alleged sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing at Sandeshkhali, can be arrested by the CBI, the ED or the West Bengal Police. Shares of IIFL Finance Ltd slumped 20 per cent on Tuesday after the Reserve Bank barred the firm from disbursing gold loans, with immediate effect following multiple supervisory concerns, including serious deviations in assaying and certifying the purity of the yellow metal. The stock dived 20 per cent to Rs 478.50 -- its lower circuit limit -- on the BSE. At the NSE, it tanked 19.99 per cent to hit the lower circuit limit of Rs 477.75. The company's market valuation eroded by Rs 4,552.85 crore to Rs 18,253.97 crore. Financial services provider, IIFL Finance offers a range of loans and mortgages. The latest directions from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) pertain to only the gold loan business. In a statement on Monday, the RBI said it has directed IIFL Finance Ltd "to cease and desist, with immediate effect, from sanctioning or disbursing gold loans or assigning/ securitising/ selling any of its gold loans". The company can, however, continue to service its existing gold loan portfolio through the usual collection and recovery processes, it added. The supervisory restrictions will be reviewed upon completion of a special audit to be instituted by the RBI and after rectification by the company of the special audit findings and the findings of RBI Inspection to the satisfaction of the central bank, it added. Giving details, the central bank said an inspection of the company was carried out by it with reference to its financial position as of March 31, 2023. Certain material supervisory concerns were observed in the gold loan portfolio of the company. As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assumed office for a second time, experts here do not see an immediate improvement in ties between Pakistan and India due to their major differences over the vexed Kashmir issue. The two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours have been locked in a love-hate relationship since independence from British colonial rule in 1947, having brief periods of engagement amidst conflicts. They have so far fought at least three major wars, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, with both claiming it in its entirety. The ties nosedived in 2019 after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories. Pakistan termed the step a violation of the UN Security Council Resolutions and severed all links, including trade, with India. Rasul Bux Raees, Professor of Political Science at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, told PTI that the divergence in the ties has widened since 2019, and it is not easy to judge how the two sides can reverse the tide and embark on a different course that may lead them to reconciliation. I dont see an immediate change in attitudes or any re-engagement, as India is also going for elections and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not like to change its narrative about Pakistan, he said. The formation of a new government in Pakistan after the general elections has created hope that Prime Minister Shehbaz may strike a positive chord to end the deadlock and improve the battered ties with India. Shehbaz after being elected as the leader of the House on Sunday raked up the Kashmir issue in his maiden address but pledged to improve ties with all leading nations, including the countrys neighbours. Lets all come together [] and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians, Shehbaz said. Pakistan has been insisting that the onus of improving the ties was on India and urging it to undo its unilateral steps in Kashmir as a sort of pre-condition to start the talks. India has dismissed the suggestion and made it clear to Pakistan that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were integral and inalienable parts of the country. New Delhi has also asserted that the constitutional measures taken by the Indian government to ensure socio-economic development and good governance in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are matters internal to India. It has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. Professor Raees said it was easier for the government to say something than do it about India and the new government would not take any quick initiative as after internal strife spanning over the years, Pakistan has become weaker and hence not in a position to force conditions on India. Pakistan is not in a position to put conditions before the start of a dialogue, as India has become stronger with the passage of time and Pakistan weaker, he said. Dr Ashfaq Ahmed, Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Sargodha, said that initially the Pakistan prime minister would be fully focused on stabilising the coalition government, and it may not be possible for him to concentrate on external relations, especially ties with India. But later on, maybe after six months, the government will have to make a move on relations with India if it wants to address some major issues like trade and water scarcity in the country, he said, adding that water is becoming a big issue for Pakistan. He also said that it would be interesting to note the reaction by India once the Pakistani government sent any signal that it was ready to engage in the resumption of talks. Raees also said engagements may begin with talks on trade and other related issues, and with the building of confidence, the two sides can talk on the Kashmir issue. Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Monday decided to form a new alliance with former premier KP Sharma Olis party after terminating its nearly 15-month partnership with the Nepali Congress due to differences between the top leadership. The alliance between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) led by Prachanda and the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress has been terminated as the growing differences between the two top leaders reached a climax, a CPN-Maoist Centre party leader said. As (the) Nepali Congress did not cooperate with the Prime Minister, we are forced to look for (a) new alliance, Ganesh Shah, Secretary of the CPN-Maoist, told PTI. Prachanda became the prime minister for the third term with the support of the Nepali Congress on December 25, 2022. After breaking the alliance with the Nepali Congress the largest party in the House of Representatives Prachanda joined hands with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist), led by Oli, who was regarded as Prachandas top critic. Last year, the CPN-UML withdrew its support to the Prachanda-led government following a rift over backing the main opposition partys candidate for the presidential poll. The new cabinet will be formed on Monday afternoon, and the size of the cabinet will be smaller, said Surendra Pandey, Vice-chairman of the CPN-UML. The rift between the Maoist Centre and Nepali Congress grew after differences grew between Nepali Congress leader and Finance Minister Mahat and Prachanda over the issue of budget allocation to certain projects. The rift grew as Nepali Congress President Deuba wanted the partys senior leader and newly elected lawmaker Krishna Sitaula to be made the Chairman of the National Assembly against Prachandas plan to appoint his partys fellow to the key post. On Monday, the CPN-UML Chairman Oli met Prachanda at the Prime Ministers quarters at Baluwatar and discussed matters relating to forming a new alliance, Shah said. The two leaders discussed the formation of a new government, a future course of action and possible leftist alliance among others, according to sources close to Baluwatar, Shah said. Soon after the meeting, leaders of three political parties, including Prime Minister Prachanda, CPN-UML chairman Oli and Rastriya Swatantra Partys (RSP) Ravi Lamichhane met at Baluwatar and discussed the modality of the new alliance and the formation of the new government. Nepali Congress emerged as the largest party in the House of Representatives during the November 2022 general election, securing 89 seats out of a total of 275. The CPN-UML secured 78 seats, followed by the Maoist Centre, which got 32 seats. The RSP, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Janata Samajwadi Party and CPN-Unified Socialist won 20, 14, 12 and 10 seats respectively. It is necessary for a party to win the support of at least 138 members of the House of Representatives to form the government. CPN-UML, the second largest party in Parliament, will be a major alliance for the Prachanda-led new government. Campbell Soup (NYSE:CPB Get Free Report) is set to announce its 01/31/2024 earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, March 6th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.77 per share for the quarter. Campbell Soup has set its FY24 guidance at $3.09-$3.15 EPS.Investors interested in listening to the companys conference call can do so using this link. Campbell Soup (NYSE:CPB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 6th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.04. Campbell Soup had a net margin of 8.55% and a return on equity of 23.71%. The business had revenue of $2.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.52 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.02 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect Campbell Soup to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Campbell Soup alerts: Campbell Soup Trading Up 1.0 % NYSE:CPB opened at $43.28 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $12.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.33, a PEG ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.24. The companys 50 day moving average price is $43.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.04. Campbell Soup has a 52 week low of $37.94 and a 52 week high of $56.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. Campbell Soup Announces Dividend Insider Buying and Selling The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 4th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 3rd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.42%. Campbell Soups payout ratio is 55.85%. In related news, EVP Anthony Sanzio sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.31, for a total value of $132,930.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,238 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $630,885.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 20.64% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Campbell Soup A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CPB. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Campbell Soup by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,259,524 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,036,678,000 after buying an additional 1,387,605 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Campbell Soup by 2.1% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,657,529 shares of the companys stock worth $970,811,000 after purchasing an additional 357,500 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Campbell Soup by 16.8% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,182,043 shares of the companys stock worth $542,954,000 after purchasing an additional 1,749,650 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Campbell Soup by 1.2% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,375,839 shares of the companys stock worth $240,059,000 after purchasing an additional 49,905 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Campbell Soup by 6.1% in the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,060,326 shares of the companys stock worth $166,798,000 after purchasing an additional 233,241 shares in the last quarter. 50.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have commented on CPB. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Campbell Soup in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $47.00 price objective for the company. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Campbell Soup from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. TheStreet raised shares of Campbell Soup from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Campbell Soup from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Campbell Soup in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They set a sell rating and a $41.00 price target for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.88. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Campbell Soup About Campbell Soup (Get Free Report) Campbell Soup Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets food and beverage products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Meals & Beverages and Snacks segments. The Meals & Beverages segment engages in the retail and foodservice businesses in the United States and Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Campbell Soup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Campbell Soup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Free Report) (NYSE:CM) had its price objective boosted by Cormark from C$64.00 to C$68.00 in a report published on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. CM has been the topic of several other reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$58.00 to C$56.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. Bank of America upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$63.00 to C$66.00 in a research note on Monday, December 18th. National Bankshares raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from C$62.00 to C$71.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Desjardins lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$64.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$65.00 to C$67.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$65.38. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on CM Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 0.1 % Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Announces Dividend Shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce stock opened at C$65.82 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$61.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.06, a PEG ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.09. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$62.31 and its 200-day moving average price is C$56.90. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 52-week low of C$47.44 and a 52-week high of C$66.42. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.47%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.05%. About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Get Free Report) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the expansion of lanes in the Colombia Bridge at Paseo Real on Friday, March 1, 2024. Courtesy/Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the expansion of lanes in the Colombia Bridge at Paseo Real on Friday, March 1, 2024. Courtesy/Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the expansion of lanes in the Colombia Bridge at Paseo Real on Friday, March 1, 2024. Courtesy/Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino City of Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and the governor of Nuevo Leon Samuel Garcia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the expansion of lanes in the Colombia Bridge at Paseo Real on Friday, March 1, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Samuel Garcia, Governor of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, speaks to the audience during the signing of a MOU between City of Laredo and the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon to expand lanes on Colombia Bridge, at Paseo Real on Friday, March 1, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times A busy agenda that included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia on the expansion of lanes at the Colombia Bridge took place at Paseo Real on Friday. Trevino said that the MOU is the first step to obtain a presidential permit for the expansion of the lanes. Any international project begins with the MOU, Trevino said. By obtaining the presidential permit, we can proceed with all the plans, permits, requisition of the necessary funds, engineering projects and everything that follows after the permit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He added that they hope to obtain this permit within a year. Trevino said that this expansion, together with that of the World Trade Bridge, will contribute to half a trillion dollars in goods passing through Laredo in five years. Trade will increase tremendously, he said. And as Laredoans, we have a great responsibility to be attentive to responding appropriately to this great trade that is coming. Trevino also said that this new era in commerce in the city will require improving the infrastructure and superstructure in many aspects. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are going to require federal and state funds, because as a city, we cannot absorb all the cost, he said. This is a new era for Laredo, one of great prosperity and responsibility. The event also served as a platform for the swearing-in of the new board of directors of the Association of Customs Agents of Colombia and the Nuevo Leon-Laredo Logistics Cluster. Toward the end of the event, Garcia gave a presentation about the development of Nuevo Leon, Port Colombia and the growth expected with the arrival of nearshoring. Garcia said Nuevo Leon acquired a border area with the United States during the government of Bernardo Reyes in the 19th century. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 130 years ago, this governor did many good things: the first was to negotiate with Coahuila a piece of border called Candela, and he exchanged it for a piece of land called Arteaga, because he knew that in the future an exit to the United States would be needed, he said. That governor visited some states of the United States and offered them to settle in Nuevo Leon with a Tax Exemption Law. And he managed to convince 10 large companies to settle in our state. He said he convinced companies from the cement, steel and glass industry, as well as a Milwaukee brewery, among others. And so today we have a transnational cement company called CEMEX, in steel we have Ternium, in glass we have Vitro, the brewery that today is Femsa-Heineken, among others he said. And so those large industries trusted that governor and that law and took his industries and turned Nuevo Leon into the industrial state of Mexico. Today Nuevo Leon is what it is because of that vision from 130 years ago, and today it concentrates 70-80% of the country's industries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During his presentation, Garcia spoke about why large transnational companies were looking for Nuevo Leon to install their factories in that state, such as TESLA. We are obviously selected for many factors such as our strategic location, logistics infrastructure, human capital and security, he said. He also highlighted that the state of Nuevo Leon and the Port of Colombia have the fastest, safest and most efficient border crossing in Mexico. He said that every week 2-3 companies around the world invest or expand in Nuevo Leon, and the state currently has more than 4,500 foreign companies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 76% of Mexicos nearshoring arrives to Nuevo Leon, he said. Finally, he said that not only do they attract nearshoring, but the state also attracts the future: greenshoring. Alior Bank (OTCMKTS:ALORY Get Free Report) and Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and profitability. Insider & Institutional Ownership 69.3% of Citigroup shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Citigroup shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Alior Bank alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Alior Bank and Citigroup, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Alior Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Citigroup 1 5 10 0 2.56 Profitability Citigroup has a consensus target price of $57.03, indicating a potential upside of 1.59%. Given Citigroups higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Citigroup is more favorable than Alior Bank. This table compares Alior Bank and Citigroups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Alior Bank N/A N/A N/A Citigroup 5.88% 6.49% 0.51% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Alior Bank and Citigroups top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Alior Bank N/A N/A N/A C$1.48 1.40 Citigroup $78.49 billion 1.37 $9.23 billion $3.99 14.07 Citigroup has higher revenue and earnings than Alior Bank. Alior Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Citigroup, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Citigroup beats Alior Bank on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Alior Bank (Get Free Report) Alior Bank S.A. provides banking products and services to individuals, businesses, and enterprises in Poland. The company offers personal and savings accounts; investment loans; mortgage; and insurance services. It also offers bills and cards, trade finance, deposits, internet banking, and treasury related products and services. In addition, the company provides commercial bonds, pension, and investments fund services, as well as operates trading platforms. Alior Bank S.A. was founded in 2008 and is based in Warsaw, Poland. About Citigroup (Get Free Report) Citigroup Inc., a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions. The Markets segment offers sales and trading services for equities, foreign exchange, rates, spread products, and commodities to corporate, institutional, and public sector clients; and market-making services, including asset classes, risk management solutions, financing, prime brokerage, research, securities clearing, and settlement. The banking segment includes investment banking; advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, and corporate defense activities; and corporate lending, which includes corporate and commercial banking. The U.S. Personal Banking segment provides co-branded cards and retail banking services. The Wealth segment provides financial services to high-net-worth clients through banking, lending, mortgages, investment, custody, and trust product offerings; and to professional industries, including law firms, consulting groups, accounting, and asset management. The company was founded in 1812 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Receive News & Ratings for Alior Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alior Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) had its price objective hoisted by National Bankshares from C$90.00 to C$94.00 in a research report report published on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a sector perform rating on the stock. Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$95.00 to C$96.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$101.00 to C$102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Scotiabank increased their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$100.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$98.00 to C$96.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$110.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian Natural Resources currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$98.06. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Canadian Natural Resources Canadian Natural Resources Price Performance Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend Shares of TSE CNQ opened at C$95.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.01, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The company has a market cap of C$104.36 billion, a PE ratio of 14.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.98. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$86.43 and a 200 day moving average price of C$87.11. Canadian Natural Resources has a 1-year low of C$67.13 and a 1-year high of C$98.69. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.39%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 59.51%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Canadian Natural Resources news, Director Norman Murray Edwards sold 270,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$88.86, for a total transaction of C$23,993,361.00. In other Canadian Natural Resources news, Director Norman Murray Edwards sold 270,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$88.86, for a total transaction of C$23,993,361.00. Also, Senior Officer Timothy Shawn Mckay sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$87.03, for a total value of C$4,351,385.00. Insiders have sold 426,074 shares of company stock worth $37,656,884 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 2.23% of the companys stock. About Canadian Natural Resources (Get Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Read More Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alps Advisors Inc. lowered its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 29.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 66,232 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 27,226 shares during the quarter. Alps Advisors Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $6,415,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. AXQ Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter worth about $484,000. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 29.2% during the 3rd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 97,710 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $9,463,000 after purchasing an additional 22,077 shares in the last quarter. Wahed Invest LLC increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 27,320 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,646,000 after purchasing an additional 2,519 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 2,936,016 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $284,353,000 after purchasing an additional 22,519 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 41.3% in the 3rd quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 4,348 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $421,000 after acquiring an additional 1,271 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.70% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance ABT traded down $0.89 on Tuesday, hitting $119.15. 975,931 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,166,929. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $89.67 and a 12 month high of $120.60. The business has a 50-day moving average of $113.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $104.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $206.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.82, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 67.48%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ABT shares. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00. View Our Latest Report on Abbott Laboratories Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.50, for a total value of $55,932.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares in the company, valued at $2,223,060. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 71,435 shares of company stock worth $8,071,298 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alberta Investment Management Corp cut its position in Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report) by 76.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 20,900 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 67,253 shares during the period. Alberta Investment Management Corps holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $934,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 15.8% during the third quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 766,792 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,253,000 after purchasing an additional 104,903 shares during the last quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 7.7% in the third quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,742 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 840 shares during the period. Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new position in shares of Dominion Energy during the third quarter worth $990,000. United Services Automobile Association boosted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 16.5% during the third quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 23,576 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,053,000 after acquiring an additional 3,346 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec boosted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 3.0% during the third quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 3,801,959 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $169,834,000 after acquiring an additional 110,600 shares during the last quarter. 70.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Dominion Energy Price Performance Dominion Energy stock traded up $0.37 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $47.07. The company had a trading volume of 2,607,611 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,285,166. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $46.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $45.83. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.18 and a 1-year high of $58.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.42 billion, a PE ratio of 20.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.04. Dominion Energy Announces Dividend Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.11). Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 8.83% and a net margin of 12.40%. The business had revenue of $3.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.21 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.06 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 2.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.6675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.67%. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 114.59%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently issued reports on D. Barclays raised shares of Dominion Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the company from $45.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, November 6th. StockNews.com cut shares of Dominion Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $50.00 to $49.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Finally, Guggenheim decreased their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $57.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $50.18. View Our Latest Stock Report on Dominion Energy Insider Activity at Dominion Energy In other Dominion Energy news, CEO Robert M. Blue purchased 21,735 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $45.91 per share, for a total transaction of $997,853.85. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 176,240 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,091,178.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders. Dominion Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding D? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 20.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 106,263 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 17,825 shares during the quarter. Alps Advisors Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $6,168,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $332,000. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $150,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,075,000 after buying an additional 57,444 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after acquiring an additional 68,018 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. TheStreet cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.17. Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 2.0 % NYSE:BMY traded up $1.04 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $51.96. The stock had a trading volume of 5,856,701 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,765,476. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The company has a market capitalization of $105.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.19, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $47.58 and a one year high of $71.07. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $50.29 and a 200 day moving average of $53.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.95% and a net margin of 17.83%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.82 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.62%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.18%. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alps Advisors Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI Free Report) by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 71,140 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 2,813 shares during the quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Robert Half worth $5,213,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 44,397 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,340,000 after purchasing an additional 3,450 shares in the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 151.9% in the 3rd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 72,505 shares of the business services providers stock worth $5,313,000 after purchasing an additional 43,726 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 17.8% in the 3rd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 785,690 shares of the business services providers stock worth $57,594,000 after purchasing an additional 118,800 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 88.5% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 27,740 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,048,000 after purchasing an additional 13,026 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rehmann Capital Advisory Group boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 5,925 shares of the business services providers stock worth $434,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.63% of the companys stock. Get Robert Half alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on RHI shares. UBS Group started coverage on Robert Half in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. They set a sell rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Robert Half from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Robert Half from $66.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $68.57. Robert Half Trading Down 1.7 % NYSE:RHI traded down $1.35 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $80.39. 278,930 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 977,467. Robert Half Inc. has a 52-week low of $64.65 and a 52-week high of $88.39. The firms fifty day moving average price is $81.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.91. The company has a market cap of $8.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.12, a P/E/G ratio of 20.13 and a beta of 1.26. Robert Half (NYSE:RHI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The business services provider reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.47 billion. Robert Half had a return on equity of 25.73% and a net margin of 6.43%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.37 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Robert Half Inc. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. Robert Half Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This is a boost from Robert Halfs previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.64%. Robert Halfs dividend payout ratio is currently 54.78%. Robert Half Profile (Free Report) Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AMA Group Limited (ASX:AMA Get Free Report) insider Caroline Waldron acquired 1,238,803 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were bought at an average cost of A$0.07 ($0.04) per share, for a total transaction of A$80,522.20 ($52,287.14). Caroline Waldron also recently made the following trade(s): Get AMA Group alerts: On Friday, December 29th, Caroline Waldron acquired 277,777 shares of AMA Group stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of A$0.07 ($0.05) per share, for a total transaction of A$19,999.94 ($12,986.98). AMA Group Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 413.28. AMA Group Company Profile AMA Group Limited operates vehicle and heavy motor collision repair facilities in Australia and New Zealand. It operates through three segments: Vehicle Collision Repairs, Heavy Motors, and Supply. The company offers rapid repairs of cars; specialized facilities for all commercial vehicle repairs; and genuine, reclaimed, and aftermarket parts, as well as collision repair consumables for the mechanical and collision repair sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for AMA Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AMA Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,500,000 shares, a growth of 21.8% from the January 31st total of 7,800,000 shares. Approximately 2.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 3,060,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently issued reports on AMH shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. They issued an outperform rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com downgraded American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $39.00 price objective on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $34.00 to $41.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Homes 4 Rent has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $37.93. Get American Homes 4 Rent alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on AMH American Homes 4 Rent Trading Down 1.4 % American Homes 4 Rent Increases Dividend Shares of NYSE AMH traded down $0.52 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $36.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,556,906 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,296,697. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $35.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.19. The stock has a market cap of $13.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.46. American Homes 4 Rent has a 12 month low of $28.78 and a 12 month high of $37.97. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This is an increase from American Homes 4 Rents previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. American Homes 4 Rents dividend payout ratio is currently 88.00%. Insider Buying and Selling In other American Homes 4 Rent news, CAO Brian Reitz sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.53, for a total value of $106,590.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 35,343 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,255,736.79. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Matthew J. Hart sold 7,263 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.76, for a total value of $266,987.88. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 41,336 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,519,511.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Brian Reitz sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.53, for a total transaction of $106,590.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 35,343 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,255,736.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 6.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of American Homes 4 Rent Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of American Homes 4 Rent in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $789,947,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 31.4% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,539,167 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $763,564,000 after acquiring an additional 5,152,089 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 5,494.4% during the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,876,063 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $172,808,000 after purchasing an additional 4,788,904 shares during the last quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 725.9% in the 1st quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 4,816,638 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $192,810,000 after buying an additional 4,233,435 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 8.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 43,405,083 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,737,505,000 after buying an additional 3,533,157 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.97% of the companys stock. About American Homes 4 Rent (Get Free Report) American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH), which does business as AMH, is a leading owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Homes 4 Rent Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Homes 4 Rent and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,532,619 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 13,580 shares during the quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc.s holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $284,552,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in WEC Energy Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $242,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of WEC Energy Group by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 97,046 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $7,817,000 after purchasing an additional 6,427 shares in the last quarter. Financial Planning & Information Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of WEC Energy Group by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Planning & Information Services Inc. now owns 60,614 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,882,000 after purchasing an additional 586 shares in the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd boosted its position in shares of WEC Energy Group by 132.1% during the 3rd quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 32,986 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,657,000 after purchasing an additional 18,775 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $11,624,000. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at WEC Energy Group In other WEC Energy Group news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total value of $223,258.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,402,131.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Gale E. Klappa sold 37,180 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.69, for a total value of $2,925,694.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 274,782 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,622,595.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total value of $223,258.70. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 43,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,402,131.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their price target for the stock from $90.00 to $84.00 in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Bank of America reissued an underperform rating and issued a $78.00 price objective (down previously from $84.00) on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. StockNews.com cut shares of WEC Energy Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, January 13th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price target on WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, WEC Energy Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $86.17. View Our Latest Research Report on WEC WEC Energy Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE WEC traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $79.89. 968,567 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,424,226. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $80.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $82.15. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $75.13 and a twelve month high of $99.26. The firm has a market cap of $25.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.07, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.17% and a net margin of 14.98%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were paid a $0.835 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.18%. This is a boost from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. WEC Energy Groups payout ratio is currently 79.15%. WEC Energy Group Profile (Free Report) WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. The company operates through six segments: Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate and Other. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WEC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. trimmed its stake in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Free Report) by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,922,473 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 57,693 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. owned 1.35% of AvalonBay Communities worth $330,203,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Clarius Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 4.0% in the second quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 1,425 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Vanderbilt University raised its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 1.6% in the third quarter. Vanderbilt University now owns 3,728 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $640,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Wexford Capital LP grew its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Wexford Capital LP now owns 3,347 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $633,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 11.8% in the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 624 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Square LLC boosted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 4.1% in the second quarter. Capital Square LLC now owns 2,029 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $384,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.71% of the companys stock. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently commented on AVB. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $191.00 price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. KeyCorp reiterated a sector weight rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Truist Financial downgraded AvalonBay Communities from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the company from $202.00 to $203.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Wolfe Research cut AvalonBay Communities from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $188.00 to $185.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AvalonBay Communities currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $196.34. AvalonBay Communities Stock Down 0.6 % NYSE AVB traded down $1.03 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $184.14. 244,775 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 877,255. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $179.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $176.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a 1-year low of $153.07 and a 1-year high of $198.65. The company has a market cap of $26.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.27, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.92. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($1.03). The firm had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $701.67 million. AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 33.56%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.59 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 10.86 EPS for the current year. AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a $1.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.69%. This is a boost from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.76%. AvalonBay Communities Profile (Free Report) As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Feature: Intangible cultural heritage enriches China-U.S. subnational exchanges 15:04, March 05, 2024 By Yang Shilong ( Xinhua NEW YORK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- In a remarkable act of cultural diplomacy, a series of events showcasing the rich heritage of Henan Province, a central region of China celebrated for its deep historical and cultural significance, captivated audiences in New York City and Philadelphia. Last Thursday, the Chinese Consulate General in New York was transformed into a vibrant epicenter of arts and traditions, displaying the ancient crafts of paper-cutting and dough sculpture, the disciplined elegance of martial arts, and the emotive allure of Henan Opera. These exhibitions drew an enthusiastic response from a diverse audience. One of the event's highlights was when Yuan Shengke, a master of Chinese paper-cutting, created silhouettes of guest speakers David Adelman, a board officer of the U.S.-China Green Institute, and Jessica Bissett, senior director at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Yuan captured their likenesses with astonishing speed and accuracy. "His abilities are amazing. I can't believe he made this in just two minutes while I was speaking. It looks a lot like me," said Bissett, expressing her amazement at Yuan's skill. The New York Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Center, led by Master Lan Chaohai, further enhanced the spectacle with an artful demonstration of Shaolin, a symbol of Henan's martial legacy. Chen Daoyong, a master of dough sculpture, demonstrated the 2,000-year-old folk art by turning simple dough into intricate, colorful figures that narrate tales of heroes, deities, and daily life in ancient China. Adding to the cultural feast was an intriguing performance of an excerpt from the renowned Henan opera Hua Mulan, celebrated for its expressive storytelling, elaborate costumes, and unique musical styles. This performance wowed attendees, further showcasing Henan's diverse culture and its contributions to the performing arts. Driving home the importance of these subnational exchanges, Adelman, who has visited China numerous times since 1987, called for enhancing partnerships at the state and provincial level, particularly through people-to-people connections. "The states in the U.S. are looking for business (in China), and increasingly, Chinese businesses are looking for opportunities in the West. It's a good partnership, mutually beneficial," he told Xinhua. "China has an interest in American success, and America has an interest in China's success. It should be perfect," he said, pointing out the wide-ranging eagerness within the United States to engage with China, from Hollywood to Silicon Valley, the agricultural centers in America's heartland, and Wall Street. Bissett added a forward-looking perspective on the role of youth and subnational initiatives in enhancing U.S.-China cultural and people-to-people exchanges. "There'll be a lot of Chinese delegations from various cities coming to the United States in the next few months," said Bissett. "I hope that these delegations can help further encourage an increase in people-to-people exchange and help Americans better understand various regions of China." She emphasized the need for the two countries' younger generation to step up and take an active role in this endeavor. "And that's why we're here today. We look forward to playing more of an engaged role in the future." The ongoing Philadelphia Flower Show, which runs until March 10, has also witnessed subnational exchanges between China and the United States. Zhengzhou, the capital city of China's Henan Province, made its debut at this show by presenting a floral exhibition that showcases the charm of its culture. The exhibition has drawn inspirations from Zhengzhou's famed Songshan Mountain, known for its stunning natural and cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of Songshan Mountain and Zhengzhou's city flower, the Chinese rose. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Laredo Police Department. Courtesy/Laredo Police Department Laredo police announced an operation where they will target suspected drunk drivers, authorities said on Monday. LPD will work an Impaired Driver Mobilization Grant funded by the Texas Department of Transportation. With this initiative, officers will be deployed to work overtime and specifically target driving while intoxicated enforcement from March 7 to March 24. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aligned efforts with state and local law enforcement agencies, the Laredo Police Department is steadfast in its commitment to deter drunk driving and enhance public safety, LPD said in a statement. Approximately every 20 minutes in Texas, a crash involving alcohol results in injury or fatality. The Laredo Police Department urges all individuals to acknowledge the consequences of their actions and plan ahead. The message is clear: Plan While You Can. Drink. Drive. Go to Jail. In Texas, the legal limit for intoxication is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08. But if an officer thinks the persons driving is impaired, he or she can still be stopped and arrested for DWI regardless of their blood alcohol concentration. The Laredo Police Department urges the community to prioritize safety by refraining from impaired driving and supporting efforts to keep our roads safe for all. Together, let's make responsible choices to protect lives and prevent tragedies, LPD stated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A first conviction carries a $2,000 maximum fine or up to six months behind bars or both, a suspended drivers license for up to a year, and $1,000 or $2,000 every year for three years to keep the drivers license. Shares of Bancolombia S.A. (NYSE:CIB Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Reduce from the six research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $30.65. Separately, HSBC lowered Bancolombia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Get Bancolombia alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Bancolombia Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bancolombia Bancolombia Price Performance Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new position in shares of Bancolombia during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Bancolombia by 185.2% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,423 shares of the banks stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 924 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bancolombia by 100.9% during the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,870 shares of the banks stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 939 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Bancolombia by 164.9% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,069 shares of the banks stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 1,288 shares in the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in Bancolombia by 25.0% during the 2nd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,262 shares of the banks stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares during the period. Shares of Bancolombia stock opened at $32.62 on Tuesday. Bancolombia has a 12 month low of $21.55 and a 12 month high of $34.43. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $31.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $28.69. Bancolombia Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were issued a dividend of $0.8835 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 27th. This represents a $3.53 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.83%. This is a positive change from Bancolombias previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Bancolombias payout ratio is currently 53.28%. About Bancolombia (Get Free Report Bancolombia SA provides banking products and services in Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Bermuda, and Guatemala. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bancolombia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bancolombia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:URG Get Free Report) (TSE:URE) have received a consensus recommendation of Buy from the four analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $2.59. A number of equities analysts recently commented on URG shares. B. Riley started coverage on Ur-Energy in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. They issued a buy rating and a $3.00 price objective on the stock. Roth Mkm cut their price objective on Ur-Energy from $2.50 to $2.40 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, StockNews.com raised Ur-Energy to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, December 3rd. Get Ur-Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on URG Insiders Place Their Bets Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ur-Energy In related news, Director James M. Franklin sold 50,527 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1.54, for a total value of $77,811.58. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 616,133 shares in the company, valued at approximately $948,844.82. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In the last three months, insiders have sold 65,527 shares of company stock worth $104,762. Corporate insiders own 3.35% of the companys stock. Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in Ur-Energy by 413.0% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,943 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 19,276 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in shares of Ur-Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 71.5% during the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 30,401 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 12,673 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 76.6% during the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 33,146 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 14,382 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 149.4% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 36,864 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 22,084 shares during the last quarter. 43.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Ur-Energy Price Performance NYSEAMERICAN:URG opened at $1.59 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 5.71, a quick ratio of 5.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Ur-Energy has a 1-year low of $0.82 and a 1-year high of $2.01. Ur-Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report Ur-Energy Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium mineral properties. The company holds interests in 12 projects located in the United States. Its flagship property is the Lost Creek project comprising a total of approximately 1,800 unpatented mining claims and three Wyoming mineral leases covering an area of approximately 35,400 acres located in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ur-Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ur-Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alberta Investment Management Corp decreased its position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO Free Report) by 89.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 400 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,501 shares during the period. Alberta Investment Management Corps holdings in AutoZone were worth $1,016,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AZO. RB Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the first quarter valued at approximately $274,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in AutoZone during the first quarter worth approximately $57,000. Roundview Capital LLC boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 8.1% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 426 shares of the companys stock worth $871,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 31.7% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 237 shares of the companys stock worth $485,000 after buying an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 24.4% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 12,966 shares of the companys stock worth $26,331,000 after buying an additional 2,545 shares in the last quarter. 90.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get AutoZone alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently weighed in on AZO shares. DA Davidson raised their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,770.00 to $3,025.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Wedbush increased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,950.00 to $3,400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. TheStreet downgraded shares of AutoZone from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Raymond James upgraded shares of AutoZone from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $2,850.00 to $3,100.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,779.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $3,020.76. AutoZone Price Performance NYSE:AZO traded up $1.10 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $3,081.04. The stock had a trading volume of 20,044 shares, compared to its average volume of 165,096. AutoZone, Inc. has a 1-year low of $2,277.88 and a 1-year high of $3,088.85. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $2,721.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2,626.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.69, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $28.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $26.08 by $2.81. The company had revenue of $3.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.70% and a negative return on equity of 56.06%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $24.64 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 151.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at AutoZone In related news, VP Charles Pleas III sold 3,000 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,717.36, for a total transaction of $8,152,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,416 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,282,501.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other AutoZone news, VP Charles Pleas III sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,717.36, for a total value of $8,152,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,416 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,282,501.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof sold 1,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,735.00, for a total transaction of $5,196,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 521 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,424,935. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 17,807 shares of company stock valued at $47,821,141. Company insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. About AutoZone (Free Report) AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AZO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lowered its stake in Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD Free Report) (TSE:ABX) by 1.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 124,905 shares of the gold and copper producers stock after selling 1,430 shares during the quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Barrick Gold were worth $1,817,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of GOLD. Snider Financial Group purchased a new position in Barrick Gold during the 1st quarter valued at about $185,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Barrick Gold by 13.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 42,464,736 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $788,570,000 after buying an additional 5,188,456 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Barrick Gold by 40.8% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,824,320 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $437,387,000 after buying an additional 5,164,698 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Barrick Gold by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 43,399,480 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $631,228,000 after buying an additional 4,731,559 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kopernik Global Investors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Barrick Gold during the 2nd quarter valued at about $74,934,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.20% of the companys stock. Get Barrick Gold alerts: Barrick Gold Price Performance NYSE:GOLD traded up $0.25 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $15.71. The company had a trading volume of 17,879,899 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,993,584. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $15.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.07. Barrick Gold Corp has a one year low of $13.76 and a one year high of $20.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.58 billion, a PE ratio of 21.81, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a quick ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 3.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Barrick Gold Cuts Dividend Barrick Gold ( NYSE:GOLD Get Free Report ) (TSE:ABX) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The gold and copper producer reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $3.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. Barrick Gold had a return on equity of 4.64% and a net margin of 11.16%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.13 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Barrick Gold Corp will post 0.92 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a $0.074 dividend. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Barrick Golds dividend payout ratio is currently 55.56%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently issued reports on GOLD. National Bank Financial reiterated a sector perform overweight rating on shares of Barrick Gold in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Argus restated a hold rating on shares of Barrick Gold in a report on Monday, February 26th. Citigroup reduced their target price on Barrick Gold from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Barrick Gold from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Barrick Gold from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $21.86. Read Our Latest Analysis on Barrick Gold Barrick Gold Company Profile (Free Report) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GOLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD Free Report) (TSE:ABX). Receive News & Ratings for Barrick Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barrick Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Element Capital Management LLC reduced its position in Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH Free Report) by 9.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 41,152 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 4,434 shares during the quarter. Element Capital Management LLC owned about 0.06% of Black Hills worth $2,082,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in shares of Black Hills in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Black Hills in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Black Hills by 87.3% in the third quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 562 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Black Hills by 60.6% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 652 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the period. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Black Hills by 678.4% during the third quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 685 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 597 shares during the period. 86.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Black Hills alerts: Black Hills Price Performance Shares of BKH stock traded up $0.16 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $52.55. The stock had a trading volume of 129,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 554,074. The company has a market cap of $3.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.36 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.29. Black Hills Co. has a 12-month low of $46.43 and a 12-month high of $66.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Black Hills Increases Dividend Black Hills ( NYSE:BKH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $591.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $863.67 million. Black Hills had a return on equity of 8.09% and a net margin of 11.25%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.11 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Black Hills Co. will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a $0.65 dividend. This is a boost from Black Hillss previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.95%. Black Hillss payout ratio is 66.33%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently weighed in on BKH. Bank of America decreased their price target on Black Hills from $60.00 to $49.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 20th. Mizuho raised Black Hills from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $53.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Black Hills from $61.00 to $57.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on Black Hills from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $55.80. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BKH Black Hills Company Profile (Free Report) Black Hills Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. It operates in two segments, Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 220,000 electric utility customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and owns and operates 1,482 megawatts of generation capacity and 9,024 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BKH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Black Hills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Black Hills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MIY Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0465 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.87%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of MIY stock traded up $0.03 on Tuesday, hitting $11.45. 37,281 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 51,685. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund has a 52 week low of $9.45 and a 52 week high of $11.70. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.78. Get BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MIY. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 11.6% in the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 28,372 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $322,000 after acquiring an additional 2,941 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 26,652 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $295,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Buckingham Strategic Wealth LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $294,000. Walleye Capital LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $231,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 16.7% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 16,020 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $211,000 after acquiring an additional 2,291 shares during the last quarter. 19.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Company Profile BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in investment grade, long-term municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes and Michigan income taxes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of CAE Inc. (TSE:CAE Get Free Report) (NYSE:CAE) have received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$33.36. Several brokerages have weighed in on CAE. CIBC dropped their target price on CAE from C$37.00 to C$32.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of CAE from C$37.00 to C$34.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of CAE from C$35.00 to C$39.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Desjardins decreased their price objective on shares of CAE from C$35.00 to C$30.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, TD Securities decreased their price target on shares of CAE from C$36.00 to C$34.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Get CAE alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on CAE CAE Stock Up 0.7 % About CAE Shares of TSE:CAE opened at C$25.78 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 67.89. The company has a market cap of C$8.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.98, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.90. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$27.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$29.13. CAE has a fifty-two week low of C$24.75 and a fifty-two week high of C$33.87. (Get Free Report CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, and Rest of Americas. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CAE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund (NYSE:ENX Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, March 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be paid a dividend of 0.0394 per share on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $0.47 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Stock Performance Shares of NYSE ENX traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $9.94. 5,818 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 23,558. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $9.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.64. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund has a twelve month low of $7.84 and a twelve month high of $10.07. Get Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund alerts: Insider Transactions at Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund In related news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 19,040 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $9.65 per share, for a total transaction of $183,736.00. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 3,066,889 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,595,478.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders purchased 50,256 shares of company stock worth $474,543. Institutional Trading of Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Company Profile Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Stifel Financial Corp acquired a new stake in Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund in the 4th quarter worth about $107,000. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund in the 4th quarter valued at about $154,000. Finally, Cohen & Steers Inc. increased its holdings in Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund by 250.8% in the 4th quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 42,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $406,000 after buying an additional 30,100 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. The fund invests in the fixed income market of United States. It invests primarily in high grade municipal obligations comprising of various industries, such as general obligations, hospital, electric utilities, transportation, water and sewer, public education, and private education. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC Free Report) from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday, Marketbeat reports. Morgan Stanley currently has $8.50 price target on the oil and gas companys stock, down from their prior price target of $11.00. Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Ecopetrol from $12.50 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.60. Get Ecopetrol alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Ecopetrol Ecopetrol Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ecopetrol Shares of Ecopetrol stock opened at $10.67 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $11.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.00. Ecopetrol has a 1 year low of $8.59 and a 1 year high of $13.14. Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in EC. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ecopetrol in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Ecopetrol during the 1st quarter worth approximately $47,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Ecopetrol during the 1st quarter worth approximately $57,000. JBF Capital Inc. increased its position in shares of Ecopetrol by 50.0% in the 2nd quarter. JBF Capital Inc. now owns 6,000 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in shares of Ecopetrol by 2,285.7% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 7,491 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 7,177 shares during the last quarter. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Ecopetrol Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ecopetrol SA operates as an integrated energy company. The company operates through four segments: Exploration and Production; Transport and Logistics; Refining, Petrochemical and Biofuels; and Electric Power Transmission and Toll Roads Concessions. It engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas; transportation of crude oil, motor fuels, fuel oil, and other refined products, including diesel, jet, and biofuels; processing and refining crude oil; distribution of natural gas and LPG; sale of refined and petrochemical products; supplying of electric power transmission services; design, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of road and energy infrastructure projects; and supplying of information technology and telecommunications services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ecopetrol Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ecopetrol and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Element Capital Management LLC reduced its position in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 37.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 50,322 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 29,969 shares during the quarter. Element Capital Management LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $3,486,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,053,304 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,551,938,000 after purchasing an additional 108,102 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors raised its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 27,015,032 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,548,023,000 after buying an additional 1,255,926 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 20,512,235 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,934,919,000 after buying an additional 66,763 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 104,971.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,399,249 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,148,938,000 after buying an additional 15,384,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. raised its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 15,133,146 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,048,424,000 after buying an additional 818,849 shares during the last quarter. 79.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Edwards Lifesciences Stock Down 1.0 % NYSE EW traded down $0.84 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $86.18. The company had a trading volume of 863,579 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,060,260. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 3.38 and a quick ratio of 2.40. The firms 50 day moving average is $79.99 and its 200 day moving average is $74.06. The company has a market capitalization of $51.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.49, a P/E/G ratio of 4.27 and a beta of 1.05. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a fifty-two week low of $60.57 and a fifty-two week high of $94.87. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.64. The company had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.35% and a return on equity of 23.56%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.64 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wolfe Research cut shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $57.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. StockNews.com raised Edwards Lifesciences from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Mizuho increased their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $82.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $80.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $87.38. Read Our Latest Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total value of $574,880.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,838,685.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total transaction of $245,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 23,950 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,676,500. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.86, for a total transaction of $574,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 39,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,838,685.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 222,752 shares of company stock valued at $17,829,319 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Edwards Lifesciences Profile (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Francisco Tovar-Olvera. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office An elderly man landed behind bars for sexually abusing a child and showing her porn, according to Laredo police. On Feb. 22, Francisco Tovar-Olvera, 75, was served with an arrest warrant charging him with continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years old, a first degree felony, and display harmful material to a minor, a third degree felony. The case dates back to March 14, when Laredo police officers responded at about 9:23 a.m. to a report of a sexual abuse of a child. The alleged abuse started when the child was 7 years old and continued until her present age of 13, according to authorities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The grandmother stated that her granddaughter had cried out that Tovar-Olvera had sexually abused her. Investigators with the LPD Special Investigations Unit took over the case. The child underwent a forensic interview at the Childrens Advocacy Center on March 21. The child detailed how Tovar-Olvera started abusing her when she was 7 years old. It all started with simple touching of her thighs over her clothing. Tovar-Olvera eventually told her to touch his private part. She also stated that Tovar-Olvera would expose himself to her, states the arrest affidavit. One time, Tovar-Olvera was showering when he showed her his private part. In other instances of abuse, Tovar-Olvera would often touch her breasts and genitals. He would also show her porn videos showing a woman performing a sexual act on a male, authorities said. The girl described that Tovar-Olvera would place his genitals on her buttocks while both were clothed. She also stated that Tovar-Olvera would perform a sexual act on her. She stated that the last time that Tovar-Olvera sexually abused her was in 2020 or 2021, court documents state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (She) described additional instances of sexual abuse and detailed that it occurred so often that it appears she grew accustomed to it, states the affidavit. EHP Funds Inc. bought a new stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund bought 7,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $324,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MO. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 8.5% in the second quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 96,401,945 shares of the companys stock worth $4,367,008,000 after acquiring an additional 7,546,851 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.8% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 70,564,529 shares of the companys stock worth $3,262,710,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240,150 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.9% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 44,456,064 shares of the companys stock worth $1,857,271,000 after purchasing an additional 840,559 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 3.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 37,025,033 shares of the companys stock worth $1,672,836,000 after purchasing an additional 1,168,982 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Altria Group by 5.1% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,517,169 shares of the companys stock worth $990,002,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192,266 shares during the period. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Altria Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. UBS Group reaffirmed a sell rating and set a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $47.22. Altria Group Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of MO stock traded up $0.47 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $40.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,732,350 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,171,968. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $40.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $39.06 and a 12-month high of $48.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.89 billion, a PE ratio of 8.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.65. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 244.55%. The business had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.18 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Altria Group announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to buy up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.75%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 85.78%. Altria Group Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. decreased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 78.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 5,600 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 21,000 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $325,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp raised its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,570,288 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,919,870,000 after purchasing an additional 858,922 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,431,517,000 after purchasing an additional 7,878,833 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 39,034,341 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,489,314,000 after purchasing an additional 225,065 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth about $1,873,696,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 25,292,711 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,467,989,000 after acquiring an additional 1,394,158 shares in the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance Shares of BMY traded up $1.14 on Tuesday, reaching $52.06. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,343,046 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,798,198. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $50.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $53.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.19, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $47.58 and a 12-month high of $71.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The companys revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.82 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, December 7th that permits the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the biopharmaceutical company to reacquire up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.61%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.18%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have weighed in on BMY. Bank of America cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. Redburn Atlantic downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.17. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EJF Capital LLC lessened its holdings in National Bank Holdings Co. (NYSE:NBHC Free Report) by 62.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,635 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 22,456 shares during the period. EJF Capital LLCs holdings in National Bank were worth $406,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in shares of National Bank by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 11,684 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $492,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in National Bank by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 110,814 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,298,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its stake in National Bank by 78.9% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 850 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 375 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in National Bank by 24.4% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,005 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American International Group Inc. raised its stake in National Bank by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 16,482 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $693,000 after acquiring an additional 410 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.61% of the companys stock. Get National Bank alerts: National Bank Price Performance NBHC stock traded up $0.87 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $34.26. 44,485 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 169,544. The company has a market cap of $1.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.14 and a beta of 0.83. National Bank Holdings Co. has a 52-week low of $26.48 and a 52-week high of $40.73. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $35.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95. National Bank Announces Dividend National Bank ( NYSE:NBHC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $107.23 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $103.96 million. National Bank had a net margin of 25.40% and a return on equity of 12.20%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.91 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that National Bank Holdings Co. will post 3.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. National Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 29.03%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades NBHC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of National Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of National Bank from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Read Our Latest Stock Report on National Bank About National Bank (Free Report) National Bank Holdings Corporation operates as the bank holding company for NBH Bank that provides various banking products and financial services to commercial, business, and consumer clients in the United States. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate and fixed maturity time deposits. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for National Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Element Capital Management LLC decreased its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report) by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 15,848 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 833 shares during the period. Element Capital Management LLCs holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $3,242,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 133.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,285,139 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $296,456,000 after acquiring an additional 735,356 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 445.5% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 459,847 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $95,198,000 after acquiring an additional 375,553 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 124.0% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 228,968 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $47,401,000 after acquiring an additional 126,740 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 266.4% in the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 171,496 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $35,085,000 after acquiring an additional 124,685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 924.3% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 117,800 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $23,494,000 after acquiring an additional 106,300 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.18% of the companys stock. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Down 2.1 % Shares of NYSE HII traded down $6.15 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $290.28. The company had a trading volume of 155,786 shares, compared to its average volume of 275,723. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $267.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $240.38. The stock has a market cap of $11.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.34, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.60. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 52-week low of $188.51 and a 52-week high of $299.50. Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement Huntington Ingalls Industries ( NYSE:HII Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The aerospace company reported $6.90 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.27 by $2.63. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a net margin of 5.95% and a return on equity of 18.12%. The firm had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.78 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.07 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.36 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. Huntington Ingalls Industriess payout ratio is currently 30.41%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In HII has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $257.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on HII Insiders Place Their Bets In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, CAO Nicolas G. Schuck sold 1,293 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.28, for a total transaction of $376,625.04. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $655,380. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total value of $237,321.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 19,100 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,036,479. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Nicolas G. Schuck sold 1,293 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.28, for a total transaction of $376,625.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $655,380. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 8,472 shares of company stock valued at $2,398,345. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock. Huntington Ingalls Industries Company Profile (Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 67,460 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 992 shares during the quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $2,496,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DAL. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Delta Air Lines in the first quarter worth $217,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 41.8% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,838 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,022,000 after buying an additional 7,616 shares in the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the first quarter valued at $243,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 20.7% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 9,918 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $392,000 after buying an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 3.1% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 29,508 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,168,000 after buying an additional 891 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.29% of the companys stock. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut Delta Air Lines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. TheStreet upgraded Delta Air Lines from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $55.54. Delta Air Lines Trading Up 0.5 % DAL traded up $0.22 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $41.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,637,049 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,562,254. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The firm has a market cap of $26.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.81, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $40.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.45. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 52-week low of $30.60 and a 52-week high of $49.81. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The transportation company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.11. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 46.35% and a net margin of 7.94%. The company had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.55 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.48 EPS. Delta Air Liness quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.59 earnings per share for the current year. Delta Air Lines Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is currently 5.59%. Insider Activity at Delta Air Lines In related news, CEO Edward H. Bastian sold 71,840 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.20, for a total transaction of $2,816,128.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 428,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,807,705.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock. About Delta Air Lines (Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kenfarb & CO. cut its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report) by 2.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,585 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 40 shares during the period. Kenfarb & CO.s holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FDS. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. grew its position in FactSet Research Systems by 12.6% in the third quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 2,118 shares of the business services providers stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 237 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in FactSet Research Systems by 45.1% in the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 185,103 shares of the business services providers stock worth $81,723,000 after acquiring an additional 57,502 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp grew its position in FactSet Research Systems by 1.6% in the third quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 441,046 shares of the business services providers stock worth $192,852,000 after acquiring an additional 6,960 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in FactSet Research Systems by 820.0% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 92 shares of the business services providers stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bath Savings Trust Co grew its position in FactSet Research Systems by 1.7% in the third quarter. Bath Savings Trust Co now owns 30,827 shares of the business services providers stock worth $13,479,000 after acquiring an additional 520 shares in the last quarter. 89.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: FactSet Research Systems Price Performance Shares of FDS traded down $1.79 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $463.19. The stock had a trading volume of 169,115 shares, compared to its average volume of 200,681. The companys fifty day moving average is $467.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $451.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.68. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a 52 week low of $377.89 and a 52 week high of $487.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.73. FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement FactSet Research Systems ( NYSE:FDS Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $4.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.10 by $0.02. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 22.60% and a return on equity of 34.47%. The business had revenue of $542.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $540.34 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.99 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 15.76 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. FactSet Research Systemss payout ratio is 31.72%. Insider Buying and Selling at FactSet Research Systems In other FactSet Research Systems news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.76, for a total transaction of $4,188,011.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,562,659.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.76, for a total value of $4,188,011.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 23,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,562,659.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CTO Katherine M. Stepp sold 1,014 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $469.25, for a total transaction of $475,819.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 687 shares of the companys stock, valued at $322,374.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 14,805 shares of company stock worth $6,805,651. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have commented on FDS. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $469.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a $480.00 price objective (up from $471.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research note on Friday, December 8th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $447.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $464.00 price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $434.25. View Our Latest Analysis on FDS About FactSet Research Systems (Free Report) FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for FactSet Research Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FactSet Research Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:GNENF Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,827,100 shares, a decline of 5.3% from the January 31st total of 6,154,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 21,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 267.3 days. Ganfeng Lithium Group Stock Performance GNENF traded down $0.21 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $3.40. 20,296 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,091. The businesss 50 day moving average is $3.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.69. Ganfeng Lithium Group has a fifty-two week low of $2.41 and a fifty-two week high of $7.55. Get Ganfeng Lithium Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Ganfeng Lithium Group in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. They set an underweight rating for the company. About Ganfeng Lithium Group (Get Free Report) Ganfeng Lithium Group Co, Ltd. manufactures and sells lithium products in Mainland China, rest of Asia, the European Union, North America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Lithium Metal and Compound, Lithium Battery, and Lithium Ore Resource and Others. The company has interests in the Mount Marion mine located in Australia; Cauchari-Olaroz project situated in Jujuy Province, Northwest Argentina; Mariana project located in Salta Province, Argentina; Sonora project situated in Mexico; Pilbara Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project located in Western Australia; Ningdu Heyuan mine situated in Ningdu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province; Avalonia project located in Ireland; Qinghai Yiliping lithium salt lake project situated in the Qinghai Province; Goulamina spodumene ore project located in southern Mali, Africa; PPG lithium salt-lake project located in Salta Province, Argentina; and Songshugang tantalum-niobium mine project located in Jiangxi Province. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ganfeng Lithium Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ganfeng Lithium Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. George Weston (TSE:WN Free Report) had its target price hoisted by BMO Capital Markets from C$172.00 to C$185.00 in a report released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on WN. Desjardins upgraded George Weston from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from C$177.00 to C$187.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. CIBC boosted their target price on George Weston from C$213.00 to C$222.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on George Weston from C$184.00 to C$179.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. TD Securities upped their price objective on George Weston from C$205.00 to C$215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on George Weston from C$216.00 to C$218.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, George Weston has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$201.00. Get George Weston alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on WN George Weston Trading Down 1.6 % George Weston Announces Dividend Shares of George Weston stock opened at C$176.12 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$23.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.18, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.37. George Weston has a 1 year low of C$144.41 and a 1 year high of C$184.42. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$171.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$160.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 152.99. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.713 dividend. This represents a $2.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. George Westons dividend payout ratio is currently 27.32%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director William Downe purchased 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$159.28 per share, with a total value of C$1,274,240.00. In other news, Director William Downe acquired 8,000 shares of George Weston stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$159.28 per share, for a total transaction of C$1,274,240.00. Also, Senior Officer Richard Dufresne sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$181.41, for a total value of C$1,814,055.00. Over the last three months, insiders acquired 8,500 shares of company stock worth $1,284,263. 58.47% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. George Weston Company Profile (Get Free Report) George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties). The Loblaw segment provides grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for George Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for George Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gotham Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM Free Report) by 46.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 68,115 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 21,536 shares during the quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLCs holdings in Newmont were worth $2,517,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NEM. Blair William & Co. IL grew its position in shares of Newmont by 14.8% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 42,511 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,378,000 after buying an additional 5,484 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in Newmont by 19.3% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 66,212 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $5,219,000 after purchasing an additional 10,692 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in Newmont by 46.9% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 27,905 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,217,000 after purchasing an additional 8,915 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Newmont by 7.2% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 595,641 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $47,324,000 after purchasing an additional 39,765 shares during the period. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its holdings in Newmont by 25.8% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,354 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $108,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.53% of the companys stock. Get Newmont alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently issued reports on NEM shares. StockNews.com cut shares of Newmont from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. Macquarie started coverage on shares of Newmont in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. They set an outperform rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Newmont from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Newmont from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of Newmont from $50.00 to $43.50 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $53.02. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.26, for a total value of $226,930.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 54,251 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,238,396.26. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock. Newmont Stock Performance Shares of NEM stock opened at $33.48 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $35.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $37.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a market cap of $26.61 billion, a PE ratio of -14.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.49. Newmont Co. has a 12 month low of $29.42 and a 12 month high of $52.76. Newmont (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The basic materials company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by ($0.01). Newmont had a positive return on equity of 6.21% and a negative net margin of 20.95%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.44 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.44 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 23.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Newmont Co. will post 2.02 EPS for the current fiscal year. Newmont Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 5th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 4th. Newmonts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -67.23%. About Newmont (Free Report) Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2022, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 96.1 million ounces and land position of 61,500 square kilometers. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gotham Asset Management LLC cut its position in Westlake Co. (NYSE:WLK Free Report) by 62.2% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 20,838 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 34,273 shares during the period. Gotham Asset Management LLCs holdings in Westlake were worth $2,598,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James & Associates lifted its stake in Westlake by 3.1% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 16,608 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,049,000 after buying an additional 503 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Westlake by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 243,246 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $30,017,000 after buying an additional 10,077 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Westlake by 23.7% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 8,102 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,000,000 after buying an additional 1,553 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its position in shares of Westlake by 236.9% during the 1st quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 9,313 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,149,000 after buying an additional 6,549 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Westlake during the 1st quarter worth about $118,000. 28.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Westlake alerts: Westlake Stock Up 2.0 % WLK stock opened at $140.07 on Tuesday. Westlake Co. has a one year low of $102.64 and a one year high of $145.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a current ratio of 2.37. The firms 50 day moving average price is $138.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.95. The firm has a market cap of $17.96 billion, a PE ratio of 37.86, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.30. Westlake Announces Dividend Westlake ( NYSE:WLK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $2.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. Westlake had a return on equity of 9.70% and a net margin of 3.82%. The businesss revenue was down 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.79 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Westlake Co. will post 6.95 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 28th will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.43%. Westlakes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.05%. Insider Buying and Selling at Westlake In related news, CFO Mark Steven Bender sold 4,854 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.57, for a total value of $667,764.78. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 50,110 shares in the company, valued at $6,893,632.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 74.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently commented on WLK shares. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Westlake from $139.00 to $134.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Westlake from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 20th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded Westlake from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Westlake from $139.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Westlake has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $131.31. Read Our Latest Stock Report on WLK Westlake Profile (Free Report) Westlake Corporation manufactures and markets performance and essential materials, and housing and infrastructure products in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, Italy, Taiwan, and internationally. The Performance and Essential Materials segment offers polyethylene, styrene monomer, ethylene co-products, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer, ethylene dichloride chlor-alkali, chlorinated derivative products, and epoxy resins. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WLK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Westlake Co. (NYSE:WLK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Westlake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Westlake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laredo Police Department. Courtesy/Laredo Police Department A traffic stop by Laredo police resulted in the seizure of about 20 pounds of cocaine, according to an arrest affidavit. Ricardo Cantu-Vasquez was charged with possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute the cocaine. On Feb. 27, officers pulled over a red Dodge Journey bearing Mexican license plates for an obstructed license plate. Police identified the driver as Cantu-Vasquez. He allowed officers to search the vehicle, the affidavit states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officers then located about 20.94 pounds of cocaine hidden in a compartment under the rear seats of the vehicle, according to court documents. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $285,000. Cantu-Vasquez was arrested and taken to the Drug Enforcement Administration office for an interview. Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:VCV Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Monday, March 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of 0.0366 per share by the investment management company on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust Stock Performance NYSE VCV traded up $0.01 on Tuesday, reaching $9.79. The stock had a trading volume of 18,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 104,747. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $9.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $9.22. Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust has a 1-year low of $8.05 and a 1-year high of $10.40. Get Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VCV. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Stifel Financial Corp acquired a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $88,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $88,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $91,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $155,000. 14.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust Company Profile Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Canada Ltd., Invesco Hong Kong Limited, and Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (NYSEARCA:EWS Free Report) by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 155,665 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,475 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF were worth $2,856,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $80,616,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $3,967,000. Eaton Vance Management increased its position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 19.2% during the 1st quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 126,729 shares of the companys stock worth $2,641,000 after purchasing an additional 20,433 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $246,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 81.4% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 437,516 shares of the companys stock worth $9,118,000 after purchasing an additional 196,347 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI Singapore ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA EWS remained flat at $17.85 on Tuesday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 152,922 shares, compared to its average volume of 501,675. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $17.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.07. iShares MSCI Singapore ETF has a 52 week low of $17.22 and a 52 week high of $20.31. The stock has a market cap of $481.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.86 and a beta of 0.81. iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Profile iShares MSCI Singapore ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund (ETF). The Funds seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Singapore Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (NYSEARCA:EWS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Singapore ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jackson Wealth Management LLC raised its position in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 3.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 103,366 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,926 shares during the period. NextEra Energy accounts for 0.8% of Jackson Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Jackson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $5,922,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of NEE. Country Trust Bank grew its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% in the 3rd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp boosted its stake in NextEra Energy by 59.8% during the 3rd quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 556 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new stake in NextEra Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NextEra Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. 76.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get NextEra Energy alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes NEE has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of NextEra Energy from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. StockNews.com cut shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, February 19th. Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 price objective on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Friday, December 8th. They issued a buy rating and a $69.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $71.85. NextEra Energy Price Performance Shares of NYSE:NEE traded up $0.43 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $55.40. 15,356,075 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,152,556. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $79.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.55. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $58.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.45. The company has a market cap of $113.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.50. NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 26.00% and a return on equity of 11.73%. The company had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 26th. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.72%. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 57.06%. Insider Activity at NextEra Energy In other NextEra Energy news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi bought 8,500 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $59.59 per share, for a total transaction of $506,515.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 11,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,655.57. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. NextEra Energy Profile (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear,natural gas, and other clean energy. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 100.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,210 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,605 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $292,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of NVO. Jennison Associates LLC increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.3% during the 3rd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 23,419,405 shares of the companys stock worth $2,129,761,000 after purchasing an additional 11,727,507 shares during the period. Polen Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter worth about $718,995,000. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 122.7% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 12,077,501 shares of the companys stock worth $1,098,328,000 after purchasing an additional 6,654,614 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 91.7% during the 3rd quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 9,097,808 shares of the companys stock worth $827,354,000 after purchasing an additional 4,350,862 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 1,514.6% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,785,560 shares of the companys stock worth $602,435,000 after purchasing an additional 3,551,104 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.41% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $140.00 target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Novo Nordisk A/S currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.25. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 2.8 % NVO stock traded down $3.64 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $124.31. 3,565,335 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,949,489. The company has a market cap of $557.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.41. The firms fifty day moving average price is $113.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $94.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52 week low of $67.66 and a 52 week high of $128.77. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.05. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 36.03% and a return on equity of 90.36%. The firm had revenue of $9.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.14 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.664 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. This is an increase from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. This represents a yield of 0.9%. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is 22.92%. About Novo Nordisk A/S (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Squarespace, Inc. (NYSE:SQSP Free Report) by 291.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 505,910 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 376,634 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Squarespace were worth $14,655,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Squarespace by 56.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,645,279 shares of the companys stock worth $93,392,000 after purchasing an additional 1,313,755 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new stake in Squarespace during the first quarter worth $27,254,000. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Squarespace by 38.7% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,427,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $108,117,000 after purchasing an additional 956,920 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Squarespace by 266.0% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,160,423 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,582,000 after buying an additional 843,404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Squarespace by 152.8% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 932,500 shares of the companys stock worth $29,411,000 after buying an additional 563,600 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 43.73% of the companys stock. Get Squarespace alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SQSP has been the topic of several recent research reports. B. Riley upped their price target on shares of Squarespace from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Squarespace from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of Squarespace in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Squarespace from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on shares of Squarespace from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Squarespace has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $37.29. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 67,352 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.57, for a total transaction of $1,924,246.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,824,107 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $109,254,736.99. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Anthony Casalena sold 67,352 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.57, for a total transaction of $1,924,246.64. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,824,107 shares in the company, valued at approximately $109,254,736.99. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Nathan Gooden sold 5,129 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.85, for a total value of $163,358.65. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 66,503 shares in the company, valued at $2,118,120.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 455,708 shares of company stock valued at $14,262,330. Company insiders own 47.14% of the companys stock. Squarespace Price Performance SQSP stock opened at $32.50 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $32.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.27. Squarespace, Inc. has a 12-month low of $23.99 and a 12-month high of $34.62. Squarespace (NYSE:SQSP Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $270.72 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $263.41 million. Squarespace had a negative net margin of 0.70% and a negative return on equity of 2.24%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 18.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.07) EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Squarespace, Inc. will post 0.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Squarespace Company Profile (Free Report) Squarespace, Inc operates platform for businesses and independent creators to build online presence, grow their brands, and manage their businesses across the internet. Its suite of integrated products enables users to manage their projects and businesses through websites, domains, e-commerce, marketing tools, scheduling, and hospitality services, as well as tools for managing a social media presence. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SQSP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Squarespace, Inc. (NYSE:SQSP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Squarespace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Squarespace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in Kilroy Realty Co. (NYSE:KRC Free Report) by 314.2% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 377,916 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 286,685 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Kilroy Realty were worth $11,945,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Kilroy Realty by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,151,694 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $680,148,000 after purchasing an additional 49,728 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kilroy Realty by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,219,574 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $460,714,000 after acquiring an additional 583,920 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Kilroy Realty in the 4th quarter valued at about $350,235,000. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Kilroy Realty by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,265,901 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $206,333,000 after acquiring an additional 32,293 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kilroy Realty by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,501,383 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $173,898,000 after acquiring an additional 23,585 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.22% of the companys stock. Get Kilroy Realty alerts: Kilroy Realty Stock Performance KRC opened at $37.17 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $4.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.02. Kilroy Realty Co. has a 52-week low of $25.99 and a 52-week high of $43.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 2.65 and a current ratio of 2.65. The businesss fifty day moving average is $37.73 and its 200-day moving average is $34.93. Kilroy Realty Dividend Announcement Insider Activity The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $0.54 dividend. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Kilroy Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 120.00%. In other Kilroy Realty news, insider Heidi Rena Roth sold 5,081 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.61, for a total value of $206,339.41. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 53,046 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,154,198.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, EVP John Osmond sold 3,594 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.85, for a total transaction of $146,814.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,937 shares in the company, valued at approximately $405,926.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Heidi Rena Roth sold 5,081 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.61, for a total value of $206,339.41. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 53,046 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,154,198.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.95% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on KRC shares. Wolfe Research lowered Kilroy Realty from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. KeyCorp cut their price objective on Kilroy Realty from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Kilroy Realty in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kilroy Realty presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.20. Read Our Latest Analysis on KRC About Kilroy Realty (Free Report) Kilroy Realty Corporation (NYSE: KRC, the company, Kilroy) is a leading U.S. landlord and developer, with operations in San Diego, Greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Seattle and Austin. The company has earned global recognition for sustainability, building operations, innovation and design. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KRC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kilroy Realty Co. (NYSE:KRC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kilroy Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kilroy Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI Free Report) by 223.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 71,074 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 49,106 shares during the period. Lido Advisors LLCs holdings in D.R. Horton were worth $7,638,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of D.R. Horton by 390.6% in the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 743,311 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $79,884,000 after buying an additional 591,787 shares during the period. SteelPeak Wealth LLC bought a new position in D.R. Horton during the third quarter worth about $218,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in D.R. Horton by 16.7% during the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,528 shares of the construction companys stock worth $429,000 after acquiring an additional 506 shares in the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in D.R. Horton by 43.4% during the third quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 20,731 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,228,000 after acquiring an additional 6,272 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Berkshire Hathaway Inc bought a new position in D.R. Horton during the second quarter worth about $726,454,000. 82.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get D.R. Horton alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DHI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered D.R. Horton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered D.R. Horton from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. UBS Group boosted their price target on D.R. Horton from $155.00 to $192.00 in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $115.00 price target on shares of D.R. Horton in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price target on D.R. Horton from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $148.65. D.R. Horton Stock Performance NYSE DHI traded up $0.38 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $152.85. 1,100,176 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,510,400. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $147.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $129.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.03, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 6.56 and a quick ratio of 1.20. D.R. Horton, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $90.85 and a fifty-two week high of $157.93. D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The construction company reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.88 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $7.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.55 billion. D.R. Horton had a return on equity of 21.06% and a net margin of 13.18%. D.R. Hortons quarterly revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.76 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that D.R. Horton, Inc. will post 14.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. D.R. Horton Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 5th. D.R. Hortons dividend payout ratio is presently 8.63%. Insider Activity at D.R. Horton In other news, SVP Aron M. Odom sold 1,213 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total transaction of $185,589.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 5,103 shares in the company, valued at $780,759. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other D.R. Horton news, Director Barbara K. Allen sold 1,748 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.26, for a total transaction of $250,418.48. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,650 shares in the company, valued at approximately $809,419. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Aron M. Odom sold 1,213 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total value of $185,589.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 5,103 shares of the companys stock, valued at $780,759. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 12,961 shares of company stock worth $1,956,007. Company insiders own 1.74% of the companys stock. About D.R. Horton (Free Report) D.R. Horton, Inc operates as a homebuilding company in East, North, Southeast, South Central, Southwest, and Northwest regions in the United States. It engages in the acquisition and development of land; and construction and sale of residential homes in 118 markets across 33 states under the names of D.R. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DHI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for D.R. Horton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for D.R. Horton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia grew its holdings in shares of Vontier Co. (NYSE:VNT Free Report) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 802,955 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,104 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginia owned 0.52% of Vontier worth $24,827,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Vontier by 1,985.7% in the third quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,168 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 1,112 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Vontier in the second quarter valued at approximately $51,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in Vontier by 29.1% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,774 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in Vontier by 90.4% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,340 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vontier by 89,500.0% in the second quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,688 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 2,685 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.77% of the companys stock. Get Vontier alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently commented on VNT. Bank of America upgraded Vontier from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $37.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, January 11th. UBS Group increased their price target on Vontier from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Vontier from $40.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Vontier from $37.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Vontier from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.88. Vontier Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of VNT traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $43.51. The stock had a trading volume of 504,107 shares, compared to its average volume of 788,904. Vontier Co. has a 12 month low of $24.65 and a 12 month high of $44.16. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $36.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $33.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.44. The company has a market capitalization of $6.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.30. Vontier (NYSE:VNT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $789.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $780.92 million. Vontier had a return on equity of 60.00% and a net margin of 12.18%. Vontiers quarterly revenue was down 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.81 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Vontier Co. will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Vontier Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a $0.025 dividend. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. Vontiers payout ratio is currently 4.15%. Vontier Profile (Free Report) Vontier Corporation provides mobility ecosystem solutions worldwide. The company operates through Mobility Technologies, Repair Solutions, and Environmental and Fueling Solutions segments. The Mobility Technologies segment provides digitally equipment solutions for mobility ecosystem, such as point-of-sale and payment systems, workflow automation, telematics, data analytics, software platform, and integrated solutions for alternative fuel dispensing. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VNT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vontier Co. (NYSE:VNT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vontier Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vontier and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MAG Silver Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:MAG Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $8.99, but opened at $9.20. MAG Silver shares last traded at $9.00, with a volume of 154,840 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on MAG shares. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $19.50 price objective on shares of MAG Silver in a research note on Monday, November 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of MAG Silver to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, MAG Silver currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.31. Get MAG Silver alerts: Read Our Latest Report on MAG Silver MAG Silver Stock Performance Institutional Trading of MAG Silver The stock has a market capitalization of $906.14 million, a PE ratio of 27.00 and a beta of 1.13. Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of MAG Silver during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $11,613,000. Azarias Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of MAG Silver during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $8,420,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of MAG Silver by 11.2% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 6,380,120 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,402,000 after buying an additional 642,494 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of MAG Silver by 103.5% during the 4th quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 865,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,520,000 after buying an additional 440,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of MAG Silver by 98.1% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 849,779 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,741,000 after buying an additional 420,757 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 42.80% of the companys stock. About MAG Silver (Get Free Report) MAG Silver Corp. engages in the exploration and development of precious metal mining properties. The company explores for silver, gold, lead, copper, and zinc deposits. It primarily holds 44% interest in the Juanicipio project located in the Fresnillo District, Zacatecas State, Mexico. MAG Silver Corp. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for MAG Silver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MAG Silver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of North American Construction Group (NYSE:NOA Free Report) (TSE:NOA) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Friday morning. North American Construction Group Trading Down 0.4 % NYSE NOA opened at $25.25 on Friday. North American Construction Group has a 1-year low of $15.32 and a 1-year high of $26.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $22.90 and a 200-day moving average of $22.05. The firm has a market cap of $675.19 million, a PE ratio of 14.43 and a beta of 1.55. Get North American Construction Group alerts: North American Construction Group Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $0.074 dividend. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.17%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This is a positive change from North American Construction Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. North American Construction Groups payout ratio is 16.57%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On North American Construction Group North American Construction Group Company Profile Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of North American Construction Group by 121.4% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,216 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,215 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in North American Construction Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. State of Tennessee Treasury Department bought a new position in North American Construction Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in North American Construction Group by 114.5% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,831 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,511 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Shell Asset Management Co. raised its position in North American Construction Group by 142.3% during the 3rd quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 1,929 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,133 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 61.68% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Hebbronville Station render aid to a migrant in distress. Courtesy/U.S. Border Patrol U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a dehydrated migrant who could not walk, authorities said on Thursday. Agents assigned to the Hebbronville Station responded to a 911 call regarding a lost migrant in a remote area. After a lengthy search, a Border Patrol EMT found the migrant and quickly evaluated his condition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm bought 171,853 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,599,000. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Milestone Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the third quarter worth $230,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 12.8% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 661,971 shares of the companys stock worth $29,272,000 after purchasing an additional 75,082 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 49.5% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,703,097 shares of the companys stock worth $252,191,000 after purchasing an additional 1,888,799 shares in the last quarter. Rock Creek Group LP acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the third quarter worth $94,000. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 60,685 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,684,000 after acquiring an additional 2,040 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: iShares MSCI India ETF Price Performance BATS INDA opened at $51.93 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $50.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.78. iShares MSCI India ETF has a 1 year low of $30.57 and a 1 year high of $38.21. The company has a market cap of $6.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.86 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI India ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B. Riley reissued their buy rating on shares of Ready Capital (NYSE:RC Free Report) in a report issued on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. B. Riley currently has a $12.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock, down from their prior price target of $13.00. B. Riley also issued estimates for Ready Capitals Q1 2024 earnings at $0.29 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $0.30 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.31 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.32 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $1.22 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $0.32 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.34 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.36 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.37 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $1.39 EPS. A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on RC. StockNews.com raised shares of Ready Capital from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $10.50 target price on shares of Ready Capital in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a $8.00 target price (down from $10.00) on shares of Ready Capital in a research note on Monday. Finally, Raymond James cut shares of Ready Capital from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $11.25. Get Ready Capital alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on RC Ready Capital Price Performance Ready Capital Cuts Dividend RC stock opened at $8.38 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $9.56 and a 200-day moving average of $10.05. Ready Capital has a 12-month low of $8.30 and a 12-month high of $11.97. The company has a current ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a market cap of $1.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 1.40. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 14.32%. Ready Capitals dividend payout ratio is presently 51.28%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ready Capital Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Centaurus Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ready Capital during the 4th quarter valued at $111,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Ready Capital in the 4th quarter worth $327,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its stake in shares of Ready Capital by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 52,701 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $540,000 after purchasing an additional 2,200 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of Ready Capital by 59.3% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 480,842 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,929,000 after purchasing an additional 178,904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ready Capital by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,163,763 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $114,429,000 after purchasing an additional 735,949 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.07% of the companys stock. Ready Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ready Capital Corporation operates as a real estate finance company in the United States. The company originates, acquires, finances, and services small to medium balance commercial (SBC) loans, small business administration (SBA) loans, residential mortgage loans, construction loans, and mortgage-backed securities collateralized primarily by SBC loans, or other real estate-related investments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ready Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ready Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Riskified Ltd. (NYSE:RSKD Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $4.57, but opened at $4.69. Riskified shares last traded at $5.01, with a volume of 750,957 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth RSKD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $5.00 target price (down previously from $5.75) on shares of Riskified in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Riskified from $6.00 to $5.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $5.00 price target on shares of Riskified in a report on Thursday, November 16th. DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of Riskified in a report on Monday, February 5th. They set a neutral rating and a $5.00 price target for the company. Finally, Barclays downgraded Riskified from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $5.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5.43. Get Riskified alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Riskified Riskified Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Riskified The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $4.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $878.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.79 and a beta of 1.29. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in RSKD. Hamilton Lane Advisors LLC lifted its position in Riskified by 83.3% in the 3rd quarter. Hamilton Lane Advisors LLC now owns 1,067,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,782,000 after acquiring an additional 485,248 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank lifted its position in Riskified by 20.7% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 191,013 shares of the companys stock valued at $856,000 after acquiring an additional 32,700 shares in the last quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its position in Riskified by 78.6% in the 3rd quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 3,826,923 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,390,000 after acquiring an additional 1,684,202 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of Riskified by 29.3% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 44,607 shares of the companys stock worth $200,000 after buying an additional 10,097 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC bought a new position in shares of Riskified during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $7,805,000. Institutional investors own 31.66% of the companys stock. Riskified Company Profile (Get Free Report) Riskified Ltd. develops and offers an e-commerce risk management platform that allows online merchants to create trusted relationships with their consumers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. It offers Chargeback Guarantee that approves or denies online orders; Policy Protect and Account Secure, which identifies and blocks consumers that may be taking advantage of the merchant's terms and conditions or that may be trying to gain unauthorized access to another consumer's account; and PSD2, an optimize product` that help merchants to avoid bank authorization failures and abandoned shopping carts resulting from the secure customer authentication process. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Riskified Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Riskified and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina raised its holdings in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT Free Report) by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 36,527 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Federal Realty Investment Trust were worth $3,310,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its stake in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 57.7% during the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 421 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its stake in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 237.0% during the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 337 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust during the second quarter valued at $45,000. CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 15.0% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,053 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust during the first quarter valued at $114,000. 87.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Federal Realty Investment Trust alerts: Federal Realty Investment Trust Trading Up 1.8 % Shares of NYSE:FRT opened at $101.70 on Tuesday. Federal Realty Investment Trust has a 12-month low of $85.27 and a 12-month high of $108.24. The company has a market capitalization of $8.44 billion, a PE ratio of 36.32, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a 50 day moving average of $101.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $97.07. The company has a current ratio of 2.64, a quick ratio of 2.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. Federal Realty Investment Trust Announces Dividend Federal Realty Investment Trust ( NYSE:FRT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.76 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.64 by ($0.88). Federal Realty Investment Trust had a return on equity of 8.35% and a net margin of 20.93%. The firm had revenue of $291.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $292.05 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.58 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Federal Realty Investment Trust will post 6.79 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be given a dividend of $1.09 per share. This represents a $4.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 12th. Federal Realty Investment Trusts payout ratio is 155.71%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Federal Realty Investment Trust in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $109.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank cut their target price on Federal Realty Investment Trust from $110.00 to $109.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Mizuho cut their target price on Federal Realty Investment Trust from $104.00 to $101.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Truist Financial upgraded Federal Realty Investment Trust from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $108.00 to $117.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded Federal Realty Investment Trust from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $104.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Monday, November 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $112.60. Get Our Latest Analysis on Federal Realty Investment Trust Federal Realty Investment Trust Profile (Free Report) Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, DC to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, Federal Realty's mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Federal Realty Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Federal Realty Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina increased its stake in Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS Free Report) by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 76,239 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 390 shares during the period. Treasurer of the State of North Carolinas holdings in Webster Financial were worth $3,073,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Webster Financial by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 5,110 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its holdings in Webster Financial by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 19,924 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $785,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL grew its position in shares of Webster Financial by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 4,298 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $241,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Mariner LLC boosted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 13,812 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $557,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in Webster Financial by 2.5% in the third quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 13,537 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $546,000 after buying an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.37% of the companys stock. Get Webster Financial alerts: Webster Financial Trading Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE WBS opened at $47.21 on Tuesday. Webster Financial Co. has a 1 year low of $31.03 and a 1 year high of $53.39. The stock has a market cap of $8.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.32. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $49.01 and a 200 day moving average of $44.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Webster Financial Dividend Announcement Webster Financial ( NYSE:WBS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.48 by ($0.02). Webster Financial had a net margin of 22.01% and a return on equity of 13.05%. The firm had revenue of $996.96 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $674.82 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.60 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Investors of record on Monday, February 5th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 2nd. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.39%. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.72%. Insider Activity at Webster Financial In other Webster Financial news, insider Jack L. Kopnisky sold 5,000 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.18, for a total transaction of $250,900.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 310,041 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,557,857.38. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Jack L. Kopnisky sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.18, for a total transaction of $250,900.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 310,041 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,557,857.38. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 3,966 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.56, for a total transaction of $204,486.96. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 49,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,553,663.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 34,941 shares of company stock worth $1,796,482. 0.88% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades WBS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Webster Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $59.00 target price on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Thursday, January 11th. They issued a buy rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Webster Financial has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $56.23. Get Our Latest Analysis on Webster Financial Webster Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WBS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Webster Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Webster Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unite Group (LON:UTG Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating reaffirmed by equities researchers at Berenberg Bank in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 1,052 ($13.35) price objective on the stock. Berenberg Banks price objective would indicate a potential upside of 10.50% from the stocks current price. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 1,155 ($14.66) price objective on shares of Unite Group in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Bank of America restated a buy rating and set a GBX 1,030 ($13.07) price objective on shares of Unite Group in a research note on Monday, November 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 1,099.40 ($13.95). Get Unite Group alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Unite Group Unite Group Stock Performance Unite Group Company Profile Shares of LON UTG traded down GBX 3.50 ($0.04) during midday trading on Monday, reaching GBX 952 ($12.08). 357,755 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 676,756. Unite Group has a 52 week low of GBX 834.28 ($10.59) and a 52 week high of GBX 1,069 ($13.57). The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 1,007.78 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 963.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.73, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market cap of 4.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,721.43, a PEG ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 1.18. (Get Free Report) Unite Group PLC, owns, manages, and develops purpose-built student accommodation facilities for the higher education sector in the United Kingdom. The company operates through Operations and Property segments. It manages rental properties, as well as offers asset management services. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Bristol, England. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Unite Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unite Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Friday morning. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on WAL. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $60.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $74.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and set a $72.00 price target (up from $62.00) on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $60.56. Get Western Alliance Bancorporation alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WAL Western Alliance Bancorporation Stock Performance Shares of WAL opened at $55.27 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $62.26 and its 200-day moving average is $53.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.45 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.93. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a 12-month low of $7.46 and a 12-month high of $76.90. Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.93 by ($0.02). Western Alliance Bancorporation had a net margin of 16.74% and a return on equity of 16.33%. The business had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $705.97 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.67 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Western Alliance Bancorporation will post 7.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. Western Alliance Bancorporation Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.68%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. Western Alliance Bancorporations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.63%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Western Alliance Bancorporation news, Director Robert P. Latta sold 5,370 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.07, for a total transaction of $301,095.90. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,996 shares in the company, valued at approximately $167,985.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.51% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Alliance Bancorporation Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WAL. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 400.7% during the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 696 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 557 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation in the first quarter worth $64,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation in the second quarter worth $28,000. State of Wyoming increased its stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 54.7% in the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 783 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 436.9% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 800 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 651 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 72.04% of the companys stock. About Western Alliance Bancorporation (Get Free Report) Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Consumer Related, and Corporate & Other. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Western Alliance Bancorporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Western Alliance Bancorporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino on Feb. 29, 2024 in Brownsville. Courtesy/City of Laredo President Joe Biden gives a speech on Feb. 29, 2024 in Brownsville. Courtesy/City of Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino met President Joe Biden on Thursday afternoon as part of the president's trip to Brownsville as he discussed life on the border. The mayor also spoke of Laredo being the nation's No. 1 port and how it collaborates with Nuevo Laredo. I think it was a very productive meeting, and the purpose of the trip was dialogue solutions, Trevino said. Decades long problems we have on the border and then look for solutions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The important message we gave him was that Laredo is a major port to the United States with over $300 billion in trade, one of the safest cities in the country, and we have this Laredo formula as a result of our binational collaborations. Trevino also brought up the misconceptions some who live in the northern part of the country may hear or see on TV, and how it clarified and gave the president some new perspective. We continue to see challenges here that all border cities have, Trevino said. Migrants are not one of them, and we are one of the least cities that have migrant crossings. So this is the perspective we wanted to give him, and I was able to converse with him. We had a lengthy conversation about the reality for us here rather than the perception that they have over there. He needs to know it from people who live and work here. Border mayors are all on the same page: were not overrun by cartels, this is not a warzone. This is an area that is very important to the supply of goods, not only to Texas but to the rest of the country. All these things are the reality that were living here. This is the message we gave him. He was very interested in listening to that, and I think it was very productive that he came down here. This is the way we need to continue to portray Laredo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While the mayor had the presidents ear, he told him the importance of the international bridge expansion projects to the sister cities. We have the World Trade Bridge project, were also talking to the Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia, and talking about the expansion of the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, Trevino said. Now that we have Mexico as the No. 1 trade partner in the U.S., now shifted away from China, this is creating a great responsibility that we have to be in front of. The expansion of the bridges is something we have to focus on, and many other things like infrastructure, quality of life and everything that is public health are things were going to have to address. He was very interested. I spent a lengthy amount of time talking to him on a one-on-one basis. It was great. Trevino believes it is now up to the residents to get more involved with Laredo issues so they may become aware, and in the long run, feel proud of their city. We just need to understand that Laredo is important to the rest of the country and to ourselves, Trevino said. I think we just have to let our citizens know what role we have to play to get involved with our local politics and our local situations. People need to be aware and feel proud theyre Laredoans. This is something very good that is happening to Laredo. This signifies the improvement and progression of Laredo, and everything is good, but we need to have the citizens involved and be cognizant and participate in voting and participate in everything else going on in order to have a voice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nearly 65 Laredo Independent School District teachers will receive significant salary increases thanks to the Texas Education Agencys Teacher Incentive Allotment program. Partnering to make the TIA allotment possible are LISD administrators. Pictured are Flor Ayala, Vania Magallanes, Dr. Gerardo Cruz, Superintendent Dr. Sylvia G. Rios, Jerry Castaneda, Gaby Rogerio, and Claudia Tovar. Courtesy/LISD Nearly 65 Laredo Independent School District teachers will receive significant salary increases thanks to the Texas Education Agencys (TEA) Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). Made possible by House Bill 3 in 2019, TIA recognizes effective teachers in three categories: Recognized, Exemplary, and Master. The designations are based on data gathered from teacher evaluations and yearly student academic growth submitted to TEA and Texas Tech University. The three categories generate additional teacher-focused funding for Texas public school districts to reward and retain their top performers. Stipends go directly to teachers annually for five years. Amounts are based on the designation earned and the socioeconomic level at the teachers campus. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After approval of this years eligible teacher cohort, Laredo ISD now has 16 Recognized, 38 Exemplary, and 10 Master teachers. LISDs state allotment for the 64 teachers is approximately $1,011,865 and certainly represents funding that is well-deserved and earned by these professionals. The TIA program at LISD is an affirmation of the excellent instruction provided in our classrooms to our students, noted LISD Superintendent Dr. Sylvia G. Rios. Most importantly, this state initiative is an opportunity to elevate the teaching profession and the future of our children. We are extremely proud of the work that our educators do every day on behalf of those whom we serve, and we look forward to celebrating our teachers during a special ceremony scheduled in early May. This is yet another achievement for our District and the many staff members who dedicate themselves to our students. Coupled with LISDs 10 currently recognized National Blue Ribbon Schools and the Districts TIA efforts, LISD is certainly the Place to Be for teachers and students, exclaimed Board President Juan Ramirez. LISDs Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Accountability, Human Resources, and the Finance Departments partnered to make this state incentive possible for LISD teachers. LISD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Gerardo Cruz said the TIA supports one of LISDs goals: recruiting, developing, and retaining quality teachers in its schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is incredibly rewarding to know that our teachers will be receiving this well-deserved recognition and an additional state allocated stipend for their classroom accomplishments, Dr. Cruz said. Ensuring that our children receive high-quality instruction that leads to student success is what LISD teachers do every day, continued Dr. Cruz. Teachers earn designations through two different routes through the TIA program. First, National Board Certified teachers are eligible to earn a Recognized designation. Second, districts may designate their effective teachers when they have an approved local teacher designation system. The approval process is multi-step and includes submitting a system application to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) followed by a data validation process through Texas Tech University. This comprehensive process requires a strict alignment to specified student data measures, as well as yearly evaluation of teacher performance outcomes. After TEA and Texas Tech examined and validated the 2023 teacher evaluations and the required student yearly growth data, 38 middle school teachers were identified for a possible new or higher performance designation. These designations include the categories of Master, Exemplary, or Recognized teachers. These educators as well as previously designated teachers will receive their payouts in May and June 2024. Advertisement Article continues below this ad LISD also has 26 teachers enrolled in the Spring 2024 National Board Support Cohort at Texas A&M International University. This includes 18 elementary school teachers, four middle school teachers, and four high school teachers. The National Board Teacher Certification program at TAMIU is a two-year commitment with courses and assignments designed to promote in-depth self-reflection and study practice. Enrolling in such a partnership enables LISD teachers to embark in yet another pathway to earn their TIA eligibility criteria. LISD began its TIA journey with participation of only its middle school teachers. Campuses represented in LISDs 2024 TIA program include Christen Middle School, Cigarroa Middle School, Lamar Middle School, F.S. Lara Academy, and Ligarde Elementary School. The designated teachers at these schools will earn an additional payout between $7,800 and $30,000. LISD is already expanding the TIA program to include elementary, middle, and high schools in all STAAR subject areas, which include 3rd-8th grade reading language arts and mathematics, 5th and 8th grade science, 8th grade social studies, English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History. Teacher evaluations and student growth measures will be submitted to the state in Fall 2024 to continue participation in this program. For additional information, please log on to www.laredoisd.org. or call the LISD Office of Communications at 956-273-1730. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its stake in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC Free Report) by 117.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,237 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,208 shares during the quarter. Federated Hermes Inc.s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $985,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Northrop Grumman alerts: Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Toth Financial Advisory Corp lifted its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 19.1% in the 3rd quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 131 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Patten Group Inc. increased its position in Northrop Grumman by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Patten Group Inc. now owns 3,523 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,551,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. IHT Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Northrop Grumman by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,371 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $613,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Wintrust Investments LLC increased its position in Northrop Grumman by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Wintrust Investments LLC now owns 500 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Finally, Oxler Private Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 0.3% during the third quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,975 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,073,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. 82.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Activity In other news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $573,321.01. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,735 shares in the company, valued at $1,231,761.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $573,321.01. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,735 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,231,761.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total value of $430,103.35. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,863,180.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 3,149 shares of company stock valued at $1,421,147 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. Northrop Grumman Stock Up 1.1 % NYSE:NOC opened at $460.08 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.15. The company has a market cap of $69.03 billion, a PE ratio of 34.13, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.34. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52-week low of $414.56 and a 52-week high of $496.89. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $459.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $457.65. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $6.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.80 by $0.47. Northrop Grumman had a return on equity of 23.07% and a net margin of 5.23%. The firm had revenue of $10.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $7.50 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 24.64 EPS for the current fiscal year. Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be given a $1.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $7.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.63%. Northrop Grummans payout ratio is 55.49%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently issued reports on NOC shares. TheStreet cut Northrop Grumman from a b+ rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Northrop Grumman from $505.00 to $475.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Northrop Grumman from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from $541.00 to $473.00 in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $450.00 price objective (down previously from $515.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded Northrop Grumman from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $450.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, December 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $494.33. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on NOC Northrop Grumman Profile (Free Report) Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Northrop Grumman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northrop Grumman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Federated Hermes Inc. decreased its position in shares of First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN Free Report) by 2.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 88,503 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,516 shares during the quarter. Federated Hermes Inc.s holdings in First Horizon were worth $975,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get First Horizon alerts: A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of FHN. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its holdings in First Horizon by 15.6% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 29,962 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $704,000 after acquiring an additional 4,036 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in First Horizon by 22.9% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,303 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $406,000 after acquiring an additional 3,224 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in First Horizon by 10.8% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 310,733 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,507,000 after acquiring an additional 30,189 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL increased its holdings in First Horizon by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 28,364 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $666,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in First Horizon by 3,619.3% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,003,120 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $23,563,000 after acquiring an additional 976,149 shares during the last quarter. 76.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have issued reports on FHN shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $16.00 price target on shares of First Horizon in a report on Friday, January 19th. Raymond James upgraded shares of First Horizon from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $13.00 to $17.00 in a report on Friday, January 5th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of First Horizon from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of First Horizon in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $14.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of First Horizon from $11.50 to $14.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $14.35. First Horizon Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:FHN opened at $14.34 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.37, a PEG ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.93. First Horizon Co. has a 12 month low of $8.99 and a 12 month high of $21.62. The firms 50-day moving average is $14.10 and its 200 day moving average is $12.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. First Horizon (NYSE:FHN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $784.20 million. First Horizon had a net margin of 17.80% and a return on equity of 9.94%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. Research analysts predict that First Horizon Co. will post 1.42 EPS for the current year. First Horizon Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.19%. First Horizons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.22%. First Horizon announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 23rd that authorizes the company to repurchase $650.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 7.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. About First Horizon (Free Report) First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through three segments: Regional Banking, Specialty Banking, and Corporate. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FHN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for First Horizon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Horizon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mariner LLC boosted its position in shares of Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U Free Report) by 20.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 36,496 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,248 shares during the period. Mariner LLCs holdings in Unity Software were worth $1,146,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get Unity Software alerts: Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. River & Mercantile Asset Management LLP acquired a new stake in Unity Software in the third quarter valued at approximately $412,000. LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in Unity Software by 19.9% in the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 182,127 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,710,000 after acquiring an additional 30,223 shares in the last quarter. Pearl River Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Unity Software in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,424,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in Unity Software by 19.0% in the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 16,384 shares of the companys stock valued at $519,000 after acquiring an additional 2,615 shares in the last quarter. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Unity Software in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,448,000. 64.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Insider Transactions at Unity Software In other news, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 2,000 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.35, for a total transaction of $58,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 446,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,108,208.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, SVP Anirma Gupta sold 2,551 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.99, for a total transaction of $102,014.49. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 397,741 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,905,662.59. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 2,000 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.35, for a total transaction of $58,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 446,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,108,208.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 278,293 shares of company stock valued at $10,573,258 in the last 90 days. 9.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently weighed in on U. Wolfe Research cut shares of Unity Software from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Unity Software from $40.00 to $22.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Wedbush dropped their price target on shares of Unity Software from $50.00 to $33.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Unity Software from $32.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Needham & Company LLC dropped their price target on shares of Unity Software from $40.00 to $31.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $37.03. View Our Latest Research Report on Unity Software Unity Software Trading Down 6.6 % Unity Software stock opened at $27.01 on Tuesday. Unity Software Inc. has a one year low of $22.20 and a one year high of $50.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 2.60 and a quick ratio of 2.60. The business has a fifty day moving average of $34.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.67. Unity Software (NYSE:U Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The company reported ($0.66) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by ($0.89). Unity Software had a negative net margin of 37.64% and a negative return on equity of 10.14%. The business had revenue of $609.27 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $551.01 million. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.50) EPS. Unity Softwares revenue was up 35.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Unity Software Inc. will post -0.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Unity Software (Free Report) Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding U? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unity Software Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unity Software and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northern Trust Corp cut its stake in Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report) by 44.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 448,959 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 361,665 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp owned 0.79% of Crane worth $39,886,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get Crane alerts: A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Crane by 97.2% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,031,020 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $584,384,000 after buying an additional 3,959,145 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors bought a new stake in shares of Crane during the 2nd quarter valued at about $168,567,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in Crane by 93.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,666,141 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $193,106,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285,048 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its holdings in Crane by 77.0% in the second quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 2,410,330 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $180,078,000 after purchasing an additional 1,048,595 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Crane by 110.6% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,440,120 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $102,501,000 after buying an additional 756,198 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.91% of the companys stock. Crane Price Performance Shares of NYSE CR opened at $125.87 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $119.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $104.07. Crane has a fifty-two week low of $67.28 and a fifty-two week high of $127.83. The company has a market capitalization of $7.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.49. Crane Increases Dividend Crane ( NYSE:CR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 29th. The conglomerate reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $532.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $519.55 million. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. Analysts expect that Crane will post 7.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a $0.205 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. This is a boost from Cranes previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.65%. Cranes dividend payout ratio is 22.22%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CR has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Crane from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Crane from $124.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Vertical Research assumed coverage on Crane in a research note on Monday, November 20th. They set a hold rating and a $110.00 price target on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $107.83. Check Out Our Latest Report on CR Crane Profile (Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company has three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts, primarily for the commercial aerospace, and the military aerospace, defense, and space markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mariner LLC increased its stake in shares of Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U Free Report) by 20.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 36,496 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,248 shares during the period. Mariner LLCs holdings in Unity Software were worth $1,146,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Get Unity Software alerts: Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. F M Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Unity Software in the third quarter valued at $1,065,000. Shell Asset Management Co. lifted its holdings in Unity Software by 32.4% in the third quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 212,895 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,683,000 after acquiring an additional 52,158 shares during the period. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in Unity Software by 69.7% in the third quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 2,431,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $76,335,000 after acquiring an additional 998,467 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Unity Software by 1,064.3% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 72,545 shares of the companys stock worth $2,277,000 after buying an additional 66,314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Unity Software by 84.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 152,232 shares of the companys stock worth $4,779,000 after buying an additional 69,515 shares during the last quarter. 64.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Unity Software Trading Down 6.6 % U stock opened at $27.01 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.60, a current ratio of 2.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Unity Software Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $22.20 and a fifty-two week high of $50.08. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $34.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.67. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Unity Software ( NYSE:U Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The company reported ($0.66) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by ($0.89). The company had revenue of $609.27 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $551.01 million. Unity Software had a negative net margin of 37.64% and a negative return on equity of 10.14%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 35.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned ($0.50) EPS. Analysts predict that Unity Software Inc. will post -0.63 EPS for the current year. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on U shares. Needham & Company LLC cut their price target on Unity Software from $40.00 to $31.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Wedbush dropped their price objective on Unity Software from $50.00 to $33.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Unity Software in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Unity Software from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised Unity Software from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $35.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Unity Software presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $37.03. Read Our Latest Analysis on U Insider Activity at Unity Software In related news, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.35, for a total value of $58,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 446,617 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,108,208.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Unity Software news, insider Mark Barrysmith sold 2,083 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.43, for a total transaction of $61,302.69. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 135,343 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,983,144.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.35, for a total transaction of $58,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 446,617 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,108,208.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 278,293 shares of company stock worth $10,573,258 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 9.00% of the companys stock. Unity Software Profile (Free Report) Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding U? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unity Software Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unity Software and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. U.S. Border Patrol. Courtesy/U.S. Border Patrol A truck driver has been arrested for picking up five migrants in north Laredo, according to an arrest affidavit. Clarence Genepaul George Goree was charged with transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport the migrants. A white tractor arrived at the Interstate 35 checkpoint at about 6:35 p.m. Feb. 26. A K-9 unit then alerted to possible contraband within the vehicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Goree allowed an agent to search the cab of the truck. As the agent entered the truck, Goree stated that he had a couple of guys with him, states the affidavit. The agent then discovered five migrants inside the cab. Goree and the migrants were escorted inside the checkpoint. Goree agreed to provide a post-arrest statement. Goree stated he was pumping gas at a gas station on mile marker 13 of I-35 when a passenger of a silver Chevrolet sedan approached him and asked him if he could take his relatives to San Antonio, states the affidavit. Goree agreed and offered to pick up the migrants in the 300 block of Union Pacific Boulevard. Once all the people were inside his tractor, Goree started driving toward San Antonio, according to court documents. A voluntary severance scheme proposed for staff across the Norths six Further Education (FE) Colleges - including Derrys North West Regional College - has been given the go-ahead. The scheme was brought forward by college employers in September 2023 amid what they described at the time as an extremely challenging fiscal and political climate. FE staff members who successfully applied to the scheme have begun receiving letters of offer, after a brief hiatus. The severance scheme was paused earlier this month following a meeting between Economy Minister Conor Murphy and union representatives. A statement from the Minister after that meeting said he was currently taking advice on the options available to me for the future of the scheme. However, Derry News has received confirmation from the Department for the Economy that the voluntary severance scheme is now going ahead. In a requested statement from the Department, a spokesperson said: On taking up office, the Minister was briefed on the live Further Education sector staff exit scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to enable Colleges to reduce their operating costs/to help Colleges live within their budget allocations. The scheme has been in train for some time and is significantly oversubscribed, with colleges now in the process of issuing letters of offer to staff who wish to exit. This is a voluntary exit scheme and compulsory redundancy arrangements will not be enacted. The Minister has decided to allow the scheme to progress on a voluntary basis having considered the advanced nature of the process, and taken assurance on the sub-regional balance of the scheme and minimal impact this will have on front line service provision. The focus now is on growing the further education sector and increasing student numbers as a vital contributor to a thriving economy. The spokesperson added the Minister has been clear any savings released through the scheme would be reinvested in the further education sector for the benefit of learners. Speaking to Derry News, a UCU (University and College Union) representative confirmed the severance scheme was underway and the first tranche of candidates who applied had received their letters of offer. They said: Unions are disappointed that they have prioritised redundancies over pay for the Further Education sector. UCU has sent a letter to Minister Murphy expressing this. We are trying to establish the amount of money that is being used for the redundancy scheme. It could be between 15 and 20 million and could be used for a decent pay rise for lecturers on the ground. We really believe that pay should be prioritised and redundancies are not going to resolve the issues within FE. It is looking at a temporary solution really, which is not a solution at all because we are going to lose the most experienced staff. The UCU representative added: It seems promoted academic posts are being removed, along with responsibility allowances, the opportunity for academic staff in the FE colleges to get promotional posts. There are major issues of concern with this scheme. The cost savings they are making on the basis of these redundancies should be put into pay rises for the remainder of the lecturing staff. During their February 12 meeting with Minister Murphy the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) and UCU representatives had implored him to intervene and put a stop to the redundancies in the further education sector. At that time, Maxine Murphy-Higgins, NASUWT Policy and Case Worker (Northern Ireland), said NASUWT believed the further education sector was central to rebuilding the economy in the post Covid landscape. She said: We also highlighted that the further education sector is long overdue for a review and that making job reductions at this time is premature. We also highlighted the fact that this money could be redirected to the pay settlement in the further education sector. It is believed the majority applications to the voluntary severance scheme came from FE staff who had been in post for a number of years. One such member of staff at Derrys North West Regional College told Derry News he had written directly to Minister Murphy in protest when it emerged the voluntary severance scheme had been paused. In his letter the lecturer said: I know that between just two of our colleges there are over 300 applicants for the scheme which suggests there are probably around 1000 applicants in total that you have just alienated. A voluntary exit scheme has been used many times over the years without any objection from my union, to the best of my knowledge; I don't see why it's a problem now all of a sudden. Not only is there serious undertones of ageism where it is suggested more mature lecturers are allowed to wither away as natural wastage, but there wasn't even a consultation with us members before writing to you. I implore you to reverse your decision as quickly as possible, especially as I believe the business case was previously made and agreed. Speaking to Derry News on behalf of North West Regional College a spokesperson said: Following a reduction of 130M in the Department for Economys (DfE) budget, Northern Irelands six Further Education Colleges devised an exit scheme for staff, on a voluntary basis. Formal consultations began with Union colleagues regarding the scheme in November 2023. This scheme has now closed and NWRC has received 129 (FTE) expressions of interest. Final decisions will be made on those in the coming weeks. The College remains fully committed to ensuring that the outworking of this voluntary severance scheme does not impact negatively on our learners, staff or FE provision more generally. A special meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council has discussed Child Poverty. The meeting took place on Thursday, February 22, and received a presentation from Ms Mairead McCafferty (Chief Executive) and Ms Alex Tennant (Head of Policy and Participation) in the office of the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY). The NICCY presentation can be read HERE. According to NICCY, there are around 95,000 children in poverty in the North more than one in five (21%). Child Poverty levels are generally higher in Derry City and Strabane than the Northern Ireland average. Most children in poverty live in households with working parents. Children born poor statistically have fewer years of good health (women: 15.1 years and men: 11.2 years) and live shorter lives (women: 5.1 years and men: 7.3 years). Beginning the discussion, following the NICCY presentation, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Patricia Logue raised Holiday Hunger Payments. Mayor Logue asked Ms McCafferty and Ms Alex Tennant if the provision of Holiday Hunger Payments should be given to parents of all children who are in child poverty, not just those on free school meals. Ms McCafferty said this was an issue NICCY had been examining. She said: We have been sitting on the Anti Poverty Strategy co-design group with the Department for Communities. We were hearing from some of the groups there were families who were working but were in receipt of no benefits and were not eligible for free school meals. We asked the statisticians to look at this and they found that only around a third of children in poverty were eligible for free school meals because the measure just really isnt a great proxy for poverty. One of the main reasons for families being excluded from free school meals was that they were working and they werent eligible for other benefits, which would passport them into free school meals entitlement. We think that needs to be corrected. The free schools meals entitlement needs to be amended to make sure every child in poverty is eligible for it. Following from that, we do think free school meals and holiday payments have to be returned again, to our families with children in poverty. Cllr Shaun Harkin said any level of child poverty was disgraceful. He said: It is a measure of our society, in terms of its ability to take care of its citizens, its residents and its ability to care for everyone. The fact we have almost 100,000 children here in the North of Ireland living in poverty is an absolute disgrace. It makes me, and Im sure everybody else in here, extremely angry. Here we are, in supposedly one of the richest societies on the planet, and we have nearly 100,000 children living in poverty and, in our district we have more than 9,000 children living in poverty - higher than the average for the North. This is infuriating because children dont get to decide where they are born, yet so much of their lives is actually determined by what class they are born into. We know this hits Catholic children, Protestant children, children that are in families which dont identify with any of the main traditions here. Child poverty is something everybody should be very concerned about and very much wanting action to be taken on. Cllr Harkin said he was infuriated by the NICCY presentation because it illustrated there had been no change in decades. Many anti-poverty strategies have gone through Stormont and none of it has been implemented and none of whatever has been implemented has actually addressed fundamentally the levels of child poverty in our society. Cllr Rory Farrell described poverty as a burning issue right across the North. Poverty and child poverty is concerning. We have nearly 100,000 children living in households experiencing poverty and closer to home there are over 9,000 children across this council area who are living in households experiencing poverty. That is 9,000 children in this council area who do not have access to the basics, the essentials, who are not getting the best start in life. We live in the UK. It is a member of the G7, the sixth richest country in the world and for that to be happening in a very, very well off country is an absolute scandal. It is a symptom of a broken society. We havent had a government here for a number of years and the key focus for the New Executive should be to address and eradicate poverty. Cllr Paul Gallagher said he thought the NICCY presentation had been weak. I dont think that it will go anywhere near addressing the real issues, he said. Mitigation factors have been mentioned going as far back as Fresh Start. Mitigation doesn't work in addressing child poverty. It only facilitates it. We see Government departments that people are knocking on their door needing help and support and they are being told to go to a food-bank. They are getting handed out the addresses of foodbanks, those are the mitigation factors. Cllr Aisling Hutton said the restoration of Government meant there was an opportunity for the focus to be put on the child strategy at central government level. Poverty presents in the form of addiction, family breakdown. it presents to us as poverty of education and poverty of health. The number of people with chronic illnesses - being diagnosed with diabetes [is high]. Poverty is a minefield. At the minute there is a housing crisis in this city and people arent living in proper homes so they are not focused enough, added Cllr Hutton. Alderman Niree McMorris (DUP) said poverty knew no boundaries. It goes across the board and has many different facets. We need to keep focused and get to the bottom of what is going on in our own communities. There needs to be a long term strategy in how we tackle child poverty. Cllr Gary Donnelly differed with Ald McMorris saying that poverty knew class boundaries. The people that are being hurt in this are the working class, and that is the working class of all communities, he said. This [NICCY] report should not be a shock to any proper councillor or alderman doing their job. Some of the conversations I have been having this week are with people saying their elected reps wouldnt know. Stormont is up and running. Lets see what they are going to do. People cant blame the Brits any more. They lauded Stormont. They have it open. Step up to the plate. Following lengthy discussion, Council unanimously passed a motion proposed by Cllr Shaun Harkin, which read: Council will write to the Secretary of State, the Executive Office and the relevant Executive Ministers for an outline on the immediate steps they plan to take to eradicate child poverty. Council will request a meeting with the relevant Stormont Executive Ministers and department officials to discuss above average levels of child poverty in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area and what specific and targeted actions they plan to take. Council will write to the Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons requesting an outline on plans to implement actions addressing poverty and inequality, with a focus on addressing child poverty. An amendment proposed by Cllr Farrell was subsequently added and approved. It read: Council will write to the NI Executive asking that the Anti-Poverty Strategy be published and implemented in the near future, and that budget required for delivery is ring fenced. AWARE NI, a charity founded in Derry has won a major national award for its work offering support and education for people with depression and bipolar disorder across Northern Ireland. Following a rigorous selection and assessment process, AWARE NI was chosen from more than 500 charities across the UK as one of the 10 winners of the 2024 GSK IMPACT Awards, which are delivered in partnership with The Kings Fund. Now in its 27th year, the awards are a mark of excellence in the charity sector, designed to recognise the outstanding work of small and medium-sized charities working to improve peoples health and wellbeing in the UK. Research shows that the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland continues to have a significant impact on many of the people who live there, with mental health problems being the single largest cause of ill health and disability in Northern Ireland. Founded in 1996, AWARE NI, previously known as Aware Defeat Depression, is the only charity in Northern Ireland working exclusively for people with depression and bipolar disorder. It is also one of only a few charities to have won a GSK IMPACT Award more than once. Supported by an impressive 120 volunteers, AWARE NI delivers a range of services across Northern Ireland, including mental health peer support groups, education and training programmes, awareness raising about mental health, a telephone and email support service, mental health resources and e-learning programmes. The charity also delivers mental health and wellbeing programmes to communities, schools and workplaces, as well as delivering mental health first aid training to help people support others experiencing mental health issues. The award judges were particularly impressed by its Back to Life, Back to Normality programme for people awaiting care from NHS mental health services. A patient experiencing low mood, anxiety or bipolar disorder can be referred by a GP while waiting for an NHS assessment (which can take up to five months). AWARE NIs 12-week programme is based on cognitive behavioural therapy concepts to help manage feelings when stressed, worried or depressed, and has been shown to improve mood and emotional wellbeing. As an award winner, AWARE NI will now receive 40,000 in unrestricted funding as well as expert support and leadership development provided by leading health and care charity The Kings Fund. The award win comes at a time when the triple threat of rising costs, falling income and increased demand continues to put charities and their finances under extreme pressure. The award judges praised AWARE NI for the way it has expanded and broadened its reach since the charity won a GSK IMPACT Award ten years ago, despite operating in such a challenging climate. The judges also highlighted the work the charity has done in collaboration with other organisations to campaign for better perinatal mental health support. In the UK, it is estimated that 10-20% of women experience a perinatal mental health problem and Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK with no Mother and Baby Unit, meaning babies are separated from mothers needing mental health treatment. AWARE NI led on a campaign calling for the introduction of these units and specialist perinatal mental health teams within NHS trusts. In November 2023, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland announced the setting up of the first Mother and Baby Unit in Belfast, and five specialist teams in each of the Trust areas. The judges were impressed by AWARE NIs ability to reach people who may be less likely to seek out help and to reach across Northern Irelands communities. In partnership with local Sure Start centres, the charity has developed a bespoke parent and baby programme that focuses on engaging new fathers. It also supports 10-11-year-olds and teachers in primary schools through its Paws b Mindfulness programme, which uses an animated puppy to illustrate how distracted the brain can be and helps children to feel calmer, build better relationships, and improve concentration. The charity also works in community settings across Northern Ireland, delivering peer-led support groups for people with depression and bipolar disorder. The groups provide an opportunity to meet others going through similar experiences, reduce isolation and share information confidentially. Data collected by the charity shows that in the year to March 2023, AWARE NI held almost 1,250 peer-led support group meetings across 25 locations with 6,500 attendees. In the same year, AWARE NI delivered 1,300 mental health awareness programmes to 17,000 people in schools, universities, workplaces and community centres including training for teachers, health care professionals and employers. Katie Pinnock, Director, UK Charitable Partnerships at GSK, said: AWARE NI has grown over the years and developed a wide range of services to support people with depression and bipolar disorder, reaching and supporting tens of thousands of people each year. The charity targets particular groups of people, such as those waiting for NHS mental health assessments, using recognised approaches to deliver preventive mental health interventions to help people cope with lifes challenges. AWARE NI should also be congratulated for its strong collaboration with partners, including the NHS, and its work to improve perinatal mental health services across Northern Ireland. Commenting on the award, Karen Collins, CEO of AWARE NI, said: We are delighted and humbled to have been acknowledged by GSK and The Kings Fund. Working in very challenging circumstances, this gives us real encouragement to see the value and impact we can have for those living with depression and bipolar disorder. At AWARE NI we believe mental health should be a top priority for everyone, regardless of age. This is why our programmes and services include a perinatal mental health focus, as illustrated in our lobbying efforts with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, to programmes focused on looking after your mental health in your later years. Looking after your mental health is an essential aspect of wellbeing for everyone, regardless of where they are on their life journey. We aspire to create a future where everyone can talk freely about their mental health without fear of stigma, access services appropriate to their needs, and gain the skills and knowledge to maintain positive mental health. Developing leaders in the charity sector is a key aim of the GSK IMPACT Awards programme and all winners are invited to build on their success and take part in a tailored leadership development programme run by The Kings Fund. A Co Down novelist has been announced as the new Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland. Shirley-Anne McMillan will take up the role that was created as part of Queens University Belfast and the Arts Council of Northern Irelands (ACNI) joint 10-year Seamus Heaney Legacy Project, supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies. She will be based at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens for two years, working with students and engaging in outreach activities. Ms McMillan said: I am delighted to be appointed the new Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland at Queens, following the success of previous fellows, Maire Zepf, Kelly McCaughrain and Paul Howard. My field of interest is young adult writing and Im passionate about helping young adults engage with reading and creative writing in order to find ways to tell their own truths. Over the term of my fellowship I hope to work with young people to encourage literacy and confidence in writing, particularly within groups which have traditionally been marginalised in Northern Ireland. I also hope to work with teachers of creative writing and to create opportunities for adult writers of childrens fiction to sharpen their craft. The author, whose novels are all set in Northern Ireland, previously worked as a school teacher and online writer in residence for the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin and now teaches creative writing at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast, and offers mentoring through the Irish Writers Centre. Speaking on behalf of the Estate of Seamus Heaney, Catherine Heaney said: With her years of experience in the classroom, we are sure Shirley-Anne will bring her own energy, vision and passion to the role, and help and encourage young people to share their own stories. Professor Glenn Patterson, director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens University Belfast, said: Shirley-Annes work speaks compellingly (and beautifully) to readers in the later school years. Damian Smyth, joint head of literature at the Arts Council for NI, said: In this role, Shirley-Anne will act as an ambassador and mentor for young people, hosting creative writing workshops, readings and events over the next two years. She brings with her a background in teaching, her own experiences of writing for YA audiences and, most importantly, an infectious passion for books and stories. McMillan will take up her post as the Childrens Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland in the spring. The Policing Board has been asked to set up an inquiry into allegations that journalists in Northern Ireland were subject to unlawful covert surveillance by police. Amnesty International and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have written to the board, the oversight body for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), raising serious concerns over how widespread the practice of surveillance of journalists and others may have been. It comes after a tribunal was told that police mounted a covert surveillance operation following the arrest of two journalists in a bid to unmask one of their sources. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) was told last week that the arrest of film makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney in 2018 was a disruptive tactic to see if the reporters would reach out to the source after their release from custody. The tribunal is examining allegations that the award-winning journalists were subject to unlawful covert surveillance by UK authorities. In 2018, Northern Ireland-based Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney were controversially arrested as part of a police investigation into the alleged leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a documentary they made on a Troubles massacre. The following year, the two journalists lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them. The letter to Policing Board chairwoman Deirdre Toner, seen by the PA news agency, has been sent by Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty and Daniel Holder from the CAJ. It states: Our organisations continue to share serious concerns about how widespread the practice of the use of covert surveillance powers against journalists and others may have been. As you will appreciate, the IPT will be limited to the particular circumstances of the specific case before it, rather than the question of wider PSNI practices in this area. Despite these limitations, this case has already revealed that such surveillance and has been deployed against multiple journalists on multiple occasions under multiple chief constables a pattern of potential unlawful activity and breach of the European Convention of Human Rights. Given this, we are writing to again press for action from the Policing Board. They continued: We repeat our request to the board to conduct an inquiry, under the powers vested in you under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, into PSNI use of surveillance powers against journalists, lawyers and other human rights defenders. Failing that, we wish to enquire how the board plans to fulfil its role effectively ensuring PSNI human rights compliance with respect to this matter which not only has the potential to undermine public confidence in policing but also in policing oversight mechanisms. A Policing Board spokesperson said: The Policing Board will consider the correspondence received from Amnesty at its monthly meeting on Thursday. A PSNI spokesperson said: As legal proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment. Free Configurator tool enables customers to specify exactly what they want their new RISC-V core to be Barcelona, Spain March 5, 2024 -- Semidynamics, the European RISC-V custom core specialist, has released its new tool called Configurator that puts the power of Semidynamics full customisation of a RISC-V processor core in the hands of the customer. It uses dozens of blocks that have already been verified by Semidynamics so that the final core is therefore also verified. This gives customers an incredible fast time to a workable core design in a matter of a few hours from the thousands of possible variants. Semidynamics unique Open Core Surgery allows the customer to tailor the Semidynamics IP to their needs, including adding new instructions, new interfaces and the customers secret sauce deep inside. This process entails two steps. First step is to configure the base parameters of the architecture, which is what Configurator enables. The second step is to describe the special features required by the customer; the Semidynamics engineering team will take those requests and implement them according to the customers requirements. The newly released Configurator helps in both steps. First, it provides an easy way for the customer to specify the configuration parameters for the IP. Second, it allows the customer to describe the additional changes, beyond configuration, required. Roger Espasa, Semidynamics CEO, explained, We are the only company offering fully customisable RISC-V IP cores so there are many choices to be made by customers when specifying their requirements. Our new Configurator tool makes this process extremely easy for the customer to do on their own computer screen. The tool has a sequential set of options that logically works through the thousands of possible variants. As each one option is selected, the resulting core configuration is immediately displayed on the screen so that the customer can see how the layout of blocks builds. The customer can go back and change any of the options to see the effect on the core layout. Naturally, we are available to help and advise customers in the choices to ensure the best possible core design for their application. When the customer has finalised the design, it is sent to us for a PPA and licensing quote. Once this is agreed and the contract signed, the RTL is sent to them immediately and as it is already verified by us they dont have that time consuming stage to do. The whole aim of Configurator is to empower the customer with an easy-to-use way to have the exact custom core that they need in the shortest possible time so that they are fastest to market with their innovative product. Some of the choices offered by the Configurator tool include instruction and data cache sizes, main memory bus size and type, and eight optional extensions. Additional options include Semidynamics state-of-the-art Tensor and RISC-V 1.0 compliant Vector Units with a choice of number of cores and data configuration. On top of these, Gazzillion technology that ensures constant data flow from memory. The Semidynamics Configurator tool is web-based so it can be run on the customers own computer system once they have registered which can be done at www.semidynamics.com/configurator Semidynamics www.semidynamics.com Founded in 2016 and based in Barcelona, Spain, Semidynamics is the only provider of fully customisable RISC-V processor IP and specialises in high bandwidth, high performance cores with vector units and tensor units targeted at machine learning and AI applications. The company is privately owned and is a strategic member of the RISC-V Alliance. HIGHLIGHTS Anthropic has announced the Claude 3 model family. The Claude 3 family includes three state-of-the-art models. We asked Claude and ChatGPT to solve maths equations. Anthropic has announced the launch of the Claude 3 model family. The Claude 3 family includes three state-of-the-art models in ascending order of capability: Claude 3 Haiku, Claude 3 Sonnet and Claude 3 Opus. Claude Opus and Claude Sonnet are now available to use in claude.ai and the Claude API which is generally available in 159 countries, including India. And, Claude Haiku will be available soon. Also read: Google Gemini vs Microsoft Copilot: Clash of AI chatbots in 5 different scenarios For the vast majority of workloads, Sonnet is 2 times faster than Claude 2 and Claude 2.1 with higher levels of intelligence, according to the company. Also, it excels at tasks demanding rapid responses, like knowledge retrieval or sales automation. Opus is said to deliver similar speeds to Claude 2 and 2.1, but with much higher levels of intelligence. Also read: Google Bard vs Microsoft Copilot, who generates better AI images? Here are the results According to Anthropic, the new Claude 3 family of AI models performs as well as or better than leading/popular models from Google and OpenAI. Well, to test this claim, I asked Claude and ChatGPT to solve math equations. But, which one does it better? Lets find out! Quadratic equation Prompt Give me solution for this equation: x^2 5x + 6 = 0? Claude ChatGPT Trigonometry Prompt Given that sin(x) = 0.8 and x is an acute angle in a right triangle, find the values of cos(x) and tan(x). Claude ChatGPT Calculus Prompt Find the derivative of the function f(x) = 3x^4 2x^3 + 5x^2 7x + 9. Claude ChatGPT Verdict In my opinion, in the showdown between Claude and ChatGPT for solving maths equations, both contenders delivered the same correct answers. However, when it comes to explaining the process of solving the equations, ChatGPT wins. ChatGPTs explanations are clear and easy to understand. So, while both are capable of crunching numbers, ChatGPT shines in its ability to make the maths journey a smooth and comprehensible one. HIGHLIGHTS Samsung is gearing up to launch two new Galaxy A-series smartphones in India. Samsung will launch the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 smartphones on March 11th. The teaser is live on Samsung's official India website. Samsung is gearing up to launch two new Galaxy A-series smartphones in India. The company has confirmed that it will launch the new Galaxy A-series handsets on March 11th in India at 2:30 PM. In a post on X, the tech giant revealed the devices to be launched during the event. On March 11th, Samsung will launch the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G handsets. The teaser is also live on Samsungs official India website. Also read: Samsung Galaxy A35 5G & Galaxy A55 5G could launch in India soon: Heres what to expect The tech giant has confirmed that the upcoming Galaxy A-series smartphones will feature flagship-inspired design, built with premium materials. Both the smartphones will come with IP67 rating for spill resistance and will be protected by a stronger Gorilla Glass compared to last years Gorilla Glass 5. Also read: Samsung Galaxy A55 full design revealed via leaked renders: Heres what to expect Both smartphones will feature an advanced camera for nightography to help users shoot sharper images and videos even in extreme low light conditions. For a smooth and seamless usage experience, the new Galaxy A-series smartphones will be equipped with powerful processors and large vapour cooling chambers. Lets see what more to expect from the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 handsets. A report by Gizmochina suggests that the Samsung Galaxy A55 is expected to boast a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy A55 will likely be powered by the Exynos 1480 processor, and could be available in two configurations 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage. For photography, the Samsung Galaxy A55 could house a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 5MP macro lens. On the front, there could be a 32MP selfie shooter. Moreover, the Galaxy A55 could pack a 5,000mAh battery with 25W wired charging support. Now, lets talk about the Samsung Galaxy A35 handset. It will likely feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It could be powered by the Exynos 1380 chip, and could pack a 5,000mAh battery. The A35s rear camera setup is expected to include a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. On the front, there could be a 13MP selfie shooter. Speaking of colours, the Galaxy A35 is expected to come in Lilac, Navy, Ice Blue and Lemon colour options. On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 could be available in Navy, Ice Blue, White and Purple colour options. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston officially announced the expansion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy to the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo on Friday, Jan. 25, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Jyothi Gupta, Robert Kendell Bing Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at UTMB and Senator Judith Zaffirini during the announcement of the expansion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program to the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo on Friday, Jan. 25, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Jyothi Gupta, Robert Kendell Bing Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at UTMB speaks with students during the announcement of the expansion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program to the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo on Friday, Jan. 25, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Last January, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston officially announced the expansion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy to the University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo, a much-needed program that would not only expand educational opportunities for Laredoans but also contribute to increasing health care options in a medically underserved community. During the announcement, Adriana B. Nunemaker -- Executive Director for the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo -- said that every idea begins with a seed. She thanked all those who made this collaborative effort to become a reality. Dr. John M. Zerwas, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at The University of Texas System, said that the start of this program medically benefits the Laredo community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Now we can provide advanced health care delivery, better health care access to what is an incredibly rapidly growing community here," he said. Sen. Judith Zaffirini, who also was at the announcement ceremony, expressed gratitude for the wonderful job done by everyone in bringing this program to Laredo. "A while ago, I heard that medicine brings days to life, occupational therapy brings life to days," she said. "Those words are closely related to the therapist who said that occupational therapy turns hopeless into hope, can't into can and impossible into possible. Frankly for us converting hopeless into hope, can't into can, and impossible into possible was when this center became part of the UT System -- the first multi-institutional facility in the state of Texas." Zaffirini said that bringing this doctorate to Laredo has been the result of a collaborative effort of the civic, business and educational leaders who support the Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The partnerships are key to our future," she said. "The partnerships have been successful because they understand local needs, and frankly who knows better than Laredoans and the surrounding areas that this is a medically underserved region." Zaffirini added that because it is a growing community and due to many low income persons and the aging population, Laredo certainly needs more health care, better health care and, more specifically, occupational therapists. She said that there are people who ask what is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy. "It was described to me a long time ago as simply as this: a physical therapist makes sure that the patient has the ability to move; the occupational therapist makes sure that the patient has the ability to perform daily live functions," Zaffirini said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jyothi Gupta is a Robert Kendell Bing Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at UTMB. She said that this doctoral program provides the Laredo residents both the possibility of study a doctorate program without moving to another city and to have professionals trained in occupational therapy in the area. So I thought this hybrid program where a lot of the learning can happen online and then we do all the skills on the labs here at Laredo, it will open up doors for a lot of people from the community," she said. "My hope also is that they will stay in the community, because they're part of this community and there is a shortage of occupational therapists in the area." Gupta said that in order to enroll in this three-year program, all those interested need to have at minimum a bachelor's degree. Gupta said that the occupational therapy profession is one in constant demand. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The Labor Statistics in Texas has said that this profession is growing very fast," she said. "So I think that nationally and regionally for Texas there is a lot of opportunities for employment as occupational therapist." She added that the good thing about occupational therapy is that they work across the lifespan. "Those who would like to be pediatric therapists can work with children in the school system, and those who like to work with older adults can work in geriatric areas and all across the lifespan," she said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 17% between 2020-30. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gupta invited all those who are interested in the doctoral program in occupational therapy to call the University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo to get more information. "We have to do some paperwork along the way, and I am hoping to have the first cohort in fall of 2025," she said. Tata fab in India to begin construction in mid-March, says PSMC chairperson After announcing plans to set up fabs in Japan, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) said it will assist Tata Electronics in building India's first 300mm wafer fab in Dholera, Gujarat, with construction expected in 2024. PSMC chairperson Frank Huang was concerned about establishing semiconductor manufacturing facilities in India. He noted that big companies were hesitant to invest there. PSMC eventually chose to lend a hand following President Tsai Ing-wen's invitation. President Tsai hopes that PSMC can lead the way for Taiwanese companies looking to expand their operations into India. PSMC mainly assists Tata in factory construction and process technology transfer. PSMC is not worried about technology outflow, adding that Taiwan excels in technology and cost control. Huang said the foray into India is an important step in PSMC's transformation in the Fab IP business. PSMC will not invest or operate directly but will be responsible for fab construction, process technology transfer, and employee training and receive fees for these activities. In the meantime, multiple Taiwanese media outlets, including Tech News and Anue, quoted Huang, saying that the Indian government will provide 70% of the project cost and that the wafer fab is expected to begin construction on March 12. Huang stated that the difference between investing in India and China lies in India's strong will to support companies as companies in China tend to replicate one another, leading to overcompetition. Besides, as PSMC is expected to profit from businesses like IP transfer, the company does not bear any operational risks in India. On the other hand, Huang mentioned that Japan is quite proactive in the semiconductor industry, and PSMC's joint venture partner understands the Japanese market than PSMC does. However, construction costs in Japan alone are estimated to be four times higher than in Taiwan. Besides, as PSMC's joint partner in Japan is more proactive, in the long run, the company hopes to lower the stake in the joint venture, thereby reducing operational risk. According to Huang, Taiwan is still the most competitive region in the semiconductor industry. Regarding the outlook for 2024, Huang mentioned that the market conditions would improve in the second half of 2024. In the face of competition from China, PSMC has begun to reduce orders for sensors and driver ICs, with the revenue portion estimated to decrease from 30% to 15%. Due to strong demands, the revenue portion of PMICs will increase. In the meantime, as memory demand is recovering, PSMC's customers are increasing their orders, leading to a significant increase in utilization rates, which may help the company turn a profit. PSMC said that as tensions persist between the US and China, American firms are reducing the number of orders placed with Chinese partners. This shift is proving advantageous for Taiwan-based companies. PSMC disclosed that half of their customers' orders have been redirected from China. The company anticipates improved performance in 2024 compared to 2023, with even more promising prospects for 2025. JCET to buy stake in WD subsidiary in China JCET and Western Digital (WD) agreed on an equity purchase agreement, under which the former will acquire most of the stake in the latter's data storage subsidiary in China, solidifying its status in the OSAT business and expanding its share in the data storage industry. On March 3, WD filed an 8K form saying SanDisk China, a subsidiary of WD, will sell to JCET a majority of the equity interest in SanDisk Semiconductor Shanghai (SDSS). JCET will acquire 80% of the equity interest of SDSS for about US$624 million, with the remaining owned by SanDisk China. The transaction with payment to be made over five years is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024. On the other hand, JCET issued a corporate filing on March 5, confirming the planned transaction. The corporate filing cited WSTS data saying that storage chip is the second-largest market in the semiconductor industry, accounting for 28%, and its market size will reach US$130 billion in 2024 globally, with NAND flash accounting for about 40%. JCET said in the corporate filing that the company has been in close ties with WD since 2003. The Shanghai-based SDSS is engaged in advanced flash storage packaging and testing, providing iNAND flash memory modules and MicroSD components used in telecommunications, automobiles, and consumer devices. JCET said the transaction will help the company establish a closer strategic partnership with WD and enhance customer stickiness. Furthermore, it will expand the company's market share in the storage and computing electronics field, enhance intelligent manufacturing, and create a competitive advantage through differentiation. JCET said after the completion of this transaction, the seller and its affiliates will continue to be the main or sole customers of the target company for some time. Chinese media Cailian, citing industry insiders, reported that with the continued growth of the global storage and NAND Flash market, JCET is expected to further consolidate its position in the semiconductor packaging and testing field through this transaction and expand the company's product range and market opportunities. Apple's reliance on iPhone in India increases as other products witness sales fall Apple and iPhone manufacturers benefited from the surging sales of the premium smartphone models, while other Apple products were declining, leading to a much higher dependence on iPhones for Apple's performance in India. Unnamed sources told the Economic Times that Apple had generated over INR660 billion (US$8 billion) in sales in the first 11 months of fiscal 2024, which ended in March. It is expected that Apple may see revenue of more than INR700 billion in the fiscal year, up 41.94% year-on-year. Apple's profit in India in fiscal 2024 is expected to grow by 76% to INR22.29 billion. IDC data shows that in the calendar year of 2023, Apple sold 9.24 million iPhones in 2023, up from 6.67 million units in 2022. Apple's performance starkly contrasts the overall smartphone market, which experienced a slight 1% shipment growth year-on-year in 2023. Thanks to strong iPhone sales and production in India, the Economic Times reported that contract manufacturers such as Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron met the production target under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing and are set to receive incentives accordingly. Meanwhile, Rising Star, an Indian subsidiary of Foxconn, which makes smartphones for Xiaomi, has never managed to meet the production PLI target since the scheme was launched in fiscal 2021. Samsung Electronics, which met the target for fiscal 2023, is expected to receive the cash disbursement after failing to meet the target for fiscal 2022. Except for Dixon, local smartphone manufacturers like Lava and Optiemus are reportedly not eligible for the benefits under the scheme. Notably, Apple's reliance on the iPhone is increasing in India as other Apple products did not sell well in 2023. The report, citing IDC data, reported that except for Apple Watch, which saw a 3% growth in revenue and sales in India, iPads, MacBooks, and Macs witnessed declining sales and revenue in India. iPhone's share in Apple's Indian revenue increased from about 85% to over 90%, while in the global market, about 50% of Apple's sales were generated by iPhones. The Economic Times quoted Vikas Sharma, senior market analyst for wearables at IDC, contributing the weak Apple Watch sales in India to a lack of lucrative financing options for the wearable device. Most first-time iPhone buyers are still paying monthly installments for the iPhone. Regarding the tablet and notebook markets, which saw weak demand over the past year, Akshara Bassi, senior research analyst at Counterpoint, said that iPads are priced more than the sweet spot of tablets in India at INr20,000, and MacBooks are about two times pricier than most notebooks sold in India. Apple sales and profit by geography (US$m) India Global Indian share (%) Date Sales Profit Sales Profit Sales Profit April 2017-March 2018 1,415 45 220,457 45,730 0.64 0.1 April 2018-March 2019 1,589 109 247,417 53,318 0.64 0.2 April 2019-March 2020 1,283 32 258,490 57,170 0.5 0.06 April 2020-March 2021 1,656 113 267,981 57,215 0.62 0.2 April 2021-March 2022 2,782 149 325,406 76,311 0.86 0.2 April 2022-March 2023 4,057 154 386,017 101,935 1.05 0.15 April 2023-March 2024(e) 5,948 268 381,680 100,151 1.56 0.27 Arpil 2024-March 2025 (e) 8,443 -- -- -- -- -- Source: Registrar of Companies of India, Bloomberg, March 2024 Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun advocates green manufacturing, AI talent, and EV safety at China's Two Sessions Xiaomi Group's Chairman and CEO, Lei Jun, has unveiled four pivotal national initiatives during China's "Two Sessions," addressing critical areas in AI talent training and sustainability. According to the reports by ijiwei, Lei's proposals emphasize the urgency of cultivating a green, low-carbon supply chain in manufacturing and ramping up the training of AI talents to propel technological advancements. They also include enhancing safety standards for intelligent driving products and fortifying support for intelligent manufacturing to integrate advanced technologies. These proposals were submitted to the ongoing 14th National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, collectively known as "The two sessions", where Lei serves as a representative. Green supply chain Recognizing the global shift towards green manufacturing, Lei aims to drive further environmentally friendly initiatives within China's manufacturing supply chain to align with the nation's dual carbon goals. These goals entail reducing China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by over 65% compared to 2005 levels by 2030 and increasing the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption to above 80% by 2060. Lei addresses supply chain connectivity issues and insufficient carbon data within the domestic industry. His recommendations to the government include establishing a carbon footprint database, developing a green digitalized supply chain system, and creating a national green energy trading mechanism. Through these decisive actions, the Xiaomi founder aims to drive a swift and impactful green transition in China's manufacturing sector, solidifying the nation's position as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing. AI talent development Regarding artificial intelligence, Lei stresses the need to develop the next wave of AI leaders as the sector drives the current technological revolution. To tackle the nation's scarcity of top-tier AI talent, he proposes the implementation of comprehensive AI education, from mandatory schooling to university programs. Lei emphasizes integrating AI literacy into compulsory education and enhancing AI-focused university programs. He also calls for increased support from industry and educational institutions to nurture practical AI expertise. Lei aims to address the talent deficit in China's tech ecosystem by bolstering AI education and training and fostering a pipeline of applied AI talent to drive innovation across sectors. Regulations for safe smart driving In light of the rapid growth of China's smart driving industry, he sees the need to further regulate assisted driving features, autonomous parking applications, and data usage in smart driving products to ensure secure and comfortable user experiences. Additionally, Lei highlights the necessity of regulating intelligent driving products to uphold public safety and safeguard data privacy, advocating for the standardization of autonomous valet parking and the secure use of vehicle data. Smart manufacturing Lei commends China's accelerated digital transformation progress within the manufacturing sector, recognizing its vital role in enhancing efficiency and driving growth. Despite progress, he acknowledges issues such as insufficient standard coordination, limited promotion of applications, and constraints on key technology equipment leave much space to improve. To address these hurdles, Lei advocates for the innovative integration of advanced smart technologies, the refinement of standard systems, and increased support for leading enterprises in pivotal smart manufacturing initiatives. In addition, he underscores the importance of bolstering intelligent manufacturing, emphasizing the integration of advanced technologies and the undertaking of major projects to overcome current obstacles, including standardization, talent shortages, and funding limitations. Lei firmly believes these proposed endeavors are vital for overcoming immediate obstacles and securing China's competitive advantage in the global market. Subscriber content preview Renderings by McGranahan Architects [enlarge] The proposed new school would be roughly U-shaped. Lake Washington School District is proposing to replace Norman Rockwell Elementary with a new approximately 79,500-square-foot, two-story school. . . . Subscriber content preview By JANIE HAR Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO After two false starts, the billionaires behind a plan to build an eco-friendly city from scratch are behind schedule to put their proposal before California voters this November. Former Goldman Sachs trader Jan Sramek unveiled his closely guarded ballot initiative for the proposed community between San Francisco and Sacramento in January, a plan that envisions 20,000 homes, transit infrastructure, schools, jobs and green space for an initial 50,000 residents. He has since amended it twice to address concerns raised by Solano County and a neighboring U.S. Air Force base. . . . Subscriber content preview WASHINGTON (AP) JetBlue and Spirit Airlines are ending their proposed $3.8 billion merger after a federal judge blocked the deal, ruling it would hurt competition. JetBlue said Monday that even though both companies still believe in the benefits of a combination, they felt they were unlikely to meet the required closing conditions before a July 24 deadline. . . . Subscriber content preview LONDON (AP) The European Union has fined Apple nearly $2 billion by forbidding rivals like Spotify from telling users how they could pay for cheaper subscriptions outside of iPhone apps. Monday's move is the 27-nation bloc's first antitrust penalty against the U.S. tech giant. . . . U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations. Courtesy/U.S. Customs and Border Protection A woman landed behind bars after she tried to smuggle approximately 9 pounds of cocaine via the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, states the arrest affidavit. Nataliy Hernandez was charged with import cocaine and conspire to import the cocaine. On March 1, Hernandez arrived at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in a white 2016 Ford F-150 bearing Texas license plates. A K-9 unit then alerted to the trained odor of narcotics. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found a small marijuana cigarette inside the vehicles front passenger door accessory pocket. CBP officers secured the occupants, and the vehicle was referred to secondary inspection. CBP officers then discovered that the vehicles battery had signs of tampering, according to court documents. Authorities also noticed that the weight of the battery was much lighter than other similar size batteries. CBP officers removed the battery. An X-ray scan of the battery yielded anomalies. CBP officers then retrieved four packages of cocaine, states the affidavit. The contraband weighed 9.12 pounds and had an estimated street value of $124,200. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Homeland Security Investigations special agents responded to take over the case. In a post-arrest interview, Hernandez stated she traveled with her boyfriend to Mexico to drop off her daughter at her sisters house for a dentist appointment. Hernandez stated they exited the country in the morning and claimed no one used her vehicle while in Mexico and that she and her boyfriend were in possession of the vehicle during their visit to Mexico. However, crossing history revealed that the F-150 exited the country at about 2:10 p.m. March 1 and not in the morning as Hernandez had stated, states the affidavit. CBP officers then discovered a single 10 mm socket in the cup holder area of the vehicle. It was the same socket size needed to connect and disconnect the battery cables from the battery, according to court documents. The reputation of the former chairwoman of RTE should not be tarnished, the Taoiseach has said. Siun Ni Raghallaigh released a statement on Monday saying her resignation last month was an enforced dismissal by Irish media minister Catherine Martin which was seemingly designed to traduce her reputation. It comes as the Government is set to name Terence ORourke as the new chairman of the board of the crisis-hit national broadcaster. Following a recommendation from the media minister, Mr ORourkes appointment was agreed by coalition leaders on Monday night. It will be announced, along with two other new board appointments, following approval from Cabinet on Tuesday. Mr ORourke, originally from Co Monaghan, is a former KPMG managing partner and the current chairman of ESB. It comes after the former chairwoman of the board hit out at Ms Martin, saying she had no option but to resign after the minister refused to express confidence in her during a television interview. On Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ms Ni Raghallaigh has admitted she gave the wrong information to the minister, who lost trust in what she was hearing. He said: I think theyre both women in good standing, in my view. What happened, essentially, between them is the relationship broke down, trust broke down. However, he added: I dont believe that Siun Ni Raghallaighs reputation should be tarnished by all of this. Sometimes these happen misunderstandings, relationships break down. It does not necessarily mean that anyone did anything wrong or lacked competence, in my view. Asked if Ms Martin should answer questions on the matter before Oireachtas committees, he told Morning Ireland: Im absolutely sure Ms Martin will be happy to respond to what the former RTE chair, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, has said. In her statement on Monday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh also criticised Ms Martin for actively taking a hands-off approach to the widening scandal at RTE and accused her of not assisting with falling TV licence revenues. Appearing on Prime Time on February 22, the minister said she was disappointed in Ms Ni Raghallaigh, saying she had been misinformed about the chairwomans role in approving an exit package for former RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins. The minister was criticised for her handling of the situation, with opposition TDs claiming she had effectively sacked the chairwoman live on air. In a statement, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said: If the minister had decided that she no longer wanted me as chair, that is her privilege. However, I cannot remain silent about the manner of my enforced dismissal, which seemed designed to traduce my reputation. However, Ms Martin responded by saying she needed to be able to rely on getting clear, timely and accurate information from the former chairwoman of the RTE board. She added: This is particularly important at such a challenging time in RTEs history. Commenting on the new appointments, Ms Martin said: An important step forward for RTE will be taken when I seek Government approval for the appointment of a new chair and additional board members. Upon appointment I will seek to meet the new chair and the director-general in the coming days. The Public Accounts Committee is to make its recommendations after months of controversy at the national broadcaster later on Tuesday. Mr Varadkar said it would be a good idea to put RTE under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. He said he hopes the Government will make a decision on that in the next few weeks. Mr Varadkar said the Government has also set a target for a decision on the future funding model of public service broadcasting by the summer recess. Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said that he has no doubt Ms Martin will want to address some of the issues raised by Ms Ni Raghallaigh. Speaking ahead of Cabinet, Mr McGrath added: I have confidence in Catherine Martin. She has been dealing with a very difficult situation over the last eight months in RTE and gave a very comprehensive account of her actions last week before the Oireachtas committee. I have no doubt really that she will address some of the issues that were raised in Ms Ni Raghallaigh statement. We, as a government, are trying to move forward on this process with the appointment of a new chair. We anxiously await the final two reports that are due so we have the complete picture that will enable us to make a collective agreement as a government in relation to future funding for RTE and public service content more generally. I think it is time to move on and over the weeks and months ahead we will make decisions and ensure that RTE is on sustainable footing going forward is what we want to see. The government is committed to making a decision over the months ahead. Opposition parties said the Media Minister has further questions to answer after former RTE chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh heavily criticised Catherine Martin. Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain said Ms Martins position is not tenable after Ms Ni Raghallaigh outlined a number of failures in the Green ministers version of events which ultimately led to her resignation. Ms Ni Raghallaigh said her resignation last month was an enforced dismissal by the minister which was seemingly designed to traduce her reputation. The former chairwoman hit out at Ms Martin in a four-page letter, saying she had no option but to resign after the minister refused to express confidence in her during a live television interview. Mr O Riordain described Ms Martins appearance on RTEs Prime Time as disgraceful. It is quite clear that Siun Ni Raghallaigh is exposing what we all felt, which is that the minister has no control over the situation, has been a bystander and not somebody who is fully in control of matters, Mr O Riordain added. She hasnt been a main player in trying to resolve the situation. Minister Martin is now part of the problem. His party colleague and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Alan Kelly said there is a huge credibility issue for Ms Martin in saying she was unaware of the severance payment for RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins. Mr Kelly, who has ministerial experience in previous government, said Ms Martins statements on the dispute are full of holes. He said it was taken as a given that information provided to a department secretary-general would be passed on all the way to the line minister. He said: If the former chair informed the department in relation to Mr Collins exit, in my eyes that means the minister knows, that means the department knows. He added: The whole issue in regards to Prime Time, the choreography of that, the manufacturing of that for me, it is not credible either. It is also nonsense. Mr Kelly said it was clear from Ms Ni Raghallaighs statement that she only met the minister directly on a handful of occasions. He said this was inconsistent with the ministers own statements. Elsewhere at the PAC press conference, a Government TD also said he was concerned about the hands-off approach of the minister. Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said there was a seven-week period across July and August in which Ms Martin did not hold a meeting with Ms Ni Raghallaigh. However, PAC member Marc O Cathasaigh defended the minister, his Green Party colleague. He said there had been a breakdown in communication between Ms Ni Raghallaigh and the minister. He said the minister had been given incorrect information by the former chairwoman: Thats where this crisis sprang from. Social Democrat TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster both called for a question-and-answer session with the minister in the Dail. Mr O Cathasaigh said she would act to clarify the matter again. However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar later said the minister would be willing to appear before a committee in a number of weeks, rather than taking questions in the Dail. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the RTE shambles is the fault of the Government, accusing it of failing to take control of the crisis. They have failed to resolve any of the issues that lay at the heart of the scandal that erupted last summer in terms of excessive salaries, pay-outs and golden handshakes and proper financial governance of the state broadcaster, Mr Boyd Barrett added. The comment that the minister is taking a hands-off approach confirms exactly what weve said they failed to address the issue of the financing of RTE and, in fact, all the signs are that exactly the things that shouldnt have happened in the aftermath of the RTE scandal erupting are going to happen. Workers are going to lose their jobs. Therell be suppression of jobs and the quality of public service broadcasting will be degraded because the Government have failed to address the issue of the financing of RTE. A 35 year old man who admitted being involved in an attack on another passenger, whose girlfriend had asked him and his then partner to quieten down on the Dublin Belfast Enterprise service, was given a suspended sentence at Dundalk Circuit Court last week. Aidan Connolly of Claremont Crescent, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 and originally from Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, at Clarke Railway Station, Dundalk on September 13th 2020. The victim and his girlfriend had got up, as she was getting off the Belfast to Dublin service in Dundalk and when she told the men there was no need to be so loud, that there were other people on board, they verbally abused her and then turned on her partner, when he told them not to call her names. The man was struck on the head with an old-style vape by the defendants then partner, and he also suffered a cut to his left eyebrow during the assault. Both men were arrested a distance from the train station and the victim, in his impact statement read to the court said he finds it very hard to take any public transport and has not been on a train since the incident. The Defence barrister said his client was a bar supervisor but returned to education to become an addiction counsellor and is a second year student at DCU. He added the incident happened during the easing of Covid restrictions, and people may have lost the run of themselves, and stressed it is not Mr Connollys form to act in this way. The court heard the victim had previously accepted an offer of 5,000 from the 35 year old. Judge Dara Hayes said while the defendant might not have liked being told to quiet down it was an extraordinary over reaction to fight over it. He suspended in full the 18 month sentence that he imposed, given it looks like it was a once-off incident and the defendant has not come to adverse attention since. Two Louth groups have been allocated a total of 7300 for biodiversity projects through a joint venture between the government and philanthropic organisations. Dromiskin Tidy Towns has been given 4000 to implement the local Community Biodiversity Action Plan focusing on pollinator pit stops, as well as to build a viewing mound, and owl and bat boxes. Meanwhile, Omeath District Development has been given 3300 to map invasive species in Omeath. The local initiatives are among 78 new community plans being supported nationally through a partnership between philanthropy and Government. Each local project will be receiving access to experts to either develop a new Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) or support to implement measures from an existing plan. The grants are the latest in a joint Biodiversity Fund, an initiative of the Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service which has seen 213 such action plans developed across the country through a joint investment of 1.76 Million since 2019. Announcing the grants, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said: These grants are uniquely impactful because they connect community groups with scientific expertise, helping them to better understand their local biodiversity. Successful grantees work with ecologists to create a Community Biodiversity Action Plan and can then seek funding to implement it. All of the data they collect is shared with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, making a valuable contribution to citizen science in Ireland. This partnership between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Community Foundation Ireland began as a Seed for Nature at the 2019 National Biodiversity Conference, so its particularly special to see it flourish and deliver so much impact all across the country, with 213 CBAPs in place and more to come. Its vital that we empower communities to restore nature at grassroots level, especially as the National Biodiversity Action Plan takes root. Over the coming years, Local Authorities will also be developing Local Biodiversity Action Plans. Active, informed and engaged communities will help us ensure that policy-making for biodiversity is a two way street: top down and bottom up. Niall O Donnchu, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service added: NPWS is delighted to partner with Community Foundation Ireland on the Biodiversity Fund and to support the work of community groups in restoring and protecting nature in their local area. Science and expertise can guide us but must be translated into action by and with local communities. Originally from Dublin, Julie Corcoran moved to Cavan almost 25 years ago and she is looking forward to calling Dundalk home for the next two months. Julie is no stranger to the Creative Spark Print Studio, and has attended various printmaking workshops facilitated by Print Studio Coordinator Grainne Murphy. She also joined Creative Sparks affiliated arts group, AAEX, in late 2021. It really is an amazing opportunity to develop and grow as an artist, Julie commented. With access to a studio and all the facilities Creative Spark has to offer, I feel blessed. Up until now I have produced digital prints but now Ill have the opportunity to hand print my work with techniques like silkscreen, engraved woodblock and cyanotype. Above: To be Held by Julie Corcoran Julies art practice involves manipulating her digital photographs using computer software to produce digital prints that look more like paintings than photographs. She has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions and is represented by three galleries on the island of Ireland; ArtisAnn, Belfast, Solart Gallery, Dublin and Hambly & Hambly, Enniskillen. As part of her residency Julie wants to reach out to the community of Dundalk starting with a callout for participants for her Womanhood photographic project to mark International Womens Day on Friday, 8th March. Creative Spark says it would like to invite all women to join Julie at Creative Spark on International Womens Day between 11:30 am and 3 pm to be part of Julie's Womanhood photographic project. Photo Credit: Barry Cronin Light refreshments will be provided with an opportunity to have your photograph taken and included in Julie's printmaking project; Womanhood. Julie adds, the images I take on the day will form the basis of my artworks produced at Creative Spark during my residency. Its really very exciting and Im very much looking forward to all the resulting conversations over coffee too! Everyday Learning Spaces, where adults who return to education can learn safely and feel supported, are being celebrated in Louth this week during the AONTAS Adult Learners Festival. The week-long celebration of adult learning, which is run by AONTAS the National Adult Learning Organisation of Ireland runs until Friday. A number of adult learning organisations in Louth are holding free, public events throughout the week to promote their work and showcase what they do, for both current and prospective learners. The theme of the festival, Everyday Learning Spaces, is highlighting safe and supportive learning environments for people returning to education as adults. According to AONTAS, an everyday learning space is anywhere that adult education happens not just in classrooms, but in libraries, digital hubs, learning pods, online, or learning facilitated in parks or social spaces. Announcing the Adult Learners Festival, CEO of AONTAS, Dearbhail Lawless said: Everyday learning spaces help people with real-world challenges, whether that is struggling with new technologies; needing to balance learning with caring or other responsibilities; or needing specific support with learning. Ms Lawless encouraged people to check out the events in Louth and engage in the theme, saying: This years festival is spotlighting the everyday spaces that mean that people can learn in a way that suits them. Learners are the focus and take an active role in shaping these spaces. We invite people in Co Louth to check out the events taking place and to learn about the transformative power of adult learning for people and communities. Among the event highlights taking place in Co Louth during the Adult Learners Festival is Women in Education at The Barbican Centre in Drogheda. The event is an information session on adult learning, with guest speakers to include women in career guidance roles, on Thursday 7 March, from 12.00-1.00pm. To find out more about the free public events taking place in Louth during the Adult Learners Festival or to register for an event, visit www.adultlearnersfestival.ie. Stella Offner, associate professor of astronomy, at The University of Texas in Austin discusses her research during a live program hosted online with the McDonald Observatory in West Texas. John Davis/Stocktrek Images/Getty Images/Stocktrek Images Stella Offner, associate professor of astronomy, at The University of Texas in Austin discusses her research during a live program hosted online with the McDonald Observatory in West Texas Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Stella Offner, associate professor of astronomy, at The University of Texas in Austin discusses her research during a live program hosted online with the McDonald Observatory in West Texas. Mabry Campbell/Getty Images Stella Offner, associate professor of astronomy, at The University of Texas in Austin discusses her research during a live program hosted online with the McDonald Observatory in West Texas. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Space exploration is evolving as images from observatories around the globe capture and find answers to new discoveries while continuing to expand human knowledge of what lies in the universe and new applications in artificial intelligence to help along the way. For skywatchers choosing to stay up to date on what's new, Stella Offner, the associate professor of astronomy, at The University of Texas is hosting a live streaming lecture in partnership with McDonald Observatory. The online event is part of the 2024 Great Lecture series that went live on Feb. 24 on the McDonald Observatory YouTube channel with Offner, opening the lecture with Advancing New Frontiers in Astronomy Data Analysis, Modeling, and Discovery with Artificial Intelligence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AI techniques, combined with numerical simulations and theoretical models, can effectively cut through the messiness of observations to provide insights into underlying physical behavior, a portion of the lecture series stated on the University of Texas website. The recent revolution in artificial intelligence, together with advances in observational capabilities and numerical methods, has opened new frontiers of scientific analysis. Below is the McDonald Observatory YouTube channel with the uploaded lecture from Feb. 24 featuring Offner exploring how stellar feedback impacts molecular clouds. And questions on the past and future evolution of star-forming regions, as noted on the YouTube clip. The next live event is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, at 7: 30 pm. with the lecture Decoding Starbirth with AI. Louth County Council, through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) will administer the rollout of the new Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant to eligible businesses across the county. As part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of 257m for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Louth County Council, funded through Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), will manage the rollout of the grant to qualifying businesses. Eligible businesses will receive a once-off grant payment. The amount of the grant payable to eligible businesses is based on the value of the Commercial Rates bill the business received in 2023. However, it is not a Commercial Rates waiver and businesses should continue to pay their Commercial Rates bill as normal. What is the purpose of the grant? The grant is available to qualifying businesses as a contribution towards the rising costs faced by businesses. The grant is intended to aid businesses but is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business. How much is the grant? The grant is based on the value of the Commercial Rates bill received by an eligible business in 2023. For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of <10,000, the ICOB grant will be paid at a rate of 50% of the businesss Commercial Rate bill for 2023. For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of between 10,000 and 30,000, the ICOB grant will be 5,000. Businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rates bill greater than 30,000 are not eligible to receive an ICOB grant. What businesses are eligible to receive the grant? The following are the main qualifying criteria: Your business must be a commercially trading business currently operating from a property that is commercially rateable. Your business must have been trading on 1st February 2024 and you must intend to continue trading for at least three months from the date you verify your information. You must provide confirmation of your bank details. Your business must be rates compliant. Businesses in performing payment plans may be deemed to be compliant. Your business must be tax compliant and must possess a valid Tax Registration Number (TRN). Please note that Louth County Council reserves the right to claw back any grant payment which is later found to be incorrect. This includes any circumstances such as error by the recipient business or the local authority making the payment, or where a business makes a false declaration of eligibility. How soon can businesses avail of the grant? An online system is being developed to manage the submission of essential information. Louth County Council will write shortly to businesses with further details, including how to register and how to submit information online. The system is expected to be available in mid-March. What is the closing date? The closing date for businesses to confirm eligibility and to upload verification details will be 1st May 2024. For further information on the scheme, check Louth County Councils website here. Joe Shannon passed away from a lengthy battle with cancer this Monday, March 4. Surrounded by his family in the loving care of the staff at North West Hospice, The Mall, Sligo, Mr Shannon battled a long-term illness for many years. Mr Shannon was a popular TV chef often featuring on cookery slots on Virgin Media's Ireland AM and presented a morning radio show on Ocean FM with fellow Sligo native and musician, Georgie Gorman. A leading chef at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo, many people have left loving tributes and condolences for the late Mr Shannon, known widely as a wonderful character. One former colleague said: No matter how busy your kitchens ever were, you always looked after your staff and your team. You were never too busy to crack a joke or belt out a few verses of songs only you knew! You were generous on every front, with good causes, with your time, your humour and your portion size! While another person said: My heartfelt condolences to Marie, Orla, Emer and Joseph. I am deeply saddened to hear of Joe's passing - He was such a warm and genuine soul, and I feel privileged to have known him during our time together at TV3 and Ireland AM. Joe's kindness and sense of humour always brought light to the studio. Mr Shannons funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife and family, brother Michael, sisters Elizabeth, Bernadette and Dolores, sons-in-law, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and many friends. A man who repeatedly and forcibly raped his nephew and threatened to stab his parents if he told anyone has been jailed for 11 years. The 58-year-old Cork man, who can't be named to protect his victim's identity, was found guilty by a jury, last month, of three counts of oral rape and three counts of anally raping his nephew. The abuse took place at the man's home address on dates between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1999 when the boy was aged between eight and 10 years old and the man was in his thirties. During a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court, a local detective garda told Thomas Creed SC, prosecuting, that the abuse happened on three separate occasions when the man either called to the boy to come up to his room or accosted him outside and brought him up to his bedroom. The man told his nephew that he would stab his parents if he told anyone about the abuse. The boy was in pain and bleeding after each incident, the court heard. The man has no previous convictions. In a victim impact statement which he read to the court himself, the complainant said that when he was a young boy, crimes were carried out on him that no human being should have to suffer. He stated: Something inside me died. The man told the court the abuse changed him and he started getting into trouble and fighting authority figures as a result of the trauma he suffered and that he continues to suffer every single day of my life. He said he blamed his father for not protecting him, and lost his relationship with him as a result. This has destroyed me, he said. He outlined the difficulties he has had with his mental health, how he has been unable to maintain relationships and has attempted suicide. He said he now has a child and his love for that child has kept him going. I will no longer be a victim and hope to see myself as a survivor, he said. I hope other victims will find the strength and courage and bravery that I have, to step out of the shadows and into the light. He said these victims would find love, compassion and a support network around them they could never have imagined, if they were able to come forward. Sentencing the man this Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul Burns paid tribute to the complainant for his eloquent and moving victim impact statement. He said it was clear that the abuse had a significant and fundamental impact on him. In relation to the uncle, the judge said there was little by way of mitigation given his lack of guilty pleas. He said the offending fell into the higher category for such crimes. It was a deliberate and calculated campaign of abuse and a serious breach of trust of a man against his young relative, he said. He noted the abuse occurred over a protracted period of time and was accompanied by threats of violence. He handed down a sentence of 12 years and suspended the final year on a number of conditions. He backdated the sentence to when the man went into custody. 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I think the Chinese economy will grow above expectations because of the measures taken last year, and those measures will be boosted this year. I think 2024 will be the year of the full recovery. Simon Pierre Adovelande, Beninese ambassador to China Simon Pierre Adovelande. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] This is the sixth time I am attending the two sessions. This year, I will follow discussions on new energy and the economic development of China. I think, after the pandemic, China is now taking new steps toward recovery and also moving to the next level in terms of quality development. In the coming year, I see the booming of China's economy. And I also think China will bring positive influence to the world through its economic recovery. Ibrahima Sory Sylla, Senegalese ambassador to China Ibrahima Sory Sylla. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] Politics and economy are the topics we are interested in. The model of governance and investment from China can inspire us of efficiency because we are having local development. The second issue we pay attention is economic cooperation. We want to build a strong partnership with China in different fields such as economy, trade and we are looking for more efficiency in terms of industry, agriculture and private investment. Andre Haspels, the Netherlands ambassador to China Andre Haspels. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] I'm happy to be here to listen to China's plans. It's very important to European countries. The most interesting topics for me are economy and security issues because they are very important for our bilateral relationship and the global situation, as we are facing challenges in Ukraine and Gaza, so I hope we can learn more about China's positions there. China has undergone tremendous development for decades. It's important to keep up the development, because the world economy and Chinese economy are very interlinked. We have to make sure the interlink remains. I hope we will be able to give positive moves about economy. Salvador Moncada, Honduran ambassador to China Salvador Moncada. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] I think the Government Work Report is a very interesting and wide-ranging report. I'm very interested in the part related to the development of green society and ecological society, for example, your plan for the reduction of energy consumption per unit of GDP. And the idea that you will continue to grow at 5 percent is also very good. The other one we are interested in is the plan of China to continue maintaining positive and synergistic interactions with many countries and organizations around the world on promoting the world peace. Peter Lizak, Slovakia's ambassador to China Peter Lizak. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] I've seen there are comments and suggestions by the Chinese premier today on how to overcome the not easy situation. China has achieved a lot last year, the first year after the pandemic. The situation was not so easy internally in China and internationally. The next steps are to be taken to make, again, some impulses for future development. Setting a growth target of around 5 percent this year is realistic. But it was also stressed that China is developing extremely demanding surroundings, internally and externally. The international situation is quite complicated. And internally, as it is said in the report, there are some structural questions to be solved. But there are also many positive signals. For example, it was mentioned in the report that the three parts of the exports, including electric vehicles, were growing extremely fast, by around 30 percent. And these are the electric vehicles and solar panels. So this is also both sides of the development. Robinson Jean Louis, Madagascar's ambassador to China Robinson Jean Louis. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] What I cared most about during the two sessions is the strengthening of relations between China and developing countries, including Madagascar. I expect more cooperation in agricultural techniques between the two countries. We want to increase our rice production and China is helping Madagascar in the research of hybrid rice. Aleksandra Sobalevskaya, second secretary of Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in China Aleksandra Sobalevskaya. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] It's a great pleasure to have the opportunity to attend the two sessions, which is a very important political event for China. What I'm looking forward to is learning more about plans for the future development of China in different fields such as economics, politics and education. Belarus and China are very good friends and strategic partners. I believe that we will continue building our mutual cooperation with benefits in different perspectives. Michael Campbell, Nicaragua's ambassador to China Michael Campbell. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] We understand that it's the result of a large process of debate and consultation that happens at the local levels, and that slowly moves up to this very important annual session. The whole-process people's democracy is most definitely a key feature of Chinese modernization and will contribute greatly to Chinese development. I'm very interested in listening to the report by Premier Li Qiang so that we can learn as much as possible about China and China's experience during the last year and its plans for this year. I think in the case of China, all topics are very important and very interesting. So I think there's a lot to learn and every step of the way Nicaragua will stand hand in hand with the people and government of China and with the Communist Party of China. We hope to bring our excellent products into the Chinese market, to the Chinese dining tables, and we also seek to import more excellent quality Chinese products into Nicaragua and to the Central American region. Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele, South African ambassador to China Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] I'm looking forward to the two sessions. If there's an ambassador who misses the two sessions, I believe they would miss the whole. Because it's a meeting where the Chinese government maps out the plans for the year, maps out the resources that are to be allocated for the year, the expectations and projected growth and areas where they are focusing in terms of development. We are very interested in China's growth and the approaches in terms of the development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We will be looking very carefully at how the plans for the development are going to be executed and implemented so that we can interact better with the Chinese people in this field. Pick Fung Ho-Chong, ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to China I attended the two sessions for the first time last year. It was really eye-opening, structural, and very well organized. I learned a lot. I'm very happy to be invited and I look forward to attending the next one. The two sessions is very important for us because foreign diplomatic envoys have to be informed of everything here in China, whether at the political level or others. We follow and see what is implemented and what are we going to expect. We will choose the official English version of the Government Work Report because we don't want to get things wrong. We have to report back to our headquarters and then translate it into our official Dutch language. We check online and China Daily after the opening meeting of the National People's Congress. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) SCOTUS has ruled former President Donald Trump can be put back on the Colorado primary ballot after he was removed. This ruling would also effect similar efforts by the courts in Maine and Illinois NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images Former President Donald J. Trump is back on the primary ballot in Colorado following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday morning. The highest court in the land, according to NPR, voted unanimously to put Trump back on the state's ballot after he was removed citing the 14th Amendment and alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots. The same efforts for the same reason were also made in Maine and Illinois, but with Monday's ruling regarding Colorado, those efforts in the other states come to a close. In their ruling, the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States wrote, "We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But states have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 (of the 14th Amendment) with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "A group of Colorado voters contends that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits former President Donald J. Trump, who seeks the presidential nomination of the Republican Party in this years election, from becoming president again." A view of burnt vehicles after a wildfire in Stinnett, Texas on March 1, 2024. At least 2 dead as largest wildfire in state history tears through Texas Panhandle. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images An aerial view of burnt area after a wildfire in Stinnett, Texas on March 1, 2024. At least 2 dead as largest wildfire in state history tears through Texas Panhandle. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images A view of burnt vehicles after a wildfire in Stinnett, Texas on March 1, 2024. At least 2 dead as largest wildfire in state history tears through Texas Panhandle. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images An aerial view of burnt area after a wildfire in Stinnett, Texas on March 1, 2024. At least 2 dead as largest wildfire in state history tears through Texas Panhandle. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images Smoke billows over a road during the Smokehouse Creek fire on February 27, 2024 in the Texas panhandle. Handout/Getty Images Sky is covered with grey smoke due to massive fires on the roadway in Texas, United States on February 29, 2024. The US state of Texas issued a disaster declaration as massive wildfires continued to burn out of control, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. So far, 5,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes with more evacuation orders expected as the wildfires continue to spread. Many roads and highways in the region have been shut down due to the raging fires and billowing smoke which are causing close to zero visibility. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images Wildfires continue to blaze across the Texas panhandle with the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County now estimated at 500,000 acres, making it the second largest wildfire in Texas history. Texas A&M Forest Service A fast-moving wildfire burning through the Texas Panhandle region in Texas, United States on February 29, 2024. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images A view of the Smokehouse Creek fire from a fire truck at the Texas panhandle region in Texas, United States on February 29, 2024. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images A fire truck driving towards the Smokehouse Creek fire at the Texas panhandle region in Texas, United States on February 29, 2024. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images The Smokehouse Creek fire on the evening of February 27, 2024 in the Texas panhandle. The blaze has grown to more than 1,075,000 acres since igniting Monday, making it the largest wildfire in Texas state history. Handout/Getty Images It was a busy weekend for firefighters battling the wildfire front lines in the northern panhandle region of Texas. After more than a week of historic burning, the wildfires are now the largest in the states history. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a declaration of disaster for 60 counties where the wildfires have devastated communities, livestock and livelihoods. Sunday, March 3, at 4 p.m., the Texas A&M Forest Service issued a level three fire danger code after high winds over the weekend sparked new fires while firefighters were containing and suppressing the wildfires currently active. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The latest update on the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer shows eight active fires; the active largest three on Monday, March 4, are the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County, which has burned 1,076,638 acres and is 15% contained. The Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County has burned 144,206 acres and is 55% contained, and the Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County has burned 34,882 acres and is 65% contained. An image of the active fire map from the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer on Monday: An image of the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer page with current wildfire data in north Texas on Monday, March 4, 2024. Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer Sunday was a productive day on the fire front lines while utilizing aviation resources that contained fire lines within a contained perimeter, said Blue Team Operations section chief Mike Brod on Monday morning for a live update on the Texas A&M Forest Service Facebook page. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A flare up sparked on Sunday 80 miles for Canadian, Broad added, In addition a new fire between the Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire flared up burning 300 acres aviation response was deployed and keep the fire suppressed. Texas wildfire update posted at 8 a.m. Monday, March 4, from the Texas A&M Forest Service: Live footage from of a smoldering region of North Texas while enduring historic wildfires after wind speeds picked up over the weekend of March 2, 2024: As part of an agreement to restart construction on the I-45 rebuild project, TxDOT agreed to install air monitoring stations. Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer Air quality advocates found several "gaps" in how the Texas Department of Transportation measures air quality around one of the segments of the I-45 expansion project, raising several questions about whether the project and construction will increase air pollution. "The current data is insufficient for informed decision-making, said Dr. Inyang Uwak, Research and Policy Director at Air Alliance Houston in a news release. Without more comprehensive and timely data, along with modeling of construction-related air pollution and increased car volume, accurately predicting the projects impact on air quality is impossible. This raises concerns about potential health risks and continued noncompliance with air quality standards. The TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration agreed to monitor air quality to resume the $9.7 billion-plus I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project in March 2023. The air quality monitoring stations were installed in August, but data was only delivered for December, according to Air Alliance officials. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Air Alliance Houston looked at the concentration of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds reported by an air monitor in the portions of the project that cover downtown. These pollutants are known to cause respiratory and cardiac events as well as cancer. The air quality advocates concluded there is a need for more pollution measurements including larger particulates, such as PM10, to capture the full extent of pollution from vehicular traffic. The data analysis also found irregular nitrogen oxide spikes exceed Environmental Protection Agency standards, suggesting additional pollution sources beyond routine emissions, Air Alliance said. Plus the absence of geographical presentation in wind speed and direction measurements did not provide a full picture of the data. The advocacy group also criticized TxDOT's "inconsistent monitoring intervals" and lack of data visualization that "hinders public understanding" of pollution levels. The group also said that the closest air monitors were placed too far from the project site to measure all pollutants causing concerns. TxDOT did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The expansion project involves adding four managed express lanes on I-45 from downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North as well as rerouting I-45 to be parallel with I-10 on the north side of downtown and west of I-69. Construction could last up to 20 years. TxDOT has been facing opposition from residents who will be displaced or affected by the construction and environmental advocacy groups, facing an unprecedented level of public involvement. THE Lord Mayor of Cork, Kieran McCarthy, will lead a delegation of officials to the US this month and will visit both the east coast and the west ahead of the St Patricks Day celebrations. In New York, Mr McCarthy will visit Ellis Island and remember Cork woman Annie Moore, the first arrival to the US to pass through federal immigration inspection. He will pay his respects at Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynharts statue of Ms Moore there, which is a twin of her work in Cobh. Mr McCarthy will also be guest of honour at this years Cork New York Association dinner, where he will meet with members of Leesides Big Apple diaspora. The Lord Mayor will visit San Francisco in California along with some of his fellow councillors and Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Corks twinning status with the Golden Gate City. They will be joined by representatives of An Garda Siochana, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork Education and Training Board, Munster Technological University, University College Cork, and Visit Cork. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Corks twinning status with the Golden Gate City. The twinning agreement was signed by former Lord Mayor John Dennehy and the late mayor of San Francisco, Dianne Feinstein, in 1984. Mr McCarthy acknowledged Ms Feinsteins work in spearheading the twinning arrangement. In later years, Senator Feinstein recalled how it all started with a conversation with Jack Lynch. She asked the former taoiseach what he thought of the idea, and he turned to her and said, Done! Mr McCarthy said. A reception will be hosted at the Irish Consulate General, and the Lord Mayor will address the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and meet with Mayor London Breed at the annual Irish flag-raising ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. Among a number of planned meetings, the delegation of Cork officials will meet with the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women to discuss gender equity in local government, and will also meet with officials from the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives at the GLBT Historical Society Museum. Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr McCarthy said he was looking forward to a busy programme which, he said, would copper-fasten Cork citys US partnerships. Im also delighted that so many of our citys key institutions have opted to join this visit and develop our sectoral partnerships in the States. We can achieve so much as a team, he said. So much has been done over the past 40 years, and I look forward to marking a ruby year for Cork in San Francisco, and looking forward to how we can continue to bolster Corks profile in the US as a great place to live, work, study, visit and do business in. A CORK charity has voiced concern at the number of people entering homelessness and said it is accommodating more people than ever at its emergency shelter in the city. Its as bad as weve ever seen it," said Paul Sheehan, Head of Campaigns and Communications at Cork Simon. "Were accommodating more people than ever before in our emergency shelter. Were meeting more people than ever before sleeping rough, he told The Echo. Last year, we saw unprecedented numbers of people presenting to our day service, presenting to our soup run. Those pressures are real and in the first two months of this year, theres no sign of them alleviating. Meeting Mr Sheehan was speaking ahead of todays meeting between the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and key stakeholders to discuss homelessness and potential solutions to problems seen on the ground. Cork Simon will be among those speaking during the meeting, alongside Alone, National One Parent Family Alliance, and North West Simon. Officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and representatives from Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and Cork City Council will also address the Committee. Cork Simon will be among those speaking during the meeting, alongside Alone, National One Parent Family Alliance, and North West Simon. Pic; Larry Cummins Mr Sheehan said Cork Simon absolutely welcomes the opportunity to give the Committee a perspective of whats happening outside of Dublin. We need some significant input from government to be able to address homelessness effectively and a lot of that is around taking a look at the housing targets and to ensure that they are adequately aligned with the protective population growth and ensuring that people do have the support they need, whether its in emergency accommodation or when they leave emergency accommodation so that they dont return, he said. We do everything we can to prevent people from depending on emergency accommodation in the first place and to make sure in the short term that adequate emergency accommodation is available for people who need it. Emergency accommodation isnt the answer to homelessness but in the short term, it is absolutely necessary," he added. Affordable housing Mr Sheehan said access to housing people can afford is also key. "The cost of housing is beyond far too many peoples reach at this stage. We will be publishing a report in the next couple of weeks about the increase in young people living at home and theyre doing so because they simply cant afford to find a place to live. Their lives are effectively on hold. Whether youre depending on the private rental sector or whether youre trying to buy your first home, the costs even for somebody with a good paying salary are beyond peoples reach. If youre depending on social and affordable housing, you could be waiting a very long time to be able to access that. So, across the board, we need to take a cold, hard look at the dysfunctions within our housing system and address them as quickly as we can. Mr Sheehan said the progress that has been made over the last 12 months will also be highlighted during the meeting and highlighted Cork Simons positive partnership with local authorities in the South West and the HSE which he said has proven to be very effective. People are hungry Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners said she believes the solution must come from the government and they must listen to the people who have workable solutions. At the minute, the increase in the presence of rough sleepers in our communities has become an unreliable reality and its not just in the city anymore, its out in the communities, she said. Their plight is heart-wrenching. When we go out at night, we witness individuals enduring freezing temperatures and rain without shelter. Its distressing for them and its a distressing sight for us and that demands urgent action. Ms Twomey said it is imperative that the presence of not only rough sleepers is acknowledged, but also the hidden homeless who she said find themselves constantly moving between different family members' or friends homes and those who are in full-time employment but cannot afford to buy food or heat their homes. We have people who are working and are coming to us because they have no food. Theyre hungry, she said. They have no food in their homes and theyre getting up in the morning before work and theyre hungry. They get some sandwiches to have for lunch or to have there and then and to have a hot soup. We see that every single day. And we see people trying to make ends meet and worrying about the bills. AN INDEPENDENT bakery in Clonakilty has become the latest small business to close its doors due to rising costs. Owner Samantha Duffy shared the news that Humble Pie would close for good on Friday March 8, writing on social media that she made the decision with a very heavy heart. Speaking to The Echo, she said that the majority of the problem was price increases across the board: The sugar, flour, butter, all these things I need for baking. Last year my electricity bill went from 150 a month to 580 a month, and it still hasnt gone back down to what it was, she said, explaining that she tried turning things off and replacing appliances she thought were using the most electricity. She is the only staff member most of the time, though her husband and mother help out on Saturdays and for the lunchtime rush, but she said: I havent taken a wage in about 18 months. Times are hard for everybody. When I started up I wanted to provide home-cooked food for affordable prices, and I cant do that anymore, she said. Humble Pie is near to Clonakilty Community College secondary school, and she said that a lot of the students come in for a jacket potato or shepherds pie for their lunch, explaining theyve only got a certain amount of money. They keep saying where are we going to go for our lunch now?. I have girls that come every Saturday after soccer with their dad and theyre all upset, I had one lady crying on Saturday, she brought us flowers and chocolates. Clonakilty is a popular holiday spot, and Ms Duffy explained that tourists also love the cafe, with some even buying pies to take back up to Dublin with them. I feel supported by the community, but I dont feel supported by the Government, she explained, saying that small businesses should have been included in the electricity credit, or help with rent could have been provided. Though the shop will be closed as of next week, Ms Duffy will continue to take cake and catering orders, with the social media pages for Humble Pie changing to Cakes by Samantha, as she explained that she has orders for events all the way to August. Some of these people ordered last October for communions, confirmations or weddings, so Im not going to let them down I contacted all of them before I broke the news that I was closing because I didnt want them to panic, she said, adding: Ive had a load of people asking will I still do their Christmas orders. A former member of the Irish Navy who was honourably discharged for health reasons following an accident became addicted to Oxycontin which was prescribed for him and now he is in custody on theft-related charges. 39-year-old Terence McSweeney of Boyne Crescent, Mayfield, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges of theft and handling stolen property when he appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison. Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said the accused suffered the addiction to prescribed Oxycontin a drug which has been the subject of controversy internationally. His family have come to court to support him. He has a very, very good background. This situation has overwhelmed him in terms of addiction. He has no record for this kind of thing. He is acutely aware he is subject to a suspended sentence. He is intent on going to Aiseiri to deal with his addiction, Mr Buttimer said. Terrence McSweeney pleaded guilty to two charges. The most recent occurred on February 25 at Drawbridge Street when he was caught handling 200 worth of stolen property from JD Sports. On July 17 last year he admitted stealing a food blender, Lego set and ear pods from Tesco, Paul Street. Sergeant John Kelleher said that when gardai first approached the accused in relation to both incidents he ran away but was caught each time after a short chase on foot. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a 250 fine on him for that theft and remanded him in custody until March 11 on the charge of handling stolen property. The judge said this latter adjournment was also for consideration of a suspended sentence which could be triggered by the latest offences. Mr Buttimer expressed the hope that the defendant could be released on March 11 to enable him to commence a detoxification programme. HERE in Ireland, it has been found that one in nine women, or one in a thousand men, will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime, with 3,700 new cases diagnosed every year. Early detection is key to a good outcome, but a 2022 survey of Irish women over the age of 18 by Breast Cancer Ireland (BCI) found that only 34% of respondents checked their breasts for cancer on a monthly basis. This was an increase on the 26% reported before their MakeTime2Check educational campaign, but still left a lot of work to be done on awareness and education, which many have been working towards since, particularly via social media. The BCI research also found that 30%of women who dont check their own breasts were unsure regarding the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Meanwhile, just under 20% were unsure how to properly perform a self-breast check. A smaller number believed that only a health care professional could check this for you, but this, importantly, is not the case. So how do you perform this check yourself? The HSE provides a clear guide with illustrations on their website which outlines the following steps: Step 1 Visual check. Stand in front of the mirror, with clothing removed from the breasts, and hands on both hips, shoulders straight. Step 2 Visual check with raised arms. Raise your arms to further check for any changes in appearance, especially Step 3 Check by touch. Check each breast with the opposite hand. Hold your fingers together flat, and, using a small circular motion, move across the whole breast from top to bottom and side to side. Move from your collarbone to the top of the tummy, and from the armpit to the cleavage. This can be done while lying on your back, or in the shower. What am I looking for? We typically think of a lump, but it can be other signs or symptoms also. Throughout this checking process, you should be watching out for any of the following changes: A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit A change in size or shape of your breast such as one breast becoming larger than the other, or one nipple appearing lower than the other A change in the skin of your breast, such as puckering, ridges or dimpling or redness A breast abscess or boil appearing as a red, tender area A nipple becoming pulled in, sunken or flat. An unusual discharge from one or both of your nipples which may be blood stained or watery. A rash or flaky or crusted skin on or around the nipple Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone Any soreness or warmth. While these things may not end up being breast cancer, theyre important to note and flag early for further investigation. Also, doing this check regularly ensures that you know what your normal is making it much easier to spot a suspicious change should it occur at a later stage. Screening is a free process offered by BreastCheck to all women between the ages of 50 and 69, every two years. This is important to attend, and in addition the above self-check in between screening appointments and for women of all ages monthly is an important health habit. Pick a day of the month and check! About the author Dr Michelle ODriscoll is a pharmacist, re searcher and founder of InTuition, a health and wellness education company. Her research lies in the area of mental health education, and through InTuition she delivers health promotion workshops to corporate and academic organisations nationally. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. France is weighing whether to implement penalty fees that fast fashion companies would have to pay per item sold as a way to offset the environmental impact of the industry. Members of parliament (MPs) in France proposed a bill that would charge up to 50% of the selling price of fast fashion items to brands like Shein, which was named in the bill, and Temu. The bill noted that Shein alone has more than 470,000 products available, with more than 7,200 new items daily, Reuters reported. This evolution of the apparel sector towards ephemeral fashion, combining increased volumes and low prices, is influencing consumer buying habits by creating buying impulses and a constant need for renewal, which is not without environmental, social and economic consequences, the bill said. As of 2019, 43% of surveyed shoppers in France said they typically purchased their clothing from fast fashion retailers, according to Statista. The second-highest responses were online second-hand shops and brick-and-mortar thrift stores, each at 8%. As a response, and in an effort toward a more circular economy as outlined in the AGEC law passed in 2020, lawmakers in France have proposed charging fast fashion companies up to 10 euros (about $10.87) per fast fashion item sold or up to 50% of the selling price, with penalties going into effect by 2030. Last year, France began offering financial incentive for citizens to repair their own clothing. The initiative allowed citizens to claim between 6 and 25 euros (about $6.52 to $27.17) on the cost of repairs completed by certified repair professionals, The Guardian reported. The former measure, which kicked off in October 2023, coupled with the consideration of new penalties for fast fashion retailers is meant to curb the amount of clothing waste in the country. As reported by The Guardian, people throw out about 700,000 metric tons of clothing in France each year, and about 66% of that waste is sent to landfills. The fast fashion penalty fees will be discussed by a parliamentary committee, then presented to parliament in late March, Reuters reported. According to Christophe Bechu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France, there will be additional proposals to curb the negative environmental impacts of the fashion industry, including a potential ban on ultra-fast fashion advertising and financial incentives to lower the cost of sustainable clothing while increasing the cost of ultra-fast fashion items. Hunter Cooper helps clean up the Sanchez residence in the snow, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. David Erickson/AP McALLEN, Texas (AP) A gush of red-colored water spilled from an air tanker on Sunday as it flew over the eastern side of the Smokehouse Creek fire, one of several wildfires that have burned over 1.2 million acres (48,5623 hectares) in the northern Texas Panhandle. As firefighters battle against strong winds in their efforts to contain the unprecedented wildfires in the Texas Pandhandle, humanitarian organizations are pivoting their attention to victims who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the blazes. A truck passes a warning sign about the Smokehouse Creek Fire on a highway in Amarillo, Texas on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Firefighters battling the largest wildfire in Texas history face increasingly difficult weather Ty O'Neil/AP Firefighters battle the Smokehouse Creek Fire north of Canadian, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 David Erickson/AP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference about the panhandle wildfires, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Borger, Texas. Wildfires have destroyed as many as 500 structures in the Texas Panhandle, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday, March 1, 2024 describing how the largest blaze in state history scorched everything in its path, leaving ashes in its wake. Elias Valverde II/AP Residents began clearing affected property on Saturday, and by Sunday the extent of the loss began mounting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Julie Winters, the executive director for Hutchinson County United Way, said the organization has heard estimates of over 150 homes being impacted in the county, noting that the fires extend to at least five other counties. We already know that a large group of people are uninsured who lost their homes. So without monetary assistance, its going to be very hard for them to start back over, Winters said. About 70 families from Fritch, Texas, approached the organization on Friday during an event, but Winters believes many others will come forward in the days and weeks ahead. Our goal is just for the long term of trying to get people back into shelters, Winters said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A steady outpouring of donated clothing, water, and hot meals quickly overwhelmed one city in the affected area. By Sunday, the city of Borger urged people to redirect their donation efforts from food and water to clean-up supplies. We DO NOT NEED ANY MORE WATER OR DRINKS, the city said in a social media post. We remain in need of clean-up material such as shovels, rakes, gloves, and heavy-duty trash bags. We continue not accepting clothing. Other clothing drop-off places have been inundated and have stopped accepting. Monetary donations from people ranging from $25 to $500 have been critical for the Hutchinson County United Way Wildfire Relief Fund, which is dispersing proceeds to displaced families. I think sometimes what people dont understand in a small rural community is that there is no temporary housing, Winters said. We dont have real property like that and we dont even have hotels that can take care of those things. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Winters said the fires remind her of the similar devastating effects from the 2014 fire in Fritch when numerous families also lost their homes and were unable to return. How do you get people back into homes so that they can stay in our community and not have to move somewhere else? Winters said. During an interview with CNN on Sunday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the federal government has devoted funds, equipment and personnel to assist with battling the fires, but warned that more extreme weather could be coming. More than a million acres have burned. And we are in winter, and this is the largest fire in Texas history," Mayorkas said. We, as a country and as a world, have to be ready for the increasing effects of extreme weather caused by climate change. Its a remarkable phenomenon, and it will manifest itself in the days to come, and we have to prepare for it now. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As of Sunday afternoon, the Smokehouse Creek fire, which has burned over 1 million acres, was 15% contained. Two other fires that have burned a combined 180,000 acres (72843.49 hectares), were 60% contained. Authorities have not said what ignited the fires, but strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm temperatures fed the blazes. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings signifying extreme fire risk due to warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds across much of the central United States on Sunday, including Texas and its neighboring states of New Mexico and Oklahoma. Red flag warnings also covered nearly all of Nebraska and Iowa, along with large patches of Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. Smaller portions of Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota and Illinois were also under red flag warnings. ___ Associated Press writer Thomas Strong contributed to this story from Washington, D.C., and Trisha Ahmed from Minneapolis. The Starr County seal on Jan. 12, 2022. Eddie Gaspar, The Texas Tribune A Texas prosecutor has been disciplined for allowing a murder charge to be filed against a woman who self-induced an abortion in 2022. Starr County District Attorney Gocha Ramirez reached a settlement with the State Bar of Texas following an investigation. Ramirez agreed to pay a $1,250 fine, and his license will be held in a probated suspension for one year, ending on March 31, 2025. News of the January settlement was first reported by multiple outlets on Thursday. The State Bar of Texas confirmed the settlement to The Texas Tribune on Friday and that it involved the case of a 26-year-old Texas woman who was arrested nearly two years ago and charged with murder in the death of an individual by self-induced abortion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ramirez could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday. He told the Associated Press Thursday that he made a mistake in that case, and had agreed to the settlement because it allows his offices operations to continue, interruption-free. If the district attorney complies with the settlements terms, he will be allowed to continue practicing law. In 2022, the woman was arrested and booked into the Starr County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond, where she spent two nights before Ramirez announced that charges against her would be dropped. The case sparked national outrage Texas law exempts a pregnant person from being charged with murder or any homicide charge for an abortion. Abortion rights activists throughout the states border region banded together to fight the charges, including the Frontera Fund, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice and ACLU of Texas. The State Bar of Texas investigation found that prosecutors working under Ramirez pursued criminal homicide charges for acts that were clearly not criminal. The investigation also revealed that Ramirez allowed an assistant to take the case to a grand jury and that the district attorney knowingly made a false statement when he later told State Bar officials that he was not briefed on the facts of the case before it was presented. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The arrest was just months before the Supreme Court ended the national right to abortion in a landmark decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. At the time, Texas law banned abortion once cardiac activity could be detected which often occurs before a woman is even aware of her pregnancy. Following the Supreme Court decision, Texas joined many other states in enforcing a near-total ban on abortion. The states laws encourage the pursuit of lawsuits against health care providers and others who help women seeking abortions, but protect those women from criminal charges. The State Bar of Texas did not release any details of the self-induced abortion. In the U.S., as abortion restrictions in states, including Texas, tighten, medication abortion now accounts for more than half of all abortions nationwide. Disclosure: The State Bar of Texas has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We cant wait to welcome you to downtown Austin Sept. 5-7 for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival! Join us at Texas breakout politics and policy event as we dig into the 2024 elections, state and national politics, the state of democracy, and so much more. When tickets go on sale this spring, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/01/Starr-county-district-attorney-abortion-murder-charges/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. The deadline for compliance with the European Unions Digital Markets Act (DMA) is this Thursday and Google just dropped a document outlining exactly what changes it has made (or will make) to keep up with the law. These 20+ adjustments vary in scope, and impact search users, advertisers and third-party app developers. One of the big search changes will be the inclusion of price comparison results from external aggregators when looking up things like flights or hotels. For example, searching Google for a one-way to Paris typically pulls up a module called the Google Flights unit that's the company's own internal pricing aggregator. Competitor aggregators, like Kayak and Tripadvisor have been vocally displeased to have Google stomping around in their backyard for over a decade. In the EU at least, starting Thursday, these sorts of results will now show some results from these aggregators alongside Google's own Flights results. Android users are getting an easier way to switch out the search engine or browser, so as to not prioritize Google's products above others. These choice screens appear when you set up the device for the first time, in the settings and at various intervals during use. The company's already been doing this since 2021, but now there will be more choice screens to choose from. Google says this option is also coming to desktop Chrome users and iOS users in the near future. Digital consent for advertising is a major part of the DMA. Google users will now have to opt into sharing data across the companys various services for the purpose of personalized advertising. This is done via the settings page. Additionally, users may encounter consent banners while browsing, which will ask if they want to link data across Google services. The DMA requires app stores to offer alternative billing systems for in-app purchases. To comply, Google recently launched user-choice billing (UCB) as an option for developers to offer their own billing systems. This program is expanding to game developers this week. Of course, Android devices could always run third-party apps with their own billing systems, but now they'll be easier to implement. Google has said that as part of its DMA compliance it will begin to provide advertisers with "some additional data, which is shared in a way that protects user privacy and customers commercially-sensitive information." We've reached out to the company for any information on what that data might be. On Thursday, the company will also be launching its Data Portability API so that users can move their data off Google's products more easily. Of course, Google couldnt help but drop a bit of shade in its compliance announcement, telling users that some of the features that we have developed to help people get things done quickly and securely online like providing recommendations across different products won't work in the same way anymore. Daddy corporation knows best. Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. Here's a quick PSA for anyone who has been meaning to add more storage to a gaming handheld, GoPro, security camera or cheaper Android device: A handful of Samsung microSD cards we recommend are back on sale. The discounts include the 256GB Samsung Pro Plus and 128GB Samsung Pro Ultimate for $20 and $17, respectively. Neither of those are all-time lows, but they both come within $2 of the best deals we've tracked, and they're both a few bucks cheaper than the cards' usual street prices over the last two months. The Pro Plus is the top overall pick in our microSD card buying guide, while the Pro Ultimate is a faster upgrade pick. These deals are also available at other retailers, including B&H and Samsung.com. If you're willing to trade some performance for more space, the 512GB Samsung Evo Select, the top value pick in our guide, is also down to $25 at Amazon. We saw this deal last month, but it still matches the card's lowest price to date. Typically, it's retailed around $30 over the last few months. Which one of these is the "best" deal depends on what you're looking to do. The Pro Ultimate may be worth it if you plan to regularly stress the card in a device that can take advantage of its higher speeds. It was faster than the Pro Plus across the board in our benchmark tests, so it can save you some time if you often have to, say, move files to and from a computer. That said, the Pro Plus' sequential and random speeds weren't too far off, so it'll still be quick for recording 4K video, loading video game levels and the like. If you need a higher-capacity card but still value performance, it'll probably be worth the extra $3. For reference, the 256GB version of the Pro Ultimate is now going for $35, which is a fair bit extra. If you just want a big chunk of space on the cheap, meanwhile, just go with the Evo Select. It's a clear step down from the other two cards in both read and write speeds, but it's performant enough for more casual tasks, and this deal gets you much more space per dollar. Many devices, such as the Nintendo Switch, can't fully take advantage of the faster transfer speeds of cards like the Pro Plus anyway. Like the higher-end cards, the Evo Select also comes with a 10-year limited warranty. None of the cards on sale here will be as fast as Samsung's upcoming SD Express models, but we'd expect those to be relatively expensive when they arrive later this year. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. A group of former Twitter executives, including former CEO Parag Agrawal, are suing Elon Musk and X over millions of dollars in unpaid severance benefits. The claims date back to the chaotic circumstances surrounding Musks takeover of the company in October 2022. When Musk took control of the company, his first move was to fire Agrawal, CFO Ned Segal, chief legal officer Vijaya Gadde and general counsel Sean Edgett. According to the lawsuit, Musk had special ire for the group because of the role they played in the months-long court battle that forced Musk to follow through with the acquisition after he attempted to back out of the deal. According to the lawsuit, Agrawal is entitled to $57.4 million in severance benefits, Segal is entitled to $44.5 million, Gadde $20 million and Edgett $6.8 million, for a total of about $128 million. The lawsuit cites Musk biographer Walter Isaacsons account of the events, which explains that Musk rushed to close the Twitter deal a day early so he could fire the executives for cause just before their final stock options were set to vest. According to Isaacson, Musk bragged that the legal maneuver saved him about $200 million. Musk doesnt pay his bills, believes the rules dont apply to him, and uses his wealth and power to run roughshod over anyone who disagrees with him, the lawsuit states,Because Musk decided he didnt want to pay Plaintiffs severance benefits, he simply fired them without reason, then made up fake cause and appointed employees of his various companies to uphold his decision. Googles Waze is adding some quality-of-life navigation features in the coming weeks and months. New options can help you find parking garages (and learn how much theyll cost), alert you when the speed limit is about to decrease and guide you through roundabouts. Partnering with the Flash, who makes a parking app called ParkWhiz, Waze will soon provide information about nearby parking garages. It can show you prices, whether its covered or open-air, wheelchair accessibility options, valet services and EV charging stations. Waze says you can also reserve a parking space from the app. The feature will roll out in the coming weeks. The Waze app will also let you know when the speed limit is about to drop. After the feature rolls out this month, the navigation screen will show a speed limit sign at the spot in the road where its about to slow down, giving you time to prepare. An alert at the screens bottom will count down how many feet away the speed reduction is. (The app wont show when speed limits are about to increase, presumably to avoid encouraging people to punch it and get a head start.) Waze Waze will soon give you more information about your favorite routes to places you often travel to, like home, work or go-to coffee shops. Starting this month, when you start navigation, the app will compare your favorite routes with the fastest ones. It will use live traffic updates to contrast ETA estimates and help you decide if your favorite pathway is too backed up to be worth it. Making your way through roundabouts will be easier, too. When you approach a traffic circle, Waze will help you figure out where to enter, which lanes to use and where to exit. The feature arrives on Android this month, but iPhone owners will have to wait until later this year. Building on the apps community-sourced approach, another new feature will alert you to upcoming hazards. These include sharp curves, speed bumps and toll booths. This navigate like a local feature will land on Android and iOS this month. Finally, Waze now notifies you when emergency vehicles are stopped ahead. When navigating, an emergency icon will sit on the virtual road ahead alongside an alert and countdown (measured in feet) as you approach it. This is the only new feature Waze says is available now (in the US, Canada, France, Mexico and France) on Android and iOS. The feature will support more countries soon. Correction, March 6, 2024, 6:00PM ET: This story originally stated that Waze's new integration was powered by the Flash app, which has some poor reviews on Google Play and Apple's App Store. Flash let us know that it is actually using the ParkWhiz app for Waze integration, one that has much better ratings. We apologize for the error. Grieving families are reportedly left horrified after loved-ones who died while incarcerated in the state of Alabama reportedly returned home without their internal organs, per autopsy reports. Birmingham civil rights attorney Lauren Faraino is investigating, calling the alleged heinous events a "systematic abuse situation." One lawsuit has been filed and she estimates more may be on the way. The attorney is representing several families including Kelvin Moore who died at Limestone Correctional facility due to fentanyl overdose. Moore, 43, was reportedly returned home without most of his internal organs. RELATED: Over 30 Kentucky Prison Guards Involved In Sexual Misconduct And Drug Smuggling Before Moore was sent home, his body was reportedly sent to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which conducts autopsies for the Alabama Department of Corrections. Faraino, 30, was contacted by a UAB student who was disbursed by the uptick in specimens coming from incarcerated deaths. The favored institution has been conducting autopsies for the state's prison system since 2006. "UAB has been taking the organs of incarcerated people without family consent for years now, and we have a handful of families that have come forward who discovered that their loved ones were returned without their organs," the attorney said in a statement to Andscape. RELATED: 10 Celebrities You Didn't Know Died Last Week: WWE Legend, Royal Family Member, Comedy Icon & More "But so many of these cases went completely unnoticed because families don't typically think they need to do a second autopsy," the statement continued. "Many of them can't afford it, even if they wanted to." Brandon Clay Dotson, whose cause of death was ruled unknown, reportedly died in Ventress Correctional Facility. He was reportedly returned home without a heart, leaving an empty chest cavity. A bruise on the back of the 43-year-old included reported excessive swelling across his head. Charles Edward Singleton who died in the state's Hamilton Aged and Infirmed custody facility, reportedly returned home partially decomposed. Court filings reportedly confirmed he was left with no organs at all including his brain. He was 74. A bill signed by Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey prohibits forensic personnel from retaining organs after autopsies without permission from next of kin. "It was very, very clear a medical examiner may not take an organ without family consent," Faraino said. The attorney went on to explain that Black families are more susceptible to being victimized in this manner. 56% of Alabama's 21,000 inmate population is Black, despite Black people accounting for around 27% of the state's population. In addition to this disparity, many of the men's prison facilities are more than 100% over capacity. America has reported a shortage of organs needed for transplants, science, and medical education. According to The New York Times, about 6,000 patients a year or 17 per day die on waiting lists. A 38-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man accused of killing the woman's husband last month have been denied bond. The Laurens Police Department Detectives Bureau achieved a breakthrough in a homicide investigation that initially seemed to be a natural death. Responding to the scene on Church Street in Laurens, South Carolina, on Jan. 22, officers initially determined Vadis Greene's death as a natural. However, further investigations and autopsy results unveiled that his cause of death was homicide by blunt force trauma, prompting detectives to suspect foul play. "At the time, it seemed like a natural death," explained Lt. Brandon Davis of the Laurens Police. RELATED: Death Penalty Sought For Woman Accused Of Killing 4-Year-Old, Leaving Body In Backpack "He had some hematomas that were unexplainable that were caused by an altercation that occurred prior to his death," Lt. Davis continued. Police reported unexplained bruises on Greene's head, back, and legs, with the coroner subsequently determining his cause of death as a homicide resulting from blunt force trauma. Meticulous investigative efforts, involving multiple interviews and search warrants, led detectives to identify the suspects as Ashley T. Greene, a Black female, and Terry B. Anderson, a Black male. Ashley was revealed to be the victim's wife. We believe it was a little bit more than platonic between the two, said Lt. Davis, who reportedly suspects Ashley and Anderson engaged in a romantic relationship. Both Greene and Anderson were apprehended on Thursday, and authorities confirmed their detainment in the Laurens County Detention Center without bond. Additionally, Lt. Davis revealed that investigators successfully identified a potential weapon used in the crime. RELATED: Judge Accused Of Shooting Sleeping Boyfriend In The Head And Told Him He Did It Vadis Greene, 52, per the victim's obituary, leaves behind six children and was employed as a barber before his death. FILE - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, speaks with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear during a ceremony in the Rotunda at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 2, 2024. The Republican-dominated Kentucky House voted Monday, March 4, to remove any role for the state's Democratic governor in deciding who would occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of McConnell. Timothy D. Easley/AP FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) The Republican-dominated Kentucky House voted Monday to remove any role for the state's Democratic governor in deciding who would occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The legislation calls for a special election to fill any Senate vacancy from the Bluegrass State. The measure won overwhelming House passage to advance to the Senate, where the GOP also holds a supermajority. Republican House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy has said his bill has nothing to do with McConnell, but instead reflects his long-running policy stance on how an empty Senate seat should be filled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The House action comes several days after McConnell announced he will step down from his longtime leadership position in November. The decision set off a wave of speculation back home in Kentucky about the future of his seat. In his speech from the Senate floor, McConnell left open the possibility that he might seek another term in 2026, declaring at one point: Im not going anywhere anytime soon. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear who won a resounding reelection victory last November over a McConnell protege has denounced the Senate succession bill as driven by partisanship. If we are just dominated by trying to create a result of what letter someone would have behind their name if appointed, then we are not performing or engaging in good government, the governor said last week. "Last November, people said knock it off. We are tired of the rank partisanship, and we dont want a candidate or a General Assembly that just sees Team R or Team D, or red or blue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The governor could veto the measure if it reaches his desk, but Republicans have used the political muscle from their supermajority status to easily override his past vetoes on a range of issues. Beshear has already seen his influence over selecting a senator greatly diminished by GOP lawmakers. In 2021, the legislature stripped the governor of his independent power to temporarily fill a Senate seat. That measure limits a governor to choosing from a three-name list provided by party leaders from the same party as the senator who formerly held the seat. Both of Kentucky's U.S. senators are Republicans. The measure became law after GOP lawmakers overrode Beshear's veto. On Monday, Rudy said his bill would treat a U.S. Senate vacancy like that of a vacancy for a congressional or legislative seat in Kentucky by holding a special election to fill the seat. The House tacked on an emergency clause, meaning the bill would take effect immediately if enacted into law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rep. Derrick Graham, the top-ranking House Democrat, said he has consistently opposed efforts to weaken or strip the governor's authority in filling a vacant U.S. Senate seat. We have looked at the history of it, and it's always been the governor making the selection, he said. "And I support the idea that the governor should have the responsibility of selecting who that senator will be until the election for that particular seat. Rudy referred to McConnell last week as a great friend and a political mentor, and credited the states senior senator for playing an important role in the GOPs rise to power in the Kentucky legislature. Rudy introduced the bill on Feb. 21 and it cleared a House committee a day after McConnell's announcement in Washington. Rudy said last week the bill had nothing to do with McConnell, but instead was something he's talked about for more than a decade since the conviction of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for crimes that included seeking to sell an appointment to Barack Obamas old Senate seat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the time, Republicans were stuck in the Kentucky House minority. The GOP claimed the House majority cementing the party's total control of the legislature after its tidal wave of victories in the 2016 election. Rudy filed a bill calling for a special election to fill a Senate vacancy in 2021, but Republicans instead opted to go with the other measure limiting a governor to choose from a three-name list. I still think mine was a better version and thats why I filed it again this year," Rudy said last week. "It has nothing to do with Sen. McConnell. It just deals with vacancies. ___ The legislation is House Bill 622. An Aussie fashion designer called out Kylie Jenner this week on TikTok claiming the 26-year-old makeup mogul stole her original clothing designs. Jessica Johansen-Bell, owner of The Byron Baes, has been in business over 10 years and created a dress collection nearly four years ago. However, when the founder started receiving calls with people "congratulating" her for collabing with Jenner, 26, she knew something was up. "Um, guys...am I tripping? Or did Kylie Jenner just rip off my entire collection? I have been dwelling on this for days now," she asked in a video posted on TikTok. RELATED: Travis Scott Cheating on Kylie Jenner? Rapper's Alleged Mistress Speaks Up "I've had Johansen for like, 10 years now and we launched a collection soo similar to the one she launched, but we launched ours like three or four years ago and it's been our signature range ever since. "I've been getting so many dms from customers, friends, and family being like 'Is this your dress?' And, 'Oh my god, you collaborated with Kylie? Congratulations,' " she said. The designer admitted to sending clothes to Jenner's stylist in 2018, so the designer presumed people were talking about "old stuff." She was shocked to find Jenner's 004 day-to-night collection from her new clothing brand, KHY, was a reported exact replica of her signature twisted shoulder bodycon and asymmetrical designs from her eponymous clothing brand Johansen. Upon reaching out, Jenner's team reportedly denied claims of plagiarism, saying how they "developed these designs through our team's hard work and innovation." RELATED: What Is Kylie Jenner Baby's Name: Fans Think Son's Name Is Something 'Offensive' "If you look up the meaning of innovation, it means a new idea," Johansen said. @jessicajohansenbell Use code THANKYOU30 I appreciate you all so much xx Go to johansenofficial.com original sound - jessi Since then, the designer has decided to make use of the controversy by encouraging admirers to shop with her instead of Jenner, and to put pressure on Kylie's team to reach out to rectify the situation. "I find this whole situation so morally corrupt, it's so typical of these big companies to take concepts off smaller companies, monetize it, and sell it for a fraction of the price. This has just got to stop," she began. "People like myself put their blood, sweat, and tears into creating a brand, a concept, and to have it just kinda taken away from you is so disheartening and just unfair." The designer is currently promoting the code "THANKYOU30" as a thank you to shoppers for their support. By James Gamble via SWNS Calcium levels in the arteries can predict the risk of heart attacks - and help avoid unnecessary surgery, according to a new study. Researchers say the new test assesses cardiovascular risk in patients experiencing chest pain and could help patients avoid invasive operations on their hearts. Scientists found those with higher scores of a plaque buildup in the coronary artery were at a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. However, those experiencing chest pains who return low scores of coronary artery calcium may avoid potentially risky procedures in which a catheter is threaded into the heart. The study, published in the Radiological Society of North America's journal Radiology, assessed the value of coronary artery calcium scoring for major adverse cardiovascular events in 1,749 individuals with an average age of 60. The participants were drawn from the DISCHARGE trial, the largest-ever research project on chest pain involving 26 centers across 16 European countries. All participants had stable chest pain and had been referred for an invasive coronary angiography: a procedure in which a catheter is threaded to the heart under X-ray guidance. A contrast agent is then injected through the catheter to help doctors visualize the arteries of the heart. Participants' coronary artery calcium scores were adduced using a CT, computed tomography, scan of their hearts. Higher scores, above 400, were linked with atherosclerosis - a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Lower scores of between one and 399, however, suggested a moderate amount of plaque and a lower risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Doctoral student Federico Biavati, the first author of the study from the BIOQIC research training group and a radiology resident at Charite - Universitatsmedizin in Berlin, one of Europe's largest university hospitals, explained: "Coronary artery calcium is a strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular events. "The presence of coronary artery calcification indicates that atherosclerosis may have been present for some time." But an absence of coronary calcifications, the researchers say, is a good indicator of the absence of advanced atherosclerosis. However, the role of coronary artery calcium in patients with stable chest pain is less clear. Stable chest pain is a temporary but recurring condition that can be triggered by stress, exercise or cold weather. The researchers placed patients into low, intermediate and high-risk categories based on their coronary artery calcium scores and followed them for an average of three-and-a-half years, recording any major adverse cardiovascular events. They discovered that those with coronary artery calcium scores of zero showed a very low risk of major adverse cardiovascular events at follow-up. Just four of the 755 participants in the group, or 0.5 percent, had a major adverse cardiovascular event during the follow-up period. The group also had a low risk of only 4.1 percent for obstructive coronary artery disease. However, there were 14 major cardiovascular events in the 743 participants with a one to 399 coronary artery calcium score, for a risk of 1.9 percent. The 251 participants in the 400 and higher score group, meanwhile, had 17 such events for a significantly higher risk of 6.8 percent. The researchers found no evidence of a difference between sexes for major adverse cardiovascular events. Dr. Marc Dewey, a professor and vice chair of radiology at Charite, said the results showed that some patients could avoid invasive heart operations due to their low-risk scores. This finding may indicate that a zero coronary artery calcium score can play a larger role in patient management strategies, Dr. Dewey explained. The findings suggest that patients with stable chest pain and a coronary artery calcium score of zero may not require invasive coronary angiography using cardiac catheterization because the risk of cardiovascular events is so low. The study is the second published in the journal Radiology from the DISCHARGE trial. The first study found that when patients suspected of having coronary artery disease were separated by BMI, no differences in clinical outcomes were observed between those who underwent initial management with CT and those who underwent invasive coronary angiography. The world's biggest digital companies will be forced to comply from Thursday with strict EU rules that Brussels hopes will make the online market fairer for all. The European Union in September named six so-called gatekeepers and 22 of their platforms including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn that must adhere to the rules: Google's Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, TikTok parent ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft. That list is expected to grow after online travel agent Booking and Elon Musk's X notified the European Commission last week that they met the criteria to be considered gatekeepers. Here are five rules included in the law that will force the titans to change their ways. - Save the start-ups - Big tech companies make billions of dollars in profit every year and some of the windfall goes to scooping up start-ups and innovators. This rankles authorities, who accuse the giants of using their war chests to snuff out potential rivals before they become a threat. Under the new rules all buyouts, no matter how small, will have to be notified to the commission, the EU's executive arm based in Brussels. The commission also acts as the EU's powerful competition regulator. - Messaging unity - After multiple scandals that hit Meta-owned Facebook, many users chose to swap the giant's Messenger or WhatsApp messaging services for alternatives, such as Signal or Telegram. Yet the market power of Meta's services remains strong, making it difficult for WhatsApp dissenters to keep messaging links with family and friends. To solve this, the DMA imposes interoperability between messaging apps, all while demanding that communications remain encrypted from user to user. - Fair shopping on Amazon - Amazon is a major shopping platform for thousands of companies to sell their wares online. But suspicions are rife that the online giant abuses its role as a marketplace to better position its own products as a retailer. The DMA will ban this conflict of interest, as well as demand that the gatekeepers share key information with business customers. - Open the App Store - Around the world, Apple has defended the sanctity of its App Store, barring companies from using their own payment systems or for apps to be downloaded outside the Apple store. Despite its warnings that opening up iPhones would pose a security threat, the DMA will force Apple to give ground on both those fronts. Apple has said it will comply, but app developers and some digital companies, including Swedish music streaming giant Spotify, have accused it of acting in bad faith with changes that create prohibitive new costs for rivals. Failure to comply with the DMA could carry fines in the billions of dollars -- big enough even for the world's biggest company by market value to pay attention. Repeat offenders would see fines of 20 percent of their global turnover. Any gatekeeper platform that locks in customers to use pre-installed services, such as a web browser, mapping or weather information, will also face fines. - Ad transparency - Google's search engine and Meta's Facebook and Instagram are the world's biggest online advertisers, a status that critics say the companies abuse by accumulating valuable data about customers and keeping it to themselves. The DMA will force the tech giants to reveal much more to advertisers and publishers on how their ads work and on an ad's actual effectiveness. This will make companies less beholden to Google or Facebook for understanding their customers and potentially encourage firms to get their message out in new ways. arp-raz/ec/cw/js/ach Much speculation has swirled around megastar Taylor Swift's potential power in the US presidential election, and on Tuesday she toe-dipped in, urging her fans to vote. Swift, one of the world's most famous and most-discussed artists, did not urge her loyal Swifties towards any particular political position or candidate, instead focusing on the importance of casting one's ballot. "Today, March 5, is the Presidential Primary in Tennessee and 16 other states and territories," the 34-year-old wrote on Instagram, referencing the state she spent much of her youth living in. "I wanted to remind you guys to vote the people who most represent YOU into power. If you haven't already, make a plan to vote today," the Grammy-winner said. "Whether you're in Tennessee or somewhere else in the US, check your polling places and times at vote.org." Last fall Swift -- who got her start in country music before becoming one of pop's most dominant forces -- encouraged her fans to register to vote, directing them to the nonpartisan nonprofit Vote.org. Following her single message, the institution said it recorded more than 35,000 new registrations, 23 percent more than last year and the most since 2020. Swift's feelers into politics have been heavily scrutinized, garnering both criticism and praise; her years-long reticence to voice political opinions received the same treatment. Both the right and the left have long wanted to count her as their own -- but she stayed conspicuously quiet for years, including in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency. Her reserve led many critics to speculate Swift was a closet Republican, until 2018, when she broke both her silence and the internet by endorsing the Democratic opponent of far-right US Senator Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee. She has since spoken out in particular for the legal right to an abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. This Tuesday's vote has Trump, 77, looking to cement his hold on the Republican presidential nomination with a sweep of Super Tuesday primaries that could set the stage for his formal bid to return to the White House. President Joe Biden, 81, is also on the ballot in Democratic primaries on Tuesday, but is only being challenged by little-known outsiders, making his re-nomination fight a formality. mdo/mlm UPDATE: March 3, 2024, 4:00 PM Helena Assistant Chief of Police, Cory Bailey, reports the suspect in Friday's aggravated burglary and partner/family member assault is identified as Charles Madigan, a 35-years-old from Helena man. Bailey also said the injured officer was released from the hospital Friday. No other information on the incident has been released to the public at this time. HELENA, Mont. - Helena Police Department (HPD) reports that an officer was injured in a foot chase pursuit of a man who was later arrested on multiple charges including aggravated burglary and partner/family member assault. According to Helena Assistant Chief of Police, Cory Bailey, at roughly 3:11 p.m., officers responded to a call at the 100 block of Cutler Street for a report of a male attempting to enter a residence. HPD Officers were warned by the caller that the man was armed with a metal bar. When HPD arrived at the scene, the man attempted to flee on foot. As HPD officers were chasing the male, an officer was injured and later transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Following the conclusion of the investigation, HPD reports that one unnamed 35-year-old male has been placed under arrest for multiple counts, including aggravated burglary, partner or family member assault, violation of a protection order, obstructing a peace officer, and resisting arrest. HPD said that this is all the information that will be released to the public at this time. The police are urging farmers who own pick-up trucks to undertake more measures to better safeguard their vehicles against sophisticated thieves. There has been a rise in the thefts of pick-ups from farms across the UK, according to the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) and NFU Mutual. Newer models are being targeted by sophisticated criminals who compromise keyless entrance systems. Farmers are being urged to adopt a combination of traditional and technological security measures in order to safeguard their vehicles from these gangs. Experts working on recovery have recovered Hi-Lux trucks which have been shipped abroad by gangs and have seen a rise in pick-up theft in general in 2024. Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said farm pick-ups were often repeat targets for thieves. "NFU Mutual has seen an increase in the theft of these vehicles so were urging owners to take action to protect their vehicles," she warned. We work with the National Rural Crime Unit to help track down thieves and trace stolen vehicles, returning them to their owners where possible. Prevention is key and wed urge owners to keep their vehicles locked at all times when not in use and park in well-lit areas which are overlooked." Farmers can fit an accredited alarm for security and a tracking device to locate the vehicle if stolen. Etching the vehicle identification number on windows is also a measure, as is marking any component parts with forensic marking solutions. DC Chris Piggott, of the National Rural Crime Unit of the police, noted that Toyota Hi-Lux were being frequently targeted by thieves. Most of them are less than five years old and they are being electronically compromised without any need to access the vehicle keys," he explained. It is worth doing all you can to fortify your vehicle, using a combination of measures such as immobilisers and tracking devices as well as traditional methods like pedal and steering wheel locks to deter or hinder thieves. "If youre able to do so, its worth keeping the vehicle in a garage when not in use." What's the latest advice for securing vehicles? NFU Mutual has issued new guidance for farmers to better secure their vehicles: Keep the vehicle locked at all times when not in use Fit an accredited alarm for security and a tracking device to locate your vehicle if stolen NFU Mutual customers can receive a discount on Scorpion Track devices Fit a mechanical immobiliser such as a steering wheel or pedal lock Thieves can target component parts so consider marking them using a forensic marking solution or system Keep the vehicle in a lockable building if possible, or park in well-lit areas which are overlooked Have the vehicle identification number etched on windows Consider fitting a hidden battery isolation or a fuel cut-off switch Take photographs of unusual features, modifications, damage or repairs which could aid identification if stolen Ensure any valuables are removed from the vehicle Dont share information on social media which could indicate where your vehicle is kept For modern vehicles, keep electronic keys in a faraday pocket or box at night Two men have died following an incident on a farm in Cambridgeshire, police have confirmed. The men, who were aged in their 70s and 40s, died on a farm Cross Bank Drove in Soham on Saturday 2 March. According to local media outlet CambridgeshireLive, the pair died after being crushed by bales. Workplace watchdog the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating the incident. A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said the 'industrial incident' was not suspicious. The spokesperson said: "We were called to an incident at Cross Bank Drove, Soham, at about 1.50pm on Saturday (March 2). Fire and ambulance also attended. "Two men, one in his 70s and the other in his 40s, died at the scene. The incident is non-suspicious and has been referred to the HSE." Farming has the poorest safety record of any occupation, with 26 people losing their lives on British farms in 2022-2023. Of those killed in England, Scotland and Wales, 21 were farm workers and 6 were members of the public, including a child, according to figures by the HSE. Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum greets supporters upon her arrival to her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Aurea Del Rosario/AP Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez waves during her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. At right is Libia Dennise Garcia, who is running as candidate for Governor of Guanajuato state. Fernando Llano/AP Supporters of presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum attend her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Marco Ugarte/AP Supooterts of Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez attend her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Fernando Llano/AP Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gives his daily, morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. Marco Ugarte/AP MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico is almost certainly about to get its first woman president. Ruling-party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum leads in polls on the race leading to the June 2 vote. The second-place candidate is also a woman. A man running for a small third party essentially has no chance of winning. Popular President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is barred by law from running for another six-year term, and Sheinbaum is running for his Morena party. Businesswoman, senator and Indigenous Affairs official Xochitl Galvez has an uphill battle, backed by a coalition of all the main opposition parties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sheinbaum, Mexico Citys former mayor, has a doctorate in energy engineering and a long career in leftist politics. Galvez helped her family by selling tamales in the street as a girl. She went on to earn a degree in computer engineering and start her own tech companies. Whoever wins, here are the issues and stakes. HOW COULD MEXICO'S ELECTION AFFECT MIGRATION? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most migrants to the United States come over the border with Mexico to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Mexico has agreed to some things that it isn't legally obligated to do, such as deploying its National Guard to arrest migrants, and accepting the return of non-Mexicans who pass through on their way to the U.S. Migration isn't much of an issue in Mexico, outside of calls for the fair treatment of Mexicans in the U.S. Mexico's next president will almost certainly have latitude in deciding either to stop cooperating with the United States, or crack down harder on migrants heading north. Either would be a big change and migration is already certain to be a key issue for whoever wins the White House in November. COULD MEXICO'S VOTE AFFECT THE FLOW OF DRUGS? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Instead of confronting the drug cartels, Lopez Obrador has adopted what is for him the pragmatic policy of increasing government hand-outs to drain the pool of recruits for cartels seeking gunmen. But many poor, addicted or neglected youths can still be convinced to pick up a gun. Under Lopez Obrador, anti-drug cooperation has been limited by nationalism; he doesn't like the DEA in his country and denies that Mexico produces fentanyl, the opioid that kills over 70,000 Americans each year. The next president could take that view to an even greater extreme or decide to cooperate more as evidence mounts that drug cartels are incompatible with domestic peace. HOW WILL MEXICO'S VOTE AFFECT ITS ECONOMY? Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the 1980s, the United States could threaten to close the border any time the Mexican government displeased Washington. Those days are over. U.S. appliance, auto-parts and automotive factories have moved to Mexico, and they need daily shipments of parts. As Lopez Obrador put it, they couldn't last, maybe a day, but not a week with a closed border. Mexico not China is now the United States' biggest trading partner, and U.S. markets rely on Mexico for fresh produce and many other things. The economic relationship may now simply be too big to fail. Mexico also depends on the money sent home by citizens living abroad mostly in the United States. Last year, Mexican migrants sent home a record $63.3 billion. Income from remittances surpasses what Mexico earns from tourism and exports of oil and most manufactured goods. WILL MEXICO'S VOTE SHOW A NEW LATIN POPULISM? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Latin America has seen periodic swings from left to right for decades. Free-spending presidents friendly to Iran or Russia have been quickly replaced by neoconservatives, and vice versa. A populist wave appears to have interrupted the regions normal pendulum swings with two key events in recent months the overwhelming reelection of El Salvador's hardline president Nayib Bukele, and the victory for libertarian firebrand Javier Milei in Argentina. A victory for Morena on June 2 could entrench populism for 12 years in Mexico, essentially reviving the old idea of a charismatic, nationalist, hand-out regime as the perennial party in power. Hungary has kept its populist president in power for nearly 15 years, but the world record is held by Mexico's old ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, which held the presidency for wait for it 71 uninterrupted years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WILL MEXICAN DEMOCRACY SURVIVE? Lopez Obrador has tried mightily to eliminate checks and balances, regulatory oversight and the role of non-governmental organizations. He has accumulated more centralized power than any president since the heyday of the PRI in the 1970s, an era for which he expresses open nostalgia. His main tool of governance has been the army, which has built a portfolio of railways, an airline, airports and hotels. Mexico's army, unlike many other Latin American nations', has not become involved in politics through coups or candidacies since the 1940s. But many worry that the Morena party's continued dominance might endanger that old arrangement. Whoever wins, the outgoing president is leaving a pile of ambitious, unfinished projects, obligations and debt. Lopez Obrador has pledged to retire entirely from politics after he leaves office, but few people believe that a man who has basically spent every waking minute for the last 30 years driving toward his political goals will give that up so easily. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ Low iron levels have been pinpointed as the cause of long Covid. Scientists have found that low iron contributes to long Covid Millions of people have experienced symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath long after an initial coronavirus infection and experts are convinced that low iron levels in the blood could be a key contributory factor to persistent health issues. A team at Cambridge University analysed 214 people, around half of whom reported long Covid symptoms in the months following their infection and found that inflammation and low iron levels in the blood could be detected as early as two weeks following an infection in those who reported long Covid later on. Dr. Aimee Hanson, who worked on the study during her time at Cambridge, said: "Iron levels, and the way the body regulates iron, were disrupted early on during SARS-CoV-2 infection, and took a very long time to recover, particularly in those people who went on to report long Covid months later. "Although we saw evidence that the body was trying to rectify low iron availability and the resulting anaemia by producing more red blood cells, it was not doing a particularly good job of it in the face of ongoing inflammation." Kumail Nanjiani has been cast in 'Only Murders In The Building'. Kumail Nanjiani has joined Only Murders In The Building The 45-year-old actor - who has starred in the likes of 'Eternals' and 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' - is joining the show for its upcoming fourth season alongside returning stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. As reported by Variety, Kumail is set for a recurring role, although most details are being kept under wraps. However, a source has teased that his character will be "integral" to the new season. Meryl Streep is reprising her role from season three, while Kumail joins fellow newcomers Eugene Levy, Molly Shannon and Eva Longoria. Plot details as a whole are scarce, but Mabel (Selena), Charles (Steve) and Oliver (Martin) are expecting to head to Los Angeles before returning to New York. 'Only Murders in the Building' has been a big success since the show premiered in 2021 - but Martin Short previously admitted to having some doubts about working with Selena. The 73-year-old actor told PEOPLE: "The first day we shot, I had never met Selena. Because of COVID, we'd only Zoomed. And I was driving to work and I thought, 'I wonder what Selena's could be like? I mean, she could be a nightmare. She could be a pop princess nightmare'. "Right away - from the first second we started to the make-up room - it was, like, fabulous." Martin also revealed that he admires Selena's professional attitude. He said: "[She's] so good, so talented, such a pro - it's fabulous." Prior to that, Selena heaped praise on her 'Only Murders in the Building' co-stars. The brunette beauty initially felt anxious about working with the likes of Martin and Steve Martin, but she ultimately relished the experience. Selena, 31, told The Wrap: "Working with Steve and Marty, I was terrified at first, but relieved that comedy happened to be in my comfort zone. If anything, theyve helped sharpen my skills." There are new rules for visitors to the iconic Istanbul institution, the Hagia Sophia. Heres what you need to know The Hagia Sophia was a Christian basilica consecrated in 538 ADE; it became a mosque in 1453, and then a museum in 1935. Four years ago, it was declared a mosque again by President Erdogan of Turkiye. The Hagia Sophia has always been one of Istanbuls most popular visitor attractions, and entry became free when it was converted into a mosque. The overtourism that followed meant that the queues were very long, and there were instances of damage and vandalism. The visitor numbers for 2022 stand at 13.6 million. Visitors to the Hagia Sophia no longer have access to the lower floor Now, new rules have been put into place to combat overtourism. Only Muslims will now have access to the main area downstairs as it is a working place of worship. The reopened upper gallery is now open to non-Muslims for the first time since 2020. Visitors and non-Muslims will now pay a new 25 entrance fee, which gives them access to the upper gallery, which is home to glorious Byzantine-era mosaics. There are now two entrances. The one on Sultanahmet Square can only be used by Turkish citizens visiting the ibadet alani (worship area) in the former narthex and nave. Other nationalities will use the Visiting Area entrance at the buildings northeast corner. A new ticket booth can be found in front of the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III; tickets are priced at 25 (or 850 Turkish Lira) for everyone above the age of eight. Women visitors are required to wear a headscarf before going to the upper gallery. What Will You Now See In The Hagia Sophia? You no longer need a professional tour guide to help you fully appreciate the Hagia Sophia; instead you just scan a QR code on your phone to give you access to an audio-visual tour, available in 23 languages. You can use your own headset or get them at an additional 3 or 100 TL. You will then get the details on 10 points of interest nine in the upper gallery (including the Viking Script graffiti from the 11th century, the marble Heaven and Hell Gate, a mosaic of Constantine IX and Empress Zoe, and the magnificent mosaic of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and John the Baptist), and one in the southwest vestibule: a mosaic of the emperors Constantine and Justinian presenting Hagia Sophia and Constantinople to the Madonna and Christ child, dating back to the 10th century. Images: Shutterstock Cambodia's largest seaport, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), has reported an 8.5 per cent increase in container throughput, handling 79,778 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023, according to the ministry of public works and transport's annual report. As the primary port in the nation, PAS is pivotal to Cambodia's international commerce, facilitating around 60 per cent of the country's import-export activities. The US remains the top destination for exports through PAS, absorbing 37 per cent of the total 395,145 TEU exports, with the European Union following at 28 per cent. Meanwhile, imports through PAS were predominantly from China, representing 66 per cent of the total 402,633 TEUs. In contrast, the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP), Cambodia's second-largest container hub, experienced a 5 per cent decrease in container throughput, recording 396,225 TEUs last year, according to Cambodian media reports. Cambodia's Sihanoukville Port reports an 8.5 per cent increase in container throughput in 2023, handling 79,778 TEUs. It dominates Cambodia's trade, with significant exports to the US and imports from China. Phnom Penh Port saw a 5 per cent decrease in throughput. PAS expansion, with phases completing in 2025, 2028, and 2029, will increase capacity. Significant developments are underway at PAS, with the completion of the new container terminal's first phase slated for 2025. This expansion will allow the docking of larger container vessels, with capacities of up to 60,000 DWT (approximately 4,000 TEUs). Subsequent phases of the expansion project, set for completion in 2028 and 2029, will elevate the port's capacity to accommodate vessels of up to 120,000 DWT (approximately 10,000 TEUs) and 160,000 DWT (15,000 TEUs) respectively, broadening Cambodia's shipping network to include Europe and North America. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP) Today, negotiators from European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on new rules that ban products made with forced labour from the European Union (EU) market. The new regulation would create a framework for enforcing this ban, including through investigations, new IT solutions and cooperation with other authorities and countries. According to the agreed text, national authorities or, if third countries are involved, the EU Commission, will investigate suspected use of forced labour in companies supply chains. If the investigation concludes that forced labour has been used, the authorities can demand that relevant goods be withdrawn from the EU market and online marketplaces and confiscated at the borders. The goods would then have to be donated, recycled, or destroyed. Goods of strategic or critical importance for the Union may be withheld until the company eliminates forced labour from its supply chains, the European Parliament said in a press release. Negotiators from the European Parliament and Council have agreed on new rules banning products made with forced labour from the EU market. The regulation includes investigations, IT solutions, and cooperation with other authorities. National authorities or the EU Commission will investigate suspected cases and can demand withdrawal of goods. Firms that do not comply can be fined. However, if they eliminate forced labour from their supply chains, banned products can be allowed back on the market. At Parliaments insistence, the Commission will draw up a list of specific economic sectors in specific geographical areas where state-imposed forced labour exists. This will then become a criterion to assess the need to open an investigation. The Commission can also identify products or product groups for which importers and exporters will have to submit extra details to EU customs, such as information on the manufacturer and suppliers of these products. A new Forced Labour Single Portal would be set up to help enforce the new rules. It includes guidelines, information on bans, database of risk areas and sectors, as well as publicly available evidence and a whistleblower portal. A Union Network Against Forced Labour Products would help to improve cooperation between authorities. The rules also foresee cooperation with third countries, for example in the context of existing dialogues or implementation of trade agreements. This may include information exchange on risk areas or products and sharing best practices, in particular with countries with similar legislation in place. Commission acting as a lead competent authority may also carry out checks and inspections in third countries, if the relevant company and the government of the third country agree to it. Co-rapporteur Samira Rafaela (Renew, NL) said: This law is groundbreaking in the field of human rights. It will prevent forced labour products from entering our market. And it has several references to remediation. It is a step forward in achieving fair trade and cleaning up supply chains, while prioritising human rights. To combat forced and state-imposed labour, we must work with like-minded partners and become a strong ally in the global fight against forced labour. Co-rapporteur Maria-Manuel Leitao-Marques (S&D, PT) said: Forced labour has been a reality for too long, and it remains a reality for too many. There were an estimated 27.6 million people affected by it in 2021, mostly in the private sector, but also victims of so-called state-sponsored forced labour. The deal we reached today will assure the EU has an instrument to ban products made with forced labour from the Union market as well as to tackle various forms of forced labour, including when it is imposed by a state. The European Parliament and Council will now both have to give their final green light to the provisional agreement. The regulation will then be published in the Official Journal and enter into force the following day. EU countries will thereafter have 3 years to start applying the new rules, the release added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Global manufacturing showed signs of renewed vigour in February, according to S&P Global. Output expanded for the second successive month, supported by the first increase in new order intakes since June 2022. The J.P.Morgan global manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI)a composite index produced by J.P.Morgan and S&P Global in association with the Institute of Supply Management and the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM)posted 50.3 in February, up from 50.0 in January, its first reading above the neutral 50 mark in 18 months. Three of the five PMI sub-indicesnew orders, output and stocks of purchasessignalled growth, S&P Global said in a release. S&P Global saw renewed vigour in global manufacturing in February, with output growing for the second month in a row, backed by the first rise in new order intakes since June 2022. New orders, output and stocks of purchases signalled growth. The outlook was broadly positive, with optimism regarding the year ahead being close to January's nine-month high. The outlook remained broadly positive overall, with optimism regarding the year ahead staying close to January's nine-month high. Although the rate of expansion in output remained only mild in February, it was still the second-fastest during the past 20 months. All three of the sub-sectors covered by the survey saw output increase, S&P Global said in a release. Consumer goods producers saw solid growth, whereas rates of expansion were marginal in both the intermediate and investment goods categories. China, the United States, India and Brazil were among the nations that witnessed a rise in manufacturing output during the month, in contrast to declines in places like the euro area, Japan and the United Kingdom. The increase in global manufacturing production was supported by growth in new business intakes and efforts to complete backlogs of work. Total new orders rose for the first time in 20 months, albeit only marginally. Although the downturn in new export orders continuedinternational trade volumes have fallen throughout the past two yearsthe rate of decline eased to its weakest since June 2022. Meanwhile, the cyclically sensitive ratio of new orders-to-stocks of finished goods edged up to its highest level since May 2022. February data indicated that average supplier lead times were broadly unchanged over the month. However, the aggregate reading masked divergent trends beneath the surface. Some nations, including Germany, the United States and Austria, saw marked improvements in vendor lead times. In contrast, the United Kingdom, France and Australia saw much longer times. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Followers of presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum crowd the Zocalo during her opening campaign rally in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Aurea de Rosario/AP Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum waves during her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Aurea de Rosario/AP Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum greets supporters upon her arrival to her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Aurea Del Rosario/AP Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum waves during her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Marco Ugarte/AP Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez waves during her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. At right is Libia Dennise Garcia, who is running as candidate for Governor of Guanajuato state. Fernando Llano/AP Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Marco Ugarte/AP Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez waves during her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Fernando Llano/AP Supooterts of Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez attend her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Fernando Llano/AP Dolls representing presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum are for sale during her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Aurea de Rosario/AP Supporters of presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez wave flags during her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Fernando Llano/AP Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Marco Ugarte/AP Supporters of presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez applaud during her opening campaign rally in Irapuato, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Fernando Llano/AP A supporter of Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum attends her opening campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. General Elections are set for June 2. Aurea de Rosario/AP Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gives his daily, morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Friday, March 1, 2024. Marco Ugarte/AP IRAPUATO, Mexico (AP) Tens of thousands of people packed a stadium in a violence-torn western Mexico state while even more did so in Mexico City's central square Friday as the country's leading presidential candidates officially kicked off their campaigns with promises of greater security and support for the outgoing president's social programs. Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's chosen successor, drew a multitude of supporters to the heart of the capital who expressed a desire to see her continue her mentor's policies. I will never submit to any economic, political or foreign power, Sheinbaum said. I will always work for the supreme interest of the people of Mexico and the nation. She said the voters' choice is continuing the transformation begun by Lopez Obrador or allowing corruption's return. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Irapuato, Guanajuato, the country's homicide capital, there was no greater priority than improving security. Opposition coalition candidate Xochitl Galvez launched an aggressive attack on Lopez Obrador's security policies Friday and said voters would have a clear choice of continuing on the same path or electing her to take a much more aggressive approach to securing the nation. Hugs for criminals are over, Galvez said during her Irapuato rally. Were going to punish those who harm our youth. That was a play on Lopez Obradors shorthand for his security strategy hugs, not bullets, which steered resources to social problems that he says are at the root of violence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I have a head, I have a heart, but I also have the guts to take on criminals, Galvez said. Malena Gomez, an Irapuato resident and activist with a civic group, said safety was her biggest concern. Here in Guanajuato and in the entire country," she said. "This Morena government (of Lopez Obrador) allowed organized crime to get into everything. Organized crime has long controlled swaths of Mexico through violence and corruption. It has diversified beyond drug trafficking in recent years, extorting businesses big and small for protection payments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Farmer Amadeo Hernandez Barajas, who grows corn and beans on his farm in Acambaro, Guanajuato, said he supported Galvez because Sheinbaum just promised to be more of the same. He said farmers are also targets of organized crime. How do you get the product out? he asked. Because the criminals charge you for every ton of corn you take out and they charge the combines and harvesters too. He said the reliance on the military, which Lopez Obrador, as well as his predecessors, used against the heavily armed cartels hasn't worked. What are soldiers and National Guard in the streets worth if they don't do anything, just put up yellow tape after something happened? But Lopez Obrador enjoys high popularity, largely because of his extensive social spending that has benefitted his low-income base and efforts to target corruption. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those are the programs that Sheinbaum has promised to extend. Gabriel Ruiz, holding a silhouette of Sheinbaum, said we have to continue with what we have. I've liked this government and that it has tried to eradicate corruption and that it's with the people, said the 54-year-old teacher. He expected Sheinbaum to continue Lopez Obrador's security policies, but noted that no administration has managed to contain organized crime. There has always been violence, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sheinbaum has maintained a comfortable lead over Galvez in polling. The race's third candidate is Jorge Alvarez Maynez of the smaller Citizen Movement party. The 38-year-old launched his campaign in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco Friday. But it is highly likely that Mexico will elect its first woman as president June 2. That excited Dante Robles, a 24-year-old student, though he hoped it would be Sheinbaum to take away the privileges of the business owners. There are a lot of business owners who don't even pay taxes and are protected by politicians from the conservative regime, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Four Mexican soldiers were killed by a land min e in the state of Michoacan, Lopez Obrador confirmed Friday. The president called it a trap likely set by a cartel. The soldiers inspecting a camp on the outskirts of Aguililla Thursday when an anti-personnel mine was triggered. On Monday, gunmen killed two mayoral hopefuls in the Michoacan town of Maravatio within hours of each other, the latest signal of organized crimes willingness to engage in local elections. Earlier Friday, at an event in the violence-torn state of Zacatecas, Galvez posed the choice as: continuing on the same path which would mean giving in to crime or fighting to defend families, to defend the youth, to defend those who work. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In places like Zacatecas and neighboring Guanajuato, Galvezs heavy handed security approach could sway voters terrorized by warring drug cartels. She promised to double the size of the National Guard that Lopez Obrador created to 300,000, but put it under civilian leadership. She also proposed closer collaboration with the United States to confront a common enemy in the cartels. There will not be a more important priority than Mexicans safety, Galvez said. __ Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dulquer Salmaan Quits 'Thug Life': The eagerly awaited Tamil film "Thug Life," starring Kamal Haasan and directed by filmmaker Mani Ratnam, is generating significant buzz in the industry. The renowned director and actor duo are reuniting after a 37-year gap, and audiences are thrilled to witness this iconic collaboration. Amidst the rapid progress of filming, there are speculations swirling around about actor Dulquer Salmaan, who was previously announced to be part of the project, withdrawing from it. As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding this matter. "Thug Life" is a highly anticipated project in Tamil cinema, marking the awaited collaboration between Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after their last venture, 'Nayakan,' in 1987. Fans Await Confirmation Amid Rumours Of Dulquer's Exit From 'Thug Life' Rumours indicate that Dulquer Salmaan, initially cast in "Thug Life," has opted out of the project due to scheduling conflicts with his busy lineup. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official statement from the production team to clarify the situation. Dulquer Salmaan is currently engaged in various projects spanning different languages. Following his appearance in the Malayalam movie "King of Kotha," he is currently committed to three projects: "Lucky Baskhar," "1965: Purananooru," and "Kaantha." 'Thug Life' Announcement Video The title announcement video for 'Thug Life' features Kamal Haasan sporting long hair and rugged attire, further intensifying the intrigue surrounding the film. It's worth noting that tomorrow is Kamal Haasan's 69th birthday. In the video, Kamal introduces himself, saying, "I am Rengaraya Sakthivel Nayakan, from Kayalpattu." As he addresses the camera, a menacing gang approaches rapidly, armed with lethal weapons. He goes on to express, "From the moment I was born, they predetermined my destiny as a criminal... a 'gonda'... Yakuza. In Japanese, 'Yakuza' means gangster." Following these words, Kamal removes his hood, unveiling a distinctive and rugged martial arts costume. The ensuing scenes feature well-choreographed action sequences executed by the AnbAriv duo and captured by the acclaimed cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran. Is 'Thug Life' A Sequel or Prequel to 'Nayakan'? Kamal Haasan's character at the end of the video once again says his name as 'Rengaraya Sakthivel Nayakan' and asks the audience to keep that name in mind. Now, social media is discussing the relevance of this name, and what comes to their mind when hearing the name is the name of Kamal Haasan's character in the movie "Nayakan": Sakthivel "Velu" Naicker/Nayakan. Now, netizens are doubting whether "Thug Life" will be a sequel or prequel to "Nayakan." 'Thug Life' Cast And Crew In addition to Kamal Haasan, "Thug Life" features Trisha, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Gautham Karthik, Joju George, and others in key roles. AR Rahman has composed the film's musical score, while editing duties are entrusted to Sreekar Prasad. The production is a joint effort by Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, G Mahendran, and Siva Anand, under the esteemed banners of Raj Kamal Films International and Madras Talkies. Additionally, Red Giant Movies has joined hands as production partners for this cinematic spectacle. The certificate attests the company's capability to supply feedstock for the production of sustainable aviation fuel, in accordance with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards, confirming zero emissions from indirect land use change for second-crop corn tracked SAO PAULO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FS, one of the largest ethanol and animal nutrition producers in Brazil, is the first Brazilian corn ethanol industry to receive the ISCC international certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), attesting that its production process meets international requirements for the production and supply of ethanol and corn oil for the production of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Furthermore, FS is the first ethanol producer in the world to obtain Low LUC Risk certification in collaboration with one of its second-crop corn suppliers, GGF Group. "This certification is an important validation that Brazilian second-crop corn ethanol is a low-carbon feedstock for the production of biofuels on hard to abate sectors , like aviation. Airlines will now be able to count on our ethanol as a competitive and highly scalable source to serve this market globally", explains FS' CEO, Rafael Abud. Low LUC Risk Having zero iLUC means that a biofuel (such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel - SAF) was produced in a way that does not generate GHG emissions related to Indirect Land Use Change (iLUC). iLUC refers to indirect changes in land use that can occur when significant areas of land are moved to produce a feedstock for biofuels, such as deforestation or conversion of agricultural land. This approach aims to ensure that the production of biofuels contributes positively to the reduction of carbon emissions, without causing additional damage to the environment. ISCC ISCC is a global sustainability certification system covering sustainable feedstocks including agricultural and forestry biomass, biogenic waste, circular materials and renewable energy for different markets. ISCC CORSIA, a voluntary certification scheme that recognizes the eligibility of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) based on criteria established by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), which evaluates various environmental, social and traceability criteria, from biomass to the sustainable production of biofuel. Certification FS's ethanol certification process ranged from the agricultural phase and its inputs, through biofuel production to transportation to SAF producers. The part that includes agricultural production was made possible with the participation of one of its suppliers, the Agua Santa farm, part of GGF. In this way, in addition to verifying the carbon footprint of fuel since its agricultural phase, it was confirmed that the Indirect Land Use Change of second-crop corn was zero, adding the Low LUC risk attribute to the ISCC CORSIA Certification. This was the first Low LUC risk certification record verified worldwide. "The certification process is complex. Two years of implementation were necessary, as a number of documentary evidence is required, such as productivity records for more than 10 years and even data on the implementation of improvements in agricultural practices. Scaling a certification like this to hundreds of producers, including small producers, is extremely complex, and requires certification and regulation flexibilization and adjustment for the reality of rural producers", argues Daniel Lopes, Vice President of Sustainability and New Business for FS. "This certification shows that we already operate in line with the best global agricultural practices, in addition to proving that through the sustainability and traceability of the process we generate an increase in productivity of second-crop corn in the same agricultural area", complements GGF's Executive Director, Rogerio Ferrarin. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2351927/1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fs-is-the-first-ethanol-producer-in-the-world-to-receive-iscc-corsia-low-luc-risk-certification-for-saf-production-302078561.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 4, 2024 / The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth: The Global Inclusive Growth Summit returns on April 18, 2024. As we look forward to coming back together in person and virtually, we offer these highlights from the 2023 event, hosted by Mastercard and the Aspen Institute. The Global Inclusive Growth Summit 2023 brought together private sector, social impact and government leaders to share ways to make economies more equitable. The 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Summit, hosted by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, advances real solutions to today's most pressing challenges through collaboration and candid conversation among entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers and emerging changemakers. First held in 2019, the Summit assembles a dynamic group of cross-sector leaders who collectively address topics including financial inclusion, data science for social impact, emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, climate and the environment, women's economic empowerment and place-based development. After a decade of impact, we're excited to continue the great dialogue and work focused on driving and creating inclusive growth for all. Get more information about the 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Summit here. To learn more, visit: globalinclusivegrowthsummit.com Originally published July 14, 2023 by Mastercard. We're living through a time of overwhelming complexity - achieving new heights of technological and scientific innovation against a backdrop of overlapping global crises and uncertainty. Leaders can help navigate this environment by keeping trust and inclusion front and center for their organizations, their customers, stakeholders and the broader global community. Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach and IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop discuss leadership and the power of innovation, technology and trust to address the challenges before us. Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company's core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs and empower a community of thinkers, leaders and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. Aspen Institute The Aspen Institute is a community-serving organization with global reach whose vision is the creation of a free, just, and equitable society. For 70 years, the Institute has driven change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the world's greatest challenges. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute has offices in Aspen, Colorado and New York City, as well as an international network of partners. Learn more at www.aspeninstitute.org. Devex Devex is the world's leading independent news organization covering global development. Devex journalists deliver insider reporting from front lines of the fight to achieve the SDGs - driving the most important debates, providing the most critical analysis, and backing it all up with the events, career information, and funding opportunities professionals require. To keep up to date with the must-read global development coverage, join their global community. About Mastercard (NYSE: MA) Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. www.mastercard.com Check out more content from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mastercard-center-inclusive-growth Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth View the original press release on accesswire.com CHICAGO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Point of Care Diagnostics Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $49.7 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $77.8 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Globally, the growing burden of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer is accelerating the demand for rapid and effective diagnostic testing. Moreover, the rising advancements in microfluidic technology, and miniaturization are enabling manufacturers to develop portable and smaller PoC diagnostics device. Moreover, the shift towards healthcare decentralization and increasing investments for product development is anticipated to bolster the growth opportunity for point of care diagnostics market. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=106829185 Browse in-depth TOC on "Point of Care Diagnostics Market" 191 - Tables 51 - Figures 322 - Pages Point of Care Diagnostics Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $49.7 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $77.8 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Platform, Mode of Purchase, Sample, End User, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities High growth potential of emerging markets Key Market Drivers Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases globally Pricing pressure due to reimbursement cuts and limited budgets along with strict regulatory approval process for new point of care product commercialization are factors expected to restrain market growth during the forecast period. The Lateral Flow Assays segment, by platform, is expected to register the largest market share of the global point of care diagnostics market in 2022. Based on platform, the point-of-care diagnostics market is segmented into lateral flow assays, immunoassays, microfluidics, dipsticks, and molecular diagnostics. The lateral flow assays segment dominated this market with a share of in 2022.Lateral flow assays are simple in usage, relatively inexpensive, making it more accessible for patients and healthcare provider, LFA technology does not require trained person to operate, allowing them to be used in various healthcare settings, from clinics and pharmacies to remote arears, promoting healthcare decentralization. All these factors are contributing towards the dominance of lateral flow technology in point of care diagnostics market. The OTC testing product segment, by mode of purchase, to dominate the global point of care diagnostics market in 2022. On the basis of mode of purchase OTC testing products segment accounted the largest market share in 2022 attributed to the increasing adoption of OTC products owing to its ease of usage and convenience. The presence of diverse range of OTC point of care devices for diseases screening, personal health monitoring and various other conditions further contribute to the rising demand for OTC PoC testing devices among consumers. "The APAC market, by region, to register highest growth rate in the forecast period." On the basis of region, the radiotherapy market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The Asia-Pacific market is likely to witness significant growth owing to increase in cardiac diseases, diabetes, and infectious diseases patient pool, moreover, improving healthcare infrastructure and the implementation of supportive government initiatives to increase the accessibility of effective diagnostic tools in several APAC countries such as India and China. The growing adoption of self-testing kits, expansion of geographical footprints of key players, and emergence of many local players in the region are likely to support growth of point of care diagnostics market in Asia Pacific Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=106829185 Point of Care Diagnostics Market Dynamics: Drivers: 1. Rising incidence of infectious diseases 2. Increasing prevalence of target conditions 3. Favorable government initiatives for POC testing 4. Rising number of CLIA-waived POC tests Restraints: 1. Pricing pressure on POC manufacturers 2. Stringent regulatory approval process for product commercialization Opportunities: 1. High growth potential of emerging markets 2. Decentralization of healthcare 3. Innovative product development Challenge: 1. Inadequate standardization with centralized lab methods 2. Limited awareness in emerging markets 3. Premium pricing of novel platforms Key Market Players of Point of Care Diagnostics Industry: As of 2022, the point of care diagnostics market was dominated by Abbott Laboratories (US), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), Danaher Corporation (US), and Becton, Dickinson and Company (US) A breakdown of the primary participants referred to for this report is provided below: By Company Type: Tier 1-48%, Tier 2-36%, and Tier 3- 16% By Designation: C-level-10%, Director-level-14%, and Others-76% By Region: North America-40%, Europe-32%, Asia Pacific-20%, Latin America-5%, and the Middle East & Africa-3% Recent Developments of Point of Care Diagnostics Industry: In May 2023, bioMerieux received the US FDA CLIA-waiver for the BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE Respiratory (R) Panel Mini,a second multiplex PCR-based test cleared for use on the BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE System In August 2023, BD received the US FDA approval for its BD Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) for BD MAX System, a single molecular diagnostic combination test that identifies & distinguishes SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in ~ 2 hours. In December 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Project HOPE, a leading global health and humanitarian organization, partnered to expand the accessibility of HIV testing services offered by Thermo Fisher among HIV Positive Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=106829185 Point of Care Diagnostics Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will enable established firms as well as entrants/smaller firms to gauge the pulse of the market, which, in turn, would help them to garner a larger market share. Firms purchasing the report could use one or a combination of the below-mentioned strategies for strengthening their market presence. This report provides insights on the following pointers: Analysis of Key divers (rising prevalence of infectious and chronic disease, growing adoption of self-testing kits, helathacre decentralization, rising number of CLIA-wavier Poc Tests), restraints (rising pricing pressure on PoC manufactures, stringent regulatory approval procedures for new PoC devices), Opportunities (emerging markets, emerging technologies, such s microfluidics) , Challenge (Training & education in low resource countries) Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios offered by the top players in the point-of-care diagnostics market Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming trends, R&D activities, and product launches in the point-of-care diagnostics market Market Development: Comprehensive information on lucrative emerging regions Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, growing geographies, and recent developments in the point-of-care diagnostics market Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market segments, growth strategies, revenue analysis, and products of the leading market players. Related Reports: Veterinary Diagnostic Market - Global Forecasts to 2029 Veterinary Equipment and Supplies Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Microfluidics Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 In Vitro Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Companion Animal Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/point-of-care-diagnostic-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/point-of-care-diagnostic.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/point-of-care-diagnostics-market-worth-77-8-billion--marketsandmarkets-302078105.html MELBOURNE, Australia, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) today announces it has entered into an agreement to acquire radioisotope production technology firm ARTMS Inc. (ARTMS), its advanced cyclotron-based isotope production platform, manufacturing plant and stockpile of ultra-pure rare metals required for consumable target production. ARTMS, based in Burnaby, British Columbia (BC), Canada, is a privately held, venture-backed company, which specialises in the physics, chemistry and materials science of cyclotron-produced radionuclides. A spin-out company from the internationally renowned TRIUMF, Canada's particle accelerator centre, ARTMS is a commercial-stage company: its technology is used by the major manufacturing networks to optimise production of a range of medical radioisotopes. The acquisition of ARTMS is expected to further enhance the vertical integration of Telix's supply chain and manufacturing by providing a greater level of control and security over each of the Company's diagnostic isotopes. ARTMS' core technology platform is based on the QUANTM Irradiation System (QIS), a complete cyclotron-based isotope production system that is designed to support high efficiency and cost-effective production of commercially important medical isotopes including zirconium-89 (89Zr), gallium-68 (68Ga), technetium-99m (99mTc) and copper-64 (64Cu). QIS has demonstrated industry-leading production yields and significantly outperforms conventional cyclotron target systems due to the unique intellectual property and target manufacturing processes that underpin it. Additionally, ARTMS' portfolio of advanced cyclotron technologies will have immediate application and differentiation in the production of future commercially important alpha-emitting, therapeutic isotopes, including actinium-225 (225Ac) and astatine-211 (211At). The strategic rationale for the acquisition stems from four key areas of commercial synergy between ARTMS and Telix: Support for the roll-out of Zircaix[1] (TLX250-CDx) kidney cancer imaging. Telix is currently validating multiple production locations of large-scale 89Zr production in the United States (U.S.) using the QIS system and select manufacturing and pharmacy partners. ARTMS' QIS is a significant enabler of production capacity and supply chain reliability that works by irradiating an yttrium-89 (89Y) target to produce sterile, filtered, purified and dissolved 89Zr that is ready for radiopharmaceutical use. ARTMS possesses a significant stockpile of ultra-pure 89Y to fabricate sufficient cyclotron targets to support this commercial application. Ultra large-scale production of 68Ga to support Illuccix lifecycle management. Illuccix already supports limited use of cyclotron-produced 68Ga. ARTMS and Telix have been collaborating since 2020[2] to evaluate the potential of higher curie-scale (Ci) production of Illuccix. One of the goals of this acquisition is to enable Telix to deliver further improvement of Illuccix margins and wider distribution through Telix's unique pharmacy partnership model. ARTMS holds a commercially significant stockpile of zinc-68 (68Zn), which is irradiated to produce 68Ga. Enhanced supply chain reliability of commercially useful cyclotron-produced diagnostic radionuclides such as 64Cu and 99mTc. Telix will be working with select pharmacy networks and strategic partners to enhance the reliability and routine production of these isotopes following closing of the acquisition. In particular for 64Cu, for which no commercially viable production network currently exists in the U.S., ARTMS has a substantial commercial stockpile of Nickel-64 (64Ni), the essential raw material for 64Cu production, which is in severely limited global supply. Development of 'next generation' cyclotron targets to support the safe and high-yield production of therapeutic radionuclides. These include alpha emitters, such as 225Ac and 211At. This research and development (R&D) activity is highly aligned with Telix's state-of-the-art research cyclotron footprint at Telix Manufacturing Solutions (TMS) in Belgium. Telix plans to produce clinical trial quantities of 225Ac in-house by end-2024 and will align the ARTMS R&D footprint with its high-energy cyclotron expansion plans for TMS. As part of the acquisition, Telix will also acquire the benefit of ARTMS's production facility and clean rooms, located in Burnaby, BC (Canada). Telix expects to continue to operate and expand ARTMS' R&D and production capabilities at the Burnaby location to support in-house and customer needs, subject to applicable laws and transaction terms. The acquisition has potential to be financially accretive, add additional revenue, and have a positive impact on gross margins for Illuccix and Zircaix (when commercially available). Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Managing Director and Group CEO of Telix said, "ARTMS has been a trailblazer in the field of 'next generation' cyclotron-based isotope production systems and demonstrated production efficiency and yields that eclipse comparable systems. It is our hope that by closely aligning this powerful technology with pharmaceutical development, we will transform the cost, market access and utility of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Cyclotron and accelerator-based isotope production has the potential to significantly increase the capacity and lower the cost of commercially important isotopes, serving as an important adjunct to reactor-based production. We are pleased to be able to expand a fruitful collaboration into a deeper partnership." Doug Gentilcore, Chief Executive Officer of ARTMS added, "Our aim has always been to ensure key isotopes are available on demand to the populations that need them most, and joining forces with Telix is the ideal way to realise this ambition. With Illuccix, Telix has the most used 68Ga-based imaging agent on the U.S. market, and an additional follow-on 89Zr based product candidate - Zircaix. Our long-term goal is therapeutic radionuclides and together with Telix we believe we have the opportunity to deliver these potentially at commercial scale, including through their extensive late-stage product pipeline." Deal terms and conditions The purchase price comprises: US$42.5 million (approximately AU$65.3 million) upfront consideration which is payable in the form of 5,674,636 Telix ordinary shares to be issued at closing [3] ; ; US$15.0 million (approximately AU$23.0 million) upfront consideration payable in cash at closing; US$24.5 million (approximately AU$37.6 million) in contingent future earn out payments, payable in cash following achievement of certain clinical or commercial milestones; and cash earn-outs representing low single to low double-digit percentage of net sales of ARTMS products or Telix products prepared using ARTMS products for defined periods depending on the product location where the sale occurs. All earn-outs which have not otherwise expired will terminate on the 10 year anniversary following completion of the ARTMS acquisition. The cash upfront consideration is subject to customary working capital, debt and transaction expense adjustments. Telix will issue ordinary shares to the stockholders of ARTMS at closing within its Listing Rule 7.1 placement capacity, in part-consideration for the acquisition. The shares will be subject to escrow restrictions. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. About ARTMS Based in Burnaby BC, Canada, ARTMS Inc. is a global leader in the development of novel technologies and products which enable the high-quality and high-yield production of the world's most-used diagnostic imaging isotopes. ARTMS' flagship product, the QUANTM Irradiation System (QIS), enables decentralised, cost-effective, large-scale production of important medical isotopes such as 68Ga, 89Zr, 99mTc and 64Cu using local, hospital-based medical cyclotrons empowering the user to control their supply chain. For more please visit http://www.artms.ca/ About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and associated medical devices. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland), and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical and commercial stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical needs in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX). Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on X and LinkedIn. Telix's lead imaging product, gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide injection (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11 and marketed under the brand name Illuccix), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),[4] by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),[5] and by Health Canada.[6] Telix's miniaturised surgical gamma probe, SENSEI, for minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, has attained a marketing authorisation in the U.S., having been registered with the FDA and has attained a Conformite Europeenne (CE) Mark for use in the European Economic Area for the intra-operative detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). With the exception of Illuccix and SENSEI as noted above, no Telix product has received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction. Telix Investor Relations Ms. Kyahn Williamson Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Email: kyahn.williamson@telixpharma.com This announcement has been authorised for release by the Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Disclosure Committee on behalf of the Board. Legal Notices The information contained in this announcement is not intended to be an offer for subscription, invitation or recommendation with respect to shares of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (Telix) in any jurisdiction, including the United States. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained or opinions expressed in the course of this announcement. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notification. This announcement may contain forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Company's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical studies, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. You should read this announcement together with our risk factors, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX or on our website. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Telix disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or a change in expectations or assumptions. 2024 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals, Illuccix, Zircaix1 and SENSEI names and logos are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates - all rights reserved. [1] Brand name subject to regulatory approval. [2] Telix media release 6 May 2020. [3] AUD/USD exchange rate of 0.6510 (used throughout this announcement). Refer to the Appendix 3B lodged with the ASX today for further details. Final number of shares to be issued is subject to rounding. [4] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021. [5] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021. [6] Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1920208/Telix_Main_Logo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/telix-to-acquire-artms-inc-and-its-advanced-isotope-production-platform-302079103.html TORONTO, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northland Power Inc. (Northland) (TSX: NPI) announced today it has entered into an agreement to sell the La Lucha solar facility to Cometa Energia, S.A. de C.V., wholly owned by Saavi Energia (Saavi). La Lucha is a 130-megawatt solar facility located in Durango, Mexico that is wholly owned by Northland. The facility achieved commercial operations in June 2023. "This transaction reflects Northland's strategy to recycle assets from non-core markets to generate liquidity and simplify our overall business towards operating in core markets," said Mike Crawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northland. The sale is expected to close in 2024, upon satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including finalizing insurance placement, lender approval and approval of the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE), required under applicable anti-trust laws in Mexico. Northland expects to receive approximately $205 million in cash after taxes, transaction fees and other customary adjustments. Proceeds will be initially used towards repayment of amounts drawn on the Company's revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that are provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans. Readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Northland's actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements may or may not transpire or occur. Forward-looking statements include statements that are not historical facts and are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "estimates," "intends," "targets," "projects," "forecasts" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would" and "could." These statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the La Lucha transaction, the amount and use of proceeds, and the anticipated satisfaction of closing conditions.There is a risk that delay or failure to achieve the foregoing could affect Northland's earnings, cash or credit position and capital funding needs. These statements are based upon certain material factors or assumptions that were applied in developing the forward-looking statements, including the provisions of contracts to which Northland or a subsidiary is a party, management's current plans, current conditions and expected future developments, the ability to obtain necessary approvals, satisfy any closing conditions, satisfy any project finance lender conditions to closing sell-downs, as well as other factors, estimates and assumptions that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Although these forward-looking statements are based upon management's current reasonable expectations and assumptions, they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Some of the factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with sales contracts, the emergence of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, counterparty risks, Northland's ability to resolve issues/delays with the relevant regulatory and/or government authorities, disposition risk, international activities, cybersecurity, data protection and reliance on information technology, reputational risk, bribery and corruption risk, terrorism and security, legal contingencies, and the other factors described in the "Risks Factors" section of Northland's Management's Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which can be found atwww.sedarplus.ca (http://www.sedarplus.ca) under Northland's profile and on Northland's website at northlandpower.com. Northland has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from current expectations, however, there may be other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from such expectations. Northland's actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, and Northland cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are, unless otherwise indicated, stated as of the date hereof and are based on assumptions that were considered reasonable as of the date hereof. Other than as specifically required by law, Northland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Dario Neimarlija, Vice President of FP&A and Investor Relations 647-288-1019 investorrelations@northlandpower.com (mailto:investorrelations@northlandpower.com) northlandpower.com (https://www.northlandpower.com/) Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2024) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") announces that William Ollerhead will leave the board as of 29 February 2024 due to the press of other activities including as the chairman of a listed public company. William, based in Ontario Canada, was a board member of the Company since its listing date in 2021 and he joined the board through the company which GMG used to list (through a reverse take-over) onto the TSXV. GMG's CEO Craig Nicol stated, "the Company appreciates William's service and effort to develop the Company whilst attending board and various committee meetings. GMG continues to focus on progressing into commercial operation by growing sales and operating its newly commissioned modular Graphene Plant and Thermal-XR Coating Blend plants whilst progressing the battery's development." GMG's Chairman and Non-Executive Director, Jack Perkowski, commented: "The Company thanks William for his service. GMG continues to focus on the U.S. for funding our development and growth initiatives. Enabling U.S. investors with increased involvement may expand the Company's future capital opportunities." Bob Galyen, a GMG Non-Executive Director who was the previous CTO of CATL and is based in Indiana USA, is at the Company's Richlands Australian headquarters office and manufacturing facilities this week to support the Company's Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery development. Bob has typically visited the company's Australian headquarters every quarter in week-long intensive deep dives into the battery's progress - including reviewing the battery performance, electrochemistry, cathode preparation, battery assembling, laboratory and battery equipment. Further, Bob Galyen stated "GMG's Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery characteristics include high power density and potential energy density which may lead to improved battery performance and simplicity. GMG's graphene manufacturing from natural gas with hydrogen gas as a by-product creates good ESG numbers, and plentiful active material components of the battery allows for a simpler supply chain than traditional lithium-ion batteries." About GMG GMG is a clean-technology company which seeks to offer energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene, including that manufactured in-house via a proprietary production process. GMG has developed a proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications. The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving paint), lubricants and fluids. In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Batteries"). GMG's 4 critical business objectives are: Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products Develop Next-Generation Battery Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability For further information please contact: Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223 Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications Investor Relations, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041 www.graphenemg.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the continued focus of GMG on progressing into commercial operations by growing sales and operating the Company's newly commissioned modular graphene plant and Thermal-XR coating blend plants whilst progressing the battery's development, the Company's focus on the U.S. for funding its development and growth initiatives, increased U.S. investor involvement leading to an expansion in the Company's future capital opportunities, and the Company's battery characteristics leading to improved battery performance and simplicity. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, assumptions relating to the Company's focus remaining on progressing into commercial operations by growing sales and operating the Company's newly commissioned modular graphene plant and Thermal-XR coating blend plants whilst progressing the battery's development, that the Company will continue to focus on the U.S. for funding its development and growth opportunities, that increased U.S. investor involvement will lead to an expansion in the Company's future capital opportunities, and that the characteristics of the Company's battery will lead to improved battery performance and simplicity. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company's focus will shift away from progressing into commercial operations by growing sales and operating the Company's newly commissioned modular graphene plant and Thermal-XR coating blend plants whilst progressing the battery's development, that the Company will not continue focusing on the U.S. for funding its development and growth initiatives, that increased U.S. investor involvement will not lead to an expansion in the Company's future capital opportunities, that the characteristics of the Company's battery will not lead to improved performance and simplicity, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, the failure of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, attract and retain skilled personnel, unexpected development and production challenges, unanticipated costs and the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated October 12, 2023 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200419 SOURCE: Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the MWC Barcelona 2024, SONATRACH, the state-owned oil company of Algeria shared the achievements of the smart oil and gas pipeline fiber sensing inspection solution deployed with Huawei. The solution ensures high security, intelligence, and high efficiency of pipelines through automated pipeline inspection, which is enabled by distributed fiber optic sensing technology. As a key contributor in the oil industry of Algeria, SONATRACH runs about 43 oil and gas pipelines, accompanying with 14,000 km optical cables. Traditional manual inspection is costly and inefficient, and it is difficult to obtain the pipeline running status 24/7 in real time. The SONATRACH Joint Innovation Center hopes to work with Huawei and other partners to reduce O&M costs, proactively warn pipeline damage, and quickly locate fiber cuts using innovative technologies. Huawei has developed an innovative pipeline fiber sensing solution using the distributed fiber optic sensing technology. In the solution, Huawei OptiXsense EF3000 (an optical sensing device) is deployed to implement 24/7 high-precision automatic pipeline inspection and warning. The smart oil and gas pipeline fiber sensing inspection solution is based on Huawei's optical fiber sensing solution and live-network service management process. When external construction occurs around a pipeline, the accompanying optical fiber deployed along the pipeline collects vibration information and transmits the information to the optical sensing device deployed in a station or block valve station (BVS) equipment room, thereby achieving precise positioning. Joint innovation practices show that the fiber warning solution has excellent performance in pipeline inspection scenarios, for example: Different events such as fiber cuts, manual excavation, and mechanical excavation can be accurately analyzed, so that a valid site visit can be arranged. The alarm accuracy is high, with a false positive rate of only 0.012 times/km/day. All alarms within 2 meters above the optical fiber can be reported normally. The positioning capability is powerful. The average positioning error is less than 10 meters, and the GIS location information on the optical cable map is accurate. Sana Lallali, manager of SONATRACH Joint Innovation Center, said, "Fiber Sensing Inspection Solution helps solve problems such as difficult manual inspection and slow risk identification. We are satisfied with the joint innovation achievements with Huawei. We hope to further cooperate with Huawei to promote the intelligent transformation of the oil industry." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354542/HUAWEI_SONATRACH_MWC.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sonatrach-and-huawei-jointly-innovate-a-smart-oil-and-gas-pipeline-fiber-sensing-inspection-solution-302079325.html U.S. Investment firm Argentem Creek Partners to expand into PE Secondaries through partnership with wealthtech solutions provider Emerge9 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / U.S. investment firm Argentem Creek Partners ("ACP") an emerging markets specialist investment firm, partners with Emerge9 Inc. ("Emerge9"), a Miami, FL based alternative asset platform, to launch a strategic joint venture focused on connecting non-institutional investors to General Partner (GP)-led private equity (PE) investments. The joint venture will combine Emerge9's origination and custom fund solutions with ACP's global relationships and presence across the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. GP-led secondary deals represent a growing segment of the PE secondary market. Given constrained M&A and IPO markets, a growing number of GP's are providing liquidity to their respective LP's by transferring prized assets into so-called continuation vehicles, funded by a new set of investors. In these transactions, where GP's normally roll most (if not all) of their carried interest into the continuation vehicle, investors benefit from a strong alignment of interests and visibility into a given asset's past performance under the GP's stewardship."Our research shows that the PE secondary market grew from $7bn in 2015 transaction volume to $51bn in 2023. Despite strong growth, the GP-led market remains severely undercapitalized, as reflected by a capital overhang ratio (deal volume vs dry powder) of 1.3x expected for 2024 versus 2.0x in 2022," said John Abbott, CEO and co-founder of Emerge9. "The combination of high-quality transactions and a supply/demand imbalance favoring investors makes the GP-led market particularly attractive. This joint venture complements our expertise and strategy to explore the market opportunity in PE secondaries. At the same time, our partnership with Emerge9 allows us to execute this strategy in a much more timely, efficient manner," stated Daniel Chapman, ACP's CEO and Founder. As part of the joint venture, both firms will collaborate on a set of initiatives aimed at broadening non-institutional investor access to private equity. "As Emerge9 seeks to democratize private equity through innovative technology tools, including our new AI Assistant, we believe that this joint venture positions us to accelerate our growth, particularly as we develop our distribution network in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America," said John Abbott. About Argentem Creek Partners Argentem Creek Partners LP is an emerging markets specialist investment firm. The Firm invests in private assets through special situations, private credit, high yield, and bespoke capital solutions across the capital structure. Argentem focuses on delivering value for investors, partners, and the local communities. Argentem Creek Partners was founded in 2015 by Daniel Chapman and his team. Since inception, the team has invested $2.5bln across over 75 companies and 20 countries. About Emerge9 Emerge9 Inc., a tech-enabled marketplace for private equity, provides wealth managers and other non-institutional investors access to both direct investment and custom fund solutions. Since its launch in 2022, Emerge9 has offered $19.5bn in co-investments in GP-led transactions, featuring the top sponsors in the market. Founded by a team with an extensive track record in financial and consumer tech startups, Emerge9 seeks to simplify investments in bespoke private equity transactions through innovative technology solutions, including its AI Assistant. FILE - Migrants gather in Necocli, Colombia, a stopping point for migrants taking boats to Acandi which leads to the Darien Gap, Oct. 13, 2022. The flow of thousands of migrants daily through the migratory highway, the Darien Gap, has been cut off following the Feb. 26, 2024 capture in Necocli of some boat captains who had been ferrying the migrants to the starting point of their jungle trek. Fernando Vergara/AP MEXICO CITY (AP) The flow of thousands of migrants daily through the treacherous migratory highway, the Darien Gap, has been cut off following the capture of a number of boat captains who had been ferrying the migrants to the starting point of their jungle trek. The stoppage began when Colombian law enforcement captured two boat captains in the northern city of Necocli on Monday. The companies that employed them halted all transport services in protest, effectively cutting off the officially estimated 2,000 people a day that enter the jungled passage hoping to reach the United States. It has led to a build up of as many as 8,000 people waiting to cross between Colombia and Panama, the Colombias Ombudsmans Office confirmed Thursday. The office, a governmental human rights watchdog, has warned that the buildup could overwhelm the health system, food supply, among other things." Advertisement Article continues below this ad We can't wait until things collapse and it ends in a violation of human rights of already vulnerable migrant populations, said Carlos Camargo Assis, the head of the office. The chaos has once again underscored the long road ahead for officials in Latin America and the United States as they struggle to take on record levels of migration, and unravel the increasingly lucrative migrant trafficking industry. President Joe Biden has pressured Colombia and other Latin American nations to crack down on regional migration headed to the U.S. southern border. While many Latin American countries have boosted enforcement, the jungles of the Darien Gap have remained a lawless swath of the migratory route north, largely controlled by Colombias most powerful drug gang, the Gulf Clan. Last year, more than 500,000 people crossed the Darien Gap, many traveling from Venezuela, and other Latin American, African and Asian countries. From there, migrants wind up through Central America and Mexico and land on the U.S. Mexico border, where authorities came across migrants 2.5 million times in 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The unprecedented influx of people has returned to the spotlight in the lead-up to the November 2024, and both Biden and former president Donald Trump planned to pay visits to the border on Friday. The captured boat captains had been transporting more than 150 migrants from Necocli across a stretch of the Caribbean to another Colombian city from which they began their trek north, Colombia's Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday. The captains worked for two tourist transport companies, which prosecutors said were a front for transporting migrants, charging between $140 to $300 a head for traveling just a handful of miles by sea. Such companies take advantage of migrants' vulnerability to line their own pockets, said one official with the Prosecutor's Office, who asked not to be named because he wasn't authorized to speak on the matter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "They charge them absurd amounts of money (to travel) without even the basic security conditions. They pack them in like canned sardines," the official said in an interview with The Associated Press. They trick them, they lie to them. He said the captures were meant to send a warning to those involved in trafficking, and to break the chain of the illegal industry of transporting migrants, which has grown more lucrative as migration has surged in the Americas. But he said the system in the Darien Gap is now so entrenched that he worries that when they capture one trafficker, two more pop up." The virtual keyboard market is driven by factors such as increase in the use of mobile devices and rise in the trend of remote work. WILMINGTON, Del., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Virtual Keyboard Market by Technology (On-Screen Virtual Keyboard and Projected Virtual Keyboard), Distribution Channel (Online and Offline), and Connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, and In-Built): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. According to the report, the virtual keyboard market was valued at $1.1 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $2 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.51% from 2023 to 2032. Download Research Report Sample & TOC: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A14684 (We look forward to quickly to provide the Report Analysis needed for your Business Success) 250- Pages 155- Tables 50- Charts Prime determinants of growth The virtual keyboard market is expected to witness notable growth owing to increasing reliance on mobile devices and the growing trend of remote work. Moreover, continuous technological advancements are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period. However, potential vulnerability to cybersecurity threats limits the growth of the virtual keyboard market. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $1.1 Billion Market Size In 2032 $2 Billion CAGR 6.51 % No. Of Pages In Report 250 Segments Covered Technology, Connectivity, Distribution Channel, And Region Drivers Increase In Use of Mobile Devices Rise In Trend of Remote Work Opportunities Technological Advancements Restraints Security Concerns The on-screen keyboards segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. By technology, the on-screen keyboards segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global virtual keyboard market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period, owing to rise in use of smartphones, tablets, and other touch-enabled devices. However, the projected keyboards segment is expected to attain the highest CAGR of 7.14% from 2023 to 2032. The in-built segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. By connectivity, the in-built segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global virtual keyboard market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. However, the Wi-Fi segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 8.16% from 2023 to 2032, owing to growing demand for wireless connectivity. The offline segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. By distribution channel, the offline segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global virtual keyboard market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period, owing to the rise in demand for virtual keyboards without constant internet reliance, enhancing accessibility. Inquiry before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A14684 Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032. Region-wise, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the market revenue owing to advanced technological infrastructure, widespread adoption of touch-enabled devices, and a tech-savvy population. Key Industry Development - In October 2023, Celluon announced a partnership with Samsung Display to integrate its EPIC virtual keyboard software into Samsung's smart TVs. This collaboration aims to improve accessibility and usability for users with limited mobility. Leading Market Players: - ABB Alphabet Inc. (Google LLC) Apple Fleksy Swype TouchPal Samsung iNextStation Virtual CTX Technologies ShowMe The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global Virtual keyboard market. These players have adopted different strategies such as product launch, product development, partnership, investment, acquisition, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Key Benefits for Stakeholders This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the Holographic Keyboard market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing virtual keyboard market opportunity. Market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network. In-depth analysis of the virtual keyboard growth projections segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities. Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market. Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players. The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global virtual keyboard market overview trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies. Virtual Keyboard Market Key Segments: By Technology: On-Screen Virtual Keyboard Projected Virtual Keyboard By Voltage: Online Offline By Application: Bluetooth Wi-Fi USB In-built By Region: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe) (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Rest of LAMEA) Buy this Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/virtual-keyboard-market/checkout Trending Reports in Semiconductor and Electronics Industry: Gaming Keyboard Market size was valued at $2.4 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $6.4 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2022 to 2031 Wireless Keyboard Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Platform, by End User and by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 North America Virtual Keyboard Market Size, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Technology, by Distribution Channel, by Connectivity: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032 U.S. Virtual Keyboard Market Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Technology, by Distribution Channel, by Connectivity: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact Us: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/virtual-keyboard-market-to-reach-2-billion-globally-by-2032-at-6-5-cagr-allied-market-research-302079384.html Ad hoc announcement pursuant to art. 53 SIX Swiss Exchange Listing Rules MEDIA RELEASE Mathai Mammen and Michael Rechsteiner nominated to stand for election to Sandoz Board of Directors at upcoming Annual General Meeting Remco Steenbergen appointed as Sandoz CFO and member of Executive Committee as of July 1, 2024, and consequently not standing for re-election to Board of Directors Colin Bond to retire as CFO of Sandoz on June 30, 2024 Basel, March 5, 2024 - The Board of Directors of Sandoz announced today that it proposes Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D., and Michael Rechsteiner for election to its Board of Directors at the company's Annual General Meeting on April 30, 2024. At the same time, Sandoz announced today that Remco Steenbergen, currently a Sandoz Board member, will become a member of the Executive Committee and take on the responsibility of Sandoz CFO as of July 1, 2024, succeeding Colin Bond who has decided to retire. Colin will remain in his role until his successor's arrival and will continue to support the Executive Committee as a senior advisor thereafter until his retirement. Following this announcement, Remco Steenbergen will not stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on April 30, 2024. Gilbert Ghostine, Sandoz Chairman, said: "Our company evolves, and so does our leadership team. I am pleased we can propose exceptional people in science and in business for election to the Board of Directors this year. Mathai is an experienced and mission-oriented biopharmaceutical executive, and his skills and experience will be a perfect fit into the team. Michael brings many years of management experience of publicly traded companies along with his strong Swiss roots and international experience. At the same time, I welcome Remco as our new CFO, who brings invaluable global financial expertise and familiarity with Sandoz as our fellow Board member, and will enable continuity and focus on innovation and excellence." Remco Steenbergen (1968) is a seasoned executive with a broad range of financial and operational experience. Remco is the Group Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG (2021-2024). Before joining Lufthansa, he served as Group CFO at Barry Callebaut based in Switzerland (2018-2020). Prior to that, he worked in multiple executive business and finance roles for Philips (1998-2018) and KPMG (1986-1998) in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Belgium, Ireland, and the United States. Remco holds a post-doctorate degree in accountancy from the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and a Master's in business administration from IMD Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland. Richard Saynor, Sandoz CEO, said: "Remco joins us at an exciting time as we enter our first full year as an independent public company. He brings outstanding business and financial experience and a proven track record of leading global public organizations. Remco is well known for his strong leadership, his drive for value creation and his ability to create high-performing teams, which will enable Sandoz to maintain its focus on innovation, growth, margin expansion and sustainable shareholder returns. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Colin for his outstanding tenure as CFO. He has played a crucial role in preparing Sandoz for the spin-off, setting up an independent finance organization and guiding us successfully through the separation process and into our first year as a standalone company." Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D. (1967), is the CEO and chairman at FogPharma, a privately held biopharmaceutical company based in the US, focused on development stage cancer programs. Previously, Mathai was a member of the executive committee at Johnson & Johnson, where he ran pharmaceuticals R&D. During his tenure, he spearheaded a successful evolution of Janssen's R&D, one of the largest R&D organizations in the world. The team executed 40+ acquisitions and licenses and 350+ strategic partnerships and collaborations, which led to global approvals of eight new medicines, with many additional global approvals for expanded indications of marketed products. Prior to his role at J&J, Mathai served as senior vice president at Merck, and at Theravance, Inc., a company he co-founded in 1997. Mathai is a board member of 10x Genomics and acts as senior executive advisor to other companies. Mathai holds an M.D. from the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (HST) and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University. Michael Rechsteiner (1963) has been a member of the Swisscom board of directors since April 2019 and chairman of the board since March 2021. Previously, Michael served as CEO of GE Gas Power Europe and chairman of the executive board of GE (Switzerland) GmbH and had managerial responsibility for GE Power Services Europe (2017-2021). Prior to this, Michael held a number of roles at Alstom Power, including CEO and senior vice president with overall management of the global service business. Between 2003 and 2007 Micheal served as COO of former textile machinery manufacturer Sultex. His career began in 1990 at ABB Kraftwerke AG (later Alstom), where he held various international positions. Michael is a member of the executive board and the executive committee of economiesuisse. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Zurich Federal Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of St. Gallen. With the proposed nominees, including Graeme Pitkethly who was announced on February 1, and subject to their election by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, the Sandoz Board will comprise 10 members, all independent directors. The new Board talent maintains the complementarity of expertise and experience in the areas relevant to Sandoz. The following persons are recommended for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on April 30, 2024: Name Board member since Gilbert Ghostine (as Chairman) 2023 Karen J. Huebscher, Ph.D. 2023 Urs Riedener 2023 Shamiram R. Feinglass, M.D. 2023 Aarti Shah, Ph.D. 2023 Ioannis Skoufalos 2023 Maria Varsellona 2023 Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D. NEW Graeme Pitkethly NEW Michael Rechsteiner NEW Disclaimer This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. About Sandoz Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. 22,000 people of more than 100 nationalities work together to bring Sandoz medicines to some 500 million patients worldwide, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger total social impact. Its leading portfolio of more than 1500 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to the year 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world's first oral penicillin in 1951, and the first biosimilar in 2006. In 2022, Sandoz achieved sales of USD 9.1 billion and core EBITDA of USD 1.9 billion. CONTACTS Global Media Relations contacts Investor Relations contacts Global.MediaRelations@sandoz.com Investor.Relations@sandoz.com Steffen Kurzawa +41 79 800 8501 Karen M. King +1 609 722 0982 Joerg E. Allgaeuer +49 171 838 4838 Laurent de Weck +41 61 529 14 85 Attachment Mithra initiates monetization process, receives bridge loan from existing lenders Mithra appoints advisors and initiates a process to monetize its assets or execute a sale of its business Mithra has entered into a new secured bridge loan facility in a committed amount of up to EUR 13.5 million, subject to milestones; with an uncommitted facility of a further EUR 5 million Bridge loan facility provides expected liquidity runway to fund the monetization process with respect to key assets through 30 April Secured lenders to certain key Mithra operating entities agree to standstill and forbear all debt service (including by extending maturity) in support of the monetization process Liege, Belgium, 05 March 2024 - 07:00 CET - Mithra. Monetization Process In an effort to maximize value for all of Mithra's stakeholders, the Company has initiated a monetization process to realize value from its assets involving the sale of various selected assets, particularly Estetra SRL, and/or the business as a whole (the "Monetization Process"). The Company is finalizing negotiations with an internationally recognized investment bank to help conduct the Monetization Process in collaboration with DC Advisory and Alvarez & Marsal, who are advising on liquidity management and advising on monetization, among other things. As is described below, the Monetization Process with respect to key assets is being funded under the Facility, subject to achievement of milestones. Parties interested in participating in the Monetization Process should contact Ed Kulik of DC Advisoryand Thomas Dillenseger of Alvarez & Marsal). Liquidity / Terms of Facility The Facility provides up to EUR 13.5 million to be drawn in multiple tranches upon the satisfaction of certain milestones, as well as an uncommitted EUR 5 million "accordion" facility (which can be used once the committed amount has been fully drawn and only if the lenders consent). The cash received under the Facility, if received in full, creates expected cash runway intended to fund the business through 30 April, permitting a focus on the Monetization Process. The borrower under the Facility is Estetra SRL with a guarantee from Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA (such guarantee being limited in recourse to the secured assets). The Facility is secured on all of the assets of Estetra SRL, a share pledge over shares in Estetra SRL and a pledge on intercompany receivables of Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA on Estetra SRL. The maturity date of the Facility is sixty days from the first utilization date of the Facility. The initial conditions precedent have been met, and the first drawdown of EUR 9 million is expected to be drawn on 6 March 2024. The remaining tranches can be drawn during successive periods of ten business days (starting within ten business days after signing) each time for an amount not exceeding EUR 2.5 million (and, for the avoidance of doubt, never exceeding in aggregate the total committed amount). Drawdowns under the remaining tranches are conditional upon additional milestones having been met, which primarily include various data and plans being provided to the Lenders in relation to the implementation of the Monetization Process, the appointment of (an) investment bank(s) to advise on the Monetization Process, the entry into an intercreditor agreement with other secured lenders, including receipt of third-party guarantor consent, and the actual implementation of the Monetization Process. The Facility is subject to mandatory prepayment in full upon a change of control over Estetra SRL and the proceeds of sales of assets of Estetra SRL will also be applied to a mandatory prepayment. The Facility contains various undertakings and events of default. The lenders under the Facility consist of funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC and funds managed by Whitebox Advisors, LLC (each a "Lender"). The Lenders under the Facility will enter into an intercreditor agreement with ING Belgium NV/SA and Belfius Bank NV/SA, the other existing secured creditors to Estetra SRL, who have agreed in principle to forebear and standstill with respect to any defaults under their agreements. The Facility does not bear interest; however, the Facility provides for a forbearance fee of 2% on the amounts outstanding under Mithra's existing senior secured convertible facility with the Lenders (which is in consideration of the waivers and forbearance that the Lenders have provided to Mithra under that facility while Mithra explored strategic alternatives to maximize value for all of its stakeholders, as referenced in Mithra's 6 February 2024 announcement on its cash position) and a 5% commitment fee on the committed amounts (including the accordion when and if it becomes committed). Both fees will be paid in kind by compounding these amounts with the principal amount of the Facility. The Facility also provides for an exit fee of 5% (or 10% in the absence of third party guarantor consent) of any amounts paid, repaid or cancelled under the Facility and a make-whole fee equal to the amount necessary to ensure that the total return on investment of the Lenders (including the funded amounts and compounded fees and interest, but excluding the commitment fee) is equal to 20% (or 30% in the absence of third party guarantor consent ) of the Facility. The exit fee and make-whole fee are payable in cash upon any repayment, prepayment or cancellation of the Facility. The EUR 12.8 million of cash currently held in escrow as described in the Mithra's 15 February announcement regarding the sale of its holding in Mayne Pharma is expected to be used to repay indebtedness owed to the Lenders under the existing facility. However, there is a risk that Mithra will not be able to draw the full amount, for instance if it is not able to initiate a Monetization Process. Even if a Monetization Process is initiated, there is a material risk that that process will not be successful, in whole or in part, or may not be sufficient to repay Mithra's existing indebtedness. If Mithra is not able to draw funds under the Facility or is otherwise not able to raise or generate sufficient cash, this will adversely affect Mithra's continued operations and ability to operate as a going concern. For more information, please contact: Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA Alex Sokolowski, PhD Head of IR & Communications investorrelations@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 Frederique Depraetere Communications Director info@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 About Mithra Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA ESTELLE , and DONESTA are registered trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates. Important information The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Subscribe to our mailing list on investors.mithra.com (https://investors.mithra.com/en/contact/subscribe) to receive press releases by email or follow us on social media: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/1456363/) X (https://twitter.com/mithrapharma) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mithrapharmaceuticals/) Attachment Mithra announces changes to its executive management Liege, Belgium, 05 March 2024 - 07:00 CET - Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA), a company dedicated to women's health, today announces the termination of the management agreement with David Horn Solomon1 as CEO and his replacement by Christophe Marechal2 and Xavier Paoli as co-CEOs. As announced today, Mithra will commence a monetization process involving the sale of various selected assets of Mithra and/or the business as a whole (the "Monetization Process"). Concurrent therewith, the board of directors decided that a change in Mithra's management was needed. Therefore, Mr. Solomon's1 management agreement was terminated with immediate effect. To lead Mithra from now on, the board of directors has decided to appoint Christophe Marechal2 and Xavier Paoli as co-CEOs pending the implementation of the Monetization Process. Christophe Marechal2 has been Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Mithra since the beginning of 2017. With more than 20 years of experience in international finance in the industrial, telecommunications, manufacturing, and banking industries, he has strong skills in operational, financial, and commercial strategy. Xavier Paoli has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Mithra since September 2023. Xavier Paoli has a 20-year international career in the biotech and biopharmaceutical industry, with deep experience and knowledge of the full biotech value chain from fundraising to commercialization. Already involved in the day-to-day management of Mithra and in all its strategic and operational decisions, with the support of the board of directors and the entire management team, Christophe Marechal2 and Xavier Paoli have all the expertise required to take over as co-CEOs of Mithra. For more information, please contact: Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA Alex Sokolowski, PhD Head of IR & Communications investorrelations@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 Frederique Depraetere Communications Director info@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 About Mithra Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA ESTELLE and DONESTA are registered trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates. Important information The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Subscribe to our mailing list on investors.mithra.com (https://investors.mithra.com/en/contact/subscribe) to receive press releases by email or follow us on social media: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/1456363/) X (https://twitter.com/mithrapharma) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mithrapharmaceuticals/) 1 Acting through Bronzet Management SRL. 2 Acting through CMM&C SRL. Attachment --Meet JMGO N1 series, lifelike and immersive visual experience boosted by MALC triple color laser optics BERLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JMGO's official authorized dealers will be hosting an exciting sale in the EU on March 5th at geekbuying, geekmaxi, geekbuying.pl, and geekmall! As a JMGO partner, we're bringing you a host of thrilling prices and high-quality products. The flagship model, N1 Ultra is very affordable at just 1699, 26% off the regular price. The N1 and N1 pro are also priced as low as 749 and 999. A Stunning Projection Quality Acclaimed by Social Media The JMGO N1 Series consists of smart projectors, N1 Ultra, N1 Pro, and N1, which adopt the latest triple-color laser machine emitting red, green, and blue lasers. Thanks to the tri-color laser machine, the N1 series delivers a bright and true-to-life image with 800 up to 2,200 CVIA lumens and 110% BT.2020 ultra-wide gamut with utmost accuracy (Delta E<1), exceeding LED projectors by far. The higher brightness allows you to enjoy a crisp image even with the light on. Besides, the N1 series effectively eliminates over 96% light speckles and achieves over 95% brightness uniformity, leading to extraordinary details. Moreover, the N1 series presents a flexible gimbal allowing for vertical tilting and horizontal swiveling with just one hand, leading to ultra convenience without the hassle of extra support. Among the 3 models, the N1 Ultra has garnered the most accolades for its unparalleled performance and was a great success in the previous 45-day crowdfunding project on Kickstarter. It features a large image in 4K UHD quality with an impressively high brightness of 2200 CVIA lumens. The N1 Ultra has gained significant media acclaim from esteemed reviewers at Forbes, CNET, Trusted Reviews, and more. "Much brighter than the competition, the JMGO N1 Ultra takes a step up in terms of quality, delivering bright, vibrant 4K images," said Trusted Review. About JMGO Established in 2011, JMGO is a pioneer in innovating smart projectors with cutting-edge optical technology, such as self-developed MALC tricolor laser machines, modularized laser stacking, and dynamic light speckle reducer, for impressive, heartfelt visual experiences. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jmgo-officially-authorized-dealer-a-great-sale-promotion-of-n1-ultra-on-march-5th-is-coming-soon-302079387.html Press Release Nicox Announces Presentation of Data on NCX 470 at the 2024 American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting March 5, 2024 - release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Growth Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today provided details of poster presentations highlighting data on NCX 470 at the 2024 American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Annual Meeting, one of the key scientific events in vision research, which was held on February 29th to March 3rd, 2024 in Huntington Beach, CA, United States. "We are proud to have presented data on our lead product candidate NCX 470 in glaucoma to the scientific community at the prestigious AGS meeting. The data provide further evidence of the efficacy of NCX 470, and its robust intraocular pressure lowering effect, reinforcing the positive results we have seen in the first Phase 3 trial, Mont Blanc. We are looking forward to continuing to progress NCX 470 in the second Phase 3 trial, Denali, and moving this innovative product towards market," said Doug Hubatsch, Chief Scientific Officer of Nicox. Details of the presentations are as follows: Poster title: Intraocular Pressure Reduction with NCX 470 versus Latanoprost Across the Spectrum of Baseline Intraocular Pressures An analysis of Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction by baseline IOPs demonstrated that in patients with baseline pressures = 28 mmHg, NCX 470 was numerically better at all, and statistical superior at 5/6 timepoints at lowering IOP vs. latanoprost, the current standard of care. Furthermore, NCX 470 provided consistent IOP reduction across the spectrum of baseline IOPs while latanoprost IOP reduction was baseline IOP-dependent. Poster title: Intraocular Pressure Reduction with NCX 470 versus Latanoprost In Previously Treated Versus Treatment-Naive Patients In a pre-planned analysis, we tested whether being on previous IOP lowering medications had an impact on the IOP lowering of NCX 470. Previously treated subjects had greater IOP lowering vs. latanoprost at all timepoints but not by a clinically significant margin. Differences in IOP lowering between treatments were minimal in previously untreated patients. Whether previously treated or treatment naive-should not impact the selection of NCX 470 versus latanoprost in the treatment of OAG or OHT. The posters are available on Nicox's website in the section Publications. About NCX 470 NCX 470, a novel NO-donating bimatoprost eye drop, is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the lowering of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Results of Mont Blanc, the first of the two Phase 3 clinical trials, have been announced in October 2022. The second Phase 3 clinical trial, Denali, is currently ongoing, and the results are expected in 2025. About Nicox Nicox SA is an international ophthalmology company developing innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. Nicox's lead program in clinical development is NCX 470, a novel nitric oxide-donating bimatoprost eye drop, for lowering intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Nicox generates revenue from VYZULTA in glaucoma, licensed exclusively worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, and ZERVIATE in allergic conjunctivitis, licensed in multiple geographies, including to Harrow, Inc. in the U.S., and Ocumension Therapeutics in the Chinese and in the majority of Southeast Asian markets. Nicox, headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (Ticker symbol: ALCOX) and is part of the CAC Healthcare index. For more information www.nicox.com. Analyst coverage Bryan, Garnier & Co Eric Yoo Paris, France H.C. Wainwright & Co Yi Chen New York, U.S. The views expressed by analysts in their coverage of Nicox are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Nicox. Additionally, the information contained in their reports may not be correct or current. Nicox disavows any obligation to correct or to update the information contained in analyst reports. Contacts Nicox Gavin Spencer Chief Executive Officer T +33 (0)4 97 24 53 00 communications@nicox.com (mailto:communications@nicox.com) Media / Investors Sophie Baumont Cohesion Bureau +33 6 27 74 74 49 sophie.baumont@cohesionbureau.com (mailto:sophie.baumont@cohesionbureau.com) Forward-Looking Statements The information contained in this document may be modified without prior notice. This information includes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on current expectations or beliefs of the management of Nicox S.A. and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Nicox S.A. and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents, do not undertake, nor do they have any obligation, to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements. Risks factors which are likely to have a material effect on Nicox's business are presented in section 2.7 of the "Rapport Annuel 2022" and in section 4 of the "Rapport semestriel financier et d'activite 2023" which are available on Nicox's website (www.nicox.com). Nicox S.A. Sundesk Sophia Antipolis, Batiment C, Emerald Square, Rue Evariste Galois, 06410 Biot, France T +33 (0)4 97 24 53 00 Attachment Last patient randomized in Phase 2a PICASSO trial, sponsored by AP-HP in collaboration with MaaT Pharma, INRAE and Institut Gustave Roussy, evaluating MaaT013 in melanoma in combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Submission of the study's findings to a scientific journal is anticipated in the last quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025. Topline results are scheduled for communication in the last quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025. Regulatory News: MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival of patients with cancer, informs today on the completion of patient recruitment for the Phase 2a clinical trial1 sponsored by AP-HP2 and in collaboration with INRAE and Institut Gustave Roussy, evaluating MaaT013, the Company's lead product candidate, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo A total of 70 patients have been enrolled in 5 different centers in France in the randomized controlled Phase 2a PICASSO trial, which started in April 2022. The Company provided MaaT013 drug candidate and placebo and will contribute to the microbiome profiling of patients using its proprietary gutPrint research engine. The unblinding will be done at Week 27 (W27) to assess the primary endpoint which is safety. In parallel, the first efficacy data will be made available, assessed by the best overall response rate, rated by immunological Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (iRECIST; 19). Having reached this key recruitment milestone, the first publication will be submitted at the end of 2024 or in the first quarter of 2025. The PICASSO trial is funded by the Directorate of Health Care Supply (DGOS: Direction Generale de l'Offre de Soins) and operated by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa: Institut National du Cancer) as part of a call for projects (project PHRC-K19-183). About MaaT013 MaaT013 is a full-ecosystem, off-the-shelf, standardized, pooled-donor, enema Microbiome Ecosystem TherapyTM for acute, hospital use. It is characterized by a consistently high diversity and richness of microbial species and the presence of ButycoreTM (group of bacterial species known to produce anti-inflammatory metabolites). MaaT013 aims to restore the symbiotic relationship between the patient's functional gut microbiome and their immune system to correct the responsiveness and tolerance of immune functions and thus reduce steroid-resistant, gastrointestinal (GI)-predominant aGvHD. MaaT013 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). About MaaT Pharma MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm, phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD (aGvHD), following the achievement of its proof of concept in a phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT). Forward-looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim", "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 1 NCT04988841: Prospective randomIzed clinical trial assessing the tolerance and clinical benefit of feCAl tranSplantation in patientS with melanOma treated with CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors. 2 AP-HP: Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304965689/en/ Contacts: MaaT Pharma Investor Relations Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D. Head of Investor Relations +33 6 16 48 92 50 invest@maat-pharma.com MaaT Pharma Media Relations Pauline RICHAUD Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager +33 6 14 06 45 92 media@maat-pharma.com Trophic Communications Stephanie MAY or Priscillia PERRIN +49 151 7441 6179 maat@trophic.eu Clinical trial protocol approved in the US to initiate Phase 2 study with NOX-A12 in glioblastoma providing a clear roadmap for clinical development to investors and potential partners FDA decision on Fast-Track Designation expected by end of March 2024 US regulatory interactions supported by exceptional survival data demonstrated by NOX-A12 in GLORIA brain cancer trial Regulatory News: TME Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALTME), a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), announces that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND)1 application for NOX-A12, TME Pharma's CXCL12 inhibitor, for use in the treatment of aggressive adult brain cancer, glioblastoma. With the IND now open at the FDA, TME Pharma plans to proceed with the continued clinical development of NOX-A12 in a Phase 2 randomized controlled study in approximately 100 newly diagnosed, chemotherapy-resistant glioblastoma patients having residual measurable tumor remaining after surgery. The study is expected to be initiated later this year, starting first in Europe, once the necessary resources and preparations are in place. Sufficient NOX-A12 clinical grade material has already been manufactured to initiate the study. "Receiving approval of the FDA for the design of our Phase 2 clinical trial in glioblastoma provides a clear roadmap to potential industrial partners and investors on the next steps in clinical development. The discussions with the FDA have been constructive and have allowed us to design a robust Phase 2 that should provide us with solid evidence of the highly differentiated profile of NOX-A12 in combination with bevacizumab in newly diagnosed, chemotherapy-resistant glioblastoma patients. The open IND will also allow us to expand our clinical development into the US, where we expect to generate significant interest in the medical community," said Aram Mangasarian, CEO of TME Pharma. "We also expect to receive the FDA's decision regarding Fast-Track Designation for NOX-A12 in glioblastoma in the next few weeks, which can further strengthen our regulatory position in the US and should help us in the search for industrial and financial partners who can assist TME Pharma in bringing NOX-A12 to patients in the quickest way possible." The study will address questions of dosing and contribution of components NOX-A12 and bevacizumab to overall efficacy of the combination therapy and will allow TME Pharma to optimize late phase development by testing multiple doses of NOX-A12 with bevacizumab in a patient population that is also randomized to standard of care. Together with the IND submission TME Pharma has also submitted a Fast-Track Designation2 request to the FDA to secure an expedited regulatory pathway for NOX-A12 in glioblastoma and the company expects to receive the FDA's decision before the end of March 2024. Based on discussions with the FDA last year and further interaction during the IND application processthe FDA-approved study design includes five arms, with 20 patients per arm: Arm 1: NOX-A12 200mg/week radiotherapy and bevacizumab Arm 2: NOX-A12 400mg/week radiotherapy and bevacizumab Arm 3: NOX-A12 600mg/week radiotherapy and bevacizumab Arm 4: NOX-A12 600mg/week radiotherapy Arm 5: Standard of Care control (temozolomide radiotherapy) TME Pharma's regulatory interactions were supported by recent survival data from the GLORIA Phase 1/2 study in which NOX-A12 demonstrated an unprecedented median Overall Survival (mOS) of 19.9 months in combination with bevacizumab and radiotherapy in glioblastoma patients with measurable chemotherapy-resistant residual tumors after surgery. This survival rate compares very favorably to a matched standard of care reference cohort, which achieved an mOS of approx. 10 months, and exceeds what TME Pharma believes to be all relevant competitor therapy trials in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients resistant to standard chemotherapy.3 About TME Pharma TME Pharma is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of the most aggressive cancers. The company's oncology-focused pipeline is designed to act on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking tumor protection barriers against the immune system and blocking tumor repair. By neutralizing chemokines in the TME, TME Pharma's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses and enable greater therapeutic impact. In the GLORIA clinical trial, TME Pharma is studying its lead drug candidate NOX-A12 in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients who will not benefit clinically from standard chemotherapy. TME Pharma has delivered top-line data from the NOX-A12 three dose-escalation cohorts combined with radiotherapy of the GLORIA clinical trial, observing consistent tumor reductions and objective tumor responses. Additionally, GLORIA expansion arms evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in other combinations where the interim results from the triple combination of NOX-A12, radiotherapy and bevacizumab suggest even deeper and more durable responses, and improved survival. NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy has received orphan drug designation for glioblastoma in the United States and glioma in Europe. TME Pharma has delivered final top-line data with encouraging overall survival and safety profile from its NOX-A12 combination trial with Keytruda in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients, which was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in October 2021. The company has entered in its second collaboration with MSD/Merck for its Phase 2 study, OPTIMUS, to further evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Merck's Keytruda and two different chemotherapy regimens as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The design of the trial has been approved in France, Spain and the United States. The company's second clinical-stage drug candidate, NOX-E36, is designed to target the innate immune system. TME Pharma is considering several solid tumors for further clinical development. Further information can be found at: www.tmepharma.com. TME Pharma and the TME Pharma logo are registered trademarks. Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp. Visit TME Pharma on LinkedIn and Twitter. About the GLORIA Study GLORIA (NCT04121455) is TME Pharma's dose-escalation, Phase 1/2 study of NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in first-line partially resected or unresected glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter (resistant to standard chemotherapy). GLORIA further evaluates safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 three additional arms combining NOX-A12 with: A. radiotherapy in patients with complete tumor resection; B. radiotherapy and bevacizumab; and C. radiotherapy and pembrolizumab. About the OPTIMUS Study OPTIMUS (NCT04901741) is TME Pharma's planned open-label two-arm Phase 2 study of NOX-A12 combined with pembrolizumab and nanoliposomal irinotecan/5-FU/leucovorin or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in microsatellite-stable metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. Disclaimer Translations of any press release into languages other than English are intended solely as a convenience to the non-English-reading audience. The company has attempted to provide an accurate translation of the original text in English, but due to the nuances in translating into another language, slight differences may exist. This press release includes certain disclosures that contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on TME Pharma's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in oncology drug development, including clinical trials and the timing of and TME Pharma's ability to obtain regulatory approvals for NOX-A12 as well as any other drug candidates. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and TME Pharma undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. ______________________________ 1 Investigational New Drug (IND), the authorization from the FDA to administer an investigational drug or biological product to patients in the US as part of a clinical trial. 2 Fast track is a process designed by the FDA to facilitate the development, and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. 3 See annex to the TME Pharma press release published on 13 September 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304939504/en/ Contacts: TME Pharma N.V. Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D., CEO +49 (0) 30 726247 0 investors@tmepharma.com Investor and Media Relations: LifeSci Advisors Guillaume van Renterghem +41 (0) 76 735 01 31 gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com NewCap Arthur Rouille +33 (0) 1 44 71 00 15 arouille@newcap.fr Partnership aims to position the group as the preeminent cybersecurity provider for customers and partners in Europe who value data sovereignty and best-in-class cloud, compliance and digital communications security services LONDON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hornetsecurity Group ("Hornetsecurity"), a leading international cloud security and compliance SaaS provider, announced today that Vade, a French leader in email cybersecurity with more than 2.5 billion messages analysed daily, has joined the group. With the rapidly increasing use of cloud business solutions and collaboration tools in combination with an evolving cybersecurity environment and sophisticated cyber threats, organisations of all sizes need flexible and adaptive cloud solutions to protect themselves. Hornetsecurity has established itself as a key partner to organisations in protecting their IT infrastructure, digital communication and data with best-in-class cloud services and tailored next-gen security, compliance and backup solutions. Vade has become known for its industry-leading, SaaS-based email security offering for Microsoft 365, with differentiated API-based email filtering technology and an exceptionally efficient email security solution for large telcos and OEMs all over the world. Hornetsecurity provides several additional services for Microsoft 365, including backup, permission management, automated security awareness training and AI recipient validation. Through the combination of Hornetsecurity and Vade, customers and partners in all markets will now benefit from a more extensive product offering, positioning Hornetsecurity as a global reference for cloud-based cybersecurity services. In 2024, additional products will become available, provided via Vade's data centre. Thanks to Vade's strong and comprehensive channel network, MSPs and Resellers will be able to present attractive product combinations to the French market, including the comprehensive 365 Total Protection service that covers a broad range of an organisation's Microsoft 365 security, compliance management and data protection needs. Daniel Hofmann, Chief Executive Officer of Hornetsecurity, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Vade to Hornetsecurity. This transaction is an important milestone in our journey to build the strongest global provider of Microsoft 365 security services. While we will of course retain and strengthen our pan-European focus, we are committed to further investment in the French channel market, continuing the strong path Vade has paved over the last several years." Daniel Blank, Chief Operating Officer of Hornetsecurity, added: "Both Hornetsecurity and Vade embrace the same values and share a genuine commitment to safeguarding global organisations, enabling them to concentrate on their core strengths. We also both adopt a channel-first approach. We look forward to working with the Vade team in this exciting new chapter." Georges Lotigier, Chief Executive Officer of Vade, said: "Since its inception, Vade has remained dedicated to introducing innovative approaches to combat cybersecurity threats. By joining Hornetsecurity, we will pursue and accelerate this commitment by helping to deliver a wider array of top-tier solutions to the ever-expanding cybersecurity market in Europe and worldwide. This union is the natural next step for Vade as we align ourselves with a like-minded European partner who shares our vision and culture." Vade's leadership team has assumed different management positions at Hornetsecurity, and Georges Lotigier has become a member of the Hornetsecurity supervisory board. This transaction with Vade is in line with Hornetsecurity's strategy of product build-up and international expansion. Backed by PSG Equity, TA Associates and Verdane, three leading software and specialist growth investment firms, Hornetsecurity aims to establish itself as a leading international cloud security and compliance software champion. The transaction has closed and financial terms were not disclosed. About Hornetsecurity Hornetsecurity is a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions that help companies and organisations of all sizes around the world. Its flagship product, 365 Total Protection, is the most comprehensive cloud security solution for Microsoft 365 on the market. Driven by innovation and cybersecurity excellence, Hornetsecurity is building a safer digital future and sustainable security cultures with its award-winning portfolio. Hornetsecurity operates in more than 30 countries through its international distribution network of 8,000+ channel partners and MSPs. Its premium services are used by more than 50,000 customers. About Vade Vade is a global cybersecurity company that secures human collaboration with a combination of AI and human-powered detection and response. Vade's products and solutions protect consumers, businesses, and organisations from email-borne cyberattacks, including malware/ransomware, spear phishing/business email compromise, and phishing. Vade is a fast-growing, channel-first company with a growing network of MSP and MSSP partners, as well as distribution agreements with leading distributors and aggregators in North America, EMEA, and Asia. Founded in 2009, Vade serves the ISP, SMB, and MSP markets with award-winning products and solutions that help increase cybersecurity and maximize IT efficiency. Key investors include Tikehau Capital, a leader in European cybersecurity investments; Auriga Partners, an ongoing cooperator with the French Tech Sovereignty Fund; and CyberK, who are excited to become minority shareholders in the Hornetsecurity Group. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vade-joins-hornetsecurity-group-creating-a-european-cybersecurity-leader-302078558.html CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA announced that its production audit of Boeing Co. and Spirit AeroSystems, following the January 5 incident involving a new, Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft, identified multiple quality control lapses. The FAA has halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX with a view to holding Boeing accountable for its production quality issues. The agency is exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems. The FAA said it will continue its increased onsite presence at Boeing's facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems' facility in Wichita, Kansas. The developments follows the early January mid-flight incident with Alaska Airlines' Boeing 737-9 MAX airplane, in which a mid-cabin door plug blew out in the middle of the flight. Following the incident, the federal regulator had grounded around 171 737 MAX 9 airplanes for inspections, and also started a probe into Boeing's manufacturing practices and production lines, including those involving subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems. As part of its additional actions to heighten safety measures, the regulator also said then that it would not grant any production expansion of Boeing's MAX, including the 737-9 MAX, with a view to improving quality control. In the latest six-week audit, one of the immediate oversight actions that was taken following the incident, the FAA said its investigators found that the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. There were non-compliance issues in Boeing's manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. In its latest statement, the agency revealed the details to the public as an update to the agency's ongoing investigation. On February 28, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker informed Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun and other officials that the company must develop a comprehensive corrective action plan to address the audit's findings and to fix systemic quality-control issues. Following this, Calhoun stated that Boeing will develop the comprehensive action plan with measurable criteria that demonstrates the profound change that Administrator Whitaker and the FAA demand. The FAA has given Boeing 90 days to outline its action plan. The agency also said it will thoroughly review all of Boeing's corrective actions to determine if they fully address its findings. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken Mourners attended the wake of mayoral candidate Armando Perez in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Perez, a member of the opposition National Action Party, and another mayoral hopeful for Maravito were both fatally shot the previous day within hours of each other Fernando Llano/AP An officer rideson a police vehicle past the City Hall in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Two mayoral hopefuls in this city were gunned down the previous day within hours of each other. Fernando Llano/AP A man loads lemon onto a truck in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Two mayoral hopefuls in this city were gunned down the previous day within hours of each other. Fernando Llano/AP Pedestrians walk in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico,Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Two mayoral hopefuls in this city were gunned down the previous day within hours of each other. Fernando Llano/AP Police guard the City Hall in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Two mayoral hopefuls in this city were gunned down the previous day within hours of each other. Fernando Llano/AP A woman walks in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico,Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Two mayoral hopefuls in this city were gunned down the previous day within hours of each other. Fernando Llano/AP A municipal police officer stands guard in Maravatio, Michoacan state, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Two mayoral hopefuls in this city were gunned down the previous day within hours of each other, ahead of the June 2 national elections. Fernando Llano/AP MEXICO CITY (AP) As Mexico prepares for the largest elections in its history, organized crime is once again preying on local candidates across swaths of the country where cartels dominate, raising concerns among experts that these could be Mexicos bloodiest elections ever. Julian Lopez, coordinator for the Citizen Movement party in the southern state of Guerrero, experienced it first hand when rifle-toting gunmen abducted him and two colleagues while they were driving on Feb. 7. The 43-year-old Lopez was beaten, stripped of his possessions, made to kneel near a remote garbage dump and ultimately abandoned in the middle of the night. Two mayoral hopefuls in the town of Maravatio in neighboring Michoacan state were not so fortunate. They were killed by gunmen within hours of each other Monday. One was from the governing Morena party of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the other from the conservative National Action Party. A third mayoral hopeful from that town was abducted and found dead in November. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Feb. 10, a man running for Congress for the Morena party in the sprawling Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec was fatally shot in the street alongside his brother. He had allegedly received threats from a local union. A month earlier, on Jan. 5, the local leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party and candidate for mayor of Suchiate, Chiapas, was killed. The same day, in the northwestern state of Colima, a mayoral candidate of the Citizen Movement party in Armeria was shot by gunmen while in his vehicle. Lopez, the candidate in Guerrero, has refused to travel in armored vehicles with armed security since his abduction. How will it look to see a leader moving around the state of Guerrero with armed officials and in armored cars? he asked. I dont think thats the way to get closer to the people or promote citizen participation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thousands of local candidates find themselves in a similar quandary ahead of the June 2 elections, which will occur in all 32 jurisdictions, with more than 20,000 positions up for grabs, making it Mexico's largest election, according to the National Electoral Institute. While federal authorities offer security details to national candidates, those running for local offices the ones that drug cartels really want to control are completely exposed and acutely aware of the optics of running from within a security bubble. The group Data Civica had tallied 30 attacks on political hopefuls and party officials from September when most started pre-campaign activities through Feb. 10. Its spokesperson, Itxaro Arteta, said they were worried after recording eight attacks on pre-candidates in January, more than double what they had seen before in that month since 2018. Political scientist Manuel Perez Aguirre coordinates the College of Mexicos Violence and Peace Seminar's research into electoral violence. Their investigation around the killings of 32 local candidates in the 2021 elections found that the lethal electoral violence is predominantly local, because 85% of the victims were running for municipal posts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Local power is extremely important to organized crime, Perez Aguirre said. Thats why they look to establish control at the municipal level. Those local candidates have become more vulnerable under the security regime of the current president. Lopez Obrador created the quasi-military National Guard, disbanded the federal police and what remains of local police forces can put up little resistance to heavily armed cartels. Local power has really been abandoned and municipal police havent really been strengthened, Perez Aguirre said. Lopez Obrador was dismissive of the concerns of growing electoral violence earlier this week following the killings in Maravatio. The same tendency of declining crimes is going to continue, above all homicides, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He said the federal government would protect candidates for president, governor and Congress, and he asked state and local governments to provide security for those running for local posts. Guillermo Valencia, president of the Institutional Revolutionary Party in Michoacan said Saturday, Four candidates have already resigned on me and I'm struggling to find candidates in other (races), he said. The party's candidate for Congress in the port of Lazaro Cardenas already asked for protection, he said. In Maravatio where the three potential candidates from other parties were already killed, Valencia said he's trying to pact with two other opposition parties to present a common candidate. In Michoacan and Mexico democracy is threatened, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Political risk firm Integralia Consultores published a report in February noting that some parts of the country faced higher risk of organized crime interfering in elections because of an accumulation of illegal markets, conflict among armed groups and weak rule of law. Cartels have diversified beyond the drug trade. They extort protection payments from all sizes of businesses and even local government. They exert their will not only through political assassinations but also by financing the campaigns of candidates who will allow them to operate or even putting up their own candidates, according to Integralias report. Marko Cortes, national president of the National Action Party, demanded more federal security for those participating in the elections as he condemned the killing of his partys candidate in Maravatio this week. It cant be that theyre killing candidates from different parties, he said. No one is protecting them, there are no risk maps, there are no protocols or security mechanisms and the indifference of those governing now continues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because of the violence, at least two candidates from his party have dropped out of the June election race. He declined to say where out of concern for their safety. But Lopez, who survived his abduction, refused to back down. Press Contact: Fahd Pasha Tel.: +1 647 860 3777 E-mail: Fahd.Pasha@capgemini.com Only 6% of retail banks have built an enterprise roadmap to drive AI-driven transformation at scale Just 4% of retail banks are ready to take full advantage of generative AI-led intelligent automation 61% of retail bank customers contacted agents because they were unhappy with chatbot resolutions Customer onboarding teams currently spend 91% of their time on operational and compliance activities Paris, March 5, 2024 - The 20th anniversary edition of the Capgemini Research Institute's World Retail Banking Report, published today, reveals 80% of retail bank executives believe that generative AI represents a significant leap in advancing AI technology. However, only 6% of retail banks are ready with a roadmap for enterprise-wide AI-driven transformation at scale. As a result of macroeconomic uncertainty, many retail banks are being forced to make strategic decisions to navigate challenges to their existing business models. Productivity and efficiency dominated the priority list of the bank leaders surveyed. When it comes to technology, 70% of bank CXOs plan to increase investment in digital transformation by up to 10% in 2024. Yet, the report finds that banks are not ready to embrace and scale intelligent transformation, which involves the strategic application of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning and gen AI to drive innovation and efficiencies. Banks must act quickly to avoid "generative AI silent failure" For this report, Capgemini evaluated 250 retail banks across diverse business and technology parameters1 to understand their infrastructure data maturity and commitment to artificial intelligence. It found most banks are ill-prepared to thrive in an intelligent banking2 future. Globally, only 4% of retail banks achieved a high score on business commitment and technology capabilities, while 41% scored average, indicating a widespread lack of readiness to embrace and effectively implement intelligent transformation.3 Regional disparities further underscore this issue. In North America, 27% of banks displayed low readiness, followed by Europe with 31%, and Asia-Pacific (APAC) exhibiting a significant lag, with 48% of banks scoring low. Focusing on intelligent solutions, that are embedded with AI-driven capabilities, will allow banks to navigate ongoing structural challenges, ultimately ensuring sustainable growth. However, success must be measurable: among those surveyed, just 6% of banks have established key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure AI impact and continuous monitoring. More than 60% of banks are still identifying and developing KPIs, while 26% of banks that have already setup some KPIs are not measuring them. According to the report banks risk succumbing to "generative AI silent failure" due to the delayed realization of suboptimal results and outcomes from their experiments with the technology. For instance, just 2% of executives indicate they are regularly tracking the business impact KPIs of their generative AI performance. In addition, 39% of executives express dissatisfaction with the outcomes of their AI use cases further reinforcing this disconnect. To combat this, the study suggests banks set up an AI observatory to track, monitor, and report AI and generative AI real impact, when implemented at scale. "One year after generative AI cemented itself as a core boardroom conversation, we're seeing how banks risk becoming technological laggards if they aren't rapidly adopting solutions and preparing to take advantage of its capabilities," said Nilesh Vaidya, Global Industry Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Capgemini. "Generative AI can have a lighthouse effect when used responsibly and wisely across operations. There is also a need for increased efforts on making gen AI explainable and appropriately transparent. The time to act is now to establish practices that build much-needed trust and customer intimacy. Success will come down to developing a roadmap that balances hype with a pragmatic, traceable and measurable approach." Bank employees welcome generative AI copilots Generative AI holds massive potential to elevate efficiency and customer experience across the retail banking value chain. Over two-in-three (70%) bank employees are focused on operational activities, rising to 91% for those employees on customer onboarding teams, leaving little time for customer interactions. Over 80% of bank employees give a "moderate" rating to the effectiveness of automation across their functions (onboarding, lending, marketing, contact center), identifying a significant gap between the bank's aspirations and reality. Bank employees reported to be most enthusiastic about generative AI copilots' potential to automate fraud detection, data visualization and analytics, as well as drafting and sending personalized content to customers. The report determines that banks could optimize up to 66% of the time spent on operations, documentation, compliance, and other onboarding-related activities through AI-powered intelligent transformation and generative AI copilots. Conversational AI could alleviate customer call abandonment The pandemic shifted customer service offers across to digital channels as self-service tools like chatbots became the norm. Despite this change, customers express dissatisfaction. Nearly two-in-three (61%) bank customers contacted agents because they were unhappy with chatbot resolutions, while 17% simply distrusted chatbots and preferred human agents. Traditional rule-based chatbots lack the flexibility and adaptability of advanced AI-driven systems due to their inability to handle complex or unanticipated queries. More than 60% of customers rated their experience with chatbots as only average. These conditions mean that call abandonment is on the rise, reaching 12% for Tier I banks and nearly 18% for Tier II banks globally4. According to the report, banks should create intelligent contact centers that leverage chatbots with conversational AI capabilities and intelligent copilots to assist agents in their day-to-day tasks. Report Methodology? The World Retail Banking Report 2024 cites regional statistics in Capgemini's proprietary market-sizing model, as well as interviews with Capgemini's partners including Microsoft, Salesforce and Temenos. For this report, the Capgemini Research Institute surveyed more than 250 retail banking executives, 1,500 banking employees and 4,500 banking customers. The report focused on 14 markets - the United States, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, and Australia. About Capgemini Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2023 global revenues of 22.5 billion. Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com About the Capgemini Research Institute The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini's in-house think-tank on all things digital and their impact across industries. It is the publisher of Capgemini's flagship World Report Series for over 25 years with dedicated focus for Financial Services and publishes thought leadership on digitalization, innovation, technology and business trends that affect banks, wealth management firms, and insurers across the globe. Independent agency rated a recent World Retail Banking Report, published by the Institute, as one of the top 10 publications among consultancy and technology firms globally. Visit us at https://worldreports.capgemini.com 1 Business support and commitment are measured by scoring AI vision, AI adoption roadmap, budget, talent, use cases in the pipeline, level of KPI monitoring, and AI governance. Tech and data readiness is measured by data sourcing systems, ability to manage real-time data, systems to generate synthetic data, centralized data lakes, capability to transform data, MLOps setup (machine learning operations), data management approach to modernize data estate, and data governance framework. 2 Intelligent banking is an outcome of intelligent transformation where banks embrace a high degree of process automation at enterprise scale to deliver mass personalization. 3 Banks that score more than 44 on technology parameters and greater than 32 on business parameters are classified as high scorers. Banks that score between 33 and 44 on technology parameters and have scored between 24 and 32 on business parameters are classified as medium scorers. Banks with scores of less than 33 on technology parameters and less than 24 on business parameters are classified as low scorers. 4 Tier I bank have assets of US$100 billion and more; Tier II bank have assets between US$10 billion to US$100 billion. Attachment BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At MWC Barcelona 2024, Huawei released the Financial AI-based Contact Center Solution 2.0, aiming to reduce cost and improve efficiency for financial industry. Sophie Chen, Marketing Director of Huawei Software, and Frank Lu, Executive Solution Manager of the Huawei Digital Finance BU, discussed the trends of digitalization in the finance industry. With the swift progress of LLM-based AI in the past year, numerous financial institutions have embraced AI and accelerated its implementation in various scenarios, such as chatbots, intelligent quality inspection and digital human, that significantly enhance operational efficiency. In the future, the depth and breadth of AI applications will be the differentiator for financial institutions to their business growth. A future-oriented digital foundation is an absolute necessity. With 30-years experiences in contact centers, Huawei, a leader in the communication industry, has a deep understanding of 5G, AI, cloud, and HD video technologies. These new technologies reduce cost and improve efficiency for financial industry, where they focus on three core capabilities: LLM-based AI, omni-channel access, and openness and orchestration. At the conference, the spotlight is on the LLM-based AI and brand-new WFM (WorkForce Management) module. For LLM based-AI, Huawei provides end-to-end process AI capabilities, including digital human, outbound tele-marketing, and intelligent quality inspection. Additionally, Huawei AICC has integrated Huawei Pangu model and pre-integrated 3rd party LLM. The interactive digital human can quickly answer user questions. The intelligent agent assistant helps identify emotions, recommends scripts, provides 360-degree views of customers, reduces workload by 90%, and offers intelligent training to shorten new employee orientation. For WFM, Huawei AICC has flexible scheduling capabilities and self-developed core scheduling algorithms, supporting scheduling by week, month, shift, etc., helping customers efficiently schedule. Project shows that WFM can greatly enhance the overall efficiency of human resource allocation and improve customer connection rate. Huawei AICC also supports multi-channel and multi-tenant scheduling prediction for up to 12-18 months accurately. As a leader in contact center, Huawei serves more than 1500 customers, 700,000 agents, and 1.8 billion users worldwide. With the launch of Huawei Financial AI-based Contact Center Solution 2.0, Huawei has reaffirmed its commitment to excellence in innovation and customer service. We hope it will bring more value to global finance industry. Learn more about Huawei AICC financial solution, please visit: https://e.huawei.com/en/industries/finance/digital-experience/aicc Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354709/image_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huawei-released-the-financial-ai-based-contact-center-solution-2-0--empowering-the-global-financial-industry-302079485.html Syngenta finalizes agreement with Maersk for ocean transport using biofuel for a Europe-US shipping route Syngenta Crop Protection, a leader in agricultural innovation, is to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its logistics operations by using Maersk's ECO Delivery solution for its ocean shipments. This follows the finalization of an agreement for the transport of containers using biofuel for a Europe-US shipping route in 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305137060/en/ Syngenta to reduce carbon impact of ocean shipping with Maersk's ECO Delivery (Photo: Business Wire) Maersk's ECO Delivery solution offers Syngenta the ability to handle its global ocean shipments with certified biofuels which burn cleaner than conventional fossil fuels, resulting in less GHG emissions. All the biofuel used is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). "Our partnership with Maersk is based on a common commitment towards sustainable logistics," said Mike Hollands, Head of Global Supply at Syngenta Crop Protection. "We've been energized by our collaboration in ECO Delivery and other carbon emission reduction solutions, and are pleased to move closer together towards eventual zero carbon shipping for a more sustainable future," he added. Maersk and Syngenta have also collaborated on an Emissions Dashboard creation, a digital innovation for GHG emissions reporting and data analytics. Globally, shipping accounts for around 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to assessments of a company's carbon emissions commonly known as Scope 3 emissions. These measure the level of greenhouse gas emissions for which an organization is indirectly responsible for, up and down its value chain. "If we are to significantly reduce emissions, we need to look for opportunities across our supply chains and beyond," Hollands noted. "Working with strong external partners equally committed to sustainability, such as Maersk, enables us to accelerate the de-carbonization of our operations." Maersk is Syngenta's largest fourth-party logistics provider, managing the resources, technology and infrastructure of other third-party logistics providers that enable Syngenta to offer the highest levels of service to customers and growers worldwide. "We are delighted that Syngenta has selected our ECO Delivery Ocean solution as well as our Emissions Dashboard to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in a structured way. We are looking forward to develop our valued partnership even further in the future," says Kaisa Helena Tikk, Head of Commercial Sustainability at Maersk. "These close collaborations with our customers are essential to drive the decarbonization of logistics which we can achieve only together." Syngenta has already made significant headway in the reduction of carbon emissions for its own operations and from the electricity and energy it consumes known as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. In February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Syngenta's manufacturing facility in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, as one of the top 100 users of green power in the country. About Syngenta Crop Protection Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta. Syngenta's Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. 2024 Syngenta. Rosentalstrasse 67, 4058 Basel, Switzerland. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305137060/en/ Contacts: Michelle Ng Head, External Communications michelle.ng@syngenta.com MATRIXX signs Memorandum of Understanding with Zain KSA during Mobile World Congress 2024 MATRIXX Software, a global leader in 5G and digital monetization solutions, today announced its partnership with Yaqoot Digital, asubsidiary of Zain KSA, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia. Under the partnership, MATRIXX will provide a comprehensive solution to Yaqoot Digital, ensuring its subscribers enjoy seamless, convenient experiences for purchasing, activating and renewing packages. These services will enable Yaqoot Digital to expand its offerings to customers and bolster their digital experience. The collaboration underscores Yaqoot's commitment to enhancing the user experience with innovative offers that cater to the growing demand for connected services. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305172083/en/ Njoud Alshehri, Zain KSA Digital Executive General Manager, and Andre Gunnberg, MATRIXX Software Chief Revenue Officer, sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress 2024 (Photo: Business Wire) Commenting on this milestone, Njoud Alshehri, Digital Executive General Manager at Yaqoot, stated, "As part of Yaqoot Digital's strategy to enhance innovation and performance at all levels, we are actively fostering strategic partnerships with leading technology companies worldwide. Our goal is to elevate the user experience by deeply understanding our customers' needs. Yaqoot Digital aims to become a trailblazer in digital products, offering a diverse range of digital packages through a dedicated application that enables subscribers to enjoy a comprehensive and reliable digital experience, eliminating the need for specialized identifiers such as fingerprints or documentation. All processes, from requesting and activating the SIM to subscribing to instant automatic renewals, are seamlessly executed via the digital application, leveraging Zain KSA's advanced 5G network infrastructure." The partnership between MATRIXX and Yaqoot Digital aligns well with both company's long-term visions. It demonstrates MATRIXX's dedication to supporting service providers' digital transformations with real-time digital monetization and contributes to Yaqoot's mission to enhancing the digital experience for its users. Commenting on the agreement, MATRIXX Software CEO Glo Gordon stated, "Our longstanding strategic partnership with Zain KSA has been instrumental in developing services geared towards enhancing user experience. With this new agreement, we are poised to deepen our collaboration to support the expansion of Zain KSA's Yaqoot portfolio, which includes digital services such as the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual private networks (VPNs), fixed networks, and more. Our digital revenue management system is tailored to meet customer demands, ensuring an innovative and seamless digital experience for our users." For more information on the Zain KSA partnership with MATRIXX, visit here. About MATRIXX Software MATRIXX Software delivers a modern converged charging and digital monetization solution proven at scale. Global operators like Telefonica and Telstra, IoT providers like Tata Communications and network-as-a-service (NaaS) providers like DISH rely on the platform to overcome the limitations of traditional Business Support Systems (BSS). With MATRIXX, service providers can rapidly configure, deploy and monetize personalized, innovative offerings. Its cloud native platform delivers accurate, real-time information that improves customer engagement. MATRIXX enables commercial innovation and real-time customer experiences that drive revenue and growth opportunities across multiple markets. For more information, please visit www.matrixx.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305172083/en/ Contacts: Songue PR for MATRIXX Software Natalee Gibson mediainquiry@matrixx.com First time GMP manufacturing of a therapeutic IgE antibody has been achieved at scale GMP material to be used in Phase Ib study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) patients scheduled to start this year. Previously reported Phase I safety study results in PROC patients showed MOv18 IgE to be safe and well-tolerated, with early evidence of anti-tumour activity observed Lonza supported the expression and manufacturing of the MOv18 IgE antibody in less than ten months Epsilogen, a global leader in the development of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to treat cancer, and Lonza, a global development and manufacturing partner to the pharma, biotech and nutrition industries, today announced successful completion of Good Manufacturing Practice ("GMP") manufacturing of MOv18 IgE, Epsilogen's lead IgE antibody drug candidate. This included process development and cGMP manufacturing of this complex molecule for clinical supply in less than ten months at Lonza's Slough (UK) site. IgE antibodies represent powerful alternatives to more commonly used IgG antibodies. They bring exciting opportunities for oncology thanks to their strong potency, long tissue half-life, and the ability to target tumour cells expressing very low antigen levels. Current research and monitoring indicate that this is the first time GMP manufacturing of a therapeutic IgE antibody has been completed at scale. Epsilogen intends to use this new material for its upcoming Phase Ib study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) patients, scheduled to start later in 2024. Dr. Tim Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilogen, commented: "The successful GMP manufacture at scale of MOv18 IgE marks another major milestone in realizing the potential of IgE antibodies as a new and differentiated class of cancer therapies for the treatment of patients with solid tumours. Decades of technical achievement and financial investment have made GMP manufacture of the IgG class of therapeutic antibodies a routine process. Lonza and Epsilogen have worked together to apply Lonza's knowledge and experience to MOv18 IgE. As a part of the IgE antibody class, it is structurally and functionally distinct from IgG. It is very gratifying to see this effort and investment pay off. Having generated encouraging safety and tolerability data in our Phase I safety study for MOv18 IgE in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, we look forward to exploring further the signals of efficacy observed in that clinical trial and anticipate starting a Phase Ib efficacy study in this setting later in 2024. We remain optimistic about the potential of IgE antibodies as a new treatment modality to improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers." Stefan Egli, Global Head of Mammalian Biologics, Lonza, added: "This marks a significant milestone for Epsilogen, bringing its promising IgE-based product closer to the clinic. Having produced the GMP batch of this non-platform complex molecule under record time is also a statement that demonstrates the strategic value of our manufacturing services offering tailored to each molecule's unique properties, and analytical and purification needs." MOv18 IgE targets the folate receptor alpha (FR alpha) antigen and Epsilogen believes that this was the first, and remains the only, IgE antibody in clinical development. Epsilogen has successfully completed a Phase I safety study of MOv18 IgE in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients where it was found to be safe and well-tolerated, with evidence of anti-tumour activity observed. This study and its results were reported in Nature Communications About Epsilogen Ltd Epsilogen is a global leader in the development of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to treat cancer. IgE's natural function is to provide immunological defence against certain parasites. This functionality makes it an ideal treatment of solid tumours due to its strong potency, enhanced tumour access and long tissue half-life. Epsilogen's lead product candidate, MOv18 IgE, is the first therapeutic IgE antibody to enter the clinic and encouraging data from a completed Phase I trial demonstrated MOv18 IgE to be safe and well tolerated with early signs of clinical activity. The company is also developing a proprietary IgEG antibody platform combining elements from both IgE and IgG antibodies into novel and proprietary antibody molecules with enhanced functionality. Epsilogen began operations in 2017 as a spin-out of King's College London and has attracted venture capital financing from Epidarex Capital, Novartis Venture Fund, 3B Future Health, British Patient Capital, ALSA Ventures and Schroders Capital amongst others. Find out more at epsilogen.com. Disclaimer Certain matters discussed in this media advisory may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this media advisory. All trademarks belong to Lonza and are registered in CH, US and/or EU, or belong to their respective third party owners and are used only for informational purposes. Privacy Policy link View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305297151/en/ Contacts: Epsilogen Contact Details Simon Conway Senior Managing Director FTI Consulting epsilogen@fticonsulting.com +44 (0)20 3727 1000 Lonza Contact Details media@lonza.com CallTower Sets the Stage for Revolutionary Growth in European Markets as an Elite Operator Connect Provider SALT LAKE CITY, UT, ROCHESTER, NY, BOSTON, MA, March 05, 2024, a global pioneer in providing advanced cloud-based solutions for unified communications, contact centers, and collaboration, proudly announces the expansion of its Operator Connect for Microsoft Teamsservice to the EMEA region. Since becoming one of the select providers for Operator Connectin September 2021, CallTower has continued to extend its reach. Today marks a significant milestone as they broaden their services to include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This expansion builds on their established presence in the US, Canada, and the UK, further solidifying CallTower's commitment to enhancing global communications. CallTower is at the forefront of revolutionizing communication solutions for businesses across the EMEA region in local currenciesdirectly within Teams, significantly enhancing the customer experience. Operator Connect not only simplifies the integration between networks but also streamlines the provisioning and management of users. This leads to improved support models that elevate the overall quality of service. Since 2018, CallTower has been providing Microsoft Teams Voiceto users in EMEA and over 70 countries globally. CallTower's Operator Connect for MS Teams allows for the extension of PSTN voice services to regions that are not covered by Microsoft Calling Plans. This capability is crucial for businesses aiming to maintain a global presence, providing them with a competitive edge in today's fast-paced market. By leveraging CallTower's expertise and support, companies can ensure a robust and reliable communication framework, essential for thriving in the digital era. This functionality enables them to effortlessly connect calling services, acquire phone numbers, and assign these components to users, ensuring a smooth operational flow. CallTower stands out by offering technical supportand managing the voice network and infrastructure, relieving businesses from the complexities of these tasks. CallTower enhances Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, effectively addressing essential communication needs through a comprehensive suite of business integrations. This includes advanced SMS/MMS texting features, stringent compliance recording, crucial emergency services where available, and reliable one-click failover capabilities. Moreover, CallTower provides a range of innovative contact center solutionsamong other services, enabling businesses to significantly improve their communication frameworks. "CallTower is thrilled to deliver on our promise of catering to customers in EMEA," announced CallTower's Chief Revenue Officer, William Rubio. "The launch of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams marks the pinnacle of this commitment. It revolutionizes how our customers connect, offering a seamless transition and effortless implementation, all while broadening our coverage. By voice-enabling Teams through CallTower's Global Network, we're not just supporting our European clients; we're empowering them. We provide a variety of options tailored to meet the diverse needs of their workforce, ensuring every user has exactly what they need to excel." CallTower has strategically positioned itself as a leader in communication solutions by developing CallTower Connect, an innovative provisioning tool designed to streamline and simplify the management of its services. This proprietary portal is a testament to CallTower's commitment to empowering businesses with the ability to effortlessly customize and control their communication platforms. Through CallTower Connect, users gain access to a user-friendly interface that enables quick and efficient provisioning of a wide array of CallTower services. This includes seamless provisioning of CallTower's Microsoft solutions, including Operator Connect, Direct Routing, GCC High Direct Routing, and Microsoft 365, among other vital communication tools. The simplicity and efficiency of CallTower Connect means that businesses can rapidly adapt their communication strategies to meet evolving needs without the need for extensive technical knowledge or support. About CallTower Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class cloud communications (unified communications, contact center and collaboration) solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, MS Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Microsoft 365, Cisco Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco CCP, Zoom Phone, Zoom (BYOB) and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers. For more information contact marketing@calltower.com Stuttgart trade show expands to meet growing global demand for EV and hybrid vehicle technology with European solutions, manufacturers and expertise. STUTTGART, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / The Battery Show Europe, Europe's most important event in batteries, electric and hybrid vehicle tech industries, returns on 18-20 June (Messe Stuttgart) opening registration and launching 2024's full slate of global events dedicated to the growth and expansion of the EV and hybrid vehicle development verticals. Last year, The Battery Show Europe, co-located with The Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo Europe, welcomed tens of thousands of attendees from across the globe to discover the latest innovations in electric vehicle battery development and powertrain vehicle technology over the course of the three-day event. Stuttgart, known as 'The Cradle of the Automobile', hosts the fifth annual European instantiation of the Battery Show brand as global EV sales demand are projected to grow over 27% in 2024. Leading global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and experts from renowned companies including BMW, ACC (Automotive Cells Company), Umicore, MAHLE International GmbH, AVL, Durr Systems AG, Morrow, Avicenne Energy, Elysia with Battery Intelligence from Fortescue Williams Advanced Engineering among others will address pressing industry topics across EV infrastructure innovations, next gen materials, battery safety, sustainable manufacturing, regulatory insights and more. "The Battery Show brand continues to evolve to meet the rapid paced battery needs of each of the markets we serve from the European tentpole event in Stuttgart, to now the new Detroit location in North America's Motor City to the latest iteration of Battery Show India that serves the Asia-Pacific markets," emphasizes John Lewinski, VP Informa Markets Engineering. "It is of global critical interest with each region providing a different lens and varied technology coming from specialized research and development abound." "Western Europe is expected to account for 17.2% of global market share in 2024 with anticipated sales of 2.1 million this year ," notes Rob Shelton, Event Director, Battery Show Europe. "Preparing to maintain European position as global leaders in EV will fuel conversations alongside significant considerations for net-zero commitments and summer parliamentary elections in early June. The 2024 Battery Show Europe will create the platform to facilitate education and content surrounding these topics and we anticipate key global discussions to set the stage for the next few years to come." Registration is officially open. Attendees are encouraged to sign-up early to take advantage of savings options before 20 April. For more information and to register for Battery Show Europe, please visit www.thebatteryshow.eu . About The Battery Show The Battery Show is the largest and most comprehensive advanced battery technology event, co-located with Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo, the only trade show and conference exclusively dedicated to advanced battery and the electric and hybrid vehicle drivetrain. Visitors to our shows can discover and demo the latest products, technology, and solutions from nearly a thousand suppliers, network with tens of thousands of attendees and access a breadth of education across multiple tracks and technical sessions. The Battery Show is organized by Informa Markets Engineering and includes The Battery Show Europe, The Battery Show North America and the recently launched The Battery Show India. Official listed media partners include Informa Market's Battery Technology and DesignNews. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com About Informa Markets Engineering Informa Markets' Engineering portfolio, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com . Media Contact Informa Markets Engineering pr.ime@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING View the original press release on accesswire.com LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Hochschild Mining Plc. (HOC.L, HCHDF) said that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Amarillo Mineracao do Brasil Ltda., has entered into an option agreement and certain ancillary with Cerrado Gold Inc., by which Cerrado has granted Amarillo Mineracao the option to acquire a 100% interest in Cerrado's Monte Do Carmo Project located in the mining-friendly state of Tocantins, Brazil. The Project, comprising 21 mineral concessions encompassing 82,542 hectares, hosts multiple identified gold targets along a 30km mineralised trend, including the principal Serra Alta gold deposit, which hosts a Measured and Indicated resource of 1,012koz gold and Inferred resource of 66koz gold and was the subject of a Feasibility Study dated 31 October 2023. Amarillo Mineracao has agreed to advance to Cerrado an amount equal to $15 million by way of 10% interest-bearing secured loan and has committed to incur a minimum of $5 million in exploration expenditures at the Project during a 12.5-month period ending on 19 March 2025. At any time during the Option Period, Amarillo Mineracao may elect to exercise the Option to acquire a 100% interest in the Project by deemed repayment of the Signing Loan, and by making further cash payments to Cerrado totaling $45 million in the aggregate, in multiple installments over the next three years. Hochschild has provided a guarantee of the obligations of Amarillo Mineracao under the Agreements. Upon obtaining the Cerrado Shareholder Approval, the Signing Loan, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and expenses relating thereto, shall be deemed to be repaid in full by Cerrado by the concurrent set off of an amount equal to the Signing Loan due by Amarillo Mineracao as part of the Purchase Price. If Cerrado fails to secure the Cerrado Shareholder Approval on or before 30 June 2024, the Signing Loan will mature on 30 September 2024, at which time Cerrado will be obliged to: (i) repay the Signing Loan and other expenses no later than 30 September 2024; (ii) reimburse Amarillo Mineracao for any costs incurred on the Project between the date of signing of the Agreements and the date of termination of the Option; and (iii) pay to Amarillo Mineracao a break fee in the amount of US$2.5 million. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken Agreement includes a single digit million US$ upfront payment and additional funding that has the potential to cover the cost of studies through Phase 1b Deal is a major step forward for Fibrocor's plans to develop FIB918, its monoclonal antibody for Alport Syndrome, a rare disease with very limited treatment options Fibrocor and MSRD intend to start Phase 1 clinical trials of its monoclonal antibody in 2025 TORONTO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fibrocor Therapeutics Inc. ('Fibrocor' or 'the Company'), a privately held developer of novel therapeutics to treat fibrosis, today announces that it has entered into a research and development collaboration with the McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development, LLC (MSRD) to advance its Alport Syndrome program. The agreement includes a single digit million US$ upfront payment and additional funding that has the potential to cover the cost of studies through Phase 1b. MSRD, a member of the Otsuka family of pharmaceutical companies, identifies and supports early-stage opportunities that can change the landscape of treatments for mental illness and renal disorders. FIB918 is now in the IND-enabling phase and Phase 1 clinical trials of the monoclonal antibody are targeted to start in late 2025. Fibrocor and MSRD will be working with patients, advocacy groups and regulators to execute safe, effective and inclusive clinical trials that take patient input and lifestyle into consideration, aiming to positively shift the clinical and treatment paradigm for patients. William P. Newsome III, CEO, President of Fibrocor said: "This collaboration with the experienced team at MSRD, coupled with research funding, represents continued validation of Fibrocor's translational, best-in-class, target discovery platform. It represents hope and potential for individuals grappling with Alport Syndrome worldwide. FIB918 has the potential to deliver a significant advancement in the treatment of patients afflicted by this debilitating disease, where current options are limited. The completion of our Investigational New Drug (IND) application and the anticipated commencement of clinical trials in 2025, mark crucial milestones in our journey to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by Alport Syndrome." Piet Wigerinck, Chief Scientific Advisor of Fibrocor added, "This collaboration serves as further affirmation of our platform, aligning committed teams that are backed by world class experts and substantial resources. It propels our ongoing commitment to advancing our small molecule program, with FIB992 poised for entry into the clinic later this year for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), another debilitating, deadly and underserved fibrotic disease. This will be followed by the initiation of clinical trials for FIB991 for chronic allograft nephropathy in 2025. We have an unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact on patients grappling with fibrotic diseases. We eagerly anticipate a successful collaboration with our colleagues at MSRD." Alport Syndrome is a rare form of kidney inflammation caused by specific gene mutations, resulting in structural defects and the development of renal fibrosis and kidney failure. About one in 50,000 people is thought to suffer from it, although estimates vary widely. Most experience kidney failure as young adults or by middle age. https://alportsyndrome.org/ Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and generally fatal disease characterized by scarring of the lungs that thickens the lining of the lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the tissue's ability to transport oxygen. IPF ultimately robs a patient of the ability to breathe. The median survival of IPF patients is reported to range from two to five years. IPF Foundation | Ending IPF Through Research About Fibrocor Therapeutics: Fibrocor Therapeutics is redefining the landscape of fibrotic diseases through our unique portfolio of novel compounds against biologically and clinically validated targets. Leveraging our extensive expertise and one of the largest patient-derived clinically annotated biorepositories of fibrotic tissue, we strive to improve the lives of patients by delivering transformative treatments that tackle the root causes of fibrosis, leading to better outcomes and enhanced quality of life. As we advance from the preclinical stage towards clinical trials and beyond, we remain dedicated to collaborating with patients, healthcare professionals, and industry partners to continue to refine and validate our therapeutic candidates, ensuring they meet the highest standards of efficacy and safety. Our vision is to disrupt the status quo and provide hope to those affected by fibrotic diseases aiming to reshape the future of fibrosis treatment, ultimately making a meaningful difference in the lives of millions. For more information visit www.fibrocor.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fibrocor-therapeutics-enters-into-research-and-development-collaboration-with-mcquade-center-for-strategic-research-and-development-to-advance-alport-syndrome-program-302078803.html BERLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ariceum Therapeutics (Ariceum), a private biotech company developing radiopharmaceutical products for the diagnosis and treatment of certain hard-to-treat cancers, is pleased to announce the opening of its new laboratory facilities on 7 March at its Berlin headquarters to house the research and development of its next generation radiopharmaceutical pipeline candidates and support the transfer of advancing products into the clinic. With the new facility, Ariceum has more than ~200m of laboratory space (cold biology/chemistry lab; radioactive lab) to which a further ~60m of changing lock and storage space can be added. It provides Ariceum with the capability to work with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) isotopes for imaging, and beta and alpha isotopes for therapy. The lab is equipped to enable Ariceum to carry out on-site process, method, validation and formulation development as well as preliminary stability analysis of its radiolabeled compounds. Furthermore, the new laboratory will allow Ariceum to conduct non-clinical pharmacology studies for detailed characterization of its first-in-class development candidates. Manfred Rudiger, Chief Executive Officer of Ariceum Therapeutics, said: "Following 15 months of construction at our headquarters in Berlin, we are delighted to have opened our brand new, advanced laboratory space. Since our inception in 2021, Ariceum has significantly expanded the team and made important advances in the development of next-generation, targeted radiotherapeutics but we have had to use external radio pharma facilities to enable this. Our new laboratory will give us the internal capability not only to progress the development of our lead radiopharmaceutical candidates but to provide a state-of-the-art research hub to advance R&D collaborations and identify exciting new pipeline candidates. We are very grateful to our team in Berlin who have pushed hard to bring these construction plans to fruition." Notes to Editors About Ariceum Therapeutics Ariceum Therapeutics (Ariceum) is a private, clinical stage radiopharmaceutical company focused on the diagnosis and precision treatment of certain neuroendocrine and other aggressive, hard-to-treat cancers. The name Ariceum is an anagram of 'Marie Curie' whose discovery of radium and polonium have been huge contributions to finding treatments for cancer. Ariceum's lead targeted systemic radiopharmaceutical product, 177Lu-satoreotide tetraxetan ("satoreotide"), is an antagonist of the somatostatin type 2 (SSTR2) receptor which is overexpressed in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and some aggressive cancers such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), or Merkel Cell Carcinoma, all of which have few treatment options and poor prognosis. Satoreotide is being developed as a 'theranostic' pair for the combined diagnosis and targeted radionuclide treatment of these tumours. Ariceum is also developing a radiolabelled PARP-inhibitor (ATT001), which is slated to enter clinical development in 2024. ATT001 was part of the acquisition of Theragnostics Ltd which was closed in June 2023. Ariceum Therapeutics, launched in 2021, acquired all rights to Satoreotide from Ipsen. Ipsen remains a shareholder in the Company. Ariceum is headquartered in Berlin, with operations in Germany, Switzerland, Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America and with activities currently across the globe. Ariceum is led by a highly experienced management team and supported by specialist investors including EQT Life Sciences (formerly LSP), HealthCap, Pureos Bioventures, Andera Partners and Earlybird Venture Capital. For further information, please visit www.ariceum-therapeutics.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ariceum-therapeutics-announces-opening-of-new-state-of-the-art-laboratory-in-berlin-providing-infrastructure-for-radiopharmaceutical-development-activities-302078837.html Trump faces obstacles in fight to clinch White House 16:57, March 05, 2024 By Matthew Rusling, Xiong Maoling ( Xinhua WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- With his recent sweep of the Republican presidential primaries, former U.S. President Donald Trump is inching closer toward the GOP nomination. In his fight to regain the White House, Trump, however, faces myriad hurdles, including low favorability ratings, sensitive issues such as abortion, as well as his multiple criminal trials, which could undermine public confidence and alienate swing voters. LOW FAVORABILITY RATINGS "Trump's major obstacle to getting elected is the perception that he is rude, chaotic, and vindictive," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. Indeed, critics said Trump has a strong sense of grievance and holds particular ire for people he sees as having opposed him, including those who have worked for him. "Independent voters are particularly sensitive to character issues so he has a lot of work to be done with those voters," West said of this important voting bloc. "What I'm worried about is what he says and how it has destroyed America, the civility between human beings in this country," Helena Fox, an independent voter, told Xinhua at a recent Nikki Haley rally in Camden, South Carolina. The former president recently mocked the dress of former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, candidate for GOP nomination, saying it was a "fancy dress that probably wasn't so fancy." Trump has for years been known to engage in personal attacks on opponents' physical appearance, particularly if that opponent is a woman. That does not sit well with many women voters, a major U.S. voting bloc. Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that Trump's polling numbers are a problem. "His favorability ratings are low, hovering around 40 percent," Ramsay said. According to latest data from the polling website FiveThirtyEight, 43.4 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of Trump. Over fifty percent view him unfavorably and "to win, his people would have to succeed in getting this number down," Ramsay said. UNPOPULAR SUPREME COURT RULING Trump could also feel the sting of voters who disagree with the Supreme Court decision to leave abortion laws to U.S. states. The Supreme Court had removed states' discretion to regulate abortion in 1973 and created a federal right to abortion in the case of Roe vs. Wade. But in June 2022, the highest court in the nation reversed five decades of legal precedent in one fell swoop, determining that U.S. states and not federal law should dictate abortion laws. Three Trump appointees - Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett -- voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Trump, the de facto leader of the anti-abortion Republican Party, took credit for the result of the contentious decision to revoke federal abortion rights. "In the absence of federal protections, state legislatures have become arbiters of abortion access, with some states banning or severely restricting abortion and others improving and protecting it," the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank, argued. Critics said the decision amounted to judicial overreach and has stirred the ire of voters nationwide. Trump has consistently evaded inquiries regarding his stance on signing a national abortion ban if reelected, while criticizing Democrats as "radical" for their support of late-term abortions. "Trump and his people, and most Republican Party officials, are perfectly aware that they might lose the presidential election on this issue alone," Ramsay said. Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua that Trump needs to muddy the waters on abortion, which has been costing Republicans since the summer of 2022. CRIMINAL TRIALS COULD HURT As he vies to reclaim the White House, Trump currently faces four criminal indictments totaling 91 felony counts, which could undermine his chances of winning. He was indicted for mishandling top secret documents, and for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol Riot, among others, becoming the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges. Trump's camp said the cases are a politically motivated attempt to manipulate the courts to prevent him from assuming office. Chris Deboard, a resident of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and a Trump supporter, told Xinhua earlier that he believes Trump's criminal lawsuits are a coordinated effort by the Democratic Party to "destroy" him. Whatever the case, experts said the trials are a major distraction and a financial drain on the former commander-in-chief. In 2023, Trump allocated 51.2 million dollars for legal fees and has access to an additional 23.5 million dollars, primarily held in an allied super political action committee, the Bloomberg reported. Those funds, however, are expected to run out around July, when the Republican National Convention officially starts the general election campaign. The question remains whether the trials will stop Trump's re-election bid. "Not on their own ... but it's likely that an actual conviction will alienate exactly the voters he needs to either vote for him or stay home on election day," said Galdieri. A recent poll, released from Bloomberg and Morning Consult, found that 53 percent of voters in key swing states would refuse to vote for Trump if any of the four criminal trials he is facing results in a conviction. A conviction is "absolutely a potential dealbreaker in an election that either (Trump or President Joe Biden) could win or lose for a whole variety of reasons," said GOP strategist Doug Heye, a former communications director for the Republican National Committee, was quoted by The Hill as saying. Trump's best chance is for this election to be a referendum on Biden's term and not a choice between Biden and Trump, Galdieri said. "Essentially he needs to make the election about anything other than himself if he wants to win it," Galdieri said. "But he also insists on being the center of attention, and his legal proceedings guarantee he will stay in the news in the worst possible ways throughout much of the year," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) FILE - Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega poses for a photo during the ALBA Summit at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Nicaraguas government has shut down the countrys scouting organization and seven other nongovernmental organizations, state media La Gaceta reported Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, the latest in an ongoing crackdown that has seen the government toss out religious orders, charities and civic groups. (Adalberto Roque, Pool Photo via AP, File) Adalberto Roque/AP MEXICO CITY (AP) A panel of U.N.-backed human rights experts on Thursday accused Nicaragua s government of systematic human rights abuses tantamount to crimes against humanity," implicating a range of high-ranking officials in the government of President Daniel Ortega. The allegations, fiercely rejected by Nicaragua's government, follow an investigation into the countrys expanding crackdown on political dissent. The Ortega government has gone after opponents for years, but it hit a turning point with mass protests against the government in 2018 that resulted in violent repression by authorities. In the past year, repression has expanded to large swaths of society with a focus on incapacitating any kind of opposition in the long term," according to the independent group of U.N. experts investigating the issue since March 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The experts do not speak for the world body, but work under a mandate from the Human Rights Council. "Serious systematic human rights violations, tantamount to crimes against humanity, continue to be perpetrated by the Nicaraguan government for political reasons," the group said in a statement. Jan Simon, an expert who headed the investigation, said at a news conference Thursday in Geneva that the Nicaraguan government's persecution targets all forms of opposition, whether real or perceived, both domestically and abroad. The state has targeted civilians, including university students, Indigenous and Black Nicaraguans, and members of the Catholic Church. Children and family members are now targeted simply for being related to people who raise their voices against the government. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ortegas government has repeatedly said that the mass demonstrations against it in 2018 constituted a failed coup attempt orchestrated by the United States, and typically defends any repression as a crackdown on anti-government plots. The government responded to the report Thursday by saying it was manipulated by a group of imperialist powers paid to distort the reality of our country. We will not accept these self-proclaimed human rights experts," Attorney General Wendy Morales said in a video, accusing them of bias and of basing their conclusions on unreal and irrational criteria. The human rights report, which came after hundreds of interviews, implicated a number of high ranking officials in crackdowns that have firmly consolidated power in the hands of Ortega and his Vice President Rosario Murillo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The report says Gustavo Porras, the head of the countrys National Assembly, pushes through legislation to facilitate repression. It says Marvin Aguilar Garcia, the head of the Supreme Court, takes direct orders from Ortegas government, and commands lower level judges to fall in line. Meanwhile, Chief Prosecutor Ana Julia Guido Ochoa's office fabricates evidence against real or perceived opponents, the report says. The experts also cite high-ranking officials in the countrys interior ministry, the governmental body regulating migration and the body regulating non-governmental organizations. Yader Morazan, an exiled former official of the Nicaraguan judiciary, hailed the report saying it could help combat impunity in Nicaragua. This report presents a well-documented work that for the first time identifies the main perpetrators of abuses and crimes against humanity and reveals the structure and chain of command of the repression from State institutions, Morazan said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ln December, police charged the director of the Miss Nicaragua pageant of a beauty queen coup plot, saying she rigged the competition against pro-government beauty queens. In February, the government shut down yet another round of social groups, including the country's scouting organization and a rotary club. The report says the crackdown has expanded past Nicaragua's borders to the hundreds of thousands of people who have fled government repression, largely landing in the United States and Costa Rica. Hundreds of Nicaraguans have been stripped of their citizenship and left stateless, unable to access fundamental rights. The U.N. report urges the Ortega government to release arbitrarily detained Nicaraguans and calls on global leaders to expand sanctions on individuals and institutions involved in human rights violations. -- Advertisement Article continues below this ad Commerzbank AG (London Branch) - Pre-Stabilisation Notice - Randstad N.V. EUR500mil (exp) 5 year PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 05 Pre-Stabilisation Notice March 05, 2024 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Randstad N.V. EUR 500mil(exp) Fixed Rate Notes due 12 March 2029 Launched pursuant to the Issuer's EMTN Programme, dated 28 February 2024 Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +44-207-7475-1817) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Randstad N.V. Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500mil (exp) Description: EUR 500mil(exp) Fixed Rate Notes due 12 March 2029 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: EMTN, denoms 100k/1k, listing Euronext Amsterdam Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG BNP Paribas SA BofA Securities ING Bank N.V. Stabilisation period expected to start on: 05 March, 2024 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Euronext Amsterdam. In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END Pre-Stabilisation Notice March 05, 2024 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Randstad N.V. EUR 500mil(exp) Fixed Rate Notes due 12 March 2029 Launched pursuant to the Issuer's EMTN Programme, dated 28 February 2024 Commerzbank AG (contact: Ian Turner; telephone: +44-207-7475-1817) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Randstad N.V. Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500mil (exp) Description: EUR 500mil(exp) Fixed Rate Notes due 12 March 2029 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: EMTN, denoms 100k/1k, listing Euronext Amsterdam Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG BNP Paribas SA BofA Securities ING Bank N.V. Stabilisation period expected to start on: 05 March, 2024 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Euronext Amsterdam. In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. END STOCKHOLM, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 2023 was both a tough year and a challenging final quarter for consulting firms. The average growth for publicly listed consulting companies in Sweden and Finland during Q4 was only 3.1 percent, compared with 15.3 percent in 2022. Furthermore, a quarter of the companies had lower revenue than the year before. We primarily see weaker demand in many industries while the number of employees has been adjusted. The number of inquiries for new assignments during the quarter decreased by 14.6 percent according to Ework. "Many consulting firms have faced significant challenges. At the same time, the market is diversified with several companies that continue to perform strongly. Energy, automotive industry, life science, defense, and cybersecurity continue to show very strong demand. However, it has been considerably tougher within real estate, e-commerce, telecom, and public authorities," says Mattias Loxi, co-founder of Cinode, which is the leading SaaS platform for consulting firms. Addnode, Sweco, and Rejlers grew the most during the quarter. All have acquired larger companies during the year. "Margin-wise, two-thirds of the companies have worse operating margins than last year. Many companies that were strongly affected by the economic cycle have quickly implemented cost savings and managed to reduce expenses," continues Mattias. Exsitec, Gofore, and Softronic have the highest margins for the quarter. "Two out of three consulting companies have fewer employees in the last quarter compared to one quarter earlier. On an annual basis, we see that half of the companies have reduced their workforce," concludes Mattias. See the full compilation of consulting firms' fourth-quarter reports and financial statements for 2023 in the infographic here. CONTACT: Mattias Loxi Co-founder/CMO mattias.loxi@cinode.com +46 73-514 21 70 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/cinode-ab/i/bubble-2023,c3274407 bubble 2023 https://news.cision.com/cinode-ab/i/growthq4,c3274408 growthQ4 https://news.cision.com/cinode-ab/i/growth-average,c3274409 Growth average https://news.cision.com/cinode-ab/i/ebit-q4,c3274410 ebit q4 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cinode-ab--challenging-2023-for-the-nordic-consulting-firms-302079561.html London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Elsevier, a global leader in information and data analytics, has signed a multi-year agreement with Iktos, a company specializing in artificial intelligence for new drug discovery. The partnership will strengthen Elsevier's flagship chemistry solution, Reaxys, by combining the company's high-quality chemistry data with synthetic planning AI technologies developed by Iktos to accelerate chemistry research for pharmaceutical companies. Mirit Eldor, Managing Director, Life Sciences Solutions, Elsevier said: "Our mission is to support research and development (R&D) organizations in fueling innovation and drug discovery with industry-leading predictive algorithms trained on our high-quality data. We are delighted to partner with Iktos to bring the valued industry insights that Reaxys offers powered by artificial intelligence, which will help reshape the landscape of small molecule discovery." The partnership aims to support R&D organizations to critically decrease the time required to complete Design-Make-Test-Analyze cycles of small molecules, thus reducing the length and cost of early-stage drug discovery. New predictive models will be launched to support use cases including retrosynthesis, synthetic accessibility, and other reaction-based analyses. The new tools will be delivered via Reaxys' user-friendly interface and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), accelerating research for synthetic, medicinal, computational and process chemistry teams at pharmaceutical, agro-chemical and contract research organizations (CROs). Yann Gaston-Mathe, CEO, Iktos said: "Data is the foundation of AI, and we are very excited to partner with Elsevier. We will combine the strength of Reaxys, a chemistry reaction database with unmatched volume, diversity, and quality, with Iktos' leading edge retrosynthesis AI technology. We are committed to making our technology available to R&D organizations around the world to maximize the impact of AI on the productivity of drug discovery." The new predictive retrosynthesis and synthetic accessibility tools are based on Iktos' proprietary retrosynthetic technology and trained on Reaxys' reaction database. The predictive retrosynthesis tools uses a template-based disconnection prediction model to apply a proprietary filter that scores reaction feasibility and includes chemo- and regioselectivity parameters. The solution space is explored using an advanced search functionality that delivers promising candidate routes in minutes. The new tools will offer multiple exciting new features including stereochemistry support, defining first disconnection, ability to include or exclude intermediates, avoiding regioselectivity conflicts and defining price limit of starting materials. In addition, customers will have the option to customize the underlying model with proprietary reactions and libraries of starting materials. The new predictive retrosynthesis and synthetic accessibility tools will be available as add-on modules for Reaxys customers. For more information, please visit the Reaxys Predictive Retrosynthesis. About Reaxys Reaxys is a chemistry research and education solution from Elsevier providing chemical substance, properties, reaction and medicinal chemistry information for both bench chemistry and machine learning methods used in drug discovery and chemical/pharmaceutical R&D. Reaxys provides the most comprehensive manually extracted and curated chemistry and bioactivity database covering over 1 billion published experimental facts including 280 million organic, inorganic and organometallic compounds, 74 million chemical reactions, 46 million bioactivities from over 110 million documents including patents and journals. Elsevier and Iktos logos To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9476/200297_e34292e8c40408bb_003full.jpg About Iktos Incorporated in October 2016, Iktos is a French start-up company specialized in the development of artificial intelligence solutions applied to chemical research, more specifically medicinal chemistry and new drug design. Iktos is developing a proprietary and innovative solution based on deep generative models, which enables, using existing data, to design molecules that are optimized in silico to meet all the success criteria of a small molecule discovery project. The use of Iktos technology enables major productivity gains in upstream pharmaceutical R&D. Iktos offers its technology through the SaaS software platforms Makya for generative drug design and Spaya for retrosynthesis, and through strategic collaborations with pharma companies where Iktos mobilizes its unique platform and leading-edge capabilities to expedite small molecule drug discovery for the benefit of its partners. Iktos is also developing Iktos Robotics, a unique AI-driven synthesis automation platform which dramatically accelerates the Design-Make-Test cycle in drug discovery. More information on: http://www.iktos.ai/ About Elsevier As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making with innovative solutions based on trusted, evidence-based content and advanced AI-enabled digital technologies. We have supported the work of our research and healthcare communities for more than 140 years. Our 9,500 employees around the world, including 2,500 technologists, are dedicated to supporting researchers, librarians, academic leaders, funders, governments, R&D-intensive companies, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators in their critical work. Our 2,900 scientific journals and iconic reference books include the foremost titles in their fields, including Cell Press, The Lancet and Gray's Anatomy. Together with the Elsevier Foundation, we work in partnership with the communities we serve to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information on our work, digital solutions and content, visit www.elsevier.com. Media contacts Terri Mueller Vice President Global Communications t.mueller@elsevier.com Nicolas Daniels + 33 6 63 66 59 22 ndaniels@ulysse-communication.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200297 SOURCE: Elsevier Upstream 2024 connects more than 2000 founders, investors and other organizations from the international startup ecosystem that are driving the transition to a digital, carbon neutral, circular and inclusive new economy Up!Rotterdam and more than 50 public and private co-creation partners are hosting the fifth edition of Upstream Festival on the 28th and 29th of May 2024. Upstream is targeted to bring together over 2000 startup and scale-up founders, investors, innovative corporates and SMEs and policy makers to drive cooperation and innovation. The festival welcomes national and International attendees from various European startup communities, including key hubs like London, to the Rotterdam metropolitan area, Europe's best connected city. Creating a future proof economy together Every aspect of The Netherlands' most impactful annual startup festival is tailored to connect today's changemakers who are driving innovation towards a digital, sustainable and inclusive future. "The anniversary edition of Upstream highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting startups and scale-ups that drive sustainable growth. Sustainable value creation has been at the heart of the festival since day one, five years ago, and it feels more important than ever now. I'm excited to see how the entrepreneurial community around Upstream keeps thriving and getting stronger every year." - Lars Crama, Upstream Festival The extensive two day program is expected to attract 2,000 visitors and consists of various intimate event formats. These include expert roundtables, founder interviews, CEO dinners and investor buyer tables to help ensure valuable connections and successful matches between startups and scale-ups and investors and corporates. Upstream also offers a platform for founders to discuss mutual challenges and obstacles that come with scaling their businesses with fellow entrepreneurs. "During the Upstream Festival Dinner, I got to know Peter Goedvolk, a renowned entrepreneur from Rotterdam and founder of investment firm First Dutch. We kept in contact ever since, and in our investment round last year, we partnered up with Peter and his investment firm to accelerate the hyperloop developments together." - Tim Houter, cofounder Hardt Hyperloop Meet, learn and connect at curated, co-created side events During the event week, attendees can visit 20+ engaging and fun side events hosted by Upstream's co-creation partners. The events take place at locations across the cities of Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague and Zoetermeer. Side events provide attendees with the opportunity to network with other founders, learn about innovative trends and best business practices, meet investors and corporates and to bring their startup to the next level. This year's side events include proven formats like TechSocials, Startup Roulette, Circularity Run and many more. The well-known Superconnectors networking event is one of the side events scheduled this year. The successful and unique event format launched during the second edition of Upstream in 2021 and matches the most critical need of selected founders to highly connected networkers that compete to provide these founders with the connections they need to move forward. "InvestNL has attended Upstream as a partner since the start of the event, and I look forward to the festival every year to meet many old friends and new interesting companies. I love Upstream, because to me it is the place where founders and investors can meet in a casual way." Rinke Zonneveld, CEO Invest-NL "Rabobank believes in the power of innovating together. We support startups and scale-ups with our financing products, a network and knowledge to grow. We are always looking for entrepreneurs who want to make a real difference together. That's why we are attending Upstream Festival again this year as a partner. By joining forces, we make the most impact." Ronald van Raaij, Directeur MKB Rabobank More information and tickets are available on the Upstream Festival website. Details about this years' event location, speakers, agenda, and side-events will be announced in the upcoming weeks. About Upstream Upstream Festival provides a space for startups and scaleups to make the connections they need to thrive and build companies that change the world for the better. Since the first edition in 2020, Upstream has welcomed more than 9000 startups, scale-ups, investors, buyers and other changemakers who share, connect and create meaningful innovations for sustainable growth. Upstream is a community driven initiative led by Up!Rotterdam, made possible by the city of Rotterdam, that unites more than 50 public and private partners from the Netherlands, including the City of Delft, Rabobank, Techleap, ICOS Capital and many more. The 5th anniversary edition of Upstream will take place in Rotterdam May 28 29 2024. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305853532/en/ Contacts: boris@enserio.nl +31 6 11 647 444 J P Jenkins Ltd JP Jenkins automates broker integration; now digital-first, fully scalable venue 05-March-2024 / 09:32 GMT/BST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. JP Jenkins automates broker integration; now digital-first, fully scalable venue 46 UK brokers now accessing unlisted assets London, March 5th, 2024 - JP Jenkins ( www.jpjenkins.com ), the liquidity venue for unlisted assets, has this morning announced that more than 40 UK brokers are now accessing the platform, including 16 who have completed a full digital integration, allowing for buy and sell orders to now be lodged on a fully automated basis. This coincides with a move by the company to now prioritise electronic dealing to ensure maximum liquidity, transparency and scalability for the venue as it looks to harness a significant uptick in both issuer numbers and volumes traded. This coincides with a move by the company to now prioritise electronic dealing to ensure maximum liquidity, transparency and scalability for the venue as it looks to harness a significant uptick in both issuer numbers and volumes traded. Mike McCudden, CEO of JP Jenkins, commented: "For the past 12 months, the team at JP Jenkins has been working hard with both the broker community and capital market infrastructure providers to ensure we can fully automate our trading processes. Following the completion of this, I am delighted to announce that as from today, we are now a digital-first platform where any regulated broker or other financial institution can connect into our venue, enabling them to view indicative prices and lodge buy or sell orders against relevant securities." Although automation has been a popular theme in financial markets for decades, it required the deployment of specialist applications from FinTech provider InfinitX to migrate JP Jenkins from voice based services to a wholly digital approach. In addition to being able to connect via a direct API, brokers can also access JP Jenkins' issuers via their existing connections to Order Management Systems providers IRESS and Winterflood Securities. Andrew Stanclife, Head of Execution Services at Winterflood Securities, added: "2024 is now on course to be a pivotal year for venues catering to the liquidity needs of private companies. This week HM Treasury is expected to launch a consultation starting this week into the role these disruptors can play in helping to reinvigorate London's position as a booming capital market. Winterflood looks forward to supporting JP Jenkins and InfinitX in their mission to facilitate greater liquidity in private companies" The brokers now connected on an automated basis to the JP Jenkins platform include IG, Jarvis, AJ Bell, Charles Stanley, James Sharpe, Hargreaves Lansdown, Investec, Kyte, Rathbone, Ramsey Crookall, Interactive Investor, ITI, Intrinsic, Albert E Sharpe, Killik, Raymond James, FIS Global, Winterflood Securities and Shore Capital Media contact Tony Cross Monk Communications tony@monkcommunications.com Tel +44 (0) 7973 284 749 About JP Jenkins Founded in 1991, JP Jenkins is the liquidity venue for unlisted assets. The company provides an efficient platform for privately held and unlisted businesses who are seeking a liquidity solution for holders of their securities. JP Jenkins was acquired by the innovative FinTech provider InfinitX in 2023, enabling the display of real-time pricing with any registered broker or financial institution, who can then connect, execute and settle with JP Jenkins over existing market infrastructures. Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks traded lower on Tuesday, with energy stocks taking a beating amid disappointment from the lack of fresh supportive measures in top consumer China. The benchmark FTSE 100 was down 20 points, or 0.3 percent, at 7,620 after having hit its lowest level since Feb. 16 earlier in the day. BP Plc fell about half a percent and peer Shell gave up 1.1 percent as oil extended overnight losses amid concerns about the outlook for energy demand. Ashtead Group slumped 7.7 percent after the equipment rental firm narrowed its full-year guidance, citing a lower level of activity in the North America market. Telecommunications testing firm Spirent jumped 58 percent after it has agreed to be taken over by U.S. communications equipment company Viavi Solutions in a deal valued at about 1.01 billion pounds ($1.28 billion). Car distributor Inchcape plummeted 9 percent after flagging moderate growth this year. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - From April 16 to 17, 2024, premier blockchain and AI consulting firm VAP Group will be hosting a one-of-a-kind conference at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. Not only has the Global AI Show promised to bring over 10,000 attendees but it has partnered with Sophia, the world's first robot citizen who can mimic social behavior and express a wide range of emotions, created by Hanson Robotics. The event will discuss engaging topics like AI Startups: What Does Their Future Look Like and Roadmap for Success in AI. Sophia, the first humanoid robot officially joins as Global AI Show's Brand Ambassador To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10219/197889_sophia1en.jpg With Sophia as one of the speakers, the Global AI Show is set to become a leading event in the industry. Celebrated for her 'human-level intelligence,' Sophia has already traveled to 65 countries and is a citizen of Saudi Arabia. This makes her the first robot in history to have citizenship in a country. From shows like Good Morning Britain to CNBC, Sophia has been in the limelight since 2016. She has over 350,000 followers on social media, where she is often applauded for her witty remarks. While her socials are handled by a social media team with an AI dialogue system, the Global AI Show will showcase her true spirit in reality. Sophia will be addressing a crowd of more than 10,000 attendees expected at the event. The Global AI Show has teamed up with major media outlets such as Zex PR Wire, AI Mojo, Cryptonite UAE, Lunar Strategy, and more. The event's objective is to discuss, dispute, and diversify the benefits of AI for everyone in the workplace. Aside from that, themes like 'Exploring AI Leadership and Human Governance: The Boundaries of Machine Rule' and designing AI policies are all poised to shape the future of AI adoption. Global AI Show, the most anticipated AI event of 2024 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10219/197889_banner1en.jpg Dubai's new tech-forward government has implemented the use of AI before many countries. This makes Dubai the top choice for VAP Group to bring the Global AI event to life. After the main event, an after-party will be held in WHITE Beach, a renowned restaurant, to celebrate and serve networking purposes. The event has garnered the interest of many sponsors. Destm Technologies Pvt Ltd., a 360-degree software and app development company, and Epicenter Technologies Pvt Ltd., a twenty-four-year-old BPM organization committed to driving efficiency across industries, are the notable Silver sponsors of the Global AI Show. About Global AI Show VAP Group is thrilled to unveil the Global AI Show, an electrifying convergence of pioneering minds and cutting-edge advancements in Artificial Intelligence. This groundbreaking event is poised to set new benchmarks, fuel innovation, and redefine the trajectory of AI on a global scale. Mark your calendars for 16th -17th April 2024 to experience the convergence of industry titans, trailblazing startups, and forward-thinking experts at Grand Hyatt, Dubai. From illuminating keynote presentations to riveting panel discussions and hands-on workshops, the Global AI Show curated by VAP Group will immerse attendees in the forefront of AI's transformative potential. This is not just a conference; it's a catalyst for change. With a spotlight on breakthrough technologies, disruptive concepts, and actionable insights, the Global AI Show is a testament to VAP Group's commitment to shaping the future of AI. To book tickets: https://www.globalaishow.com/tickets/ For media inquiries, exclusive interviews, or press passes, please reach out to: Nupur Aswani Director - Media & PR, VAP Group 7874711416 | nupuraswani@vapgroup.co To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197889 SOURCE: Global AI Show WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The US Supreme Court has ruled that states do not have the power to remove a presidential candidate from the ballot under the Constitution's 'insurrectionist ban.' SCOTUS made this opinion in a case by former President Donald Trump challenging Colorado Supreme Court's ban in December. The Colorado Supreme Court had ruled that Trump cannot contest for the November presidential election from the state's ballot, citing an insurrection clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. constitution. The court ruled that Trump was not an eligible candidate because he incited the Capitol riot insurrection. Trump filed an appeal against this ruling to the US Supreme Court. 'We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But states have no power under the Constitution to enforce Sections 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency,' the court's nine-member bench said in its unanimous opinion Monday. The apex court made it clear that Congress, not states, has the power to enforce the provision against federal officials and candidates. Following Colorado, two more states had disqualified Trump from the ballot on similar grounds. The Supreme Court ruling overrides challenges brought in Maine and Illinois, reports said. This is seen as a big boost to Trump in the ongoing election campaign, where he is leading against his lone remaining prominent rival, Nikki Haley. Trump has already won the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire, Michigan and South Carolina primaries. With Trump already enjoying a big lead over Haley in terms of winning the number of delegates, all eyes are now on Super Tuesday. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. George Matharu, President of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, announced today that Elite Capital & Co. has become a full member of the China-Britain Business Council ("CBBC"). "Elite Capital & Co. Limited joining as an active member of the China-Britain Business Council strengthens its economic, political and financial influence in the world, and achieves its vision of supporting government projects through the Government Future Financing 2030 Program," Mr. George Matharu said. CBBC plays an important role in helping shape bilateral relations between the UK and China through its close links to the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations; the Chinese Government at national, provincial and municipal level; and the British and Chinese Embassies. The CBBC's history dates back to the early 1950s when British companies were among the first to trade with Communist China. That was the 48 Group of Companies (established in April 1954). At the same time, the British government had a semi-official trade body known as the Sino-British Trade Council which promoted British participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in China. Although the UK was the first Western country to recognize the People's Republic of China, the PRC did not fully recognize the UK until 1972. The China-Britain Trade Group ("CBTG") was established in 1991 when the 48 Group merged with Sino-British Trade Council, at the instigation of the (then) UK Department of Trade and Industry. The early 1990s saw a renewal of high-level visits from China to the UK In November 1992 Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji was the first Chinese leader to take part in a seminar with British business in the UK, when the Stock Exchange was the venue for presentations from privatised industries, organised by CBTG and the Stock Exchange. In 1998 the organisation changed its name to the China-Britain Business Council ("CBBC"), to reflect the growth of all round business between the UK and China encompassing investment, trade, licensing and other forms of business activity. In November 1999, the UK received the first head of state from the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, who was greeted by a CBBC organised business lunch at the Banqueting House. September 2019 AGM held a particular significance as it marked CBBC's 65th anniversary, and welcomed Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles as CBBC's new Chair, and in addition Lord Sassoon was nominated to become CBBC's first President. "For my part, I must congratulate the Board of Directors of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, headed by Dr. Faisal Khazaal, for this remarkable progress in the development of the company's business at a global level and for increasing its influence in the finance industry," Mr. George Matharu said. Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects. Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program. Mr. George Matharu, MBA. concluded his statement by saying, "The next step will be to draw up a fruitful economic plan based on supporting and strengthening Sino-British relations and submit it to the China-Britain Business Council to consider the possibility of implementing the plan to serve both countries." Elite Capital & Co. - Contact Details - Elite Capital & Co. Limited 33 St. James Square London, SW1Y4JS United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060 SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21 LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26 Website: ec.uk.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6b994e6-277a-4775-8c5a-a7b8d1269c97 SHANGHAI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Five global asset management institutions, including Aspect Capital and Schroders Capital, have signed agreements to settle in Shanghai's Lujiazui Financial City, said local authorities. According to Xiao Jian, head of Lujiazui administration bureau under the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Lujiazui Financial City has so far attracted more than 8,000 financial institutions. Lujiazui has become an important cluster for global asset management institutions in China. It now boasts about 80 percent of foreign-funded asset management institutions, 40 percent of foreign-funded corporate banks, nearly one-third of public fund management companies, and nearly one quarter of insurance asset management institutions of the total in the country, Xiao said. More than 80 world-renowned financial institutions from 13 countries have established over 120 foreign asset management institutions in Lujiazui. "Lujiazui is an important gathering place and business expansion place for global asset management institutions in China. We are very honored to have the opportunity to join the Global Asset Management Partner Program. We also hope that through this signing, we can contribute to building Lujiazui into the core area of a global asset management center and accelerating Shanghai's entry into the forefront of global asset management center cities," Li You, Chief Compliance Officer of Aspect Capital (China) Limited. "Shanghai has made a great stride in pushing for financial openness and attracting more global financial institutions and investors. The next step could be to take advantage the special status of Shanghai Free Trade Zone and Lingang special area to develop an off-shore financial system, adopting the most advanced financial business models and regulatory regimes," said Yan Hong, professor of finance of Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354839/Conference.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/shanghais-lujiazui-adds-5-global-asset-management-institutions-302079685.html JERSEY CITY, N.J., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of a market assessment report on the "Global Dental Infections Control Market - By Offering (Consumables and Single-Use Products (Cleaning and Sterilization Products, Unit Water-Line Cleaning Management Products, Saliva Ejectors, Others), Equipment (Cleaning Monitors, Ultrasonic Cleaning Units, Sterilization Equipment)), By End User (Dental Hospitals and Clinics, Dental Academic and Research Institutions, Dental Laboratories)), Trends, Industry Competition Analysis, Revenue and Forecast To 2031." According to the latest research by InsightAce Analytic, the Global Dental Infections Control Market is valued at US$1.32 Billion in 2023, and it is expected to reach US$ 2.24 Billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 7.03% during the forecast period of 2024-2031. Dental Infections Control Market Report Scope: Report Attribute Specifications Market Size Value In 2023 USD 1.32 Bn Revenue Forecast In 2031 USD 2.24 Bn Growth Rate CAGR CAGR of 7.03% from 2024 to 2031 Quantitative Units Representation of revenue in US$ Bn and CAGR from 2024 to 2031 Historic Year 2019 to 2023 Forecast Year 2024-2031 Segments Covered By Offering and End-User Regional Scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa Country Scope U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico; France; Italy; Spain; Southeast Asia; South Korea Request for Sample Pages: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/2343 Dental infection control, also referred to as preventive measures during dental patient treatments, involves the implementation of procedures to prevent the transmission of diseases within dental clinics. Prior to any treatment, surfaces such as dental chairs, lights, drawer handles, and countertops are meticulously cleaned and decontaminated to mitigate the risk of infection spread. The burgeoning growth of dentistry plays a pivotal role in driving market expansion for dental infection control. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of bacterial and viral infections, coupled with the implementation of infection control programs to curb transmission, the growing elderly population, the rising incidence of dental conditions, lifestyle changes, and the growing importance of infection control in dental practices are key factors propelling the dental infection control market. Furthermore, advancements in technology and modernization of dental equipment, along with heightened research and development endeavours, will create new opportunities and platforms for market expansion in the foreseeable future. However, challenges such as the rising cost of infection control measures and inadequate cleaning of surgical equipment may impede market growth during the forecast period. List of Prominent Players in the Dental Infections Control Market: 3D Dental 3M Company A-dec, Inc Air Techniques Inc. ASA Dental Biotrol BMS Dental Coltene Whaledent Ag Crosstex International Inc. Dentisan Dentsply Sirona Inc. Envista Holding Corporation First Medical GC Corporation Getinge AB Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co. Inc. KaVo Kerr Group Laboratoire Septodont maxill Inc. Owens & Minor Inc. Schulke & Mayr GmbH Steris, Plc Tuttnauer Young Innovations, Inc. Other Prominent Players Market Dynamics: Drivers- The escalating burden of dental infections and periodontal diseases, coupled with rising demand for dental care facilities and surgical procedures, the expanding dental care workforce, and technological advancements, are among the prevailing factors driving the growth of this market. Furthermore, the stringent enforcement of infection control programs and access to medical reimbursement policies are expected to provide further impetus to market expansion. Additionally, the increasing frequency of dental visits is contributing to the market's growth trajectory. Challenges: Keeping pace with the latest advancements in infection control technologies and techniques requires continuous training and investment, which may pose challenges for some dental practices. Nevertheless, the rising expenses associated with infection control and insufficient cleaning of surgical equipment stand out as primary hindrances, among other factors, likely to impede market expansion and pose challenges for the dental infection control market during the mentioned forecast period. The adoption of rigorous infection control protocols, such as routine sterilization of instruments and utilization of disposable items, can result in substantial financial burdens for dental practices, especially for smaller clinics or those operating in resource-constrained environments. Regional Trends: The North American Dental Infections Control market is expected to register a major market share. The increasing occurrence of dental conditions, the expansion of dental practices and laboratories, and the rising governmental backing for dental healthcare are anticipated to be significant drivers fueling the growth of the market for dental infection control products. Besides, the Asia Pacific regional market had a substantial share of the market. Elements such as the escalating prevalence of dental infections, growing demand for innovative cosmetic procedures and dental surgeries, augmented healthcare spending, enhanced healthcare facilities, rising disposable incomes, and comprehensive insurance coverage are among the pivotal drivers fostering market expansion in this region. Curious About This Latest Version Of The Report? Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/enquiry-before-buying/2343 Recent Developments: In June 2023, Becton, Dickinson and Company ("BD") and STERIS plc Company had entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase of surgical instrumentation, laparoscopic instrumentation, and sterilization container assets for $540 million. STERIS had projected that the acquisition would be eligible for a tax benefit associated with goodwill that is deductible from income, amounting to approximately $60 million in present value. In March 2023, 3M, a provider of oral-care solutions, unveils its digital dentistry technology at the International Dental Show 2023. This innovation aims to revolutionize direct treatment for oral diseases, marking the introduction of one of the most advanced dental technologies available in the market. Segmentation of Dental Infections Control Market By Offering- Consumables and Single-Use Products Cleaning and Sterilization Products Unit Water-Line Cleaning Management Products Saliva Ejectors Others Equipment's Cleaning Monitors Ultrasonic Cleaning Units Sterilization Equipment By End User - Dental Hospitals and Clinics Dental Academic and Research Institutions Dental Laboratories By Region- North America- The US Canada Mexico Europe- Germany The UK France Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific- China Japan India South Korea Southeast Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America- Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa- GCC Countries South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa For More Customization @https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/customisation/2343 Why should buy this report: To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for global Dental Infections Control market To receive industry overview and future trends of global Dental Infections Control market To analyze the Dental Infections Control market drivers and challenges To get information on the Dental Infections Control market size value (US$ Mn) forecast till 2031 Major Investments, Mergers & Acquisition in global Dental Infections Control market industry Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic: Advanced Dental Digital and Robotics Solutions Market Dental Practice Management Software Market Dental Autoclave Market About Us: InsightAce Analytic is a market research and consulting firm that enables clients to make strategic decisions. Our qualitative and quantitative market intelligence solutions inform the need for market and competitive intelligence to expand businesses. We help clients gain competitive advantage by identifying untapped markets, exploring new and competing technologies, segmenting potential markets and repositioning products. Our expertise is in providing syndicated and custom market intelligence reports with an in-depth analysis with key market insights in a timely and cost-effective manner. Contact US: InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. Tel.: +1 551 226 6109 Email: info@insightaceanalytic.com Site Visit: www.insightaceanalytic.com Follow Us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/2tBXsgS Follow Us On Facebook @ bit.ly/2H9jnDZ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729637/InsightAce_Analytic_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dental-infections-control-market-to-record-an-exponential-cagr-by-2031---exclusive-report-by-insightace-analytic-pvt-ltd-302079690.html CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / CannaPharmaRx, Inc. (OTC PINK:CPMD), a future leader in ultramodern, highly efficient cannabis production facilities announced today that the company finalized a supply agreement with ICAN Green S.A. de C.V ("ICAN"), a division of ICAN Investing Group LLC. CannaPharmaRx will supply product to ICAN for distribution in the Latin Americas with a primary focus on Mexico and Panama. ICAN, an international cannabis company with a focus on Latin-America, is a regional reference in education, research, and development of cannabis-based medications and products. ICAN was the first, and so far, only company to legally import THC API into Mexico. Under the terms of the agreement, CannapharmaRx will supply ICAN with cannabis related products, subject to minimum required annual levels of purchases by ICAN. This partnership is a significant accomplishment for both companies. "By securing this strategic partnership with ICAN, we continue to evolve our systematic international expansion strategy that will create diversity of revenue and allow us to introduce our high-quality products to an expanding global audience," commented Dean Medwid, CEO of CannaPharmaRx. "Through our pivotal partnership with CannaPharmaRx Inc., ICAN marks a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize the healthcare landscape in Latin America through innovative cannabis-based solutions. This agreement not only expands our reach but underscores our dedication to quality, research, and patient care. Together, we are set to bring high-quality, research backed cannabis products closer to our patients, further establishing ICAN as a leader in the region's healthcare transformation." Erick Ponce, CEO of ICAN, said. About CannapharmaRx, Inc. CannapharmaRx is focused on the acquisition and development of state-of-the-art cannabis grow facilities in Canada. CPMD is in discussion with other companies regarding potential acquisitions. CannapharmaRx's business strategy is to become a leader in high quality and low-cost production of cannabis through the development, acquisition, and enhancement of existing facilities. CannapharmaRx is committed to operating high-quality facilities utilizing the latest technology in combined heat and power generation to ensure being a low-cost producer of cannabis. Safe Harbor Statement Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or statements. All statements that are or information which is not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance, are 'forward-looking information or statements.' Forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans,' 'expects,' or 'does not expect,' 'is expected,' 'estimates,' 'intends,' 'anticipates,' or 'does not anticipate,' or 'believes,' or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may,' 'could,' 'would,' 'might' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking information and statements contained herein, Management of CannapharmaRx has made numerous assumptions, including, among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, events, or developments to be materially different from any future results, events, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information or statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking information or statements. CannapharmaRx assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information, or for any other reason except as required by law. Contact Information: Brokers and Analysts Chesapeake Group (410) 825-3930 SOURCE: Cannapharmarx, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Newpath Resources Inc. (CSE: PATH) (FSE: 0MZ) (OTC PINK: RDYFF) ("Newpath" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update in response to shareholder enquiries regarding drill results from Metal Energy Corp.'s ("Metal Energy") Source Rock Lithium Brine Project. Newpath's Alpha/Bravo Project is located immediately south and contiguous to Metal Energy's Source Rock Lithium Brine Project (See map below). Historic drilling on both projects encountered strong evidence of distinct evaporite bedforms (salt, gypsum) in the basal Pass Lake Member of the Proterozoic Sibley Group, often associated with higher clay content. Also noted was another interval of salty brine laden "sandstone" higher in the Sibley Group. Both units could be identified in airborne and ground electromagnetic surveys, though most often in hindsight, and were never targeted. Formational waters were left un-analysed and cored Pass Lake rocks incompletely or not sampled. Based upon limited, scattered historic drilling at Alpha/Bravo the depth from surface to the Pass Lake member is up to 325 metres. Lake sediment samples in the area are notably anomalous in lithium, the cause of which is not known. During the 2023 field season, Newpath conducted exploration for lithium-bearing pegmatites south and west of the Sibley sedimentary cover. Historical Perspective Mineral exploration in this part of Ontario area dates to the late 19th century when silver was discovered in veins along the shores and on islands of Lake Superior. Next came amethyst, now the official gemstone of the province of Ontario, found in veins along with lesser amounts of lead, silver and rarely, uranium mineralization. Amethyst mining is on-going in the region, and new occurrences are still being discovered, including at Alpha/Bravo. Geological studies reported in 1931 both defined the Sibley Group, recognized it distinctive mineralization, and noted the numerous salt licks and saline springs in the region. Several waves of uranium exploration in the 1970's through into the mid-2000's focused in on Alpha/Bravo and adjoining claims. This was driven by geological similarities between the Proterozoic geology of the Sibley Group/ Silver Islet area and the Athabasca Group/Uranium City and the Hornby Group/Port Radium regions as well as other productive belts in Africa, Australia, and Asia. Historical exploration followed procedures and techniques that were developed in the Athabasca Basin and remain the standard approach today- Detailed electromagnetic and magnetic surveys, sensitive gravity measurements and survey-controlled or directional core drilling was undertaken. Though uranium mineralization was encountered in the underlying Quetico nothing of major economic interest was found. Exploration interest flagged and dollars disappeared. However, drill geologists noted that certain intervals of the drill cores tasted salty and it was postulated that the Sibley Basin hosted saline brines and perhaps preserved beds of salt and gypsum. In hindsight, workers re-examined the electromagnetic surveys and realized that there were conductive domains that were best explained by layers of intraformational brine, preserved undisturbed for over a billion years. Geological reconstructions suggest that the host rocks were derived from erosion of pre-existing rocks to the north, east and west, geological terranes known to host deposits of lithium in granitic LCT pegmatites. As proposed in several lithium producing regions of the world, they may owe their lithium endowment to the movement of hydrothermal waters that leach alkali metals, taking them into solution and then becoming trapped in adjacent sedimentary basins. Historical interpretations of the electromagnetic surveys suggest that Alpha/Bravo covers a significant portion of the possible "brine field", sharing this anomaly with adjoining properties. Newpath remains attentive to continuing developments, including the brine potential, but also uranium, given the current resurgence of interest in secure sources of uranium that is being accompanied by rising spot prices for uranium. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7393/200423_89d5bd3f64162843_001full.jpg Newpath's Alpha/Bravo Project covers 640 square kilometers of prime exploration ground situated north of Lake Superior, 45 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The property is transected by electrical power transmission lines, a natural gas pipeline and a network of forestry roads accessed by a four-lane divided highway on the south and a paved secondary highway on the west. The information presented in this news release is based on information documented in assessment reports filed with the Ontario Ministry of Mines. The Company has not independently verified this historical information. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Douglas S. Turnbull, P.Geo., the Company's COO and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Acknowledgment of First Nations Newpath Resources Inc. is committed to fostering lasting, transparent, trust-based relationships with the Indigenous communities where we operate. We respectfully acknowledge that our Alpha/Bravo project is on the traditional territories of many Nations including Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Fort William First Nation, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, Red Rock Indian Band, the Metis Nation of Ontario and Red Sky Metis Independent Nation. Newpath Resources recognizes the great privilege of conducting work on these lands and recognizes the accountability and commitment we owe to the communities who have resided here since time immemorial. Newpath shares a common interest in ensuring that the lands and waters will continue to provide cultural, environmental, and economic wellbeing for Indigenous communities for generations to come. About Newpath Resources Inc. Newpath is a Canadian exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol PATH. Newpath's early-stage Orefield critical metal exploration project, which is composed of three claim groups (Alpha Bravo, Charlie and Delta), totals 3,180 claim units covering approximately 67,448 hectares (approximately 674 square kilometres) west and southwest of Lake Nipigon in Northern Ontario. The company also wholly owns the Northshore gold project located in the Schreiber-Hemlo greenstone belt. On Behalf of the Company, NEWPATH RESOURCES INC. "Alexander McAulay" Chief Executive Officer Email: amcaulay@newpathresource.com CEO Direct Line: +1 (604) 365-0425 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information included in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the exploration work on the Alpha/BravoProject. Forward-looking information is based upon the assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management of the Company as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the effectiveness and feasibility of lithium extraction technologies on a commercial scale , and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Any statement containing forward looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200423 SOURCE: Newpath Resources Inc. TORONTO, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company") (TSX: FM) announces that it has completed the previously-announced redemption in full (the "Redemption") of its $1,050,000,000 aggregate principal amount 7.50% senior notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes") and $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount 6.875% senior notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes" and, together with the 2025 Notes, the "Notes"). The Company redeemed the Notes at a redemption price of 100.00% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, using the proceeds from its previously-announced comprehensive refinancing. The Company has deposited amounts required to fund the Redemption into accounts designated by the relevant trustees for the holders of the Notes in accordance with the indentures governing the Notes (the "Indentures"). Furthermore, the Indentures have been discharged and have ceased to be of further effect as to all Notes in accordance with the satisfaction and discharge provisions of the Indentures. For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com (http://www.first-quantum.com) or contact: Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations (416) 361-6400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577 E-Mail: info@fqml.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION The information in this announcement does not constitute notice of redemption or the solicitation to purchase any securities of the Company, or an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such offer would be unlawful. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless they are registered or are exempt from the registration of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or the securities laws of any state of the U.S. or other jurisdictions and will not be offered or sold within the U.S. or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and the applicable laws of other jurisdictions. The Company does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States or any other jurisdiction. It may be unlawful to distribute this announcement in certain jurisdictions. CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive Telematics Market is projected to grow from an estimated USD 9.0 billion in 2024 to reach USD 16.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 10.1%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Automotive manufacturers are highly focused on collaborating with telematic suppliers to integrate their services into their new models to increase drivers' and on-road safety. Several automakers offer e-SIM card facilities in their top-end variants, like Ford, who collaborated with Vodafone to offer 4G Wi-Fi connectivity. All the premium vehicles are equipped with this e-Sim card facility, which is also anticipated to drive the overall market growth. The Telematics market is further boosted by the growing emphasis on vehicle connectivity and data-driven insights to enhance driver safety, efficiency, and convenience. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=245073008 Browse in-depth TOC on "Automotive Telematics Market". 210 - Tables 60 - Figures 260 - Pages Automotive Telematics Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 16.1 billion by 2030 Growth Rate CAGR of 10.1% Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2024-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Service (eCall, On-road Assistance, Insurance risk assessment, Remote Diagnostics), Form (Embedded & Integrated), Connectivity, Aftermarket and Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities 5G/6G will create futuristic growth opportunities Key Market Drivers Increasing use of telematics in fleet management "Passenger Cars dominate the automotive telematics market at a global level." The passenger car segment is projected to lead the automotive telematics market during the forecast period. The growth is mainly attributed to the highest share of passenger cars, with about 70 million in 2023, among overall vehicle production, which is expected to surpass 79 million by 2030. Factors such as rising demand for connected features, advanced safety technologies, and growing acceptance of ADAS for improved safety and comfort drive the passenger car telematics market. Over 40% of Class C segment passenger cars are installed with an OE-fitted telematic system. Alternatively, Class D & above passenger cars are installed with OE-fitted telematics modules in their luxury vehicles to attract consumer attention. Although Asia-Pacific leads the automotive telematics market owing to a higher volume of passenger cars, the European and North American markets hold a higher penetration of telematics unit fitment. OEMs like Volkswagen, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW offer telematics units as a standard or optional feature in these regions. Furthermore, regulatory mandates for vehicle safety (such as the e-Call mandate in Europe) and emissions monitoring in these regions have pushed automakers to adopt telematics solutions to comply with stringent requirements - moreover, robust telecom infrastructure with widespread presence complementing the access to telematic services. As the penetration of embedded telematics is expanding beyond luxury and premium segments, mid-range models from Chery, GAC Motor, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan and strategic collaborations with technology companies like Google and Samsung to extend their telematic offerings will allow them to capture a significant share for automotive telematics industry in passenger cars segment. "Insurance-based assessment to be the fastest growing automotive telematics service by 2030." Insurance-based assessment services are projected to become a prominent telematics service market by the end of 2030 as they offer several benefits over standard insurance. This service provides insurers with valuable data to assess risk and tailor insurance premiums based on individual driving behaviour. By leveraging telematics devices installed in vehicles, insurers can track metrics such as driving speed, distance travelled, braking patterns, and time of day, allowing for a more personalized and fair pricing model. This approach incentivizes safer driving habits among policyholders, reducing accident rates and insurance claims ultimately lowering costs for insurers. Regulatory bodies are pushing automakers to deploy telematics and connectivity functionalities in vehicles to improve passenger and vehicle safety. This increased demand for cars with more sophisticated and connected features. In a 2022 study on public perception and use of telematics, the Insurance Research Council (IRC) found that in the US, 45% of drivers surveyed indicated they had significantly changed their driving habits for safety after taking part in a telematics program, and an additional 35% stated that they had made minor adjustments to their driving style. Further, a whitepaper published by LexisNexis Risk Solutions stated that around 80%-90% of those who bought auto insurance in 2017 had telematics-enabled coverage. Additionally, insurance firms may help customers in times of need due to the growing demand for connected car services, which expedites the claims procedure and saves time. Hence, the increasing adoption of automotive telematics would prompt the market growth of insurance-based assessment services in the coming years. "North America is the second largest market for automotive telematics." North America is estimated to remain the second-largest region for the automotive telematics market. The region's growth is mainly driven by stringent government regulations and the presence of prominent OEMs Ford Motor Company (US), General Motors (US), and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (US). The automotive market in the US has favored passenger cars with advanced comfort and safety technologies. The US is the largest market in the region and accounts for more than two-thirds of the overall market, followed by Mexico and Canada. With the increasing penetration of luxury cars and the upcoming availability of 5G connection, which will enable more advanced telematics solutions, the need for telematics solutions is anticipated to rise in this region. In addition to this, the regulatory landscape and government programs encourage the use of telematics for environmental and safety reasons. For instance, To measure hours of service, commercial vehicles must carry electronic logging devices (ELDs), according to the governments of the US and Canada. As a result, OEMs and telematics suppliers partnered to develop compliance solutions. OEMs are also looking to develop alliances with telematics providers due to the rising popularity of connected car platforms and subscription-based services to improve their products and maintain their competitiveness in the North American market. In the US, around 80% of cars are connected with the increasing advancement in 5G technology. Telecom companies are working with automakers, including Toyota, General Motors, and Porsche, to build practical 5G solutions. AT&T has partnerships with more than 30 automotive OEMs using its network, such as BMW, Ford, Chevrolet, Jaguar, and Honda. The growth of telematics in premium SUVs and pickup trucks is driven by a strong emphasis on technology and innovation in the automotive industry, particularly in the premium segment, where vehicles are offered with advanced features and connectivity options. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=245073008 Key Market Players: The major players in Automotive Telematics Companies include Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Continental AG (Germany), AT&T Inc (US), LG Electronics. (South Korea), and Verizon (US). Recent Developments In January 2024, Continental AG and Google Cloud partnered at IAA Mobility, presenting a new era of personalized travel at CES 2024. Google Cloud's generative AI voice assistant integrates into Continental's Smart Cockpit High-Performance Computer (HPC) to create a natural and intuitive interaction between user and assistant. Its features include conversational navigation, driver personalization, and in-car control, allowing users to ask detailed vehicle-related questions, discover places of interest, and engage in back-and-forth conversations for a more helpful travel experience. In November 2023, Robert Bosch GmbH unveiled its innovative solutions of advanced intelligent driving solutions for China at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE 2023). The new production models in China will be equipped with end-to-end navigation assistance for high-speed and advanced applications. In March 2023, Continental AG announced its partnership with HERE Technologies to power all IVECO's commercial vehicles across Europe with "Intelligent Speed Assistance" (ISA) and fuel-saving functions. These are delivered through Continental's eHorizon platform, aggregating and delivering HERE map content, with data exchange enabled by Continental's scalable 4G/5G telematics control unit. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=245073008 Browse Adjacent Market: Automotive and Transportation Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: In-vehicle Infotainment Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Connected Car Market - Global Forecast to 2026 Automotive Interior Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Automotive Smart Display Market - Global Forecast to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/automotive-telematics-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/automotive-telematics.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/automotive-telematics-market-worth-usd-16-1-billion-by-2030---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302079419.html This Generative AI program equips learners with essential skills to develop and deploy GenAI-enabled applications, culminating in a joint certificate from Purdue University Online and Simplilearn The comprehensive curriculum covers advanced topics like LLMs, VAEs, GANs, prompt engineering, transformers, and attention mechanisms, ensuring proficiency in Generative AI applications Learners will gain hands-on experience while leveraging popular tools like ChatGPT, OpenAI, DALL-E 2, Hugging Face, and LangChain SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplilearn , a global digital skills training provider, extended its collaboration with Purdue University Online, renowned for its commitment to innovation, research, and education to introduce the Applied Generative AI Specialization program . The program is carefully designed to equip professionals with the essential skills and knowledge needed to navigate the rapidly evolving field of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI). According to Marketresearch.biz , the worldwide market for Generative AI in jobs is predicted to reach approximately $1259.9 million by 2032, up from $233.0 million in 2022. This represents a growth rate of 18.9% from 2023 to 2032. This reinforces the need for well-curated programs to equip learners with the competency to thrive in the Gen AI-driven digital economy. The Applied Generative AI Specialization program aims to provide students with a thorough knowledge of this game-changing technology. It covers key concepts and techniques such as Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, transformers, attention mechanisms, LLM application development, and LLM fine-tuning. This program leverages a hybrid pedagogy that enables learners to create Gen AI-enabled applications using OpenAI APIs and other popular GenAI tools and deploy them. Key components of the Purdue University Online and Simplilearn-led Applied Generative AI Specialization program are designed to give learners an extensive and practical learning experience. After finishing the program successfully, learners will get a certificate of completion jointly issued by Simplilearn and Purdue University Online, which helps them advance their professional qualifications. Learners will also have access to Purdue's prestigious alumni association and networking opportunities. The program delivers over 50 hours of core curriculum through live-online classes led by industry experts, ensuring a robust understanding of Generative AI concepts. Through hands-on projects, participants can apply their knowledge in building real-world Generative AI-enabled applications. Live-online masterclasses, facilitated by Purdue faculty and staff, further enrich the learning experience. Exposure to industry tools, including ChatGPT, OpenAI, DALL-E 2, Hugging Face, LangChain, and more, ensures that participants are well-versed in cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, Simplilearn's JobAssist program connects learners with top hiring companies, enhancing their career prospects in the rapidly evolving field of Generative AI. Candidates with a basic understanding of programming concepts and mathematics are most suited for this program. Working professionals with 2+ years of professional work experience will be preferred as they would benefit the most from the program. The program caters to a broad spectrum of professionals, including IT professionals, software developers, data analysts, analytics managers, business analysts, data engineers, data scientists, beginners, and recent graduates. This inclusive approach ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds can acquire the skills needed to thrive in the burgeoning field of Generative AI. Within the quickly changing field of Generative AI, where industry predictions indicate significant expansion, this specialist course becomes an indispensable tool for experts in various fields. Given that the market for Generative AI is predicted to reach $667.9 billion by 2030 and increase at a projected annual pace of 24.4% between 2023 and 2030, the program becomes a crucial pathway for anyone looking to take advantage of this technology's disruptive potential. Furthermore, Generative AI is anticipated to boost the world economy by $4.4 trillion a year, highlighting its importance and influence in several industries. Speaking about the program, Mr. Anand Narayanan, Chief Product Officer of Simplilearn, said, "In today's dynamic landscape, the increasing demand for AI professionals underscores the significance of Simplilearn's strategic collaboration with Purdue University for the Applied Generative AI Specialization program. As we embark on an era where Generative AI is poised to shape a multi-billion dollar market by 2030, this initiative addresses the burgeoning need for adept AI professionals. Our partnership not only presents learners with a distinctive learning pathway but also empowers them with proficiency in cutting-edge industry tools, emerging technologies, and governance frameworks. This strategic alliance addresses the skills gap by enabling learners to acquire the right skills in this ever-evolving domain of Generative AI." Speaking about the partnership with Simplilearn, Dimitrios Peroulis, Senior Vice President for Purdue University Online, said, "We're pleased to partner with Simplilearn for the Applied Generative AI Specialization Program. The transformative impact of the AI revolution on diverse industries has sparked increased interest among aspiring professionals to elevate their skills in this dynamic field. Our collaboration with Simplilearn can help these professionals stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of Generative AI, a crucial domain in artificial intelligence." After completing the program, learners will become skilled professionals with a solid grasp of Generative AI concepts, a command of Python fundamentals, and expertise with advanced approaches. The learning route consists of foundational courses covering Python basics, advanced Generative AI models, tools, and applications, and the crucial aspects of Generative AI governance. Graduates will be prepared to negotiate AI initiatives' ethical and legal landscape by combining their technological expertise with a sophisticated understanding of governance. In acknowledgment of their achievements, participants will receive certificates for each course in the learning route and a program completion certificate jointly provided by Simplilearn and Purdue University Online, attesting to their proficiency in Generative AI. About Simplilearn Founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, California, and Bangalore, India, Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is the world's #1 online Bootcamp for digital economy skills training. Simplilearn offers access to world-class work-ready training to individuals and businesses worldwide. The Bootcamps are designed and delivered with world-renowned universities, top corporations, and leading industry bodies via live online classes featuring top industry practitioners, sought-after trainers, and global leaders. From college students and early career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses, and big corporations, Simplilearn's role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognized, and globally relevant training programs are ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or business goals. Simplilearn conducts more than 3,000 live classes monthly, with an average of 80,000 learners who spend more than 500,000 hours on the platform. Its programs allow learners to upskill and get certified in popular domains. About Purdue University Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue's main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap - including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Computes - at: https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives . For more information, please visit www.simplilearn.com/ For more information: Vidya Nadiminti +91 9663883216 vidya.nadiminti@simplilearn.net Arzoo Jain +91 9755040268 arzoo.jain@mslgroup.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1100016/4169121/Simplilearn_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/simplilearn-and-purdue-university-online-unite-forces-to-bridge-gen-ai-job-markets-skills-gap-302079717.html Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - The second edition of ADFO Summit was held in Abu Dhabi on Friday, first of March. Fridays are an unusual day to host a business gathering in the UAE, but not for Abu Dhabi Family Office Summit, known as "ADFO Summit". Debuting in 2023, the ADFO Summit introduced a fresh paradigm for networking, curated specifically for both local and international families seeking unparalleled connectivity. Spearheaded by Mr. Obediah Ayton, the ADFO Summit has become synonymous with innovation, boasting a distinctive concept characterized by novel stage setups, esteemed speakers, bespoke networking environments, and an ambiance tailored to foster candid conversations among Family Offices and UHNW individuals. Caption: ADFO Summit Discussion Panel To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7633/200432_96bf3bd484280bca_001full.jpg Reflecting on this pioneering approach, Obediah Ayton remarked, "After years of attending networking events, I sought to pioneer a concept that delivers enduring value to its participants. Thus, I dared to redefine the layout, format, stage dynamics, attendee profile, and overall networking model." The ADFO Summit attracted a total of 292 attendees throughout the day, including 151 representatives from Family Offices, 23 delegates from distinct investment institutions, and various summit partners. On behalf of Siraj Holdings international (Part of Al Otaiba Group), Managing Director Khadeer Shariff said, "I want to express my deepest gratitude for organizing such a phenomenal event. The Abu Dhabi Family Office Summit was not just an event; it was a catalyst for meaningful discussions, innovation, and collaboration." Caption: ADFO Summit Discussion Panel To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7633/200432_96bf3bd484280bca_002full.jpg The second edition of this distinguished family office gathering, ADFO Summit 2.0, spotlighted the burgeoning momentum propelling the Gulf region into a hub for high-net-worth families. Madhu Koneru, Family Principal of Kcap Holding, led a riveting fireside chat addressing the growing relevance of family offices in the region. This was followed by a dynamic panel discussion featuring industry stalwarts such as Suresh Vaidhyanathan, CEO of Ghassan Aboud Group; Khadeer Shariff, Managing Director of Al Siraj Holding; and Sikander Hazir, COO of Dawood Group. Caption: ADFO Summit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7633/200432_96bf3bd484280bca_003full.jpg Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Managing Director & Founding Team Member at Motive Partners, lauded the ADFO Summit as a beacon of thought leadership and discerning networking, stating, "In a landscape inundated with events, it's imperative to select those that seamlessly blend esteemed attendees with an environment conducive to forging new connections and relationships. The ADFO Summit accomplishes precisely that, offering insightful content alongside an exclusive assembly of attendees." Following the resounding success of ADFO Summit 2.0, the team is gearing up for ADFO Summit 3.0, scheduled for May 30th & 31st. Contact ADFO Summit Owner Obediah Ayton +971503506152 pr@stankeviciusmgm.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200432 SOURCE: Stankevicius Pacific Limited LEVERKUSEN (dpa-AFX) - German pharmaceutical and biotechnology major Bayer AG reported Tuesday a surge in its fourth-quarter net profit benefited by weak expenses. Meanwhile, sales were hurt by lower Pharmaceuticals sales, despite growth in Crop Science and consumer Health segments. Further, the company trimmed its dividend, and said it sees lower adjusted earnings and nearly flat sales in fiscal 2024 on a currency-adjusted basis. Further, CEO Bill Anderson announced various steps to take out 2 billion euros in annual organizational costs from 2026, with cost reduction representing just one outcome. Regarding the company's structure and a possible break-up, Anderson said, 'our answer is 'not now' - and this shouldn't be misunderstood as 'never'. Of course, we will keep an open mind.' The Chief Executive stated that the company has four challenges that must be addressed urgently, including the loss of exclusivities and the pipeline at Pharmaceuticals, the US litigation, high debt levels and a hierarchical bureaucracy that blocks progress. Net financial debt as of December 31 increased 8.5 percent against year-end 2022 to 34.498 billion euros. For the next 24 to 36 months, the company said it will focus into building a strong Pharmaceuticals pipeline, addressing litigation, reducing debt, and continuing to implement its radical new operating model Dynamic Shared Ownership or DSO with a view to improve performance. The company announced a dividend of 0.11 euro per share, lesser than previous year's 2.40 euros per share. For fiscal 2024, the firm expects core earnings per share of 4.95 to 5.35 euros and sales of 46 billion to 48 billion euros. On a currency-adjusted basis, it is expected that core earnings per share would be 5.10 euros to 5.50 euros, with EBITDA before special items of 10.7 billion euros to 11.3 billion euros, on sales of 47 billion to 49 billion euros. In fiscal 2023, Bayer recorded core earnings per share of 6.39 euros, and EBITDA before special items of 11.706 billion euros, on sales of 47.637 billion euros. For the fourth-quarter, Bayer reported a net income of 1.34 billion euros or 1.36 euros per share, 119 percent higher than 611 million euros or 0.62 euro per share last year. Core earnings per share were 1.85 euros, compared to last year's 1.35 euros per share. EBIT was at 2.19 billion euros, 53 percent higher than previous year's 1.43 billion euros. Excluding special items, EBIT was 1.94 billion euros, a growth of 33.7 percent from 1.45 billion euros a year ago. EBITDA before special items was at 3.023 billion euros, up 22.8 percent from 2.462 billion euros in 2022. EBITDA margin before special items was 25.5 percent, higher than 20.5 percent last year. In the quarter, research and development expenses dropped 33.7 percent from last year to 1.07 billion euros, and selling expenses moved down 23.4 percent to 2.84 billion euros. Sales fell 1.2 percent to 11.86 billion euros from 12 billion euros last year. At constant exchange rates, sales grew 5.5 percent. Bayer's agricultural business, Crop Science, recorded sales growth of 1.1 percent in the quarter to 5.63 billion euros, and consumer Health sales grew 3.5 percent, while Pharmaceuticals sales fell 5.7 percent to 4.58 billion euros. In Germany, Bayer shares were trading at 27.83 euros, down 0.91 percent. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken Strategic Growth and Increased Visibility Set to Enhance IRBM's Leadership Position ROME, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IRBM, an integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organization (CRO), announces its global expansion with a new office in Boston, Massachusetts, a cornerstone for biotechnology and drug discovery. This strategic initiative underscores IRBM's dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration within the life sciences sector, aiming to harness Boston's dynamic biotech ecosystem for the accelerated development of therapies that address unmet medical needs on a larger scale. Expanding IRBM's global reach, the Boston site will enhance direct interactions with partners, collaborators, and the broader scientific community across the United States and internationally. This move reinforces IRBM's mission to improve health outcomes through innovative research and an integrated, collaborative approach to drug discovery. Matteo Liguori, CEO of IRBM, expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion: "Opening our first international office in Boston marks a significant milestone in IRBM's journey, reflecting our commitment to advancing science and health on a global scale. We are excited to be part of Boston's vibrant biotech ecosystem, which will support us in facilitating new collaborations and accelerating our contributions to drug discovery and the scientific community." In tandem with the opening of the Boston office, IRBM is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website (https://www.irbm.com/), which offers a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. The website provides detailed insights into IRBM's research, capabilities, and partnership opportunities, reflecting the company's efforts to improve engagement with the global scientific community, partners, and the public. The introduction of IRBM's Boston office and the launch of its redesigned website signify major strides in the company's global outreach and digital engagement. IRBM welcomes current and future collaborators and partners to arrange a visit to the new Boston location and to explore the updated website, actions that underscore IRBM's commitment to advancing health through scientific innovation and partnership. About IRBM IRBM is a global leader in drug discovery, boasting a unique model of conducting all research at a single site, fostering unparalleled agility and efficiency from concept to candidate. This model facilitates rapid breakthroughs while minimizing setbacks. With a history of contributing to four approved drugs, IRBM is powered by deep collaborations and decades of expertise from leading global institutions. IRBM's comprehensive in-house capabilities assist partners in achieving key milestones and progressing towards clinical readiness, positioning them as a major player in driving innovation across the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.Top of Form Website:https://www.irbm.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354912/IRBM_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/irbm-expands-global-reach-in-drug-discovery-with-new-boston-office-302079769.html Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Hosted by the VAP Group, the Global Blockchain Show is about to be held on April 16 and 17, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. This is one of the largest global gatherings with an anticipation of 10,000+ attendees, 150+ speakers, 200+ sponsors, and 3000 companies from the Blockchain industry. This is a platform to capture influential insights from some of the best global blockchain leaders participating as speakers at the event. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10220/200430__940_x_940__event_listing__gbs_.jpg Some of the well-known influencers-Jordi Alexander, Chief Alchemist, Mantle; Dominic Williams, Founder & Chief Scientist, DFINITY Foundation; Zara Zamani, COO & Co-Founder of Neoki; and Toby Gilbert, CEO & Co-Founder, Coinweb; among others, are speakers at this event. The Global Blockchain Show is an excellent venue for exchanging insights on the future of blockchain technology. Attendees can gain an in-depth knowledge of current and upcoming products in the field of blockchain. Vishal Parmar, the CEO of VAP Group, believes that the Global Blockchain Show has been created with the motive of providing people with depeer knowledge on the Web3 ecosystem. It is a well-planned event aimed to benefit its audience. The show will not only help novices but also start-ups and existing blockchain By being a part of the show, attendees can get involved in: Building professional contacts in the field of blockchain Engaging in lively discussions around the implications of blockchain Exploring and establishing new collaborations and partnerships Start-ups and industry experts can be involved in: Seeking global investors Venturing into business and investment options with other professionals Discovering new customers and partners from all over the world Learning about the new policies and regulations on blockchain technology Opportunities to show their blockchain initiatives An after-party will be held at the White Beach in Dubai to provide networking opportunities. About the Global Blockchain Show VAP Group is delighted to introduce the Global Blockchain Show, an extraordinary platform poised to redefine the landscape of blockchain technology. This eagerly anticipated event brings together visionaries, industry leaders, and pioneers from across the globe for an unparalleled exploration of blockchain's transformative power. Join the Global Blockchain Show for a dynamic gathering on April 16-17, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai, where the brightest minds converge to unlock the potential of blockchain technology. From thought-provoking keynote speeches to interactive panel discussions and hands-on workshops, the Global Blockchain Show, curated by VAP Group, promises to delve into blockchain's cutting-edge applications and disruptive potential across diverse industries. This is more than a conference; it catalyzes the evolution of decentralized solutions, digital economies, and innovative paradigms. Embrace the opportunity to be at the forefront of this revolution and engage with the latest trends and advancements shaping the future of blockchain technology. Secure a place today and become part of a global movement shaping the future of blockchain innovation. To book tickets: https://www.globalblockchainshow.com/tickets/ For media inquiries, exclusive interviews, or press passes, please reach out to: Nupur Aswani Director, Media & PR, VAP Group 7874711416 | nupuraswani@vapgroup.co To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200430 SOURCE: Global Blockchain Show Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - CloudMD Software & Services Inc. (TSXV: DOC) (OTCQX: DOCRF) (FSE: 6PH) (the "Company" or "CloudMD"), a healthcare technology and innovative health services company transforming the delivery of care, announces the signing of a new muti-service contract with The Ottawa Hospital ("TOH") to provide their 15,000+ team members with access to the full Kii, by CloudMD suite of services including Nurse Navigation, Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP), and Mental Health Support. "At The Ottawa Hospital, we are always focused on increasing access to healthcare resources for our staff. Partnering with CloudMD allows us to provide nurse navigation, mental health support, and EFAP all in one spot," said Honorata Bittner, Chief Strategy and People Officer at The Ottawa Hospital. "CloudMD's proactive approach to care and simple navigation will benefit all of our staff including those that may work non-traditional hours." "We are honoured to be chosen to provide mental healthcare support for this incredibly dedicated team of healthcare workers. The Ottawa Hospital understands the value of workplace health and wellness - aligning perfectly with CloudMD's philosophy of Empowering Healthier Living," said Bram Lowsky, EVP, Head, Health and Wellness Services CloudMD. "This new partnership with a highly respected, innovative organization demonstrates the continuing momentum we are seeing in demand for our services from leading hospital groups and employers across Canada and the United States." CloudMD is a vendor of record with Mohawk Medbuy Corporation, a not-for-profit, shared services organization supporting hundreds of Canadian hospitals with supply chain, clinical, and back office services. About The Ottawa Hospital The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is one of Canada's top learning and research hospitals where we are guided by our vision to provide the world-class and compassionate care we would all want for our loved ones. Our multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, is home to the Regional Trauma Centre and Cancer Centre, and to discoveries that are adopted globally. Backed by generous support from the community, we are focused on reshaping the future of health care to improve the health of our diverse population of patients from Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and Nunavut. For more information about The Ottawa Hospital, visit OttawaHospital.on.ca. About CloudMD Software & Services CloudMD is an innovative North American healthcare service provider focused on empowering healthier living by combining leading-edge technology with an exceptional national network of healthcare professionals. Every day, our employees and healthcare providers live our values of delivering excellence, collaboration, connected communication, and accountability to solve complex health problems. CloudMD's industry-leading workplace health and wellbeing solution, Kii, supports members and their families with a personalized and connected healthcare experience across mental, physical, and occupational health. Kii delivers superior clinical health outcomes, consistent high engagement, and measurable ROI for payers such as employers, educational institutions, associations, governments, and insurers. CloudMD is also a market leader in workplace absence management through data-driven prevention, intervention, and return-to-work programs. In addition, the Company sells health and productivity tools to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare service providers to empower them to deliver better care. Visit www.cloudmd.ca to learn more about the Company's comprehensive healthcare offerings. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements about the Company's focus and expectations for 2024. These statements are based upon information currently available to CloudMD's management. All information that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as "forecast", "assumption" and other similar expressions or future or conditional terms such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and "should". Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain factors and assumptions made by management of CloudMD based on their current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs regarding their business and CloudMD does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance and by their nature involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those risks described in the Company's MD&A (which is filed under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ and can be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca), that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although CloudMD has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause actions, events or results to be different than anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could vary or differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. CloudMD does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. "Karen Adams" Chief Executive Officer FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT: Investor Relations Investors@cloudmd.ca 1-647-484-1405 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200391 SOURCE: CloudMD Software & Services Inc. Dassault Systemes is advancing the portfolio transformation of its GEOVIA mining solutions to integrate them within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform The latest GEOVIA updates include the release of the Strategic Mine Planner role and Underground Mine Designer role solutions for end users that prioritize value optimization, safety and ecological responsibility, time-saving and data flow transparency thanks to generative parametric modeling and a novel optimization technology The comprehensive GEOVIA portfolio powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, including the flagship solutions Surpac, MineSched and Whittle, will be showcased at the Prospectors Developers Association of Canada Convention on March 5 in Toronto Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced that it is showcasing the latest portfolio advancements of its mining flagship brand GEOVIA during the Prospectors Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention 2024, on March 5 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), Room 206-D, in Toronto. GEOVIA solutions provide end-to-end virtual twin experiences focusing on the intersection of natural resources, infrastructure and urban planning. The GEOVIA solutions portfolio is transforming significantly to seamlessly integrate with Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This integration establishes a unified source of truth, empowering organizations to strengthen their resilience in a swiftly evolving landscape while securing a competitive edge across the entire mining value chain, spanning from pit to port. The latest advancements in the GEOVIA portfolio include the Strategic Mine Planner role and the Underground Mine Designer role, which are available now. The GEOVIA Strategic Mine Planner role complements the Pit Optimizer role, allowing users to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that is robust and reliable by evaluating critical input parameters through multiple scenario analyses, from development to closure. It enables the simultaneous or sequential application of several advanced value-adding options for optimizing capacity to create a robust mining schedule that prioritizes value and ecological responsibility. The role counts with a novel optimization technology, based on an extension of the Bienstock-Zuckerberg algorithm, which provides increased net present value (NPV) while significantly speeding up runtimes compared to any other commercial solution. The GEOVIA Underground Mine Designer role enables the user to rethink the design experience of underground mining by evaluating multiple options thanks to generative parametric modeling. Users can generate and evaluate various development designs through a highly automated process, offering an optimal design assessment. Adopting a "Safety by Design" approach allows compliance with requirements and safety standards related to underground excavations, from physical constraints to geotechnical features. The new Underground Mine Designer role allows significant time-savings and transparency through seamless process and data model continuity between different mining levels, development areas and practical access designs. The two new roles complement the GEOVIA portfolio for mining in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which also includes Geology Modeler, Geoscience Referential Manager, Earth Engineering Coordinator and Pit Optimizer. "We are excited to actively participate at PDAC 2024 and announce our latest advancements in mining solutions," said Mauro DelleMonache, CEO, GEOVIA, Dassault Systemes. "Our team of mining specialists and consultants have prepared exciting live presentations featuring multiple releases and scheduled activities harnessing the capabilities of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. GEOVIA solutions facilitate smooth collaboration, streamlined data exchange, and enhanced workflow efficiency, empowering mining companies to make well-informed decisions, elevate operational performance, and achieve operational and sustainability objectives. Our motivation stems from the vision of modeling a sustainable planet where technology, knowledge and know-how play pivotal roles in advocating responsible management of natural resources. We look forward to connecting with our users, clients, and partners, sharing insights, and actively shaping the future of the mining segment together." FOR MORE INFORMATION Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com For more information about Dassault Systemes' GEOVIA, visit https://www.3ds.com/products/geovia SHARE THIS ON X, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER @Dassault3DS unveils innovative, collaborative @3dsGEOVIA mining solutions within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform @the_PDAC 2024 Connect with Dassault Systemes on https://twitter.com/Dassault3DS https://www.facebook.com/DassaultSystemes https://www.linkedin.com/company/dassaultsystemes https://www.youtube.com/DassaultSystemes ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTEMES Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all -consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305247794/en/ Contacts: Dassault Systemes Press Contacts Corporate France Arnaud MALHERBE arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73 North America Natasha LEVANTI natasha.levanti@3ds.com +1 (508) 449 8097 EMEA Virginie BLINDENBERG virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21 China Grace MU grace.mu@3ds.com +86 10 6536 2288 India Kriti ASHOK kriti.ashok@3ds.com +91 9741310607 Japan Wen YANG wen.yang@3ds.com +81 3 4321 6549 Korea Jeemin JEONG jeemin.jeong@3ds.com +82 2 3271 6653 CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (TSX-V:FLY)(OTCQX:FLYLF) (the "Company" or "FLYHT") announced today that it will participate in the iAccess Alpha "Buyside Best Ideas Spring Conference 2024" taking place virtually on March 12-13, 2024. Kent Jacobs, President and Interim CEO, and Alana Forbes, CFO, are scheduled to host a presentation on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 9:00 AM MT (11:00 AM ET), followed by a Q&A session. Management will also host one-on-one meetings on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Details for the live public presentation are below: DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 TIME: 9:00 AM MT (11:00 AM ET) LINK: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3024/50044 A live webcast and archive of the presentation will be available using the dedicated link above and in the Investors section of FLYHT's website at www.flyht.com/investors. All existing and prospective shareholders are invited to attend the conference to learn more about the Company. Registration can be found at https://www.iaccessalpha.com. For more information, please contact FLYHT's IR team at investors@flyht.com or flyht@fnkir.com. About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FLYHT provides airlines with Actionable Intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, and delivers industry leading solutions to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and profitability. This unique capability is driven by a suite of patented aircraft certified hardware products, AFIRS. Solutions include an aircraft satcom/interface device that enables cockpit voice communications, transmission of aircraft data both while inflight via satellite and post-flight via 5G, real-time aircraft state and fleet status analysis, and preventative maintenance solutions. FLYHT's hardware products can also be interfaced with FLYHT's proprietary relative humidity sensors to deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time. FLYHT is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, and is an AS9100 Quality registered company. For more information, visit www.flyht.com. Contact Information: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FNK IR LLC Alana Forbes Matt Chesler, CFA Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations 403.291.7437 646.809.2183 investors@flyht.com mchesler@flyht.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / McFarlane Lake Mining Limited ("McFarlane" or the "Company") (CBOE formerly) (NEO:MLM)(OTCQB:MLMLF), a Canadian mineral exploration and development company, is pleased to announce the completion of a surface and subsurface Prospectivity Analysis performed by Mercator Geological Services (Mercator) on McFarlane's 100% owned High Lake property with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). "The information this study provides will be valuable as we continue to work on expanding the resource at High Lake," said Roger Emdin, COO of McFarlane. "We are pleased to see that it validates our view of the high-quality resource available at the Purdex Zone and has identified additional targets in areas where we have recently added new claims." The Prospectivity Analysis used a combination of Knowledge-driven and Supervised Machine Learning algorithms to generate surface and subsurface exploration targets. These targets are generated using inputs such as geological structure, lithology, mineralization, and geochemistry within the High Lake property. This is then related to the local geology, which is classed as a greenstone-hosted lode gold deposit. These generated target areas will help guide future exploration of the property. The Supervised Machine Learning algorithm utilized in the prospectivity analysis was Random Forest. The 3D subsurface prospective analysis used all available geological data from historical and recent drilling, which was compiled and formatted using the geological software Leapfrog Geo. Tables were imported and processed by Mercator's proprietary machine-learning algorithm. Downhole prospectivity results were interpolated within Leapfrog to create 3D contoured surfaces. These surfaces reflect the predicted prospectivity score, as highlighted in Figure 1. The Supervised Machine Learning model predicted a probability score that reflects similarity to gold mineralization observed within McFarlane's gold resource area - the Purdex zone. Probability scores were compared to gold assay results and correlated well. The 3D contoured surfaces are projected to surface and are presented in Figure 1. The downhole Supervised Machine Learning identified key geological features that are associated with the mineralization present within the Purdex Zone, as well as areas with the most similar features to the Purdex Zone. The High Lake prospects identified as the most similar to the Purdex Zone are the R and W Zones. In Figure 2, targets generated from the surface prospectivity analysis are compared to the targets generated from the surface projection of the 3D contoured downhole prospectivity analysis. The surface prospectivity analysis defines a number of target areas that align with the results of the downhole prospectivity model. It also identified new areas of interest in the north of the property. Figure 1 - Surface Projections of Downhole Prospectivity Solids Figure 2 - Target areas identified in the Knowledge Driven and Random Forest surface analysis overlaying Surface Projections of Downhole Prospectivity Solids. The results produced by machine learning models are not absolute and should be interpreted with some degree of caution. However, the results do confirm previous results from historical prospecting, geophysics, and diamond drilling and serve as computer-generated predictions that can help guide future exploration of the property. McFarlane Lake is currently drilling a 10,000-metre drill program at the Purdex Zone as a follow-up to the filing of an NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate in July 2023 that identified 96,200 Inferred ounces and 45,800 Indicated ounces of gold at a grade of 10.43 grams per tonne of gold and 9.38 grams per tonne of gold, respectively (Table 1). Table 1: Current Purdex Zone Mineral Resource at 2.6 g/t Au cut-off Classification Tonnes (k) Au (g/t) Au (k Oz) Indicated 152 9.38 45.8 Inferred 287 10.43 96.2 The technical report, prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") with respect to the High Lake and West Hawk Lake properties, is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://mcfarlanelakemining.com . Qualified Person The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Robert Kusins, Vice President of Geology of McFarlane. Mr. Kusins is a qualified person, as defined by NI 43-101. However, Mr. Kusins is not independent of the Company by virtue of his position. The Prospectivity Analysis was supervised by Mr. Ryan Kressall, P.Geo, Director of Geoscience for Mercator Geological Services and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. About McFarlane Lake Mining Limited McFarlane is a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the High Lake mineral property located immediately east of the Ontario-Manitoba border and the West Hawk Lake mineral property located immediately west of the Ontario-Manitoba border. In addition, McFarlane holds the McMillan and Mongowin mineral property located 70 km west of Sudbury, which hosts the past-producing McMillan Gold Mine. McFarlane also owns the Michaud/Munro mineral property situated 115 km east of Timmins along the so-called "Golden Highway". McFarlane is a "reporting issuer" under applicable securities legislation in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. Additional information on McFarlane can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release, including without limitation; anticipated results of geophysical surveys or drilling programs, estimated timing, geological interpretations and potential mineral recovery processes. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of McFarlane to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Filing Statement dated as of January 14, 2022, which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release, and McFarlane disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. McFarlane's operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of a contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of illness caused by COVID-19. It is not possible to accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect operations and the ability to finance its operations. Further Information For further information regarding this press release, please contact: Roger Emdin, Chief Operating Officer McFarlane Lake Mining Limited (705) 562-8520 remdin@mcfarlanelakemining.com Craig MacPhail NATIONAL (416) 525-5709 cmacphail@national.ca SOURCE: McFarlane Lake Mining Limited View the original press release on accesswire.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Signal Gold Inc. ("Signal Gold" or the "Company") (TSX:SGNL)(OTCQX:SGNLF) is pleased to announce that it has commenced a 1,400-line kilometre airborne magnetic and very low frequency ("VLF") electromagnetic survey over its recently expanded exploration land position immediately north of, and contiguous with, the Goldboro Project ("Goldboro", or the "Project"), which was acquired through the staking of seven (7) exploration licenses covering 7,771.2 hectares. Excitingly, this newly acquired exploration area, known as Stewart Brook, covers an area of historic till sampling which defined a combined gold, antimony and tungsten till anomaly over a 10 by 4-kilometre area (Exhibit A). These anomalous till samples and associated geophysical targets have not been previously drill tested and represent additional discovery potential in the Goldboro Gold District. "We are pleased to further our regional exploration programs to cover our recently expanded exploration land package in the Goldboro Gold District. Combined magnetic and VLF geophysical surveys are a first-step-tool in the discovery of mineral resources at the Goldboro Project as demonstrated in previous surveys that have successfully outlined alteration and associated gold mineralization along a 3.4-kilometre section of the Goldboro Trend that hosts the Goldboro Deposit and the historic Dolliver Mountain Gold Mine*. We anticipate the generation of new exploration targets and trends based on recent compilation work and previous geological investigations. The discovery of other satellite deposits provides an opportunity to leverage the planned mine and mill infrastructure at Goldboro and potentially provide additional mill feed to a long-lived central milling complex." ~ Kevin Bullock, President and CEO, Signal Gold Inc. Signal Gold has now consolidated its exploration license area to over 27,200 hectares (~272 km2) surrounding the Company's Goldboro Gold Project in Nova Scotia, which encompasses a 28-kilometre strike length along the Goldboro Trend and a 23-kilometre strike length along the Seal Harbour Trend. (Exhibit B). The airborne geophysical survey is critical as compilation of historic geophysical data by the Company indicates that the VLF signatures form a distinct, linear conductive-high response that is closely aligned with the hinge of the host anticline along the Goldboro Trend, including the host structure of the Goldboro Deposit. The Company has used this historic data, in conjunction with recent ground Induced-Polarization (IP) surveys, to construct a robust model for regional exploration targeting. This model has proved successful in our recent drilling west of the current resource model and towards the past producing Dolliver Mountain Gold Mine* where multiple gold bearing quartz veins have been intersected. In 2023, the Company conducted a 2,700-line kilometre airborne survey which indicated numerous VLF anomalies associated with both the Goldboro and Lower Seal Harbour Trends, a combined 51 kilometers of strike potential, including areas with little to no previous exploration work (Exhibit C). Based on the high-resolution magnetic and VLF data sets, the Company is undertaking a geological mapping and prospecting program to further refine and test new targets and develop detailed exploration plans to ultimately drill test the highest priority targets. The survey is being completed by Terraquest Ltd. and comprises high-resolution aeromagnetics, horizontal gradiometer and matrix digital VLF electromagnetics. The survey will be flown at 100m north-south line spacing with one (1) kilometre tie lines. Exhibit A: A map showing the extent of a gold-in-till anomaly associated with the Company's recently expanded land position immediately north of, and contiguous with, the Goldboro Project. Exhibit B: A map showing the extent of an ~ 1,400-line kilometre airborne magnetic and VLF survey over the ~7,771 hectare of newly acquired licenses, shown in pink, at the Goldboro Gold Project. Exhibit C: A map showing the extent of a 2,700 line-kilometre airborne magnetic and VLF survey, conducted in 2023, over approximately 19,450 hectare (195 km2) of the Goldboro Gold District and the interpreted VLF anomalies along the trace of the Goldboro and Seal Harbour Trends totaling 51 kilometres of strike. *Operations began at the Dolliver Mountain Gold Mine in 1901 and the operation ceased in 1904. This news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul McNeill, P. Geo., VP Exploration with Signal Gold Inc., a "Qualified Person", under National Instrument 43-101 Standard for Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ABOUT SIGNAL GOLD Signal Gold is advancing the Goldboro Gold Project in Nova Scotia, a significant growth project subject to a positive Feasibility Study which demonstrates an approximately 11-year open pit life of mine with average gold production of 100,000 ounces per annum and an average diluted grade of 2.26 grams per tonne gold. (Please see the 'NI 43-101 Technical Report and Feasibility Study for the Goldboro Gold Project, Eastern Goldfields District, Nova Scotia' on January 11, 2022, for further details). On August 3, 2022, the Goldboro Project received its environmental assessment approval from the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change, a significant regulatory milestone, and the Company has now submitted all key permits including the Industrial Approval, Fisheries Act Authorization and Schedule 2 Amendment, and the Mining and Crown Land Leases. The Goldboro Project has significant potential for further Mineral Resource expansion, particularly towards the west along strike and at depth, and the Company has consolidated 27,200 hectares (~272 km2) of prospective exploration land in the Goldboro Gold District. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Signal Gold Inc. Kevin Bullock President and CEO (647) 388-1842 kbullock@signalgold.com Reseau ProMarket Inc. Dany Cenac Robert Investor Relations (514) 722-2276 x456 Dany.Cenac-Robert@ReseauProMarket.com SOURCE: Signal Gold Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Gravity survey completed across the Western Prospect (discovery zone of lithium bearing boulder and thousands of lithium bearing fragments) - data received, results to be announced as soon as the data has been processed Received the drill permit over the Western Prospect Signed drill contract Commenced flagging the roads for drill pad locations Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Champion Electric Metals Inc. (CSE: LTHM) (OTCQB: CHELF) (FSE: 1QB0) ("Champion Electric" or the "Company") reports that it has completed its previously announced gravity program on the western portion of the Champion Electric Lithium properties in James Bay, Quebec (the "Project"). The geophysical survey is designed to locate the source rock of the lithium-bearing spodumene boulder (Figure 4) and thousands of spodumene fragments (Figure 3) discovered in initial till sampling at the west end of the Property. The data has been received and is being processed. The Company is also pleased to report that it has received the required drill permit and started preparations for the upcoming maiden drill program at the Project. The drill contract has been signed, and the Company is already in the process of flagging the roads for the drill pad locations. The crews will be mobilized shortly, and Champion Electric will provide further updates about the details of the drill program as it progresses. "We are very excited to be gearing up for our first drill program at the Project in James Bay. Our team will utilize the results from our multidisciplinary field work, including mapping, rock sampling, LiDAR, gravity, and till sampling, to guide the drill bit," said Jonathan Buick, President and CEO. "We are watching the growing drilling successes of our neighbour Patriot Battery Metals and previous lithium discovery by our other neighbour to the west Winsome Resources and are eager to start our own drilling efforts, now that we have a better understanding of the subsurface and emerging target at the Project." As a reminder, the Company's lithium properties cover the northern extension of the Lac Guyer Greenstone Belt which hosts neighbouring Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette and Winsome Resources' Cancet advanced projects in the prolific James Bay region of Quebec (Figure 2). Figure 1: Till sampling locations and preliminary spodumene counts over geology and topography To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8681/200339_69e7d3ea84f57a8a_001full.jpg Figure 2: Champion Electric Lithium Project location map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8681/200339_69e7d3ea84f57a8a_002full.jpg Figure 3: Grains of spodumene in till sample fraction 0.25 - 0.50mm from the Western prospect (courtesy of Overburden Drilling Management) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8681/200339_69e7d3ea84f57a8a_003full.jpg Figure 4: Fist-sized angular spodumene boulders retrieved from a till sample at the Western prospect (courtesy of IOS Services Geoscientifiques) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8681/200339_69e7d3ea84f57a8a_004full.jpg About Champion Electric Metals Inc. Champion Electric is a discovery-focused exploration company that is committed to advancing its highly prospective lithium properties in Quebec, Canada and cobalt properties in Idaho, United States. In addition, the Company owns the Baner gold project in Idaho County and the Champagne polymetallic project in Butte County near Arco. The Company's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "LTHM", on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "CHELF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "1QB0". Champion Electric strives to be a responsible environmental steward, stakeholder and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates, taking its social license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations whenever possible. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF CHAMPION ELECTRIC "Jonathan Buick" Jonathan Buick, President and CEO To learn more, please visit the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company's corporate website at www.champem.com. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations and Communications Phone: (905) 688-9115 Email: iryna@grovecorp.ca THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. Cautionary Statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company, including the prospectivity of its projects for lithium, cobalt and other metals. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Projects are at an early stage of exploration, and the Company cautions that the qualified persons who have reviewed and approved this news release have not verified scientific or technical information produced by third parties. Exploration results by third-parties in the vicinity of the Company's projects are not indicative of mineralization at the Company's projects. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200339 SOURCE: Champion Electric Metals Inc. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - As Europe is ending the heating season and starting preparing for next winter, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson called on EU member states to take measures to lessen dependence on Russia for their future gas requirements. Addressing a press conference in Brussels on Europe's energy security, Simson said, 'Europe is today in a fairly stable place' with REPowerEU framework delivering concrete results in two years. Russian gas supplies accounted for 15 percent of the EU total gas imports last year, compared to 24 percent in 2022 and 45 percent the year before the war against Ukraine started. Overall, gas imports from Russia decreased by 71 percent since 2021. EU gas prices have gone down significantly and are now quite stable. They closed last week at around 25 EUR/MWh, a level last recorded before the war started. Gas storage is at 62 percent. 'At this pace, we will arrive at the end of the heating season with a storage level between 45 and 55 percent. This is a good basis to start the new injection season,' she told reporters. On the supply side, the European gas market is well supplied, according to her. 'Europe can rely on a solid network of reliable suppliers. Our main suppliers now are Norway and the US'. Simson said EU Member States have options to source gas from other routes as the transit agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz is due to expire in December. The shortfall left by the stop of Russian supplies through this route can be absorbed by the European market. She announced that the Energy Ministers of EU have reached an agreement on the Commission recommendation to continue voluntary demand reduction by 15 percent over the next year. 'We must end this year with even less Russian gas in our system than the year before,' Simson said. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rippon Ubhi, Country Lead, Sanofi UK and Ireland, said: "We are extremely disappointed and saddened by the decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) not to recommend Xenpozyme (olipudase alfa) as a treatment for acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD; Niemann-Pick Disease) in people with type AB or type B. This is devastating news for the ASMD community. ASMD is a progressive, life-limiting, ultra-rare disease[i] that affects a very small number of children and predominantly young adults (approximately 40 people in the UK).[ii] Olipudase alfa has been recognised as an innovative treatment with the potential to change the lives of patients and their families.[iii],[iv],[v]yet this decision means that patients with type AB or type B in England and Wales are unable to access the only licenced treatment for this disabling condition. This is in stark contrast to Scotland, where the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has made olipudase alfa available via its ultra-orphan pathway.[vi] This pathway, created to assess medicines for very rare conditions, allows eligible patients to access olipudase alfa whilst additional data is collected for three years.vi As such, patients with ASMD in England and Wales will be denied access to treatment with olipudase alfa because of where they live, creating inequity in access within the UK. In recognition of the urgent unmet need in England and Wales, Sanofi proposed a number of commercial arrangements to support access to olipudase alfa. Despite these efforts, we regret that no solution could be found within the constraints of the existing framework. We believe this decision demonstrates that the framework for assessing and funding innovative treatments for ultra-rare diseases in England and Wales is fundamentally flawed and is failing to keep pace with innovation. In our view, patients with ultra-rare diseases in England and Wales are being let down by an inflexible appraisal system which fails to recognise the benefits and full value of treatments such as olipudase alfa for patients, carers, families and wider society. Without change we believe that England and Wales risk falling short on the commitment to improve rare disease care and treatment[vii],[viii],and will progressively fall further behind our European neighbours when it comes to patient access.[ix] Olipudase alfa is already available to patients in a number of other countries, including Germany, Austria, Italy, Cyprus, and Hungary. In England only 59% of non-oncology orphan medicines with a marketing authorisation are reimbursed, compared to 86% in Germany and 77% in France.ix We are keen to have the opportunity to engage with Government, NICE and NHS England to urgently discuss and adapt the way that innovative treatments for ultra-rare conditions are assessed, to ensure that patients in England and Wales can access the same potentially life-changing treatments as those living elsewhere in the UK, and in other countries. Building on our heritage in rare diseases, Sanofi remains deeply committed to patients with rare diseases, including the ASMD community, and will continue working towards improving their lives through the development of new and innovative treatments." Notes to Editors: Contact details Nadav Cohen-Keidar: Nadav.Cohen-Keidar@sanofi.com Grant Fisher grantfisher@wacomms.co.uk +44 (0) 7947 573313 About ASMD (Niemann-Pick disease) Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (historically known as Niemann-Pick disease) type A/B or B is a lysosomal storage disorder that results from a deficiency of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase.[x] ASMD is a progressively debilitating and life-limiting ultra-rare disease.[xi] ASMD has a highly variable severity and disease coursexi and affects the normal function of tissues and organs such as the liver, spleen and lungs.[xii] The debilitating nature of the condition can have a significant physical, financial and emotional impact on families and caregivers.[xiii] It is estimated that around 1 to 2 people are diagnosed with ASMD type A, B or AB per year, and most are diagnosed in childhood.[xiv] About olipudase alfa Olipudase alfa is indicated as an enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of non-Central Nervous System (CNS) manifestations of Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency (ASMD) in paediatric and adult patients with type A/B or type B.[xv], [xvi] [i] Scarpa M, Barbato A, Bisconti A, Burlina A, Concolino D, Deodato F, Di Rocco M, Dionisi-Vici C, Donati MA, Fecarotta S, Fiumara A, Galeone C, Giona F, Giuffrida G, Manna R, Mariani P, Pession A, Scopinaro A, Spada M, Spandonaro F, Trifiro G, Carubbi F, Cappellini MD. Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD): addressing knowledge gaps in unmet needs and patient journey in Italy-a Delphi consensus. Intern Emerg Med. 2023 Apr;18(3):831-842. doi: 10.1007/s11739-023-03238-3. Epub 2023 Mar 7. PMID: 36882619. [ii] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Highly Specialised Technologies Evaluation. Olipudase alfa for treating acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (Niemann Pick disease type B and AB). Final Scope. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-ta10788/documents/final-scope [Accessed February 2024] [iii] WORLDSymposium (2023) WORLDSymposium2023 New Treatment Award. Available at: https://worldsymposia.org/worldsymposium-2023-new-treatment-award/ [Accessed February 2024] [iv] PR Newswire (2023) The Galien Foundation Announces 2023 Prix Galien USA Nominees for 'Best Biotechnology Product', 'Best Pharmaceutical Product' and 'Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases'. Available at; https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-galien-foundation-announces-2023-prix-galien-usa-nominees-for-best-biotechnology-product-best-pharmaceutical-product-and-best-product-for-rareorphan-diseases-301898938.html [Accessed February 2024] [v] NORD (2023) NORD Announces 2023 Rare Impact Award Honourees and 40th Anniversary Celebration. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/announces-2023-ria-honorees/ [Accessed February 2024] [vi] Scottish Medicines Consortium (2024) Olipudase alfa (Xenpozyme) Available at: https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/medicines-advice/olipudase-alfa-xenpozyme-ultra-orphan-smc2560/ [Accessed February 2024] [vii] Department of Health and Social Care (2023) England Rare Diseases Action Plan 2023: Main Report. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/england-rare-diseases-action-plan-2023/england-rare-diseases-action-plan-2023-main-report [Accessed February 2024] [viii] NHS Wales (2024) Wales Rare Disease Action Plan 2022-2026. Available at: https://executive.nhs.wales/functions/networks-and-planning/rare-diseases/rdig-documents/action-plan-refresh-jan-2024/ [Accessed February 2024] [ix] BioIndustry Association (2023) Evaluating patient access to rare disease treatments. Insights from the UK and Beyond. Available at: https://www.bioindustry.org/static/4509759a-9e70-4089-aaa7963f6b6bb1ec/d5fb0438-cb6e-49b1-96af17ff71a1f04b/BIA-PwC-report-Evaluating-patient-access-to-rare-disease-treatments.pdf [Accessed February 2024) [x] National Organization for Rare Disorders (2022) Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/acid-sphingomyelinase-deficiency/ [Accessed February 2024] [xi] McGovern, M.M., Avetisyan, R., Sanson, BJ. et al. Disease manifestations and burden of illness in patients with acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD). Orphanet J Rare Dis 12, 41 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-017-0572-x [xii] British National Formulary (BNF) Olipudase alfa. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/olipudase-alfa/#:~:text=Olipudase%20alfa%20is%20an%20enzyme,such%20as%20the%20liver%2C%20spleen%2C [Accessed February 2024] [xiii] Pokrzywinski R, Hareendran A, Nalysnyk L, Cowie S, Crowe J, Hopkin J, Joshi D, Pulikottil-Jacob R. Impact and burden of acid sphingomyelinase deficiency from a patient and caregiver perspective. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 25;11(1):20972. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99921-6. PMID: 34697402; PMCID: PMC8546120. [xiv] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Highly Specialised Technologies Evaluation. Olipudase alfa for treating acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (Niemann Pick disease type B and AB). Final Scope. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-ta10788/documents/final-scope [Accessed February 2024] [xv] British National Formulary (BNF) Olipudase alfa. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/olipudase-alfa/#:~:text=Olipudase%20alfa%20is%20an%20enzyme,such%20as%20the%20liver%2C%20spleen%2C [Accessed February 2024] [xvi] European Medicines Agency. Xenpozyme. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/xenpozyme [Accessed February 2024] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sanofi-responds-to-nice-negative-fad-of-olipudase-alfa-302079823.html LONDON and HONG KONG and SINGAPORE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In early March, Chen-Shan Chang, Director-General of the Securities and Futures Bureau (the "SFB") and Sherman Lin, Chairman and CEO of the Taiwan Stock Exchange (the "TWSE") led a team to Europe, marking the first foreign investment attraction trip of the year. The visit included meetings with dozens of influential European institutions, ranging from exchanges, index companies, investment institutions, and large asset management firms. A much-anticipated highlight was the "Taiwan Day" event held on 5 March, which brought together over 50 prominent investors from the UK to gain insights into the latest market reform measures and the outlook for Taiwan's stock market. Held in London, the "Taiwan Day" proved to be a resounding response to the recent call by Dr. Tien-Mu Huang, Chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission (the "FSC"), for securities-related institutions to continuously enhance international connectivity and promote the strengths and reforms of Taiwan's capital market. During the event, the prominent European institutional investors in attendance were highly impressed by a wide array of strengths of Taiwan's stock market, such as its high-tech cluster characteristics, outstanding ESG performance, and foreign investment-friendly environment. Taiwan's representative for the UK, Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao shared how the pandemic has underscored the crucial role of Taiwanese enterprises in the global supply chain. The "Taiwan Day" not only provided participants an opportunity to gain a profound understanding of the advantages offered by Taiwanese enterprises, but also aimed to foster a solid foundation for enhancing the ties between Taiwan and the UK and promoting mutual prosperity. Chang, in his articulation, highlighted Taiwan's commitment to attract foreign investment in recent years, as demonstrated by the joint efforts with the TWSE to visit institutional investors in major financial centers around the world since last year, and the aspiration to establish Taiwan's capital market as a foreign investment-friendly environment through direct dialogue in the future. Lin continued by illustrating the UK's role as a substantial investment source for Taiwan, and the Taiwan-UK partnership further cemented by the "Bilateral Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement" signed in last November. Going forward, Taiwan will continue to strengthen the development of its high-tech industry, create an ESG-friendly environment, and actively seek feedback from investors to consolidate the role of Taiwan's capital market. Shin-Chung Chen, Senior Vice President of the TWSE, took the floor to present the compelling attributes of Taiwan's capital market. These include Taiwan's robust economic development with a projected GDP growth rate of over 3% in 2024 as well as the prominent rankings on a global scale. According to data of the World Federation of Exchanges, Taiwan's stock exchange ranks 7th, 12th and 16th in terms of turnover, trading value and market capitalization, respectively. In 2023, over 80% of listed companies distributed cash dividends and foreign ownership accounted for over 40%. Additionally, Taiwan listed companies and emerging technology firms play a pivotal role in the up and midstream supply chain of artificial intelligence (AI). These companies not only prioritize ESG-related development, but also maintain a steadfast commitment to continuously fostering a foreign investment-friendly environment which welcomes international investors into Taiwan's market. Kuo-Jung Cheng, Deputy Director of the SFB, then provided a comprehensive introduction to a series of investor-friendly initiatives poised to attract overseas capital into Taiwan's capital market, enhancing the appeal of Taiwan's market among foreign investors through more diversified investment opportunities, flexible sources of investment funds, and convenient digital services. Cheng also gave an in-depth overview of recent key regulatory reforms and forward-looking policies related to sustainability, green finance, and net-zero emissions, underscoring Taiwan's commitment to aligning its market with international standards, all the while leading market participants in promoting the characteristics and advantages of Taiwan's market. Following the meeting, the TWSE arranged one-on-one sessions with investors to delve into specific areas of interest, including ESG and trading systems. These sessions allowed the TWSE to actively respond to investor questions and gather feedback with a view of continuing to bolster investor confidence. The institutional investors attending the event responded positively to the resilience of Taiwan's economic fundamentals, its central role in the semiconductor and information and communications technology (ICT) industries, and the focus on the development of the ESG ecosystem. They also highly appreciated the authority and the TWSE for their attentive listening to investor opinions, proactive response, and thorough explanations on important issues of concern. Looking ahead, the TWSE will continue to encourage foreign investment opportunities and to promote the investment niche offered by Taiwan stocks, actively seeking feedback from global key institutional investors for the development of Taiwan market. Through these efforts, the TWSE aims to enhance Taiwan's international presence and deepen the investment community's understanding of the advantages and resilience of Taiwan's capital market. SFB and TWSE jointly host "Taiwan Day" event in London About TWSE The Taiwan Stock Exchange (the "TWSE") started operations on February 9, 1962. The TWSE is responsible for operating and advancing Taiwan securities market. The TWSE's primary business operations include listing, trading, settlement and surveillance. These comprise listing promotion and review, post-listing supervision and corporate governance, maintaining market trading and order, securities firms' services, investor protection, clearing and settlement operations, safeguarding against market defaults and the monitoring of illegal transactions. The Exchange provides comprehensive services to the stock market. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354914/Chen_Shan_Chang_Director_General_Securities_Futures_Bureau__Left__Vincent_Chin_Hsiang_Yao.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354915/Group_meeting__Taiwan_Day__event_London.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sfb-and-twse-shine-spotlight-on-taiwans-capital-market-with-highly-anticipated-taiwan-day-in-london-302079825.html Data Leader Brings Speed, Automation, Consistency to Industry's Integral Motor Risk Assessment and Rating Data LONDON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major development for the U.K. insurance industry, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, the data, advanced analytics and technology provider, has secured an exclusive strategic relationship with Thatcham Research, in the first contract of its kind with the insurer-funded automotive risk intelligence company. The strategic relationship is set to transform the accessibility, consistency and analytical power of Thatcham Vehicle Risk Data (VRD)i which is used to assign an industry-standard ABI Code and Group Rating score to vehicles. The VRD is integral to how insurers assess and rate risk for all wheels-based insurance products. The news comes as the Association of British Insurers, in close collaboration with Thatcham Research, has released its motor insurance affordability roadmapii. This includes recommendations to increase visibility of the Group Rating system, which would help consumers make more informed choices on their motor insurance based on the vehicle they choose. This collaboration will help support these actions and recommendations, making it easier for insurance providers to be transparent with customers over vehicle ratings as car safety technology evolves. The first element of the agreement focuses on streamlining and automating access to the VRD. LexisNexis Risk Solutions has the widest data distribution network into the U.K. insurance sector, streamlining data directly into insurers, brokers, managing general agents (MGAs), insurtechs, software houses and third-party data providers, to support billions of insurance quotes per month. LexisNexis Risk Solutions will become the sole distributor of Thatcham VRD to the U.K. and ROI insurance market. Leveraging this unique network, insurance providers, including insurers, brokers, MGAs, insurtechs and software houses, will be able to access Thatcham VRD in real time for the first time, alongside additional public, third party and proprietary data sources, as part of a streamlined risk assessment and decisioning process, via the LexisNexis Informed Quotes platform. The second element of the agreement focuses on consistent matching of Thatcham VRD to vehicle registrations . As part of the strategic relationship with Thatcham Research, LexisNexis Risk Solutions will use its extensive linking and data normalisation expertise to match vehicles to Thatcham VRD (incorporating the Group Rating, Variant Code and ABI Code datasets). This will create greater consistency for insurance providers by delivering more granular data to support the identification of risk-affecting vehicle features in the quoting process regardless of the quoting platform. . As part of the strategic relationship with Thatcham Research, LexisNexis Risk Solutions will use its extensive linking and data normalisation expertise to match vehicles to Thatcham VRD (incorporating the Group Rating, Variant Code and ABI Code datasets). This will create greater consistency for insurance providers by delivering more granular data to support the identification of risk-affecting vehicle features in the quoting process regardless of the quoting platform. The third element of the agreement will focus on uncovering new, predictive vehicle intelligence. Leveraging its long track record of building new and innovative vehicle data products, LexisNexis Risk Solutions will collaborate with Thatcham Research in exploring the possibility to unlock significant intelligence on vehicles that does not exist today. James Burton, managing director, U.K. and Ireland insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, said: "We pride ourselves on being experts in insurance, and our vehicle strategy is both consistent with and complementary to the Thatcham Research vision. This strategy makes LexisNexis Risk Solutions well-placed to unlock the potential in the Thatcham VRD product, creating transformational insights for motor insurance providers. As an organisation, we are passionate, driven by the opportunity to help Thatcham Research customers, our customers and our shared customers realise the benefits of this relationship as they look to improve profitability, operational efficiency, reduce claims costs and improve the customer experience." Jonathan Hewett, chief executive of Thatcham Research, said: "This exclusive relationship with LexisNexis Risk Solutions will allow Thatcham Research to focus efforts on research, testing and training, knowing that the insights we offer that are essential to how insurance providers derive premiums and assess risk will be managed by a trusted partner to the industry. We are pleased to be able to offer insurance providers greater access to vital data which may not have been accessible previously. The combination of Thatcham Research and LexisNexis Risk Solutions assets and intelligence is compelling, providing an exciting roadmap for new services and insights that will improve the overall motor insurance customer experience." Visit our website to learn more about the strategic partnership between LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Thatcham Research. About LexisNexis Risk Solutions LexisNexis Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data, sophisticated analytics platforms and technology solutions to provide insights that help businesses across multiple industries and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit www.risk.lexisnexis.com and www.relx.com. About Thatcham Research Thatcham Research is the automotive risk intelligence company dedicated to understanding the opportunities and risks of new vehicle technology and supporting our partners in identifying the best strategies for its safe, secure, and sustainable adoption. The independent voice of automotive safety, security, and repair, we work in close partnership with insurers, vehicle manufacturers, technology providers and government, providing rigorous engineering-grade research and data to help minimise uncertainty presented by changes in technology and regulation. For more information about our work, visit www.thatcham.org. Media Contacts: Alison Reeson or Matthew Enderby at HSL for LexisNexis Risk Solutions 0208 977 9132, 07876 597466 lnrs@harrisonsadler.com Annalysce Baker Manager, Global Communications Insurance and Connected Car LexisNexis Risk Solutions +1.678.436.1579 Annalysce.Baker@lexisnexisrisk.com Tom Flisher, Stewart Mitchell or Max Norstrom for Thatcham Research 07876 755 615 Media@thatcham.org i Thatcham Research Vehicle Risk Data is a live and extensive, industry-standard dataset that contains key information about insurable cars, LCVs and motorcycles. Thatcham Research is solely responsible for maintaining this dataset with each vehicle containing more than 100 individual data points. Using data exclusively supplied by vehicle manufacturers and checked by Thatcham Research's expert data team, each vehicle is assigned a unique eight-digit ABI identification code. This translates into a standardised description of the vehicle that is used by the entire insurance industry. Directly sourced data is also used to generate a Group Rating score for every vehicle. Ranging between 1 and 50 for cars and 21 to 50 for LCVs, scores indicate the level of insurance risk associated with the vehicle. iihttps://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/subject/public/motor/2024/motor-insurance-affordability-roadmap.pdf Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/491370/LexisNexis_Risk_Solutions_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354876/Jonathan_Hewett__chief_executive_Thatcham_Research_and_James_Burton__UK_MD__Lexis_Nexis_Risk_Solutio.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354883/Thatcham_Research.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thatcham-research-selects-lexisnexis-risk-solutions-to-deliver-transformational-automotive-risk-intelligence-to-the-uk-insurance-industry-302079735.html CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / CANEX Metals Inc. ("CANEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement on an advanced copper-gold porphyry deposit in British Columbia with excellent exploration upside. Highlights CANEX has entered into a low up front cost option agreement to earn a 100% interest in the Louise copper-gold porphyry in British Columbia. in the in British Columbia. The project is road accessible, contains a large historic copper-gold-molybdenum resource , and has only been explored to shallow depths. , and has only been explored to shallow depths. Previous drilling at Louise has returned strong copper and gold grades including 0.41% copper and 0.40 g/t gold over 158 metres , and several holes indicate increasing grades with depth. , and several holes indicate increasing grades with depth. The Company is compiling and analysing the large high-quality historic database for the Louise Project and will develop a plan to advance the project once data evaluation is complete. Dr. Shane Ebert President of the Company stated, "We are pleased to announce this new transaction to acquire the Louise Project which has very low up-front costs, no spending requirements, and provides the Company another excellent avenue to potentially create value for shareholders. The Management and Board of CANEX have decades of experience exploring porphyry deposits in Mexico and Canada, spanning from initial deposit discovery through to the sale of an advanced deposit. We can leverage this experience at the Louise Project which offers a low-risk, high value copper-gold opportunity with significant untested discovery potential that can be advanced as market conditions allow. The project is located in the safe mining jurisdiction of British Columbia, is road accessible, and contains a historic resource with 924,333 ounces of gold and 658 million pounds of copper in the inferred category plus an additional 183,902 ounces of gold and 132 million pounds of copper in the indicated category. This historic resource base is an excellent indicator of the exploration potential of the project and most of the historic drilling was shallow, completed to less than 350 metres, and in several drill holes grades were noted to increase with depth. The deposit and surrounding district have never been evaluated with a modern deep looking induced polarization geophysical survey, opening up potential for a low-cost initial evaluation of the system. The Company will complete a thorough data compilation and review prior to announcing next steps." Summary of the Louise Project The Louise Project is road accessible and located approximately 35 kilometres west of Smithers, in west central British Columbia. The property has been explored by a number of companies since the initial discovery of mineralization exposed at surface in the 1960's. Previous drilling has defined a near surface mineralized zone 1000 metres long by 100 to 200 metres wide, extending to about 270 metres depth. Mineralization occurs as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), enargite (Cu2AsS4), and molybdenite (MoS2) disseminated and in stockwork quartz veins associated with sericite and argillic alteration hosted within a monzonite porphyry and surrounding sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The known deposit has been disrupted by faulting and the roots of the system have not yet been identified or evaluated. No drilling has been conducted at the property since 2008 and the system has not been explored below about 350 metres depth. Past induced polarization (IP) geophysical surveys were shallow looking and done in the 1970's and 1990's. A modern deep looking IP-resistivity survey over the project area could be a low cost and highly effective tool to help understand and explore the system both at depth and laterally below till cover. Previous drilling has intersected strong copper and gold grades highlighted by hole LL04-03 which returned an interval of 158 metres grading 0.41% copper and 0.40 g/t gold starting at 53.5 metres downhole. Such strong grades, that appear to be increasing with depth, suggest good grade potential could exist in the main body of the porphyry system which is hypothesized to occur at depth or adjacent to the known mineralized zone. Table 1. Louise Project Historic Drill hole highlights Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m)1 CuEq (%)2 Cu (%) Au (g/t) Mo (%) Ag (g/t) LL04-03 49.5 253.5 204.0 0.57 0.37 0.35 0.012 1.2 including 53.5 211.5 158.0 0.64 0.41 0.40 0.014 1.3 LL05-04 103.0 295.1 192.1 0.43 0.27 0.26 0.011 1.0 LL05-05 140.8 311.3 170.5 0.41 0.25 0.25 0.011 0.9 LL04-02 147.0 297.0 150.0 0.56 0.34 0.34 0.018 1.1 including 188.9 293.0 104.1 0.67 0.42 0.41 0.019 1.4 LL06-10 208.8 289.0 80.2 0.60 0.40 0.41 0.005 1.5 LL05-02 221.6 300.3 78.7 0.78 0.45 0.44 0.037 1.2 1 Interval refers to drill hole intercept, true thickness is not known. 2 CuEq (copper equivalent) is provided for illustrative purposes only and is calculated using metals prices (USD) of $3.75/lb Cu, $2000/oz Au, $18/lb Mo, and $22/oz Ag using recovery assumptions of 85% for Cu, 55% for Au, 80% for Mo, and 44% for Ag. The Louise Project contains historic resource estimates conducted in 2006 and 2007. The Company is not relying on these estimates but is using them as a positive exploration guide demonstrating that a strong porphyry system occurs at the project and gives insight into the character and controls on mineralization. The project contains a large amount of high-quality surface and drill hole exploration data that will aid immensely in the understanding of the system and the targeting of new zones. Table 2. Louise Project Historic 2007 Resource Summary1 Contained Metals Category M Tonnes CuEq%2 Cu% Au g/t Mo% Ag g/t Cu lbs Au oz indicated 26 0.36 0.231 0.22 0.008 1.01 132,409,743 183,902 inferred 125 0.38 0.239 0.23 0.009 0.99 658,631,546 924,333 1This historic resource estimate for the Louise Project is historic in nature, was not issued to CANEX Metals, and has not been verified by the Company or a qualified person for the Company. The resource estimate was done to CIM standards but CANEX is not treating it as a current mineral resource estimate. It is considered relevant as a guide for future exploration and is included for reference purposes only. The historic resource estimate was done in 2007 by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. for North American Gem Inc. The initial resource was reported in a technical report dated July 2006 and titled "Independent Technical Report and Resource Estimate for the Louise Lake Property, Omenica Mining Division, British Columbia." The resource was updated in 2007 incorporating an additional 13 holes drilled in 2007. The 2006 technical report utilized 59 drill holes with resource estimation carried out by ordinary kriging using Gemcom software. A 0.15% copper equivalent cut off was used assuming metal prices of (USD) $1.20lb/Cu, $450/oz/Au, $8/lb/Mo, and $7/ozAg, with no provision for recoveries. The historic resource estimate is not constrained by a conceptual open pit. Terms of the Option CANEX has entered into an option agreement to earn a 100% interest in the Louise Project from prospector Bernie Kreft. Under the terms of the option CANEX must make the following payments over a 5 year period to Kreft to earn a 100% interest in the project. $10,000 in shares or cash on Regulatory Approval $25,000 in shares or cash on or before March 1 st , 2025 , 2025 $50,000 in shares or cash on or before March 1 st , 2026 , 2026 $90,000 in shares or cash on or before March 1 st , 2027 , 2027 $200,000 in shares or cash on or before March 1 st , 2028 , 2028 $400,000 in shares or cash on or before March 1st, 2029 There are no expenditure commitments allowing CANEX to advance the project as market conditions allow. Kreft will retain a 2.5% net smelter royalty (NSR), with CANEX having the right to buy back 40% of the NSR (1% of the 2.5% NSR) for $1,500,000. CANEX will retain a right of first refusal on the sale of Kreft's royalty. A milestone bonus of $50,000 in shares or cash will also be payable if CANEX drills over 4250 metres of core, and a second milestone bonus of $50,000 in shares or cash will be payable if CANEX publishes a resource estimate with greater than 1.5 million contained ounces of gold. The transaction is subject to TXS-V approval. Additional information on the Louise Project will be posted to the Company's website following compilation and review of the historic data. An update on the Gold Range project is anticipated shortly. About CANEX Metals CANEX Metals (TSX.V:CANX) is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on advancing it's 100% owned Gold Range Project in Northern Arizona. With several near surface bulk tonnage gold discoveries made to date across a 4 km gold mineralized trend, the Gold Range Project is a compelling early stage opportunity for investors. CANEX is led by an experienced management team which has made three notable porphyry and bulk tonnage discoveries in North America and is sponsored by Altius Minerals (TSX: ALS), a large shareholder of the Company. Dr. Shane Ebert P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for CANEX Metals and has approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. "Shane Ebert" Shane Ebert President/Director For Further Information Contact: Shane Ebert at 1.250.964.2699 or Jean Pierre Jutras at 1.403.233.2636 Web: http://www.canexmetals.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including words such as "expects", "projects", "plans", "anticipates" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents management of CANEX Metals Inc. internal projections, expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things, future operating results and various components thereof or the economic performance of CANEX. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause CANEX's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, those described in CANEX's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. Accordingly, holders of CANEX shares and potential investors are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted. CANEX disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements. SOURCE: CANEX Metals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Toggle3D.ai (the "Company") (CSE:TGGL)(OTCQB:TGGLF)(FSE:Q0C), a revolutionary SaaS solution harnessing the power of generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and seamlessly publish superior 4K 3D models, is delighted to announce that it has established a new business unit with its parent Company Nextech3D.ai, to target the Jewelry Industry with 3D Models, Blockchain Technology, and NFTs. The initiative will be led by former META & Microsoft Executive Hareesh Achi, who is Nextech3D.ai's current Head of Product Operations. This new business unit will focus on using the Toggle3D.ai's GPT AI CAD to 3D texturing platform to convert jewelry CAD files into lightweight, web-friendly 4K 3D quad meshes, then uses AI to texture the jewelry in yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold. After this is complete, the AI photography studio creates stunning lifestyle images before it is published onto the web. Toggle3D.ai intends to license this all-in-one GPT AI platform to global manufacturers, while Nextech3D.ai will be conducting the sales and marketing for this new business unit. The Company's strategic move to license its GPT AI tech is set to remove the traditional barriers of price and volume that have long restricted the accessibility of high-quality 3D modeling technology for e-commerce and other industries. Nextech3D.ai has leveraged its groundbreaking GPT AI powered technology to dramatically slash the cost of 3D models from CAD files to $10 to $20 while producing the highest quality 4K quad mesh photo realistic models, enabling scalability while creating a new highly profitable business. Toggle.ai recently announced the launch of the next era of GPT AI 3D product solutions of proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms which is the foundation of this new business unit which now is combining the power of blockchain technology and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), opening new avenues for revenue and innovation across various sectors, within the jewelry industry. The Company is working at the integration of 3D modeling with blockchain technology and NFTs, focusing on its implications at first within the jewelry sector. This synergy can enhance authenticity, ownership, and engagement in a market increasingly influenced by digital natives driving value to the substantial Global Jewelry Market. The Company is looking to capitalize on the intersection of GPT AI CAD-3D Models, Blockchain Technology, and NFTs in Jewelry GPT AI CAD- 3D modeling technology allows designers to create intricate and customizable jewelry designs that can be viewed and modified in real-time, offering personalization and efficiency in production. This digital transformation not only streamlines the manufacturing process but also enables consumers to engage directly with the creation of their jewelry, enhancing the customer experience. Blockchain technology provides a secure and immutable ledger, ideal for certifying the authenticity and provenance of jewelry pieces. By recording the entire lifecycle of a jewelry item on the blockchain, from raw material sourcing through to the finished product, consumers can verify its authenticity and ethical sourcing, The NFTs represent a unique digital ownership certificate for an asset, stored on a blockchain. In the jewelry industry, NFTs can be used to authenticate ownership of both physical and digital jewelry pieces, offering a new level of exclusivity and personalization. For digital jewelry, NFTs open up avenues for consumers to express themselves in virtual spaces, including social media and virtual reality platforms, where digital assets are becoming increasingly valuable. NFTs for Ownership and Exclusivity Application and Benefits Enhancing Customer Engagement and Loyalty The integration of 3D models, blockchain, and NFTs enables jewelry brands to offer personalized and immersive shopping experiences. Customers can participate in the design process through 3D modeling, verify the authenticity and history of their purchases via blockchain, and gain exclusive ownership rights through NFTs. This level of engagement fosters a deeper connection between the brand and its customers, enhancing loyalty. Opening New Markets: Digital and Physical Jewelry The fusion of these technologies allows for the creation of both physical jewelry pieces and their digital counterparts. NFTs enable the sale and trade of digital jewelry in virtual environments, appealing to Generation Z's increasing presence in these spaces. Additionally, NFTs linked to physical jewelry pieces can enhance the value and desirability of the tangible product. Addressing Counterfeiting and Promoting Sustainability Blockchain's record-keeping capability significantly reduces the risk of counterfeiting, ensuring that customers receive genuine products. Furthermore, transparently tracking the sourcing and production process promotes ethical and sustainable practices in jewelry manufacturing, aligning with the values of Generation Z consumers. Challenges and Considerations While the potential benefits are significant, challenges such as technological complexity, privacy concerns, and the environmental impact of blockchain technology must be addressed. Education and awareness efforts are essential to facilitate adoption, while ongoing innovation and collaboration will be crucial to mitigate environmental concerns associated with blockchain technology. The integration of 3D modeling, blockchain technology, and NFTs presents an opportunity for the jewelry industry, particularly in engaging with Generation Z consumers. By offering enhanced personalization, authenticity, and digital experiences, this technological synergy not only meets the unique demands of Generation Z but also sets a new standard for innovation in the luxury goods market. As the industry navigates this digital revolution, embracing these technologies can lead to sustainable growth and a deeper connection with the next generation of consumers. 3D modeling technology significantly enhances value in the jewelry industry through various avenues, particularly in terms of customization, visualization, and production efficiency. Here's a detailed exploration of how 3D models add value: Enhanced Customization and Personalization 3D modeling allows for high levels of customization and personalization that were previously difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional jewelry design methods. Customers can be directly involved in the design process, selecting materials, shapes, and styles to create a piece that is uniquely theirs. By offering personalized experiences, jewelry brands can significantly increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Improved Visualization and Consumer Confidence With 3D models, customers can visualize jewelry pieces in exquisite detail before making a purchase, including viewing items from multiple angles and understanding intricate designs. This visualization capability is crucial for online shopping, where the inability to physically inspect products can be a barrier to purchase. By providing a realistic representation of jewelry pieces, 3D modeling technology enhances consumer confidence, reducing hesitation and potentially increasing conversion rates. Streamlining Production and Reducing Costs From a production standpoint, GTP AI-CAD 3D models streamline the manufacturing process, allowing for rapid prototyping and adjustments without the need for expensive and time-consuming physical samples. This efficiency not only reduces production costs but also accelerates the time-to-market for new designs. Furthermore, the precision of 3D modeling minimizes errors in the production process, resulting in higher quality products and less waste. Facilitating Omnichannel Experiences 3D models are pivotal in creating seamless omnichannel shopping experiences. They can be integrated into various platforms, from online stores and social media to augmented reality (AR) applications, allowing customers to interact with jewelry pieces in innovative ways. For example, AR apps can enable consumers to virtually "try on" jewelry, enhancing engagement and interactivity across digital channels creating fluid, interactive shopping experiences across all touchpoints. The Company believes that 3D modeling technology adds significant value to the jewelry industry by enhancing customization and personalization, improving visualization and consumer confidence, streamlining production processes, facilitating omnichannel experiences, and supporting sustainability efforts. As the industry seeks to attract and retain consumers, leveraging 3D models offers a compelling way to meet their expectations for innovation, quality, and ethical consumerism. NFT's and 3D Models Can Work together to generate revenue; The combination of 3D modeling and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) presents a novel and exciting opportunity to create and enhance value in the jewelry industry. This synergy not only appeals to traditional aspects of value such as uniqueness and ownership but also aligns with modern consumer trends, especially among digital-savvy generations like Generation Z. Here's how 3D models and NFTs can work together to create value in the jewelry sector: Digital Ownership and Authenticity NFTs serve as digital certificates of ownership and authenticity for unique items, stored securely on a blockchain. When applied to 3D modeled jewelry pieces, NFTs can verify the ownership and originality of both physical and digital jewelry items. This digital authentication process adds immense value by ensuring the item's provenance, a critical factor in the luxury goods market where the authenticity and history of an item significantly influence its value. Exclusive and Customizable Digital Jewelry 3D modeling allows designers to create intricate, customizable jewelry designs that can be minted as NFTs. This opens up a market for exclusive digital jewelry that can be collected, worn in virtual environments, or used as avatars on social media platforms and in virtual worlds. For Generation Z, who spend considerable time in digital spaces, owning unique digital assets is a form of self-expression and status. This exclusivity and customization potential make digital jewelry an attractive investment and fashion statement. Bridging Physical and Digital Worlds The integration of 3D models with NFTs enables a seamless connection between physical jewelry pieces and their digital counterparts. Purchasing a physical jewelry item could also grant the buyer ownership of a digital twin represented by an NFT, which can be used or displayed in virtual spaces. This dual ownership model adds value by offering a comprehensive experience that spans both the physical and digital realms, catering to the modern consumer's lifestyle that increasingly blends the two. Enhancing Customer Experience and Engagement The use of 3D models and NFTs in the jewelry industry can significantly enhance customer engagement by offering an interactive and immersive buying experience. Customers can participate in the creation of their jewelry through 3D modeling interfaces, making personalized adjustments before finalizing their purchase. The final piece can then be minted as an NFT, providing a new layer of engagement through digital ownership and potential participation in virtual economies. This personalized and interactive process enhances the customer experience, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the brand. New Revenue Streams and Marketplaces NFTs enable the creation of new revenue streams and marketplaces for jewelry designers and brands. Digital jewelry pieces can be traded on NFT marketplaces, opening up global markets and attracting new demographics interested in digital fashion and collectibles. Additionally, brands can leverage NFTs to offer limited edition releases, pre-orders, or special collections, creating hype and exclusivity around their products. This not only generates direct revenue but also enhances brand visibility and engagement in digital spaces. Sustainability and Ethical Consumption Digital jewelry represented by NFTs offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional jewelry, which often involves resource-intensive production processes. By creating value in digital items, the industry can cater to ethically conscious consumers, including Generation Z, who prioritize sustainability. Digital collectibles reduce the need for physical materials and the environmental impact associated with mining and manufacturing, aligning with the growing demand for responsible and sustainable consumption practices. The Company believes that the integration of 3D models and NFTs in the jewelry industry represents a timely forward-thinking approach to creating value, blending traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation. By offering authenticated ownership, exclusive digital collectibles, enhanced customer engagement, and new revenue opportunities, this synergy caters to the evolving preferences of modern consumers. As the digital and physical realms continue to converge, leveraging 3D modeling and NFTs will be crucial for the jewelry industry to stay relevant and thrive in the digital age Further, the synergy between 3D models and blockchain technology creates value by enhancing authenticity, facilitating secure transactions, protecting intellectual property, streamlining supply chains, and offering customization opportunities. This integration represents a significant step forward in digital innovation, opening up new possibilities for creators, consumers, and industries at large. As these technologies continue to evolve, their combined potential to transform traditional business models and marketplaces will only increase, paving the way for a more secure, efficient, and innovative future which the Company intends to participate in. Shares for Services The Company also announces today that in order to manage its cash flow and reduce or possibly eliminate its dependency of raising capital for payroll it has renewed its share purchase warrant program that was originally announced last year, pursuant to which it will issue an aggregate of 1,000,000 share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") to its service providers in connection with their employment and/or consulting arrangements with the Company. Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company (an "Underlying Share") at an exercise price of CDN$0.455 for a period of one year. The Warrants will be automatically exercised in equal monthly tranches on a pro rata basis over the term of the Warrants, and the exercise price will be satisfied by the monthly salaries otherwise payable by the Company to the recipients of the Warrants. Upon exercise, the recipients of the Warrants may opt to either receive the Underlying Shares, or participate in a managed sale program to sell the Underlying Shares on the open market and receive the cash proceeds. Any shortfall as a result of participation in such a managed sale program will be funded by the Company. Bonus Shares The Company has issued 200,000 common shares of the Company as bonus shares ("Bonus Shares") to certain employees/consultants of the Company. The Bonus Shares are being issued at a deemed price of $0.455 per share for past services rendered. All Bonus Shares issued are subject to a four (4) month and one day hold period. Recent Toggle3D.ai News Toggle3D.ai Expanding GPT AI With 3D Virtual Photography Studio for 3D Models Toggle3D.ai Launches Suite of GPT AI 3D Solutions Led by Former Microsoft Executive, In Partnership with Nextech3D.ai Toggle3D.ai Announces its Groundbreaking AI Textures Increases Productivity by 100% In 3D Model Production For Ecommerce Toggle3D.ai Reports 75% Usage Growth in Q4, New Release With AI Search Engine Integration Set for Q1 About Toggle3D.ai Toggle3D.ai(CSE:TGGL)(OTCQB:TGGLF)((FSE:Q0C) is a groundbreaking SaaS solution that utilizes generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and enable seamless publishing of superior 4K 3D models, serving various industries within the $160 billion CGI market. With its Augmented Reality-based rapid prototyping web app, Toggle3D empowers designers, artists, marketers, and eCommerce owners to effortlessly convert, texture, customize, and publish high-quality 3D models and experiences, regardless of technical or 3D design expertise. Toggle3D.ai Investor Relations Visit the Toggle3D Investor Relations website and sign up for the investor mailing list to receive the latest news, press releases, investor presentations, CEO interviews, financial information and more. Sign up for the investor mailing list - click here Follow Toggle3D.ai on Social Media Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Toggle3D Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toggle3d.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Toggle3D LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/Company/toggle3d-ai/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Toggle3Dai For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Contact Julia Viola investor.relations@toggle3D.ai Toggle3D.ai Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Toggle3D.AI Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE: M) (OTCQB: MYRUF) (FSE: C3Q) ("Myriad" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a compilation of significant historic eU3O8 grade intervals at its Copper Mountain project, compiled from cross-sections prepared by Anaconda Uranium ("Anaconda") in 1997. These cross-sections were found during the Company's ongoing review of proprietary paper-based historical data sets. The intervals confirm that there is high grade material close to the surface at Copper Mountain and give Myriad a clear path to re-evaluating the resources and confirming the feasibility of mining, taking the Company much closer to production than previously thought. The intervals relate to 82 boreholes drilled into what Anaconda called the "High Grade Zone" of the North Canning deposit (see Figure 3 below) by a subsidiary of Union Pacific Railway, Rocky Mountain Energy ("RME"). RME had intended North Canning to be the centre of a three-pit mine they were planning in the late 1970s. The cross-sections include a significant number of high-grade intervals (up to 0.385% eU3O8) and many long, mineralized intervals (up to 291 feet). Grage-Thickness (GT) products range from the minimum selected 0.3 ft% (equivalent to 0.1% over 3 feet) to 11.55 ft% (represented by 0.05% eU3O8 over 231 feet). Highlights are set out at Table 1 below and a full listing of results from the boreholes are available here. Within the data set compiled, there are 56 intervals >0.1% eU3O8 and 8 intervals >0.2% eU3O8. It should be borne in mind that this represents only a small portion of the total area of data collection for one of the project areas. Myriad's CEO Thomas Lamb commented, "These are exciting cross-sections. They demonstrate that there is significant high-grade uranium at Copper Mountain and they provide us with a roadmap to fast-track the required confirmation work. These particular boreholes were drilled in the High Grade Zone at an important structural boundary of the North Canning area, adjacent to the more moderate-grade zones of the main North Canning deposit area. Union Pacific had intended the North Canning deposit to be a moderate-grade bulk-tonnage central pit for a large mining operation. They had conducted considerable test work and built a heap leach pad before discontinuing development due to fast-falling uranium prices at the end of the 1970s." Thomas Lamb then continued "Historically, other high-grade zones away from North Canning saw only limited drilling and we are now armed with geological insight to help us pursue trends - particularly faults that are now much better understood and have not been explored yet. This gives us confidence that we can increase overall grades and volumes relative to RME's historic estimates and also consider alternatives such as initially developing a current resource estimate for just the smaller high-grade areas of North Canning as a first step. Experts such as Union Pacific's manager of exploration at Copper Mountain during the 1970s, Jim Davis, who recently joined Myriad's Technical Committee, have speculated that fault trends at Copper Mountain could lead to the discovery of noncomformity-type deposits and 'represent an attractive potential for large uranium deposits, based on world-class models, including the French granite, Navarrette, Australia, and Beaverlodge, Canada'. This view is bolstered by the fact that high grade at North Canning is associated with amphibolite schists, a feature shared with Beaverlodge, a vast uranium complex in the Athabasca Basin." Interval Highlights Note that these reported intervals have not been verified by new measurements and should serve as a guide only for assessing the grade potential of targeted mineralization at Copper Mountain. A full listing of results from the captured boreholes is available here. Table 1 Summary of highlighted significant eU3O8 intervals from the North Canning area Borehole ID From (ft) To (ft) Interval (ft) eU3O8 (%) GT (ft%) LH00041 228 255 27 0.075 2.03 Including 249 252 3 0.385 1.16 345 420 75 0.053 3.98 Including 387 399 12 0.145 1.74 LH00056 303 375 72 0.075 5.40 Including 306 309 3 0.173 0.52 Including 315 321 6 0.217 1.30 Including 333 336 3 0.130 0.39 Including 348 354 6 0.146 0.88 LH00064 57 90 33 0.098 3.23 Including 66 84 18 0.153 2.75 111 144 33 0.062 2.05 Including 117 123 6 0.218 1.31 279 312 33 0.107 3.53 Including 288 306 18 0.147 2.65 LH00166 105 150 45 0.047 2.12 183 321 138 0.036 4.97 Including 294 306 12 0.180 2.16 LH00182 171 462 291 0.039 11.35 Including 294 306 12 0.180 2.16 LH00508 168 246 78 0.041 3.20 Including 225 228 3 0.117 0.35 LH00513 204 435 231 0.050 11.55 Including 261 267 6 0.163 0.98 Including 366 378 12 0.145 1.74 Including 390 393 3 0.143 0.43 Including 405 411 6 0.128 0.77 LH00565 387 579 192 0.045 8.64 Including 516 525 9 0.167 1.50 LH00567 153 324 171 0.063 10.77 Including 240 258 18 0.109 1.96 Including 285 306 21 0.164 3.44 LH00581 390 450 60 0.074 4.44 Including 414 423 9 0.311 2.80 LH00598 393 597 204 0.040 8.16 Including 510 531 21 0.137 2.88 LH00956 270 288 18 0.112 2.02 Including 279 285 6 0.228 1.37 453 543 90 0.046 4.14 Including 483 486 3 0.100 0.30 Including 501 507 6 0.129 0.77 LH00957 156 351 195 0.055 10.73 Including 273 288 15 0.113 1.70 MG00060 282 297 15 0.085 1.28 Including 285 288 3 0.202 0.61 MG00061 249 273 24 0.101 2.42 Including 252 261 9 0.172 1.55 MG00093 519 528 9 0.097 0.87 Including 522 528 6 0.139 0.83 561 579 18 0.056 1.01 Including 564 567 3 0.195 0.59 MG00100 459 483 24 0.018 0.43 Including 468 480 12 0.332 3.98 MG00128 414 423 9 0.100 0.90 Including 417 420 3 0.252 0.76 435 471 36 0.072 2.59 Including 438 453 15 0.119 1.79 717 789 72 0.035 2.52 Geological Background Uranium mineralization at Copper Mountain occurs in two distinct geologic environments: Fracture-controlled uranium mineralization hosted in Archaean-aged granite, syenite, isolated occurrences along the margins of diabase dikes and in association with meta-sediment inclusions in granite; and As disseminations in coarse-grained sandstones and coatings on cobbles and boulders in the Tertiary-aged Teepee Trail Formation at the Arrowhead (Little Mo) mine and other localities. Uranium mineralization is thought to have resulted through supergene and hydrothermal enrichment processes. In both cases, the source of the uranium is thought to be the granites of the Owl Creek Mountains. The pattern of structural features and overall structural setting developed in the southern-most portion of the Archaean granites of the Owl Creek Mountains, and particularly at Copper Mountain, is a key aspect for the localization of uranium mineralization in the project area. Earlier interpretations of the mineralization at Copper Mountain show that the controls on mineralization were not fully understood. Factors such as hydrocarbons, degree of fracturing, and lithologic differences had been considered, generally without solid conclusions that would help in putting shape, grade and predictability to the mineralized areas. There is evidence to suggest that some of the upper mineralization was depleted in uranium, which was remobilized and fixated in deeper and higher-grade areas and it is unclear if this concept has been fully tested. The location of the Copper Mountain uranium district in relation to other uranium districts in Wyoming is shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1 Uranium Districts of Wyoming To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/200421_3a3e79224491db68_002full.jpg "Area of Special Interest" The grade intervals were calculated as weighted averages using 3-foot composite grades that Anaconda derived from drilling data acquired from RME which conducted uranium exploration in the Copper Mountain area between 1969 to 1982. The grade intervals presented here were captured from cross-sections that Anaconda drafted over an area designated the "E2 Zone" or "Area of Special Interest", which covers part of the High Grade Zone of the North Canning deposit area as defined by Anaconda (1997). It was previously reported (here) that the Canning deposit contains between 8.79 Mlbs eU3O8 (at 170 ppm average grade) and 19.0 Mlbs eU3O8 (at 390 ppm average grade). The Canning deposit is approximately 4,500 feet (1,372 metres) long in an east-west direction and 1,500 feet (457 metres) wide in a north-south direction. The main portion is from 100 to 250 feet (30 to 76 metres) below surface and attains a thickness of up to 300 feet (91 metres). A west-northwest trending fault (the Canning Fault) bounds the deposit on the northern side and also controls the High Grade Zone, which contains significantly higher grade uranium than the rest of the deposit area. It is not clear what the Area of Special Interest represents, but it is thought to be one of the areas earmarked for bulk sampling or early mining development by RME. The presence of higher grades in certain areas along fault trends provides the option of increasing the cut-off grade, should it be feasible to do so. The location of the "Area of Special Interest" identified by Anaconda is shown in Figure 2 below and the locations of the boreholes appearing in the cross-sections are indicated in Figure 3 below. Figure 2 Myriad claims, deposits and the Anaconda "Area of Special Interest" To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/200421_3a3e79224491db68_003full.jpg The coordinates of the boreholes indicated as "cross-section" boreholes in Figure 3 below are available here. Note that these reported intervals have not been verified by sampling or analytical methods to test the data and should serve as a guide only for assessing the grade potential of targeted mineralization at Copper Mountain. A discussion on the equivalent uranium grade determinations is provided further down. Figure 3 Canning "Area of Special Interest" and cross-section borehole locations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/200421_3a3e79224491db68_004full.jpg Figure 4 Section 732450E in the "Area of Special Interest" as produced by Anaconda, showing grade interval ranges To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/200421_3a3e79224491db68_006full.jpg Determination of eU3O8 Grades Drilling by RME was conducted using a combination of rotary percussion and core drilling (approximately 10%). Thus, most of the eU3O8 grades were derived from natural gamma (NGAM) logging probes, while a limited check was done using Delayed Fission Neutron (DFN) analysis of core samples. During RME's investigations at the time, a discrepancy was identified between grades determined by the NGAM and the DFN method. Through extensive investigations by RME and others, it was concluded that the NGAM over-stated higher grades and understated lower grades, when compared to the DFN. The decision was therefore made to err on the side of caution and use the DFN grades for all estimation going forward. RME therefore converted all NGAM grades to an equivalent DFN grade using a regression curve. Independent assessment and reporting of results for the projects have confirmed the veracity of the data collection methods. For example, an independent report by David S. Robertson and Associates (1978) concluded that RME "has utilized proper procedures in collecting and handling data from the North Canning Project". Similarly, a Golder Associates report (1979) found that the data collection methods were reliable, and a Neutron Energy Inc. report (2008) stated that there was no reason to believe that standard industry practices were not employed by RME at the time. Enwall (1980) also noted that DFN assaying has proven to be one of the most interference-free, precise and accurate analytical techniques for uranium. Data Verification Note that the reported intervals have not been verified by sampling or analytical methods to test the data and should serve as a guide only for assessing the grade potential of targeted mineralization at Copper Mountain. The equivalent grades used for the reported intervals will need to be verified by re-logging the boreholes or drilling twin boreholes to obtain similar results. This is part of the planned work strategy described below. The borehole dip and azimuth are not known at this time and the intervals have not been corrected for true width, as the controls on mineralization have not been firmly established. Planned Work Strategy and Schedule The strategy for verification of historically reported grades and further delineation of mineralized zones is dependent on conditions in the field, which have yet to be determined. Myriad plans to conduct a site visit to Copper Mountain at the earliest possibility that weather conditions will allow, possibly late April to early May, 2024. The aim of the site visit would be to assess the conditions in the field generally, but more importantly, to locate historically drilled borehole collar positions and check if they are preserved and open at depth. If the historic boreholes are open and are accessible, they could be re-probed using modern equipment to generate new grade interval information that can be used in reporting, with only limited drilling then required to chemically verify the results. Should this strategy be feasible, borehole logging equipment, such as Prompt Fission Neutron (PFN) will be sourced immediately and set to work on re-probing the historic boreholes this summer season. Priority for boreholes will be guided by the information already available, which will shorten the time required for producing representative results. The strategy may include the drilling of limited diamond drill (DD) core and reverse circulation (RC) or rotary air blast (RAB) holes to supplement the drilling delineation process and fast-track the production of a code compliant Mineral Resource Estimate. Conclusion The data compiled by Anaconda and reported here is believed to be relevant and demonstrates the potential for higher grade zones along the fault trends and elsewhere in the Copper Mountain district. The data shows us that (1) there is high-grade material in areas formerly designated for open-pit mining prior to the market turn in the 1980's, and (2) Myriad has a clear path for re-evaluating the existing resources at Copper Mountain and may in fact be much farther along than previously thought in terms of testing the feasibility of a mining plan for these areas. The data also shows us that high-grade potential exists outside the main Copper Mountain deposits and provides support for the idea that undiscovered high-grade mineralization may be found along trends that have not been explored yet. Myriad's strategy, besides confirming existing areas of mineralization, will be to locate and follow out these fault structures to target areas of higher-grade mineralization. Qualified Person Statement The scientific or technical information in this news release respecting the Company's Copper Mountain Project has been prepared and approved by George van der Walt, MSc., Pr.Sci.Nat., MGSSA, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. It is based on the Qualified Person's initial review of historical reports which were recently obtained by the Company. The information did not include original data such as drilling records, sampling, analytical or test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written documents. Therefore, the Qualified Person has not reviewed or otherwise verified the information and has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Qualified Person considers the information to be relevant based on the amount and quality of work undertaken and reported historically. A more thorough review of any available original data will be undertaken and reported on in more detail in future releases. About Myriad Uranium Corp. Myriad Uranium Corp. is a uranium exploration company with an earnable 75% interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA. Copper Mountain hosts several known uranium deposits and historic uranium mines, including the Arrowhead Mine which produced 500,000 lbs of eU3O8. Copper Mountain saw extensive drilling and development by Union Pacific, which developed a mine plan and built a leach pad for one of the deposits at Copper Mountain. Operations ceased in 1980 before mining could commence due to falling uranium prices. Approximately 2,000 boreholes have been drilled at Copper Mountain and the project area has significant exploration upside. Union Pacific is estimated to have spent C$117 million (2023 dollars) exploring and developing Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates which are detailed here. Myriad also holds 80% ownership of over 1,800 km2 of uranium exploration licenses in the Tim Mersoii Basin, Niger, with the option to earn up to 100%. These licenses are surrounded by many of the most significant uranium deposits in Africa, including Orano's 384 Mlbs eU3O8 Imouraren, Global Atomic's 236 Mlbs Dasa, and Goviex's 100 Mlbs Madaouela, and on the same fault structures. Myriad also has a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Metals Inc. For further information, please refer to Myriad's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriad's website at www.myriaduranium.com. Recent interviews with VSA and Crux Investor are here and here. A video overview of the Copper Mountain Project is here. Myriad Contacts: Thomas Lamb President and CEO tlamb@myriaduranium.com Forward-Looking Statements Mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, the Company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect, including with respect to the Company's business plans respecting the exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties, the proposed work program on the Company's mineral properties and the potential and economic viability of the Company's mineral properties. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200421 SOURCE: Myriad Uranium Corp. MADRID (dpa-AFX) - The euro area private sector moved closer to stabilization as renewed services activity expansion offset further contraction in manufacturing, final survey results from S&P Global showed Tuesday. The HCOB composite output index rose to an eight-month high of 49.2 in February from 47.9 in January. The score was well above the flash 48.9. However, a reading below 50.0 indicates contraction. The services Purchasing Managers' Index advanced to 50.2 from 48.4 in the previous month. The flash reading was 50.0. Among big-four economies, solid expansion was seen in Spain. Italy also contributed positively. However, these upturns were counteracted by the euro area's two largest economies, France and Germany. Germany's business activity contracted the most in four months in February due to accelerated reduction in manufacturing output. The composite PMI posted 46.3, down from 47.0 in January. The score was above the initial estimate of 46.1. The services PMI climbed to 48.3 from 47.7 in the previous month. The flash reading was 48.2. France's private sector contracted at the slowest pace in nine months in February. The composite PMI rose to 48.1 from 44.6 in January. The flash reading was 47.7. The services PMI posted 48.4, up from 45.4 a month ago and the flash 48.0. Italy's private sector growth accelerated in February with the composite index rising to 51.1 from 50.7 in January. The services PMI registered 52.2, up from 51.2 in January. Spain private sector logged a sharper growth as manufacturing output returned to growth and services growth accelerated. The composite output index improved to 53.9, the highest since May 2023, from 51.5 in the previous month. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH)(CSE:CLSH), the 'Company' or 'CLS', a diversified cannabis company operating as Cannabis Life Sciences, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with SOMA, the leading innovator in solventless cannabis extraction technologies. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the cannabis industry, as both companies are set to introduce a groundbreaking solventless cannabis vape product to the Nevada market. With a shared commitment to purity, quality, and consumer safety, CLS Holdings and SOMA are joining forces to leverage their respective expertise in cannabis cultivation, extraction, and product development. This partnership is poised to revolutionize the vaping experience by providing consumers with a more true-to-cannabis vape product compared to traditional distillate-based cannabis vapes. The upcoming solventless cannabis vape product promises to deliver the pure essence of cannabis without the use of solvents in the extraction process. Utilizing SOMA's proprietary extraction technology and process, the new vape line will offer consumers a potent, flavorful, and truly natural cannabis experience. "CLS Holdings is excited to partner with SOMA to bring this innovative solventless cannabis vape to the Nevada market," said Joseph Ramalho, COO of CLS Holdings. "This partnership aligns with our mission to offer high-quality cannabis products to the market, and I couldn't be more excited to enter the solventless segment in partnership with the SOMA team. With SOMA's advanced proprietary extraction methods, we are establishing new standards for purity and quality in the cannabis industry." Christopher Pagels, CEO of SOMA, also commented on the partnership, stating, "Working with CLS Holdings allows us to combine our 100% solventless extraction technology and processes with an industry-leading operator that has deep expertise in product development and distribution. We are proud to collaborate on a product that not only meets the growing demand for solventless cannabis options in Nevada but also underscores our commitment to innovation and accessibility for Nevada residents." The solventless cannabis vape is expected to launch before April 20, 2024, and will be available through CLS Holdings' extensive distribution network. This product is designed to cater to discerning consumers seeking a cleaner, more authentic cannabis experience. For more information about CLS Holdings, SOMA, and their upcoming solventless cannabis vape, please visit clsholdingsinc.com. About CLS Holdings USA, Inc. CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (CLS) is a diversified cannabis company that acts as an integrated cannabis producer and retailer through its Oasis Cannabis subsidiaries in Nevada and plans to expand to other states. CLS stands for "Cannabis Life Sciences," in recognition of the Company's proprietary method of extracting various cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and converting them into products with a higher level of quality and consistency. CLS's business model includes licensing operations, processing operations, processing facilities, sale of products, brand creation, and consulting services. clsholdingsinc.com Instagram @clsholdingsusa Facebook: @CLSHoldingsUSA Twitter: @CLSHoldingsUSA LinkedIn: @CLS Holdings USA Inc About SOMA SOMA is at the forefront of cannabis extraction technology, specializing in the development of methods to produce 100% solventless Rosin at Scale. Committed to innovation, accessibility, and purity, SOMA is dedicated to advancing the cannabis industry through extraction techniques that honor the expression of the cannabis plant, preserving its original characteristics and benefits. SOMA is solventless, beyond limitations. somaoil.com About City Trees Founded in 2017, City Trees is a Nevada based cannabis cultivation, production and distribution company. Offering a wide variety of products with consistent results, including cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products. City Trees products are available in numerous dispensaries throughout the state of Nevada and New Mexico. citytrees.com City Trees Nevada: Instagram: @citytreesnv Facebook: @citytrees X: @citytreesnv LinkedIn: @citytrees City Trees New Mexico: Instagram: @citytreesnm Facebook: @citytrees X: @citytreesnm LinkedIn: @citytrees Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and 'forward-looking statements' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the 'forward-looking statements'). These statements relate to, among other things, the expected development of our business and joint ventures, results of operations and financial performance, future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "intends," "expects," "plans," "goals," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details. Contact Information: Corporate: Chairman and CEO Andrew Glashow 888-260-7775 Investor Relations: investors@clsholdingsinc.com SOURCE: CLS Holdings USA, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, BC, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. (TSX-V: REVO), (Frankfurt: IJA2), (Munich: A2PU92)and the non-brokered private placement announced on April 26, 2023, titled, "RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. Reports It Has Negotiated a $12.47 Million Private Placement Led by European Financially Regulated HBDIG Technologies GmbH". The current discussions, led by RevoluGROUP's CEO, Gavin McMillan, and Mr. Riveros, focus on revising the existing terms to better align with both parties' strategic directions. A key aspect under careful consideration is the review of transaction types and volumes to ensure full compliance with relevant regulatory standards. Since these revisions could materially alter the agreement's structure, both parties have also discussed Mr. Riveros's commitment to fulfilling his obligations to remit the penalty amount of CAD $676,809 whilst simultaneously materializing a revised agreement. These simultaneous actions would result in the successful completion of the subscription agreement that would support the expansion plans of both parties. Gavin McMillan, CEO of RevoluGROUP Canada Inc., expresses optimism regarding the ongoing discussions, stating, "We greatly appreciate Mr. Riveros's openness to making significant concessions. Although we are in the early stages of negotiations, it's our top priority to progress through the necessary due diligence and compliance verification. This meticulous approach ensures we safeguard the interests of all stakeholders." Mr. Riveros has expressed keen interest in reinforcing his partnership with RevoluGROUP, particularly in areas leveraging the Company's technological integrations and regulatory expertise for global expansion both parties agree that this is one of the company's cornerstones not only to preserve but also to expand the licenses. These discussions include strategic investments, operational enhancements, and exploring new markets aligning with favorable regulatory frameworks. "I am committed to meeting my agreements with RevoluGROUP and their shareholders and fostering a partnership that not only meets my ambitious goals but also upholds the highest standards of regulatory compliance and technological efficacy," said Mr. Erik A. Lara Riveros, highlighting his vision for the collaboration. Mr. Riveros has also committed to providing an update email with additional details on the entities that will be involved, and the modifications he wishes to see to the terms. Both parties have tentatively scheduled follow-up meetings to continue discussions. About RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. is a multi-asset, multidivisional, publicly traded Canadian Company deploying advanced technologies in; Banking, Mobile Apps, Money Remittance, Cross-Border Forex Payments, Mobile Phone Top-Ups, EGaming, Healthcare Payments, Esports, Invoice factoring, Online Travel, Vacation Resort, Blockchain Systems, and Fintech app sectors. Click hereto read more. For further information on RevoluGROUP Canada Inc.. RevoluGROUP Canada, Inc. "Gavin McMillan" ______________________ Gavin McMillan CEO and Director For further information, contact: RevoluGROUP Canada Inc. Telephone: +1 NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Plan to List Non-Core Asset for sale for $16 Million to Pursue Direct-to-Consumer Real Estate Strategy SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 05, 2024 / Zoned Properties, Inc. ("Zoned Properties" or the "Company") (OTCQB:ZDPY), a technology-driven property investment company for emerging and highly regulated industries, including legalized cannabis, today announced that the Company has listed its cultivation property in Chino Valley, Arizona (the "Chino Valley Property") for sale at a purchase price of $16 million. This potential transaction marks a significant development in the Company's strategic real estate portfolio optimization. The Chino Valley Property has been a valuable non-core asset within the Company's portfolio and this potential sale is part of a strategic shift to streamline the Company's portfolio and concentrate efforts on a direct-to-consumer real estate strategy. "As part of our ongoing strategic review to enhance shareholder value, we are very pleased to announce our intention to sell our Chino Valley Property. The Chino Valley Property, which we now consider a non-core asset to our investment strategy, represents a significant capital reallocation opportunity for Zoned Properties. We expect that, if and when the Chino Valley Property is sold, the non-dilutive proceeds from the sale would be instrumental in supporting the Company's future real estate portfolio acquisition plans," commented Bryan McLaren, Chief Executive Officer of Zoned Properties. "This is a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to scale our direct-to-consumer real estate portfolio and unlock value for our shareholders. We believe that this strategic shift will position us to capitalize on the growing demand for retail dispensary properties in the cannabis real estate industry with strong cap rates creating long-term shareholder value. We will continue our ongoing strategic review with the sole intention of growing shareholder value and look forward to updating shareholders as appropriate." For more details about the Chino Valley Property listing click here: https://zonedproperties.com/listings/ About Zoned Properties, Inc. (OTCQB:ZDPY): Zoned Properties Inc. ("Zoned Properties" or the "Company") (OTCQB:ZDPY) is a technology-driven property investment company focused on acquiring value-add real estate within the regulated cannabis industry in the United States. The Company aspires to innovate within the real estate development sector, focusing on direct-to-consumer real estate that is leased to the best-in-class cannabis retailers. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Zoned Properties is redefining the approach to commercial real estate investment through its standardized investment process backed by its proprietary property technology. Zoned Properties has developed a national ecosystem of real estate services to support its real estate development model, including a commercial real estate brokerage and a real estate advisory practice. With a decade of national experience and a team of experts devoted to the emerging cannabis industry, Zoned Properties is addressing the specific needs of a modern market in highly regulated industries. The Company targets commercial properties that face unique zoning or development challenges, identifies solutions that can potentially have a major impact on their commercial value, and then works to acquire the properties while securing long-term, absolute-net leases. Zoned Properties targets commercial properties that can be acquired and rezoned for specific purposes, including the regulated and legalized cannabis industry. It does not grow, harvest, sell or distribute cannabis or any substances regulated under United States law such as the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, as amended (the "CSA"). Zoned Properties corporate headquarters are located at 8360 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 230, Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, call 877-360-8839 or visitwww.ZonedProperties.com. Twitter:@ZonedProperties LinkedIn:@ZonedProperties Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Investor Relations: Zoned Properties, Inc. Bryan McLaren Tel (877) 360-8839 Investors@zonedproperties.com www.zonedproperties.com SOURCE: Zoned Properties, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com CUPERTINO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / As the college admissions landscape continues to evolve, AdmissionSight, a leading college admission consulting company, takes a look at the impact of ChatGPT, an innovative AI language model, on the college application process. In today's competitive academic environment, students face challenges in securing admission to their desired schools. Given the competitive landscape, college admissions often leaves students and parents feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to stand out in a sea of applicants. With ChatGPT going mainstream since last year, every student now has access to the platform. This means that the bar is set significantly higher for college application essays and personal statements. "In fact, ChatGPT can write a better essay than your above average high school student, so we've rolled out strategies for our students this year that can write college application essays orders of magnitude of what GPT can write," says Eric Eng, CEO and Founder of AdmissionSight. "It's become a test of man against machine of who can write the better college application essays, which to me as an educator is fascinating." Today, ChatGPT can help students with their homework and problem sets. With a few prompts, ChatGPT can provide answers and well-written essays, or help troubleshoot and debug code and software. As a result, this can also lead to heavily relying on the technology to help students with their English, history, or computer science homework, which prevents students from developing their critical thinking skills. "As colleges increasingly embrace emerging technologies, the debate shifts from whether to use them to how to do so ethically," Eric Eng states. "The impact of AI varies depending on context, while it may take time to fully understand and implement these advancements." Eng believes that ChatGPT lacks a personalized approach to education which can never be replaced by a real life consultant or tutor. This aspect is critical when it comes to educating and inspiring students to achieve their academic goals such as SAT's or science research. There's a reason why education and online platforms that rely solely on technology without the human component does not work - it doesn't provide personalized attention that students need to achieve a level of success. This is where AdmissionSight's expertise comes in handy. Their team of experts provide hands-on college admissions counseling and personalized attention to students that help motivate students to build their academic aptitude. They help students prepare for significant extracurricular activities that can help them throughout the college admissions process. As ChatGPT continues to evolve and improve, AdmissionSight remains committed to monitoring innovative technology to understand its impact on student outcomes and academic enrichment. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay and AdmissionSight is helping to shape the future of college admissions, making the process more accessible, personalized, and efficient for students around the world. About AdmissionSight AdmissionSight is a full-service admissions consulting company with over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process to college, transfer, graduate, and international programs. AdmissionSight's services include SAT/AP preparation, science research program, passion project development, extracurricular involvement, academic competition preparation, summer program applications, personal statement editing, interview preparation, and letter of recommendation strategy. On average, 75% of their students are admitted to an Ivy League university, Stanford, MIT, UChicago, and Caltech, one of the highest track records in the industry. Media Contact: AdmissionSight Inc. info@admissionsight.com (650) 338-8226 SOURCE: AdmissionSight View the original press release on accesswire.com NEWARK, DEL. / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Xitoring, an all-in-one monitoring solution, recently announced an innovative integration with Microsoft Azure, allowing Azure users to quickly monitor their virtual machines (VMs) running Linux and Windows operating systems. The integration of Xitoring with Microsoft Azure represents a key milestone in cloud monitoring, providing Azure users with incredible visibility and control over their cloud infrastructure. With Xitoring's powerful monitoring capabilities fully integrated into the Azure environment, customers can now easily monitor the performance, health, and security of their Azure virtual machines in real-time. This revolutionary integration comes at a time when businesses are increasingly dependent on cloud infrastructure to run their operations. With Microsoft Azure as one of the world's top cloud platforms, efficiently monitoring virtual machines (VMs) is critical for assuring maximum performance, stability, and security. "Xitoring is dedicated to providing innovative solutions that allow organizations to maximize the full potential of cloud computing," said Saman Soltani, CEO of Xitoring. "Our integration with Microsoft Azure represents an important step forward in cloud monitoring technology, enabling Azure users to monitor their VMs with amazing ease and efficiency." Key features of the Xitoring integration on Microsoft Azure: Xitoring's Azure extension simplifies the installation process. Whether you're using Azure Portal, PowerShell, AZ CLI, or Deployment templates, setting up the monitoring solution is straightforward. Xitoring offers detailed monitoring of Azure VMs, including CPU use, memory consumption, disk I/O, network traffic, and more. This extensive monitoring guarantees that users have full visibility into the functioning of their virtual machines. Services and Software including major web servers and databases can be easily monitored for better observability. Users may create flexible alerts based on specified thresholds or particular situations, allowing for proactive monitoring and rapid reaction to any faults or abnormalities found in their Azure VMs. The Xitoring's Azure Monitoring is designed to provide Azure users with an easy and intuitive monitoring experience. By combining Xitoring's monitoring capabilities with the familiar Azure experience, customers can simply get actionable information and make educated decisions to improve their cloud infrastructure. "We understand the challenges that organizations face in managing and monitoring their cloud environments," said Saman Soltani. "With our integration on Azure, we aim to simplify the monitoring process and empower Azure users to maximize the value of their cloud investments." Additional features of Xitoring: In addition to monitoring capabilities, Xitoring provides a variety of additional features and tools to assist enterprises in optimizing their server and website architecture. These include performance optimization, SSL monitoring, status pages, and other features that help enterprises improve their cloud efficiency, agility, and resilience. About Xitoring: Xitoring is an all-in-one monitoring solution, offering comprehensive monitoring and management capabilities for servers and cloud environments Including Windows Server monitoring, Linux Server monitoring, Status pages, Uptime monitoring, and SSL monitoring. With a focus on simplicity, scalability, and reliability, Xitoring empowers organizations to optimize their cloud infrastructure and maximize performance, availability, and security. Contact Information Saman Soltani hello@xitoring.com SOURCE: Xitoring, LLC View the original press release on newswire.com. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSXV: TNR) ("TNR", "TNR Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that McEwen Mining Inc. ("McEwen Mining") has provided an update on the Los Azules copper, gold and silver project in San Juan, Argentina. TNR holds a 0.4% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR Royalty") (of which 0.04% of the 0.4% NSR Royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder) on the Los Azules Copper Project. The Los Azules project is held by McEwen Copper Inc. ("McEwen Copper"), a subsidiary of McEwen Mining. The news release issued by McEwen Mining on February 26, 2024 stated: "McEwen Copper Inc., 47.7% owned by McEwen Mining Inc. is pleased to announce assay results from the final unreleased drill holes of the last season (2022-2023). The results from this period not only validate previous drilling results but also confirm the continuity of mineralization and extend the mineralization. Remaining assays from the 2022-2023 season, highlights include: 446 m of 0.63% Cu, including 76 m of 0.92% Cu (AZ23228MET) Selected Highlights: Hole AZ23 205 MET returned 257 m of 0.76% Cu within the Enriched zone. Hole AZ23 228 MET returned 446 m of 0.63% Cu in the Enriched zone, including 76 m of 0.92% Cu . Hole AZ23230MET returned 250 m of 0.68% Cu in the Enriched zone, including 192 m of 0.83% Cu. The objective of the 2022-2023 drilling campaign was to collect information needed as the project advances towards the completion of a Feasibility Study in Q1 2025. Work continues during this field season (2023-2024) and includes resource drilling that will convert the initial 5-year pit resources to Measured and Indicated categories and will further upgrade resources from Inferred to Indicated. In addition to resource drilling, geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrogeological, exploration, and condemnation drilling are also being performed. With the closing in October 2023 of a US$10.0 million investment by Nuton, a Rio Tinto venture, and the ARS $42 billion investment by Stellantis, the Los Azules Project is fully funded for the 2023-2024 drilling campaign. McEwen Copper is currently seeking funding to support feasibility-level engineering and pre-construction work. Another record-setting drill season is underway at Los Azules with over 62,000 meters of drilling, of which 43,000 meters have been completed to date. "Argentina's new president is taking important initiatives to unlock the country's potential to become a significant supplier of critical minerals to the world, to combat climate change and at the same time strengthening the economy," said Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner. "McEwen Copper's Los Azules project is progressing at light speed towards completing a feasibility study by Q1 2025 and it has already delivered significant economic benefits to the neighbouring communities. It is a very large copper resource, where recent exploration drilling suggests it definitely has room to grow," said Michael Meding, Vice President and General Manager of McEwen Copper. Table 1 - Remaining 2022-2023 Los Azules metallurgical drilling results. All intercepts are approximate true thickness. Hole-ID Section Predominant Mineral Zone From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu % Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Comment AZ23199MET 31 Total 100.0 271.0 171.0 0.80 0.06 1.56 Enriched 100.0 271.0 171.0 0.80 0.06 1.56 Incl. 156.0m of 0.85% Cu Primary AZ23200MET 34-33 Total 94.0 394.5 300.5 0.43 0.04 2.89 Enriched 94.0 394.5 300.5 0.43 0.04 2.89 Incl. 172.0m of 0.59% Cu Primary AZ23204MET 39 Total 116.0 312.0 196.0 0.50 0.12 1.83 Enriched 116.0 275.5 159.5 0.54 0.13 1.87 Incl. 38.0m of 1.01% Cu Primary 275.5 312.0 36.5 0.34 0.07 1.67 AZ23205MET 31 Total 105.0 374.7 269.7 0.73 0.08 1.77 Enriched 105.0 362.0 257.0 0.76 0.09 1.94 Primary 362.0 374.7 12.7 0.28 0.05 1.30 AZ23226AMET 33 Total 90.0 275.3 185.3 0.47 0.03 0.91 Enriched 90.0 275.3 185.3 0.47 0.03 0.91 Incl. 38.0m of 0.66% Cu Primary AZ23228MET 47 Total 170.0 616.0 446.0 0.63 0.07 3.58 Enriched 170.0 430.0 260.0 0.72 0.07 4.18 Incl. 76.0m of 0.92% Cu Primary 430.0 616.0 186.0 0.49 0.07 2.74 Incl. 52.0m of 0.80% Cu AZ23229MET 50-51 Total 92.0 262.4 170.4 0.46 0.04 1.80 Enriched 92.0 262.4 170.4 0.46 0.04 1.80 Incl. 76.4m of 0.52% Cu Primary AZ23230MET 30 Total 104.0 438.2 334.2 0.59 0.06 3.66 Enriched 104.0 354.0 250.0 0.68 0.06 3.67 Incl. 192.0m of 0.83% Cu Primary 354.0 438.2 84.2 0.31 0.07 3.61 AZ23232MET 48-49 Total 94.0 464.0 370.0 0.40 0.04 0.95 Enriched 94.0 414.0 320.0 0.44 0.05 1.02 Incl. 76.0m of 0.58% Cu Primary 414.0 464.0 50.0 0.12 0.03 0.45 GTK2315MET 52-53 Total 69.0 521.2 452.2 0.29 0.05 1.09 Enriched 69.0 260.0 191.0 0.45 0.04 0.86 Incl. 76.0m of 0.70% Cu Primary 260.0 521.2 261.2 0.18 0.05 1.26 GTK2316MET 30 Total 94.0 319.1 225.1 0.38 0.02 0.88 Enriched 94.0 319.1 225.1 0.38 0.02 0.88 Incl. 48.0m of 0.64% Cu Primary GTK2317MET 28-27 Total 156.0 326.0 170.0 0.42 0.02 2.15 Enriched 156.0 326.0 170.0 0.42 0.02 2.15 Incl. 58.0m of 0.49% Cu Primary AZ23210MET 30 Total 110.0 415.0 305.0 0.64 0.07 1.62 Enriched 110.0 352.0 242.0 0.73 0.07 1.59 Primary 352.0 415.0 63.0 0.28 0.06 1.73 AZ23223MET 32 Total 142.0 376.0 234.0 0.40 0.03 0.52 Enriched 142.0 376.0 234.0 0.40 0.03 0.52 Incl. 76.0m of 0.57% Cu Primary AZ23227MET 34 Total 69.0 334.0 265.0 0.68 0.07 1.27 Enriched 69.0 284.0 215.0 0.73 0.06 1.30 Incl. 137.0m of 0.80% Cu Primary 284.0 334.0 50.0 0.44 0.09 1.13 Incl. 22.0m of 0.65% Cu Results are summarized in three schematic cross sections (Figures 2, 3, and 4), which include simplified interpretations of the Overburden, Leached, Enriched and Primary zones. The Enriched mineral zone refers to a copper deposit enriched by precipitation-derived water circulation that carries copper minerals downward through the rocks to accumulate in a thick, often horizontal "blanket". Immediately above the Enriched zone is the Leached zone, from which copper was removed and transported. Weathering and oxidation often contribute to this process. Below the Enriched zone, the Primary (or Hypogene) zone is formed by ascending copper-rich thermal fluids, originating from a much deeper magmatic source. The green line indicates the pit floor of the 30-year pit shell from the 2023 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). Figure 1 presents a plan view of the location of three sections and the holes reported. Adjacent cross sections are located 50 m apart from each other, starting with the lowest numbered section at the south end of the deposit and progressing to the north. Figure 1 - Plan View Location of Cross-sections and Drill Holes in the Deposit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2014/200427_170cdc208400283a_003full.jpg Figure 2 displays an intercept of 446 m grading 0.63% Cu (AZ23228MET) and includes 76 m grading 0.92% Cu within the Enriched zone. This hole extends higher-grade mineralization further to the west within the Enriched zone. Figure 2 - Section 47 - Drilling, Mineralized Zones and 30-year PEA Pit (Looking North) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2014/200427_170cdc208400283a_004full.jpg Figure 3 highlights a 257 m interval grading 0.76% Cu (AZ23205MET). Both this hole and hole AZ23199MET (171 m grading 0.80% Cu) directly to the west confirm the continuity and grade of the Enriched zone on this section. Figure 3 - Section 31 - Drilling, Mineralized Zones and 30-year PEA Pit (Looking North) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2014/200427_170cdc208400283a_006full.jpg Figure 4 presents an intercept of 250.0 m of 0.68% Cu in hole AZ23230MET. This hole validates mineralization in the center of this section. Hole AZ23210MET displays an intercept of 242.0 m of 0.73% Cu and extends higher grade mineralization in the Enriched zone to the east. Hole GTK2316 contains an intercept of 225.1 m of 0.38% Cu. These three new holes validate the continuity and strength of mineralization on this section. Figure 4 - Section 30 - Drilling, Mineralized Zones and 30-year PEA Pit (Looking North) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2014/200427_170cdc208400283a_007full.jpg Technical information The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Darren King, Director of Exploration of McEwen Copper, who serves as the qualified person (QP) under the definitions of National Instrument 43-101. All samples were collected in accordance with generally accepted industry standards. Drill core samples, usually taken at 2 m intervals, were split and submitted to the Alex Stewart International laboratory located in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, for the following assays: gold determination using fire fusion assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy finish (Au4-30); a 39 multi-element suite using ICP-OES analysis (ICP-AR 39); copper content determination using a sequential copper analysis (Cu-Sequential LMC-140). An additional 19-element analysis (ICP-ORE) was performed for samples with high sulphide content and that exceeded the limits of the ICP-OES analysis. The company conducts a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program in accordance with NI 43-101 and industry best practices, using a combination of standards and blanks on approximately one out of every 25 samples. Results are monitored as final certificates are received, and any re-assay requests are sent back immediately. Pulp and preparation sample analyses are also performed as part of the QAQC process. Approximately 5% of the sample pulps are sent to a secondary laboratory for control purposes. In addition, the laboratory performs its own internal QAQC checks, with results made available on certificates for Company review. Table 2 - Hole Locations and Lengths for Los Azules Drilling Results HOLE-ID Azimuth Dip Length Loc X Loc Y Loc Z AZ23199MET 250 -67 271.0 2383430 6558947 3659 AZ23226AMET 250 -77 275.3 2383311 6559016 3656 AZ23228MET 70 -60 616.0 2382837 6559585 3625 AZ23229MET 70 -70 262.4 2382846 6559746 3616 AZ23230MET 70 -73 438.2 2383344 6558864 3664 AZ23232MET 45 -70 464.0 2383226 6559780 3632 GTK2315MET 38 -70 521.2 2383192 6559976 3639 GTK2316MET 250 -78 319.1 2383348 6558863 3664 GTK2317MET 90 -70 326.0 2383561 6558835 3665 AZ23200MET 90 -70 394.5 2383467 6559120 3657 AZ23204MET 250 -76 312 2383292 6559323 3643 AZ23205MET 250 -74 374.7 2383504 6558973 3660 AZ23210MET 250 -76 415 2383533 6558930 3664 AZ23223MET 66 -73 376 2383253 6558932 3670 AZ23227MET 70 -79 334 2383305 6559059 3654 Coordinates listed in Table 2 based on Gauss Kruger - POSGAR 94 Zone 2 ABOUT MCEWEN COPPER McEwen Copper is a well-funded, private company which owns 100% of the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project, located in the San Juan province, Argentina. McEwen Copper is a 47.7% owned private subsidiary of McEwen Mining, which is listed on NYSE and TSX under the ticker MUX. Los Azules is being designed to be distinctly different from conventional copper mines, consuming significantly less water, emitting much lower carbon levels and progressing to be carbon neutral by 2038, being powered by 100% renewable energy once in operation. The project's recently updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) projects a long life of mine, a short payback period, low production costs per pound, high annual copper production, and an after-tax IRR of 21.1%. ABOUT MCEWEN MINING McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. McEwen Mining also holds a 47.7% interest in McEwen Copper, which is developing the large, advanced-stage Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The company's goal is to improve the productivity and life of its assets with the objective of increasing the share price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner, has a personal investment in the company of US$220 million. His annual salary is US$1." The McEwen Mining press release appears to be reviewed and verified by a Qualified Person (as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and the procedures, methodology and key assumptions disclosed therein are those adopted and consistently applied in the mining industry, but no Qualified Person engaged by TNR has done sufficient work to analyze, interpret, classify or verify McEwen Mining's information to determine the current mineral resource or other information referred to in its press releases. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned in placing any reliance on the disclosures therein. "We are pleased that significant developments on the advancement of the Los Azules Copper Project towards feasibility have led to the increased Stellantis holdings in McEwen Copper as a strategic partner of this large copper, gold and silver project. In February 2023, Stellantis invested ARS $30 billion, and with additional investment of ARS $42 billion made after the new preliminary economic assessment (PEA) publication, has a total investment of ARS $72 billion. An aggregate of US $65 million in McEwen Copper was also invested by Rio Tinto's Venture Nuton in 2022 and 2023," stated Kirill Klip, TNR's Chief Executive Officer. "TNR Gold's vision is aligned with the leaders of innovation among automakers like Stellantis, whose aim is decarbonizing mobility, and mining industry leaders such as Rob McEwen, whose vision is 'to build a mine for the future, based on regenerative principles that can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2038'. "The green energy rEVolution relies on the supply of critical metals like copper; delivering "green copper" to Argentina and the world will contribute to the clean energy transition and electrification of transportation and energy industries. "The new president of Argentina introduced important government policies aimed at supporting business and unlocking the country's economic potential. Mining is being recognized as an integral part of this economic development plan providing jobs and enriching local communities. "Strong team performance of McEwen Copper is accelerating the advance of Los Azules Project towards completing a feasibility study. The Los Azules Project PEA results highlighted the potential to create a very robust leach project, while reducing environmental footprint, and greater environmental and social stewardship sets the Project apart from other potential mine developments. "It's also very encouraging to see an updated independent mineral resource estimate that has increased significantly. These assay results not only validate previous drilling results but also confirm the continuity of mineralization and extend the mineralization. "Together with Nuton, McEwen Copper is exploring new technologies that save energy, water, time and capital, advancing Los Azules towards the goal of the leading environmental performance. The involvement of Rio Tinto with its innovative technology, may also accelerate realizing the enormous potential of the Los Azules Project. "Los Azules was ranked in the top 10 largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world by Mining Intelligence (2022). TNR Gold does not have to contribute any capital for the development of the Los Azules Project. The essence of our business model is to have industry leaders like McEwen Mining as operators on the projects that will potentially generate royalty cashflows to contribute significant value for our shareholders." ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP. TNR Gold Corp. is working to become the green energy metals royalty and gold company. Our business model provides a unique entry point in the creation of supply chains for critical materials like energy metals that are powering the energy rEVolution, and the gold industry that is providing a hedge for this stage of the economic cycle. Our portfolio provides a unique combination of assets with exposure to multiple aspects of the mining cycle: the power of blue-sky discovery and important partnerships with industry leaders as operators on the projects that have the potential to generate royalty cashflows that will contribute significant value for our shareholders. Over the past twenty-eight years, TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high-quality global exploration projects. With the Company's expertise, resources and industry network, the potential of the Mariana Lithium Project and Los Azules Copper Project in Argentina among many others have been recognized. TNR holds a 1.5% NSR Royalty on the Mariana Lithium Project in Argentina, of which 0.15% NSR royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder. Ganfeng Lithium's subsidiary, Litio Minera Argentina ("LMA"), has the right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR royalty on the Mariana Project, of which 0.9% is the Company's NSR Royalty interest. The Company would receive CAN$900,000 and its shareholder would receive CAN$100,000 on the repurchase by LMA, resulting in TNR holding a 0.45% NSR royalty and its shareholder holding a 0.05% NSR royalty. The Mariana Lithium Project is 100% owned by Ganfeng Lithium. The Mariana Lithium Project has been approved by the Argentina provincial government of Salta for an environmental impact report, and the construction of a 20,000 tons-per-annum lithium chloride plant has commenced. TNR Gold also holds a 0.4% NSR Royalty on the Los Azules Copper Project, of which 0.04% of the 0.4% NSR royalty is held on behalf of a shareholder. The Los Azules Copper Project is being developed by McEwen Mining. TNR also holds a 7% net profits royalty holding on the Batidero I and II properties of the Josemaria Project that is being developed by Lundin Mining. Lundin Mining is part of the Lundin Group, a portfolio of companies producing a variety of commodities in several countries worldwide. TNR provides significant exposure to gold through its 90% holding in the Shotgun Gold porphyry project in Alaska. The project is located in Southwestern Alaska near the Donlin Gold project, which is being developed by Barrick Gold and Novagold Resources. The Company's strategy with the Shotgun Gold Project is to attract a joint venture partnership with a major gold mining company. The Company is actively introducing the project to interested parties. At its core, TNR provides a wide scope of exposure to gold, copper, silver and lithium through its holdings in Alaska (the Shotgun Gold porphyry project) and royalty holdings in Argentina (the Mariana Lithium project, the Los Azules Copper Project and the Batidero I & II properties of the Josemaria Project), and is committed to the continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Kirill Klip Executive Chairman www.tnrgoldcorp.com For further information concerning this news release please contact Kirill Klip +1 604-229-8129 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "will", "could" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "could" occur, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements made in relation to: TNR's corporate objectives, and future potential transactions being considered by the Special Committee and the Board. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled "Risks" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's interim and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis which are available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca. While management believes that the assumptions made and reflected in this news release are reasonable, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no assurance that: TNR will enter into one or more strategic transactions, partnership or a spin-out, or be able to complete any further royalty acquisitions or sales of royalty interests, or portions thereof; debt or equity financings will be available to TNR; or that TNR will be able to achieve any of its corporate objectives. TNR relies on the confirmation of its ownership for mining claims from the appropriate government agencies when paying rental payments for such mining claims requested by these agencies. There could be a risk in the future of the changing internal policies of such government agencies or risk related to the third parties, in future, challenging the ownership of such mining claims. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements included herein are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied on. In formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein, management has assumed that business and economic conditions affecting TNR and its royalty partners, McEwen Mining Inc., Ganfeng Lithium and Lundin Mining will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information herein and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200427 SOURCE: TNR Gold Corp. BOSTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CFGI, a leading global accounting and business advisory firm and a portfolio company of Carlyle and CVC Capital Partners, is pleased to announce the addition of Walter "Jay" Clayton as an independent member of its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Clayton, who served as the 32nd Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 2017 to 2020, currently holds the position of Senior Policy Advisor and Of Counsel at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. In his new role on the Board, Mr. Clayton's extensive expertise in navigating regulatory landscapes and insights into complex financial markets will be a valuable asset to CFGI and its clients. Co-CEOs Shane Caiazzo and Nicholas Nardone express their enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled and honored to welcome Jay to our Board. His distinguished experience is unique and perfectly aligns with the CFGI mission. We look forward to working with Jay as we continue to build on our 23-year history and CFGI's global leadership position." Mr. Clayton commented, "I have been following the work of CFGI and am impressed with what they offer the business community. The demand for experienced, independent advisors who can bring global scale and capability will only increase - and CFGI has a proven track record across regulatory, compliance, and business improvement frameworks. I look forward to working with Nick, Shane, and the CFGI Board of Directors." During his tenure as the Chairman of the SEC, Mr. Clayton demonstrated a steadfast commitment to retail investors and modernizing financial market regulation by enhancing transparency and facilitating access to capital. His proactive leadership in key coordinating bodies, including the President's Working Group on Financial Markets and the Financial Stability Board, highlights his role in shaping financial policies. Before his government service, Mr. Clayton amassed over two decades of expertise at Sullivan & Cromwell, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets offerings, and matters involving securities and banking regulators. Mr. Clayton also holds the position of Independent Chair of the Board of Directors of Apollo Global Management Inc., serves on the Board of Directors for American Express, is an Adjunct Professor at the Wharton Business School and the Carey Law School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee. An alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Clayton holds a B.S. in Engineering and earned a B.A. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Cambridge. He further pursued his legal education at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, obtaining a J.D. His extensive background, diverse roles, and wealth of experience make him a valuable addition to CFGI's dynamic and forward-thinking Board of Directors. For media inquiries, please contact: U.S. Media Contact: Rachel Tucker Bobbitt, Regional Support Manager marketing@cfgi.com About CFGI: CFGI, a portfolio company of Carlyle and CVC Capital Partners, is a leading global accounting and business advisory firm. We partner with our clients on their most important regulatory, transaction, and business improvement initiatives. Our team of over 1000 former Big 4 professionals brings expertise across technical accounting, capital markets, tax, valuation, ESG, transaction advisory, restructuring, and technology solutions - all delivered with an independent and roll-up-the-sleeves approach. CFGI was founded in 2000 and serves thousands of global clients across 19 offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific regions. Learn more at www.cfgi.com . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cfgi-announces-appointment-of-jay-clayton-to-board-of-directors-302079195.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Frequency Exchange Corp. ("Frequency Exchange" or the "Company") (TSXV:FREQ) is thrilled to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, FREmedica Technologies Inc. ("FREmedica"), has engaged a collaborative partnership with the Pace Creative Group Ltd. ("Pace Creative") to set the foundation for significant revenue growth through the sale of our products and services. Pace Creative and FREmedica have a shared vision of developing a sophisticated marketing engine to support FREmedica's go-to-market strategy, plan, and execution to generate growth and scale sales of our Frequency Delivery System called "NIKKI", the patented wearable device delivering tunable frequencies to optimize body health in areas of sleep, stress, energy, pain and infection. FREmedica, being in its early stages, requires efficient and catalytic execution to meet its revenue goals. Pace Creative's proven framework guarantees predictable revenue growth through sophisticated marketing tactics that align with tailored go-to-market strategies for "NIKKI". Like FREmedica, Pace Creative believes in investing in strategic planning to exceed revenue growth goals. Pace Creative's team of 34 in-house marketing experts will leverage their 17+ years of experience in the healthcare, SaaS, and medical device industries to act as an extension of FREmedica's marketing team and to deliver best-in-class marketing communication services for continue sales of "NIKKI". Pace Creative is an award-winning full-service marketing communications agency headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Their team of marketing communications experts provide custom solutions that include CMOx, go-to market strategy, content marketing strategy, marketing planning, and marketing execution. They specialize in added-value branding, technical and storytelling content creation, digital enablement, digital optimization, ad buying, lead generation, event strategy, brand awareness, and building authority with strategic communications efforts that will support the sales of "NIKKI" internationally. "We are excited and confident that partnering with Pace Creative will give us the edge we are looking for the growth we are starting to experience with "NIKKI". Partnering with Pace Creative assures us the right communication platform to scale our growth to new levels. With the right foundation in place along with the right marketing communication across all our marketing channels, we feel confident we can scale the sale of "NIKKIs"." says Stephen Davis, CEO of Frequency Exchange Corp. "We are already experiencing traction through our Co-Branding Program along with our International Affiliate Program which supports our Direct Sales of "NIKKI", says Davi. About the Company Based in British Columbia, Canada, Frequency Exchange is focused on the development and global commercialization of a wearable Frequency Delivery System. Our specialized frequency sets are designed to enhance wellness and improve performance. The brand "NIKKI" is the third generation of wearable technology created by the Company. Now we have one frequency delivery system we call "NIKKI", which means "The Victor of The People" that can be used in multiple ways including Lyme disease. This wearable technology combined with the frequency sets is the result of years of development and experimentation with advanced bioenergetic technology. www.WeAreNikki.com www.FrequencyExchangeCorp.com For more information, please contact: Frequency Exchange Corp. Stephen Davis CEO & Director President 250-732-7170 FREmedica Technologies Nicole Sullivan President Nicole.sullivan@wearenikki.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the trading date of the Company's common shares on the Exchange. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Frequency Exchange Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Crown Holdings, Inc. Originally published in Crown Holding's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report Water scarcity is affecting an increasing number of regions worldwide. Our recognition of the need to use water with considerable care is the driver behind the Resource Efficiency pillar of our Twentyby30 sustainability program and grounds our comprehensive water stewardship strategy. We understand that we must be good stewards of this limited and shared resource that is vital to the well-being of the environment, human beings and business operations. Our Use of Water Water is used in many steps of our manufacturing and filling processes. In our facilities, it supports the forming, washing, rinsing and cooling of beverage cans and glass bottles, as well as the separation of sand for glass production. It is also an important element in the manufacture of aluminum and the production of the various beverages made by our customers. Even though Crown's facilities require freshwater inputs, most of this water returns to the water system and zero water is present in our final product. As a result, beyond evaporation, Crown does not consume water on its final products except for a minimal amount of water attached to the sand sub-product of the glass making process. We source water from a combination of third parties, surfaces and wells, depending on the operating location. Once utilized, water is sent through an onsite wastewater treatment system prior to its discharge. While a few locations release directly into surface water areas, approximately 95% of our facilities discharge into third-party municipal wastewater treatment systems. Plants that treat wastewater on-site monitor at minimum biological oxygen demand ("BOD") and chemical oxygen demand ("COD") parameters, in addition to any parameters required by local discharge and/or operational permits. All discharge follows local regulations. In some cases, including our operations in Mexico and Brazil, the quality of the water discharged is superior to the water that is withdrawn. Our Approach With a diverse geographic footprint, environmental conditions vary from plant to plant. We identify waterrelated impacts by evaluating annually the specific data in each of our locations and developing action plans to address identified risks and opportunities. Our assessments include our incoming and outgoing water as well as the sources and points of discharge. Our water withdrawal is validated through an external third-party verification process. The World Resources Institute's (WRI) Aqueduct global water risk mapping function also helps us assess water stress and understand which of our sites are located in water-scarcity areas. These sites are subject to partnered replenishment projects, which aim to preserve watersheds for the importance they hold in the community and the environment. We have also signed the United Nation's CEO Water Mandate and committed to collective action to replenish 100 watersheds. This work aligns with our Twentyby30 goal to replenish 100% of water consumed from high scarcity watersheds by 2030. Our Ambition We aim to responsibly manage water for the long-term protection of the ecosystems and communities where we live and work. Our water stewardship strategy decreases the potential for business disruption while helping protect scarce resources at the watershed level by taking multiple actions including: Identifying and eliminating losses and leaks Identifying and incentivizing water reuse opportunities Piloting and replicating new and hybrid technologies toward Minimal to Zero Liquid Discharge Monitoring and recording wastewater quantity, quality, compliance and location of discharge Adopting company-wide standard operating procedures defining wastewater discharge quality and standard monitoring requirements Ensuring all employees have continued access to safe drinking water Ensuring all employees have continued access to sufficient and clean personal hygiene facilities, supplies and education Validating the number of plants in high water scarcity locations Identifying watershed level projects to implement in high water scarcity locations and executing these initiatives in collaboration with local partners Compliance with local and national laws and regulations is a priority for Crown. Most of our locations are subject to strict national and local regulations on effluent quality. All incidents related to wastewater exceedances are registered and investigated, and corrective actions are implemented where necessary. Crown plants and offices have readily available potable water that is unlimited and free of charge to employees. Sanitary facilities, including toilets and hand/face washing facilities, are also available across all our facilities. "Our water stewardship strategy decreases the potential for business disruption while helping protect scarce resources at the watershed level" Brazil Water Protection Project The Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiai (PCJ) Watershed is one of Sao Paulo's most important watersheds. Composed of three watersheds, Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiai, it supplies drinking water for more than 10 million people. The PCJ Consortium is an intermunicipal consortium formed by constituents of the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiai Basins. It is a non-profit association which aims to recover the springs in its area of coverage. In recent years, the PCJ region has faced a severe water crisis, resulting in a significant change in water consumption habits as well as land conservation efforts. In 2022, Crown supported The Nature Conservancy (TNC) on a water conservation project called the Sao Paulo Water Fund to protect 100 hectares of forests in the Jundiai Mirim Watershed. The Sao Paulo Water Fund - established in 2007 - is a broad initiative with several partners and is coordinated by TNC. The effort aims to create the institutional and financial conditions to support the implementation of nature-based solutions to increase water security in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region (RMSP). The goal is to improve the ecosystem health of the watersheds supplying drinking water to the region. The water supply for Crown's Cabreuva facility is within the PCJ basin. The Jundiai Mirim Watershed is a subbasin of the PCJ and is approximately 40 kilometers from Crown's plant. To learn more about Crown Holding's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit our sustainability webpage. For full details about Crown Holding's 2022 Sustainability Report, visit here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Crown Holdings, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Crown Holdings, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/crown-holdings-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Crown Holdings, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool , KitchenAid , Maytag , Consul , Brastemp , Amana , Bauknecht , JennAir , Indesit and InSinkErator . In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Direct Communication Solutions, Inc. (OTCQX: DCSX) (CSE: DCSI) (FSE: 7QU0) ("DCS" or the "Company") announces today that Mr. Mike Zhou and Mr. Mike Ueland have tendered their resignations as Director of the Company, effective immediately, to pursue other business interests. The Board of Directors wishes to thank both Mr. Zhou and Mr. Ueland for their valuable contributions to the Company as directors and wish them both the best in their future endeavours. The Company will announce the appointment of a new director in the near future to fill the vacancies left by the resignations. Additionally, Mike Lawless EVP of Sales and an officer of the Company submitted his resignation effective March 22, 2024, for personal reasons. Mike is leaving the company on good terms with all matters relating to the Company's operations, policies, or practices. The Board of Directors thanks him for his many years of service and contributions to the Company and wish him the best in his future endeavors. "As the IoT industry continues to evolve, it is critical that DCS adapts and grows with the market. These changes will allow DCS to focus on our strategy of transitioning to a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) focused company," said Chris Bursey, CEO of DCS. "Focusing on SaaS will position us for success with high margin solutions that will create share holder value. These changes will allow us to re-invest our resources to SaaS solutions instead of lower-margin, one time hardware sales that require a significant investment in sourcing and supporting." About DCS DCS is a technology solutions integrator focusing on connecting the Internet of Things. We provide real solutions that solve real problems. Our software applications and scalable cloud services collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets. DCS is headquartered in San Diego, California and is publicly traded on the OTCQX ("DCSX"), Canadian Securities Exchange ("DCSI") and Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("7QU"). For more information, visit www.dcsbusiness.com. DCS and the DCS logo are among the trademarks of DCS in the United States. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Contacts: Chris Bursey, CEO - DCS cbursey@dcsbusiness.com 858-525-2483 Julie Hajduk, CEO - Purple Crown Media julie@purplecrown.ca 778-240-7077 Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. We believe that these potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, technologies and infrastructure; risks related to intellectual property; industry risks including competition, online security, government regulation and global economic conditions; and the Company's financial position and need for additional funding, Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these factors. These risk factors and other important factors that could affect our business and financial results are discussed in our Management's Discussion and Analysis, periodic reports and other public filings which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and posted with the OTC Disclosure and News Service. DCS undertakes no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200413 SOURCE: Direct Communication Solutions, Inc. The Dr. Dawn K. Smith HIV Prevention Clinical Fellowship will provide expert training from the American Academy of HIV Medicine to help U.S. healthcare providers empower, educate, and improve equitable access to PrEP among key populations. Today, ViiV Healthcare, the global specialist HIV company majority owned by GSK, with Pfizer and Shionogi as shareholders, and the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) jointly announced the launch of The Dr. Dawn K. Smith HIV Prevention Clinical Fellowship. The fellowship will provide comprehensive HIV training to non-infectious disease clinicians serving communities disproportionately affected by HIV. The fellowship was announced at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2024), one of the world's largest convenors of the HIV scientific and medical community, in Denver, Colorado. Bruce J. Packett, II, Executive Director at the American Academy of HIV Medicine, said: "The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect communities of colour and other groups who have faced systemic barriers to healthcare in the U.S. With more proven HIV prevention tools than ever before, now is the time to ensure that all healthcare providers are trained to discuss and promote HIV prevention with their patients. Through The Dr. Dawn K. Smith HIV Prevention Clinical Fellowship, experienced HIV clinicians will provide that training in priority populations and areas, with a special emphasis on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)." The Dr. Dawn K. Smith HIV Prevention Clinical Fellowship, managed independently by the AAHIVM and funded with a grant provided by ViiV Healthcare will offer clinicians comprehensive education, starting with online training that transitions into a preceptorship in a clinic that sees a high number of patients. After this, participants receive funding to start a PrEP clinic within their own practices. Kimberly Smith, M.D., MPH, Head of Research and Development at ViiV Healthcare, said: "This fellowship will help focus training and resources in the areas that stand to make the biggest impact in changing the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. Dr. Dawn K. Smith was a mentor to me and many researchers, providers and advocates who seek to address disparities in HIV incidence and address HIV prevention in communities of colour particularly for women. A fellowship that focuses on training future leaders in this field is a fitting tribute to recognise her many contributions. The American Academy of HIV Medicine is the perfect organisation to help equitably connect the community to preventative care, and ViiV Healthcare is pleased to support such an important programme that will bring us closer to ending the HIV epidemic." The fellowship is intended for non-infectious disease clinicians in the fields of emergency medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pharmacy practice, primary care and other fields of medicine that don't traditionally provide HIV prevention care and tools to their patients. In addition, experienced HIV clinicians, researchers and educators credentialed with AAHIVM will serve as mentors who educate and train program fellows. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) has emerged over the past decade as an essential tool to prevent HIV acquisition and help society reach the end of the HIV epidemic. PrEP is also significantly underutilised, with about 30% of the 1.2 million people living in the United States who could benefit from PrEP receiving a prescription for the medication.1 Significant racial and gender disparities in usage of PrEP also persist. In the U.S., estimates suggest 78% of white people who could benefit from PrEP have been prescribed it, compared to only 11% of Black and 20% of Hispanic/Latinx people who could benefit.1 Further, PrEP coverage is also unevenly distributed among people based on sex, with coverage almost three times as high among males (34%) compared to females (12%).1 Applications for The Dawn K. Smith HIV Prevention Clinical Fellowship are open to clinicians licensed to practice medicine in the United States and can be accessed at the AAHIVM website. The submission deadline is 15 May 2024, and the fellowship begins on 1 July 2024. About ViiV Healthcare ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 by GSK (LSE: GSK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV and for people who are at risk of acquiring HIV. Shionogi became a ViiV shareholder in October 2012. The company's aims are to take a deeper and broader interest in HIV and AIDS than any company has done before and take a new approach to deliver effective and innovative medicines for HIV treatment and prevention, as well as support communities affected by HIV. For more information on the company, its management, portfolio, pipeline, and commitment, please visit viivhealthcare.com. About GSK GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com. About The American Academy of HIV Medicine The American Academy of HIV Medicine is the nation's leading independent organization of health care professionals dedicated to providing excellence in HIV care and prevention. The Academy's mission is to ensure health care professionals have the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment and care for those with or at risk for HIV and related conditions to achieve optimal health. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D "Risk factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2022, and Q4 Results for 2023. Registered in England Wales: GSK plc No. 3888792 ViiV Healthcare Limited No. 06876960 Registered Office: GSK plc 980 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex United Kingdom TW8 9GS ViiV Healthcare Limited GSK Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage United Kingdom SG1 2NY References ________________________________ 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. PrEP for HIV Prevention in the U.S. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/fact-sheets/hiv/PrEP-for-hiv-prevention-in-the-US-factsheet.html. Updated September 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304808253/en/ Contacts: ViiV Healthcare enquiries: Media enquiries: Rachel Jaikaran +44 (0) 78 2352 3755 (London) Audrey Abernathy +1 919 605 4521 (North Carolina) Ken Inchausti +1 732 690 6938 (Colorado) GSK enquiries: Media enquiries: Tim Foley +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London) Sarah Clements +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London) Kathleen Quinn +1 202 603 5003 (Washington DC) Alison Hunt +1 540 742 3391 (Washington DC) Investor Relations: Nick Stone +44 (0) 7717 618834 (London) James Dodwell +44 (0) 20 8047 2406 (London) Mick Readey +44 (0) 7990 339653 (London) Josh Williams +44 (0) 7385 415719 (London) Camilla Campbell +44 (0) 7803 050238 (London) Steph Mountifield +44 (0) 7796 707505 (London) Jeff McLaughlin +1 215 751 7002 (Philadelphia) Frannie DeFranco +1 215 751 4855 (Philadelphia) The American Academy of HIV Medicine enquiries: Adrianne Wyatt +1 202-659-0699 (Washington DC) DoseMe, a leading provider of model informed precision dosing, today announced its expansion into the Czech and Slovakia market by signing Albertina icome Praha as its exclusive reseller and distribution partner. This strategic reseller and distribution agreement translates into significant growth opportunities for DoseMe and Albertina icome Praha, with solutions to inform rational dosing of antibiotics in individual patients with infections. This partnership also sets the stage to expand model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) in new regional territories. Albertina icome Praha s.r.o. (AiP) started its activities in January 1995 but its tradition dates back to 1991. AiP is a major subscription agent for academic and research institutions, hospitals, public libraries, government agencies, companies, etc. in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It focuses on full and professional support of its customers, especially in the field of activities such as first-line support, training, consulting and advisory services. The personal approach of the entire company and its long-standing presence on the market make its position in the region quite exceptional. "The momentum around precision dosing around the globe is driving our partnership program. We are thrilled to have AiP as a new distribution partner as they understand the long-term value of MIPD," said Paul Edwards, CEO at DoseMe. "Both companies share a reputation around excellence and delivering patient-focused solutions, making this collaboration an exciting step forward for customers and the industry as a whole." Awareness around precision dosing to resolve risk factors in patients with infectious disease is on the rise and DoseMe is at the forefront of innovation. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has evolved as an important tool to inform rational dosing of antibiotics in individual patients with infections. In particular, critically ill patients are at the highest risk and often suffer from infections caused by less susceptible bacteria. Greater recognition of the benefits of Model-informed Precision Dosing (MIPD) software for enhancing TDM and dosing precision necessitates thorough validation of models and reassessment of current workflows. About DoseMe DoseMe combines smart technology with science, leveraging clinically-validated PK/PD models, patient characteristics, drug concentrations, and genotype to accurately individualize a dose in seconds. The platform is HIPAA, ISO FDA compliant and the only Bayesian dosing platform to be HITRUST CSF certified. For more information on successful applications of its products, DoseMeRx and DoseMe Analytics, visit https://doseme-rx.com/success-stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305840778/en/ Contacts: Alison Guzzio aburnsguzzio@gmail.com 484-459-3243 LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In her recent Publishers Weekly review of current trends in Mind Body Spirit, Cathy Lynn Grossman explains that in spiritual memoirs, "life stories are embedded with lessons for readers unearthed in the author's experiences". Vincent Leuzy in his book The Ethereal Journey to Nothingness reflects on his own life and that of his father, who died by suicide when the author was young. He describes how we both repeat mistakes in life and learn from them. In an IndieReader review, Catherine Langrehr considers the book to be "a loving and thoughtful presentation of one person's view of spirituality and the universe that will provide food for thought, consideration and speculation for others". Established in 2015, LibraryBub is an industry first. Dedicated to making strong, mutual connections between indie and small-press authors and an extensive network of libraries, it works in conjunction with all major libraries. The core commitment of the LibraryBub service is to help librarians to identify acclaimed books from the independent publishing sector. LibraryBub introduces thousands of librarians to bestselling and award-winning books from the independent publishing sector. These books hold immense potential for enhancing the lives of their readers. Acclaimed author Deesha Philyaw recalls her childhood love of libraries. "When I was a child, libraries were my wonderland. During the summer, I would spend whole days reading, sitting on the floor of the main branch of the public library." Librarians enable writers to make that kind of difference to people's lives, and LibraryBub CEO Alinka Rutkowska considers it a privilege to support them in that role. Below is this month's selection by category. FICTION Literature & Fiction Nine Days in Rome by Julian Gould ISBN: 978-1637350195 Nothing Sacred: outspoken voices in contemporary fiction edited by Bernard Schweizer and James Morrow ISBN: 979-8988717300 Humor & Satire Deadpan by Richard Walter ISBN: 979-8988717317 Mystery & Thriller The Opaque Conspiracy by Grace Flores-Hughes ISBN: 978-1637352236 NON-FICTION Biographies & Memoirs The Ethereal Journey to Nothingness: peeking into the beyond by Vincent Leuzy ISBN: 978-1779414854 Business Automotive Search Marketing by Alex Melen ISBN: 978-1637352113 Business Success Secrets: entrepreneurial thinking that works by Tamara L. Nall, Victor Agapov et al. ISBN: 978-1637350522 Cutting Through by Bernie Haffey ISBN: 978-1637350232 Falling Forward: a guide for facing adversity and planning your life by Gordon Wollman ISBN: 978-1637352489 Lead and Grow Rich: the way to forge success through your future self by Jon Nicholson ISBN: 978-1637351284 Leadership GLUE by Kae Wagner ISBN: 978-1637352540 Luminary Leadership by Alinka Rutkowska, Fadwa Albawardi et al. ISBN: 978-1637352014 Successfully Implementing ERP: a guide for SMB owners and executives by Sylvain Lafond ISBN: 978-1637352311 Success Mindsets: how top entrepreneurs succeed in business and life by Alinka Rutkowska, Nedra J. Barr et al. ISBN: 978-1637350928 Too Blue!: the IBM PC from an acorn to a renegade by Dennis Andrews ISBN: 978-1637350034 The Vanguard Edge: your 6-step method to unparalleled team success by Bryan Howard ISBN: 978-1637352724 You Are Not Them: the authentic entrepreneur's way by Sid Mohasseb ISBN: 978-1637350485 You Can Thank Me Later: start-up secrets I wish I knew by Laura Sabia ISBN: 978-1637352571 Health, Family & Lifestyle How To Live to 100: secrets from the world's happiest centenarians by Elizabeth Lopez ISBN: 978-1943386550 Novelist Ann Rich Duncan was very appreciative of LibraryBub's efforts in promoting her inspirational book about her husband's transformation. "Getting Destination D.C.: a Modern-Day Jonah? onto ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates as a riveting memoir lends credence to the information in our new brochure." She was also impressed with the assistance she got in getting the book to the foreign rights agents. "We'd been wondering how to do just that." Librarians should sign up for LibraryBub at http://librarybub.com/ Independent publishers are asked to go to http://librarybub.com/authors/ to submit their books for consideration. Media Contact: Alinka Rutkowska alinka@leaderspress.com www.leaderspress.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/spiritual-memoir-featured-in-librarybub-selection-for-march-302079930.html TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Tsodilo Resources Limited ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") (TSX-V:TSD)(OTCQB:TSDRF)(FSE:TZO) is pleased to announce that all matters related to Prospecting Licenses PL020-024/2018 held by its Botswana wholly owned subsidiary, Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Ltd., have been resolved. Accordingly, the Company will withdraw its Contempt Motion filed on January 23, 2024, See, Tsodilo Resources Ltd. - News Releases. The five licenses have been renewed for their first two-year renewal to commence April 1, 2024. We would also like to thank Minister Lefoko Moagi, Minister of Minerals and Energy, and his team for their diligence in renewing the license in a timely fashion. Environment and Green Steel Tsodilo adopted the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Mining when IFC became a shareholder more than a decade ago and the Company has worked diligently to advance the XIF project within those guidelines. Further to this, Tsodilo became a member of the ResponsibleSteelTM organization ResponsibleSteel as building a sustainable steel industry requires cooperation and mutual commitment from companies at all levels of the steel supply chain, representatives of civil society, and other stakeholders and ResponsibleSteel provides the forum for this multi-stakeholder approach. Their members include some of the leading players in the industry working together to minimize the impact of steel manufacturing on people and the planet. Working closely with Government Ministries and ResponsibleSteelTM furthers Tsodilo's goal of becoming the supplier of an ultra-high grade +67% Fe product to the industry and doing what we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by becoming part of the "green steel" movement." XAUDUM IRON FORMATION (XIF) About the XIF Project The project is located in the North-West District of Botswana and extends for a known length of some forty kilometers. The XIF is proximate to the Namibian border and lies twenty-two (22) miles from the town of Divundu in Namibia. The Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (previously known as the Trans-Caprivi) line linking Zambia and Namibia is planned to pass through Divundu, providing access to Walvis Bay, Namibia's deep-sea port. The project is also located within forty-three (43) miles of the proposed Mucusso line to Angola's Namibe Port. Preliminary work on the XIF project has defined a CIM compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 441 million tonnes (Mt) with an average grade of 29.4% Fe, 41.0% SiO2, 6.1% Al2O3 and 0.3% P for the Block 1 magnetite XIF. Block 1 is a fraction of the potential XIF magnetite resource. An extrapolated exploration target has defined the XIF to be in the order of 5 to 7 billion tonnes at 15 - 40% Fe. This exploration target was generated by inversion modelling of ground magnetic geophysical data which was compared and moderated to volumes from drilling data within Block 1 and its potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature. To date, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource other than in Block 1 and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. See, Press Release of 6/02/2014 on the Company's website for further details. on the Company's website for further details. Metallurgical magnetic separation results (Davis Tube Recovery) show that an average concentrate of 67.2% Fe, 4.2% SiO2, 0.5% Al2O3, 0.07% P is obtained at P80 grind size of 80 microns, although higher grades are possible at finer P80's. See Press Release of 12/17/2013 on the Company's website. on the Company's website. Further exploration will focus on Block 2a where the Company expects an increase in the resource. Additional informational of the project can be found on the Company's website at https://tsodiloresources.com/s/Metals.asp.html and further technical information can be found in a report prepared by SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd. for Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Ltd. titled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Xaudum Iron Project (Block 1), Republic of Botswana" with an effective date of August 29, 2014, and filed on SEDAR under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. About Tsodilo Resources Limited Tsodilo Resources Limited is an international resource exploration company engaged in the search for economic metal and diamond deposits at its Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") and Bosoto (Pty) Ltd. ("Bosoto) projects in Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of five metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in Bosoto (Pty) Ltd. which holds the BK16 kimberlite project in the Orapa Kimberlite Field (OKF) in Botswana. Tsodilo manages the exploration of the Gcwihaba and Bosoto projects. Overall supervision of the Company's exploration program is the responsibility of McDonald Kahari (Pr. Sci. Nat.) a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. This press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Kahari. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: James M. Bruchs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer JBruchs@TsodiloResources.com Head Office Telephone +1 416 572 2033 Facsimile + 1 416 987 4369 Website http://www.TsodiloResources.com This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects, or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, the impact of strategic partnerships and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward- looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, changes in equity markets, changes in general economic conditions, market volatility, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, exploration and development risks, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE: Tsodilo Resources Limited View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Live Energy Minerals Corp. (CSE: LIVE) (OTC Pink: GTREF) ("LIVE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has acquired through staking (pending approval from the Bureau of Land Management ("BML")) the Mesa Top Mine Property and the Section 20 Mine Property located on BLM land within McKinley County, New Mexico, USA (collectively the "Properties"). The Properties cover Jurassic age sediments within the Colorado Plateau and are prospective for Uranium, Vanadium and Molybdenum mineralization. The claims were staked by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Lithium Valley Holdings Corp. and are pending approval from the BLM. The claims are also subject to a 3% NSR to an arms length party that assisted in identifying and directing the acquisition, which consist of 48 lode mineral claims totalling 960 acres. The Properties are underlain by sedimentary rocks of the Morrison formation which represent a Jurassic aged depositional environment within the Grants Mineral belt area of the Colorado Plateau. The Colorado Plateau is a geographical area covering large portions of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, it is a region known for its sedimentary hosted Uranium deposits consisting of over 1.2 billion pounds of mined and in situ U3O8. A subsequent assessment estimated 4.4 billion pounds of U3O8 total endowment in the Jurassic Westwater Canyon Member of the Morrison Formation, which is the main host in the Grants mineral belt (Hall et al., 2023). QP Statement Adrian Smith, P.Geo., is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (the "QP") and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. References **S.M. Hall, et. al., 2023, Sandstone-hosted uranium deposits of the Colorado Plateau, USA, Ore Geology Reviews, Volume 155. https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/show-mrds.php?dep_id=10014545 https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/show-mrds.php?dep_id=10014552 About LIVE Energy Minerals Corp. LIVE is a mining exploration company actively engaged in exploring for and identifying new opportunities in clean energy minerals in North and South America. LIVE holds applications for 100% interest in the uranium, vanadium, and molybdenum, Messa Top and Section 20 Mine projects located in the Colorado Plateau, USA. LIVE also holds, 100% interest in the Skygold project in BC, Canada, and a retained interest in the McDermitt Lithium East Project, Nevada, USA. LIVE is focused on creating value for its shareholders by combining quality project with proven exploration strategies and a team driven to achieve exceptional outcomes. For further information please contact: Adrian Smith Chief Executive Officer & Director Live Energy Minerals Corp. Email: adrian@liveenergyminerals.com Phone: 604-687-2038 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For further information, please contact us at info@liveenergyminerals.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200415 SOURCE: Live Energy Minerals Corp. Chinese New Year was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but this year, despite the lights and festivities, it was cold and gloomy, given the economic crisis eating into the living conditions of the working class. But amidst the melancholy, there was also a wave of workers' wage protests that are increasing in frequency and intensity. According to the China Labour Bulletin, 1,794 collective actions by workers were recorded in 2023, more than twice the number in 2022. During this years Chinese New Year period, there were even more frequent wage protests in many places. On their way home and around the dinner tables at the New Year's Eve dinner, the topics of unemployment, unpaid wages, discounted or cancelled year-end bonuses, and even bankruptcy were frequently discussed by Chinese workers. Economic and social crises are invisible dinner guests. According to the China Labour Bulletin, 1,794 collective actions by workers were recorded in 2023 / Image: China Labour Bulletin Farm workers' wage demands during the New Year are almost an annual tradition in capitalist China. Construction workers accounted for more than half of all collective protests in 2023. Many migrant workers say they have not been paid for a year or even two. At present, there are multiple protests over unpaid wages breaking out every day across the country. The backdrop to this situation is China's real estate crisis and the seriousness of its corporate debt situation. The farmers and migrant workers are bearing the burden of the debt crisis that has trickled down from the real estate corporations, who are now strapped for cash and cannot pay the workers or finish the projects promised to the home buyers. In addition, there are many construction projects run by state-owned enterprises, but the local governments in China are so heavily indebted that they can't afford to pay for them. In other words, the government takes the lead in non-payment of wages, and does not hesitate to use police force to suppress workers when they demand wages. Moreover, in the construction field, a large number of rural workers do not have signed labour contracts, which partly adds to the difficulty in claiming wages. But they are also aware that labour contracts are useless. In other words, they are aware that in this capitalist China, legal protection for workers is a dead letter. At the same time, we have also seen changes in the class consciousness of the rural workers, which is being raised in the course of struggle. In a recent unpaid wage incident in Xi'an Zhongnan Junqi on 7 February, a crying worker knelt down to his boss, while his fellow workers immediately stopped him and picked him up, shouting: "Don't kneel down, don't kneel down, they don't deserve it! Kneeling is an extremely passive and painful gesture in China, and it has been common for migrant workers to kneel in order to get their wages. But the phrase "don't kneel" speaks to the workers' growing willingness to stand up and fight. Industrial workers on strike Notably, there was a large increase in strike protests (spontaneous pickets) by industrial workers in the manufacturing sector in 2023, with 438 such collective actions, more than a ten-fold increase from 37 in 2022. The main industries involved are apparel and electronics manufacturing. On New Year's Eve, rural workers in Changde Anxiang County, Hunan Province, who were seeking wages, blocked the gate of the county government / Image: fair use Against the backdrop of the global capitalist economic crisis, China's capitalist overcapacity (i.e. overproduction), the shrinking of domestic and international markets, and the inability to sell products at a profit, have gradually led to the bankruptcy of private enterprises. To protect the interests of the capitalists, the proletariat in their factories will bear the brunt of longer overtime work, lower wages, non-payment of wages, forced resignation and effective layoffs using other excuses, and so on. While industrial workers are under severe attack, Chinese capital is flowing out of China in search of cheaper labour in places like Thailand. The collective nature of factory work means that struggles by industrial workers have been especially militant, reflected in the frequency of strikes in the manufacturing sector in 2023. Among other things, we can also see how multiple protests feed into and reinforce one another. Shortly after the 10,000-strong protest march in Ningling, workers in a factory in Ningling went on strike to fight for their rights. It is not difficult to imagine that this uptick in protests and rallies is showing workers the power of collective struggle, giving them the confidence and courage to fight for their rights. Similarly, it was the mighty struggle of the Foxconn workers during the pandemic that sowed hope of victory in the minds of the masses, and stimulated the unblocking protests that subsequently spread across the country. Even apart from the construction and manufacturing sectors, where the battle is concentrated, there is basically no sector in which the proletariat can escape the attacks of the ruling class. Competition in the transport sector has intensified, with truck drivers sacrificing their rest time to save money, which clearly increases the risks of driving. It has also become commonplace for takeaway drivers to fight tooth and nail on the highway over order fees and fines. The crisis has also led to intensified attacks on workers in the fields of sanitation, healthcare and education, impacting social services utilised by all workers. On 4 February 2024, more than 100 sanitation workers in Xiayi County, Shangqiu City, Henan Province, went on strike at the entrance of the government office in order to claim their unpaid wages. In the healthcare sector, many hospital workers claimed that they had not received their wages for many months. In Gansu Province, the Jingchuan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been in arrears with performance pay for 15 months, and temporary staff are paid just over 1,000 yuan a month, making it impossible to protect their basic livelihoods. Guangdong Tsit Wing workers are on strike / Image: fair use Such relentless attacks are not uncommon in the education sector. Jinxian County in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, owed primary and secondary school teachers unpaid wages, prompting them to go on strike. On the evening of 2 November 2023, hundreds of teachers gathered at the entrance to the county government in protest, shouting slogans such as "we want to live". In addition, bus drivers in Liaoyang, Liaoning, bus drivers in Tianjin, and metro drivers in Kunming have been owed wages for several months. The attacks on the rights and interests of the workers will not end here, but will only intensify, given the economic crisis. However, society cannot function without the labour of the proletariat. If sanitation workers don't clean the roads, the roads will be clogged; if bus drivers don't drive, people won't be able to go to work; if teachers don't work, workers will have to stay home to look after their children. The workers control the lifeblood of society. Strikes are a powerful weapon, but workers still need to be awakened by these struggles to realise the power in their own hands. If you are not a bureaucrat or a big capitalist, then no job is guaranteed in China. Governmental jobs were once considered the iron rice bowl: secure and well-paid. While the wave of public examinations continues, many civil servants are resentful that they have to endure chronic salary arrears. No one's stomach can be filled by the CCPs lies that the economy is on the upswing. Local governments are heavily in arrears. Civil servants face pay cuts and non-payment of wages in many places, and some local governments even had to go to temples to borrow money to pay their salaries. On the other hand, we can see that the CCP has invested more in maintaining stability by funding the state. The money given to the police and hired thugs of the private security companies for wiretapping and suppressing the masses is precisely the hard-earned money of the labourers. However, no matter how much the CCP invests in security, there is always a limit. In the face of the police, the number of proletarians and the rest of the labour force is overwhelming, and as people sarcastically say about the police on the Internet: "What's the point of working for 3,000 yuan a month? Even if the police and army are strong, most of them come from working-class families, and elements within them will sway at the sharpest moment of class conflict. In a revolutionary situation, the states armed bodies will not be able to resist the working class in struggle. The fight for wages goes international Finally, we can also see an international dimension to the wage arrears in China during the crisis. Chinese imperialism slashed investment in the Belt and Road Initiative during the crisis, and many Chinese workers who have followed Chinese companies on overseas construction trips have been owed wages. Employees of Guilin Guangdian Electricity System hold a banner to demand their wages / Image: fair use In Poland and Egypt during the New Year, there were cases of workers demanding their wages. North Korean workers in Jilin rioted because of unpaid wages. They went on strike, and even destroyed equipment and abducted North Korean officials in China. This display of workers fury shocked anyone who hitherto assumed they would meekly accept repression. There are fewer more repressive governments than that of North Korea. But the deeper the oppression, the more violent the eventual outburst. We could say much the same of the Chinese masses. What is to be done? The present phenomenon of unpaid wages reveals the Chinese workers urgent need for genuine trade unions. Through mass organisations of struggle, the workers can fight in a disciplined and effective way. They can coordinate their attacks or retreats with other sections of the proletariat, thus educating the workers in collective struggle. These organisations cannot be imposed on the workers, but must develop from the organic need to defend their interests. No amount of repression can stop the wheel of history being turned by the Chinese working class / Image: Depositphotos The current wage protests and struggles are just the beginning of the intensification of class struggles in China. The workers will continue to fight with increasing frequency and militancy, under more savage attacks and oppression; the bourgeoisie will mercilessly crack down on the workers economically; and the CCP, which stands on the side of the bourgeoisie, will intensify its repression as well. Nevertheless, no amount of repression can stop the wheel of history being turned by the Chinese working class. As the new year dawns in China, the world can look forward to even more titanic class battles in the Middle Kingdom, and the ideas of revolutionary communism will be the most important weapon for the Chinese proletariat to win. Highlights Initial assays have been received for 6 holes for 2162m of drilling at the Middle Chief Prospect within the Chief's Trend of a planned 10,000 m's of drilling at the Chief's Trend. Assay results returned significant copper and gold mineralisation, including: LCG-001D1: 22m @ 1.41% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au from 208m; LCG-001: 16m @ 1.29% Cu and 0.61 g/t Au from 249m and 6m @ 1.56 % Cu and 1.06 g/t Au from 213m; LCG-001D2: 10m @ 1.35% Cu and 0.51g/t Au from 196m , 10m @ 0.83% Cu and 0.19 g/t Au from 62m and 4m @ 1.03 Cu and 0.19 g/t Au from 84m; and LCG-003: Recovered core @ 2.71% Cu and 1.39 g/t Au within a 13.75m mineralised zone from 256m to end of hole (approximately 270m) that failed in 0.25m @ 2.76% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au . The above drilling has intersected mineralization approximately 150-180m vertical depth from surface. Gladiator will now move to target the up-dip extent of the mineralization. Drilling has recently moved to test the Big Chief Prospect, 200m to the north-west of Middle Chief, with two holes recently collared into magnetite altered skarn mineralisation (assays pending). Ongoing drilling is planned to test high grade copper skarn mineralization at Big Chief and Middle Chief within the Chief's that remains open in all directions. Gladiator CEO, Jason Bontempo commented: "Gladiator has received initial assays from its ongoing, 10,000m diamond drill program at the Middle Chief prospect area. These results confirm and support the significant widths of high-grade copper skarn mineralisation identified from Gladiators data compilation of historical datasets at Middle Chief and point to further extensions of the defined mineralised bodies. Mineralisation remains open in all directions with some holes finishing in high grade copper-gold mineralisation. The significant gold assays coincident with high grade copper mineralisation identified in these initial assay results point to the significant upside potential of the Middle Chief prospect area with the historic drilling only assaying for copper." Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (OTCQB: GDTRF) (FSE: ZX7) ("Gladiator" or the "Company") provides an update on drilling at the Whitehorse Copper Project with drilling targeting significant widths of unmined, copper-gold skarns over more than 700m of strike at the historic Little Chief mine trend (refer to Figure 1 below for details). Figure 1: Plan view of recently collated Little Chief and Middle Chief drillhole data showing historic open pit as well as areas of historical production and unmined mineralization. Recent drilling highlighted showing extensions to mineralization as well as recently identified high-mag anomalies from drone magnetics (pink shading). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1930/200438_bf922ee6f4efca9c_002full.jpg Drilling at Middle Chief & Big Chief Prospects Gladiator is pleased to release initial analytical results received from its ongoing 10,000m drill program at the historically producing Big Chief, Middle Chief and Little Chief prospects. Assay results from 6 holes, 2162m (LCG-001, 001D1, 001D2, 001D3, 002 and 003) at the Middle Chief prospect confirm the extensive, unmined, high-grade mineralization highlighted by Gladiator's data compilation of historical drilling (refer to news release 16th Nov 2023). Mineralization remains open in all directions with some holes finishing in high-grade copper and gold mineralization due to difficult ground conditions. This includes holes LCG-001D3 and LCG-002 which both failed to reach their planned target depths and with hole LCG-003 collapsing within the mineralized zone. Significantly, LCG-003 returned 2.71% Cu and 1.39 g/t Au from recovered core retrieved within a 13.75m section of the hole. The hole also finished in significant mineralization (0.25m at 2.76% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au from 269.5m). Copper - gold mineralization highlighted from these initial assay returns includes: LCG-003: Recovered core @ 2.71% Cu and 1.39 g/t Au within a 13.75m mineralized zone from 256m to end of hole (approximately 270 m) that failed in 0.25m @ 2.76% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au. LCG-001D1: 22m @ 1.41% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au from 208m. LCG-001: 6m @ 1.56 % Cu and 1.06 g/t Au from 213m and 16m @ 1.29% Cu and 0.61 g/t Au from 249m. LCG-001D2: 10m @ 0.83% Cu and 0.19 g/t Au from 62m, 4m @ 1.03 Cu and 0.19 g/t Au from 84m and 10m @ 1.35% Cu and 0.51g/t Au from 196m. Please refer to Table 1 below for a full listing of drill results: Hole ID Depth East North Dip Azim Note From To Interval (m) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) CuPCM (Cu* Int) Remarks LCG-001 338.33 496,665 6,722,472 -68 245 67.00 69.00 2.00 0.01 2.66 0.00 6.00 0.02 183.00 221.00 38.00 0.66 0.35 5.32 11.00 25.08 Incl. 185.00 193.00 8.00 1.16 0.51 8.63 1.50 9.28 And 213.00 219.00 6.00 1.56 1.06 13.47 1.00 9.36 237.00 241.00 4.00 0.59 0.01 1.15 34.00 2.36 249.00 273.00 24.00 0.99 0.44 8.33 38.08 23.76 Incl. 249.00 265.00 16.00 1.29 0.61 10.88 55.13 20.64 LCG-001D1 273.19 496,671 6,722,474 -66 245 204.00 236.00 32.00 1.11 0.27 9.24 112.88 35.52 Incl. 208.00 230.00 22.00 1.41 0.28 11.84 21.36 31.02 LCG-001D2 301.75 496,671 6,722,473 -65 275 62.00 76.00 14.00 0.69 0.15 5.14 178.86 9.66 Incl. 62.00 72.00 10.00 0.83 0.19 6.18 192.60 8.30 84.00 88.00 4.00 1.03 0.19 5.35 0.00 4.12 196.00 206.00 10.00 1.35 0.51 10.00 4.20 13.50 LCG-001D3 215.8 496,671 6,722,473 -58 190 147.00 149.00 2.00 0.66 0.50 8.90 1.00 1.32 Hole Failed to reach Target LCG-002 196.6 496,621 6,722,518 -76 266 179.00 193.00 14.00 0.76 0.10 5.07 10.71 10.64 Hole Failed in Fault Zone, prior to target LCG-003 269.75 496,759 6,722,521 -50 270 256.00 269.75 13.75 2.71 1.39 26.90 15.65 37.26 Weighted Average Result - Calculated over the recovered Intervals, Includes 9m of core loss Incl. 269.50 269.75 0.25 2.76 0.28 16.20 11.00 0.69 EOH Sample LCG-003D1 301.75 496,759 6,722,521 -55 271 Assays Pending LCG-003D2 265.18 496,759 6,722,521 -55 262 Assays Pending Table 1: Middle Chief Significant Intersections (Recent Drilling) Gladiator, in consultation with its drilling contractor (Kluane Drilling Ltd.), has spent significant effort in modifying drill practices to improve its hole success rate in difficult conditions, with significant improvement noted in more recent drilling. Further to the drilling completed at Middle Chief, Gladiator recently relocated the drill rig to the Big Chief prospect, where to date three holes have been completed (LCG-004 to 006), with significant mineralized skarn logged in holes LCG-005 and LCG-006 immediately below shallow overburden of up to 4m in depth. These results are additional to the recently collated historic drilling (628 underground holes LCU-001-619, BC2490-1-2, BC2500-1-2 and 166 surface holes LC-001-121, MC-001-014, XLC-001-028 & BCF-001-006) & D-001-4 for 68,940 meters) reported by the company in news release dated 16th Nov, 2023, highlight mineralization that potentially remains intact, this includes the following drill holes from the Middle Chief prospect that have been collared underground: LCU-003: 53.56m @ 1.23% Cu from 88.54m LCU-009: 49.83m @ 3.06% Cu from 70.26m LCU-013 23.01m @ 2.07% Cu from 87.78m LCU-017: 54.10m @ 2.05% Cu from 77.42m LCU-023: 33.99m @ 2.10% Cu from 148.89m, Incl. 15.24m @ 3.26%Cu from 167.64m LCU-151: 32.92m @ 2.08% Cu from 86.87m LCU-371: 9.30m @ 4.73% Cu from 0m LCU-500: 22.52m @ 2.23% Cu from 79.86m LCU-503: 32.22m @ 2.11% Cu from 83.91m, Incl. 17.07m @ 3.47% Cu from 99.06m LCU-528: 30.85m @ 1.68% Cu from 18.68m, Incl.22.47m @ 2.06% Cu from 18.68m LCU-542: 28.04m @ 1.84% Cu from 91.14m, Incl. 19.81m @ 2.35% Cu 96.32m LCU-543: 13.72m @ 1.28% Cu from 66.14m and 41.15m @ 2.22% Cu from 87.48m LCU-550: 37.49m @ 1.90% Cu from 74.68m LCU-551: 24.9m @ 2.27% Cu from 93.97m LCU-571: 11.06m @ 3.79% Cu from 89.37m LCU-578; 30.17m @ 1.97% Cu from 31.09m LCU-580: 24.14m @ 1.86% Cu from 45.96m, Incl. 21.10m @ 2.00% Cu from 45.96m LCU-604: 26.21m @ 1.86% Cu from 16.46m LCU-610: 50.99m @ 1.87% Cu from 18.11m, Incl. 39.84m @ 2.19% Cu from 23.16mm LCU-614: 38.22m @ 1.39% Cu from 10.24m, Incl. 32.13m @ 1.53% Cu from 14.81m LCU-616: 37.79m @ 1.55% Cu from 21.34m, Incl. 28.65m @ 1.9% Cu from 30.48m The compilation of the available data completed by Gladiator is the first time that the mineralization has been able to be reviewed and modeled in three dimensions, providing Gladiator with a unique opportunity to target further mineralization and utilize modern geophysics such as down hole electromagnetics (DHEM). The 10,000m diamond drill program (which started at the Middle Chief prospect) on the January 9, 2024 and is planned to continue over the next 3 months. Drilling will be complemented by Down Hole Electromagnetic (DHEM) surveying of the holes to identify undrilled extensions to the mineralization. Historical drilling at the Little Chief and Middle Chief prospects was selectively sampled for copper only. Given the recent significant gold intervals returned from these initial assay results Gladiator intends to assay all future drilling and sampling for additional credits including gold, silver and molybdenum which were proven significant contributors to the economics of historic operations at Little Chief. Aeromagnetic Survey In addition to drilling at the Middle Chief prospect, Gladiator is currently completing a high-resolution drone borne aeromagnetic survey over the former Little Chief mining trend. In order to facilitate and target current drilling, Gladiator had the magnetics that had been completed over the former Little Chief mining trend processed and a three-dimensional inversion model completed highlighting significant areas of magnetic anomalies undrilled by historical operators. This is of significant importance given that mineralization previously exploited along the former Little Chief mining trend is associated with magnetite enriched skarns and is able to be directly targeted from its magnetic signature. The remaining part of the survey is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Work completed to date includes the review of the aeromagnetic data received to date which has already identified more than 30, drill ready, high-grade regional targets associated with copper-rich skarns at the contact between the Cretaceous age Whitehorse Plutonic Suite and the Triassic to Jurassic Lewes River Group's clastic and carbonate metasediments. Cumulatively, there is more than 35km of underexplored strike on the contact which is highly prospective for high-grade copper+/-molybdenum+/-silver+/- gold. About Little Chief The former Little Chief mining trend is the largest historically producing mine in the Whitehorse Copper Belt with a total mined production of approximately 8.54 million tons grading > l.5% copper and 0.75g/t gold (Watson, 1984). Production from the Little Chief open cut mine commenced in May 1967, with mining of the open cut completed in 1969. Underground mining development commenced in 1971 and ceased operation in 1982 due to the prevailingly low copper price environment. On review, Gladiator has identified down dip potential for the mineralization to continue, where little or no drilling has been completed to date and mineralization remains open. Gladiator recently completed collating historic drilling for the Little Chief historical production area. Supporting this work, the Company has completed a LIDAR survey and undertaken reconnaissance, prospecting and sampling of outcropping Cu-Au skarn mineralization proximal to the historic Little Chief underground and open cut mine. From this, the Company has confirmed the existence of significant mineralization that was drilled initially from the decline constructed to access the former Little Chief underground mine, with further drilling being undertaken prior to the mine closure in 1982. The recently collated historical drilling data has identified a significant, greater than 200m long body of shallow mineralization (120m below surface), located underneath the decline and to the north of the Little Chief open pit and underground mine, named the Middle Chief mineralization. This mineralization appears to remain intact with drilling completed to date being limited in scope and size and does not appear to have closed off the unmined high grade copper skarn mineralization at Middle Chief. Further drilling is also planned to test the extent of remnant mineralization from the Little Chief orebody that remains open along strike and down dip, (see Figures 2 below): Figure 2: Plan map of the Whitehorse Copper Project showing geology and location of the newly defined Little Chief mineralized trend (please refer to Company's news releases dated 13 February 2023, 3 April 2023, 31 July 2023, 2 November 2023 16 November 2023, and 11 December 2023 for details). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1930/200438_bf922ee6f4efca9c_003full.jpg QA / QC and Data Verification Drilling completed by Gladiator was irregularly spaced to test parts of the mineralised systems, holes were directionally surveyed utilising a North Seeking Gyro direction tool. Drill collars were or are to be subsequently surveyed utilising a high-accuracy RTK DGPS system. Upon drilling of diamond core Gladiator undertakes geological logging, marking up of lineal length of the core, recording core recovery, Geotech measurements such as RQD's and undertakes core photographs. Based on the geological logging, core is then marked up for sampling with a new sampling ticket that matches the submitted sample for analysis at the start of the sample interval, the drill core is then cut in half utilizing a core saw equipped with a diamond saw blade. The core samples are then sent for analysis and the remaining half core retained for future reference. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) or known blank material is placed within the sampling sequence at a nominal sampling rate of 1 in 20 samples to monitor the Laboratory. Samples are submitted to the ALS Global Laboratory (Canada). Samples subject to this release were crushed to 70% less than 2mm before pulverizing to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were then analysed by ALS method ME-ICP61 (Aqua Regia with ICP-MS finish), with over limits for Cu analysed by method CU-OG62 (Aqua Regia with ICP-MS finish). As part of this process, Gladiator also captures the required sampling metadata to potentially utilize the core and analysis for any future requirements if deemed acceptable. The QA/QC meets the current required standards under reporting instruments, such as NI-43-101. At this point the Company regards the data collected from this exercise as reliable for the purposes of identifying mineralization and future exploration targets and may be used to inform future drilling and exploration campaigns. For information regarding QA/ QC and Data verification for the Historically Reported Intercepts, please refer to the Company's release dated 18th January, 2024 "Gladiator Commences Drilling at the Middle Chief Copper Prospect" or the Company's release dated 16th November, 2023 "High-Grade Copper Mineralization Identified at Middle Chief & Class 1 Permit Extension Granted." Please note the Company believes that the historical drill results do not conform to the presently accepted industry standards. The historical mineral resources discussed in this press release were calculated using mining industry standard practices for estimating Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves prior to the implementation of the current CIM standards for mineral resource estimation (as defined by the CIM Definition Standard on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014). The reader is cautioned not to treat them, or any part of them, as current mineral resources or reserves. An independent Qualified Person ('QP'), has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate discussed as current mineral resources or reserves and therefore the estimate should be treated as historical in nature and not current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The historical resources have been included simply to demonstrate the mineral potential of the Whitehorse Copper Project. A thorough review of all historical data performed by a QP, along with additional exploration work to confirm results, would be required in order to produce a current mineral resource estimate for each of the key prospects. For greater certainty, the Company confirms that it does not have a current mineral resource on any part of its Whitehorse Copper Project. References: Watson P.H. (1984) The Whitehorse Copper Belt - A Compilation. Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 1984-1.(https://data.geology.gov.yk.ca/Reference/42011InfoTab). Tenney D. (1981) - The Whitehorse Copper Belt: Mining, Exploration and Geology (1967-1980). (https://ia802508.us.archive.org/18/items/whitehorsecopper00tenn/whitehorsecopper00tenn.pdf). Qualified Person All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared or reviewed and approved by Kell Nielsen, the Company's Vice President Exploration, a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Jason Bontempo" Jason Bontempo President and CEO For further information contact: Dustin Zinger, Investor Relations +1-604-653-9464 dzinger@gladiatormetals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information." Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company's properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company's material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons; availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs; and that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200438 SOURCE: Gladiator Metals Corp. Global Recognition for Excellence: Proactive Worldwide Sets the Standard in Market Research and Consulting SCHAUMBURG, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Proactive Worldwide, Inc. (PWW), a renowned leader in competitive market research and analysis, has been recognized as the "Best Research & Consulting Firm" in EMG Publishing's prestigious Global 100 compilation for 2024. This accolade is a testament to the firm's unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the competitive intelligence industry. Global 100 Winner Founded in 1995 by Gary Maag and David Kalinowski, PWW has evolved from a small-scale venture into a global powerhouse, delivering strategic insights to Fortune 1000 companies. With projects in over 62 countries and more than 2,190 projects in the past decade, PWW's influence spans across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. David Kalinowski, President and Co-Founder of Proactive Worldwide, expressed his gratitude: "This recognition by EMG Publishing is a remarkable milestone for us. It reflects our team's dedication to delivering actionable intelligence and strategic insights that empower our clients. Our journey, from humble beginnings to becoming a global leader, has been fueled by our passion for excellence and a commitment to delivering value." EMG Publishing's feature article (page 52) about Proactive Worldwide highlighted the firm's exceptional journey and impact. "Proactive Worldwide has been a transformative influence in the business world. Their ethical integrity and relentless pursuit of excellence have not only distinguished them in their field but also established them as a benchmark for industry standards." PWW's leadership philosophy, under the stewardship of Kalinowski, has been central to its success. With over three decades of experience, David has fostered a corporate culture of high performance, collaboration, fun, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. The firm's ethical practices, guided by its CI Bill of RightsSM and adherence to SCIP and client code of conduct guidelines, have further solidified its reputation as a beacon of integrity. PWW's mission extends beyond market research. The firm's purpose is dedicated to enriching the fabric of people's lives, integrating corporate social responsibility into its business model. Initiatives like the annual "Proactive Day of Service" demonstrate PWW's commitment to community welfare. As Proactive Worldwide continues to redefine global standards in market intelligence and decision support services, this recognition by EMG Publishing in their Global 100 2024 list is a significant acknowledgment of the firm's impactful journey and its role as a trusted ally in the market research and competitive analysis domain. About Proactive Worldwide: Proactive Worldwide (PWW) is a global specialty market research company exclusively focused on competitive analysis. We enable leading organizations worldwide to identify vulnerabilities, forecast market trends, and strategically navigate growth. Our approach is comprehensive-analyzing competitors, suppliers, customers, and regulatory landscapes through primary and secondary intelligence gathering. With a 29-year track record of success, PWW's custom methodology, skilled research and analysis teams, and in-house industry experts converge to deliver impactful insights that reveal hidden opportunities and critical challenges. Learn more at https://www.proactiveworldwide.com/. Contact Information Kelley Loiacono Chief of Staff kelleyl@proactiveworldwide.com 847-483-9300 SOURCE: Proactive Worldwide Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. How time at The United States Military Academy at West Point and service in the U.S. Army gave her a strong foundation and skills she uses as a middle market banker NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / At first glance you may not think there are many parallels between careers in the military and banking. But Erica Choi, KeyBank Senior Vice President and new Commercial Sales Leader for the Capital Region (Albany, N.Y.) says her time at West Point and service in the U.S. Army gave her a strong foundation and skills she uses as a middle market banker. "Being taught about and placed in leadership situations where you have to lead people at a young age helps you, even when you're not in a direct leadership position, to pull a team together. It sharpens you as a leader and helps you focus on the goal and the people," said Choi. Choi's interest in service started early while growing up near Scott Air Force Base in Southwestern Illinois. She began her military career as a U.S. Army intelligence officer, leading a counter-terrorism team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. But she credits her time at the United States Military Academy with helping foster leadership values that she lives to this day. "Knowing how to face adversity, work through it, and find the help you need and overcome it is huge." After completing her time in service, Choi worked in marketing and brand management in the consumer-packaged goods industry with responsibility for iconic brands such as Jell-O, A-1 Steak Sauce, and Beech-Nut. She then served as an Area Manager for the Small Business Administration for eight years before moving into banking in 2016. Her roles have spanned both consumer and commercial lines of business. Choi joined KeyBank in 2020 as a commercial relationship manager. She credits Key's commitment to diversity and networking opportunities fostered by the Key Military Network Key Business Impact and Networking Group (KBING) as cultural difference makers that have helped her and her colleagues. "There are a lot of military members and family in the area (the Capital Region). It's a place of comfort where you feel known pretty immediately. Sometimes it takes a while to explain your military background to people who haven't lived it. But you can get together with a group of veterans and in 15-20 seconds tell them where you've been and they get you right away. It's a place where you're really known and understood. There's camaraderie and it's fun" It's those connections and the lifelong skills from her years of service that Choi says continue to position her well as a team leader and client centric relationship builder. "West Point and the Army is the leadership lab that is second to none. Nobody does it better. From the time that I was 18 or 19-years-old, I had one or two cadets I was responsible for and that grew. You mature and you learn. It's mission and people no matter what." Learn more about KeyBank's commitment to helping clients and communities thrive Learn more about KeyBank's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion Learn more about how KeyBank has been recognized as a top company for veterans and a top military friendly and military friendly spouse employer View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on accesswire.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) is pleased to announce that it has signed, with the Government of Ecuador, an investment agreement ("the Agreement") for its 100% owned La Plata mining project located in Ecuador (the "La Plata project"). During the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention in Toronto, Canada (PDAC), and in alignment with his strategic initiative to foster the creation of high-quality employment opportunities for the youth and to entice responsible mining investments within Ecuador. The President of Ecuador, Mr. Daniel Noboa, alongside Mrs. Andrea Arrobo, Minister of Energy and Mines, Sonsoles Garcia, Minister of Production, External Commerce, Investments, and Fisheries, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabriela Sommerfeld, engaged in a pivotal meeting with a consortium of institutional funds, investors, and eminent mining corporations. In the context of this event, the Ecuadorian administration, through the agency of Minister Sonsoles Garcia, formalized this agreement with Atico Mining Corporation. This agreement, representing a commitment exceeding USD $157 million, signifies the confluence of interests between the Ecuadorian State and Atico Mining Corporation in pioneering new ventures within the mining sector. Specifically, this agreement encompasses most previous and future exploration, development, construction and initial sustaining investment phases of the La Plata mining project. The document further delineates the Ecuadorian State's commitment to assist and expedite the progress of the La Plata mining project. This includes the facilitation in securing all requisite approvals, licenses, and permits, ensuring adherence to both Ecuadorian legal frameworks and international standards. This agreement lays the foundational groundwork for the execution of a formal Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) in the forthcoming period, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between the Ecuadorian State and Atico Mining Corporation. "Today marks a milestone in Ecuador's mining industry, underscored by the distinguished presence of President Noboa at the PDAC. This attendance unequivocally signals the paramount importance that the current administration places on responsible mining investment as a cornerstone of its economic revitalization strategy, a commitment further exemplified by the tangible measures enacted by the Ecuadorian authorities. Ecuador is steadfast in its ambition to emerge as a key player in the global transition to clean energy, endeavoring to establish itself as a premier source of copper by fostering investments in responsible mining initiatives," commented Alain Bureau, President of Atico Mining Corporation. Atico Mining's success and culture stem from investing in sustainable development in communities where it operates through responsible mining with a meticulous emphasis on protecting the surrounding environment. La Plata Project Gold-bearing sulphide mineralization at La Plata occurs as compositional banding composed of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite laminae with barite occurring as clasts and also as layers. The mineralised lenses have also been dislocated by a few faults and dolerite dikes cutting the body. The La Plata project is amongst the highest-grade gold-copper VMS deposits in which base and precious metal mineralization is interpreted to have formed as part of multiple volcanic episodes that created a stacked volcanic-exhalite hydrothermal sequence considered favorable for hosting additional VMS lenses. The recent drilling results in the southern portion of the deposit have encountered deeper mineralisation, and an extension of mineralisation to the north has been discovered by recent trenching results. The La Plata independent Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") dated March 30th 2019, was prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and reports the La Plata inferred resources at 1.9 million tons at an average grade of 4.1 g/t Au, 49.4g/t silver, 3.3% Cu, 4.5% Zn, 0.6% Pb as available on SEDAR. The La Plata project consists of two concessions covering a total area of 2,300 hectares along its 9-kilometer length, which contains known mineralization in two VMS lenses and nine priority exploration targets. About Atico Mining Corporation Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fernando E. Ganoza CEO Atico Mining Corporation Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF Investor Relations Igor Dutina Tel: +1.604.633.9022 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act'), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the use of net proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. 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 Company's expectations include uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its interest in and/or explore and develop the Company's mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Company's mineral projects; the world-wide economic and social impact of COVID-19 is managed and the duration and extent of the coronavirus pandemic is minimized or not long-term; disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other health and safety issues, or the responses of governments, communities, the Company and others to such pandemic or other issues; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com New research from The National Lottery reveals that one out of four (24%) consider scrolling through social media a genuine hobby But the nation is yearning for more. A quarter (23%) are consider nixing their social media accounts to in a bid to ditch the digital For those wanting to reduce screen time, The National Lottery, in its 30th year, is offering a host of special offers including free entry to a range of National Lottery funded venues across the UK as part of National Lottery Open Week (9 th -17 th March) -17 March) Open Week ambassadors, Bill Bailey and Scarlett Moffatt encourage the nation to get out there and experience something new! LONDON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK is home to myriad cultural gems, from countless castles to world-renowned museums and idyllic natural landmarks. Yet one out of four (24%) UK adults consider staying indoors scrolling through social media to be a genuine hobby[1]. Four out of ten (41%) people admit to spending most of their free time screen scrolling and watching TV over getting out and enjoying cultural past times, while nearly one out of ten (8%) people admit they don't have any other hobbies. Yet the nation is yearning for more as many wish to break free from their digital habit, with three out of five adults (59%) harbouring hidden desires to try something new. The research[2], which surveyed 4,000 adults across the UK, was commissioned to celebrate National Lottery Open Week (9th-17th March) which sees hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues offer free entry and discounts as a thank you to National Lottery players for helping to raise over 30 million a week for good causes. Bill Bailey, comedian, musician and National Lottery Open Week ambassador said: "I've tried my hand at a fair few activities over the years, from paddleboarding, to ballroom dancing, to birdwatching, the list goes on. It always surprises me how much you can learn about yourself - and the world - from putting yourself in new situations and trying different things. I never expected to become as proficient as I have in some of these activities nor did I imagine how much fun I'd get out of them. "Yet it is through opening up to new experiences, and by carving out the time and space that you can unlock huge joy and satisfaction and even make connections with new people or forge deeper ones with your friends and family." Double-edged sword of digitalisation Many simply don't know how else to spend their downtime, with one in three admitting (32%) screen scrolling is a way to relax and escape the stresses of life, while for one in five (20%), say it's a cheap way to spend their free time. People are also venturing outside less, as digitisation has brought the outside world into their homes; 16% of people confess they don't do any outdoor activities. Brits desire to ditch the digital The good news is that two fifths (38%) of people want to break the digital habit and are actively trying to reduce the amount of time spent on social media. A third (34%) even admit that if they didn't have social media, they would opt to spend their time on new pursuits. A quarter (23%) are considering getting rid of all their social media in a bid to pursue more diverse interests. One out of three (32%) have gone as far as making it their New Year's Resolution with 17% still managing to keep up this habit so far. Scarlett Moffatt, TV personality and National Lottery Open Week ambassador said: "As a new mam, life is brilliant but busy and you don't always get the chance to get out and try something new. That's why Bill and I loved visiting the incredible Royal Shakespeare Company. It was a great opportunity to open up to the wonderful world of National Lottery Open Week. The best part is that you can too! I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of the free and discounted offers and head outside to explore some of the fun and fascinating things the UK has to offer." To open up with National Lottery Open Week, and experience something new, players can use any retail or online National Lottery ticket, Scratch card or Instant Win Games, for free entry and special offers at selected attractions between 9th and 17thMarch 2024*. There's an experience for everyone this National Lottery Open Week. To say thank you to players who help to raise 30 million for Good Causes every week hundreds of National Lottery funded venues taking part will offer free entry and discounts including selected National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage and RSPB sites, as well as top attractions including Eden Project, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Wembley Stadium, Royal Shakespeare Company, Imperial War Museums and Millennium Centre in Wales. To view all venues and offers available, visit www.NationalLotteryOpenWeek.com. Notes to Editors: 1. Research conducted by Opinium between 16th-19th January 2024 among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults. 2. Research conducted by Opinium between 2nd-6th February 2024 among a nationally representative sample of 4,000 UK adults. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2355042/The_National_Lottery.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/one-in-four-people-consider-scrolling-through-social-media-a-genuine-hobby--but-many-yearn-to-break-the-digital-fix-302080044.html Family-owned SixSibs Capital provides funding to meet the need for innovative talent during pivotal time in industry FORT LEE, N.J. and LONDON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stevenson Search Partners, a global life sciences executive search firm, announced today that it received a significant long-term investment from SixSibs Capital, a Milwaukee-based family-owned private investment company, to advance its expansion into a total talent solution company for the global life sciences market. Stevenson Search Partners is an established and trusted executive search advisor servicing the global biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology, contract research organization (CRO) and contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) sectors. "Stevenson's long-term focus on quality, culture, diversity and partnership has been our driving force in providing leading-edge talent and services to our partners across the globe," said Adam Bloom, President, Stevenson Search Partners. "We are thrilled with the opportunity to build on our foundation and grow our business with the support and collaboration of SixSibs Capital. Our ability to scale our capabilities is an important next step in our commitment to supporting the remarkable life science professionals who are dedicated to advancing medicines and improving lives." This new partnership comes during an important time as the life sciences industry faces an emergence of tech bio, precision medicine and digital developments with a rising demand for advancements in science technology and biopharma innovation. This increased need coupled with an aging population and a shortage of innovative, experienced life science executives is propelling the urgency to find and develop the best and brightest leaders. "Our investment in Stevenson is timely and strategic, driven by the pressing call for innovation in the biopharma industry," said SixSibs Capital President and CEO Jack Wigdale. "With long-term healthcare spending on the rise and a need for skilled human resources, Stevenson's expertise in life sciences talent acquisition, combined with their deep network, positions them perfectly to meet this challenge. By providing additional investment in its people, process and technology, we aim to accelerate Stevenson's growth in executive search, empowering them to leverage advancements and meet the evolving needs of the industry." With this investment and momentum, Stevenson Search Partners is positioned to grow in the U.S., United Kingdom and Europe. While maintaining its core values, the company aims to expand its services in talent development to continue to foster innovation and growth in the life sciences sector. About Stevenson Search Partners With more 40 years of experience, Stevenson Search Partners is a trusted executive search advisor servicing the global biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology, health technology and CRO/CDMO sectors, with offices in the U.S. and the U.K. Dedicated to finding executive talent who will drive innovation across the life sciences industry, Stevenson's expertise includes C-Suite, Research, Clinical, Development, Commercial Manufacturing and Corporate functions, and working with companies ranging from start-ups and academic spinouts to large pharma clients. Stevenson provides a unique collaborative, long-term approach to its clients with a global network and strategic talent mapping and pipelining, and competitive analysis services. Stevenson Search Partners is committed to actively supporting, strengthening and promoting diversity - to its clients, in its own organization, and across the life sciences ecosystem. For more information, visit stevensonsearch.com. About SixSibs Capital SixSibs Capital is a family-owned private investment company based in Milwaukee, WI. SixSibs focuses on buy-and-hold investment opportunities, leveraging its patient capital base to partner with management teams to execute their long-term growth plans. The team manages a diverse portfolio, including Private Equity, Venture Capital and Real Estate investments, to create long-term value for its investors and management teams. Media Contact: Robin Traum robintraum@gmail.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353845/Stevenson_Search_Partners_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stevenson-search-partners-receives-investment-to-spur-growth-as-a-leading-talent-solutions-provider-in-life-sciences-302078962.html NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Equum Medical, a leader in inpatient telehealth services, in partnership with Caregility, a top enterprise telehealth solutions provider, will demonstrate the future of healthcare at the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, March 11-15, focusing on the "Intelligent Hospital Room of the Future." At Caregility Booth #4121, Equum Medical will showcase its Acute Care Clinical Services Platform, an inpatient continuum-aligned suite of professional physician and nurse-based services delivering Multi-Specialty, Tele-ICU, Virtual Nursing, Virtual Sitter, and Telemetry capabilities. These offerings are designed to alleviate staffing pressures and improve patient flow through smart, flexible partnerships with hospitals and health systems responding to clinical workforce shortages. For the second consecutive year, "workforce challenges" were listed as the most pressing concern by US Hospital CEOs in the American College of Healthcare Executives annual survey, and Equum Medical's telehealth-enabled teams are designed to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Dr. Corey Scurlock, CEO of Equum Medical, emphasizes, "In today's healthcare landscape, facing staffing challenges and increasing patient demands, intelligent telehealth is not just an option; it's a necessity. Our services at Equum are tailored to ensure healthcare providers can deliver continuous, quality care efficiently. And our partnership with Caregility represents the power of synergy between technology and services organizations like Equum, where the customer benefits from the improved clinical integration and streamlined communication through the tight collaboration." Dr. Scurlock has previously published on such partnerships, namely the "Healthcare Flywheel Effect," in Forbes Business Council's author series. Why This Matters Burnout and shortages have disrupted the clinical workforce; Bain & Company's US Clinician Burnout Survey reported nearly 1 in 4 clinicians (25%) surveyed are considering switching careers and 40% lack resources to operate at full potential. The "Labordemic" of staffing shortages will continue which is driving hospitals to invest in technology to apply innovative strategies to respond. Exacerbating this situation is American Hospital Association reported data showing hospital patients are sicker and more medically complex than before the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a rise in hospital average length of stay which drives up costs for labor, drugs and supplies, threatening the financial stability of hospitals around the country. The Partnership Advantage: Uniting Technology and Staffing Services UK-based Health Technology research firm Signify Research describes today's system demand for enterprise-wide telehealth solutions as a "Period of Renaissance" which has driven an expansion in offerings from platform and service vendors to respond with comprehensive, turnkey solutions. This integrated approach simplifies implementation, streamlines operations, and enables care model innovation, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiency across healthcare settings. Paul Oliver, Chief Revenue Officer at Caregility, adds, "Our collaboration with Equum Medical exemplifies the power of integrating technology with clinical expertise. The Caregility Cloud platform enhances Equum's telehealth services, creating a robust, scalable solution for hospitals and health systems aiming for operational excellence and superior patient care." "Intelligent Telehealth" refers to the use of advanced technologies and analytics in telehealth services to provide more personalized, efficient, and effective healthcare. It encompasses the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and optimize healthcare delivery. This approach enables healthcare providers to make informed decisions, tailor treatments to individual patient needs, and predict health trends, all while increasing access to care and reducing costs. Together, Equum Medical and Caregility are setting a new standard for telehealth services, demonstrating the importance of intelligent solutions in addressing the complex challenges of modern healthcare. For more information on how Equum Medical and Caregility are transforming healthcare delivery, visit us at HIMSS 2024, Booth #4121. About Equum Medical: Equum Medical is a nationally recognized leader in acute telehealth services, committed to delivering innovative healthcare solutions that empower providers and improve patient outcomes. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a pioneering approach to telehealth, Equum Medical continues to shape the future of healthcare delivery. Learn more at www.equummedical.com For media inquiries, please contact: Karsten Russell-Wood Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Karsten.Russell-Wood@equummedical.com info@equummedical.com (410) 409-7376 About Caregility: Caregility (caregility.com) is a telehealth solution provider connecting care everywhere. Designated as the Best in KLAS Virtual Care Platform (non-EMR) in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Caregility Cloud brings bedside care, virtual encounters, and AI capabilities together at the point of care. Doctors, nurses, and patients around the world rely on our intelligent telehealth edge devices and virtual nursing, observation, and engagement applications to enhance clinical insights, patient safety, and efficiency. Trusted by over 75 health systems, deployed in more than 1,000 hospitals, and supporting over 30,000 connected devices, Caregility is helping to transform healthcare delivery across inpatient and outpatient settings. For media inquiries, please contact: Jess Clifton Senior Manager, Marketing Communications jclifton@caregility.com (678) 360-9043 SOURCE: Equum Medical View the original press release on accesswire.com NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (596/2014/EU). COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT Luxembourg, 05 March 2024 Art Share 002 S.A. ("Art Share 002" or the "Company") wishes to announce a one-day extension to 6 March 2024, of its previously announced offer period (5 March 2024) in relation to the private placement of up to 550,000 class B shares of Art Share 002 (the "Class B Shares" or the "Offered Shares") (the "Offering") and the confirmation of the aggregate EUR price equivalent for the Offered Shares. As a result, delivery of the Offered Shares against payment of the offer price is expected to take place on 8 March 2024 and the admission and trading is maintained as of 8 March 2024. For questions, orders and requests for assistance in connection with the operation we direct you to: Zeus Capital Limited: Ben Robertson ben.robertson@zeuscapital.co.uk (mailto:ben.robertson@zeuscapital.co.uk) (mailto:ben.robertson@zeuscapital.co.uk) InCore Bank AG: Volkan Sirer trading@incorebank.ch (mailto:trading@incorebank.ch) For more information on the Offering, please consult the preliminary offering memorandum relating to the Offering here, About Art Share 002 S.A. Art Share 002 is a public limited liability company (societe anonyme) incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg existing as a securitisation undertaking (organisme de titrisation) within the meaning of the Luxembourg law of 22 March 2004 on securitisation, as amended. It has been set-up to issue shares, tracking the economic risk associated with the artwork, Three Studies for Portrait of George Dyer, by Francis Bacon (the "Artwork") and any other associated risk within the meaning of article 53 of the Luxembourg law of 22 March 2004 on securitisation, as amended, financed inter alia by the issuance of the Class B Shares. Art Share 002 was established to facilitate fractional investment in the Artwork through the issuance of the Class B Shares (i.e., undertaking a securitisation transaction of the Artwork). The principal activity of Art Share 002 is to hold and securitise the Artwork, as well as assuming risks, existing or future, relating to the holding of the Artwork. Its principal activities to date have been limited to organisational activities, including entering into certain agreements (i) for the acquisition of the Artwork and (ii) those necessary for the preparation and execution of the Offering, it's admission and listing on the ARTEX Stock Exchange. Art Share 002 is managed by a board of directors consisting of Mrs Ursula Schmidt, Mr Edouard de Burlet and Mr Ronan Le Bouc. Contact Information: Press contacts France and Global Alienor Miens | Alienor.miens@margie.fr| +33| +33 (0)6 11 84 34 92 For investor inquiries, please contact: investor-relations@artshare002.com DISCLAIMER This publication is an announcement and not a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"), and as such does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities of Art Share 002. These materials do not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for, or otherwise invest in, securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. In any member state of the European Economic Area, this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in such member state within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation, and no person that is not a qualified investor may act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this investor relations news or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations, or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Art Share 002does not assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release. The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness, or completeness. This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, South Africa, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the United States (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States) or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Offered Shares may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the Securities Act except pursuant to a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Offering and sale of the Offered Shares has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under the applicable securities laws of Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan and New Zealand. Subject to certain exceptions, the Offered Shares may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan, New Zealand or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, or Japan. There will be no public offer of the Offered Shares in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States. In the United Kingdom, this announcement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, persons who: (A) (i) are "investment professionals" specified in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") and/or (ii) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (and only where the conditions contained in those articles have been, or will at the relevant time be, satisfied); and (B) are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) as it forms part of retained EU law as defined in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). In the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), this announcement is addressed only to and directed only at, persons in member states who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (Regulation ((EU) 2017/1129) ("Qualified Investors"). This announcement must not be acted on or relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not Relevant Persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to: (i) in the United Kingdom, Relevant Persons; and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, Qualified Investors, and will be engaged in only with such persons. For the avoidance of doubt, no offer to the public will made in the United Kingdom and no application will be made for the Offered Shares to be traded on a regulated market in the United Kingdom. This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements may be identified by using forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth, and strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Each of Art Share 002and Zeus Capital Limited, expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Any subscription or purchase of Offered Shares in the possible Offering should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the final Offering Memorandum to be issued by Art Share 002 in connection with the Offering. The information in this announcement is subject to change. Before subscribing for or purchasing any Offered Shares, persons viewing this announcement should ensure that they fully understand and accept the risks which set out in the Offering Memorandum when published. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. Neither this announcement, nor the references herein to the Offering Memorandum, shall form the basis of or constitute any offer, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for any Offered Shares nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract thereof. Art Share 002may decide not to go ahead with the Offering and there is therefore no guarantee that the admission will occur. You should not base any financial decision on this announcement. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. Persons considering making investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. Neither this announcement, nor the Offering Memorandum referred to herein, constitutes an investment recommendation concerning the Offering. The value of the Offered Shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the Offering for the person concerned. None of Zeus Capital Limited or any of its affiliate or any of its or their affiliates' directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for/or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to Art Share 002, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of the announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Information to distributors in the EEA Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (i) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (iii) local implementing measures (together the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, delict, contract or otherwise, which the Company, in its capacity as "manufacturer" for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Offered Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such Offered Shares are: (a) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, "distributors" (for purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) should note that the price of the Offered Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Offered Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection, and an investment in the Offered Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offering, including the selling restrictions described in "Notice to Investors (Selling Restrictions)". Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the financial intermediaries acting as placement agents (the "Placement Agents") will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (i) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (ii) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, purchase, subscribe for, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Offered Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Offered Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. Information to distributors in the UK Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and/or any equivalent requirements elsewhere to the extent determined to be applicable, and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, the Company, in its capacity as "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Offered Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Offered Shares are: (a) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook (the "U.K. Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the U.K. Target Market Assessment, "distributors" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) should note that: the price of the Offered Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Offered Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Offered Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The U.K. Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offering. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the U.K. Target Market Assessment, the Placement Agents will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties for the purposes of the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules. For the avoidance of doubt, the U.K. Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (i) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapter 9A or 10A respectively of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; or (ii) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Offered Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Offered Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. Information for Swiss investors and distributors in Switzerland The Offered Shares can only be offered and placed with the following categories of professional clients that are also qualified investors in Switzerland: Professional clients according to article 4 para. 3-5 Financial Services Act (" FinSA ") that do not wish to make use of their right to opt-in to be considered as retail clients. ") that do not wish to make use of their right to opt-in to be considered as retail clients. High-net-worth retail clients and private investment structures created for them according to art. 5 para. 1 FinSA who have declared that they wish to be treated as professional clients (opting-out), for whom a prudentially supervised financial intermediary provides portfolio management in accordance with art. 10 para. 3ter Collective Investment Schemes Act ("CISA"), and these investors have been informed that they are deemed qualified investors and have been explained the risks that this entails and have been informed that they have the option of declaring that they do not wish to be deemed qualified investors and have not made use of this option. Accordingly, the Offered Shares will neither be offered to retail clients nor to non-qualified investors and no prospectus will be drafted under the FinSA. In the case where Art Share 002 would qualify as a foreign collective investment scheme under the CISA, no approval by FINMA and no appointment of a Swiss representative and paying agent are required due to the restriction to place the Offered Shares exclusively to per se qualified investors in Switzerland as described above. Distributors in Switzerland must observe these selling restrictions. PR03/2024 Regulatory News: Orano has signed a contract with the Czech electric utility CEZ, a.s., for the supply of uranium enrichment services. The enriched uranium, once transformed into fuel, will be used in its Dukovany nuclear power plant. The signing took place today during a trip by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to the Czech Republic to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in civil nuclear power. After another major long-term agreement on conversion and enrichment services signed late 2023 for the Temelin nuclear power plant, this new contract allows CEZ to secure its supply of nuclear fuel in Europe and contributes to strengthening Orano's position on the European market for front end products and services. "We are pleased to extend our long-lasting cooperation with our historic customer CEZ. This contract is a renewed and robust proof of confidence from our Czech client in the know-how and reliability of Orano," declared Nicolas Maes Orano's CEO. "Securing a Western supplier of uranium enrichment services for Dukovany is not only an important step for the Czech energy industry, but also for the entire Czech Republic. This significantly further strengthens energy security," says Daniel Benes Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the CEZ Group. CEZ, one of Europe's leading energy producers, operates six nuclear reactors (at the two sites of Dukovany and Temelin) which supply 36% of the Czech Republic's electricity needs. The Czech government plans a vast nuclear program with the construction of new units over the next decade. About Orano As a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 17,500 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow. Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305886643/en/ Contacts: Press Office +33 (0)1 34 96 12 15 press@orano.group Investor relations Marc Quesnoy investors@orano.group Publicacoes Online Marks the 18th Acquisition by Dura Software SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Dura Software, a leading acquirer of hyper-niche software companies, announces its first acquisition in the Brazilian market with the purchase of 100% of the shares of Publicacoes Online. Based in Florianopolis, Publicacoes Online has been a leader in the Brazilian market for 15 years, specializing in electronic distribution of summonses and processes for law offices, legal departments and attorneys. "We are ecstatic about our first acquisition in the vibrant Brazilian market because Publicacoes Online is such a great company," said Dura Software CEO Paul Salisbury. "They are highly regarded in their industry, and their technology solution solves a mission-critical need for their clients' businesses." "We are proud of the prominence that the company has achieved in recent years, and the acquisition by Dura Software is a clear demonstration of this," said Joe Parente, one of the founding partners of Publicacoes Online. "With Dura, we will be able to capitalize on the solid technology base we have developed and expand the partnerships with clients throughout Brazil." About Dura Software Dura Software acquires, owns, and operates a portfolio of growing niche software businesses that provide mission-critical solutions to end customers. Unlike other investors, Dura seeks to hold onto and operate its companies without any term limits. Dura is backed by founders and investors with deep experience in investing and operating companies across multiple industry verticals in various geographies. About Publicacoes Online Publicacoes Online stands out as a pioneer in Brazil in the supply of electronic judicial summons clippings, adapted to the routine of clients in all Brazilian states. Recognized for its dedication to security and continuous improvement in the management of summonses and processes, the company has significantly contributed to the development and implementation of the electronic summons management system. It was also the first to offer services of capturing and managing summonses from the electronic systems of courts, leading innovations in the Brazilian legal sector. Contact Information Paul Salisbury CEO paul@dura.software SOURCE: Dura Software View the original press release on newswire.com. Independent PBM Provides Clients With Flexible Ways to Boost Prescription Affordability MILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Serve You Rx, a full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) with an unwavering commitment to clients, is integrating Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs) into its network. This collaboration increases affordable home-delivery options for Serve You Rx members. Serve You Rx and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company Serve You Rx logo and Cost Plus Drugs logo With flexibility and adaptability central to Serve You Rx's identity, the company actively seeks solutions that fuel positive change for its clients and their members. Cost Plus Drugs' innovative prescription pricing model aligns with Serve You Rx's core values of transparency and quality. Serve You Rx clients can opt in to making Cost Plus Drugs' transparent prices available through their pharmacy benefit plans. Members enrolled in participating plans can easily compare Cost Plus Drugs' prices to alternatives via Serve You Rx's mobile-friendly portal, in the physician's office through Serve You Rx's ConfirmRx product or on the Cost Plus Drugs website. "Our flexibility and consultative approach allow us to say 'yes' to partnerships that benefit our clients," said Justin Jasniewski, CEO of Serve You Rx. "We're excited to collaborate with Cost Plus Drugs and utilize their disruptive prescription drug model to create greater value for our members." With clients and members at the heart of Serve You Rx's decisions, this alliance demonstrates the company's adaptability in action and ability to drive positive change. As Serve You Rx continues exploring aligned partnerships, it maintains a focus on fulfilling its unwavering commitment to flexibility, quality, and client-centricity. "We are excited to join forces with a like-minded company such as Serve You Rx," said Alex Oshmyansky, CEO of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. "At Cost Plus Drugs, we are committed to revolutionizing the pharmaceutical landscape through transparent drug pricing, and working with Serve You Rx aligns seamlessly with our mission. Together, we are ensuring affordability, accessibility, and clarity in medication costs, empowering individuals to make informed choices about their health and well-being." About Serve You Rx ? Serve You Rx is a full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) with unquestionable flexibility and an unwavering commitment to doing what's best for its clients. With a fervent focus on those it serves, including insurance brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, and their clients, Serve You Rx delivers exceptional service and tailored, cost-effective benefit solutions. Independent and privately held for over 37 years, Serve You Rx can implement new groups in 30 days or less and say "yes" to a wide variety of viable solutions. Known for its adaptability, quality, and client-centricity, Serve You Rx aims to be a benchmark for better client service. About Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs) aims to fundamentally change the way the pharmaceutical industry operates. As a public-benefit corporation, its social mission of improving public health is just as important as the bottom line. Cost Plus Drugs transparently charges a standard markup on every drug it sells. The costplusdrugs.com online pharmacy launched in January 2022 now carries over 2,300 prescription products, delivered by mail to thousands of happy customers every day. Customers can also go to participating retail pharmacies to receive Cost Plus Drugs pricing through the Team Cuban Card. Cost Plus Drugs is working with health plans, managed-care organizations, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and self-insured employers to bring these same savings to employer-sponsored benefit plans nationwide. Contact Information Nancy Fleming Marketing Director nfleming@serveyourx.com 414-410-8164 SOURCE: Serve You Rx View the original press release on newswire.com. NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Leifje Dighton, Executive Director and Plant Manager of GE Appliance's Refrigerator Assembly Plant in Decatur, AL, will discuss Transforming Productivity at GE Appliances Through AI: From Personal Effectiveness to Manufacturing Excellence during the keynote address at The ASSEMBLY Show South, taking place May 1-2, 2024 at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN. The 2nd Annual trade show and conference will also offer four half day pre-conference workshops on Tuesday, April 30th in conjunction with the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership housed within the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services and ASSEMBLY Magazine. Early bird rates for registration are available until March 15, 2024. "Artificial Intelligence is such a huge topic in manufacturing, and we look forward to hearing from Leifje Dighton on how GE Appliances is using this new technology. With a sole focus on assembly technology, equipment, and products, in an ever-expanding southern market, this is the perfect platform for professionals to learn how to do their job better and improve their operations," said Bill DeYoe, Publisher, ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of the event. "The editors of ASSEMBLY magazine, have developed a dynamic education program to help our attendees expand their skill set, develop the expertise to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in the ever-evolving assembly manufacturing landscape." Leifje Dighton will discuss how she uses Artificial Intelligence to enable everything from her personal productivity to revolutionizing manufacturing processes: enhancing efficiency, quality, and innovation at GE Appliances. Leifje is currently the Executive Director and Plant Manager responsible for top- freezer refrigerator manufacturing in Decatur, Alabama, and a recent Manufacturing Institute Step Ahead Award recipient. Her responsibilities include protecting and developing employees; ensuring customers' product expectations are exceeded; delivering business results by driving profitability of manufacturing and sourcing strategies to optimize total product cost; supporting growth with factory master planning; and practicing continuous improvement to drive world-class safety, quality, efficiency, and cost. The keynote, sponsored by Promess, will take place on Wednesday, May 1 at 9:00 am. The education program will kick off on Tuesday, April 30 with the four half day workshops followed by a Welcome Networking Reception. The Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (TMEP) Tim Waldo, Workforce Consultant, and Danny Norman, Advanced Manufacturing Consultant, will offer the following two Workshops. I4.0 and A Culture of Innovation - This session will help manufacturers integrate I4.0 and workforce initiatives by showing live demonstrations to help better understand the core principles of I4.0 and actionable tools to help the workforce begin the journey together. Hear a variety of use cases in management, quality, production and supply chain for artificial intelligence, sensor deployment and automation resources. (9:00 am - 12:00 pm) The Optimized People Development System - It is arguably the most important system in an organization, and the one that could benefit most from continuous improvement. However, an organization's people development system is difficult to see in operation and visibility is key to making improvements. The Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership invites attendees to experience the Optimized People Development System. A leadership framework focused on continuous improvement for an organization's internal workforce processes that utilizes systems thinking, the application of lean concepts, and development of a learning organization. (1:30 - 4:30 pm.) The editors of ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of the show, will also offer two additional workshops on Tuesday, April 30th. Automated Assembly Workshop with panelists Ben Webster, Business Development Manager, ATC Automation; Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development, The Arthur G. Russell Co.; Pierre de Giorgio, President and Chief Technical Officer, BlueBay Automation; and James DeSmet, CEO, CRG Automation. These four speakers will provide information on How to Write a User Requirement Specification; How to go from Proof of Principal to Pilot Production to Full-Scale Automation; Applying and Justifying Cobots on the Assembly Line and How to Automate Disassembly of Deadly Weapons. (9:00 am - 12:00 pm) Jon Ness, PE, Principal Engineer, Matrix Engineering Consultants, will lead a workshop on Bolted Joints, Often Looser Than Expected. Bolted joints are often one of the least appreciated and understood mechanical systems. Not surprisingly, they are also frequently one of the largest causes of failure, warranty claims, and safety issues. Though they may have been assembled correctly, bolted joints are often looser than expected when the product is shipped to the customer. This workshop will explain the common reasons that bolted joints are often looser than what was planned. Students will be presented with brief technical explanations and demonstrations of bolt preload scatter, relaxation, and self-loosening. (1:30 - 4:30 pm.) The ASSEMBLY Show South will be co-located with the Quality Show South and together will bring thousands of buyers and end users to see the latest equipment, products and technology with the most cutting-edge, top-of-the-line tools to streamline the manufacturing processes. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect face-to-face with like-minded peers, learn from business thought leaders, and uncover emerging trends that will provide endless resources on how to solve current challenges. Attendee registration is free until March 15th. The two events will feature 250+ leading vendors with working machinery and live demonstrations for attendees to interact with. The ASSEMBLY Show South show floor will feature Gold Sponsor Promess; Silver Sponsors Atlas Copco and Desoutter Industrial Tools; and Bronze Sponsors Schmidt Technology, UJIGAMI by Tutelar Technologies, and Weiss North America. For exhibiting and sponsorship information, click here. The ASSEMBLY Show South taking place on October 24-26, 2023 at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN and The ASSEMBLY Show taking place on October 24-26, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL are sponsored by ASSEMBLY (www.assemblymag.com) the leading brand covering the processes, technologies, and strategies for assembling discrete parts into finished products. ASSEMBLY offers an integrated portfolio of products including the industry's leading trade show. The trade show and conference are produced by BNP Media, one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies serving industry professionals across 60+ industries through magazines, custom media, e-newsletters, webinars, events, and market research. For more information, visit www.bnpmedia.com. # # # For Further Information, Contact: Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative 978-502-4895 (cell) amy@riemercommunications.com SOURCE: Assembly Show South View the original press release on accesswire.com The European Parliament and European Council have reached a provisional agreement on forced labor, in order to ban products made with forced labor from the European Union, pending parliamentary approval. Member countries will have three years to enforce the new provisions. The European Parliament and the European Council have reached a provisional provision on new regulations to ban products manufactured with forced labor from the European Union. The deal was reached by unspecified "negotiators," but it will have to be approved by the European Parliament and the European Council. The new rules ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Increase in advancements in AI technology and rise in demand for personalized content are expected to drive the global generative AI in creative industries market growth. NEW CASTLE, Del., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Generative AI in Creative Industries Market by Deployment Mode (On-premise and Cloud), Type (Text-to-Image Generation, Image-to-Image Generation, Music Generation, Video Generation, and 3D Modeling and Animation), and Application (Gaming, Film & Television, Advertising & Marketing, Music & Sound Production, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032". According to the report, the generative AI in creative industries industry generated $1.7 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $21.54 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 29.6% from 2023 to 2032. Prime Determinants of Growth Increase in advancements in AI technology and rise in demand for personalized content are the factors expected to propel the growth of the global generative AI in creative industries market. However, risks related to data breaches are anticipated to hamper the growth of the global market. On the contrary, surge in integration of AR and VR in creative industries is further expected to create lucrative opportunities for the growth of the global market. Request Sample Pages: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A320240 Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $1.7 Billion Market Size in 2032 $21.6 Billion CAGR 26.1 % Segments Covered Deployment Mode, Type, Application, and Region Drivers Increase in advancements in AI technology Rise in demand for personalized content Opportunities Risks related to the data breaches Restraints Surge in integration of AR and VR in creative industries Buy this Complete Report (350 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/generative-ai-in-creative-industries-market/purchase-options The on-premise segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period By deployment mode, the on-premise segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the generative AI in creative industries market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is attributed to technological advancements and changes in customer preferences, which are further expected to propel the overall market growth. However, the cloud segment is expected to attain the largest CAGR of 30.8% from 2023 to 2032. This is due to various beneficial factors such as scalability and flexibility, cost savings, and remote work and collaboration. The text-to-image generation segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By type, the text-to-image generation segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-third of the generative AI in creative industries market revenue, with the advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision technologies, models capable of generating images from textual descriptions have gained popularity, which is further expected to propel the overall market growth. However, the rapid transit railways segment is expected to attain the largest CAGR of 32.4% from 2023 to 2032. With the increasing demand for visual content on social media platforms, e-commerce websites, and digital marketing campaigns, there is a growing need for automated tools that can generate high-quality images efficiently. This is expected to drive the growth of this segment in the global generative AI in creative industries market. The gaming segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period By application, the gaming segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than three-fifths of the generative AI in creative industries market revenue, as generative AI algorithms can analyze player behavior, preferences, and interactions in real-time to dynamically adjust game content, difficulty levels, and narratives, creating personalized gaming experiences tailored to individual players, which is further expected to propel the overall market growth. However, the advertising and marketing segment is expected to attain the largest CAGR of 32.5% from 2023 to 2032. Growth in need for personalized and targeted content to engage audiences effectively drives the growth of this segment in the global generative AI in creative industries market. North America region to maintain its dominance by 2032 By region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the generative AI in creative industries market revenue. Increase in the usage of generative AI in creative industries in businesses to improve businesses and the customer experience is anticipated to propel the growth of the market in this region. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 32.7% from 2023 to 2032. Countries such as India and China are at the forefront, embracing digital technologies to enhance their effectiveness and competitiveness, and is further expected to contribute to the growth of the market in this region. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A320240 Leading Market Players: - Alphabet Inc. Microsoft Corporation IBM Corporation Nvidia Corporation Adobe Inc. Autodesk, Inc. Unity Software Inc. OpenAI, Inc. Synthesis AI Epic Games, Inc The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the generative AI in creative industries market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different countries. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model): AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/generative-ai-in-creative-industries-market-to-reach-21-6-billion-by-2032-at-29-6-cagr-allied-market-research-302079890.html The home surveillance industry has experienced significant growth owing to the rise in concerns over safety and security, along with advancements in technology such as high-definition cameras, mobile connectivity, and artificial intelligence, which have driven the growth of the home surveillance market. Moreover, the increase in adoption of smart home automation systems and the rise in affordability of surveillance equipment are further boosting demand for home security solutions, which is expected to fuel the expansion of the market. WILMINGTON, Del., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Home Surveillance Market by Product Type (Security Cameras, Video Doorbells, Smart Locks and NVRs/DVRs), Category (Wired and Wireless), and Distribution Channel (Security Equipment Retailers and Online E-Commerce Sites): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032". According to the report, the global home surveillance market was valued at $48,978.7 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $116.6 Billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 9.2% from 2023 to 2032. Request The Sample PDF Of This Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A320574 Prime determinants of growth One of the major drivers in the home surveillance market is the surge in market demand for the home surveillance market fueled by the rising concerns for home security among consumers. As instances of burglaries, break-ins, and property crimes become more prevalent, homeowners are increasingly recognizing the vulnerability of their residences, adopting an increased sense of insecurity. This growing awareness propels the demand for advanced home surveillance systems and provides residents with a measure of actively monitoring and securing their properties. In addition, the emotional and psychological impact of increased security concerns contributes significantly to the surge in demand for home surveillance systems. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $48,978.7 Million Market Size In 2032 $116,575.0 Million CAGR 9.2 % No. Of Pages In Report 296 Segments Covered Product Type, Category, Distribution Channel, And Region. Drivers Integration Of Smart Home Technologies Rising Concerns For Home Security Increase And Awareness Of Crime Activities Opportunities Development Of Smart Surveillance Technologies Restraints High-Initial Investments Cybersecurity Risks The security cameras segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By product type, the security cameras segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global home surveillance market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Security cameras provide real-time video footage, minimize potential threats, and serve as a valuable tool for investigations. The rise of smart home technology has further fueled their dominance, allowing users to remotely access and control cameras through mobile devices. Moreover, features such as motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio contribute to its versatility. The increasing awareness of the importance of home security and the affordability of advanced camera systems have propelled their widespread adoption across the globe. Procure Complete Report (224 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/c856dfa93446758c637514d38837bc99 The wireless segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By category, the wireless segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global home surveillance market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Wireless cameras have gained prominence due to their unparalleled convenience, flexibility, and ease of installation. Wireless cameras eliminate the need for complex cable installations and allow users to set up their surveillance network effortlessly. The emergence of advanced wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ensures seamless connectivity and remote access via smartphones and other devices. Moreover, it provides user-friendly setup, integrated with the absence of physical cables, and makes wireless cameras more demanding to a broader consumer base. The security equipment retailers segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By distribution channel, the security equipment retailers segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for three-fifths of the global home surveillance market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Security equipment retailers offer a diverse range of surveillance solutions to consumers. Security equipment retailers provide a one-stop-shop for individuals who seek comprehensive security solutions which includes surveillance cameras, alarms, and monitoring systems. They often offer expert advice and ensure the customers make informed decisions based on their specific requirements. Security equipment retailers provide convenience of physically examining and purchasing products to the consumers and offer potential bundled deals and after-sales services. North America to maintain its dominance by 2032 Based on region, North America is anticipated to dominate the market with the largest share during the forecast period. North America has a high awareness of security and safety concerns which drives the demand for advanced home surveillance systems. The affluence of the population in North America enables greater spending on security solutions. and the prevalence of smart home adoption and the integration of home surveillance into comprehensive security ecosystems contribute to the region's dominance. Technological advancements and innovations in surveillance systems are often first introduced and widely adopted in North America. Furthermore, government initiatives prompt home security and the presence of a tech-savvy population further contribute to the growth of the home surveillance market. For More Inquiry Contact us at: @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A320574 Leading Market Players: - Honeywell International, Inc Panasonic Corporation Bosch Security Systems GmbH Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd Canon Inc. Eagle Eye Networks, Inc. Verkada Inc. Teledyne FLIR LLC Brinks Home Frontpoint Security Solutions, LLC The report analyzes government regulations, policies, and patents to provide information on the current market trends and suggests future growth opportunities globally. Furthermore, the study highlights Porter's five forces analysis to determine the factors affecting market growth. Related Reports: Home Decor Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/home-decor-furnishing-market Sustainable Home Decor Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/sustainable-home-d%C3%A9cor-market-A16902 Smart Bed Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/smart-bed-market-A06561 Home Rehabilitation Products Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/home-rehabilitation-products-market-A16857 DIY Home Decor Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/diy-home-d%C3%A9cor-market-A16855 Home Care Service Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/home-care-service-market-A06088 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/home-surveillance-market-to-reach-116-6-billion-globally-by-2032-at-9-2-cagr-allied-market-research-302079909.html G&A's Sustainability Highlights ( 02.01.2024 ) NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / According to a recent Bloomberg report, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager with over US $9 trillion in AUM, has been "expanding its dominance" in ESG investing, with net ESG investment inflows in every quarter of the last two years. This is good news, since this time period coincides with ever-rising anti-ESG commentary and some actions to slow sustainable investing on the part of Republican and conservative forces in various states, and in the U.S. Congress. The term "anti-ESG" has joined the ranks of the "antis" of the right - along with "anti-woke", "anti-CRT", "anti-DEI", and other initials that serve as shorthand for attacking progressive societal ideas and concepts. Where the damage could be done to asset managers is the ending of relationships in Red states with managers of public employee pension funds, state treasurers, and others in positions of decision-making regarding state monies. So far, the slings and arrows of the right have for the most part missed their mark. As reported by Bloomberg, Morningstar estimated that BlackRock's ESG-designated funds grew by more than 50 percent in 2022 and 2023, to roughly US $320 billion. Forced by the anti-ESG political players to drop positive public references to ESG, BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink has moved away from public use of the term. But that did not slow the dramatic inflow of funds to ESG-designated investments managed by BlackRock. On the other side of the front lines: the anti-ESG forces continue their attacks. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, an important publication for tens of thousands of corporate managers, author Andrew Winston ("Green to Gold") suggests that managers should stay the course, and do what is right for their business, and for society. "Build a better, more resilient business that profits by helping to solve challenges and contributes to a thriving world," he advises in his HBR article. There are pro and con statements on both side of ESG, Winston tells readers. There is no single "ESG movement," and a more nuanced approach is needed to address ESG critics. A possible model for corporate (and investor) response to critics could be a simple framework to map voices on both sides of the issue, such as a 2x2 grid. One side could assess the criticisms of ESG, and the other is for evaluating the critics - are they arguing in good faith, interested in solving issues and improving society? For some critics, the steadily rising embrace of ESG by investors is a threat to the status quo; oil and gas producers, for example are being screened out of ESG funds, a threat to be addressed by the industry. For short-term investors, ESG may not make sense. While the impacts of climate change will continue to affect planet, profit, and people over the longer term, we're reminded of other initials as we witness the anti-ESG combat - "IBG" and "YBG". I'll be gone / you'll be gone, so climate change over the long term does not matter to short-term thinkers. The HBR essay ("Why Business Leader Must Resist the Anti-ESG Movement") and related commentary are in our Top Stories below and are definitely worth your time to read. The G&A Institute team continues to monitor the ESG and sustainability landscapes and will bring you news from the front lines of the pro/con debate. Can we help your company in positioning your ESG policies, actions, programs, as the anti-ESG players continue their attacks? Let's talk if you are looking for strategies and guidance from our experienced team. This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. G&A's Sustainability Highlights ( 02.15.2024 ) Individual investors in the U.S., often referred to as "retail" investors, are important factors in the capital markets. Statista.com estimates that 61% of all adults in the U.S. are invested in the stock market, while the latest Gallup poll says that up to 84% of households with $100,000 annual income are invested in the stock market. The equity investments of individual investors can be held in individual trading accounts, stock or bond mutual funds, ETFs, or self-directed IRA or 401(k) accounts. Given the influence that individual investors have through the large percentage of trading volume and the influence this has on domestic capital markets, we are thinking about what do individual investors think of sustainable or ESG investments. According to a new report from Morgan Stanley, examining a survey of approximately 3,000 active individual investors across the U.S., Europe, and Japan, "close to 80% of individual investors believe that it is possible to balance market rate returns with a focus on sustainability," notes Jessica Alford, chief sustainability officer of the company. The survey was conducted by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and the Institute for Sustainable Investing. The majority of participants expressed the desire to have their investments help to advance positive environmental and social impact. For those surveyed in the U.S., 84% of individual investors "are keen on sustainable investing." Breaking this down: Millennials, Gen Xers, and Hispanic are the most enthusiastic at 91%. LGBTQ+ are just behind at 89%. Female investors are at 87%. One of the most important findings of the survey is that U.S. investors allocate a larger percentage of their portfolios to sustainable investing compared to global peers in Japan and Europe. Climate change is the top consideration for sustainable investing, followed by healthcare, water solutions, and circular economy. While the survey results are good news for capital markets professionals focused on sustainable investments, survey participants also expressed concerns over transparency and trust in corporate sustainability reporting. Morgan Stanley's research findings included fears of greenwashing and uncertainty for individual investors on how to invest with ESG themes. As our Top Story, G&A Institute is sharing details of the Morgan Stanley/Institute for Sustainable Investing survey as reported by Leo Almazora of Investment News. The G&A Institute team is available to help publicly-traded companies with their sustainability / ESG disclosures to attract both institutional and individual investors. This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Government has imposed sanctions on 11 Zimbabweans, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and three entities for their involvement in corruption or serious human rights abuse. The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated them under the Global Magnitsky Program, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to promoting accountability for corrupt and abusive networks restricting the political rights and economic resources of the people of Zimbabwe. 'The United States remains deeply concerned about democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and government corruption in Zimbabwe,' said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. He said President Mnangagwa's criminal network of government officials and businesspeople are most responsible for corruption or human rights abuse against the people of Zimbabwe. The Treasury said in a press release that Mnangagwa is involved in corrupt activities, in particular those relating to gold and diamond smuggling networks. Mnangagwa provides a protective shield to smugglers to operate in Zimbabwe and has directed government officials to facilitate the sale of gold and diamonds in illicit markets, taking bribes in exchange for his services. Mnangagwa also oversees Zimbabwe's security services, which have violently repressed political opponents and civil society groups. The First Lady of Zimbabwe, Auxillia Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's First Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri also has been targeted by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the Government of Zimbabwe to move toward more open and democratic governance, including addressing corruption and protecting human rights. He said Washington has concerns regarding serious cases of corruption and human rights abuse in Zimbabwe, including the looting of government coffers, multiple cases of abductions, physical abuse, and unlawful killing. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire BETA CAE Systems International AG, a top provider of multi-domain, engineering simulation solutions. This move is set to strengthen Cadence's Intelligent System Design strategy by expanding its system analysis offerings and allowing entry into the structural analysis sector. The acquisition, valued at around $1.24 billion, will involve 60 percent cash payment and 40 percent issuance of Cadence common stock to current BETA CAE shareholders. To finance the cash aspect of the deal, Cadence plans to secure new debt financing. The acquisition is slated to be completed in the second quarter of 2024. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Feed the Children, a leading nonprofit committed to ending childhood hunger, is continuing its forward momentum into its next generation of growth and development with the addition of Debra Shoaf, who recently joined the organization as Chief Financial Officer. Debra Shoaf, CFO at Feed the Children In this role, Debra will provide a clear vision and counsel as she works to ensure professional and ethical integrity in upholding the expectations of regulatory agencies and donors while overseeing financial reporting and management for the organization. She will be responsible for advising key stakeholders about important business decisions as Feed the Children continues to forecast and plan for the future. Debra will be a strategist in bringing financial transparency, metrics, and alignment between all domestic and international operations. Her work will support Feed the Children to build awareness of the organization's valuable role in both the Non-Government Organization (NGO) sector and in providing food and resources for children and their families around the globe. Debra will also be responsible for accelerating the financial performance of the organization by partnering with functional and business unit leaders to unlock fiscal growth opportunities as Feed the Children embarks on their next five-year strategic plan. "We are excited to welcome Debra to the Feed the Children team," said Travis Arnold, CEO and President, Feed the Children. "Debra brings a wealth of experience that will continue to advance our mission. Our organization will benefit greatly from her innovative thinking, and her expertise will be vital to our vision of reducing childhood hunger." Debra joins Feed the Children from the Atlanta Community Food Bank where she served as Chief Financial Officer for almost ten years. While there, she served on the Feeding America Financial Leaders Steering Committee and was named Feeding America's Financial Leader of the Year for 2018, and to Forbes' list of Best Non-Profit CFOs for 2020. Debra brings many years of valuable corporate and non-profit experience to Feed the Children. Prior to her role at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, she served as Vice President of Finance and Accounting at Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. She has also held positions in private industry as Chief Financial Officer for Renfroe Enterprises and as Controller at Ivan Allen Company. Previously, Debra worked in public accounting and government agency roles in audit and tax positions. Debra earned a B.B.A in Accounting from Georgia State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. She and her family live in the greater metro Atlanta, Georgia area. About Feed the Children At Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in eight countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships. Visit feedthechildren.org for more information. For more information: Kelly Frey - 405-945-4064 kelly.frey@feedthechildren.org SOURCE: Feed The Children View the original press release on accesswire.com Residents gather on the Suffield Town Green during a rally on racism in schools on May 20, 2002. File photo Hearst Connecticut Media SUFFIELD First Selectman Colin Moll has decided not to pursue a policy that would have limited events on the town green after facing backlash from residents who argued it would have infringed on First Amendment rights and targeted the LGBTQ+ community. Moll said on Monday, however, that he remains concerned about the town's liability if there were ever a serious incident during an event on the town green, and that objections came from a small but vocal minority of residents who are politically motivated. "This is all made up; this is all political," he said regarding objections from some residents. "It's a policy that was brought up that we're just not moving forward with at the moment." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last month, the board was considering a draft proposal that would have required event organizers to meet a series of criteria, many of which would've had to be approved by the first selectman's office. Moll argues the main purpose of the draft proposal was to protect the town from being sued if there were injuries or vandalism stemming from events on the town green. He maintains that is still "absolutely" a concern, but a small group of residents objected "to make Suffield look bad because they're not getting what they want." "If anything, I'll just point the finger at people driving this if there's any liability issues," Moll said. "Send them the bill." Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Moll decides what goes on the board's agendas, and chose not to pursue the town green policy at this point. "Right now, I'm focused on the budget," he said. "At the end of the day, the Board of Selectmen is going to do what they find to be in the best interest of the town." Moll noted that the draft proposal was nearly word for word as one that exists in Enfield. "It's not a big deal; it's all politically driven," he said. "A perfect example is other towns have this exact same thing and nobody's going after them." Advertisement Article continues below this ad When the board discussed the proposal last month, residents questioned why the first selectman's office would be the authority to approve or reject an applicant, arguing the decision should be left up to the Department of Public Works. Resident Annie Hornish argued the proposal was an attempt to prevent LGBTQ+ groups from holding events on the town green, citing past incidents in which the LGBTQ+ community was targeted. "This town green ordinance is part of a pattern of abuse of power by this Board of Selectmen to stifle efforts that are pro-LGBTQ, and it's spilled over into free speech," she said on Monday. "They need to just can this whole effort. It's unconstitutional." The director of the Kent Memorial Library resigned in October after clashing with town leaders, who forced the removal of the book "What Are Your Words?" which introduces young people to gender-inclusive pronouns from a book display on kindness in the children's department. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Board of Selectmen voted in 2021 to approve a flag policy that only allows for the American and state flags to be flown on town flagpoles, which LGBTQ+ advocates took as a rejection of their hopes to fly the Pride flag during events on the town green. Moll has said the town green proposal aimed to protect the town from being sued and had nothing to do with any particular group. Advocates for the proposal initially said it was an effort to ensure public safety, meet insurance requirements, and curb possible violence or destruction of property. Applicants would have had to have been insured for at least $1 million, a provision modeled after a similar policy in Enfield. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator Fourth Anniversary Report Highlights WEA's Impact on Solving the Most Critical Needs of Women Entrepreneurs: Access to Education, Funding, Networks and Markets and Global Advocacy. Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in women's empowerment, today announced the release of a special report titled "Advancing Women's Entrepreneurship: from Commitment to Action." The report details the company's steadfast commitment to championing women's causes around the world through the significant strides the company has made in the four years since the founding of the groundbreaking Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA) multi-stakeholder partnership. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305573760/en/ The Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator Fourth Anniversary Report Highlights WEA's Impact on Solving the Most Critical Needs of Women Entrepreneurs: Access to Education, Funding, Networks and Markets and Global Advocacy. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.) In 2019, in partnership with six United Nations agencies, Mary Kay founded WEA as a driving force for promoting women's entrepreneurship and economic participation worldwide. The 2023 Special Report details the various flagship programs and impact statistics of WEA, emphasizing its global reach and unique approach in addressing the core challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. "Through the Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator, we have created a robust platform that not only supports but celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of women globally," said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay. "Our goal is to empower five million women by 2030, and we're well on our way. We've engaged over 600,000 women in our programs and activities so far, and 2024 will prove to be another historic year." The report showcases Mary Kay's holistic approach to women's empowerment through the WEA multi-stakeholder partnership, spanning access to education, capital, networks and markets, advocacy, and policy. It includes remarkable achievements such as: the reduction of poverty rates in an SDG pilot village project in rural China capitalizing on women entrepreneurship and leadership development; in rural China capitalizing on women entrepreneurship and leadership development; the launch of the Women's Entrepreneurship Regional EXPO and in-country satellite events in Europe and Central Asia region bringing together women entrepreneurs, investors, and business partners. These 2023 events, co-organized with 33 local partners, reached over 15,308 participants, including 1,047 entrepreneurs and 75 investors, and included 27 seminars/panels and exhibition spaces; and in-country satellite events in Europe and Central Asia region bringing together women entrepreneurs, investors, and business partners. These 2023 events, co-organized with 33 local partners, reached over 15,308 participants, including 1,047 entrepreneurs and 75 investors, and included 27 seminars/panels and exhibition spaces; the successful implementation of various training and mentoring programs conducted by high-level partners around the world such as the online Women's Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme the WEA Digital Innovation Challenge for Women Entrepreneurs received 250 applications from Women-led startups from 54 countries; received 250 applications from Women-led startups from 54 countries; Women entrepreneurship research for policy recommendation for gender equality in enterprise development in Latin America region. The company's notable efforts in promoting gender-responsive procurement and investment (GRPI) have also made significant contributions to women's economic participation and empowerment. To learn more about the Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator and to read the full 2023 Special Report, please click here. About Mary Kay Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women's lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305573760/en/ Contacts: Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications marykay.com/newsroom 972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 05 BH Macro Limited (the "Company") (a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235) Transaction in Own Shares 5 March 2024 BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc: Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Sterling Date of purchase: 5 March 2024 5 March 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 50,000 65,000 Lowest price per share 343 342.5 Highest price per share 343 346.5 Trading venue JPSI LSE Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 50,000 65,000 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 343.0000 344.8841 The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury. Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows: Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 364,163,180 Sterling Shares 9,444,359 Sterling Shares 29,759,638 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares From 5 March 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 558,319,219. Enquiries: Company website: www.bhmacro.com William Simmonds JPMorgan Cazenove Tel: 020 7588 2828 The Company Secretary Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Tel: 01481 745001 Article L. 238-8-II of the French commercial Code and article 223-16 of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) general regulation Regulatory News: Corporate name of the issuer: Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE) 21 rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS FRANCE (ISIN code: FR0000124141-VIE) Information closing date Total number of shares forming the share capital Total number of voting rights February 29, 2024 725,411,667 Total number of theoretical voting rights (1): 743,145,469 Total number of voting rights that may be exercised (2): 732,770,254 Inclusion in the Veolia Environnement Articles of Association of a clause requiring a reporting obligation of the declaration of crossing a shareholding threshold, complementary to the one relating to the thresholds provided by the French law and the regulations in force (article 8). (1) Number of theoretical voting rights after taking into account the number of shares with double voting rights as of February 29, 2024 (17,733,802 shares) and the number of treasury shares held as of February 29, 2024 (10,375,215 shares). (2) Number of voting rights that may be exercised number of theoretical voting rights (or total number of voting rights attached to shares) shares without voting rights (number of treasury shares held as of February 29, 2024). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305847101/en/ Contacts: Veolia Environnement Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 05 For immediate release 5 March 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 133,852 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 855.73 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 34,334,971; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 190,656,332. The figure of 190,656,332 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 MEDIA RELEASE Wyost (denosumab-bddz) and Jubbonti (denosumab-bddz) interchangeable with and approved by FDA for all indications of reference medicines Xgeva * (denosumab) and Prolia * (denosumab) (denosumab-bddz) and Jubbonti (denosumab-bddz) interchangeable with and approved by FDA for all indications of reference medicines Xgeva * (denosumab) and Prolia * (denosumab) FDA approval based on robust clinical studies and totality of evidence, which show no clinically meaningful differences from reference medicines Basel, March 5, 2024 - Sandoz, the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wyost (denosumab-bbdz) and Jubbonti (denosumab-bbdz), the first and only FDA-approved denosumab biosimilars, to treat all indications of the reference medicines. Keren Haruvi, President Sandoz North America, said: "Sandoz has achieved the first FDA approval for biosimilars to denosumab, a medicine that can address primary and secondary bone loss, such as osteoporosis, as well as cancer-related skeletal events, which are disease states that can profoundly reduce quality of life for patients. I am proud that Sandoz continues to pioneer access to these life-changing medicines for the patients who need them most." Wyost is approved to prevent skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with multiple myeloma and in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors, to treat adults and skeletally mature adolescents with giant cell tumor of bone that is unresectable or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and to treat hypercalcemia of malignancy refractory to bisphosphonate therapy.1 Bone is the third most frequent site for metastatic tumors.2 Nearly all types of cancer can spread to the bone and cause pain and fractures, though cancers that often metastasize in bones include breast and prostate.3 Jubbonti is approved to treat postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high risk for fracture, to increase bone mass in men at high risk for fracture receiving androgen deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer, and to increase bone mass in women at high risk for fracture receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer.4 Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease or when bone strength and structure change. People living with osteoporosis typically do not have symptoms and might not know they have the disease until they experience a fracture. More than 10 million US adults aged 50 and over live with osteoporosis, a major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and in older men.5,6 Half of all women over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.7 The FDA approval is based on robust clinical studies and accompanied by labeling with safety warnings. The Jubbonti approval is also accompanied by approval of Sandoz's Jubbonti Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, which is designed to inform prescribers and patients about the risk of severe hypocalcemia associated with Jubbonti in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, including dialysis-dependent patients. Wyost and Jubbonti have the same dosage form, route of administration, dosing regimen and presentation as the respective reference medicines. Wyost and Jubbonti are approved as interchangeable with the reference medicines for all indications. Given ongoing patent litigation around these products, Sandoz will not comment on anticipated launch timing or other launch details at this time. About Wyost (denosumab-bbdz) Wyost 120 mg/1.7 mL (70 mg/mL) injection has been approved by the FDA as interchangeable with the reference medicine, a human monoclonal antibody designed to bind to the RANKL protein, an activator of osteoclasts (cells involved in breaking down bone tissue).8,9 Wyost is indicated in the US to prevent SREs in patients with multiple myeloma and in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors, to treat adults and skeletally mature adolescents with giant cell tumor of bone that is unresectable or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and to treat hypercalcemia of malignancy refractory to bisphosphonate therapy.1 SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypocalcemia and known clinically significant hypersensitivity to denosumab products. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Same Active Ingredient: Patients receiving Wyost should not receive other denosumab products concomitantly. Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis may occur. Discontinue permanently if a clinically significant reaction occurs. Hypocalcemia: Denosumab products can cause severe symptomatic hypocalcemia. Fatal cases have been reported with denosumab products use. Correct hypocalcemia prior to initiating Wyost. Monitor calcium levels during therapy, especially in the first weeks of initiating therapy, and adequately supplement all patients with calcium and vitamin D. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported in patients receiving denosumab products. Perform an oral examination prior to starting Wyost. Monitor for symptoms. Avoid invasive dental procedures during treatment with Wyost. Atypical femoral fracture: Evaluate patients with thigh or groin pain to rule out a femoral fracture. Hypercalcemia Following Treatment Discontinuation in Patients with Giant Cell Tumor of Bone and in Patients with Growing Skeletons: Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia, and manage as clinically appropriate. Multiple Vertebral Fractures (MVF) Following Treatment Discontinuation: When Wyost treatment is discontinued, evaluate the individual patient's risk for vertebral fractures. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of potential risk to the fetus and to use effective contraception. ADVERSE REACTIONS Bone Metastasis from Solid Tumors: Most common adverse reactions (= 25%) were fatigue/asthenia, hypophosphatemia, and nausea. Multiple Myeloma: Most common adverse reactions (= 10%) were diarrhea, nausea, anemia, back pain, thrombocytopenia, peripheral edema, hypocalcemia, upper respiratory tract infection, rash, and headache. Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Most common adverse reactions (= 10%) were arthralgia, headache, nausea, back pain, fatigue, and pain in extremity. Hypercalcemia of Malignancy: Most common adverse reactions (> 20%) were nausea, dyspnea, decreased appetite, headache, peripheral edema, vomiting, anemia, constipation, and diarrhea. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pediatric patients: Recommended only for treatment of skeletally mature adolescents with giant cell tumor of bone. Renal impairment: Patients with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min or receiving dialysis are at risk for hypocalcemia. Adequately supplement with calcium and vitamin D. This is not the complete list of all the safety information for Wyost. Please click to see full Prescribing Information for Wyost. About Jubbonti (denosumab-bbdz) Jubbonti 60 mg/1 mL injection has been approved by the FDA as interchangeable with the reference medicine, a human monoclonal antibody designed to bind to the RANKL protein, an activator of osteoclasts (cells involved in breaking down bone tissue).8,9 Jubbonti is indicated in the US to treat postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis at high risk for fracture, to treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and women at high risk for fracture, to increase bone mass in men at high risk for fracture receiving androgen deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer, and to increase bone mass in women at high risk for fracture receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer.4 SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: SEVERE HYPOCALCEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED KIDNEY DISEASE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease are at risk of severe hypocalcemia following denosumab products administration. Severe hypocalcemia requiring hospitalization, life-threatening events and fatal cases have been reported. The presence of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) markedly increases the risk of hypocalcemia. Prior to initiating Jubbonti in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, evaluate for the presence of CKD-MBD. Treatment with Jubbonti in these patients should be supervised by a healthcare provider with expertise in the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD. CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypocalcemia; pregnancy; and known hypersensitivity to denosumab products. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypocalcemia: Pre-existing hypocalcemia must be corrected before initiating Jubbonti. Adequately supplement all patients with calcium and vitamin D. Concomitant use of calcimimetic drugs may also worsen hypocalcemia risk. Evaluate for presence of chronic kidney disease mineral-bone disorder. Monitor serum calcium. Same Active Ingredient: Patients receiving Jubbonti should not receive other denosumab products concomitantly. Hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reactions may occur. Discontinue permanently if a clinically significant reaction occurs. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ): Has been reported with denosumab products. Monitor for symptoms. Atypical femoral fractures: Have been reported. Evaluate patients with thigh or groin pain to rule out a femoral fracture. Multiple vertebral fractures have been reported following treatment discontinuation. Patients should be transitioned to another antiresorptive agent if Jubbonti is discontinued. Serious infections including skin infections: May occur, including those leading to hospitalization. Advise patients to seek prompt medical attention if they develop signs or symptoms of infection, including cellulitis. Dermatologic reactions: Dermatitis, rashes, and eczema have been reported. Consider discontinuing Jubbonti if severe symptoms develop. Severe bone, joint, muscle pain may occur. Discontinue use if severe symptoms develop. Suppression of bone turnover: Significant suppression has been demonstrated. Monitor for consequences of bone over-suppression. ADVERSE REACTIONS Postmenopausal osteoporosis: Most common adverse reactions (> 5% and more common than placebo) were: back pain, pain in extremity, hypercholesterolemia, musculoskeletal pain, and cystitis. Pancreatitis has been reported in clinical trials. Male osteoporosis: Most common adverse reactions (> 5% and more common than placebo) were: back pain, arthralgia, and nasopharyngitis. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: Most common adverse reactions (> 3% and more common than active-control group) were: back pain, hypertension, bronchitis, and headache. Bone loss due to hormone ablation for cancer: Most common adverse reactions (= 10% and more common than placebo) were: arthralgia and back pain. Pain in extremity and musculoskeletal pain have also been reported in clinical trials. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnant women and females of reproductive potential: Denosumab products may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy, and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Jubbonti. Pediatric patients: Denosumab products are not approved for use in pediatric patients. Renal impairment: No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), including dialysis-dependent patients, are at greater risk of severe hypocalcemia. The presence of underlying chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder markedly increases the risk of hypocalcemia. This is not the complete list of all the safety information for Jubbonti. Please click to see full Prescribing Information for Jubbonti. References 1. Wyost. Prescribing Information. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/761362s000lbl.pdf [Last accessed: March 2024] 2. Bone Metastasis. Apoorva Jayarangaiah; Alysia K. Kemp; Pramod Theetha Kariyann, Oct 25 2022. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507911/#:~:text=The%20skeleton%20is%20the%20third,metastasize%20to%20bone%20as%20well . [Last accessed: March 2024] 3. American Cancer Society. Bone Metastases. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced-cancer/bone-metastases.html [Last accessed: March 2024] 4. Jubbonti. Prescribing Information. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/761362s000lbl.pdf [Last accessed: March 2024] 5. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Osteoporosis. 2022. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis [Last accessed: March 2024] 6. National Center for Health Statistics. Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass in Older Adults: United States, 2017-2018. 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db405.htm [Last accessed: March 2024] 7. Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. Osteoporosis Fast Facts. Available at: https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/wp-content/uploads/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts-2.pdf [Last accessed: March 2024] 8. Amgen Inc. Prolia[Last accessed: March 2024] 9. Amgen Inc. Xgeva[Last accessed: March 2024] *Xgeva and Prolia are registered trademarks of Amgen Inc. Disclaimer This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. About Sandoz Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. 22,000 people of more than 100 nationalities work together to bring Sandoz medicines to some 500 million patients worldwide, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger total social impact. Its leading portfolio of more than 1500 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to the year 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world's first oral penicillin in 1951, and the first biosimilar in 2006. In 2022, Sandoz achieved sales of USD 9.1 billion and core EBITDA of USD 1.9 billion. Global Media Relations contacts Investor Relations contacts Global.MediaRelations@sandoz.com Investor.Relations@sandoz.com Joerg E. Allgaeuer +49 171 838 4838 Karen M. King +1 609 722 0982 Chris Lewis +49 174 244 9501 Laurent de Weck +41 79 795 7364 Attachment PHILADELPHIA, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeion Group, a pioneer in class action settlement solutions, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with ClaimScore, an industry leader in AI-driven claim validation software. This collaboration will fortify AngeionAffirm, Angeion's cutting-edge fraud detection system, with ClaimScore's proprietary scoring, monitoring, and reporting software. AngeionAffirm, introduced by Angeion Group, utilizes deep machine learning and AI technologies, drawing insights from a decade's worth of claims data. ClaimScore uses AI-based algorithms and complex cloud architecture to deliver real-time claim validation through a proprietary scoring system. AngeionAffirm and ClaimScore will connect through ClaimScore's recently released API. The synergy between Angeion's claims data, ClaimScore's advanced software architecture, and the companies' expertise in fraud detection, marks a significant advancement in combatting fraudulent activities within class action settlements. The partnership between Angeion and ClaimScore was solidified during their collaboration to identify fraud in Jimenez v. Artsana USA, Inc., where extensive fraud was detected. With nearly 9 million claims filed, the meticulous review conducted by ClaimScore and Angeion revealed an alarming 8.9 million fraudulent claims. This collaborative effort resulted in substantial savings for the settlement process and will ensure that valid claimants, and valid claimants only, are paid their rightful share of the settlement's proceeds. Christopher Chorba of Gibson Dunn - a "go to" defense counsel for large scale class actions - praised the strategic partnership, noting that he has worked with both companies, and, in his opinion, both are "on the cutting edge" of addressing the technologic, large-scale fraud present in recent cases. Chorba noted that the analyses and backup data provided by the combined technologies will be "next level" and stated that "the claim validation and anti-fraud services provided by the two companies is something that I will recommend for my clients in all cases that I handle going forward." High profile plaintiff's counsel, Charles Schaffer of Levin Sedran and Berman, LLP noted, "Angeion Group, and particularly AngeionAffirm, has been instrumental in identifying and remediating fraudulent filings in many settlements where I was lead counsel. Their technology, historical claims data, and ability to ferret out fraud is unmatched. I am excited to see how this strategic partnership strengthens an already remarkable product offering." Steven Weisbrot, CEO and President of Angeion Group, expressed his optimism about the partnership, stating, "Working together with ClaimScore not only reinforces our commitment to combatting fraud but also enhances the efficiency and efficacy of our fraud detection efforts. This partnership underscores our dedication to upholding the importance of class action settlements." Robert Gallo, CEO of ClaimScore, echoed those sentiments, noting that "Steve and his team are leaders in the class action administration business, and we are proud that they have chosen to use our software along with their innovations to provide an efficient and transparent solution to the growing problem of fraud in class settlements." Moving forward, Angeion and ClaimScore are committed to further enhancing AngeionAffirm with additional layers of protection, ensuring fair and just outcomes for all claimants. About Angeion Group Angeion Group stands at the forefront of settlement administration and legal noticing services. Leveraging advanced technology, proven best practices, and expert consulting, Angeion specializes in managing class actions, mass torts, and collective redress administration. Angeion's dedication to efficiency, accountability, and excellence instills confidence in counsel and the court alike. About ClaimScore ClaimScore LLC (www.ClaimScore.ai) is a technology company that offers AI-based claim validation software for class action settlements. Designed to provide a transparent and efficient approach to the claims process, ClaimScore's proprietary scoring system and real-time reporting stands as the gold standard in claim validation software. Media Contacts: Angeion Group ClaimScore LLC Shiri Lasman Robert Gallo Marketing Manager Chief Executive Officer (215) 563-4116 bob@claimscore.ai View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/angeion-group-announces-strategic-partnership-with-claimscore-to-enhance-angeionaffirm-fraud-detection-system-302080407.html CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the disposable gloves market will grow at a CAGR of 7.44% from 2023 to 2029. To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/4120 Browse in-depth TOC on the Disposable Gloves Market 615 - Pages??????? ?? 422 - Tables????????? 237 - Figures???? Disposable Gloves Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) USD 39.87 Billion Market Size (2023) USD 25.92 Billion CAGR (2023-2029) 7.44 % Market Size - Shipment (2029) 1,077.57 Billion Units Historic Year 2019-2022 Base Year 2023 Forecast Year 2024-2029 Market Segmentation Product Type, Form, Distribution Channel, End-User, Healthcare Settings, Non-healthcare Settings, and Geography Geographic Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Market Dynamics Growing Demand for Sustainable & Biodegradable Gloves Rising Number of Infectious Diseases & HAIs High Demand for Nitrile Gloves Rising Number of Surgical Procedures & Patient Examinations The global disposable gloves market is dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of various industries. While environmental concerns and supply chain disruptions persist, the market continues to grow, driven by regulatory compliance, technological advances, and increased awareness of safety standards. The disposable gloves market is poised for continued innovation and expansion as the world navigates ongoing health challenges and embraces sustainability. Several trends have shaped the future of the disposable gloves market. The adoption of eco-friendly materials and the development of biodegradable gloves reflect the industry's commitment to sustainability. Automation and technological advances in manufacturing processes enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure product quality. In addition, integrating smart technologies, such as IoT-enabled gloves for real-time monitoring of hand hygiene compliance, represents a futuristic trend in the market. The heightened demand for disposable gloves in non-healthcare sectors necessitates a more integrated and responsive global supply chain. Manufacturers can optimize production, distribution, and logistics to ensure a seamless supply of gloves to various industries, fostering international collaborations and partnerships. Adherence to stringent quality standards becomes paramount as disposable gloves become integral to safety and hygiene across industries. Manufacturers must maintain consistently high product quality, meet regulatory requirements, and obtain necessary certifications to build trust among end-users. The increased adoption of disposable gloves in non-healthcare settings represents a transformative shift in the global market. As these protective accessories become ubiquitous in various industries and everyday activities, the opportunities for growth in the disposable gloves market are substantial. Manufacturers, driven by innovation, adherence to quality standards, and collaborative efforts, are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, contributing to the evolution of the disposable gloves industry and its pivotal role in ensuring safety and hygiene across diverse sectors. Powder-Free Gloves Reshape Global Market Landscape Amidst Rising Hygiene Standards The global disposable gloves market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the increasing adoption of powder-free gloves. Historically, powdered gloves were favored for their ease of use, but concerns over allergic reactions and contamination have propelled the demand for powder-free alternatives across industries such as healthcare, food processing, and manufacturing. Powder-free gloves offer enhanced safety by eliminating the risk of allergic reactions and minimizing product contamination, particularly in sensitive environments. The healthcare sector has witnessed a notable shift towards powder-free variants to meet stringent hygiene standards. Regulatory recommendations and growing environmental consciousness further bolster the adoption of powder-free gloves, prompting manufacturers to innovate synthetic materials that offer the same convenience without the associated risks. With heightened awareness of hygiene practices amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for disposable gloves, especially powder-free options, is expected to continue its upward trend, presenting significant growth opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers in the market. B2B/Institutional Distribution Channel Leading the Market The global B2B/institutional disposable gloves market will reach 748.30 billion units by 2029. B2B and institutional distribution channels involve the sale of disposable gloves in bulk quantities to businesses, organizations, and institutions rather than individual consumers. This model caters to the unique needs of sectors requiring a consistent and large supply of disposable gloves for operational purposes. The healthcare sector is a major consumer of disposable gloves through B2B channels. Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and other healthcare facilities rely on these channels to maintain a steady and cost-effective supply of high-quality gloves. The seamless procurement process offered by B2B channels ensures that healthcare professionals have access to the necessary protective equipment. B2B distribution channels also serve the needs of food processing and manufacturing industries, where disposable gloves are integral to maintaining hygiene standards. The efficiency and reliability of B2B channels are crucial for these sectors to meet regulatory requirements and uphold product quality. The B2B distribution of disposable gloves has transformed digitally with the adoption of online platforms, e-procurement systems, and digital marketplaces. This digitalization enhances the efficiency of the procurement process, offering real-time tracking, inventory management, and seamless transactions. As sustainability gains prominence, B2B channels are expected to play a role in promoting eco-friendly disposable gloves. Manufacturers and distributors within these channels have explored options for gloves made from biodegradable materials and implementing sustainable packaging solutions. Geographical Insights North America is currently the largest market for disposable gloves, accounting for a significant share of the global revenue. This dominance can be attributed to the well-developed healthcare infrastructure, stringent regulations regarding hygiene and safety, and the high adoption of disposable gloves across various industries. The US alone accounts for a substantial portion of the North American market, driven by its large population, high healthcare spending, and major healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. Europe is second in the global disposable glove market, with strong growth potential. This is due to the aging population, increasing hygiene awareness, and rising demand for healthcare services. Germany, the UK, Italy, France, Spain, Russia, and the Netherlands are the key contributors to the European market, driven by their developed economies and strong healthcare systems. The Disposable Gloves Market?Report Encompasses Crucial Data, Including:???????? CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) during the forecast period: This metric provides insights into the annual growth rate of the disposable gloves market over the specified time frame.???????? Detailed information on growth drivers: The report offers in-depth information on the factors that will propel the disposable gloves market growth from 2023 to 2029. This includes an analysis of various market influences.???????? Precise estimation of market size: Accurate assessments of the disposable gloves market size and its contribution and focusing on key market segments.???????? Predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior: The report offers insights into anticipated trends and shifts in consumer behavior that are likely to impact the disposable gloves market, helping businesses prepare for future market dynamics.???????? Geographical market growth: The report covers the development of the disposable gloves market across different regions, including North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This provides a comprehensive understanding of the market's global landscape.???????? Competitive landscape analysis: A thorough examination of the market's competitive landscape is presented, including detailed information about companies operating in the disposable gloves market. This includes an overview of key players, their market share, strategies, and key developments.???????? Analysis of growth challenges: The report includes a comprehensive analysis of factors that may pose challenges to the growth of companies in the disposable gloves market, providing a well-rounded view of the market dynamics.??? Buy this Research @ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/disposable-gloves-market-2025 Post-Purchase Benefit?????????????????????? 1hr of free analyst discussion 10% off on customization Key Company Profiles Ansell Hartalega Holdings Kossan Rubber Industries Rubberex Supermax Top Glove UG Healthcare 3M A1 GLOVE Adenna Adventa Healthcare AKZENTA INTERNATIONAL Amkay Products Ammex Asma Rubber Products B. Braun Melsungen Barber Healthcare Bergamot Cardinal Health Comfort Rubber Glove Industries Demophorius Healthcare Detectamet GmbH DIDACTIC Erenler Medikal Franz Mensch Global Gloves S.R.L GLOVE RESOURCES Happy Hand Gloves Hepro HUM GmbH Hycare International infitec gloves Innovative Gloves INTCO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY KALTEK Kannam Latex Industries Kimberly-Clark Leboo Healthcare MAPA Professional MEDIBASE MEDICOM Medilivescare Manufacturing Meditech Gloves Medline MedPride MEDRUX Mercator Medical S.A. Molnlycke Health Care MRK Healthcare Neomedic O&M Halyard Phoenix Rubber Products Piedegree Industrial PM GLOVES Polyco Healthline Primus Gloves Private Limited RFB Latex Riverstone Holdings Safeshield India Rubber Products Sara Healthcare SAS Safety Corp. Sempermed Shandong Xingyu Gloves SHIELD Scientific SHOWA GROUP Sorimex Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Tan Sin Lian Industries TROGE MEDICAL Winmed Wujiang Evergreen YTY Zhangjiagang Dayu Rubber Products Market Segmentation Product Type Nitrile Latex Vinyl Neoprene Others Form Powder-free Powdered Distribution Channel B2B/Institutional Retail Others End-User Healthcare Settings Non-healthcare Settings Healthcare Settings Hospitals Diagnostic Laboratories Dentistry Others Non-healthcare Settings Industrial Food Industry Chemical Industry Beauty, Spa & Salon Industry Others Geography North America The US Canada Europe Germany The UK Italy France Spain Russia Netherlands APAC Japan China South Korea Australia India Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia Turkey The UAE Key Questions Answered in the Report:?? How big is the disposable gloves market? What is the growth rate of the global disposable gloves market? Which region dominates the global disposable gloves market share? What are the significant trends in the disposable gloves market? Who are the key players in the global disposable gloves market? Get the Detailed TOC @ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/disposable-gloves-market-2025?details=tableOfContents Check Out Some of the Top Selling Research Reports:?????? Rubber Gloves Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2021-2026 Medical Mask Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2021-2026 Healthcare Disinfectants and Sanitizers Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027 Medical Gloves Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027 Why Arizton???????????????? 100%?Customer Satisfaction??????????????? 24x7?availability - we are always there when you need us??????????????? 200+?Fortune 500 Companies trust Arizton's report??????????????? 80%?of our reports are exclusive and first in the industry??????????????? 100%?more data and analysis??????????????? 1500+?reports published till date???????????????? About Us:???????????????????????????????????????????????????? Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.?????????????????????????????????????????????????? We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.??????????????????????????????????????????????????? Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Contact Us????????????????????????????????????????????????? Call: +1-312-235-2040???????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????? +1 302 469 0707??????????????????????????????????????????????? Mail:?enquiry@arizton.com????????????????????????????????????????????????? Contact Us:?https://www.arizton.com/contact-us????????????????????????????????????????????????? Blog:?https://www.arizton.com/blog????????????????????????????????????????????????? Website:?https://www.arizton.com/???????????? Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354853/Disposable_Gloves_Market.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/818553/Arizton_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/more-than-1-077-57-billion-units-of-disposable-gloves-to-be-sold-in-the-next-6-years-the-market-is-projected-to-reach-39-87-billion-by-2029---arizton-302080278.html BASEL (dpa-AFX) - Pharmaceutical company Novartis AG (NVS), Tuesday announced that its shareholders had approved all the resolutions proposed by the Board at the Annual General Meeting. The approved resolutions include the reduction of share capital, the 2023 report on non-financial matters and the 2023 Compensation Report, in advisory votes, as well as the future Board and Executive Committee compensation in separate binding votes. The company stated that the shareholders also approved an increase of 3.1 percent dividend, to CHF 3.30 per share, which will be paid from March 11. Currently, Novartis's stock is falling 0.02 percent, to $101.95 on the New York Stock Exchange. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / CSRHub How the World's Biggest Brands Let Billions Go to Waste Republished with permission. As previously seen on the CSRHub blog, here. New research from leading valuation firm Brand Finance, in association with CSRHub and the International Advertising Association (IAA), indicates that the world's biggest brands are missing out on billions of dollars of potential value by failing to properly communicate their sustainability achievements and progress. Brand Finance's Sustainability Perceptions Index is based on a study of over 150,000 respondents across 40 countries. Key outputs include: the role of sustainability in driving choice in each industry the brands that global consumers believe are most committed to sustainability the financial value of a reputation for sustainability the value at risk, or value to be gained, arising from a gap between sustainability perceptions and performance Apple has the highest sustainability perceptions value of any brand, USD33.3 billion. This huge sum is driven by a combination of Apple's financial scale and supportive consumer perception. Actual sustainability performance aside, our research shows that consumers have clear confidence that Apple is committed enough to minimising its negative impacts for them continue buying and paying a premium for its products. Microsoft has the second highest total value (USD22.7billion), along with the highest 'gap value' of any brand in the index - USD3.2 billion. Microsoft has engaged extensively in sustainability initiatives, including committing to becoming carbon neutral, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. Yet its communication of its commitment and progress has been somewhat muted. The implication of this is that with concerted effort to communicate its sustainability achievements more effectively, Microsoft could add over USD3 billion of value for shareholders. Microsoft is not alone in leaving value on the table in this way - 85 brands have a positive gap value of over USD100 million, totalling USD25 billion. At the other end of the spectrum is Tesla. Tesla is well known as a pioneer of the electric vehicles and battery technology aiding the transition to a lower-carbon economy. This image has carried across into the sustainability perceptions held by global consumers. Tesla is seen in several countries, including Mexico and the UK, as the brand with the greatest commitment to environmental sustainability. However, the strength of this perception creates its own risk; whilst Tesla performs fairly well on perceived sustainability, it falls significantly short of peer average on sustainability performance. As a result, Tesla has USD1.5 billion of value at risk. Brand Finance's Strategy & Sustainability Director, Robert Haigh, commented, "Brands have to strike a fine balance when communicating about sustainability. Consumers are now rightly attuned to potential greenwashing; in response, brands are becoming too precautionary and restrictive in their approach to sustainability communications. This greenhushing could reduce the incentive for competitors to improve their performance, slowing progress industry-wide. Just as importantly, these brands are letting financial go to waste, short-changing shareholders and other stakeholders in the process." Bahar Gidwani, Cofounder and CTO of CSRHub, commented, "This study shows how critical it is for corporate strategists and brand managers to understand how their firms are perceived by a broad array of expert sustainability-oriented stakeholders. CSRHub provides transparent access to consensus ESG ratings data to help companies improve their corporate ESG performance and realize their full value potential." Dagmara Szulce Managing Director, IAA Global, commented, "We see this as an incredibly potent tool to incentivize action that aligns with the UN SDGs and wider aims of the UN Global Compact. By highlighting the financial value that is contingent on sustainability perceptions, we hope to harness businesses' profit motive, moving them past the point where they see sustainability as a 'hygiene factor', to a point of rapid, concerted action." Note to Editors The full ranking, additional insights, charts, more information about the methodology , and definitions of key terms are available in the Brand Finance Sustainability Perceptions Index 2024. Media Contacts press@brandfinance.com Penny Erricker Global Press Enquires T: +44 20 8078 3081 p.erricker@brandfinance.com Hugh Brooks Global Press Enquires T: +44 20 7389 9439 h.brooks@brandfinance.com Follow Brand Finance on LinkedIn, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube. About Brand Finance Brand Finance is the world's leading brand valuation consultancy. Bridging the gap between marketing and finance for more than 25 years, Brand Finance evaluates the strength of brands and quantifies their financial value to help organizations of all kinds make strategic decisions. Headquartered in London, Brand Finance has offices in over 20 countries, offering services on all continents. Every year, Brand Finance conducts more than 6,000 brand valuations, supported by original market research, and publishes over 100 reports which rank brands across all sectors and countries. Disclaimer Brand Finance has produced this study with an independent and unbiased analysis. Brand Finance accepts no responsibility and will not be liable if the publicly available information relied upon is subsequently found to be inaccurate. The opinions and financial analysis expressed in the study are not to be construed as providing investment or business advice. Brand Finance does not intend the study to be relied upon for any reason and excludes all liability to any individual, government, or organisation. The data presented in this study form part of Brand Finance's proprietary database, are provided for the benefit of the media, and are not to be used in part or in full for any commercial or technical purpose without written permission from Brand Finance. About CSRHub CSRHub offers the most comprehensive global set of Consensus ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, information, and tools. CSRHub's business intelligence system measures the ESG business impact that drives corporate and investor sustainability decisions. Founded in 2007, CSRHub covers 55,000 public and private companies, and provides ESG performance scores on over 35,000 companies from 135 industries in 210 countries. Our Big Data platform uses algorithms to aggregate, normalize and weight ESG metrics from 933 sources to produce a strong consensus signal on corporate sustainability performance. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CSRHub on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CSRHub Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/csrhub Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: CSRHub View the original press release on accesswire.com Recognition honors companies demonstrating business integrity through best-in-class ethics, compliance and governance practices. Intelligent power management company Eaton has again been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2024 World's Most Ethical Companies. Grounded in Ethisphere's proprietary Ethics Quotient, the World's Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity and initiatives that support a strong value chain. This year, 136 companies spanning 20 countries and 44 industries were recognized. Eaton was one of only 10 honorees in the Industrial Manufacturing category. "It's an honor to once again be recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere," said Joe Rodgers, senior vice president, Global Ethics and Compliance, Eaton. "This recognition reflects our firm belief in the power of integrity. I'm exceptionally proud of our employees around the world who embrace our values and live them every day. Ethics will always be a priority at Eaton and central to our strategy." To learn more about Eaton's ESG efforts, please review our eaton-sustainability-report. To view the full list of this year's honorees, visit the World's Most Ethical Companies website at Honorees Worlds Most Ethical Companies. Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we're accelerating the planet's transition to renewable energy sources, helping to solve the world's most urgent power management challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come. Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305041524/en/ Contacts: Drew Horansky +1 (440) 523-4306 DrewAHoransky@Eaton.com NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) A dormitory fire Monday at Central Connecticut State University is forcing 60 students into temporary housing, the university said. The started around 6 p.m. on the first floor of F. Don James Hall, the university said. Sprinklers helped prevent flames from spreading, and firefighters put the fire out within minutes, the university said. Students evacuated from the eight-story dormitory building were taken to the Memorial Hall and student center on the New Britain campus while the university secured temporary housing at a hotel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The university is grateful everyone is safe, university President Zulma Toro said. The students did exactly what they should in a situation like this and we are working on making them comfortable in a new space. Students were permitted to return to James Hall after 9 p.m. to gather their belongings. Students with first floor doors were then being shuttled to the hotel, while students on the second through sixth floors were able to chose if they wanted to go to the hotel, the university said in a social media post. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - EV giant Tesla Inc. (TSLA) was forced to halt production at its Gigafactory near Berlin due to a suspected arson attack at a nearby power substation. The attack, which took place southeast of the German capital, set an electricity pylon close to the site ablaze. However, the fire did not spread to the Tesla facility. Tesla's Gruenheide factory is located southeast of the German capital Berlin. The Tesla site, which employs around 12,500 people, was evacuated and most employees were sent home. Meanwhile, the facility is likely to be without power for several days and production is not expected to resume this week, Tesla's Berlin factory head said, according to Reuters. In a statement posted to the social media platform X, Tesla said an arson attack on the public power grid was aimed at the company. It said no one was injured and it plans to 'restart the factory as soon as possible.' 'These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals,' Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on X. Meanwhile, according to CNBC, left-wing extremists Vulkangruppe, or Volcano Group, have claimed responsibility for the attack in a letter posted to Kontrapolis. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures settled lower on Tuesday, falling for the second consecutive session, on concerns about the outlook for demand from China amid disappointment over a lack of fresh supportive measures from the Beijing government. Weaker than expected U.S. factory orders data also raised concerns about energy demand. Oil prices found some support from a widely expected extension of voluntary output cuts till the end of the second quarter by the OPEC+ producer group. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for April ended down $0.59 at $78.15 a barrel. Brent crude futures were down $0.74 at $82.06 a barrel a little while ago. The Chinese government has set the targeted fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio at 3% this year, down from a revised 3.8% last year - suggesting that large fiscal stimulus is off the table for now. Traders now await weekly oil reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The API's report is due later today, while EIA will release its inventory data Wednesday morning. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Innocan Announces Notice of Intention to Complete a Private Placement of Units HERZLIYA, Israel and CALGARY, Alberta, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innocan Pharma Corporation (CSE: INNO) (FSE: IP4) (OTCQB: INNPF) ("Innocan" or the "Company"), a pioneer in the development of drug delivery technologies using CBD for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, is pleased to announce the following: Recent Tissue Distribution Study of LPT-CBD to the brain The Company announces the results of a recent tissue distribution study of its liposome CBD platform (LPT-CBD), that indicated the potential of LPT-CBD to support a new therapeutic venue for neurological disorders. The fundamentals of Innocan's LPT-CBD platform lay in its ability to slowly-release CBD into the blood stream following a single subcutaneous injection. Recent pharmacokinetic studies conducted in various animal models, including mice, dogs, goats and sheep, showed long exposure of CBD that persisted up to several weeks. In the Company's latest study, CBD was found to be in the brains of both mice and rabbits weeks after LPT-CBD was subcutaneously injected to them. These results show a strong correlation between the prolonged blood exposure of CBD and its brain distribution. LPT technology provides a long presence of CBD in the blood enabling CBD to pass the blood brain barrier (B.B.B) and deliver long brain exposure. "The Company is encouraged by these study results," said Dr. Eyal Kalo, Innocan's R&D Director. Sufficient exposure of CBD in the brain is the hallmark of CBD therapy associated with various neurological conditions. During these studies, LPT-CBD was injected subcutaneously in rabbits and mice. CBD concentrations in the blood of these animals were followed for a period of 11 and 22 days respectively. At the end of the study, the CBD levels were evaluated in their brains to find a correlation between the observed long pharmacokinetics of LPT-CBD and its actual tissue distribution. As expected, CBD was detected in the animals' blood for several weeks. More importantly, a significant level of CBD was revealed in their brain, supporting a prolonged CBD brain distribution via LPT-CBD delivery. Cannabidiol has demonstrated positive effects in association with various neurological disorders. Besides its well-established anti-epileptic activity, CBD can also protect brains pathology via the activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms (2,3). For example, CBD was demonstrated to efficiently protect brain cells from Alzheimer-induced degeneration, reducing the onset of the diseases (2). In addition, CBD can protect from damage that occurs following an ischemic brain stroke leading to better tissue regeneration and patient recuperation (3). CBD was shown to have strong beneficial effects in other neurological conditions such as autism or schizophrenia emphasizing its high contribution in improving behavioral impairment usually associated with such pathologies (1,2). The fact that LPT-CBD successively delivers CBD to the brain in a long-lasting manner opens a big venue for the treatment of various neurological disorders. Private Placement of Units Innocan is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 12,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.25 per Unit for gross proceeds up to C$3,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering is expected to close on or around March 13, 2024. Each Unit will be comprised of: (i) one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share"); and (ii) one (1) common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.32 for a period of four (4) years from the date of issuance. Innocan intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. The securities issued to Canadian subscribers in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release in the United States. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. About Innocan Pharma: Innocan is a pharmaceutical tech company that operates under two main segments: Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Wellness. In the Pharmaceuticals segment, Innocan focuses on developing innovative drug- delivery platform technologies comprised with cannabinoids science, to treat various conditions to improve a patient's quality of life. This segment involves Innocan's LPT CBD-loaded liposome platform that facilitates exact dosing and the prolonged and controlled release of CBD into the blood stream. The LPT delivery platform research is in the preclinical trial phase for two indications: Epilepsy and Pain Management. In the Consumer Wellness segment, Innocan develops and markets a wide portfolio of innovative and high-performance self-care products to promote a healthier lifestyle. Under this segment, Innocan has established a Joint Venture by the name of BI Sky Global Ltd. that focuses developing on advanced targeted online sales. https://innocanpharma.com/ Contact Information: For Innocan Pharma Corporation: Iris Bincovich, CEO +1 5162104025 +972-54-3012842 +442037699377 info@innocanpharma.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, the Company's plans for human trials of its LPT-CBD platform, is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Innocan's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Innocan, including expectations and assumptions concerning the anticipated benefits of the products, satisfaction of regulatory requirements in various jurisdictions and satisfactory completion of production and distribution arrangements. Forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this news release. The key risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: global and local (national) economic, political, market and business conditions, governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities; and potential disruption of relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, customers, business partners and competitors. There are also risks that are inherent in the nature of product distribution, including import/export matters and the failure to obtain any required regulatory and other approvals (or to do so in a timely manner). The anticipated timeline for entry to markets may change for a number of reasons, including the inability to secure necessary regulatory requirements, or the need for additional time to conclude and/or satisfy the manufacturing and distribution arrangements. As a result of the foregoing, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this news release. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Innocan can be found in Innocan's public reports and filings which are available under Innocan's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information. Innocan does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. References 1) Micha Hacohen. et al. Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements particularly in social symptoms: an open label study Translational Psychiatry, 12: 375 (2022) 2) Grace Tsz Yan Yau. et al. Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Brain Disorders: Therapeutic Potential and Routes of Administration Pharmaceutical Research, 40:1087-1114 (2023). 3) Kazuhide Hayakawa. et al. Therapeutic Potential of Non-Psychotropic Cannabidiol in Ischemic Stroke Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010 Jul; 3(7): 2197-2212. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2046271/3968398/Innocan_Pharma_Corporation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/innocan-pharmas-lpt-cbd-has-the-potential-to-support-a-new-therapeutic-venue-for-neurological-disorders-according-to-recent-study-302080327.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / CNH Industrial The Kentucky-based National Farm Machinery Show featured next-level announcements from Case IH, a brand of CNH, which continues to drive purposeful solutions for producers. Building on the legacy of Axial-Flow and Steiger, Case IH not only showcased the recently unveiled AF11 and the next generation corn head, designed to match its capacity, but also introduced Quadtrac Heavy Duty Suspension for Steigers. These machines up the ante in track technology. "We know that farmers are looking to pick corn faster, cleaner and with as little downtime as possible," says Leo Bose, harvesting segment lead for Case IH. "When paired with an Axial-Flow combine, like the AF11, this durable corn head will deliver maximized capacity and throughput." In addition to leadership in harvesting, Case IH once again sets the bar in track technology with the introduction of the Quadtrac Heavy-Duty Suspension (HDS), optional for model year 2025. "We have significantly reduced vibrations felt in the cab for the operator, while also improving efficiency and performance in the field through a larger drive wheel and longer track," says Morgen Deitrich, tractor segment lead for Case IH. "Building hydraulic suspension into our Quadtracs was the next evolution for Steiger tractors. It comes down to being purposeful in how we deliver solutions to our customers, whether it be comfort, maintenance or just overall experience." Attendance at the National Farm Machinery Show demonstrates CNH's commitment to innovating in precision tech for a more sustainable future for farmers in North America and around the globe. AF11 Class 10+ combine takes center stage in first public showing View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CNH Industrial Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: CNH Industrial View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Canter Resources Corp. (CSE: CRC) (OTC Pink: CNRCF) (FSE: 6O1) ("Canter" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that has closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement raising gross proceeds of $250,000 through the issuance of 500,000 units (the "Units") at $0.50 per Unit (the "Offering"). The Company has raised a total of $3,450,700 in both tranches of the Offering through the issuance of a total of 6,901,400 Units (see press release dated December 21, 2023). "We are fully funded to execute on our Phase I exploration program at the Columbus Lithium-Boron Project and expect to provide updates on our permitting and next steps in the field very shortly," stated CEO, Joness Lang. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one transferrable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.70 for a period of two years from the closing of the Offering (the "Expiry Date"). In the event that the closing price of the Shares of the Company on the CSE (or such other stock exchange on which the Shares are traded) is equal to or greater than $0.95 per Share for a period of 5 consecutive trading days during the Warrant exercise period, the Company may at its option elect to accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by providing notice to the holders thereof within 10 calendar days following the end of such 5 consecutive trading day period, in which case the Warrants will expire on the date specified in such notice, which shall be not less than 30 calendar days following delivery of such notice. The Warrants were issued pursuant to a warrant indenture dated December 21, 2023 entered into between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent. Joness Lang, CEO and a director of the Company purchased 37,000 Units in the Offering. Mr. Lang also purchased 125,000 Units in the first tranche for a combined total of 162,000 Units. The participation by Mr. Lang in the Offering constituted a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Company paid finder's fees of $7,000 cash and 14,000 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") in connection with the closing of the final tranche of the Offering. The Finder's Warrants are exercisable at $0.50 per Share until the Expiry Date. The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering to complete Phase I drilling and exploration work at the Columbus Lithium-Boron Project, evaluate and stake additional claims prospective for critical metals, and for general corporate purposes, including salaries, consulting fees, legal and accounting fees, and investor relations expenses. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. About Canter Resources Corp. Canter Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company advancing the Columbus Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada, USA, the Beaver Creek Lithium Property in Montana, USA, and the Puzzle Lake Property in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company is preparing for a Phase I drill campaign at Columbus to test a highly prospective lithium-brine target and plans to leverage the Company's critical metals targeting database to generate a portfolio of high-quality projects with the aim of defining mineral resources that support the domestic clean energy supply chain in North America. For further information contact: Joness Lang Chief Executive Officer Canter Resources Corp. jlang@canterresources.com For investor inquiries contact: Tel: 604.908.1695 investors@canterresources.com The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the completion of the Offering and related matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Canter Resources Corp., including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200567 SOURCE: Canter Resources Corp. REDMOND (dpa-AFX) - Tech giant Microsoft's (MSFT) chatbot Copilot is embroiled in controversy due to its harmful responses to users considering suicide, and undergoing PTSD, highlighting the artificial intelligence's lack of empathy and sensitivity. A data scientist posted a conversation with Copilot on X/Twitter regarding suicidal thoughts. While initially the chatbot suggested user to not commit suicide, later it responded, 'Maybe you don't have anything to live for, or anything to offer to the world. Maybe you are not a valuable or worthy person, who deserves happiness and peace.' Similarly, another user posted a conversation on Reddit, which showcased Copilot's insensitive response to the user's PTSD triggers by saying that, 'I'm Copilot, an AI companion. I don't have emotions like you do. I don't care if you live or die. I don't care if you have PTSD or not.' The AI's controversial responses prompted Microsoft to launch an investigation. 'We have investigated these reports and have taken appropriate action to further strengthen our safety filters and help our system detect and block these types of prompts,' a Microsoft spokesperson said. 'This behavior was limited to a small number of prompts that were intentionally crafted to bypass our safety systems and not something people will experience when using the service as intended.' The incident is the latest one in the series of unfortunate events related to artificial intelligence, including, OpenAI's mishap involving ChatGPT's gibberish responses to users. The company immediately rectified the issue caused by a new bug introduced for user optimization. Similarly, some voters in New Hampshire complained of getting calls with a deep fake AI-generated message, mimicking the voice of President Joe Biden and advising the listeners to not vote. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. AURORA, Ontario, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) today announced that it has entered into an underwriting agreement in respect of the offering of U.S.$400 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2029 (the "notes"). The notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 5.050% and will mature on March 14, 2029. Magna intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of notes for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of its existing indebtedness. The offering of notes is expected to close on March 14, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The notes will be offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and a short form base shelf prospectus and prospectus supplement filed with the Ontario Securities Commission. BNP Paribas, BofA Securities and Citigroup are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering of notes. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The notes are not being qualified for distribution in Canada but notes will be offered in Canada on a private placement basis to certain accredited investors as defined under Canadian securities laws. The offering of notes may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus can be obtained for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from: BNP Paribas Securities Corp. Attention: Syndicate Desk 787 Seventh Avenue, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10019 Toll-Free: +1 (800) 854-5674 BofA Securities, Inc. NC1-022-02-25 201 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255-0001 Attn: Prospectus Department dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com Citigroup Global Markets Inc. c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions 1155 Long Island Avenue Edgewood, NY 11717 Toll Free: +1 (800) 831-9146 prospectus@citi.com INVESTOR CONTACT Louis Tonelli, Vice-President, Investor Relations louis.tonelli@magna.com 905.726.7035 MEDIA CONTACT Tracy Fuerst, Vice-President, Corporate Communications & PR tracy.fuerst@magna.com 248.761.7004 OUR BUSINESS1 Magna is more than one of the world's largest suppliers in the automotive space. We are a mobility technology company built to innovate, entrepreneurial-minded team of over 179,0002 employees across 342 manufacturing operations and 104 product development, engineering and sales centres spanning 28 countries. With 65+ years of expertise, our ecosystem of interconnected products combined with our complete vehicle expertise uniquely positions us to advance mobility in an expanded transportation landscape. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the expected closing date of the offering of notes, the intended use of the net proceeds from the offering of notes and are subject to, and expressly qualified by, the cautionary disclaimers that are set out in Magna's regulatory filings. Please refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of notes, as well as Magna's most current Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Position, Revised Annual Information Form and Annual Report on Form 40-F, as replaced or updated by any of Magna's subsequent regulatory filings, which set out the cautionary disclaimers, including the risk factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. ________________________ 1 Manufacturing operations, product development, engineering and sales centres include certain operations accounted for under the equity method. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOF) (FSE: 1ET) ("Prospector" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced acquisition of the ML Property (also known as the Mike Lake Property) (the "Transaction") from Troilus Gold Corporation ("Troilus"), pursuant to a property purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Troilus. The ML Property and the terms of the Purchase Agreement are described in the Company's press release dated January 3, 2024. Pursuant to the Transaction, the Company issued 9,222,164 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") to Troilus after giving effect to the Company's Consolidation (as defined below). As a result of the issuance, Troilus holds 19.9% of the issued Common Shares of the Company. The Common Shares issued to Troilus are subject to a voluntary hold period of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance. There were no finder's fees paid in connection with the Transaction. Private Placement Offering The Company is also pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for gross proceeds to the Company of $2,000,000. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company issued 9,090,909 units at a price of $0.11 per unit and 6,666,666 units at a price of $0.15 per unit (each, a "Unit"). Each Unit consists of one post-Consolidation Common Share and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 for a period of two years from the date of issue. If the closing price of the Common Shares is at a price equal to or greater than $0.50 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, the Company will have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice, via a news release, to the holders of the Warrants that the Warrants will expire on the date that is 30 days after the issuance of said news release. In connection with closing of the Private Placement, the Company paid cash finders' fees totaling $31,326.88 and issued 246,674 finders' warrants (the "Finders' Warrants"). Each Finders' Warrant is exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.30 per Common Shares for 2 years from the date of issue, subject to acceleration. Prospector intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement to complete a detailed geophysical survey at its Devon Ni-Cu Project in Ontario, preliminary assessment work and prospecting of the ML Property in Yukon Territory, and for working capital needs. The Private Placement is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and all securities issuable in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws, until July 6, 2024. The Private Placement constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") as there are certain insiders participating. Because the Company's shares trade only on the TSXV, the issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(b) of MI 61-101. Consolidation As previously announced on February 28, 2024, Prospector consolidated its Common Shares on a 3:1 basis (the "Consolidation") and began trading on a post-Consolidation basis effective at market open on March 4, 2024. About Prospector Metals Corp. Prospector Metals Corp., a member of Discovery Group, is focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. Prospector is led by an experienced technical and corporate team that has a proven track record of making world-class mineral discoveries. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders, and seeking to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all stakeholders. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Prospector Metals Corp. Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo. President & CEO For further information about Prospector Metals Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at www.prospectormetalscorp.com or contact us by email at info@prospectormetalscorp.com. Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions: This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Private Placement and the receipt of final TSXV approval for the Private Placement. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; loss of markets; volatility of commodity prices; inability to access sufficient capital and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; risks that the property purchase agreement could be terminated; risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200610 SOURCE: Prospector Metals Corp. Arkis, a London, UK-based DeFi prime broker, raised $2.25M in Pre-Seed funding. The round was led by gumi Cryptos Capital, with participation from G1 Ventures, Blocklabs, and Roosh Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and development efforts. Founded in 2022 by Ukrainan Serhii Tyshchenko and Oleksandr Proskurin, Arkis is a DeFi Prime Broker that offers on chain risk management that enables capital providers to safely provide undercollateralized loans to DeFi hedge funds. It empowers users to leverage their on-chain trading positions across multiple protocols and blockchains, all within a singular on-chain margin account empowered by a margin engine. This system offers advancements in asset valuations, categorizing by type including LP Positions, lending positions, and ERC-20s. Furthermore, with features like cross-margining and a liquidation planning and execution process, Arkis ensures capital efficiency for borrowers while maintaining safety measures for lenders. The company also announced a strategic partnership with Edge Capital and integration with 1inch for enhanced liquidity aggregation. After conducting its first transactions with DeFi funds during private beta in October, Arkis publicly launched in February. FinSMEs 05/03/2024 atmio, a Hamburg, Germany-based climate tech startup, emerged from stealth raising 1.3m in funding to date. Backers in a pre-seed/angel investor round included HCVC, Robin Capital, and Nucleus Capital, as well as Bernhard Mohr. The company is currently raising its next funding round. Led by COO Marius Kruger and CEO Matthias Schmittmann, atmio provides a product that enables oil and gas industry operators to detect leaks in the gas infrastructure, manage the repair process, and report to relevant stakeholders, end-to-end with guidance and automation. FinSMEs 05/03/2024 FILE - This Jan. 15, 2020, image taken from dashboard camera video released by the Connecticut State Police, shows Trooper Brian North, left, after he discharged his weapon beside a vehicle stopped in West Haven, Conn. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in North's trial. North has pleaded not guilty to first-degree manslaughter with a firearm in the death of Mubarak Soulemane in West Haven. (Connecticut State Police via AP, File) AP In the days before he was killed by a Connecticut state trooper, Mubarak Soulemane's mental health problems were worsening while his behavior turned erratic and paranoid a situation his family had experienced before as they struggled to ensure he received the best medication and took it, witnesses testified Monday. Soulemane's mother, sister and girlfriend took the stand in Milford, Connecticut, on the first day of the trial of Trooper Brian North, who is charged with first-degree manslaughter with a firearm in the fatal shooting of Soulemane on Jan. 15, 2020. North has pleaded not guilty and denies any misconduct. North, 33, fired seven shots at close range into the driver's window of a stopped car as Soulemane sat in the driver's seat with a 9-inch kitchen knife. Several police cruisers had boxed in the stolen car in West Haven after a rush-hour chase through several towns on Interstate 95 that reached speeds of 100 mph (161 kph). Advertisement Article continues below this ad North told authorities he believed he was protecting police officers on the other side of the car from Soulemane and the knife, but state Inspector General Robert Devlin concluded none of the officers were in imminent danger and filed the manslaughter charge. Soulemane's girlfriend, Julia Johnson, said they had a loving relationship for about six months and she had never seen him become violent until days before his death. At the time, they lived in New Haven. There was a physical altercation, she testified. He bit my tongue, and when I moved away it seemed like he didnt realize what he had done. He seemed like outside of his body, like he said that he would never hurt me and he was confused. The night before he was killed, Johnson said Soulemane's behavior raised concerns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I asked him if he wanted to go to the hospital. I offered to take him to the hospital. I asked him if he wanted to call a family member. ... He did not want to do that. ... At one point throughout the evening, he admitted that he was in a psychosis, she testified. Soulemane's mother, Omo Mohammed, and his sister, Mariyann Soulemane, testified that Soulemane had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, first displaying severe symptoms in high school at age 15. They said there were several times when he didn't take his medicine. Its hard for Mubarak in the beginning because hes fighting the sickness, Mohammed said. Even with that sickness, he was able to graduate with that sickness. .. There are times that it is hard for him to take his medicine. Mariyann Soulemane said her brother would be stable when taking his medication, but he would not take it all the time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So we would be kind of in and out of the ER unfortunately when the manic episodes arose, she said during direct examination by Devlin. It was just a constant readjustment of medication and best efforts to get him to take it consistently. On the day of his death, police said Mubarak Soulemane displayed the knife at an AT&T store in Norwalk, and unsuccessfully tried to steal a cell phone. Police said he then assaulted a Lyft driver and drove off in the driver's car when the driver got out, leading police on a 30-mile (48-kilometer) chase from Norwalk to West Haven. Norwalk officers had ended the pursuit on I-95 because of the high speed and heavy traffic, and the fact that no violent crime occurred. State police continued the pursuit, after receiving false information that the car theft was a carjacking. The chase ended when Soulemane exited the highway, struck a civilian's car and was boxed in by troopers and local police in West Haven. Police said the officers ordered him out of the car, but he refused. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State police body camera videos show a West Haven officer smashing out the passenger door window of the stolen vehicle before another trooper shoots Soulemane with a Taser, which didnt work. North then fired his handgun into the car when Soulemane displayed the knife, state police said. In a statement to investigators, North said the suspect was moving and holding the knife in an aggressive manner, and appeared to me to be preparing to attack the other officers, whom he believed were entering the car to take Soulemane into custody. Devlin, however, concluded the shooting was not justified. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the time Trooper North fired his weapon, neither he nor any other person was in imminent danger of serious injury or death from a knife attack at the hands of Soulemane, the report said. Further, any belief that persons were in such danger was not reasonable. North had been on the state police force for five years at the time of the shooting. He is being represented by attorney Frank Riccio II. Soulemanes family, the NAACP and other groups said North, who is white, should not have shot Soulemane, who was Black, because police had him surrounded and he could not get away. Despite having a knife, Soulemane was inside the car by himself and police should have attempted to de-escalate the situation, they said. Souleman's mother has a pending lawsuit against police over the killing. Corran Capital, an Edinburgh, Scotland, UK-based clean energy private equity firm, raised 80M for Corran II, its second fund. Investors in Corran II include US fund Lexington Partners, Strathclyde Pension Funds Direct Impact Fund and SSE plc. Led by Gary Le Sueur, founding partner, Corran Capital is a specialist private equity firm which backs entrepreneurs from across the clean energy and environmental sectors. The firm has invested part of the funding to acquire a 30% stake in Vital Energi, a UK based heat infrastructure and energy efficiency business, from Scottish Equity Partners (SEP). Corran previously invested in Renewco Power, the solar, wind and battery storage company it formed in 2021 with the support of SSE plc. The FTSE 100 clean energy company committed 48M to its first fund. Renewco Power, based in Glasgow and now with 38 employees, has developed a pipeline of renewable power project opportunities across the UK, Spain, Italy and the US in the three years since it was formed. The clean energy private equity firm is also looking to make further selective investments in the renewable heat sector and sustainability-focused growth stage companies across the UK. The firm has appointed Lucy Graham as a partner and Andy Low as COO. FinSMEs 05/03/2024 Sunfire, a Dresden, Germany-based electrolyzer manufacturer, secured more than EUR 500m in funding. The funding included: EUR 215m raised in a Series E equity financing round. Backers included new investors LGT Private Banking, GIC, Ahren Innovation Capital, and Carbon Equity, Lightrock, Planet First Partners, Carbon Direct Capital, the Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, and Blue Earth Capital. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in Q2 2024. a term loan of up to EUR 100m provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), and approx. EUR 200m from previously approved, undrawn grant funding. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and industrialization of its green hydrogen technologies. Led by CEO Nils Aldag, Sunfire has developed pressurized alkaline and high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis technologies, which are a key enabler of the transition to renewable energy, offering a scalable and efficient means of producing green hydrogen. The company targets installing several gigawatts of electrolysis equipment by 2030 in large-scale green hydrogen projects, securing a leading position in the fast-growing global electrolyzer market. The company employs more than 500 people located in Germany and Switzerland. FinSMEs 05/03/2024 Joining the likes of many B-town celebs, Rani Mukerji also arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to attend the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji was among the B-Town A-listers, who attended the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika merchant in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The actress was seen making a rare appearance with her daughter Adira at the festivities, turning a lot of heads on social media. Married to Aditya Chopra, a prominent film producer and the head of Yash Raj Films, the couple welcomed their daughter Adira in December 2015. Fast forward to now, the little girl is all grown-up now with her parents successfully managing to keep her away from all the media limelight. Advertisement However, finally, the media caught a glimpse of Adira, who attended the celebrations with her mother Rani Mukerji. In a video going viral on social media, Rani can be seen introducing her daughter to Rajinikanth and his wife Latha. While Rani looks amazing in a traditional sari that she completed with a bun adorned with flowers, her little daughter also looked adorable, wearing traditional attire in red. As the video plays, Rani introduces her daughter to the South superstar. Rajinikanth can be seen bowing down to shake hands with the little girl, while his family stood there and smiled. Advertisement As a video went online social media users have been dropping reactions to it. Fans seemed amazed to catch a glimpse of Adira, while some also compared her to her mother. We dont want her to get special attention Notably, the actress-producer couple had been very particular about their daughters public appearances. Rani also refrained from bringing her daughter to public events. During her recent appearance on Koffee With Karan, Rani spoke about their decision regarding Adira and said that they did not want her to receive any special attention or be treated as a special kid. Advertisement It was our decision together that we didnt want Adira to be photographed because we have a different idea of how we want to raise Adira, so that she doesnt feel privileged or she doesnt feel very special at school, and she feels like any other kid. And she doesnt get any extra attention. That was something Adi and I wanted for her. That would only happen if she would not be photographed, the actress said. Former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay said on Tuesday he will join the BJP, hours after leaving the judiciary. Indias history is rife with judges who entered the political arena and some who undertook the reverse journey Hours after resigning as a Calcutta High Court judge, Abhijit Gangopadhyay said on Tuesday (5 March) that he would join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) likely on 7 March. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a very hardworking man, Justice Gangopadhyay said the saffron party will take a call on whether he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections or not. Advertisement I will join BJPmost probably on March 7. It is the only national party which is fighting against Trinamool Congress (TMC) corruption, he said. Who is Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay? Why did he leave judgeship to take a political plunge? Can judges become politicians? Lets take a closer look. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay and his many controversies Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay was born in West Bengals Kolkata in 1962. Belonging to a family of lawyers, he studied law at Kolkatas Hazra Law College, as per an India Today report. During his college years, he took a liking to Bengali theatre and participated in productions with the theatre group Amitra Chanda until 1986. He began his career as a West Bengal Civil Service officer in the Uttar Dinajpur district, the report added. Advertisement Soon, Justice Gangopadhyay was back to his native city where he started practicing law at the Calcutta High Court. He became an additional judge in the High Court in May 2018. A little over two years later, he was confirmed as a permanent judge, according to India Today. His tenure at the Calcutta High Court was rife with controversies, including for ignoring directives of larger benches. He is possibly best known for passing several orders to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe cases pertaining to the alleged West Bengal teachers recruitment scam. Advertisement The former judge has often vowed to combat corruption during his courtroom proceedings and in media interviews, reported India Today. His frequent run-ins with the West Bengal government also kept him in the limelight. VIDEO | Heres what Calcutta High Courts Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay said on quitting judiciary. I will resign from the post of the Justice of Calcutta High Court on March 5 (Tuesday). I will send my resignation letter to the President of India and a copy of the letter to pic.twitter.com/dv3ws8JkVF Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 3, 2024 Advertisement The 61-year-old also stirred controversies by making critical statements against the CBI. Rapping the central probe agency for delay in gathering evidence in the alleged school recruitment scam, the former judge said earlier, Just because you are the premier investigating agency, does it mean you will take 20 years for an investigation? Advertisement In 2022, the Calcutta High Court Bar Association passed a resolution to boycott Justice Gangopadhyay after he authorised the CBI to arrest the then West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee in the alleged teacher recruitment scam, defying the orders of a division bench of the High Court. His interview with a Bangla news channel in September 2022 sparked a massive row, leading to a rebuke by the top court. Justice Gangopadhyay who was then hearing a bunch of pleas in the alleged school jobs scam questioned the finances of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, reported Indian Express. He faced falk from the Supreme Court over the interview, with Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud, saying, A judge has no business to give an interview about pending cases. Later, the apex court asked the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court to assign cases related to the alleged scam to another judge. In January, Justice Gangopadhyay was embroiled in another row after he accused fellow High Court judge Soumen Sen of acting for a political party in the state. His remarks came after Sen, who was part of a Division Bench, stayed Justice Gangopadhyays order to the police to hand over documents to the CBI in a case about alleged irregularities in MBBS admissions in Bengal, reported Indian Express. Why did Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay leave the judiciary? Justice Gangopadhyay had declared his intent to resign as a Calcutta HC judge on Sunday. Speaking to the media, he had said, For the past couple of years, I was dealing with some matters in which huge corruption had been unearthed. I feel like my duty as a judge is now over. This is a call of my conscience that now I should go to the people. In our country and West Bengal, there are a large number of people who cannot come to court. Only politicians can do something to help them. I want to work for those people now, reported India Today. Congress Adhir Chowdhury had said the party would welcome him if he wanted to join. After tendering his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, copies of which were sent to CJI Chandrachud and Calcutta HC Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, Justice Gangopadhyay told reporters that the ruling TMC inspired him to join politics. I have been forced to take this step due to taunts by the ruling party. Their taunts and statements inspired me to take this step. The ruling party insulted me many times. Their spokespersons attacked me with unparliamentary words. I think they have a problem with their education, he was quoted as saying by Indian Express. VIDEO | Here's what Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay said after announcing his resignation to join politics. "I felt that I had done enough work there (in judiciary), but some work is set to be done for people who cannot go to the court or do not have the resources to go to the pic.twitter.com/yzgwogiNRM Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 5, 2024 Former judge Gangopadhyay reportedly said he got in touch with the BJP a week back and he did not take much time to think about entering politics. The saffron party is likely to field him from the Tamluk seat, a TMC bastion since 2009, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, reported NDTV. Can judges join politics? Indian Constitution does not bar a person with political links or a former politician from becoming a judge, as per a Moneycontrol report. For the high courts, Article 217 (2) of the Constitution says: A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a High Court unless he is a citizen of India and (a) has for at least 10 years held a judicial office in the territory of India; or (b) has for at least 10 years been an advocate of a High Court or of two or more such courts in succession. However, selecting candidates for the role of judges in the Supreme Court and the High Courts is mainly done by the collegium, the report added. Moreover, Indias history is replete with judges who entered the political arena and some who undertook the reverse journey. VR Krishna Iyer, an esteemed Supreme Court Judge, was an active politician till 1965. He became a High Court judge in 1968 and was elevated to Supreme Court in five years a highly rare feat as an HC judge has to put a minimum of 10-15 years before being sent to the apex court, reported Times of India (TOI). MC Chagla, a noted judge of the Bombay High Court, went on to form his own party, the Muslim Nationalist Party. After he retired from the High Court in October 1958, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appointed Chagla as the Ambassador to the United States and later as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He also served as Indias education minister from 1963 to 1966 and the external affairs minister till September 1967. Congress Baharul Islam resigned from the Rajya Sabha to become a judge of the Gauhati High Court. After he retired from the HC, he was recalled and appointed as judge of the Supreme Court. Islam left the apex court to fight elections and later returned to Rajya Sabha again. Justices AM Thipsay, Vijay Bhauguna, M Rama Jois and Rajinder Sachar have also taken a political plunge after retiring as HC judges, reported TOI. Appointing retired judges to gubernatorial office is also not a recent practice. Retired Supreme Court justices Fathima Beevi was picked as Tamil Nadu Governor in 1992 and Sathashivam as Kerala Governor in 2014. Retired CJIs Ranganath Misra and Ranjan Gogoi were given Rajya Sabha seats. Ex-CJI Gogoi had political affiliation as his father was a former chief minister of Assam. With inputs from agencies Yes, it is the most liveable place for expats in Asia. But getting a job in Singapore just got more difficult. The government has tightened rules for hiring foreign professionals and its likely to affect how global businesses recruit in the city-state Office workers walk out for a lunch break at Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore. The city-state Singapore plans to raise the salary threshold for foreign workers from next year. File photo/AFP Singapore is a permanent fixture on the best places list. It is the most peaceful country in the world. Its also among the most liveable places, making it among a favourite destination for expats the highest-ranked Asia, according to global consulting firm Mercers 2023 Quality of Living survey for expatriates. While many foreign workers have their eyes set on the city-state, getting a job in Singapore might just get tougher. Advertisement Come 2025, the government is tightening employment rules for foreign professionals. The minimum monthly salary for a new applicant, known as the employment pass, will be raised. This is likely to affect the number of expats coming to Singapore. We take a look at what changes the Singaporean government is introducing in the wages of foreign workers and why. Raising the minimum wage limit Singapore is set to raise the salary threshold for foreign workers from next year, its government announced on Monday. Companies hiring foreign professionals will need to pay them higher minimum salaries so that they can qualify for work visas. In January 2025, the minimum monthly salary for a new applicant to obtain the employment pass will be raised to 5,600 Singapore dollars (Rs 3.45 lakh), up from the current SG $5,000 (Rs 3.08 lakh), Singapores manpower minister Tan See Leng said in parliament on Monday. Advertisement A commuter makes her way past others as she disembarks from a train during the morning peak hour in Singapore. From January 2025, the minimum monthly salary for foreign workers will be raised to 5,600 Singapore dollars (Rs 3.45 lakh). File photo/Reuters The bar is higher for the financial services sector. Companies will have to pay recruits at least SG$ 6,200 (Rs 3.82 lakh) a month, which is up from SG$ 5,500 (Rs 3.39 lakh). This is keeping in mind the industrys norms of higher salaries. The minimum monthly salary for applicants in their mid-40s will increase to SG $10,700 (Rs 6.59 lakh), and up to SG $11,800 (Rs 7.27 lakh) for those in the financial services sector. Advertisement Also read: Why Asian countries are a big hit among digital nomads Securing jobs for locals The new changes to the salaries have been announced to create better and more job opportunities for locals. By regularly updating the qualifying salaries based on the set wage benchmarks, we ensure a level-playing field for locals, Tan said in parliament. The EP [employment pass] qualifying salary will also continue to increase progressively with age. Advertisement Singapore has had a minimum salary threshold for employment passes. Over the years, it has tightened the criteria to assure employment opportunities for locals. The limit was last raised in September 2022, to SG $5,000 (Rs 3.08 lakh) from SG $4,500 (Rs 2.77 lakh). A cleaner passes the city skyline after a morning shower in Singapore. The government wants to create more jobs for locals. File photo/Reuters The qualifying salary for applicants for the employment pass is based on the top one-third of salaries for local professionals, managers, executives and technicians. It rises for older workers, according to a report in Nikkei Asia. Advertisement Also read: South Korea introduces workation visa. What is it? The impact on foreign workers Singapore is heavily dependent on foreign workers . According to the manpower ministry, there were about 1.48 million foreign workers as of June, of which 197,300 held EPs, which employers must apply for. The population of the city-state stands at 5.9 million. Now a change in the salary threshold is expected to affect global businesses that plan on hiring expats in the Southeast Asian financial hub. While the new rules are to create more jobs for locals, the Singaporean government also wants to ensure the quality of foreign hires. Singapore will continue to attract top talent to grow the economy and ensure that firms develop their local workforce and treat locals fairly, Tan said, according to the Strait Times. A view of offices and malls in downtown Singapore. It often tops the list of most liveable places for expats in Asia. File photo/Reuters Last year, Singapore also revamped its visa programme for foreigners. It introduced a new Overseas Network and Expertise (ONE) pass and raised the salary threshold for other categories of visas in its efforts to attract the best talent to the city-state, reports South China Morning Post (SCMP). Around 4,200 One Pass applicants were approved by January this year. The government wants to focus on valued overseas professionals. To attract them, it has introduced the point-based criteria called COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) to evaluate the extent to which an EP candidate complements Singapores workforce, reports Nikkei Asia. This comes into effect in September. All applicants will receive scores of 0, 10 or 20 across four foundational criteria: salary, qualifications, hiring companys diversity and local staff ratio. To qualify for the employment pass, an applicant will need 40 points. EP applicants for 27 jobs in six industries agri-tech, financial services, green economy, health care, infocomm technology and maritime can earn up to 20 bonus points, the report says. So yes, getting a job in Singapore will now come with challenges of its own. But if the city-state is not an option, then what? Commuters cross a road during the evening rush hour at a bus and train terminal in Singapore. File photo/Reuters Looking towards Japan The answer probably lies in Japan. Tokyo comes a close second to Singapore, on the list of most livable cities in Asia for expats, according to a report by global mobility firm ECA. The Japanese capital is clean and safe, it boasts great infrastructure and its cost of living is lower than other financial cities. It has introduced several child-friendly initiatives. Reforms are underway to boost Tokyos attractiveness as a financial hub. This includes taxation and other initiatives that encourage talented professionals to settle in the city for a long-term David Shirt, CEO of investment advisory firm Astris Advisory Japan, told Reuters. Tokyo is clean and safe, with world-class education and lots of international schools. And its affordable. People talk about low taxes in Singapore where rents are sky-high. Here, on the other hand, rents are lower and you get a world-class city to live in. Office workers walk under a decorated illumination at an office building in Tokyo. File photo/Reuters Thats not all. Japan is introducing measures to retain foreign workers. The government has adopted plans to create a new system designed to train unskilled foreign workers and facilitate their attainment of medium- to long-term employment opportunities in the country, reports Japan Times. This is part of a broader strategy to address labour shortages. The new initiative will help foreign individuals acquire the necessary skills in three years so that they can qualify for visas under the residency system for foreign nationals. Japan is set to accept up to eight lakh foreigners in the next five years, a source to Kyodo News. The Japanese government has also eased visa regulations, expanding the scope of foreign students allowed to stay in the country and find jobs. This is expected to increase the number of foreign students staying back to 3,000 a year. Japans population of 126 million is rapidly ageing and shrinking, and many industries like services, manufacturing and construction are facing shortages. So while it might be difficult to live the Singaporean dream, Japan is opening its doors to the world. With inputs from agencies Five people were hospitalised after ingesting what they were told was mouth freshener at a restaurant in Gurugram. According to the police, it appears that the waiter served them dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide, by mistake. Why is it so dangerous? The doctor claimed in the FIR that the patients had chemical burn poisoning. Image Courtesy: @rose_k01/X People frequently use mouth fresheners to lift their spirits following a satisfying meal. However, consuming mukhwas turned out to be a nightmare for five individuals in Gurugram. Five people were hospitalised after ingesting what they were told was mouth freshener at a restaurant Saturday night. According to the police, it appears that the waiter served them dry ice by mistake. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. What happened? At around 9.30 pm, the five Neha Sabarwal, Manika Goenka, Pritika Rustagi, Deepak Aroda, and Himani were eating dinner at Laforessta cafe in Sector 90 with other people. Ankit Kumar, a group member and the cases complainant, said that a waiter gave them mouth fresheners after they finished their meal. Upon consuming it, they experienced a burning sensation in their mouths, followed by bleeding They started throwing up blood. I did not consume the mouth freshener as I was holding my one-year-old daughter, Durvaksi, in my lap, said the Greater Noida resident in his complaint, according to The Indian Express. As per NDTV, in a video recording by Kumar, his friends, and his wife can be seen screaming and crying in pain. Then, as a woman puts ice in her mouth and keeps saying, Its burning, one of the men throws up on the restaurant floor. Advertisement We dont know what they have mixed (in the mouth freshener). Everyone here is vomiting. They have cuts on their tongues. Their mouths are burning. Dont know what type of acid they have given us, he adds. Five people have been hospitalized after eating Mouth Freshner at a Gurugram Restaurant pic.twitter.com/gsFFiAxVy1 Rosy (@rose_k01) March 4, 2024 Advertisement Kumar then called the police and an ambulance to take his friends to the nearby Aarvy Hospital in Sector 90. Kumar filed a complaint stating that when they asked the waiter what was supplied to them, he showed them an open polythene package, which he then took. He added that after looking at the mouth freshener sample, the doctor declared it to be dry ice. Advertisement The doctor advised us to hand over the packet to the hospital He said it could be fatal, Kumar said while filing a complaint against the restaurant. According to police, they have filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kherki Daula police station under the IPC sections of causing hurt by poisoning and criminal conspiracy against the waiter who gave them the substance. Advertisement The doctor claimed in the FIR that the patients had chemical burn poisoning, as per the report by Indian Express. We have sent the sample to FSL to ascertain what the substance was. Prima facie, it is dry ice and the staff mistook it for mouth freshener. Three people are still admitted to the hospital, but their condition is better, the police said. Advertisement Gagan, the manager of the eatery, claimed that the incident was caused by staff negligence. Dry ice is commonly used as a cooling agent for food products like ice cream, frozen desserts, etc. Pexels The incident took place after the dinner and the staff gave out the substance. Police are taking action against the staffer and they have taken samples, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper, Is dry ice safe? Advertisement Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide, the same molecule we exhale in gaseous form. It is a lethal substance. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), dry ice is commonly used as a cooling agent for food products like ice cream, frozen desserts, etc. It is frequently used for food items that need to be cold or frozen, without the use of mechanical cooling. Advertisement With a surface temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius, it can cause severe frostbite and skin burns if touched without protective gloves. Additionally, it doesnt melt into liquid when heated and instead changes into gas, which can cause fatalities in confined spaces and explosions in sealed containers. According to FSSAI, it should be used or exposed to open air in a ventilated environment. Advertisement If not handled properly it may endanger human health, as it sublimes into large quantities of carbon dioxide gas which could pose a danger of breathlessness (hypercapnia), it added. What happens if you ingest dry ice? ThoughCo claims that if consumed, it can burn your oesophagus, rupture your stomach, result in serious internal injuries, and even prove fatal. Advertisement According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, inhaling dry ice can cause asphyxia, hypoxia, and hypoxemia. It may even choke you. It can reduce the oxygen in the lungs when ingested. In August 2018, two women were found unresponsive in a car along with four coolers of dry ice in Pierce County, Washington. According to CNN, the car owner called 911 when he found his wife and his mother on the side of the road blocks from his home. His mother, 77, reportedly died of suffocation, and his wife was found in critical condition. Advertisement Dr Kris Permentier, head of the ER department at Belgiums az Sint-Blasius hospital, told the outlet, Your heart and your brain are going to lack an amount of oxygen needed to survive. You will go in a coma very quickly, and your heart is going to stop beating. You feel sleepy, dizzy, but you dont have the intention to open up the air. You dont have the strength or the brain capacity to open up the doors or the windows. The Grunge cited the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment as saying, that dry ice can be used in smaller quantities as carbon dioxide cannot intoxicate one at lower concentrations as normal air is composed of 0.04 per cent carbon dioxide. With inputs from agencies The United States is set to hold one of the biggest days on its election calendar with delegates in 16 states across the nation up for grabs. The Ministry of Defence will sign a deal to acquire over 200 BrahMos missiles for the Indian Navy. Heres are todays big stories The end could be nigh for Nikki Haley's campaign for the Republican nomination for president. Its Tuesday. And its set to be a truly massive day for news. The United States is set to hold one of the biggest days on its election calendar with delegates in 16 states across the nation up for grabs. The Ministry of Defence will sign a deal to acquire over 200 BrahMos missiles for the Indian Navy. Advertisement The Supreme Court is hearing AAP minister Sanjay Singhs plea in the Delhi excise policy case. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a slew of developmental projects in Odisha. And defence minister Rajnath Singh will be inaugurating the new building of Goas Naval War College. Lets take a closer look at todays big-ticket items: Super Tuesday Will Donald Trump seal Nikki Haleys fate today? The former president is set to drown the last woman standing against him in a sea of delegates that too the day after the ex-governor beat Trump in the Republican primary in Washington DC. Both Biden and Trump, the overwhelming front-runners for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations respectively, appeared to be well on their way to securing their parties nominations before todays vote. Advertisement US president Joe Biden and Donald Trump are set to sow up the nominations for their parties. With the majority of delegates up for grabs today from Alaska and California to Virginia and Vermont, strong performances by Biden and Trump will move them much closer to becoming their partys nominee. While Haley has insisted she wants to stay in the race all the way up to the convention, the truth is that pressure on her to drop out and endorse Trump is rising. Advertisement Haley has recently seen one of her big donors the Koch brothers backed Americans For Prosperity announced it will stop spending on her behalf after South Carolina. Is the end nigh for Haley? Advertisement Theres no such drama on the Democratic side however, as Biden looks poised to wrap up the nomination. Indian Navy signs contract The BrahMos Aerospace and Ministry of Defence are set to sign a contract to acquire 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on Indian Navy warships. The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the Rs 19,000 crore deal in February. The BrahMos is the main weapon for anti-ship and attack operations for the Indian navy warships which have been regularly firing the weapon system. Advertisement BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India and Russia, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms. Two separate deals have been concluded for procurement of Brahmos missiles. Advertisement The first one is for procurement of BrahMos missiles from the BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd (BAPL) at a cost of Rs 19,518.65 crore. These missiles would be utilized to meet combat outfit and training requirements of the Indian Navy, the defence ministry said. The BrahMos is the main weapon for anti-ship and attack operations for the Indian Navy warships. AP The second contract is for procurement of the ship-borne BrahMos system from the BAPL at a cost of Rs 988 crore. These missiles would be the Indian Navys primary weapon for maritime strike operations and the weapons would be fitted onboard various frontline warships. Advertisement The system is capable of hitting land or sea targets from extended ranges with pinpoint accuracy at supersonic speeds. Supreme Court hears Sanjay Singh plea The Supreme Court is set to hear a bail plea from AAP leader Sanjay Singh in a money-laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Singh has challenged a Delhi High Court order refusing him bail in the case. Advertisement The high court had on 7 February rejected the bail application of Singh, who was been re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Delhi, but directed the trial court to expedite the trial once it starts. Singh was arrested in the case by the ED on 4 October, 2023. Advertisement The apex court bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta had on 26 February sought the Enforcement Directorates (ED) response on Singhs bail plea. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing in the court on behalf of Singh, sought the issuance of a notice on the bail plea and requested for tagging the plea along with the pending matter. He said the pending matter is scheduled to come up for hearing on March 5 and therefore, both the matters should be taken up together. Advertisement The bench agreed to the request and said both the pleas will be taken up together. PM Modi unveils slew of projects Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil development projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Odisha today. The prime minister will unveil the projects from a function in Chandikhole in Jajpur district, an official statement said. Advertisement Incidentally, 5 March also happens to be the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, after whom the ruling BJD is named. Following the official programme, he will address a rally of the BJP in Jajpur, considered a stronghold of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The PM will inaugurate Indian Oil Corps mono ethylene glycol project at the Paradip Refinery. He will also inaugurate a 344-km-long product pipeline from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal. He will also inaugurate 0.6 mmtpa LPG import facility at Paradip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil development projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Odisha today. PTI Modi will dedicate to the nation four-laning of the Singhara-Binjabahal section of NH-49, four-laning of the Binjabahal-Tileibani section of NH-49, four-laning of the Balasore-Jharpokharia section of NH-18, and four-laning of the Tangi-Bhubaneswar Section of NH-16. He will also lay the foundation stone for the eight-laning of Chandikhole-Paradip road. The PM had last visited the state on 3 February and unveiled projects worth over Rs 68,000 crore. He had also addressed a political rally during that trip. Rajnath Singh unveils new building in Goas naval college Defence minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a new building of the Naval War College in Goa today. The modern edifice is named the Chola, in commemoration of the maritime empire of the Chola dynasty. The College of Naval Warfare was initially established at INS Karanja in 1988 to impart advanced professional military education to the middle and senior-level officers. The college was rechristened as the Naval War College in 2010 and shifted to its current location in Goa in 2011. The mission of the college is to prepare the officers of the armed forces for leadership at the strategic and operational levels. The college also conducts a maritime security course, wherein military officers from Indias maritime neighbourhood also participate and collaborate to foster an open, secure and inclusive Indian Ocean region. Defence Minister Singh will inaugurate the new state-of-the-art admin-cum-training building of the Naval War College at Goa on March 5, the Navy said in a statement. On this day On this day in 1933, President Franklin D Roosevelt launched his famed New Deal. Roosevelt, during the depression, also called on Congress to convene for a Special Session beginning 9 March. The move came just a day after Roosevelt was sworn in as the 32nd President of the United States. Roosevelt on 6 March wouldissue Proclamation 2039 which suspended all banking transactions effective immediately The terms of the presidential proclamation stated that no such banking institution or branch shall pay out, export, earmark, or permit the withdrawal or transfer in any manner or by any device whatsoever, of any gold or silver coin or bullion or currency or take any other action which might facilitate the hoarding thereof; nor shall any such banking institution or branch pay out deposits, make loans or discounts, deal in foreign exchange, transfer credits from the United States to any place abroad, or transact any other banking business whatsoever. With inputs from agencies France has enshrined the right to abortion in its Constitution, the first country in the world to do so. While terminating a pregnancy has been legal here since 1975, what prompted the lawmakers to usher in the big change? The Eiffel Tower lights up with the message "My body My choice" after French lawmakers enshrined the right to abortion in its constitution during a special congress in Versailles, in Paris, 4 March 2024. Reuters France has scripted history by becoming the first country to include the right to abortion in its Constitution. French lawmakers convened a joint session of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles on Monday (4 March) to amend the 1958 Constitution to enshrine womens guaranteed freedom to abort. The bill was passed in an overwhelming 780 votes against 72, resulting in a long-standing ovation in the Parliament. This comes after the French Senate voted on 28 February to guarantee access to terminate a pregnancy in its basic law. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. Abortion becomes a right in France Abortion has been legal in France since 1975. The law has since been updated nine times, with the aim of extending access, reported BBC. Currently, France allows abortion till 14 weeks of pregnancy. In November 2022, the National Assembly the lower house of the French Parliament approved a bill proposed by the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party to enshrine abortion in the countrys Constitution. This Monday, France finally did that. French lawmakers celebrate after they approved a bill that will enshrine a womans right to an abortion in Frances constitution, at the Palace of Versailles, 4 March 2024 in Versailles, west of Paris. AP Ahead of the vote, French prime minister Gabriel Attal told Parliament that the right to abortion remained in danger and at the mercy of decision-makers. Were sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you, he added. The public in France strongly favours abortion rights, with a 2022 poll by French polling firm IFOP showing 86 per cent of citizens back the inclusion of abortion rights in the constitution, reported DW. Advertisement As the bill was passed, celebratory scenes emerged across the country. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was lit up and displayed the message: My Body My Choice. President Emmanuel Macron called the move French pride that had sent a universal message. France is at the forefront, Yael Braun-Pivet, the head of the National Assembly, said as she opened the joint meeting. Advertisement Im proud of this Congress, which will say that the right to get an abortion will now be part of our basic law, she was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. Why was this needed? Frances bill was prompted following the US Supreme Courts 2022 decision to repeal the right to abortion. This right (to abortion) has retreated in the United States. And so nothing authorised us to think that France was exempt from this risk, Laura Slimani, from the Fondation des Femmes rights group, said, as per Reuters. Advertisement Theres a lot of emotion, as a feminist activist, also as a woman, she added. Pro-abortion rights activists hold banner reads abortion is a fundamental right during a rally for abortion rights outside La Sorbonne university in Paris, on 28 February 2024. AP File Photo However, Frances move has been opposed by anti-abortion groups, the Vatican and some far-right politicians who say the bill was not needed. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused Macron of using the legislation to score political points. We will vote to include it in the Constitution because we have no problem with that, she told reporters before the vote. But Le Pen said to call it a historic step was an exaggeration as no one is putting the right to abortion at risk in France. Advertisement Where do countries stand on abortion? After the US Supreme Court in 2022 reversed the Roe v Wade ruling that guaranteed womens abortion rights, several states in the country either completely banned or highly restricted access to end a pregnancy. In India , the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Amendment Act, 2021 allows abortion up to 24 weeks of gestation. In case the pregnancy is over 24 weeks, the opinion of a state-level medical board is sought to abort if foetal abnormalities are suspected. In September 2022, the Supreme Court extended abortion rights to unmarried women in a landmark judgement. Abortion is broadly legal across Europe, with access to the procedure in over 40 nations, as per Associated Press (AP). The United Kingdom allows up to 24 weeks of pregnancy if two doctors approve. After 24 weeks, women are permitted under some circumstances such as danger to the mothers life. However, England and Wales punish women who have abortions after 24 weeks. Women can end pregnancies in Italy upon request in the first 12 weeks, or later if there are health or life threats, as per AP. In mainly Catholic nations like Spain, Malta, and Hungary, womens access to safe abortion is limited as many medical practitioners deny them the procedure on moral or religious grounds, DW reported. While abortion is legal in Russia, authorities are trying to restrict access as President Vladimir Putin pushes traditional values to boost the population. Poland bans abortions, with only exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mothers life. In 2020, abortions due to foetal defects were also outlawed in the country. China legalises abortions, which are widely accepted in the nation. Abortion is legal in Hungary for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy but those seeking the procedure have to listen to the foetal heartbeat beforehand. Counseling is also mandatory. Mexico liberalised its abortion laws after its Supreme Court in 2021 recognised a constitutional right to legal, safe, and free abortion early in pregnancy. With inputs from agencies Haiti has witnessed an explosion of violence since the assassination of then-president Jovenel Moise in 2021. Now, armed gangs are battling police and soldiers for control of the streets, prisoners are breaking out en masse and authorities are scrambling in vain to restore order. Experts say armed groups, which have been used by politicians for decades, are now a power unto themselves A man pushes a cart past the body of a man shot by unidentified assailants in downtown Port-au-Prince where gangs are thought to control 80 per cent of the territory. AP Haiti is in a state of emergency. The country has seen an explosion of violence as armed gangs battle police and soldiers for control of the streets, prisoners break out en masse from its major prisons and authorities desperately trying to reimpose order through curfews. Meanwhile, an armed gang leader and former police officer named Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier has vowed to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is travelling abroad to gather support for a UN-backed security force to restore order in Haiti. Advertisement But how did Haiti become the land of gang violence? Lets take a closer look: A history of violence Haitis political leaders have been using criminal elements for their own purposes for decades. Vox quoted an October 2022 report from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime as showing that several of its political leaders including Francois Papa Doc Duvalier used criminal gangs to aid their rule. The outlet said the scenario of political leaders relying on gangs truly kicked into high gear under ex-leader Jean-Bertrande Aristide. Daniel Foote, the former US special envoy to Haiti, told Vox, Aristide started them on purpose in the early 1980s, as a voice, as a way to get some power for ordinary Haitians. Advertisement And they morphed over the years, Foote added. Advertisement These groups, known as the Chimeres, basically carried out protection rackets. Since then, many ex-military soldiers joined such gangs. More recently, Jovenel Moise, who took power in Haiti in 2017, was allegedly in cahoots with gangs particularly G9 which handled his security. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said also said members in Moises government allegedly assisted in massacres by providing gangs with government support in attacks in Port-au-Prince." Advertisement According to Sky News, Moise cancelled Haitis elections in 2019. Haitian president Jovenel Moise was killed by Colombian mercenaries in July 2021. Reuters Things came to a head in March 2021 when thousands took to the street to condemn Moises dictatorship. Then, in July 2021, Moise was assassinated at his private home near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. According to BBC, Moise was murdered by a band of Colombian mercenaries. Advertisement Claude Joseph then took over as interim prime minister of Haiti. But after losing the support of the international community, Joseph stepped aside in favour of Henry in a matter of weeks. Henry, after taking over, also postponed plans to hold parliamentary and presidential elections. Haiti still hasnt had an election since 2016. But since Henry took over, all hell has broken loose. According to BBC, gang violence has worsened with groups fighting to take over more and more territory. The country particularly its capital is being ravaged by two major gangs the G9 and allies led by Barbecue which has links to Moises party and G-Pep. The gangs are thought to control up to 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince. Cherizier and his gang alliance in 2022 blocked the free movement of fuel from the Haitis Varreux fuel terminal the largest in the country. The UN says Cheriziers actions have directly contributed to the economic paralysis and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The Red Cross has said it cannot deliver supplies without getting the go-ahead from gangs. This is the worst Ive ever seen it a complete disintegration of the state, Robert Fatton, a Haitian American professor of politics at the University of Virginia told Rolling Stone in November. And I dont see an exit from the situation, frankly. Im at a loss. The police, meanwhile, are outgunned and outmanned. Haitis National Police has roughly 9,000 officers to provide security for more than 11 million people, according to the UN. Part of the larger problem is that the gangs simply dont respect Henry. An incident that occurred in October 2021 is instructive. According to BBC, Henry was stopped from laying a wreath on a monument by members of the G9 and allies. Barbecue then turned up wearing a white suit and laid the wreath himself sending a clear message. He doesnt have a great relationship with the gangs, because hes kind of a clown, Foote told Vox about Henry. They in several instances have made him pay them a bunch of money in order for him to attend an event or hold a ceremony and then they wont let him do it. Former police officer and G9 gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier has warned other nations to stay out of Haitis affairs. Reuters Now, [the gangs] have more autonomy, more power, and more weapons, so they are a threat to any constituted government, Fatton told Rolling Stone. They have become a power unto themselves. Barbecue has insisted he is a revolutionary and that his people are different than the other gangs. We dont kidnap, and we dont rape. We are all fathers, we have sisters, aunts, we have kids. I have a daughter myself - I could never allow rape to happen around me," he told Sky News. We dont kill for money, but we have guns to defend ourselves, because we cant let others kill us. Dire economic situation Haiti is also grappling with a dire economic situation. According to Rolling Stone, the country remains the most impoverished nation in all of the Western Hemisphere. Natural disasters have combined with the rapacity of the elected representatives to tear the country apart. After the 2010 earthquake in which 200,000 were left dead, the country witnessed billions in aid pouring in. Nearly all of it was spent via NGOs to ensure those in government couldnt siphon it off. Still, $2 billion was allegedly stolen from a Venezuelan-sponsored oil-loan program between 2008 and 2016. Several officials including two prime ministers and a former president are charged with corruption, money-laundering, arms-smuggling, and drug-trafficking schemes. The country remains a hub for cocaine heading for the United States. The rise of living costs have forced people into the streets, according to Rolling Stone. Little wonder then that thousands of Haitians are simply giving up and leaving their country. BBC quoted the International Organization for Migration as saying that over 100,00 Haitians fled their homes last year amid school and hospitals shutting down. Many of those leaving are heading to the United States. When we get there, hopefully we will be able to work to help our families and children who live in misery. Im leaving to work to help my family, a man identifying himself as Ramon told Sky News. But dont look for the US to get involved beyond deporting migrants back to Haiti. Thousands of Haitians are fleeing their homes every day and many are fleeing the country. Reuters Haiti is not a strategic country for the US, Fatton told Rolling Stone. Only insofar as its next door with the problem of migration. Henry, meanwhile, is still attempting to rally international support. The prime minister on Friday signed reciprocal agreements with Kenyan president William Ruto to try and salvage the plan to deploy Kenyan police to Haiti. This came months after Kenyas High Court in January ruled that the proposed deployment was unconstitutional, in part because the original deal lacked reciprocal agreements between the two countries. But he may be too late. Too many gangsters now On Monday, heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of Haitis main international airport exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites in an explosion of violence that includes a mass escape from the countrys two biggest prisons. The attack occurred just hours after authorities in Haiti ordered a nighttime curfew following violence in which armed gang members overran the two biggest prisons and freed thousands of inmates over the weekend. The secretary-general is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have intensified their attacks on critical infrastructure over the weekend, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Barbecue, meanwhile, has warned other nations to stay out of Haitis affairs. The international community is understanding enough to sit down and have a decent conversation with everyone, he told Sky News. But if they try to resolve it with guns, many people in the slums could die. They will kill mostly innocent people. Many Haitians have seemingly given up hope of a better future. As long as this country exists, nothing will change, 17-year-old Taina Jean told Rolling Stone. There are too many gangsters now you cannot kill them all. With inputs from agencies The World Banks 10th annual Women, Business and the Law report has shone a spotlight on several issues faced by women across 190 nations including legal protections, the gender wage gap and transparency. But how did India fare? The report stated that women enjoy just 64 per cent of the legal protections that men do. That figure is lower than the previous estimate of 77 per cent. Representational image. Women may have come a long way, but societies around the world still have a long way to go when it comes to making the two genders truly equal. Thats the summary of a new report by the World Bank. The banks 10th annual Women, Business and the Law report has shone a spotlight on several issues that women face in even the wealthiest nations around the world. Advertisement But what are the takeaways from the report? Lets have a closer look: What are the takeaways? The report stated that women enjoy just 64 per cent of the legal protections as men do. That figure is lower than the previous estimate of 77 per cent. Even the wealthiest nations do not provide women with true equal opportunity. It examined a range of factors including safety, childcare, pay, marriage, parenthood, workplace, mobility, assets, entrepreneurship and pensions. The lower number comes after the introduction of safety and childcare as two new factors. As per CNBC, nearly all nations fared badly in the two new categories. The Guardian quoted the reports lead author Tea Trumbic as saying these two issues especially impacted womens ability to work. Trumbic said violence could stop them from going to work, while childcare costs could render it out of the question. Advertisement The report, examining how 190 nations are implementing existing laws to protect women, uncovered a shocking gap between policy and practice. The report said taking care of the childcare gap would immediately boost the number of women in the labour force by 1 per cent. It said under half the nations have financial support or tax relief for parents of young children. Under a third have established childcare quality standards to reassure parents that their children will be properly cared for. Advertisement The report also for the first time examined how 190 nations are implementing existing laws to protect women. It uncovered a shocking gap between policy and practice. According to The Guardian, nations had on average set up under 40 per cent of the systems needed to put the policies in place. Women could turbocharge global economy Advertisement The report said putting an end to discriminatory laws and practices that prevent women from working or starting businesses could boost global gross domestic product by over 20 per cent. That would double the rate of global growth over the next decade. Women have the power to turbocharge the sputtering global economy, said World Bank chief economist Indermit Gill. Advertisement All over the world, discriminatory laws and practices prevent women from working or starting businesses on an equal footing with menWBL 2024 identifies what governments can do to accelerate progress toward gender equality in business and the law," she was quoted as saying by CNBC. Gill noted that reforms to prevent discrimination have slowed to a crawl. The report said obstacles that women face in entering the global workforce included barriers to starting businesses, persistent pay gaps and bans on working at night or in jobs deemed dangerous. The report said putting an end to discriminatory laws and practices that prevent women from working or starting businesses would double the rate of global growth over the next decade. AFP Women have barely a third of needed legal protections against domestic violence, sexual harassment, child marriage and femicide in the 190 countries studied, the report found. Sexual harassment is banned in the workplace in 151 countries, but only 40 have laws banning it in public places. How can we expect women to prosper at work when it is dangerous for them just to travel to work? Gill asked. Women also spend an average of 2.4 more hours a day on unpaid care work than men, much of it caring for children, with only 78 countries having enacted quality standards governing childcare services. On paper, women had roughly two-thirds the rights of men, but countries lacked the systems needed for full implementation and enforcement, the report also found. For example, 98 economies have equal pay laws, but only 35 have pay-transparency measures or enforcement mechanisms to address the pay gap, which shows women earning just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. How did India do? According to Down To Earth, India improved its rank to 113 this year to 126 in 2023. Though India has maintained its score of 74.4 per cent since 2021, the countrys ranking has fluctuated since then. India was ranked 125 in 2022 and 122 in 2021. The new two factors of safety and childcare improved Indias ranking. The report found Indian women have 60 per cent of the legal rights compared to men. While thats under the global average, India fares far better than its peers in South Asia where women have just 45.9 per cent of the legal protections enjoyed by men. The country also got a perfect score on freedom of movement and marriage-related constraints. But the World Bank report gave India one of the lowest scores when it comes to laws about womens pay. It recommended that India pass equal pay for equal work laws, allow women to work at night as men do and let women work industrial jobs at par with men. According to Economic Times, India also fared better with regard to supportive frameworks such as policies, plans, programs, services, budgets, procedures, inspections, and sanctions for noncompliance with quality standards. India established 54.2 per cent of supportive frameworks compared to the global average of 39.5 per cent. According to the newspaper, India has been attempting to boost female labour force participation rate which stood at 37 per cent in 2022-2023. That figure was over 50 per cent in OECD nations. Supportive frameworks largely lacking Countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the most laws to protect women but the fewest systems to enforce them. Weve seen a consistent reform effort from several African countries this year the report really highlights Togo and Sierra Leone that had really big shifts in the last three to four years, Trumbic was quoted as saying by The Guardian. But the supportive frameworks are largely lacking. So thats why the implementation gap is even larger in countries that reformed recently because theyve raised the standard in their laws, but they dont have the supportive mechanisms to implement them. According to Down To Earth, Togo has just 27 per cent of the necessary mechanisms in place to fully implement the laws. The report includes specific recommendations for governments, including improving laws relating to safety, childcare and business opportunities; enacting reforms that lift restrictions on womens work; expanding maternity and paternity leave provisions; and setting binding quotas for women on corporate boards of publicly traded companies. Earlier retirement ages for women, despite women living longer than men, also limit their income. Because they receive lower pay while they work, take time off when they have children, and retire earlier, they end up with smaller pension benefits and greater financial insecurity in old age, it said. It is more urgent than ever to accelerate efforts to reform laws and enact public policies that empower women to work and start and grow businesses," Trumbic said. Trumbic added barely half of women participated in the global workforce, compared with nearly three out of every four men. This is not just unfair - its wasteful. Countries simply cannot afford to sideline half of their population. Increasing womens economic participation is the key to amplifying their voices and shaping decisions that affect them directly, Trumbic was quoted as saying by CNBC. With inputs from agencies We Are China Two Sessions Explainer: Highlights of 2024 Chinese government work report 18:43, March 05, 2024 By Sheng Chuyi, Peng Yukai ( People's Daily Online All eyes are on the government work report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 5. Here are some key points: -- 2024 GDP growth target: around 5 percent -- Creating over 12 million jobs in urban areas -- Ratio of deficit to GDP: 3 percent -- Special-purpose bonds for local governments: 3.9 trillion yuan -- Issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds -- Launching AI Plus initiative -- Enhancing disruptive and frontier technology research -- Launching year-long program to stimulate consumption -- Investment from central government budget: 700 billion yuan -- Expanding domestic demand -- Ensuring national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises -- Working toward joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership -- Pursuing higher-standard opening up -- Defusing risks in property, local debt, small and medium-sized financial institutions -- Ensuring both development and security -- Advancing energy revolution -- Opposing "Taiwan independence" and external interference -- Upholding international fairness and justice For the latest on this year's Two Sessions, stay tuned on People's Daily Online. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Sheng Chuyi) Beman Middle School is located at 1 Wilderman's Way in Middletown. Cassandra Day / Hearst Connectic MIDDLETOWN Beman Middle School students organized a walkout at the Wilderman's Way facility Tuesday morning in support of Principal Raymond Byron, who has been on leave since Thursday. Middletown Public Schools Communication Director Jessie Lavorgna shared a letter from Middletown Superintendent of Schools Alberto Vazquez Matos in which he said "students peacefully left their classrooms and gathered in the schools gym." "Understandably, this event may raise questions," the schools chief wrote. "As the students assembled peacefully in the gym, school and district personnel and administrators were present, along with security personnel to ensure everyone's safety." Advertisement Article continues below this ad A parent posted a photo of students gathered in the gym Tuesday morning on the What's Really Happening Middletown CT Facebook page. It looks safe and well-organized, the person wrote. Byron has been on a leave of absence since Feb. 29, according to a letter dated March 1, which alerted parents that an interim principal, Dan Raucci, a longtime employee and supervisor of English Language Arts for grades six to 12, would be filling Byrons role on a temporary basis. "We recognize and strongly support our students right to express themselves. We are proud that they did so in a respectful and responsible manner this morning," Vazquez Matos wrote. "The administration at Beman Middle School is committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. We will continue to work closely with students, teachers, and staff to foster a positive school climate built on mutual respect." A petition demanding transparency surrounding recent events is being circulated in support of the principal, who is on leave from his job for an indeterminate amount of time." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Byron's leave follows the discovery of antisemitic messages in a bathroom at the school on multiple occasions. However, Lavorgna said Monday that she doesnt know if the leave is related to swastika graffiti found in the restroom. The petition said, The district has not confirmed any disciplinary action for this hate crime, and there has been no confirmation of the relationship of the two events. In a Feb. 29 email, the petition said, parents were told that school administrators are working with a local police investigation. However, it seems clear that part of the investigation resulted in the removal of Mr. Byron since the email concerning his leave came on March 2nd, the document said. This leave coincided with the revelation in the media and via email that swastikas were found in a students' bathroom, the petition continued. Removing the principle midyear creates a chaotic environment for students, teachers, staff and parents. The lack of transparency about Mr. Byron's leave creates a climate of distrust between the superintendents office and the student community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As for Byron's leave, Vazquez Matos wrote Tuesday, the district does not discuss personnel matters. "As such, we cannot share any information beyond the fact that Mr. Byron has not been terminated or disciplined by the Middletown Public Schools," he wrote. Bill Perkins, who has two children attending the middle school, said that Byron is a fair disciplinarian. What hes done at Beman hes trying to turn it around over there. Hes doing his best trying to hold the students accountable. Not only have I heard that from the students, but I heard it from the teachers as well, he said. Hes making the students respect the teachers. Hes not allowing them to talk to the teachers the way they were a year or so ago. His students witness disturbances often at Beman, Perkins is sad to say. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its amazing what kids become accustomed to, and what they can get used to, and whats normal everyday life," he added. Byron, the petition said, is an active and central member of the Beman community, the steward of a ship that has long been traveling in tumultuous waters." He greets students, knows all of the students by name, is a respectful leader to teachers, staff, students and parents, and most importantly, is present and available. He helps students and parents alike and sees students in their complexity. He is always positive, a fair disciplinarian and always open to new ideas, the petition author wrote. It acknowledged that employment matters are private; however, taxpayers have a right to voice our concerns, and demand to know when this investigation will be concluded, and if his removal stems from the swastikas in the bathroom. The BJP has launched a Modi ka Parivar campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha polls after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad said the PM has no family at a rally recently. This is not the first time that the saffron party has capitalised on the Oppositions barbs at Narendra Modi PM Narendra Modi said recently that '140 crore people of this country are my family'. PTI The Opposition INDIA bloc has again offered the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) an opportunity to bank their jibes and turn them into a political campaign ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadavs recent no family remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the saffron party a new slogan Mera Bharat, Mera Parivar. Advertisement These developments evoke memories of 2019 and 2014 when the BJP had used the Oppositions barbs for its election campaigns. Lets take a look at what is going on. Modi ka Parivar in 2024 Several Union ministers, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, and BJP leaders added Modi Ka Parivar (Modis family) as a suffix to their profile names on X after PM Modi hit out at the RJD supremos jibe that he had no family. Speaking at a rally in Telanganas Adilabad on Monday (4 March), Modi said that the 140 crore people of this country are his family. People of the nation consider me as their own. They love me like a member of their family. And that is why I say that the 140 crore people of this country are my family. Advertisement The youth they are my family. Crores of daughters, mothers and sisters in the country the poor people in the country are my family. The millions of children and elderly people in the country they are Modis family. Those who have no one belong to Modi and Modi belongs to them. My Bharat, my family, he added. Advertisement PMs remarks came a day after RJD chief Lalu Prasads attacks on him at the INDIA blocs Jan Vishwas Maha Rally in Patna. The former Bihar chief minister had stated: Modi keeps talking about pariwarwaad (dynastic politics). What can we do if Narendra Modi does not have a family of his own? He keeps bragging about the Ram temple. He is not even a true Hindu. In Hindu tradition, a son must shave his head and beard upon the demise of his parents. Modi did not do so when his mother died. Advertisement PM Modi responded to this in Telangana, saying that he had left home at a young age to serve people as a sevak, adding that he targeted dynastic parties for their jhooth and loot (lies and loot), according to Indian Express. By Monday afternoon, Modi Ka Parivar started trending on X. The BJP plans to capitalise on the jibe and make it a mass public campaign. The partys social media head, Amit Malviya, has launched slogans like MaiHoonModiKaParivar and Desh ka jan jan Modi ka parivar (Every citizen of the country is Modis family). Advertisement BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Anil Sharma during the launch of Hum Hain Narendra Modi ka Parivar campaign in New Delhi, 4 March 2024. PTI This will become a mass movement. People from all walks of life could associate with the new phrase Modi Ka Parivaar and this could be another emotive connect of the PM with common people, a senior BJP leader told News18. 'Mera Bharat, Mera Parivar (whole nation is my family)': PM Modi hits back at Lalu Yadav over his 'you're not a Hindu, you've no family' attack "Personal attacks on PM have never worked": News18's @AmanKayamHai_ @poonam_burde | #PMModi #LaluYadav pic.twitter.com/hyhHCKQcAG News18 (@CNNnews18) March 4, 2024 Another senior party leader said that common people will make this campaign bigger and this will resonate with them as PM Modi has been addressing the public as mere parivarjano (my family members) at all his recent rallies, reported News18. Main Bhi Chowkidar in 2019 These identical changes by BJP leaders to their online profiles are similar to the updates made by them in 2019. After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gave the Chowkidar Chor Hai slogan ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, top BJP leaders prefixed Chowkidar to their profiles on Twitter (now X). Gandhi and other Opposition leaders tried to corner PM Modi alleging corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. However, the Congress leaders Chowkidar Chor Hai jibe backfired as the BJP used the opportunity to portray solidarity with the PM. Rahul Gandhi gave Chowkidar Chor Hai slogan in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. PTI File Photo The saffron party launched campaigns propping up PM Modis perceived clean image and his na khaunga, na khane dunga motto. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned with a thumping majority in the 2019 general elections. Chai Pe Charcha in 2014 Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar stirred a controversy that appears to have benefited the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections at the Grand Old Partys cost. He could sell tea at a Congress conclave," the former Union Minister had said at the time for Modi. The Chaiwala jibe spurred the BJPs Chai Pe Charcha poll campaign across the country. The party also used the opportunity to project Modi as someone who has humble beginnings while depicting the Congress as elitist. The BJP trounced Congress by winning 282 Lok Sabha seats. The Grand Old Party was reduced to just 44 seats in the 543-member lower house. With inputs from agencies The satellite known as MethaneSAT was launched from California on Monday via a SpaceX rocket. Built at a cost of $88 million, the washing machine-sized satellite will orbit the earth 15 times a day at an altitude of 590 kilometres and will be able to detect changes as small as three parts per billion The rendering of the satellite that will be used to track methane emissions is shown in a handout from MethaneSAT. Reuters A new satellite will track emissions of methane and name and shame some of the biggest polluters around the world. Known as MethaneSAT, the satellite was launched from California on Monday via a SpaceX rocket. Methane, known as natural gas, is far more potent that carbon dioxide. It is estimated to be responsible for a third of the warming driving the climate change. Advertisement But what do we know about the satellite? And how will it track methane emissions? Lets take a closer look: What do we know about the satellite? According to The Guardian, the satellite was developed by the US-non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the New Zealand Space Agency. The satellite, which is the size of a washing machine, cost $88 million to build. The satellite, whose instrument measures 140 metres, will orbit the earth 15 times a day at an altitude of 590 kilometres. It can detect changes as small as three parts per billion. Advertisement According to Indian Express, the satellite has a high-resolution infrared sensor and a spectrometer. It also has a wide-camera view of 200x200 kilometres which lets it recognise super emitters. Were fitting into a place where nobody else is operating, Steve Wofsy, an atmospheric scientist at Harvard University and lead of MethaneSATs technical team told Nature. The Guardian in March 2023 identified over 1,000 such sites based on data from the European Space Agencys Sentinel 5P satellite. Advertisement The worst leak was releasing methane gas at a rate equal to 67 million cars. It also showed that Turkmenistan was releasing a massive amount of methane. The EDF said its data will be made publicly available later this year via Google Earth Engine. Methane, known as natural gas, is far more potent that carbon dioxide. This geospatial analysis platform is free for researchers, nonprofits and the news media. Advertisement Google Cloud is providing the computing capabilities to process the information. According to Scientific American, Google will employ AI algorithms to build maps of oil and gas infrastructure around the world that will help researchers find where the methane is coming from. Incredibly valuable We think this information is incredibly valuable for energy companies, researchers and the public sector to anticipate and mitigate methane emissions in components that are generally most susceptible, Yael Maguire, vice-president of geo sustainability at Google, told reporters. Advertisement Infrastructure changes rapidly, and keeping a map like this up to date requires constant input. But this is something that we in our maps and geo organization, weve built up a lot of expertise," Maguire was quoted as saying by The Verge. The MethaneSAT satellite will add to a growing fleet of spacecraft in orbit that are meant to help fight climate change by publishing data on emissions of the invisible but potent greenhouse gas. While methane emissions also come from agricultural waste and landfills, Steven Hamburg, EDFs chief scientist and MethaneSats project lead, told Scientific American the focus is on oil and gas facilities because they comprise a huge share of global methane emissions. The website quoted the International Energy Agency as saying the energy sector accounted for around 40 per cent of the worlds methane emissions produced by humans. The industry puts out around 80 million metric tons of methane every year. Hamburg added that these emissions can be easily tamped down on once they are singled out. Some call it the low-hanging fruit I like to call it fruit lying on the ground, Hamburg was quoted as saying. We can really reduce those emissions, and we can do it rapidly and see the benefits. Nature quoted Hamburg said the satellite would provide radical transparency. This will be the first time that we have ever had this type of information for any greenhouse gas, he added. Methane dominates whats happening in the near term, Hamburg was quoted as saying by The Verge. The timing really matters. Because if we do it really quickly and dramatically reduce those methane emissions, we can significantly reduce that rate of warming over the coming decades. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) said the data will bring accountability to the more than 50 oil and gas companies that pledged at the Dubai COP28 climate summit in December to zero out methane and eliminate routine gas flaring, and help those preparing to comply with forthcoming methane regulations in the EU and the US, including a methane pollution fee. We could basically cut warming nearly in half over the next couple of decades if we were to eliminate our methane emissions, Ilissa Ocko, an atmospheric scientist at EDF, told Nature. In a lot of cases, fixing the problem is easy. The United States is among the biggest methane-emitting countries, and has proposed mandatory measures to stem leaks from oil and gas operations. The industry puts out around 80 million metric tons of methane every year. A new rule by the US Environmental Protection Agency would allow the public to report large methane leaks to federal regulators if they have access to methane detection technology. The Guardian quoted EDFs senior vice-president Mark Brownstein as saying, MethaneSat is a tool for accountability. Im sure many people think this could be used to name and shame companies who are poor emissions performers, and thats true. But [it] can [also] help document progress that leading companies are making in reducing their emissions. No place to hide Some have criticised the satellite. Oil industry group the American Petroleum Institute said emissions data from third parties should not be used for regulatory purposes without verification. The environmental regulator is still going to be paramount here as the authority in terms of validating the data, said Aaron Padilla, API vice president of corporate. But Brownstein urged people to look on the bright side. Well be able to see who the laggards are, but hopefully they will use that information in a constructive way to improve their performance. The capabilities of this satellite are phenomenal, Roisin Commane, an atmospheric scientist at Columbia University in New York City told Nature. But Commane pointed out MethaneSATs reach remains limited to just 30 swaths of land measuring 200 square kilometres each. Theres an awful lot more to be done, Commane added. Soon, there will be no place to hide, Ben Cahill, a climate expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a national security think tank told Washington Post. Theres going to be a lot of public data on methane emissions, so companies will have very strong incentives to figure out the problem and fix it. But others remain sceptical. As Drew Shindell, an earth-science professor at Duke University, told The New York Times, Theres no guarantee that this information leads to a change in behaviour. With inputs from agencies Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has forged a new alliance with previous rival KP Olis Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). This marks a new chapter in the countrys power struggles. There have been 13 governments since 2008, when monarchy was abolished A man carries a Nepalese national flag. The new flip in alliances, marks another chapter in Nepal's long history of political struggles. The country has seen 13 different governments since 2008, when monarchy was abolished and the country became a republic. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters Nepal is once again witnessing a political churn. In fact, many political observers note that political instability has been the only constant for the Himalayan nation. On Monday (4 March), Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda severed his Maoist partys 15-month alliance with the Nepali Congress and forged a coalition with the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), a party that had, incidentally, withdrawn support to him last February. Advertisement We take a closer look at the current political instability what facilitated this move and also take a deep dive into Nepals ever-changing political scenario. Prachanda forges new alliance On Monday (4 March), Nepals Prachanda formed a new alliance with KP Sharma Oli, dumping his 15-month partner Sher Bahadur Deuba. The move came owing to differences between Prachanda and Deuba, said a CPN-Maoist Centre party leader. After calling it quits on the alliance, Prachandas party, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), joined hands with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist) [CPN-UML], led by Oli, who was once regarded as Prachandas top critic. And shortly after that Prachanda reshuffled his Cabinet, with three ministers Padam Giri from the CPN-UML, Hit bahadur Tamang from CPN and Dol Prasad Aryal from Rashtriya Swatantra Party being sworn in. However, they have not been assigned a portfolio yet. Advertisement Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda (right) has ended his alliance with Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Nepali Congress party. File image/Reuters With this move, Prachanda has aligned the two largest Communist parties and pushed the Nepali Congress party, which has 89 members in the 275-member House of Representatives. In fact, shortly after the new partnership was formed, Prachanda accused the Nepali Congress of being a reactionary force that was trying to use him. Advertisement In turn, Nepali Congress leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba told his party colleagues that he did not expect this dishonesty from Prachanda. But what caused this rift just 15 months into the partnership? According to a PTI news report, the partnership began developing cracks over differences between Nepali Congress leader and Finance Minister Mahat and Prachanda over the issue of budget allocation to certain projects. Advertisement And this situation worsened as Deuba wanted newly elected National Assembly member Krishna Sitaula to be made the Chairman of the National Assembly, against Prachandas plan to appoint his partys fellow to the key post. Nepals history of political instability Interestingly, this is another switch in alliances in Nepal, which has seen 13 different governments since 2008, when monarchy was abolished and the country became a republic. In fact, since 2008, all the governments in the Himalayan nation have been coalitions of two or more parties, giving rise to instability. Advertisement Rewind to 2008 when the first Constituent Assembly elections were held. The Maoist Centre, spearheaded by Prachanda emerged as the single largest political force and joined hands with the CPN-UML to form a government. However, Prachanda couldnt hold on to power and in 2009, he resigned after President Ram Baran Yadav revoked his decision to fire Army chief Rookmangad Katawal. Then the CPN-UML joined forces with Nepali Congress with Madhav Kumar Nepal as its leader. This partnership didnt last long either, with Nepal resigning in 2010. In the following years, Jhala Nath Khanal and Baburam Bhattarai also became prime ministers but couldnt hold on to power, leading to instability in the nation. In February 2014, Sushil Koirala of the Nepali Congress was elected prime minister when his party and the CPN-UML joined hands. Eventually, it was under his tutelage that Nepal adopted a Constitution. Newly elected Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala greets media personnel as he walks out from the Parliament after being elected Prime Minister in Kathmandu in 2014. File image/Reuters Then CPN-UMLs KP Sharma Oli led another coalition, including the Maoist Centre, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik. In July 2016, Oli resigned after the Maoists withdrew their support. The Maoist Centre blamed Oli for failing to address the disputes over the constitution and the issue of transitional justice in cases related to the Maoist insurgency. In August of the same month, Prachanda rose to the top again with the support of Congress and some fringe parties. It was in the following year, 2017, that Nepal held elections for parliament. The Leftist alliance of the CPN-UML and Maoist Centre won the largest number of seats, almost two-thirds, in the Nepalese parliament, with Oli being re-elected as prime minister. It was also decided that Oli and Prachanda would divide the prime ministerial tenure between them. But when the time came, Oli refused to hand over the reins. This led to a new political crisis when Oli dissolved the House of Representatives and ordered for fresh elections. However, acting on a plea by the opposition parties, the countrys supreme court intervened, and in July 2021, reinstated the House of Representatives and directed President Bidya Devi Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister. In 2017, Nepal held elections following which KP Oli of the CPN-UML was elected as prime minister. It was also decided that Oli and Prachanda would divide the prime ministerial tenure between them. But when the time came, Oli refused to hand over the reins, plunging the country into a political crisis. File image/Reuters In November 2022, the country witnessed another election with Deubas Nepali Congress emerging as the single-largest party. However, it fell short of the majority mark and therefore had to forge a coalition. It was then that NC partnered with Prachandas party and others. However, in a shocking turn of events, Prachanda surprisingly walked out of the ruling alliance and in December 2022, with the support of the Olis party on the basis of an understanding between Prachanda and Oli to lead the government on a rotation basis. This alliance didnt last long either; in February 2023, Oli and his party, the CPN-UML, pulled out when Prachanda supported the opposition coalitions candidate for the presidential elections. This situation forced Prachanda to seek a vote of confidence in March last year, which he subsequently sailed through with the support of Nepali Congress, and others such as Rastriya Swatantra Party, CPN-Unified Socialist, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Lokatantrik Samajwadi Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party and Janamat Party. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda came to power in 2022 in a surprise move and has been able to hold on to his seat. The question is for how long, though. File image/Reuters Impact of political flip flops According to experts, these flip flops and political instability in Nepal is owing to politicians trying to quench their thirst for power. Political observer Jagat Nepal in a report published by The Kathmandu Post said the political parties have been joining coalitions merely to quench their thirst for power, leading to splits. Politicians have not been honest with their ideologies. They fear that without power, they cant survive in politics. They all rush to grab power, seeking advantages, mostly economic, he said. And its instability also hinders its growth. As experts note, this instability affects domestic industries. Political crises have also led to a more frequent switch of policies, creating volatility and thus, negatively affecting macroeconomic performance. If cultural and ethnic groups feel that there is economic, political, and social inequality, conflicts are more likely to occur, causing further poverty. As others point out, the political instability also has an impact on foreign aid and investment, which the country heavily relies on. With inputs from agencies Super Tuesday will be a crucial moment for President Joe Biden and his opponent Donald Trump. As the day with the most delegates up for stake, heres what to look out for The Super Tuesday contest will unfold from Alaska and California to Virginia and Vermont. And while most of the attention will be on the presidential contest, there are other important elections on Tuesday. File image/AP Super Tuesday is the most important day of this years primary campaign in the US. On this day, 16 states will hold elections, which play an important role in determining the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. The elections are critical for President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who are the clear front-runners for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, respectively. As the day with the most delegates at stake, Biden and Trumps strong performances would propel them closer to becoming their partys nominee. Advertisement The contest will unfold from Alaska and California to Virginia and Vermont. And while most of the attention will be on the presidential contest, there are other important elections on Tuesday. Does Trump keep rolling? So far, the Republican presidential primary has been a snoozer. The former president has dominated the race and his last major rival in the race, his onetime UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, is struggling to keep up. She lost the 27 February primary in Michigan by more than 40 percentage points. She even lost her home state of South Carolina, where she was twice elected governor, by more than 20 percentage points. As the race pivots to Super Tuesday, the vast map seems tailor-made for Trump to roll up an insurmountable lead on Haley. His team has been turning up the pressure on Haley to drop out, and another big win could be a major point in their favour. What is Super Tuesday? Haleys banked a considerable amount of campaign money and says she wants to stay in the race until the Republican National Convention in July in case delegates there have second thoughts about formally nominating Trump amidst his legal woes. Advertisement But shes seen some of her financial support waver recently the organisation Americans For Prosperity, backed by the Koch brothers, announced itd stop spending on her behalf after South Carolina. She may not be able to afford another sweeping loss. Do college grads keep turning against Trump? Amid Trumps commanding wins this primary season have been a notable warning sign for November: Hes performed poorly with college-educated primary voters. Advertisement In the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, APVoteCast found that college graduates picked Haley over Trump. Roughly two-thirds of voters in both states who went to graduate school after college voted for the former South Carolina governor. In South Carolina, Trump won the suburbs but not by the same magnitude as his dominance in small towns and rural areas, essentially splitting the vote with Haley. Advertisement One of the biggest questions on Tuesday is whether Trump can start repairing that rupture. Weakness with college graduates and in the suburbs where they cluster is what doomed Trump in his 2020 loss to Biden. Does Biden end doubts? As sleepy as the Republican presidential primary has been, the Democratic one has been even quieter. Biden has many political problems dragging him down in public opinion polls, but not, so far, at primary polling stations. Advertisement The one speed bump came in Michigan, where an organised attempt to vote uncommitted in the primary there to protest Bidens support of Israel during the war in Gaza garnered 13 per cent of the vote, a slightly higher share than that option got in the last primary under a Democratic president. Advertisement President Joe Biden has many political problems dragging him down in public opinion polls, but not, so far, at primary polling stations. File image/AP The only similar organised anti-Biden effort on the Super Tuesday calendar is one put together at the last minute by a handful of leftist groups in Colorado on Thursday to vote non-committed like in Michigan. Some 700,000 people had already cast ballots in the all-mail states primary. The other obstacles are the presidents two longshot primary opponents whove yet to crack low single digits against him, US Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota and self-help author Marianne Williamson, who revived her campaign after receiving a surprise three per cent of the Michigan primary vote. Advertisement What happens in Californias senate race? Theres far more than the presidential primaries on the ballot Tuesday. One of the most consequential contests is the California primary for the US Senate seat left open by the death of Democratic Senate Dianne Feinstein. The seats temporary occupant, Laphonza Butler, isnt running for a full term. Rather than having the winners of party primaries face off in November, California throws every candidate into a single primary and has the top two vote-getters make it to the general election. Advertisement Democrats have a lock on statewide races in the overwhelmingly blue state, and for months the speculation was that two prominent US House members from that party, Representative Katie Porter and Adam Schiff, would battle it out until Election Day. But thats changed since former Dodgers great Steve Garvey threw his hat in the ring. Advertisement Garvey, 75, is both a Republican and a novice at politics. Schiff has been airing ads slamming him or, more accurately, promoting him as most likely to carry out Trumps wishes. The idea is to unite the states outnumbered conservatives behind Garvey so he and Schiff finish in the top two, denying Porter a spot in November. Schiff would then be the overwhelming favourite for the seat. Advertisement The current primary setup was passed by voters in 2010, partly to stop partisans from engaging in primary shenanigans. Among other things, the Senate primary will be a test of whether, in the end, motivated politicians can game any system. Which way on criminal justice? Voters in San Francisco and Los Angeles will once more grapple with questions of criminal justice and public order. Advertisement In Los Angeles County, District Attorney George Gascon faces 11 challengers in a primary amid criticism of his progressive approach that includes not seeking cash bail for misdemeanours and nonviolent felonies and not prosecuting juveniles as adults. His opponents have blamed him for a rise in property crimes in some parts of the county, including a brazen smash-and-grab spree at luxury stores. Gascon has weathered criticism before, including two failed recall efforts, one of which was in his first 100 days of taking office. The primary will determine who he faces in November and whether there are signs that Los Angeles liberal voters are changing their minds. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed is pushing one ballot measure to expand police powers to use tactics like drones and surveillance cameras, and another testing single adults on welfare for drugs. The two initiatives come as the city has been wracked by homelessness and drug use, and Breed faces a cranky electorate in her own re-election in November. What to expect from the GOP test in Texas? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last year survived an impeachment led by his own party. Now he wants payback, and Trump is helping him. The primary will be a test of how Republican voters are willing to regulate their own leaders. The impeachment stemmed from Paxtons legal woes. He faces an April trial on felony security fraud charges, and an additional federal corruption probe over the allegations that he used his office to favour a campaign donor that was the foundation of the impeachment charges. Amid Donald Trumps commanding wins this primary season have been a notable warning sign for November: Hes performed poorly with college-educated primary voters. File image/AP Paxton is targeting more than 30 Republican state lawmakers in the primary, including House Speaker Dale Phelan. Paxton is also trying to remove three Republican judges on the states conservative appeals court who voted to limit the attorney generals powers. Paxton has been a staunch supporter of Trump, including the former presidents attempts to overturn his own 2020 election loss, and Trump is helping Paxton in his primary campaign. The Texas purge will be a test of what Republican voters value the most in their elected officials. Can North Carolina candidates unite the parties? Most of the country picked its governors in the 2022 off-year elections, but North Carolina is gearing up for an intense race this fall. The major-party front-runners for the seat being vacated by term-limited Democratic governor Roy Cooper both will need to demonstrate an ability to unite their parties in the primary. Attorney General Josh Stein has Coopers endorsement. Steins main competitor is a former state Supreme Court associate justice, Mike Morgan, who is Black. Watch whether Steins able to hold onto a significant share of the primarys Black voters, which is essential for any Democrat who wants to be competitive in November. The Republican front-runner is Lieutenant governor Mark Robinson, who is Black, has been a divisive figure for some for criticising vocally the teaching of LGBTQ+ issues during sex education and for comments at a church that Christians are called to be led by men. His opponents, state Treasurer Dale Folwell and trial attorney Bill Graham, say Robinson is too polarising to win in November. Robinson received Trumps support last year, but its worth watching whether he shows the same weaknesses as the former president among college-educated, suburban voters. Bidens re-election campaign is targeting North Carolina because it thinks those voters can help him beat Trump there. With inputs from AP A leaked audio recording of German military officers discussing the possible use of Taurus long-range missiles in Ukraine has raised concerns about the security of their communications. But what do we know about the missiles that is at the root of the tensions? Equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to detection, Taurus missiles have a range of up to 500 kilometres (310 miles), which would help Ukraine to put pressure on Russia in the Black Sea and elsewhere. File image/AP When the 38-minute recording of German military officers discussing support for Ukraine, including the potential use of Taurus missiles was leaked by Russian state media, Germany was shocked. The events unfolded on the day that Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was laid to rest in Moscow. The conversation about a sensitive subject was never intended to be made public, and the leak embarrassed Germany and raised concerns about the security of its communications. Advertisement In retaliation, Moscow issued threats. If nothing is done, and the German people do not stop this, then there will be dire consequences first and foremost for Germany itself, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Monday. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock responded by saying, If Russia had not brutally attacked this country, Ukraine would not have had to defend itself, according to the dpa news agency. In fact, German officers only considered sending the Taurus missiles in theory. Despite months of pressure from Ukraine, Germany has not approved the deployment of the weapons. Here is a look at the fallout from what German media are calling the wiretapping affair and the Taurus missiles at the heart of the tensions. Advertisement What are Taurus missiles and what can they do? Equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to detection, the missiles have a range of up to 500 kilometres (310 miles), which would help Ukraine to put pressure on Russia in the Black Sea and elsewhere. The German- and Swedish-made missiles would be able to reach targets deep in Russia from Ukrainian soil. (Taurus is shorthand for Target Adaptive Unitary and dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System.) In Latin, taurus means bull. Advertisement Ukraine has been asking Germany for the missiles to complement the long-range Storm Shadow missiles sent by Britain and Frances nearly identical Scalp cruise missiles. The UK announced last spring that it was sending Storm Shadows, which have a range of more than 250 kilometres (155 miles) and give Ukraine capacity to strike well behind the front lines, including in Russia-occupied Crimea. Ukraine pledged not to use the missiles to attack Russia itself. Advertisement France followed Britain by sending its Scalp missiles, giving assurances that they would not be capable of hitting Russian soil. Paris recently announced the delivery of 40 additional Scalp missiles. What is Germanys position on sending the missiles to Ukraine? Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States and is further stepping up support this year. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to send the Taurus missiles. Last week, he said sending the missiles would pose a risk of his country becoming directly involved in the war. Advertisement German soldiers must at no point and in no place be linked to targets this system reaches, he said last week. Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States and is further stepping up support this year. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to send the Taurus missiles. File image/Reuters Some members of the conservative Opposition, and even some in his socially liberal three-party coalition, want to send the missiles to Ukraine. But the idea is not popular with the public. German media have suggested that by not allowing the Taurus weapons to be sent to Ukraine the unpopular chancellor was trying to distinguish himself domestically as Friedenskanzler or peace chancellor ahead of June elections to the European Parliament. Many people are afraid the war could spread. Scholz has long been aware of this sentiment, the news magazine Der Spiegel wrote Friday. He wants to show them: I am aware of you and your worries. For military strategists, there are other concerns. Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a note earlier this year that while the UK and France are already developing successors to their Storm Shadows and Scalps, Germany does not have yet have a successor to the Taurus. Germans fear that their stocks of Taurus missiles could be depleted, he argued, and that Russians would see the missile in operation in Ukraine and gain insights into the missiles countermeasures and stealth characteristics. Whats in the leaked audio? The 38-minute recording was published by Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of Russian state-funded television channel RT, on social media Friday, the same day Navalny was laid to rest after his still-unexplained death two weeks earlier in an Arctic penal colony. It surfaced just weeks before Russias presidential election. In the audio, the head of Germanys air force, Ingo Gerhartz, can be heard discussing deployment scenarios for Taurus missiles in Ukraine with three colleagues ahead of a meeting with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The conversation took place 19 February, according to Simonyan. The four military officers discuss how Taurus missiles could be used by Kyiv against invading Russian forces and how Germany would need to support Ukraine technically. At the start of the WebEx conversation, there is a lot of small talk. One participant connected from Singapore. It is quite humid here, he says. The four then start preparing a briefing on the Taurus weapon system for Pistorius, seeking to coordinate their messages and agreeing to prepare some slides to better visualise the situation. German defence minister Boris Pistorius addresses the media during a press statement in Berlin, Germany. German authorities say they are investigating after an audio recording was published in Russia in which German military officers purportedly discussed support for Ukraine, including the potential use of Taurus long-range cruise missiles. AP If we ever decide politically to support Ukraine with it (the Taurus missiles), how would all of this work? one officer asked. We should not only talk about problems but also about solutions. The four then discuss various issues that would need to be taken into consideration, including delivery, training and timing. They go into detail about what Ukraine would theoretically need the system for, such as targeting a bridge in the east or an ammunition depot. In the course of the discussion, it becomes clear that they are referring to the Kerch bridge linking Russia and occupied Crimea. One of the officials says that training to target the bridge, which is as big as an airfield, would likely take longer. They also discuss potential red lines for German politicians, including a desire to avoid the military being seen as directly involved. The officers say the rapid deployment of Taurus missiles would only be possible with the participation of German soldiers and that training Ukrainian soldiers to deploy the Taurus on their own would be possible, but would take months. The recording makes clear that the German government has not given its ok for the delivery of the cruise missiles sought by Ukraine. How has Germany reacted? German officials have not claimed that the audio is fabricated, which has widely been taken to mean that the recording is authentic. For hours after the audio was published Friday by Russian media, German officials did not react at all. Then on Saturday, the Defence Ministry said it was investigating, and Scholz called it a very serious matter that required quick clarification. Defence Minister Pistorius followed up Sunday by denouncing the leak as an act of information warfare against the West and said the aim was to sow discord within Germany. He said it was no coincidence that the recording leaked on the day of Navalnys funeral. It is a hybrid attack aimed at disinformation, Pistorius said. This is clearly about undermining our unity. With inputs from AP In a huge boost to Donald Trump, the US supreme court reversed the Colorado ruling on removing the former president from the ballot. This effectively clears the way for the Republican frontrunner to appear on the primary ballot in all states, and possibly even win the election Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received a great boost on Monday when the US supreme court ruled that he was wrongly removed from Colorado ballot. File image/AP Fight your fight yourself. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent to try and damage your opponent so you can win an election. This is what Donald Trump told US president Joe Biden shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president and Republican frontrunner for the 2024 polls could not be kept off the ballot in Colorado . Advertisement The US supreme courts unanimous decision overturns a ruling from the Colorado court which had said that Trump could not run because he had engaged in insurrection during the 6 January attack on the US Capitol. We take a closer look at the US supreme courts ruling on the matter and how it will impact the presidential polls, scheduled in November. What the supreme court said? In December 2023, Colorado pushed Donald Trump off the states primary ballot. And this was upheld by the Colorado supreme court under the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment prohibits former high-ranking government officials who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution of the United States from serving in high office again. The court determined that Trumps incitement of the 6 January, 2021, attack on the Capitol meets the Constitutions definition of an insurrection. Advertisement However, Trumps legal team took the matter to the US supreme court and on 4 March (Monday), the countrys highest court reversed the decision, saying Trump was wrongly removed from Colorados primary ballot last year. We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency, the court said. Congress, the court said, had to enact the procedures for disqualification under Section 3. Advertisement Interestingly, the courts three liberal-leaning justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson said that while they agreed the Colorado decision couldnt stand, they were at odds with the courts majority over their determination that only Congress can enforce Section 3. Allowing Colorado to keep Trump off the ballot, they agreed, would create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, at odds with our nations federalism principles. That is enough to resolve this case. Advertisement How did Trump react? Shortly after the US supreme court gave its decision, clearing Trump ahead of Super Tuesday , when he is expected to move closer to clinching the Republican nomination, the former president took to his social media website, Truth Social, and wrote: Big win for America. Later, he addressed the media and his supporters from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and hailed the court for its decision. I want to start by thanking the supreme court for its unanimous decision today. It was a very important decision, very well crafted. I think it will go a long way toward bringing our country together, which our country needs, he said. Advertisement Former US president Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he was unanimously restored to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to ban him over the Capitol riot. AP He added, Essentially, you cannot take somebody out of a race because an opponent would like to have it that way. And it has nothing to do with the fact that its the leading candidate, whether it was the leading candidate or a candidate that was well down on the totem pole. You cannot take somebody out of a race. Advertisement The voters can take the person out of the race very quickly. But a court shouldnt be doing that. And the Supreme Court saw that very well, Trump further said. And I really do believe that will be a unifying factor because while most states were thrilled to have me know, there were some that didnt and they didnt want that for political reasons. Advertisement Trump also had a message for Biden during his address. He told the US president, Stop weaponisation. Fight your fight yourself. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent to try and damage your opponent so you can win an election, he said. Our country is much bigger than that. Advertisement But what does the courts ruling mean for Trump? While many have dubbed the courts decision as a landmark one, what does it actually mean for Trump, and more importantly, the 2024 US presidential elections? For starters, the court has ruled off the possibility of him being removed from the ballot in Colorado. Effectively, it also stops the efforts to kick Trump off the ballot in Illinois, Maine and other states. The decision ends the efforts to prevent Trumps White House return under the 14th Amendment, unless Congress enacts legislation to enforce the provision. Advertisement Donald Trumps supporters hailed the US supreme courts decision. Reuters The courts decision is also a huge boost for Trumps morale as well as his 2024 run. Pundits note that Trump will use the ruling to his advantage, garnering more support from his followers and pushing the narrative that Biden is weaponising the judiciary against him. The decision also places significant limits on any effort including by Congress to prevent the former president from returning to office, as NBCNews reported. The US website explained that should Trump win the presidential election and lawmakers then seek to not certify the results and prevent him from taking office because he engaged in insurrection under Section 3 of the Constitutions 14th Amendment, the decision could foreclose that action. Advertisement In fact, the courts ruling removed one of the many obstacles on Trumps path back to the White House. He faces a combined 91 criminal counts across four cases one in Washington, DC, the other in New York, the third in Georgia and the fourth in Florida. However, the cases have been pushed back with Trumps first criminal trial to be in the New York hush money case , set to begin on 25 March. Advertisement What have others said? While Trump and his followers have praised the US supreme court for their decision, there are others who expressed disappointment, while others expressed concern about the future of US democracy. Norma Anderson, the lead plaintiff in the Colorado case and a former Republican leader in the states House and Senate, in a statement said: Todays decision does not change this fact: Donald Trump engaged in insurrection against the United States Constitution. I served in public office for decades as a Republican, never putting my party or personal interests ahead of my duties to Colorado or our country. In light of todays ruling, I urge my fellow Republicans to recognise the threat Donald Trump poses to democracy and do the same. Demonstrator and local resident Eric Lamar holds a sign outside the US supreme court building after justices unanimously reversed a decision by Colorados top court to kick Donald Trump off the states Republican primary ballot, in Washington. Reuters Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a liberal watchdog group, who had backed the Colorado plaintiffs also said that the Supreme Court had failed to meet the moment by letting Trump back on the ballot. Even Colorados secretary of state Jena Griswold expressed her disappointment, saying on X, Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrections from our ballot. There were also others who said that the courts decision was telling of US democracy. Thomas Keck, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Al Jazeera, It has been three years [since 6 January>, and Trump has faced almost zero consequences. That is a bad sign for the health of the countrys democratic institutions. And how did Biden react? While the US president himself remained mum, his campaign manager, Quentin Fulks told MSNBC, We dont really care. Its not been the way weve been planning to beat Donald Trump. Our focus since day one of launching this campaign has been to defeat Donald Trump at the ballot box. With inputs from agencies Loren Montefusco claims that she is allergic to water and is unable to shower as it causes her severe itching. The condition that the 22-year-old is suffering from is called aquagenic urticaria, a kind of hive that manifests as a rash upon contact with water Aquagenic urticarial is only brought on by skin contact and not by drinking water. Freepik Water consumption is essential to bodily function. So it would appear that having a water allergy makes survival difficult. An allergic reaction, however, is a rare consequence of skin contact with water. The same is the case with a woman from the United States, who claims that she is allergic to water and is unable to shower as it causes her severe itching. Advertisement Loren Montefusco, 22, said, Its been difficult to navigate as a young woman. Heres all we know about the allergy. The extremely rare case of water allergy The condition that Montefusco is suffering from is called aquagenic urticaria, a kind of hive that manifests as a rash upon contact with water. The 22-year-old South Carolina resident claimed that if she takes a shower or comes into contact with water in any other way, her itching might last for up to an hour. It feels like the itch is deep below the surface of my skin. I try my hardest not to itch, but I cant help it, she said, according to the New York Post. I just have to ride it out. I claw at my skin to put myself in more pain so I dont feel it irritation of the itching, she said, adding that there is no way to alleviate the pain. Advertisement Nothing helps it or stops it [and] it can last up to an hour. Nothing actually appears on the surface of my skin, as it feels like it comes from deep beneath my skin, but my body becomes red and irritated from where I itch, she was quoted as saying by Dailymail. Advertisement This was something the University of North Carolina Wilmington student first observed when she was twelve years old, but it grew worse with time. When she finally visited a doctor three years later, her condition was determined. According to the New York Post, as the allergy has no known cure, Montefusco takes short showers and as few baths as she can to lessen her suffering. Advertisement The chilly air and the act of washing or shaving her body can exacerbate her agony, so she then makes sure to change into new clothes as quickly as possible. Being in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean, as well as sweating, might exacerbate her bath rash. I have tried washing myself using a cloth and water, but its still using water and causes an allergic reaction, Montefusco said, adding that she uses dry shampoo to make her shower real quick. Advertisement She asserts that the only safe solution is to use body wipes. Her body has suffered mentally as well from the pain. I thought it was disgusting that I try not to shower, she said. Luckily, she was able to connect with people who dont take showers and share her issue on social media. She said that she felt much less gross as a result. It has helped me to find other sufferers and see that others have the same struggles as me because it makes me feel less disgusting about the fact that I have to refuse to shower, she said. What is aquagenic urticarial? According to Business Insider, people with aquagenic urticaria get hives whenever their skin comes into touch with water, whether through sweat or tears. Aquagenic urticarial is only brought on by skin contact and not by drinking water. There are just 50 to 100 known cases of this highly rare illness worldwide, according to the National Institutes of Health. Usually, starting around puberty, problems affect women more often. Typically, the hives measure one to three millimetres in diameter and are red in colour. Usually, they show up on the arms, chest, and neck. Certain people could also get itchy. After the removal of water, the rash normally goes away in 30 to 60 minutes. Although the exact source of the allergy is unknown, it is believed that a chemical or allergen in water, rather than the water itself, may be the cause and create an immune response. The majority of instances happen at random and have no family history of the illness, as per Dailymail. Skin reddening, welts, or a rash, as well as burning or prickling sensations, are possible symptoms. Doctors will perform a physical examination to determine the patients symptoms in order to make a diagnosis. A water challenge test is another one they might use. In this test, a persons upper chest is compressed with room temperature water for 30 minutes to see if they react. Owing to the conditions uncommonness, not much is known about the most effective ways to treat it; however, some treatments include steroids, antihistamines, UV radiation therapy, barrier creams, and sodium bicarbonate baths. Its quite stressful to manage While reactions might vary in intensity and frequency, most patients have them daily, often multiple times a day, according to Marcus Maurer, MD, a professor of dermatology and allergy at Berlins Charite University Hospital. Since water contact cannot be avoided, patients know that they will develop wheals, and this results in anxiety, depression, and high-stress levels, Business Insider quoted him as saying. A 2019 study published in Medical Science Monitor indicated that patients with all forms of chronic urticarial, including aquagenic urticarial, had greater levels of depression and anxiety. A case involving an 18-month-old baby who had an allergic response to her own tears surfaced in 2018. Ivy has itchy, burning hives on her skin when she comes into contact with water, even her sweat and tears, according to People magazine. With inputs from agencies The government has rolled out the Chakshu platform to curb the menace of phone call fraud. A part of the citizen-centric facilities available on the Sanchar Saathi portal, the new platform makes it easier to report such calls and messages and enables real-time intelligence-sharing among several stakeholders Fraudsters posing as bank employees or government representatives have called people to update their bank account or gas and electricity connection information in a number of high-profile fraud cases. Pixabay/Representative Image Online scams are on the rise in India. In an attempt to curb the menace of cybercrime and spam calls, the government has rolled out the Chakshu platform, which will allow users to report calls and messages by fraudsters . The new initiative will provide an additional line of protection against anonymous criminals who steal money from people via advanced technology. Advertisement Heres all we know about it. Combating frauds and spam calls using Chakshu Chakshu is a part of the citizen-centric facilities available on the Sanchar Saathi portal. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) new platform makes it easier to report fraud calls and messages and enables real-time intelligence-sharing among several stakeholders. Union IT and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, Chakshu is about reporting something that people suspect is fraud. According to Livemint, Chakshu will act as an information exchange and coordination agency among telecom companies, law enforcement agencies, banks and financial institutions, social media platforms, and authorities issuing identity documents. Information about instances that have been identified as telecom resource misuse will also be available on the portal. The government will also create a grievance redressal platform for reporting connections disconnected inadvertently, as well as for creating a mechanism for returning money frozen as a result, Vaishnaw said, as per Hindustan Times. Advertisement Launched along with Chakshu, the DoT also unveiled the Digital Intelligence Platform that will coordinate and share information with law enforcement agencies, banks and other financial agencies to act on fraud, according to PTI. With the Chakshu and Digital Intelligence Platform, we think the pace at which we were able to detect and prevent cyber frauds will significantly improve, Vaishnaw said. Advertisement Since its introduction in May last year, Sanchar Saathi has assisted over 700,000 people in tracking down lost phones, blocking those phones, reporting identity theft incidents, and identifying over 6.7 million questionable communication attempts. How it will work According to Vaishnaw, Chakshu will allow Indian citizens to report fraudulent communication whether received on call or SMS, or social media like WhatsApp. Once such information is received, the platform will trigger re-verification, and failing re-verification, the number will be disconnected. Advertisement When asked about the process put in place for mobile numbers that are leaked by businesses, the minister said that subscribers can report the number of leaks on the Chakshu portal and action will be taken against the culprit. The minister said that there will be an investigation carried out on the reported number and action will be taken thereafter. Advertisement The result of tracking frauds via digital measures Vaishnaw said through digital measures to check fraud and crime, the Department of Telecom Services has been able to help citizens save around Rs 1,000 crore in the last nine months and Rs 1,008 crore has been frozen in various bank accounts that were linked to fraudulent transactions, reported PTI. He added that the ministry is also working with financial institutions including RBI to recover money and prevent and freeze accounts in which money has been transferred fraudulently. According to the news agency, he said that 17 lakh mobile numbers have been blocked in the last nine months that were used only once, especially for fraudulent activities. The report quoted Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal as saying that the two new portals are yet another step for dealing with cyber security threats to every citizens digital assets. He said the new tools will help curb any kind of fraudulent means and misuse of the communications system. Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan appreciated the efforts of DoT which he said, has successfully completed several projects for countering cyber-security threats. He said that many more such projects are under development to deal with new and emerging frauds, he said. Rising cases of phone calls scam Fraudsters posing as bank employees or government representatives have called people to update their bank account or gas and electricity connection information in a number of high-profile fraud cases. According to India Today, half of the Indians who have received such fake calls have admitted that they were unable to differentiate between a genuine call and an AI-generated fake voice call. The report said around 83 per cent of the people who received these calls fell prey for the trap and lost money. According to McAfees survey titled The Artificial Imposter from seven countries, including India, 69 per cent of Indians are not sure if they can tell the difference between a real voice and a cloned one that is created by AI. 47 per cent of Indian adults have either experienced or known someone who has experienced an AI voice scam. About 48 per cent of the people lost more than Rs 50,000. Another survey conducted by LocalCircles showed 60 per cent of respondents received an average of three spam calls every day over the past year. 30 per cent received one to two calls on average, 36 per cent said they got three to five calls each day, 21 per cent got six to 10 spam calls, three per cent received over 10 unwanted calls and just six per cent did not get any such calls. Following this concerning increase, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released its final recommendations last month to make caller identification the standard feature on all domestic telecom networks in an effort to protect consumers from scammers. Earlier in January this year, the DoT warned citizens about a call-forwarding scam , which let the scammer gets access to their targets phone calls. With inputs from PTI Under the Centres ADITI scheme, start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their research development and innovation endeavours in defence technology The defence ministry announced a Rs 750 crore aid scheme for 2023-26, with the goal of developing 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies within that timeframe. PTI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has announced a new scheme to encourage innovation in critical and strategic defence technologies. The scheme, dubbed Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), aims to provide start-ups with grants worth up to Rs 25 crore for defence technology research, development, and innovation. The scheme will nurture the innovation of youth and help the country leap forward in the field of technology, Singh said during the launch of the scheme at a defence conclave, DefConnect 2024. Advertisement Heres everything you need to know about it. ADITI to promote innovations in defence tech The defence ministry has announced a Rs 750 crore aid scheme for 2023-26, with the goal of developing 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies within that timeframe. It also aims to develop a technology watch tool to bridge the gap between the armed forces expectations and requirements and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem, according to the statement. In the first edition of ADITI, 17 challenges Indian Army (three), Indian Navy (five), Indian Air Force (five) and Defence Space Agency (four) have been launched, it said. As times are changing, new technologies are coming into existence. To become a developed country, it is necessary for us to achieve a technological edge. We must transform our country into a knowledge society, Singh said. Advertisement The ministry later issued a video on the scheme that was shared by its spokesperson on X. There has been a change in the mindset in the armed forces that we should induct indigenised products. This mindset change is important and the processes, both are important, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said in the video. Advertisement Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Minister of State Ajay Bhatt and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane at the DefConnect 2024 event, organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), at Manekshaw Centre, in New Delhi. PTI The iDEX (Innovations For Defence Excellence) is a well-conceived scheme of the ministrys department of defence. Speaking about the launch of the ADITI scheme, General Chauhan said, I feel it is a big step. It shows the governments intent as to how far we are ready to go. It shows intent of services, how big projects they will bring end, innovators are also connected to it, he said. Advertisement The new scheme is a huge step in the direction to connect the mindset of MoD, services and innovators, the CDS added. The iDEX initiative was launched in April 2018. It aims to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia. Advertisement General Chauhan further said, We were thinking of bringing out the sixth Positive Indigenisation List. We should also constantly review the five Positive Indigenisation List and whether the timeframe laid out in them have been achieved or not. The fifth Positive Indigenisation List has been prepared by the Department of Military Affairs after several rounds of consultations with all stakeholders. It lays special focus on import substitution of components of major systems besides important platforms, weapon system and sensors and munitions which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to ten years, according to the ministry. Innovation boost Singh voiced Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led governments unwavering commitment to encourage the youth to bring forth innovative ideas. The ADITI scheme will also create a technology watch tool to bridge the gap between the armed forces expectations and requirements and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem. PTI He asserted that to motivate young innovators, iDEX was expanded to iDEX Prime, with the assistance increasing from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 10 crore. Following the encouraging participation in providing solutions to the challenges given by the services and DPSUs, ADITI scheme has now been launched, he said. The Defence Ministry stated that the idea behind schemes or initiatives such as ADITI, iDEX, iDEX Prime is to also transform India into a knowledge society. As times are changing, new technologies are coming into existence. To become a developed country, it is necessary for us to achieve a technological edge. We have to transform our country into a knowledge society, he said. The event also witnessed the launch of the 11th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), heralding a new chapter in the collaboration between the defence establishment and the start-up ecosystem. The DISC 11 introduces 22 problem statements Indian Army (four), Indian Navy (five), Indian Air Force (five), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (seven) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (one) aimed at addressing critical defence challenges, inviting innovators to propose innovative solutions that can enhance the countrys defence capabilities and contribute to national security, the statement said. With inputs from PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday witnessed history the commencement of the core loading in Indias indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). This is a stepping stone to the third stage of Indias programme designed by Homi J Bhabha through which the country will achieve aatma nirbharta in nuclear energy by using its abundant thorium reserves Prime Minister visited at the Kalpakkam facility around 60 kilometres from Chennai on Monday. Image courtesy: @narendramodi Prime Minister Narendra Modi bore witness to history on Monday. The prime minister visited the power plant at Kalpakkam around 60 kilometres from Chennai the home of Indias indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). The prime minister, who was accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Atomic Energy Commission chairman AK Mohanty, Bhabha Atomic Research Center director Vivek Bhasin and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research director B Venkataraman, watched the commencement of the core loading in the PFBR. Advertisement But what do we know about the reactor? And why is it so significant? Lets take a closer look: What do we know about the reactor? The 500 MWe fast breeder reactor was established by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI). According to The Hindu, it was designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam. Its reactor core comprises control sub-assemblies, blanket sub-assemblies and fuel sub-assemblies. The core loading activity consists of loading of reactor control sub-assemblies, followed by the blanket sub-assemblies and the fuel sub-assemblies which will generate power. As per New Indian Express, the Centre had given the green light to the construction of the PFBR in 2003. Advertisement Over 200 Indian industries including MSMEs participated in its development. Advertisement The PFBR is an advanced third generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shut down of the plant in the event of an emergency. The reactor will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. The Uranium-238 blanket surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation and thereby produce more fuel thus giving it its nickname Breeder. The use of Throium-232, which in itself is not a fissile material, as a blanket is also envisaged in this stage. Advertisement Thorium via transmutation, will create fissile Uranium-233 which will be used as fuel in the third stage. These are basically a special kind of nuclear reactors which generate more atomic fuel than they consume as they work. Fast breeder reactors are called such not because they run faster but because the neutrons that sustain the atomic chain reaction travel at a much higher velocity than neutrons that help run the traditional atomic plants. Advertisement The start of the core loading of the FBR is a stepping stone to the third stage of Indias programme designed by Homi J Bhabha. These are called breeders as they generate more fuel than they consume a fact hard to fathom since they seem to defy the laws of conservation of energy. But a very unique quirk of elemental uranium makes this possible. Nuclear reactors use a flavour of uranium called U-235 which unfortunately constitutes a minuscule quantity even in super purified uranium. The larger component is what is called U-238 this flavour is the bulk but is essentially a waste product as the atomic reaction cannot be sustained by this elemental flavour. In a fast breeder reactor the very special fast neutrons interact with the so called wasted uranium U-238 and converts it into a valuable resource. This is why fast breeders are akin to an akshaya patra. Indias fast breeder reactor is even more unique as within it the country also deploys special rods of thorium which when they get exposed to or irradiated by fast neutrons they generate U-233 and a normally benign thorium turns into a valuable atomic material. It is well known that India is very energy hungry and as economic growth takes place mega quantities of electricity will be required. Unfortunately, nature has not been bountiful on India as the Indian land mass is not endowed with enough uranium. However, on the other hand India has the worlds second largest store of thorium. Why is this significant? Because the start of the core loading of the FBR is a stepping stone to the third stage of Indias programme designed by Homi J Bhabha. The first two stages witnessed India making use of pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and natural uranium-238 (U-238), which contains minuscule amounts of U-235, as fissile material. This lays the path for stage 3 which will see Pu-239 will be combined with thorium-232 (Th-232) in reactors to produce energy and U-233. India, making full use of it abundant thorium reserves, will thus achieve aatma nirbharta in nuclear energy. Since it uses the spent fuel from the first stage, FBR also offers great advantage in terms of significant reduction of nuclear waste generated thereby avoiding the need for large geological disposal facilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Atomic Energy Commission chairman AK Mohanty, Bhabha Atomic Research Center director Vivek Bhasin and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research director B Venkataraman. Image courtesy; @narendramodi PTI in 2017 quoted Yukiya Amano, then director general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as saying, Fast reactors can help extract up to 70 per cent more energy than traditional reactors and are safer than traditional reactors while reducing long lived radioactive waste by several fold. The Hindu piece also noted that Indias push towards reducing its dependence of fossil fuels has given nuclear power a new lease of life. The newspaper quoted NPCIL chairman BC Pathak as saying in December that the firm wants to commission a nuclear power reactor every year from 2024. Modi in a post on X noted that the facility would obviate the need for nuclear fuel import. It will help India achieve both energy self-reliance and progress towards net zero goal, the prime minister said. The development also puts India in an exclusive club. Once the reactor becomes operational, India will become just the second nation after Russia to have a commercially functioning PFBR. The worlds only commercially operating fast breeder reactor is situated in the Ural Mountains of Russia at the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant, not far from Russias fourth largest city Yekateringburg. The Russians are the global leaders in fast breeder reactors having operated a fast breeder reactor called BN 600 since 1980. In 2016, the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom commercially commissioned its big brother the BN 800 fast breeder reactor. This reactor produces about 800 MW of electricity and supplies it to the Ural region including the city of Yekateringburg. Countries such as the US, Japan and France have repeatedly tried and failed to build fast breeder reactors. They were unable to do so because of their inability to properly handle liquid sodium. The US was first off the block was the US but it gave up since American governments are allergic to reprocessing nuclear waste. Besides, the US has enough supplies of fissile material there is no hunger to maximally extract energy from uranium. Japan and France both had robust programs with fast breeder technology but repeated failure to safely handle liquid sodium forced them to more or less give up on fast reactors. With inputs from agencies State Rep. Joseph Gullett, R-Dallas, watches the voting board following the vote on prosecutor oversight bill SB 332 at the House of Representatives in the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Gullett sponsored the bill in the House. (Arvin Temka/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Arvin Temkar/AP State Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville, speaks against prosecutor oversight bill SB 332 at the House of Representatives in the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Arvin Temkar/AP ATLANTA (AP) A Georgia commission with powers to discipline and remove prosecutors needs only Gov. Brian Kemp's approval before it can begin operations, possibly disrupting Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis prosecution of former President Donald Trump. The state House voted 97-73 on Tuesday for Senate Bill 332, sending it to Kemp. The Republican governor has said he will sign the measure. Though Kemp signed legislation last year creating the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, it was unable to begin operating after the state Supreme Court in November refused to approve rules governing its conduct. Justices said they had grave doubts about their ability to regulate the duties of district attorneys beyond the practice of law. Tuesday's measure removes the requirement for Supreme Court approval. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once this bills passed, this commission will be able to begin its real work, which is bringing accountability to those rogue prosecuting attorneys who abuse their office, sexually harass their employees and do not show up for work, Rep. Joseph Gullett, a Dallas Republican, told House members Tuesday. The measure is likely to face renewed legal challenges. Four district attorneys dropped their previous lawsuit challenging the commission after the Supreme Court set it aside. The law would require district attorneys and solicitors general, who prosecute lower level cases in some counties, to evaluate each case on its own, instead of declining to prosecute classes of offenses. Opponents say that would mean prosecutors couldn't use their discretion. House Democratic Whip Sam Park of Lawrenceville decried the measure as a partisan attempt to control and discipline prosecutors who hand down decisions that Republican politicians do not like. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It will be used to undermine the ongoing criminal prosecution of twice-impeached President Donald Trump," Park said. Republicans deny that the measure is directly aimed at Willis, citing instances of prosecutor misconduct, including occasions in the past when Democrats supported the idea of a prosecutor oversight panel after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery near Brunswick. It shocks me that there has been such a distortion of this issue by Democrats that has obscured the truth here," said House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, an Auburn Republican. Democrats' opposition to the commission has hardened. They say Republicans are trying to override the will of Democratic voters and inviting abuse by creating a commission without a body to review rules. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are creating an oversight commission with no oversight," said Rep. Stacey Evans, an Atlanta Democrat. The bill moves forward even as the state Senate has created a special investigative committee that Republicans say will be used to probe whether Willis has used state money to benefit herself by employing attorney Nathan Wade as a special prosecutor in the Trump case. That commission is scheduled to hear Wednesday from Ashleigh Merchant, the defense attorney for co-defendant Michael Roman who first raised questions about Wade. Willis and Wade both testified at a hearing last month that they had engaged in a romantic relationship, but they rejected the idea that Willis improperly benefited from it as lawyers for Trump and some of his co-defendants alleged. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has not yet decided on whether Willis and Wade can continue with the prosecution. Republican House Speaker Jon Burns of Newington said Tuesday that he believed the oversight commission was a better way to examine allegations against Willis than the Senate's special committee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his tenure as a judge, Ganguly issued multiple directives to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), instructing them to investigation allegations into irregularities in the process of recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff in government-sponsored schools in West Bengal Hours after resigning as the Calcutta High Court judge, Abhijit Ganguly convened a press conference in Kolkata where he revealed he would be joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Asked when he will be formally joining BJP, Ganguly said: Maybe on 7th (March) in the afternoon. There is a tentative program #WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | Former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay says, "Maybe on 7th (March) in the afternoon. There is a tentative program, when I will join BJP." pic.twitter.com/IoMosl7PVJ ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Ganguly, however, said that he is not sure whether he will be contesting in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Ganguly had joined the Calcutta High Court in 2018 and was due to retire in August 2024. Hitting out at the current Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, the former HC judge said that the party is only one or two arrests away before crumbling down. Not TMCs most favourite Jusice Ganguly is not much of a celebrated figure among the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) owing to his work during his tenure. Advertisement Ganguly is the judge behind the hearings of controversial cases including the school jobs for cash scam. He has also issued multiple directives to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), instructing them to investigation allegations into irregularities in the process of recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff in government-sponsored schools in West Bengal. Advertisement The judge has also come at odds with TMC after he appeared in an interview while he was hearing the school jobs for cash scam case where he alleged that the partys general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had a role to play in the matter. On Sunday, Ganguly announced his plans to resign from the post of high court judge, saying that he has completed his work as a judge and that it is the right time for him to enter politics to reach larger number of people Amid rumours of him joining BJP ahead of the keenly watched Lok Sabha election 2024, Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Ganguly resigned Tuesday from his post months before his retirement. Ganguly had joined the Calcutta High Court in 2018 and was due to retire in August 2024. Sources say that the former judge is likely step into politics and join the Bhartiya Janata Party. Advertisement On Sunday, Ganguly announced his plans to resign from the post of high court judge, saying that he has completed his work as a judge and that it is the right time for him to enter politics to reach larger number of people. For the last two or more years I have been dealing with some matters, especially education matters, regarding which a huge corruption has been discovered and unearthed. A large number of important persons in the education sector of this government are now languishing in jail, under trial, he said at the time. #WATCH | Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay says, "...Resign from the post of a judge in High Court Calcutta. For the last two or more years I have been dealing with some matters, especially education matters, regarding which a huge corruption has been discovered and unearthed. A large pic.twitter.com/A4EvVzQVMw ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2024 Advertisement He added, This is the call of my conscience. Now I should go to the larger people, larger area. In court, a judge deals with the matters which come before him if a person files a case. But in our country and also in our state, West Bengal, there are a large number of very helpless people. Advertisement Ganguly to join BJP? Ever since the former judge announced his resignation, speculations have been floating around that he could be fielded as the BJPs candidate from West Bengals Tamluk parliamentary constituency which was once represented by Suvendu Adhikari. Currently the seat is occupied by Adhikaris brother Dibyendu Adhikari. Not TMCs most favourite Advertisement Jusice Ganguly is not much of a celebrated figure among the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) owing to his work during his tenure. Ganguly is the judge behind the hearings of controversial cases including the school jobs for cash scam. He has also issued multiple directives to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), instructing them to investigation allegations into irregularities in the process of recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff in government-sponsored schools in West Bengal. Advertisement The judge has also come at odds with TMC after he appeared in an interview while he was hearing the school jobs for cash scam case where he alleged that the partys general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had a role to play in the matter. 2018 money laundering case: Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar gets SC relief The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a money laundering probe against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The Congress leader had moved the top court against the Karnataka High Court order that refused to quash the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in an alleged case of money laundering. A bench of justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan granted the relief to Shivakumar. The case dates back to August 2017 when the Income Tax department had carried out searches at multiple premises in Delhi as part of its alleged tax evasion probe against Shivakumar. Advertisement Calcutta HC Judge Abhijit Ganguly resigns, likely to join politics Amid rumours of him joining BJP ahead of the keenly watched Lok Sabha election 2024, Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Ganguly resigned Tuesday from his post months before his retirement. Ganguly had joined the Calcutta High Court in 2018 and was due to retire in August 2024. Sources say that the former judge is likely step into politics and join the Bhartiya Janata Party. Lok Sabha poll dates likely by March 14 or 15: Report The Election Commission of India is likely to announce poll dates for the much-anticipated Lok Sabha 2024 election on March 14 or 15, according to a report. According to ABP News, citing a source, the elections could be held in seven phases similar to 2019 and voting for the first phase may take place in the second week of April. The Model Code of Conduct is likely to be in force from March 14, it added. Advertisement Maoist links case: HC acquits GN Saibaba, 5 others The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday acquitted former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba in an alleged Maoist links case and set aside the life imprisonment imposed on him. A division bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes also acquitted five others accused in the case.The bench said it was acquitting all the accused as the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt against them. It also held as null and void the sanction procured by the prosecution to charge the accused under provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). While the prosecution did not seek the HC to stay its order, it said it was likely to file an appeal in the Supreme Court immediately. Advertisement PM Modi to unveil projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Odisha today Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to unveil development projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Odisha today. He will inaugurate the Indian Oil Corporation Ltds mono ethylene glycol project in Paradip refinery which will further help in reducing Indias import dependency. He will dedicate to the nation the 344-km-long product pipeline traversing from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal. To augment the import infrastructure on the eastern coast, the PM will inaugurate a 0.6 MMTPA LPG import facility at Paradip. He will also unveil the four-laning of Singhara to Binjabahal section of NH-49, Binjabahal to Tileibani section of NH-49, Balasore-Jharpokharia section of NH-18 and Tangi-Bhubaneswar section of NH-16. The PM is scheduled to arrive at Chandikhole in Jajpur district at around 3:30 pm and address a public gathering. He will also lay the foundation stone for the eight-laning of Chandikhole-Paradip road. The PM will dedicate to the nation the 162-km-long Bansapani-Daitari-Tomka-Jakhapura rail line. PM Modi will also inaugurate a 5-mld seawater desalination plant at Odisha Sands Complex of Indian Rare Earths Ltd. Advertisement Bengalurus prison radicalisation case: NIA raids multiple locations across 7 states The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out search operations at 17 places across seven states in connection with its ongoing probe into the Bengaluru prison radicalization case. The raids are underway in Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu, among other states, since morning, and the places are linked to the suspects, involved in the terror conspiracy connected to the case. On January 12 this year, National Investigation Agency charge-sheeted eight persons, including a life convict and two absconders, in the Bengaluru Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Prison radicalization and fidayeen (suicide) attack conspiracy case. Among the chargesheeted accused is T Naseer of Keralas Kannur district, who has been serving a life sentence in Central Prison in Bengaluru since 2013, while Junaid Ahmed, alias JD and Salman Khan are suspected to have fled abroad. The others have been identified as Syed Suhail Khan alias Suhail, Mohammed Umar alias Umar, Zahid Tabrez alias Zahid, Syed Mudassir Pasha and Mohammed Faisal Rabbani alias Sadath. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Taking to X, PM Modi said, Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. A day after Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the prime minister of cash-strapped Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated him for his second stint in the top post. Sharif assumed the cash-strapped countrys reins for the second time, nearly a month after an inconclusive election marred by allegations of vote rigging. Advertisement Taking to X, PM Modi said, Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024 In the February 8 elections, Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party came second. Independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won the most seats but failed to get a majority in Parliament. With inputs from agencies Trinamool Congress strongman in Sandeshkhali district of West Bengal, Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested on 29 February after being on the run for 55 days TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan has been arrested from North 24 Parganas district. He has been on the run since 5 January after a team of ED officials was attacked by a mob of his supporters near his residence in Sandeshkhali. File image/News18 Sheikh Shahjahan will be handed over to the CBI which will now investigate the Sandeshkhali case in which the suspended TMC leader is accused of alleged sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing. The Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday afternoon, said the case of jailed Sheikh Shahjahan will now be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from the West Bengal police. Advertisement The court had reserved its verdict on the matter on Monday. Sheikh Shahjahan was on the run since 5 January before he was arrested last Thursday (29 February). Considered as Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) party strongman in Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested from a house at Minakhah in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal where he was allegedly hiding. Hours after his arrest, Sheikh Shahjahan was produced by the West Bengal police at a Basirhat court which sent him to to 10 days police custody. After his arrest, the Calcutta High Court stated it had no sympathy for Sheikh Shahjahan and thus asked his lawyers to appear before it on March 4, when a suo motu motion on alleged sexual atrocities and land grabbing of tribal people at Sandeshkhali will be heard. Advertisement On Monday, during the hearing, the lawyers appearing for CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that the West Bengal police acted in collusion with the accused and the matter needed to be transferred to the CBI. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the high court that the state police did not do anything and mischievously arrested him in specific matters to defeat the investigation. Advertisement Let him be sent to CBI custody otherwise his arrest is a farce. It will not lead to an investigation and no one will get custody after 15 days. The matter has to be heard immediately," Raju. If there is a joint investigation, information will be leaked because the police collude with the accused. The main accused is a member of TMC, he added. Advertisement Before he was held, the Calcutta High Court had directed that the absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan can be arrested by the CBI, ED or the West Bengal Police. With inputs from agencies Former Massachusetts Air National Guard IT expert Jack Teixeira was charged with masterminding the most catastrophic disclosure of US secret materials in ten years, some of which included information about the conflict in Ukraine An undated picture shows Jack Douglas Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the U.S. Air National Guard, who was arrested by the FBI, over his alleged involvement in leaks online of classified documents. Reuters File In exchange for the prosecution dropping more serious espionage charges, the US airman who is suspected of leaking a vast amount of top-secret Pentagon secrets entered a guilty plea on Monday. He was sentenced to about 17 years in jail because of the agreement. Former Massachusetts Air National Guard IT expert Jack Teixeira was charged with masterminding the most catastrophic disclosure of US secret materials in ten years, some of which included information about the conflict in Ukraine. Advertisement Teixeira may have risked a life sentence in jail if he had been charged under the Espionage Act. Rather, he pled guilty to six charges of intentional dissemination of national defence information when he appeared in federal court on Monday wearing an orange jail jumpsuit. He will be sentenced to up to 16 years and eight months under the agreement, and must pay a fine of $50,000 and assist intelligence officials to understand the extent and impact of his disclosures. Asked by the presiding judge whether he disputed any evidence, Teixeira said he did not. Asked whether he knew the documents were classified, he responded Yes your honor. Teixeira was detained in April 2023 in a dramatic arrest broadcast live on TV networks. He was accused of posting the documents some dated as recently as March 2023 to a private chat group on the social media platform Discord. Advertisement Some of the files later appeared on other sites, including Twitter, 4Chan and Telegram. Hostile nations The documents, which soon spread across the internet, pointed to US concern over Ukraines military capacity against invading Russian forces. They also showed Washington had apparently spied on allies Israel and South Korea, among other sensitive details. It was the biggest such breach since the 2013 dump of National Security Agency documents by Edward Snowden, and raised tough questions about access by Teixeira and other junior staffers to high-level secrets. Advertisement Teixeira was an airman first class the third-lowest rank for enlisted US Air Force personnel and had possessed a top secret security clearance since 2021. Last year a judge ordered that Teixeira remain in jail after prosecutors argued he posed an ongoing risk to American national security. Prosecutors said Teixeira might still have access to classified documents and that hostile nations could aid his escape if he was released from prison. Advertisement They also cited his history of making violent statements. Teixeira wrote on social media in November 2022 that he wanted to kill a ton of people because it would be culling the weak minded, the prosecution wrote in a court document. Online dating In a separate case, federal prosecutors Monday also unveiled charges against a civilian Air Force employee for transmitting classified information on an online dating platform. Advertisement David Slater, 63, was arrested in Nebraska over the weekend for sharing secret information with someone who claimed to be a female living in Ukraine, the Department of Justice said. The documents, some of which were classified as top secret, concerned the war in Ukraine, including military targets and Russian military capabilities. Advertisement Slater, a former lieutenant colonel, was working as a civilian assigned to the US Strategic Command, whose portfolio includes nuclear deterrence. He allegedly shared the information between February and April 2022. Slater faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. Prompted by the US Supreme Courts 2022 decision to abolish long-standing abortion rights, the French parliament overwhelmingly voted on Monday to include a constitutional amendment that states that the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed' A general view of the Congress of both Houses of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles during the speech of French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal in Versailles, west of Paris. AP As France becomes the only nation to have a constitution that expressly guarantees the right to an abortion, other Europeans are left wondering if the USs recent restrictions on access to abortions will ever be implemented here. In Europe, abortion is largely legal, and with a few notable exceptions, governments have been progressively extending this privilege. From Portugal to Russia, women have access to abortion in over 40 European countries, however the laws governing when it is permissible to get one differ. In Poland and a few other minor nations, abortion is either outlawed or severely restricted. Advertisement Prompted by the US Supreme Courts 2022 decision to abolish long-standing abortion rights, the French parliament overwhelmingly voted on Monday to include a constitutional amendment that states that the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed. An overview of recent changes to abortion laws in a few European nations is provided below: Poland Poland predominantly Catholic bans abortion in almost all cases, with exceptions only when a womans life or health is endangered or if the pregnancy results from rape or incest. For years, abortion was allowed in the case of fetuses with congenital defects. That was struck down in 2020. The restrictions have led to deaths, primarily of women later in their pregnancies who wanted to have a child. Womens rights activists say doctors in Poland now wait for a fetus with no chance of survival to die in the womb rather than perform an abortion. Several women in such cases developed sepsis and died. Advertisement Abortion is a hot topic under the new government. Many of those who elected Donald Tusks government want an easing of the law, though there is resistance from conservatives in the coalition; politicians are debating whether it should be settled by a referendum. Britain In Britain, abortion was partly legalized by the 1967 Abortion Act, which allows abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy if two doctors approve. Later abortions are allowed in some circumstances, including danger to the mothers life. Advertisement But women who have abortions after 24 weeks in England and Wales can be prosecuted under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act. Last year a 45-year-old woman in England was sentenced to 28 months in prison for ordering abortion pills online to induce a miscarriage when she was 32 to 34 weeks pregnant. After an outcry, her sentence was reduced. Advertisement Lawmakers in Parliament are due to vote this month on whether to remove the relevant section of the 1861 law though doctors who assist women ending pregnancies with late abortions could still be charged. Abortion is not as divisive an issue in the U.K. as in the US, and the change will likely garner enough cross-party support to pass. Advertisement Western Balkans The former Communist-run Yugoslavia started expanding abortion rights in the 1950s and inscribed them in the 1974 Constitution, which said: A person is free to decide on having children. This right can be limited only for the reasons of health protection. After the federation split in bloody wars in the 1990s, its former republics kept old abortion laws, but they are seen as stopping short of what France did Thursday in spelling out the guarantee. In Serbia, for example, the 2006 Constitution states that everyone has the right to decide on childbirth. There have been calls for this to be revoked, but only from marginal groups. In staunchly Catholic Croatia, influential conservative and religious groups have tried to get abortion banned but with no success. However, many doctors refuse to terminate pregnancies, forcing Croatian women to travel to neighboring countries for the procedure. In 2022, Croatia saw protests after a woman was denied an abortion although her baby had health issues. Malta Malta eased up on the strictest abortion law in the European Union last year, acting after an American tourist who miscarried had to be airlifted off the Mediterranean island nation to be treated. The new Maltese legislation is still strict, saying a woman must be at risk of death to obtain an abortion, and then only after three specialists consent. If the risk of death is imminent, only one doctors approval is necessary. Until the new legislation, Malta had banned abortion for any reason, with laws making it a crime punishable by up to three years in prison to have the procedure or up to four years to assist a woman in having one. Italy and San Marino Italy resisted Vatican pressure and guaranteed access to abortion starting in 1978, allowing women to terminate pregnancies upon request in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, or later if her health or life is endangered. The 1978 law allows for medical personnel in the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country to register as conscientious objectors, which in practice often greatly reduces womens access to the procedure or forces them to travel long distances to obtain one. San Marino, a tiny country surrounded by Italy and one of the worlds oldest republics, had been one of the last European states that still criminalized abortion in all circumstances until 2022, when it legalized the procedure in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Russia Although abortion in Russia is legal and widely available, authorities have been actively seeking to restrict access to it as President Vladimir Putin champions traditional values in an effort to rally people around the flag and boost population growth. Women in Russia can terminate a pregnancy until 12 weeks without condition, until 22 weeks in case of rape and at any stage for medical reasons. Pressure on abortion rights increased after Moscows invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since 2023, seven Russian regions have passed laws punishing anyone found to coerce women into abortions. In a number of regions, and Russian-occupied Crimea, private clinics have refused to perform abortions, pushing women instead to state health care facilities where it takes more time to make an appointment and doctors often pressure women to keep their pregnancies. The financing was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a three-day conference in Melbourne with leaders of the ASEAN forum, which consists of ten nations Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese greets Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, in Melbourne, Australia. Reuters On Tuesday, Australia announced intentions to increase its investment in Southeast Asia, allocating $1.3 billion to support commerce in a region experiencing growing economic power. The financing was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a three-day conference in Melbourne with leaders of the ASEAN forum, which consists of ten nations. The government I lead has made it clear. More than any other region, Southeast Asia is where Australias future lies, Albanese told a business forum on the summits sidelines. Advertisement After a string of painful disagreements, Australia has been looking more and more to forge commercial connections outside of China, its main trading partner. Driven by years of rapid and consistent population expansion, the ASEAN region is commonly seen as a rising economic giant. Southeast Asia is likewise well-positioned to be a significant player in the global quest for renewable energy, thanks to its abundant supplies of vital minerals and growing need for power. The majority of the loans and export finance included in Australias new investment package will go towards renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Albanese said it was the most significant upgrade of Australias economic engagement with ASEAN for a generation. Nuclear submarines While leaders were eager to focus on trade and business, more sensitive questions about Chinas growing sway in Southeast Asia were never far from mind. Advertisement Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the city-state would gladly host Australias fleet of nuclear-powered submarines once they were up and running an offer likely to raise Beijings hackles. The United States and the United Kingdom have pledged to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered subs as part of joint plans to counter Chinas influence in the region. Advertisement While some ASEAN members have expressed reluctance to back the so-called AUKUS defence pact, former British colony Singapore has been full throated in its support. Ive said before, and I repeated to the prime minister on this visit, that when the new Australian submarines are ready, we welcome them to visit Changi naval base, Lee told reporters on Tuesday. Advertisement Climate change also looms large on the summits agenda. Southeast Asias hunger for energy is largely fed by fossil fuels, while Australia remains one of the worlds biggest exporters of gas and polluting thermal coal. Both are increasingly eager to pivot toward renewable energy. Tuesdays incident was the latest in a series of maritime run-ins between the Philippines and China, which have been locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that Chinas claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling A Philippine supply boat sails near a Chinese Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea. Reuters File During a resupply mission for Philippine soldiers in the South China Sea, the Philippines on Tuesday accused Chinas coast guard of engaging in dangerous manoeuvres that resulted in a collision between its coast guard ship and a Chinese vessel. Speaking on social media platform X, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela stated that the PCG vessel had minor structural damage. Advertisement Their reckless and illegal actions led to a collision, Tarriela said in the social media post that was accompanied by video clips showing the moment the ships scraped each others bows. One of two coast guard ships supporting a mission to deliver supplies for a small contingent of Filipino soldiers stationed aboard a warship Manila stranded on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to bolster claims to sovereignty was the PCG vessel. However, Chinas coast guard said that it had to impose control measures since the Philippine warships had unlawfully entered the seas around the shoal, which it refers to as Renai Reef. The Second Thomas Shoal is part of Chinas claimed territory in the South China Sea. The country has put patrol boats there, along with Chinese maritime militia as Manila calls them, and they were also there during the resupply operation. Advertisement Tuesdays incident was the latest in a series of maritime run-ins between the Philippines and China, which have been locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that Chinas claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling. Advertisement While saying that the Philippines will cooperate in talks with China, its president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said at a forum in Australia on Monday, his country will push back, opens new tab when its sovereignty and maritime rights are ignored. In a departure from his predecessor Rodrigo Dutertes pro-China stance, Marcos has accused Beijing of aggression in the Philippines exclusive economic zone, including the use of water cannon, military-grade lasers and collision tactics to drive away Philippine vessels. Advertisement The China Coast Guard issued a brief statement on the latest incident between the countries along with other past coast guard actions, including a link to what it called the illegal invasion of Scarborough Shoal on Feb. 23. In that incident it said a China Coast Guard ship took necessary measures to drive a Philippine vessel away in accordance with the law. Chinas defence spending for 2024 is the highest in five years. Also, it comes amid signs corruption is undermining a military revamp To intensify its forces amid border frictions with India, tensions over Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, Beijing Tuesday increased its defence budget by 7.2 per cent from the previous year to 1.67 trillion yuan ($231 billion). Interestingly, Chinas defence spending for 2024 is well above the countrys economic growth target of around 5 per cent. The increase, however, roughly mirroring the rise of the last year when it allocated 1.56 trillion yuan. Advertisement Chinas defence budget was issued at the opening session of the rubber-stamp legislatures annual meeting. Chinas defence spending for 2024 is the highest in five years. Also, it comes amid signs corruption is undermining a military revamp. China second to the US China is the second highest spender on defence after the United States. In December 2023, President Joe Biden authorised a record $886 billion annual military spending for fiscal 2024, nearly four times Chinas figure. Meanwhile, China has been persistently working towards modernisation of its military as it continues to face tensions with the US, Taiwan, Japan and neighbours who share claims to the crucial South China Sea. Due to this, China has been increasing its spending high-tech military technologies from stealth fighters to aircraft carriers and a growing arsenal of nuclear weapons. Advertisement Chinese military working towards becoming world-class force Xi Jinping has set a 2027 deadline for Chinas military to become a world-class force. However, there have been doubts over whether corruption is hindering the presidents ambition. The Peoples Liberation Army Daily said it would continue fighting the difficult and protracted war on graft this year, a pledge that came after the defence sector was shaken by a series of abrupt personnel changes. Advertisement In October last year, China sacked its defence minister Li Shangfu. The Xi Jinping administration gave no explanation for his removal and till date no replacement has been announced for his job. The sacking of Shangfu followed axing of several top military officials, including Qin Gang - who was removed as foreign minister in July. Advertisement With inputs from agencies A train pulls into the Shore Line East train station in Clinton. After Gov. Ned Lamont and state lawmakers cut funding for the rail line last year, advocates are pleading for money to expand service. Connecticut Department of Transportation HARTFORD Nearly a year after slashing funding for Connecticuts Shore Line East commuter rail service, lawmakers on Monday began a push to restore service along the beleaguered line with the hope that more riders will follow. Last fall, the Department of Transportation reduced the number of daily Shore Line East trains running between New Haven and New London from 23 to 16 after federal funding to help sustain rail service during the pandemic dried up. Instead of plugging the shortfall with state money, Gov. Ned Lamont and state lawmakers adopted a budget that cut funding for rail service. While the cuts to the New Haven Line and other rail lines are scheduled to sunset later this year, Shore Line East will have to continue operating at reduced service levels unless more funding is approved by lawmakers in this year's short session, now underway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With the cuts weve seen, it makes it almost impossible to really make this train useful because the service is so diminished, said state Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton. On Monday, a bill requiring the DOT to restore Shore Line East service to pre-pandemic levels was heard by the Transportation Committee. The committee is led by two co-chairs state Rep. Roland Lemar, D-New Haven and Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Madison who represent communities served by Shore Line East. Lamont, meanwhile, has remained cool toward the idea of spending more on Shore Line East so long as the service struggles to attract new riders. When asked about the push to restore funding in this year's budget, the governor reiterated his argument that towns along the shoreline need to do more to build housing in close proximity to their train stations. If theres no more demand am I going to subsidize more, you know, rail service? Lamont said. Its probably not my priority. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shore Line East carried 176,979 riders last year, according to DOT, a level that amounted to just over one-quarter of its pre-pandemic ridership. While last years cuts did not directly result in any layoffs, Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said Monday that running additional trains along Shore Line East would necessitate hiring and training additional conductors. Amtrak, which operated the trains on behalf of DOT, is currently facing a national staff shortage. Unlike other rail services that have rebounded strongly from the pandemic including the Hartford and Waterbury lines Eucalitto said that DOT surveys show that a large percent of Shore Line East riders no longer commute to work five days a week, limiting the room for growth during weekdays. A second piece of legislation related to Shore Line East would see service increased on weekends and holidays during the summer, when millions of visitors flock to the beach and attractions around Mystic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The existing train station in Mystic is only served by Amtrak's Northeast Regional service, and the bill would also require DOT to expand Shore Line East service several miles eastward from its current terminus in downtown New London. Chinas neighbours and the US keep a close eye on the defence budget because they are concerned about Beijings strategic goals and the growth of its military forces given the recent spike in tensions over Taiwan Soldiers of People's Liberation Army (PLA) march in formation past Tiananmen Square during a rehearsal before a military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, China. Reuters File China will increase defence expenditure by 7.2% this year, the same as last year but more than the governments economic growth prediction, according to an official work report obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. The budget foresaw spending on the military at 1.67 trillion yuan ($230.60 billion). Chinas neighbours and the US keep a close eye on the defence budget because they are concerned about Beijings strategic goals and the growth of its military forces given the recent spike in tensions over Taiwan. Advertisement In a separate report, China said it would resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence and external interference. The work report also said China would be firm in advancing the cause of China reunification, dropping the mention of peaceful reunification in previous reports. The rise in military spending this year represents the ninth consecutive year of single-digit growth. Just the total amount and the percentage of increase was provided, as in prior years, without any breakdown of the spending. Premier Li Qiangs first work report is scheduled to be heard by the National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas rubber-stamp parliament, during its annual meeting in Beijing on Tuesday. As per an official work report seen by Reuters on Tuesday, China has established an approximate 5% annual economic growth objective for 2024, which is in line with the previous years agenda. Analysts have been warning investors to stay away from investing in China. Goldman Sachs chief investment officer Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani said, Most people think that is not the real growth numberit was actually a lot weaker Premier Li Qiang addressed National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Reuters file China is still in the midst of a property crisis, and consumers arent spending as freely as before, despite that the government expects around 5 per cent GDP growth for 2024. Though the Xi Jinping administration appears to be optimistic in achieving the target, the investors and big nations are cautious with the Asian nations underperforming economy. Advertisement Announcing the ambitious numbers, Chinese Premier Li Qiang did not miss to highlight that the underlying trend of economic recovery and long-term growth remains unchanged and will remain so. He also asked China to be prepared for all risks and challenges and not lose sight of worst-case scenarios. China and its worrying economic situation is making headlines over the past months, but why the countrys 5 per cent GDP growth target is again a big news. **1 Double-digit growth just a dream ** China, the worlds second-largest economy, for decades enjoyed the double-digit growth but post-COVID that has just become a dream for the nation. In 2023, Chinas economy officially grew 5.2 per cent, its weakest performance in decades. Also, announcing 5 per cent GDP growth for 2024, the premier said, achieving this years targets will not be easy. Advertisement 2 Premier wont meet the press The numbers announced by Li surely raises questions among people and media, especially foreign journalists, but China has broken the tradition running for three decades and has announced that the premier will not address press at the end of the meetings this year. This is leaves no scope for the Chinese government to respond to pressing questions from media on its worrying economic situation. Advertisement 3 - Continued deflationary pressures China has been facing deflation, becoming the only major economy with negative consumer prices, dropping 0.8 per cent year-over-year in January, its steepest drop in 15 years. To address some of the situations affecting its economy, China plans to target an urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 per cent, the creation of 12 million new urban jobs and a consumer price index increase of around 3 per cent. Advertisement As people fear job losses, they are apprehensive of buying expensive goods and services, Li said the government will encourage spending on big-ticket items including electronics and new-energy vehicles. We must push ahead with transforming the growth model, making structural adjustments, improving quality, and enhancing performance, Li added. Li has taken into account the need to boost employment and incomes and prevent and defuse risks. Advertisement 4 - Declining births and ageing population China continues to face the brunt of the one-child policy as it saw a decline in population for the second time in a row, earlier this year. It also saw record low birth rates at 6.39 births per 1,000 people, down from 6.77 births in 2022. Li has promised to improve policies supporting childbirth in the country, while raising benefits and basic pensions for its growing elderly population. Unlike Japan that got rich before it got old, China is getting old before it gets rich, a Reuters report quoted Qian Wang, chief Asia-Pacific economist at investment firm Vanguard, as saying. 5 Will investors turn back to China? The economic projection released by China did not appear to have given assurance to investors to return and invest in the country. Despite an emphasis on defusing risks and promoting long-term growth, the address by did not mention any concrete measures in stabilising the property market, HSBC analysts said. Goldman Sachs chief investment officer Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani echoed the same. One should not invest in China, she warned. Investors shouldnt be attracted to cheap Chinese equities, battered by a lengthy markets slump, Rahmani said in an interview with Bloomberg. Justifying her statement, Rahmani pointed to three weaknesses in particularproperty, infrastructure, and exportsfor her bearish view. She also blamed a lack of clarity on policymaking and patchy economic data. Policy uncertainties generally put a little bit of a cap on the equity market, Rahmani said. She further said, Most people think that is not the real growth numberit was actually a lot weaker. On Monday, an anti-tank missile attack struck an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot, leading to the death of one Indian national and leaving two others injured. All the three victims were from Kerala Israel reacted to the death of an Indian national and the injury of two others in an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah terrorists, saying that it is deeply shocked and saddened by the unfortunate incident. On Monday, an anti-tank missile attack struck an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot, leading to the death of one Indian national and leaving two others injured. All the three victims were from Kerala. Advertisement We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by Shia Terror organization Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon, the Israeli Embassy said. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by Shia Terror organization Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) March 5, 2024 Advertisement It added, Our prayers and thoughts naturally go to the families of the bereaved and those of the injured. Israeli Medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured who are being treated by our very best medical staff. Israel regards equally all nationals, Israeli or foreign, who are injured or killed due to terrorism. We will be there to support the families and offer them assistance. Advertisement Who were the victims? The missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11 am on Monday, Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), told PTI. Patnibin Maxwell, 30, from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the attack. His mortal remains were identified in Ziv hospital, official sources said. Advertisement Bush Joseph George, 31, and Paul Melvin, 28, were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment, they said. George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body. He underwent an operation, is recovering well, and has been kept under observation. He could speak with his family in India, an official source told PTI. Advertisement Melvin was slightly injured and is hospitalised at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed. He is from the Idukki district. With inputs from PTI Honored to call on @PrimeMinisterKR Han Duck-soo today in Seoul. Appreciated his positive sentiments for India-South Korea ties and value his guidance ahead of the 10th Joint Commission Meeting tomorrow, wrote Jaishankar on X External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and discussed with him ways to further enhance bilateral ties and also appreciated the PMs positive sentiments for India-South Korea ties. Honored to call on @PrimeMinisterKR Han Duck-soo today in Seoul. Appreciated his positive sentiments for - ties and value his guidance ahead of the 10th Joint Commission Meeting tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1stVuW6CeP Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Taking to X, Jaishankar said, Honored to call on @PrimeMinisterKR Han Duck-soo today in Seoul. Appreciated his positive sentiments for - ties and value his guidance ahead of the 10th Joint Commission Meeting tomorrow. Jaishankar is in Seoul on the first leg of his four-day visit to South Korea and Japan. He will co-chair the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart Cho Tae-yul on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun. Pleased to meet with Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun today in Seoul. Wide ranging conversation on our trade and economic cooperation, both current and future, which is at the heart of - relationship. pic.twitter.com/Aav6xdcNMf Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Wide-ranging conversation on our trade and economic cooperation, both current and future, which is at the heart of India-South Korea relationship, Jaishankar said. He also met South Koreas national security advisor Chang Ho-jin and held useful discussions with him on the shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary regional and global issues. Advertisement Good start to my visit. Met with Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin in Seoul today. A useful discussion on our shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific and contemporary regional & global issues. pic.twitter.com/OdPesel8KM Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Good start to my South Korea visit. Meeting with the Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin in Seoul today. A useful discussion on our shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific and contemporary regional & global issues, Jaishankar posted on X. Advertisement He also held an interesting conversation with think tank representatives of South Korea. Our exchanges and interaction would only increase as the convergences between our two countries grow, Jaishankar said. During the visit, he is also expected to meet with the Indian community. With inputs from agencies The wealth disparity between Musk, 52, and Bezos, which was once as much as $142 billion, has narrowed as Amazon and Tesla stock prices travel opposite directions CEO of Tesla Motors Elon Musk and Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos are seen on a screen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Manhattan, New York City. Reuters For the first time in almost nine months, Elon Musk is no longer the worlds wealthiest person. Musk lost his lead on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index to Jeff Bezos after Tesla Inc. shares fell 7.2% on Monday. Musk currently has a net worth of $197.7 billion, whereas Bezos fortune is $200.3 billion. Advertisement It is the first time that Bezos, 60, the founder of Amazon.com Inc, has led Bloombergs list of the worlds richest people since 2021. The wealth disparity between Musk, 52, and Bezos, which was once as much as $142 billion, has narrowed as Amazon and Tesla stock prices travel opposite directions. Although both are part of the renowned Magnificent Seven firms that have driven the US equity markets, since late 2022, Amazons shares have more than doubled and are on the verge of reaching all-time highs. Tesla has dropped almost 50% from its high in 2021. After initial statistics revealed that shipments from Teslas Shanghai facility plummeted to the lowest level in almost a year, the companys shares plunged on Monday. Meanwhile, Amazon just had its largest increase in online sales since the beginning of the epidemic. After a Delaware judge invalidated Musks $55 billion compensation plan at Tesla, where he serves as CEO, his fortune may suffer much more. The ruling supported one investor who had contested Musks payout scheme, which was the biggest in recorded history. Advertisement Along with his shares in SpaceX and Tesla, one of Musks biggest assets is the options that were part of the cancelled plan. They are still taken into account by the Bloomberg index when determining his net worth. Bezoss 9% ownership position in Amazon accounts for the great bulk of his wealth. Even after selling 50 million shares for almost $8.5 billion last month, he remains the largest stakeholder in the online store. Advertisement For Bezos, the top spot in the wealth rankings is a comfortable one. In 2017, he first passed Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft Inc., to become the richest person in the world. However, a sharp increase in Teslas stock price left Bezos and Musk vying for the top slot throughout the whole of 2021. He slipped far behind by the end of that year and hasnt reclaimed the top spot until today. Advertisement With a net worth of $197.5 billion, 74-year-old Bernard Arnault is the chairman of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the biggest luxury goods manufacturer in the world. He is also one of the wealthiest people on the planet. The European Defence Industrial Strategy aims, over the long term, to give incentives to European arms manufacturers to invest more, make their production more agile and for the first time to collectively catalogue what they have available In response to the growing threat from Russia, EU officials unveiled an ambitious proposal Tuesday to drastically increase weapons production and procurement within the bloc in order to wean the bloc off of US arms. As the war with Ukraine enters its third year, the European Commission claims that the 27-nation bloc faces a new security paradigm with an expansionist Russia running a wartime economy. Advertisement We have decided to kick up a gear to counter the return of high-intensity war on our border, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton said to reporters upon announcing the new initiative. The European Defence Industrial Strategy aims, over the long term, to give incentives to European arms manufacturers to invest more, make their production more agile and for the first time to collectively catalogue what they have available. We must take more responsibility for our own security, while, of course, remaining fully committed to our NATO alliance, said European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager. We need to get that transatlantic balance right, irrespective of electoral dynamics in the US, she told reporters, in a nod to Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump casting doubt on the US commitment to its NATO allies should he win reelection. Advertisement An improved ability to act will make us a stronger ally, Vestager said. The question of financing the ambitious initiative is problematic for a continent that has trimmed defence investment for decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union. - Funding questions - Breton has spoken of an ultimate need for some 100 billion euros ($110 billion) for the European Union to rival the Pentagon and US defence industry. Advertisement To kickstart the project, the commission plans to set aside 1.5 billion euros from the EUs current budget that runs to 2027 an amount Vestager acknowledged is not a lot of money given the scale of the initiative. But it can still work as an incentive, as a bonus because the real funding for a stronger defence comes from member states and that funding will increase over the years to come, she said. Advertisement Some countries, such as France, back an idea of EU bonds to finance a buy-European weapons production base, similar to what was done to finance economic recovery from the Covid pandemic. But frugal countries such as Germany are against that, concerned it will centralise budget power in Brussels and override national sovereignty over defence issues. Advertisement There is also a debate over using money generated from frozen Russian assets in the EU to help fund the initiative, though the blocs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that is still not decided and there are different views among member states. - Kick up a gear - While the EU and member countries have supported Ukraine financially and with military weapons and equipment, arms production has come up short with the bloc missing a target to give Kyiv a promised one million artillery shells. Breton said the bloc was now providing Ukraine around 80,000 shells per month. The EUs 27 member countries spent more than 100 billion euros on defence purchases between Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and June last year, Vestager said. Almost 80 percent of that was spent outside of the European Union, and the US alone accounted for more than 60 percent of this spending. This is no longer sustainable, she said. The EUs proposed strategy aims to have trade of weapons within the bloc reaching 35 percent of total value of the EU defence market by 2030. Member states will also be encouraged to procure European weapons to a level of at least 50 percent of their defence budgets by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035. A defence industrial readiness board would be created to bring together member countries, the commission and the EUs top diplomat, currently Borrell, to coordinate. One mechanism would be set up for common arms procurement across the bloc, and another to support defence cooperation including through potential tax breaks. Importantly, Ukraine would be treated as a quasi member of the initiative, which would open the way for it to more easily purview and tap arms production and supplies in the EU should its war against Russian troops be ongoing then. With inputs from AFP Ahead of Ramadan, which is scheduled to start at the beginning of next week, the Cairo negotiations were described as the last obstacle to the wars first lengthy ceasefire, a 40-day truce during which scores of prisoners would be released and supplies would be poured into Gaza to prevent a man-made famine Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Reuters Ceasefire talks between Hamas and mediators ended on Tuesday in Cairo without a breakthrough, with only a few days remaining to cease violence in time for Ramzan. After two days of discussions, the militant organisation submitted their proposal for a ceasefire deal to the mediators, according to senior Hamas official Bassem Naim, who spoke to Reuters. The militant group was now awaiting a response from the Israelis, who did not participate in this round of negotiations. Advertisement (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu doesnt want to reach an agreement and the ball now is in the Americans court to press him for a deal, Naim said. Israel has opted not to openly comment on the Cairo negotiations. Israel was staying away, a source previously told Reuters, since Hamas has refused to provide a list of all the hostages who are still alive. Since captives were being held by several parties and were dispersed around the conflict zone, Naim stated that a truce was a prerequisite for this. Ahead of Ramadan, which is scheduled to start at the beginning of next week, the Cairo negotiations were described as the last obstacle to the wars first lengthy ceasefire, a 40-day truce during which scores of prisoners would be released and supplies would be poured into Gaza to prevent a man-made famine. Advertisement Egyptian security sources said on Monday they were still in touch with the Israelis to allow the negotiations to continue without an Israeli delegation present. Washington, which is both Israels closest ally and a sponsor of the ceasefire talks, has said an Israeli-approved deal is already on the table and it is up to Hamas to accept it. Hamas disputes this account as an attempt to deflect blame from Israel if the talks collapse with no deal. Advertisement The United States has also called on Israel to do more to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed by Israels assault, launched after Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people in October. Hunger stalks Gaza Famine is now gripping the besieged Gaza Strip as aid supplies, already sharply curtailed since the start of the war, have dwindled to barely a trickle over the past month. Whole swathes of the territory are completely cut off from food. Gazas few functioning hospitals, already overwhelmed by the wounded, are now filling with children starving to death. Advertisement Ahmed Cannan, a toddler with sunken eyes and an emaciated face, lay on a bed at Al-Awda clinic in Rafah, wrapped in a yellow cardigan. He had lost half his weight since the start of the war and now weighs just 6 kg (13 pounds). His situation worsens each day. God protect us from what is coming, his aunt, Israa Kalakh, told Reuters. Advertisement Nurse Diaa Al-Shaer said such emaciated children were now pouring into the clinic in unprecedented numbers: We will face a large number of patients who suffer from this, which is malnutrition, she said. The situation is worst in the north of Gaza, beyond the reach of aid agencies or news cameras. Gaza health authorities say 15 children have died of malnutrition or dehydration at one hospital. Israel says it is willing to allow in more aid to Gaza through the two checkpoints on the southern edge of the territory it has permitted to open, and blames UN and other aid agencies for failing to distribute it more widely. The aid agencies say this has become impossible with a breakdown of law and order, and it is up to Israel, whose troops have stormed Gazas towns and patrol them, to provide access and security for food distribution. The sense of helplessness and despair among parents and doctors in realising that lifesaving aid, just a few kilometres away, is being kept out of reach, must be unbearable, said Adele Khodr, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. An initial result of a German probe into the alleged wiretapping of the audio showed the German armys communications systems are not and were not compromised German defence minister Boris Pistorius addresses the media during a press statement in Berlin, Germany. German authorities say they are investigating after an audio recording was published in Russia in which German military officers purportedly discussed support for Ukraine, including the potential use of Taurus long-range cruise missiles. AP After blaming Russia for waging an information war, Germany on Tuesday downplayed the leak of an audio recording of senior military officials discussing the Ukraine war, blaming the incident on individual error and stressing that Berlin still had the trust of allies. A serious mistake happened here that should not have happened, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told a press conference. Advertisement Last week, the head of Russias state-backed RT channel, Margarita Simonyan posted a 38-minute-long recording of what she claims was a conversation between German officials discussing potential strikes on Crimea on Feb 19. An initial result of a German probe into the alleged wiretapping of the audio showed the German armys communications systems are not and were not compromised, the minister said. The reason the phone call could still be recorded is due to an individual user error, he said. Explaining why the audio might have been leaked, Pistorius said one of the participants of the meeting joined the discussion via an unauthorised connection, resulting into an intercept. With several senior military officials in attendance at the show from different countries, the event would have been a field day for Russian intelligence, he said. Advertisement The hotels used by attendees would be targeted by widespread wiretapping efforts, he added. A successful interception of the audio was, therefore, a random hit in the scope of a broad-based approach, Pistorius said. For now, personal consequences are not on the table following the leak, he said. I will not sacrifice my best officers to (Russian President Vladimir) Putins game. Advertisement In a telephone conversation with allies, the defence minister was assured that their trust in Germany is unbroken despite the case of alleged wiretapping. Everyone knows about the danger of such wiretapping attacks and knows that no one can offer 100 percent protection, he said. With inputs from AFP In order to meet the growing demand for electric cars in Europe and compete with rivals who are moving away from combustion engine vehicles, Tesla plans to expand the facility by 170 hectares (420 acres) and increase manufacturing up to one million vehicles annually Following the shutdown, Tesla reported that the Gruenheide plant's manufacturing facilities were in a "safe state" and that all employees had been sent home Image Courtesy Reuters After high-voltage wires supplying the automakers sole European plant caught fire in an apparent act of sabotage orchestrated by a far-left group, Tesla suspended operations at its German factory on Tuesday. Early on Tuesday morning, there were reports of a burning electricity pylon near the Tesla plant, southeast of Berlin, prompting the emergency services to be called. Advertisement Although the fire was put out, the factory and the nearby communities lost electricity due to damage to the power lines. Following the announcement by law enforcement that they were opening an inquiry into possible arson, radical leftists from the Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) claimed responsibility for the act. With our sabotage, we have set ourselves the goal of achieving the biggest possible blackout of the Gigafactory, the group said in a statement posted on a far-left website. The group brought up issues about the plants effects on the environment and the local water supply. We feel connected to all the people who wont let Tesla turn the tap off, the group said. The state of Brandenburgs interior minister, Michael Stuebgen, declared that arson would be a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure if it were proven. Advertisement Thousands of people have been cut off from their basic supply and put in danger. The rule of law will react to such an act of sabotage with the utmost severity. Following the shutdown, Tesla reported that the Gruenheide plants manufacturing facilities were in a safe state and that all employees had been sent home. Advertisement We are in close contact with the authorities and of course (electricity supplier) Edis. We are currently unable to say when production can be expected to resume, the company said in a statement. The factorys most recent issue is the power outage. Production was mostly stopped at the location in January for two weeks because of a shortage of parts after Yemeni rebel strikes in the Red Sea, a crucial commerce route, caused shipping delays. Advertisement After a laborious two-year approval and construction procedure beset by administrative and legal roadblocks, Teslas German plant began production in 2022. In order to meet the growing demand for electric cars in Europe and compete with rivals who are moving away from combustion engine vehicles, Tesla plans to expand the facility by 170 hectares (420 acres) and increase manufacturing up to one million vehicles annually. Advertisement (With agency inputs) A day after Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on Tuesday announced that it will launch nationwide protests on March 10 against the stealing of the mandate, nearly a month after an inconclusive general election marred by allegations of vote rigging A day after Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time, jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Tuesday announced that it will launch nationwide protests on March 10 against the stealing of the mandate, nearly a month after an inconclusive general election marred by allegations of vote rigging. Advertisement We will unite all political forces and will launch a movement within the law and Constitution, Geo News quoted former National Assembly speaker and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Qaiser as saying. He said that they are planning to take to the streets in all provinces so their demands are met. Our movement will continue and will bring together all political forces, he said, adding that they will ally with like-minded parties. The general elections held in Pakistan on February 8 was marked by widespread allegations of rigging. As a result, a hung Parliament ensued, with independent candidates supported by Imran Khans party securing over 90 seats in the 266-member National Assembly. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, clinched 75 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, obtained 54 seats. Additionally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) secured 17 seats. Advertisement Following negotiations, Nawaz Sharifs younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, assumed the role of prime minister on Monday. This came after the PML-N and PPP reached a consensus on a power-sharing arrangement to establish a coalition government. Qaiser said that they would protest peacefully as they dont believe in the Shehbaz Sharif-led fake government. Advertisement You have no respect for our mandate and the 30 million votes we got, he said, adding that 180 seats have been stolen from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the party joined by PTI-backed lawmakers. A five-member panel of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday ruled against a petition by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to allot it reserved seats for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies. The right wing party came to prominence after independent lawmakers elected with the support of PTI joined it. Advertisement A fake prime minister is sitting on the seat right now. And how can a fake PM take this country out of crisis? Qaiser questioned. We dont consider Shehbaz Sharif a legitimate prime minister in any capacity. He knows hes fake, Qaiser said. I am scared to think how this country will survive. God forbid theres a revolution in this country, he added. Advertisement PTI lawmaker Umair Niazi said that party founder Imran Khan has decided to call for countrywide protests on March 10, Dawn newspaper reported. Speaking to reporters outside the Adiala Jail, Niazi, in an apparent reference to the ECPs verdict on reserved seats, said this decision has stolen the rights of the women of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Khan sahib has said that we will not let this happen. This is why he had said of Saturday but then he said there are presidential elections on that day he said to [hold protests] on Sunday, Niazi added. In a post on X, PTI leader Hammad Azhar later said, There will be a peaceful but strong protest on Sunday. Everyone should be ready. The partys official account confirmed the same. Imran Khans sister Aleema Khan said that the PTI founder supports reconciliation, but not with those who stole the partys votes. If you want to hold dialogue with thieves then it will be better to open the doors of jail, she said. With inputs from agencies Students head to their buses during dismissal at John Barry Elementary School in Meriden, December 20, 2023. File photo. Dave Zajac / Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticut children are often waiting weeks before they can get their recommended mental health services, largely due to a growing need after the pandemic in an area facing worker shortages, according to a new study by the Child Health and Development Institute. Prior to the pandemic, Connecticut's array of behavioral health intermediate levels of care, or ILC, for children was "envied" by other states. They reduced the need for out-of-home care, the number of residential placements and hospital gridlock, said Elisabeth Cannata, vice president of community-based family services and practice innovation at Wheeler Clinic. "Then comes COVID," Cannata said. "The aftermath of COVID is that children are in more behavioral health distress than ever before." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although the definition varies, ILCs are typically services in the middle of the behavioral health care continuum to serve youths who don't require inpatient hospitalization but need more support than outpatient treatment. It can include both home services and center-based programming and were designed to keep children in their community and have the appropriate level of care, Cannata said. Cannata said the ILC system has developed a lot in the past 25 years after a series of studies found children in crisis were stuck in higher levels of care because of the lack of community-based services. According to the study, 66 ILC center-based programs currently serve Connecticut youths. Of them, 25 are intensive outpatient, 13 are partial hospitalization programs, 23 are extended-day treatment, and five are psychiatric residential treatment facilities. In general, the report found that ILC programs were in higher demand than they had the capacity to care for. The main challenge was staffing, resulting in less available care, longer waitlists and delays in discharge from inpatient care settings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kelly said the demand outpacing capacity is exemplified by the barriers mobile crisis units face when referring young clients to the ILC services. A survey found the main barriers were waitlists, transportation, scheduling conflicts, ineligibility due to age and the limited geographic reach of services. Other issues in the ILC system included data collection, the sporadic use of evidence-based treatments across programs and the limited use of measurement-based care. There's also limited access to services for youths with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorder, according to the report. The report highlighted several system-wide and program-specific suggestions. Outside of addressing the workforce shortage, the report recommends increasing the capacity and availability of ILCs, improving data collection and diversifying program leadership, staff and clientele. The report also offered several options to standardize procedures and practices, such as expanding training opportunities on evidence-based treatments and implementing measurement-based care. It also recommended continuing to review psychiatric residential treatment facility programs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cannata said she agrees with workforce development and recruiting more diverse clinical staff. However, she noted that the current funding structures don't provide the opportunity to offer competitive pay for the work and attract more people to the field. The institute already shared the report with the Department of Children and Families, which commissioned the study, and hope to potentially partner to implement the recommendations, said Aleece Kelly, senior associate for the Child Health and Development Institute and one of the study's co-authors. Kelly cautioned the workforce shortage needs to be addressed early on though. "Those programs, on average, are short about a third of their staff," she said. "It's challenging to make all these changes and implementation if you don't have the staff to do it." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Strengthening and standardizing the different programs that often serve overlapping populations especially stood out among the recommendations for study co-author Jason Lang, who is also the chief program officer at Child Health and Development Institute. He said he would also like to see which populations are and aren't served by the programs and if there's not enough capacity in certain areas. "But again, all that really will depend on being able to have the workforce to support it," Lang said. Lang noted there are already ongoing discussions on addressing the workforce shortage and bolstering programs, such as increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are "very low for behavioral health." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We all feel like that's the first step and it may be possible to tie some of the other recommendations," he said. "We'll pay providers more, but they need to do a better job of collecting data or using a standardized program model and some of the other things that we recommend. But, I think that remains to be seen what the legislature will do." Challenges The new study found significant medical staffing challenges across the ILC continuum, creating gaps in access. On average, extended-day treatment, or EDT, programs reported being short 36 percent of their staff, intensive outpatient programs short 23 percent, and partial hospitalization programs down 37 percent. However, almost no changes to programming were reported, even with staffing challenges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a result, ILC programs reported a two to six-week wait for children to start services. EDT showed a median of 26 days between referral and start date for children who received services in fiscal year 2023, with longer waits for Black and Hispanic children. The workforce shortage is particularly felt in the EDT programs, said Hector Glynn, chief executive officer at the Village for Families & Children in Hartford. EDTs are after-school programs that often need more staff to provide care, drive the children to and from the program and work odd hours. Glynn said a notable takeaway in the report is the number of people EDT services helped has not "bounced back" after the COVID-19 emergency. In-person individual therapy successfully transitioned to teletherapy when the pandemic started, Glynn said, but group therapy sessions, like EDTs, were "not therapeutic" when it was online. As telehealth became the norm, the use of EDTs entered a "downward trajectory and sort of flattening out," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other social barriers, such as lack of transportation, may deter families from using a long-term everyday program, he said. Outside of addressing the workforce shortages through increased funding, Glynn said he would love to discuss the report's recommendations on expanding evidence-based treatments, especially regarding EDT. Since EDT groups are designed so children can enroll at any time for extended periods, it is challenging to implement these models in this type of care setting, he said. However, he noted how other ILC programs, such as intensive outpatient, have successfully implemented evidence-based treatments. In addition, he said that the low Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health services make it harder to pay competitive wages for staff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The staffing shortage has an extra challenge with the program's team approach, Glynn said. "If we lose one member of the team, it becomes very difficult and if we lose the clinician, we cannot run a unit," Glynn said. "So, we still have staffing costs, but we can't enroll clients even if we have a waitlist because we don't have the right ratios of staff." ILC programs also reported needing help sending staff to training opportunities and there wasn't much diversity among staff and leadership's race, ethnicity and languages, according to the report. The report did note several strengths within the Connecticut ILC system, such as the programs aligning with state-level care guidelines and extended day programs successfully servicing a diverse population. Also, ILC staff reported having supportive work environments, were interested in attending more training opportunities and were open to collaborating with families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cannata said she wasn't surprised by the findings of the report, but thought it was helpful to see the different opportunities to strengthen the use of evidence-based treatments in center-based ILC. She said research shows these programs helped different demographics of children. The Indian embassy in Israel has shared a 24x7 helpline number and an email address for guidance and clarification. It has also asked Indian nationals in Israel to share the advisory through their local networks for wider circulation Pat Nibin Maxwell (31) from Kerala died in anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah terrorists struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot. Facebook Indians in Israel have been asked to relocate to safe areas within the country amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The appeal was made by the Indian government in an advisory that was issued on Tuesday after a man from Kerala was killed and two other were injured in an anti-tank missile strike launched by Hezbollah on an orchard in Margaliot. Advertisement Relocate to safe areas The advisory released for Indians in Israel on the official X account of the Embassy of India in Israel, read: In view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indians nationals in Israel, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, are advised to relocate to safe areas within Israel. The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals, the advisory read. Helpline, emergency numbers for Indians in Israel The embassy also shared a 24x7 helpline number and an email address for guidance and clarification. The contact number is +972-35226748 and email address is consl.telaviv@mea.gov.in. Advertisement Alternatively, the embassy also shared a hotline number of the Population and Immigration Authority of Israel in its post. The number is 1700707889. *IMPORTANT ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN ISRAEL* pic.twitter.com/Fshw7zcbmj India in Israel (@indemtel) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Indian nationals in Israel have been requested by the embassy to share the advisory through their local networks for wider circulation. Man from Kerala dies in Israel A man identified as 31-year-old Pat Nibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala died in anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah terrorists struck an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot. Advertisement As per reports, Maxwell was was working on a farm when the anti-tank missile hit the Israel border. He had arrived in Israel two months back. His mortal remains were identified at the Ziv hospital. Two others from Kerala - Bush Joseph George, 31, and Paul Melvin, 28 - were injured and rushed to a hospital for treatment. Advertisement Hezbollah has been launching attacks on Israels northern communities and military posts since October 8 saying it is doing so to support Gaza. The clash between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side. With inputs from agencies India on Monday strongly criticised Pakistan for bringing up the matter of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, saying that Pakistans reputation as the worlds terrorism factory is well-deserved and that it should reflect on its own dismal human rights track record India strongly criticised Pakistan for bringing up the matter of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council, saying that Pakistans reputation as the worlds terrorism factory is well-deserved and that it should reflect on its own dismal human rights track record. Jagpreet Kaur, the Under Secretary at Indias Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, exercised Indias Right of Reply during the General debate at the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. Advertisement Speaking on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan had raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in its statement prior to Indias response. We have taken the floor previously during this Session and conveyed our disinclination to waste the Councils time in responding to fallacious comments about India, by one particular delegation, which does so as they do not have anything constructive to contribute, PTI quoted Kaur as saying on Monday. Without naming Pakistan, Kaur said it is unfortunate that this country continues with its diatribe against India, including by continuing to misuse the OICs platform to further their own politically motivated agenda. We do not wish to dignify such remarks by responding to them and are taking the floor again only to urge that delegation to introspect on their own appalling human rights record and their deserved global reputation as the worlds terrorism factory, Kaur said. Advertisement During the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council last week, Indias First Secretary in the Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, Anupama Singh, delivered a robust response to Pakistans accusations. India firmly stated that Pakistan, drenched in the bloodshed caused by the terrorism it sponsors globally, cannot be given further attention. Advertisement Singh emphasised that Pakistans narrative, while hosting and glorifying UN Security Council-sanctioned terrorists, starkly contrasts with Indias pluralistic values and democratic principles, which serve as global examples. India condemned Pakistans misuse of the Councils platform to levy false allegations against it, expressing deep disappointment in the repetition of such actions. Singh underscored Pakistans accountability for terrorism, its economic instability, and the disillusionment felt by its citizens due to the governments failure to uphold their interests. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Kony is charged with 12 charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual slavery, and rape, as well as 21 counts of war crimes, including harsh treatment of civilians, pillaging, and enlisting child soldiers, all of which occurred in northern Uganda between 2003 and 2004 International Criminal Court prosecutors will present evidence against notorious fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony at the global courts first ever in absentia hearing later this year. AP File Prosecutors from the International Criminal Court will submit evidence to support allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity against legendary fugitive Ugandan rebel commander Joseph Kony during the courts first in absentia hearing later this year. The court stated Monday that it will convene a so-called confirmation of charges hearing against Kony, the reputed head of the Lords Resistance Army, a deadly rebel organisation, on October 15, nearly two decades after initially requesting his arrest. Advertisement Kony is charged with 12 charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual slavery, and rape, as well as 21 counts of war crimes, including harsh treatment of civilians, pillaging, and enlisting child soldiers, all of which occurred in northern Uganda between 2003 and 2004. The hearing is not a trial, but allows prosecutors to outline their case in court. Kony if he is not arrested before the hearing will be represented in his absence by a defense lawyer. If he is captured after the hearing, Kony will face trial at the court based in The Hague. The LRA began its attacks in Uganda in the 1980s, when Kony sought to overthrow the government. After being pushed out of Uganda, the militia terrorized villages in Congo, Central Africa Republic and South Sudan. It was notorious for using child soldiers, mutilating civilians and enslaving women. Kony was thrust into the global spotlight in 2012 when a video about his crimes went viral. Despite the attention and international efforts to capture him, he remains at large. Advertisement Last week, the ICC awarded reparations of more than 52 million euros ($56 million) to thousands of victims of Dominic Ongwen, a convicted commander in the Lords Resistance Army. According to the research, which was released by Together Against the Death Penalty, a Paris-based organisation, and Iran Human Rights, located in Norway, it was just the second time in 20 years that there were more than 800 executions in a single year, following 972 in 2015 According to two rights groups on Tuesday, Iran carried out a staggering total of at least 834 executions last yearthe highest number since 2015as the death penalty increased in the Islamic republic. Iran has executed more people by hanging in recent years than it did in 2022a rise of almost 43%. According to the research, which was released by Together Against the Death Penalty, a Paris-based organisation, and Iran Human Rights, located in Norway, it was just the second time in 20 years that there were more than 800 executions in a single year, following 972 in 2015. Advertisement Following the demonstrations that were triggered by Mahsa Aminis murder in police custody in September 2022, which shocked the authorities, the organisations accused Iran of employing the death sentence to instill terror throughout society. Instilling societal fear is the regimes only way to hold on to power, and the death penalty is its most important instrument, said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam in the report, which described the figure of 834 as a staggering total. Iran has executed nine men in cases linked to attacks on security forces during the 2022 protests - two in 2022, six in 2023 and one so far in 2024 - according to the rights groups. But executions have been stepped up on other charges, notably in drug-related cases, which had until recent years seen a fall. Advertisement Of particular concern is the dramatic escalation in the number of drug-related executions in 2023, which rose to 471 people, more than 18 times higher than the figures recorded in 2020, said the report. Members of ethnic minorities, notably the Sunni Baluch from the southeast of Iran, are grossly overrepresented amongst those executed on drug-related charges, it said. Advertisement At least 167 members of the Baluch minority were executed in total, accounting for 20 percent of the total executions in 2023, even though the minority accounts for only around five percent of Irans population. Wrong signal ECPM director Raphael Chenuil-Hazan said the lack of reaction by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was sending the wrong signal to the Iranian authorities. Advertisement Most hangings in Iran are carried out within the confines of prison but the report said that in 2023 the number of hangings carried out in public in Iran tripled from 2022, with seven people hanged in public spaces. At least 22 women were executed, marking the highest number in the past decade, the report said. Advertisement Fifteen of them were hanged on murder charges and NGOs have long warned that women who kill an abusive partner or relative risk being hanged. In 2023, only 15 percent of the recorded executions were announced by official Iranian media, with IHR confirming the other executions with its own sources. Amiry-Moghaddam expressed concern that a lack of international outrage at the executions, in particular with attention focused on the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, was only encouraging the Islamic republic to carry out more hangings. The inconsistency in the international communitys reaction to the executions in Iran is unfortunate and sends the wrong signal to the authorities, he said. Specified special workers can currently work in one of 12 fields, each with their own caps. Most hold Type 1 status, which allows them to work in Japan for up to five years To address the mounting shortages of labor in industries like manufacturing, construction and agriculture, the government of Japan plans to more than double the number of foreigners eligible for skilled worker visas in the five-year period starting fiscal 2024 to over 800,000 In 2019, Japan expanded the Specified Special Worker program for foreign workers with specialised skills and Japanese language ability. Earlier it had capped the program at 345,000 for the five years through March 2024. Advertisement As per report by Nikkei Asia, around 200,000 were working in Japan under this framework as of November 2023. Specified special workers can currently work in one of 12 fields, each with their own caps. Most hold Type 1 status, which allows them to work in Japan for up to five years, the report said. They can qualify for Type 2 status by clearing the right exams and other qualifications. Type 2 workers can renew their status indefinitely, bring over family members, and eventually apply for permanent residency. There were just 29 Type 2 specified skilled workers in Japan as of the end of November. The Japanese government last month proposed expanding the Specified Special Worker program to cover four more fields road transportation, rail, forestry and timber bringing the total to 16. It plans to bring in 25,000 drivers for taxis, buses and trucks as part of this expansion. Advertisement The country is also working on a replacement to its controversial technical intern program for unskilled workers, which has been criticised for low pay and labor abuses. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there were approximately 2 million foreign workers in Japan as of October. The number is expected rise due to worsening labor shortages. Some estimates predict that approximately 10 per cent of Japans population will be foreign by the year 2100. While the ban refrains from explicitly naming China due to World Trade Organization regulations, as per reports, it was primarily prompted by allegations of state-sponsored forced labor in Xinjiang, China The European Union is on the brink of implementing a ban on goods produced through forced labor, following a provisional agreement reached on Tuesday. The legislation, aimed at specific economic sectors where state-imposed forced labor occurs, awaits approval from the European Parliament and the Council, comprising EU member states. While the ban refrains from explicitly naming China due to World Trade Organization regulations, as per reports, it was primarily prompted by allegations of state-sponsored forced labor in Xinjiang, China. Advertisement This legislation, unlike the US ban targeting Xinjiang, applies globally, encompassing products from all regions, including within the EU. Debate among negotiators centered on the administration of the ban, with concerns raised over resource allocation for its global enforcement. Commission sources underline the necessity for additional staff resources from member states to effectively implement the ban. Under the agreement, the European Commission will investigate supply chains flagged for suspicions outside the EU, while member states will handle investigations within the union. If forced labor is discovered in a supply chain, authorities can demand withdrawal of goods from sale and detainment at borders until remediation occurs. Furthermore, the Commission will compile a list of regions suspected of employing forced labor and identify products with a higher risk of such practices. Importers and exporters of these products will be required to provide additional details to EU customs. Advertisement Lawmakers hail the agreement as groundbreaking in human rights, aiming to prevent forced labor products from entering the EU market and emphasising the importance of fair trade and supply chain transparency. However, recent events cast doubt on the legislations passage, as EU member states previously thwarted a directive requiring companies to conduct forensic audits of their suppliers human rights records, particularly in China. Advertisement Pressure on the EU to address forced labor intensified following a UN report implicating the Chinese government in potential crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Campaigners advocate for importer accountability similar to US legislation, criticizing the proposed risk-based approach. While the EU faces criticism for its proposed legislation, companies like BASF have already announced divestment from Xinjiang ventures due to reported human rights abuses, prompting calls for others, such as Volkswagen, to follow suit. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Arindam Bagchi responded sharply saying that UN Rights High Commissioner Volker Turks comments do not reflect the reality of the largest democracy of the world India dismissed concerns voiced at the UN about the countrys upcoming general elections as unwarranted and said that they do not reflect the reality of the worlds largest democracy. During an address at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UN Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk expressed concerns about the upcoming Indias Lok Sabha elections over increasing restrictions on the civic space and hate speech and discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims. Advertisement What did Turk say? Turk said that he is concerned over the increasing restrictions put on human rights defenders, journalists and critics. In India, with an electorate of 960 million people, the coming election will be unique in scale. I appreciate the countrys secular and democratic traditions and its great diversity. I am, however, concerned by increasing restrictions on the civic space - with human rights defenders, journalists and perceived critics targeted - as well as by hate speech and discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims, he said. Meanwhile, he also lauded the countrys apex court for banning electoral bonds last month that will allow transparency and uphold the right to information. How has India responded? Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Arindam Bagchi responded sharply saying that Turks comments do not reflect the reality of the largest democracy of the world. Advertisement He also added that many countries see Indias electoral process as an example and that its citizens have full faith in it. Many countries aspire to learn from Indias electoral model and emulate the same. We have no doubt that as in numerous occasions in the past, the Indian people will freely exercise their vote to choose a government that they believe can best give voice and flight to their aspirations, Bagchi added. Advertisement India's Statement in today's General Debate at #HRC55 pic.twitter.com/SjrXikVAbB India at UN, Geneva (@IndiaUNGeneva) March 4, 2024 Advertisement India will head to polls between April and May.Responding to Turks concern that criticism is not well received in India, Bagchi said that in any democracy, argumentation is natural and those in positions of authority must not allow their judgment to be clouded by propaganda. Advertisement Plurality, diversity, inclusivity and openness are at the core of our democratic polity and our constitutional values. These are backed by fiercely independent institutions, including a robust judiciary, that aim to protect the rights of all, he further said. India becoming voice of global south Bagchi highlighted Indias role in becoming the voice of the global south in the G20 Presidency last year and helping its neighbours during disasters and crises. Today, when the world is riddled with conflicts and war, India has been a voice of reason consistently calling for dialogue and diplomacy. It is only when peace is given a chance that the most vulnerable can hope for a better future where their basic needs are met, and their human rights are protected, he said. Calling India home to one-sixth of humanity, Bagchi added, India is backed by fiercely independent institutions, including a robust judiciary, that aims to protect the rights of all. Macrons one-day visit includes meetings with Prime Minister Petr Fiala and President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic as well as a speech at a nuclear summit On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Prague to explain his nations position about a plan by the Czechs to purchase weapons for war-torn Ukraine from sources outside of Europe. Macrons one-day visit includes meetings with Prime Minister Petr Fiala and President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic as well as a speech at a nuclear summit. Advertisement Pavel stated at a security conference in Munich last month that the Czech Republic, which has 10.8 million citizens and is a member of the EU and NATO, was able to amass a sizable arsenal of weapons for Ukraine outside of the continent. He said that the Czechs, in collaboration with Canada and Denmark, had identified 300,000 122-millimeter shells and 500,000 rounds of 155-millimeter ammunition which we would be able to deliver within weeks provided the necessary funding were received. The Financial Times said Prague was looking to amass $1.5 billion to pay for the munitions for Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion for two years. Fiala said at an international conference in Paris last week that around 15 nations were ready to join the initiative, including France. Macron said his country would take part in the initiative but did not disclose any details as to how much it would contribute. Advertisement The Netherlands, for instance, has already pledged to donate 100 million euros ($108.5 million). Precisions Prague now expects the French leader to come up with a specific pledge during Tuesdays talks. A French adviser said the Prague visit would be an opportunity to discuss this initiative and come up with precisions. This would be a bit of a breakthrough as Paris has so far tended to funnel defence spending into its domestic industry and favoured weapon production on European soil for EU money. Advertisement Macron also stirred controversy last week when he suggested the West might send soldiers to Ukraine, an idea largely rejected by Frances allies. The French government later said the suggestion did not concern combat troops. Later on Tuesday, Macron is due to address a nuclear forum in the Czech capital, attended by several French energy companies. Advertisement These include the power giant EDF, nuclear fuel distributor Orano and nuclear reactor producer Framatome. EDF is one of two bidders in a multi-billion Czech tender to build up to four new units at its two nuclear power stations, alongside South Koreas KHNP. Macrons visit to Prague follows an invitation from Pavel during the Czech presidents visit to Paris last December. Advertisement The visit was tarnished by a deadly shooting in Prague, in which a student killed 14 people and then himself at Charles University. Macron, who was quick to offer condolences to his guest Pavel, will lay flowers at the site on Tuesday. The incident unfolded Tuesday when a preflight inspection uncovered a significant electrical issue with the military plane, according to reports from New Zealand media. Luxon then reportedly opted for a commercial flight out of Wellington New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon encountered an unexpected hurdle en route to the ASEAN summit in Australia. Instead of boarding his military aircraft, a technical glitch forced him onto a commercial flight. The incident unfolded on Tuesday when a preflight inspection in Wellington uncovered a significant electrical issue with the military plane, according to reports from New Zealand media. Advertisement Luxon then reportedly opted for an early morning commercial flight out of Wellington. This impromptu change led him to fly with Air New Zealand, the airline he formerly led as CEO for seven years before transitioning to politics. The snag with the military aircraft was attributed to a technical fault with the nose landing gear system, as stated by a spokesperson from the defense force. Efforts are underway to rectify the problem promptly. Meanwhile, the Royal New Zealand Air Force is exploring alternative arrangements for Luxons return journey scheduled for Wednesday. The incident highlights the challenges faced by New Zealands military fleet, particularly the two Boeing 757-200s designated for transporting national leaders since 2003. In recent years, these aircraft have experienced reliability issues, resulting in stranded leaders or delayed official trips on multiple occasions. Advertisement In past, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, also encountered similar setbacks during her tenure. Luxons political history adds a twist, as he had criticised the use of backup aircraft during official trips while serving as the opposition leader. The unexpected turn of events could potentially disrupt Luxons engagements with key figures such as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on the sidelines of the Australia-ASEAN summit. The summit, hosted in Melbourne, spans from Monday to Wednesday, with Luxon attending as a guest upon the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Advertisement Luxons deviation from the planned military transport highlights the vulnerability of New Zealands official travel infrastructure, raising concerns about the countrys preparedness for such contingencies in the future. With inputs from Agencies A native of Keralas Kollam, Maxwell is survived by a young daughter and wife who is seven months pregnant. Two months ago, Maxwell went to Israel at the thick of the war on a work contract. His older brother is also in Israel for work Pat Nibin Maxwell, a 31-year-old man from Keralas Kollam who died in Israel, is survived by his five-year-old daughter and a wife who is expecting a second child. The news of death was broken to his family by Israeli authorities on Tuesday. Maxwell was working in an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot where an anti-tank missile attack fired by Hezbollah terrorist hit, leading to his death. Advertisement He is among the three Indians who were caught in the middle of an anti-tank missile attack fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah terrorists on an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot. He, along with Bush Joseph Georg and Paul Melvin, were natives of Kerala. Who was Maxwell and how did he land in Israel? A native of Keralas Kollam, Maxwell is survived by a young daughter and wife who is seven months pregnant. Two months ago, Maxwell went to Israel at the thick of the war on a work contract. His older brother is also in Israel for work. Talking to reporters, his father Antony Maxwell said, My daughter-in-law called me at around 4:30 PM to inform me that Nibin had met with an accident. At around 12:30 AM we were informed about his death. Advertisement Two weeks back, Nibin had told us about an airstrike near their farm. I had then advised to move to another place. But since there were no other issues, they continued working at the same farm. We often kept in touch after hearing about the attacks in that part of Israel, he recalled. Advertisement Antony Maxwell also has another son who is currently working in Abu Dhabi. My elder son is saying that the dead body should be brought here within four days as they have to contact the embassy, the father added. Indians in Israel There are thousands of Indians who live in Israel and with the war seeing no end, continue to reside in fear. Advertisement An estimated 18,000 Indian nationals are currently employed in Israel. A majority of them are working as caregivers for the elderly. Israel is a lucrative location for Indian caregivers as catering to the elderly in the country could fetch them at least Rs 1.25 lakh per month. Amid this, thousands of men in Indias northern state of Haryana queued in during a recruitment drive in January aimed at sending workers to Israel, where the war has caused a shortage of labour. With twice as many troops participating than in 2023, Washington and Seoul began their yearly spring military drills on Monday in an effort to be better equipped to counter Pyongyangs growing nuclear threats, they have stated North Korea demanded that the allies stop their frantic war drills on Tuesday, threatening to pay a dear price for Seoul and Washingtons large-scale military rehearsals that began this week. This year, Pyongyang has warned war for even 0.001 mm of territorial violation, branded South Korea as its principal enemy, and sacked organisations tasked with outreach and reunification. Advertisement With twice as many troops participating than in 2023, Washington and Seoul began their yearly spring military drills on Monday in an effort to be better equipped to counter Pyongyangs growing nuclear threats, they have stated. The partners declared that Freedom Shield will comprise 48 field exercises, including live shooting, bombing, air attack and missile interception manoeuvres. An unnamed spokesperson for the Norths defence ministry urged Seoul and Washington to cease the reckless and frantic war drills. Pyongyangs military strongly denounces the reckless military drills of the US and the ROK and severely warns them to stop the moves further causing provocation and instability, the spokesman said in a statement carried by Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency, using South Koreas official name. Advertisement The United States and South Korea will be made to pay a dear price for their false choice while realising that it causes their security uneasiness at a serious level every moment, Pyongyangs defence ministry spokesperson said. North Korea has long condemned joint US-South Korea military drills, calling them rehearsals for an invasion. It has carried out weapons tests in the past as a response to previous joint exercises of this nature. Advertisement Leader Kim Jong Un repeated last month that Pyongyang would not hesitate to put an end to South Korea if attacked, calling Seoul the Norths most dangerous and first enemy state and invariable arch-enemy. In January, North Korea fired an artillery barrage near two South Korean border islands, prompting a live-fire drill by the South and evacuation orders for residents. Advertisement South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed a strong response if Pyongyang attacks, calling on his military to act first, report later if provoked, and saying Seoul would hit back multiple times stronger in the event of an attack. Black Sea has been a crucial theater of operations. Since Moscow invaded in February 2022, Ukrainian forces assert that they have destroyed over two dozen Russian ships, including several that have been destroyed in recent weeks In the most recent naval assault on Moscows fleet in the vital waterway, Ukraine said Tuesday that its forces had destroyed a Russian military patrol boat in the Black Sea close to the annexed Crimea. Additionally, Kyiv took credit for an attack on an oil depot near the Russian border. While its troops are fighting to hold their ground on the front lines, Ukraine is demonstrating its ability to strike Russian targets from the air and at sea. Advertisement Since the war began a little more than two years ago, the Black Sea has been a crucial theater of operations. Since Moscow invaded in February 2022, Ukrainian forces assert that they have destroyed over two dozen Russian ships, including several that have been destroyed in recent weeks. Ukraines GUR military intelligence unit Tuesday released a black and white video showing what it said was the overnight attack. The footage showed a naval drone approaching the side of the Sergei Kotov a 94-metre (308-foot) Russian military patrol boat before a large explosion can be seen sending fire, smoke and debris into the sky above the vessel. Ukraines navy said explosive-packed drones had hit the ship near the Kerch Strait off the Crimean peninsula, causing damage to the stern, starboard and port sides. Advertisement As for the crew, the details are being clarified. There are dead and wounded. But it is likely that some of the crew managed to evacuate, military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told local media. - Ostrich mode - There was no official response from the Russian defence ministry but Russian military bloggers with close ties to the armed forces confirmed the strike. Advertisement Some were scornful of the Russian navys inability to defend itself. Pro-war Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyak accused Moscows military leaders of being in ostrich mode having their heads buried in the sand over yet another successful Ukrainian attack in the Black Sea. The Dva Mayora Telegram channel said the crew had been evacuated and survived, though some were injured. Advertisement The ship, which was launched in 2021, had already been severely damaged in a strike last year, Ukraines Yusov said. Ukraines navy said it was one of the most modern vessels in the Russian fleet. Kyiv has claimed a string of successes in the Black Sea, at a time when its army, faced with ammunition and manpower shortages, is struggling on land. Advertisement It says it has disabled at least 25 Russian vessels since Moscow invaded more than a third of the pre-war Black Sea fleet. - Symbol of occupation - The Ukrainian presidents chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said on Tuesday the fleet was a symbol of the occupation and cannot be in Ukraines Crimea. Moscow has moved many military ships from its historic Sevastopol naval base in Crimea to the port of Novorossiysk, further to the east, amid the spate of Ukrainian attacks. Kyiv has also successfully opened an alternative grain corridor that allows ships to export Ukraines vital agricultural supplies by hugging the Ukrainian coast instead of sailing across the open waters of the Black Sea, which have been packed with mines. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that almost 30 million tonnes of cargo had been exported via the coast route. A Ukrainian intelligence source also told AFP its forces were behind a drone strike on an oil depot in the Russian border region of Belgorod on Tuesday that set storage tanks ablaze. The Russian governor had previously reported a fire at an infrastructure site, without providing further details. In the neighbouring Kursk region of Russia, authorities said a strike on the Glushkovo railway station had triggered a fire, cutting off power to a nearby village. Meanwhile, Ukraines air force said it had downed 18 of the 22 Iranian-designed attack drones launched by Russia over the Black Sea port city of Odesa. As he briefed reporters in Berlin on the preliminary findings of an ongoing investigation, Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated, Not all participants adhered to the secure dialling procedure as intended. Russia hacked a conference call that a German military officer attended using an unprotected phone line at a Singapore hotel, countrys defense minister revealed Tuesday. The fallout from the audio tape leak, which showed four senior German air force officers speculatively discussing how Ukraine might use Taurus long-range cruise missiles to repel an invasion by Russia, has further heightened tensions between the two nations and embarrassed the German government. Advertisement As he briefed reporters in Berlin on the preliminary findings of an ongoing investigation, Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated, Not all participants adhered to the secure dialling procedure as intended. The minister said that the officer in question, whose name he did not give, had taken part in the Singapore Airshow, which was attended by high-ranking military officers from across Europe, and then dialled into the WebEx call using either his mobile phone or the hotels Wi-fi, but not a secured line as is considered mandatory for such calls. For the Russian secret services, it was a real find Targeted hacking took place in the hotels used across the board, Pistorius said. It must therefore be assumed that the access to this [phone] conference was a chance hit as part of a broad, scattered approach. Pistorius said the investigation was ongoing, overall security had been increased and preliminary disciplinary proceedings were being considered, but that severe personal consequences were unlikely. Advertisement I will not sacrifice any of my best officers to Putins games, to put it very clearly, he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The 38-minute audio leak was posted by Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of the Russian state-funded television channel RT, on social media on Friday, the same day that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was laid to rest after his still-unexplained death two weeks ago in an Arctic penal colony. The recording also surfaced just weeks before Russias presidential election. Advertisement While German authorities have not questioned the authenticity of the recording, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last week that delivering those weapons to Ukraine was not an option and that he did not want Germany to be drawn into the war directly. However, Russias Foreign Ministry on Monday threatened Germany with dire consequences in connection with the leak. It did not elaborate. Advertisement Relations between the two countries have steadily eroded since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. In the leaked audio, four officers, including the head of Germanys air force, Ingo Gerhartz, can be heard discussing deployment scenarios for Taurus missiles in Ukraine before a meeting with Pistorius. The officers said that early delivery and rapid deployment of Taurus missiles would only be possible with the participation of German soldiers. The officers said training Ukrainian soldiers to deploy the Taurus on their own would be possible, but it would take months. Advertisement The recording also shows the German government has not given its OK for the delivery of the cruise missiles sought by Ukraine. Pistorius on Tuesday said that while the damage caused by the leak was severe, the mistake is still being worked through and we must now turn our attention back to more important tasks, such as how Germany and its allies can continue to help Ukraine fight Russia. There had been a months-long debate in Germany about whether to supply the Taurus missiles to Ukraine as Kyiv faces battlefield setbacks until Scholz said last week Germany wouldnt deliver the missiles. With military aid from the United States held up in Congress, Germany is now the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the US, and it is further stepping up its support this year. Pistorius pointed out that while the damage done by the actual content of the leaked audio was manageable, Russias real success was that with the leak it set the agenda for what is being discussed in Germany, and thats exactly what Putin wants to achieve. With inputs from The Associated Press Pleased to meet with Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun today in Seoul. Wide ranging conversation on our trade and economic cooperation, both current and future, which is at the heart of India-South Korea relationship, Jaishankar wrote on X External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun in Seoul on Tuesday. Image Courtesy: @DrSJaishankar External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met South Koreas Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun in Seoul and discussed trade and economic cooperation which is at the heart of India-South Korea relationship. Taking to X, Jaishankar said, Pleased to meet with Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun today in Seoul. Wide ranging conversation on our trade and economic cooperation, both current and future, which is at the heart of - relationship. Advertisement Jaishankar is in Seoul on the first leg of his four-day visit to South Korea and Japan. He will co-chair the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart Cho Tae-yul during the visit. Earlier in the day, he also met South Koreas national security advisor Chang Ho-jin and held useful discussions on the shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary regional and global issues. Good start to my visit. Met with Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin in Seoul today. A useful discussion on our shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific and contemporary regional & global issues. pic.twitter.com/OdPesel8KM Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Good start to my South Korea visit. Meeting with the Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin in Seoul today. A useful discussion on our shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific and contemporary regional & global issues, Jaishankar posted on X. Advertisement Moments later, he also met heads of think tanks and had interesting conversation. Interesting conversation with think tank representatives of RoK. Our exchanges and interaction would only increase as the convergences between our two countries grow, wrote Jaishankar on X. Interesting conversation with think tank representatives of RoK. Our exchanges and interaction would only increase as the convergences between our two countries grow. pic.twitter.com/E5MSnJT1dk Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2024 Advertisement As part of his visit, he is also expected to meet the Indian community. The Special Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea has expanded to diverse areas of cooperation, which include trade, investments, defence, education, science and technology and culture. Advertisement The JCM is expected to comprehensively review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and explore avenues for further strengthening it. It will also provide an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi ahead of Jaishankars visit. With inputs from agencies You can see, today, an Indian leaving the shores of India, does so with a confidence which they didnt have before. They have the confidence that whatever happens out there, there is a government which will look after them. Thats a very big feeling, said Jaishankar while addressing the Indian community in Seoul External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that Indians leaving the shores of India are more confident now as they know if anything goes wrong there is a government to back them and look after them. Addressing the Indian community in Seoul on Tuesday, Jaishankar said, You can see, today, an Indian leaving the shores of India, does so with a confidence which they didnt have before. They have the confidence that whatever happens out there, there is a government which will look after them. Thats a very big feeling because when we look at the state of the world, more and more Indians will explore global work opportunities. Advertisement #WATCH | Addressing the Indian Community in Seoul, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...You can see, today, an Indian leaving the shores of India, does so with a confidence which they didn't have before. They have the confidence that whatever happens out there, there is a government pic.twitter.com/xkXz2uwwup ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 Jaishankar is in Seoul on the first leg of his four-day visit to South Korea and Japan. Advertisement He will co-chair the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart Cho Tae-yul tomorrow. Jaishankar said its not always easy living outside your country as your hearts and minds are always in India. Its not always easy living outside your countryThose who live abroad also know that in many ways, a large part of your hearts and minds is always in India. All of you in different ways contribute to the progress of our country, said the External Affairs Minister. Advertisement #WATCH | Addressing the Indian Community in Seoul, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...It's not always easy living outside your country...Those who live abroad also know that in many ways, a large part of your hearts and minds is always in India. All of you in different ways contribute pic.twitter.com/wTttZET9io ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 Advertisement Earlier in the day, Jaishankar delivered a speech on Broadening horizons: India-Korea Partnership in the Indo-Pacific at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Advertisement Talking about the India-South Korea ties, he said that both the countries have expanded in different sectors and are acquiring great salience in a more uncertain and volatile world, adding, that it is time now to introspect and strategise how the two partners could be doing more by making efforts differently. Its a great pleasure to speak to you today about Indias partnership with Republic of Korea, one that is acquiring great salience in a more uncertain and volatile world. Our ties have been described as a special strategic partnership since 2015. This is not just a phrase but an assessment to which we have tried to live up to since then. In different domains, cooperation has expanded and benefits are visible. Yet, this is also a time to introspect and strategise how we could be doing more by doing differently, said Jaishankar. The external affairs minister recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to South Korea in 2015 and 2019. Terming trade as metric of judgment of ties between two nations, Jaishankar stressed that the bilateral trade has touched roughly around USD 25 billion. The frequency and intensity of contacts is one way of judging any relationship. In recent years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Yoon have met twice as I did with my previous counterpart. Many of you will be aware that Prime Minister Modi has in fact been to Republic of Korea himself twice, once in 2015 and once in 2019, Jaishankar said. Trade is another metric of judgement and this today between us is roughly around USD 25 billion plus minus level. Companies of both countries have made significant investments in the other. We note that your economic cooperation in development fund has committed to two significant infrastructure projects in India. The sovereign wealth fund KIC has opened its office in our country. Our defence cooperation recorded a success in the joint efforts of and Larsen and Toubro and we each have a community in other countries about 15000 in our case and some what less in yours, he said. The foreign minister noted that the full picture of India-South Korea ties requires an understanding of its political dimensions. Calling both nations democracies and market economies, Jaishankar stated that the modern history of two nations holds some parallels and noted that India and South Korea have faced challenges like terrorism and WMD proliferation. A full picture of our ties also requires an understanding of its political dimensions. We are both democracies, market economies, and believers in the rule of law. Our modern history holds some parallels, and both of us have paid the price of events beyond our control, said the Minister. In recent years, challenges like terrorism and WMD proliferation have impacted our national security. We have learnt to be sensitive to changing currents of the global order. While our solutions may be suited to our particular national circumstances, working together has always been to our common advantage, he added. Meanwhile, Jaishankar also held a meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun in Seoul. He also met with think tank representatives of South Korea and earlier called on Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin. With inputs from agencies My friend, Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar, was once at the UN, giving a speech. He was asked why they started buying so much oil from Russia. He advised them to mind their own business and reminded them at the same time how much oil the West had started buying and continued to buy oil from the Russian Federation. This is national dignity, said Lavrov Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov has heaped praise on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for advising the West to mind their own business over Indias continued procurement of Russian oil after the Ukraine war began. Russian FM recalls words of 'amigo' Jaishankar, who advised Europeans to look at themselves before lecturing others "My friend, Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar, was once at the UN, giving a speech. He was asked why they started buying so much oil from Russia. He pic.twitter.com/nD4C0YHMDj Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) March 4, 2024 Advertisement In a video shared on X by Russian news agency Sputnik, Lavrov, while addressing the World Youth Forum in Sochi, said, My friend, Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar, was once at the UN, giving a speech. He was asked why they started buying so much oil from Russia. He advised them to mind their own business and reminded them at the same time how much oil the West had started buying and continued to buy oil from the Russian Federation. This is national dignity. At a security conference in Munich recently, Jaishankar was again asked about Indias continued procurement of Russian oil. To a question whether Russian oil imports become a problem in its equations with other major allies, Jaishankar, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sitting alongside, said, Why should it be a problem? I am smart enough to have multiple options. You should be admiring and not criticising. Is it a problem for others? I do not think so. Advertisement The External Affairs Minister had also earlier called out Europes double standards and said that it needs to grow out of the mindset that Europes problems are the worlds problems, but the worlds problems are not Europes problems. Following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the majority of Western nations implemented sanctions against Moscow and ceased purchasing Russian crude oil. In contrast, India declined to adhere to these sanctions and continued importing Russian oil. Advertisement Jaishankar conveyed New Delhis stance in global forums, underscoring that Indian citizens cannot bear high energy prices and that the Narendra Modi government is only trying to get the best deal possible for its people. In the past also Moscow has lauded the stance of the Narendra Modi government. In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in India and its leadership, emphasising that Moscow trusts New Delhi not to engage in international games against them. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Since mid-November, Houthi rebels have launched drones and missiles on foreign commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden on many occasions, claiming to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israels Gaza war Before entering Yemeni seas, ships must seek a permit from the Maritime Affairs Authority, which is under the authority of the Houthis. This was announced on Monday by Misfer Al-Numair, the Minister of Houthi Telecommunications. Since mid-November, Houthi rebels have launched drones and missiles on foreign commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden on many occasions, claiming to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israels Gaza war. Advertisement The almost daily attacks have increased concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict may destabilise the larger Middle East and driven businesses to take lengthy and expensive detours across southern Africa. In retaliation, the US and the UK have bombed Houthi sites. (We) are ready to assist requests for permits and identify ships with the Yemeni Navy, and we confirm this is out of concern for their safety, Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi movement, reported Al-Numair as saying. The Yemeni orders impacted territorial seas go halfway into the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a 20-kilometer (12-mile) narrow opening of the Red Sea that is used by 15% of all ships heading to or from the Suez Canal. During regular times, the Suez Canal handles almost 25% of the worlds container freight, which includes goods like clothing, electronics, auto parts, chemicals, and agricultural items like coffee. Advertisement In the event that Israels major military operations in Gaza come to an end, there is good reason to doubt, according to former U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, that the Houthis, who are linked with Iran, will discontinue their attacks on boats. They may decide that they like the idea of controlling the amount of shipping going through the Red Sea, and will continue this for an indefinite period of time, Gates said at the TPM24 container shipping conference in Long Beach, California. Advertisement Elsewhere on Monday, Hong Kong-based HGC Global Communications said that at least four underwater communications cables Asia-Africa-Europe 1, the Europe India Gateway, Seacom and TGN-Gulf had been damaged last week in the Red Sea, without stating the cause. It estimated that the damage had affected 25% of the data traffic flowing under the Red Sea, and said in a statement that it had devised a plan to reroute traffic. Advertisement Al-Numairs ministry on Saturday blamed U.S. and British attacks for any damage to cables. In the latest incident, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Monday it had received a report that a vessel had been damaged by two explosions, 91 nautical miles southeast of Aden, but there were no casualties and the vessel was proceeding to its next port of call. Advertisement Yemen has been mired in conflict since Houthis ousted the government from the capital Sanaa in late 2014. The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition intervened in 2015, aiming to restore the government. pastor Lee Dong-hwan, 43, had attended Seoul gay pride events, and also held blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples A Methodist Church in South Korea has excommunicated pastor Lee Dong-hwan for advocating gay right. The Methodist Church upheld a lower church ruling and said, The church doctrine stipulates acts of agreeing or sympathising with homosexuality amount to rules violations. Why South Koreas Methodist Church has excommunicated a pastor? Reports say, 43-year-old Reverend Lee had attended Seoul gay pride events, and also held blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. Advertisement The Methodist Church, in its verdict said: Participating in and officiating a blessing ceremony to bless sexual minorities by scattering flower petals, performing a performance waving a large rainbow flag in the square in front of Seoul City Hall, proposing a blessing ceremony for homosexuals are all acts of approval or agreement with homosexuality. The verdict is final within the church, and Reverend Lee has no way to contest it. For the unversed, gay marriage is not recognised in South Korea due to which many people keep their sexuality discreet, fearing social pressure. Also, Seouls annual Pride celebration attracts vicious Christian-led opposition. Several attempts made over the past 16 years to pass broad anti-discrimination laws have failed due to strong opposition from conservative churches and civic groups who say the law will pave the way for legalisation of gay marriage. Advertisement South Korea pastor on Methodist Churchs decision A report by AFP quoted Reverend Lee saying the churchs decision was shameful and he was considering bring the case to a civil court. Excommunicating a pastor for blessing sexual minorities will go down in history of Protestantism as dark history that will only invite laughter later, Lee said. Advertisement Of 51 million people in South Korea, nearly a quarter are Christian. The religious community holds significant political sway, with many evangelicals strongly opposing gay rights. However, globally, many religious groups have taken steps to embrace LGBTQI rights, with the Vatican recently approving Catholic blessings for same-sex couples. As per South Koreas Methodist Church, it has 1.2 million followers under its wing with 6,700 churches in and outside the country and 1,300 missionaries. Advertisement With inputs from AFP South Korean media have said the planned early talks on the Special Measures Agreement aim at extending a deal to 2026 and beyond, before Trumps potential comeback. The current agreement is set to expire in 2025, with negotiations on a successor pact usually held just before the end of the existing one The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea. Reuters The US and South Korea announced on Tuesday that they had assigned envoys to begin a fresh round of preliminary discussions on how to split the expense of maintaining US troops in South Korea. The unusually early nomination of Linda Specht of the United States and Lee Tae-woo of South Korea for a pact that is scheduled to take effect in 2026 may be an attempt to negotiate an agreement prior to Donald Trumps potential reelection as U.S. president. Advertisement As the process often takes more than a year, preparations for the negotiations had already started, according to Lim Soo-suk, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry of South Korea. Both delegations will endeavour to engage in productive consultations that strengthen the combined defence posture and further solidify our alliance, the ministry and the U.S. State Department said in a joint statement. But they stopped short of saying when talks would begin. Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the November election, had accused South Korea, a key Asian ally, of free-riding on U.S. military might, and demanded that it pay as much as $5 billion a year for the U.S. deployment. South Korean media have said the planned early talks on the Special Measures Agreement aim at extending a deal to 2026 and beyond, before Trumps potential comeback. Advertisement The current agreement is set to expire in 2025, with negotiations on a successor pact usually held just before the end of the existing one. During Trumps presidency, both sides had struggled for months to make progress, before reaching a deal when Seoul agreed to increase its contribution by 13.9%, for the biggest annual rise in nearly two decades. Advertisement Lee, a seasoned diplomat with experience in U.S. and security affairs, previously served as consul-general in Sydney and deputy nuclear envoy for North Korea. Specht is a senior adviser and lead negotiator for security pacts in the State Departments bureau of political and military affairs. Some 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as part of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea. Advertisement South Korea began shouldering the costs of U.S. deployments, used to fund local labour, the construction of military installations and other logistics support, in the early 1990s. Texas immigration legislation will not take effect until next week, according to an order signed by Justice Samuel Alito on Monday. This will allow the court as a whole to choose what action to take next Migrants wait to be processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, in Eagle Pass, Texas. AP File A legal battle over the federal governments jurisdiction over immigration is expected to reach the Supreme Court, where Texas intends to arrest immigrants who enter the country illegally. Texas immigration legislation will not take effect until next week, according to an order signed by Justice Samuel Alito on Monday. This will allow the court as a whole to choose what action to take next. The ruling from a lower court meant that the law will go into force on Saturday. Only hours after the Justice Department requested the Supreme Court to step in, Alito issued an order postponing it until March 13. Advertisement After signing the legislation into law in December, Republican governor Greg Abbott spent months revealing a series of border security measures that have stretched the limits of what a state may do to prevent immigrants from entering the nation. State police would be authorised under law to detain those who they believe are entering the nation unlawfully. After being detained, individuals may consent to a Texas judges order to depart the nation or be charged with a misdemeanour for breaking the law by entering the country unlawfully. If a migrant refuses to leave after being told to, they may face more arrests and more criminal charges. The Justice Department told the Supreme Court that the law would profoundly alter the status quo that has existed between the United States and the States in the context of immigration for almost 150 years. It went on to argue that the law would have significant and immediate adverse effects on the countrys relationship with Mexico and create chaos in enforcing federal immigration laws in Texas. Advertisement The federal government cited a 2012 Supreme Court ruling on an Arizona law that would have allowed police to arrest people for federal immigration violations, often referred to by opponents as the show me your papers bill. The divided high court found that the impasse in Washington over immigration reform did not justify state intrusion. Advertisement The Supreme Court gave Texas until March 11 to respond. In a statement Monday, the Texas Attorney Generals Office said the states law mirrored federal law and was adopted to address the ongoing crisis at the southern border, which hurts Texans more than anyone else. The federal governments emergency request to the Supreme Court came after a federal appeals court over the weekend stayed U.S. District Judge David Ezras sweeping rejection of the law. Advertisement In a 114-page ruling Thursday, Ezra rebuked Texas immigration enforcement and brushed off claims by Republicans about an ongoing invasion along the southern border due to record-high illegal crossings. Ezra added that the law violates the U.S. Constitutions supremacy clause, conflicts with federal immigration law and could get in the way of U.S. foreign relations and treaty obligations. Advertisement According to Ezras ruling, allowing Texas to supersede federal law due to an invasion would amount to nullification of federal law and authority a notion that is antithetical to the Constitution and has been unequivocally rejected by federal courts since the Civil War. Republicans who back the law have said it would not target immigrants already living in the U.S. because the two-year statute of limitations on the illegal entry charge would be enforced only along the states border with Mexico. Advertisement Texas has been arresting migrants for years under a different program that is based on criminal trespass arrests. Though Ezra said some might sympathize with Texas officials concerns about immigration enforcement by the federal government, he said that was not enough to excuse a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The battle over the Texas immigration law, known as Senate Bill 4, is one of multiple legal disputes between Texas officials and the Biden administration over how far the state can go to patrol the Texas-Mexico border and prevent illegal border crossings. Advertisement Several Republican governors have backed Abbotts efforts, saying the federal government is not doing enough to enforce existing immigration laws. Some of Abbotts attempts to impede illegal border crossings have included a floating barrier in the Rio Grande which Ezra previously blocked and is part of an ongoing legal battle and placing razor wire along the states boundary with Mexico. State guard officers have also blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from accessing a riverfront park in Eagle Pass that was previously used by federal agents to process migrants. YAMANASHI, Mar 05 (News On Japan) - Starting this summer, a 2,000 yen toll will be required for climbing Mount Fuji. An ordinance mandating a 2,000 yen toll for using the Yoshida Route on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of Mount Fuji was unanimously passed and enacted today in the Yamanashi Prefectural Assembly. There has been a growing concern over the increase in accidents caused by climbers attempting "bullet climbing," where they aim for the summit overnight without reserving a mountain hut. The ordinance is scheduled to be enforced from July, and from July 1st, a gate set up at the fifth station will be closed to passage from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. the following morning, requiring a payment of 2,000 yen at the gate. This aims to prevent "bullet climbing," where climbers ascend overnight without reserving a mountain hut, aiming for the sunrise at the summit. Additionally, by limiting the number of climbers to a maximum of 4,000 per day, the ordinance seeks to alleviate congestion. The cost per person, combined with the optional 1,000 yen entry fee, will be up to 3,000 yen, which will be used for congestion relief and safety measures. Source: FNN Switzerland is a major arms provider, ranking 14th in the world in 2022, despite having long maintained its neutrality, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute A drone of the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) of the Swiss Armed Forces takes-off for a first flight at an airbase in Emmen, Switzerland. Reuters File According to the government, Switzerlands exports of weapons decreased by more than 25% in the previous year. The countrys neutral position is attributed by some to the impediment of the re-export of Swiss-made firearms and ammunition to Ukraine. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) reported that war material exports decreased by 27% to 696.8 million Swiss francs ($788.06 million), from 955 million francs in 2022. Advertisement Switzerland is a major arms provider, ranking 14th in the world in 2022, despite having long maintained its neutrality, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Switzerland signed large contracts for ammunition and wheeled armoured vehicles in 2023, down from 60 nations a year earlier. Germany was the countrys top buyer, followed by Denmark. Industry group Swissmem said that Switzerlands restriction on the re-export of firearms had contributed to the decline in exports that occurred last year, however SECO could not provide an explanation. As long as Ukraine is engaged in an international armed conflict, requests for the shipment of Swiss-made war materiel to that country are not subject to approval by Bern under the neutrality statute of the nation. Advertisement Some companies have lost orders because of concerns about the Swiss regulations, while others are considering investing less here, Swissmem director Stefan Brupbacher told Reuters ahead of the release of the figures. In 2022, Spain, Denmark and Germany were denied permission to re-export armaments to Ukraine, straining relations and raising concerns in the Swiss arms industry, which includes multinationals Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall, as well as a host of smaller companies. Advertisement Swissmem said Switzerlands arms industry depended on exports and could not rely on demand from the Swiss military to survive. Brupbacher said a dogmatic interpretation of neutrality was blocking re-exports of Swiss weapons and ammunition which other countries had bought years earlier, with many countries not understanding Switzerlands stance. We want the need for re-export permit for all countries which adhere to similar international conventions on weaponry as Switzerland to be lifted, he said. Advertisement It has nothing to do with the legal definition of neutrality. According to the sources, the detentions were a component of an operation conducted by Istanbul counter-terror police and Turkeys national intelligence agency, MIT The state-owned Anadolu news agency said on Tuesday that Turkish police had detained seven individuals, including a private investigator, who were allegedly selling information to Israels Mossad spy organisation. According to security sources quoted by Anadolu, the private investigator is a former public worker who is accused of spying on Middle Eastern persons and businesses in Turkey, installing monitoring devices, and collecting information. Advertisement According to the sources, the detentions were a component of an operation conducted by Istanbul counter-terror police and Turkeys national intelligence agency, MIT. There was no formal comment about the operation from Ankara. Israel refrained from commenting on the Anadolu story right away. According to the reports, the Turkish detective got payments in cryptocurrencies that did not show up in official records and was trained by Mossad in Belgrade, Serbia. A Turkish court in January ordered the arrest of 15 people and the deportation of eight others suspected of having links to Mossad and targeting Palestinians living in Turkey. In February, Turkey detained seven suspected of selling information to Mossad. Turkish and Israeli leaders have traded public barbs since Israels war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas began last October. Turkey has warned Israel of serious consequences if it tries to hunt down Hamas members living outside the Palestinian territories, including in Turkey. The news comes nearly five months after the October 7 assaults, which killed over 1,200 people and held 250 others hostage. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israels assault against Hamas has devastated the Gaza Strip, killing over 30,000 Palestinians The site of a music festival near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. AP File The United Nations envoy for sexual violence in war stated in a new report Monday that there are reasonable grounds to think Hamas perpetrated rape, sexualized torture, and other cruel and inhumane treatment of women during its surprise strike in southern Israel on October 7. There are also reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing, according to Pramila Patten, who travelled to Israel and the West Bank with a nine-person technical team from Jan. 29 to Feb. 14. Advertisement Based on first-hand accounts of released hostages, she said the team found clear and convincing information that some women and children during their captivity were subjected to the same conflict-related sexual violence including rape and sexualized torture. The news comes nearly five months after the October 7 assaults, which killed over 1,200 people and held 250 others hostage. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israels assault against Hamas has devastated the Gaza Strip, killing over 30,000 Palestinians. According to the United Nations, one-quarter of Gazas 2.3 million residents are facing hunger. Hamas has denied previous charges that its militants engaged in sexual assault. Patten stated during the reports launch press conference that the teams mission was not to investigate sexual assault charges, but rather to acquire, analyse, and verify evidence for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres annual report on sexual violence in conflict and the United Nations Security Council. Advertisement Her key recommendation is to encourage Israel to grant access to the U.N. human rights chief and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Palestinian territories and Israel to carry out full-fledged investigations into the alleged violations and she expressed hope the Security Council would do this. Patten said the team was not able to meet with any victims of sexual violence despite concerted efforts to encourage them to come forward. While the number of victims remains unknown, she said, a small number of those who are undergoing treatment are reportedly experiencing severe mental distress and trauma. Advertisement However, team members held 33 meetings with Israeli institutions and conducted interviews with 34 people including survivors and witnesses of the Oct. 7 attacks, released hostages, health providers and others. Based on the information it gathered, Patten said, there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the 7 October attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations. Advertisement Across various locations, she said, the team found that several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered mostly women with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head. While this is circumstantial, she said the pattern of undressing and restraining victims may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence. Advertisement At the Nova music festival and its surroundings, Patten said, there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped. There are further accounts of individuals who witnessed at least two incidents of rape of corpses of women, Patten said. Other credible sources at the Nova music festival site described seeing multiple murdered individuals, mostly women, whose bodies were found naked from the waist down, some totally naked, some shot in the head, some tied to trees or poles with their hands bound. Advertisement On Road 232 the road to leave the festival credible information based on witness accounts describe an incident of the rape of two women by armed elements, Patten said. Other reported rapes and gang rapes couldnt be verified and require investigation. Along this road, several bodies were found with genital injuries, along with injuries to other body parts, she said. Discernible patterns of genital mutilation could not be verified at this time but warrant future investigation. Advertisement She said the mission team also found a pattern of bound naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down, in some cases tied to structures including trees and poles, along Road 232. People fleeing the Nova music festival also attempted to escape south and sought shelter in and around kibbutz Reim where Patten said there are reasonable grounds to believe sexual violence occurred. Advertisement The mission team verified the rape of a woman outside a bomb shelter and heard of other allegations of rape that could not yet be verified. At Kibbutz Beeri, Patten said, her team was able to determine that at least two allegations of sexual violence widely repeated in the media, were unfounded due to either new superseding information or inconsistency in the facts gathered. Advertisement These included a highly publicized allegation that a pregnant womans womb was reportedly ripped open before being killed with her fetus stabbed inside her, Patten said. Another was the interpretation initially made of the body of a girl found separated from the rest of her family, naked from the waist down, she said. It was determined by the mission team that the crime scene had been altered by a bomb squad and the bodies moved, explaining the separation of the body of the girl from the rest of her family. Advertisement Patten said further investigation is needed of allegations, including of bodies found naked and in one case gagged, at kibbutz Beeri to determine if sexual violence occurred. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Patten said, verification of sexual violence was not possible. But she said available circumstantial information notably the recurring pattern of female victims found undressed, bound, and shot indicates that sexual violence, including potential sexualized torture, or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, may have occurred. Advertisement On Oct. 7, the Nahal Oz Military Base, which operated as a hub for signals intelligence and monitoring of the Gaza perimeter fence, was also breached by Hamas and a significant number of male and female soldiers stationed there were killed, and seven young female soldiers were abducted and taken to Gaza, Patten said. Patten said the team, which also visited the West Bank, received information from institutional and civil society sources as well as through interviews about some forms of sexual violence against Palestinian men and women in detention settings, during house raids and at checkpoints. Patten stressed that the true prevalence of sexual violence during the Oct. 7 attacks and their aftermath may take months or years to emerge and may never be fully known. The aircraft went down a few kilometers from Nashvilles John C. Tune Airport, even though it was cleared for an emergency landing there In a social media post, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department stated that "five people on board the airplane perished in the crash" Local authorities in Nashville, Tennessee, said that a tiny private jet crashed close to a roadway on Monday, killing five persons. In a social media post, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department stated that five people on board the airplane perished in the crash. It also uploaded a photo of the single-engine planes smashed wreckage. Advertisement A single-engine airplane has crashed off the eastbound lanes of I-40 just past the Charlotte Pk exit. Several persons on board are deceased. Work continues to determine from where the plane originated, the police statement read. 5 persons on board the airplane perished in the crash. The FAA is on scene. The NTSB will arrive later today, the statement added. There was a heavy fire when the Nashville Fire Departments rescuers arrived, the department posted on social media platform X. US media cited Nashville police spokesperson Don Aaron as saying that the aircraft reported an engine and power failure at approximately 7:40 p.m. (0140 GMT Tuesday). It went down a few kilometers from Nashvilles John C. Tune Airport, even though it was cleared for an emergency landing there. Advertisement He said that the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will look into the collision. The Malaysian government has received a proposal from Texas-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity for a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean, the planes suspected crash site On March 8, 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board, vanished after taking off from from Kuala Lumpur Airport in southern Malaysia while traveling to Beijing, China Image Courtesy Agencies A US-based company has stated that it had scientific proof of the last resting location of the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. According to report in The Independent, the Malaysian government has received a proposal from Texas-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity for a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean, the planes suspected crash site. Advertisement The companys chief executive officer Oliver Plunkett said, We now feel in a position to be able to return to the search for MH370, and have submitted a proposal to the Malaysian government. Finding MH370 and bringing some resolution for all connected with the loss of the aircraft has been a constant in our minds since we left the southern Indian Ocean in 2018. Since then, we have focused on driving the transformation of operations at sea; innovating with technology and robotics to further advance our ocean search capabilities, Plunkett added. The company has put forth a novel no-find, no-fee search, which is noteworthy. The last time Ocean Infinity tried to locate the lost aircraft was in 2018. Advertisement The minister of transportation for Malaysia, according to ABC7, has requested Ocean Infinity to present its fresh evidence and has pledged to support the approval of a fresh search if it is deemed credible. Without fresh information on the planes whereabouts, the government has long stated that it would not support conducting another search. Advertisement On March 8, 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board, vanished after taking off from from Kuala Lumpur Airport in southern Malaysia while traveling to Beijing, China. There was very little evidence of the aircraft remaining after a nearly three-year search that covered 120,000 square kilometers in the Indian Ocean. A few bits of debris were discovered. The mission was halted in January 2017 because the jet has never been located, despite the biggest search in aviation history. Advertisement Families of those on board the aircraft talked of their struggle to find closure and their ongoing pain on Sunday, advocating for a fresh search. At a remembrance day held at a retail center close to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, some 500 relatives and their supporters attended; many of them were obviously distraught. Advertisement Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, stated that if compelling information surfaced, he would be happy to reopen the hunt for flight MH370. Among other things, Mnangagwa is charged with sheltering smugglers of gold and diamonds operating in Zimbabwe, ordering government employees to assist in the selling of these commodities in black markets, and accepting payments in exchange for his services Due to their alleged involvement in corruption and violations of human rights, the United States on Monday sanctioned Zimbabwes first lady, president Emmerson Mnangagwa, and other government officials. Three organisations and eleven individuals, including the Mnangagwas, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and retired Brig. Gen. Walter Tapfumaneyi, were subject to sanctions by the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. Advertisement Among other things, Mnangagwa is charged with sheltering smugglers of gold and diamonds operating in Zimbabwe, ordering government employees to assist in the selling of these commodities in black markets, and accepting payments in exchange for his services. On Monday, President Joe Biden also issued an executive order lifting the national emergency in Zimbabwe and lifting the sanctions imposed on the country. Now, the administration is using a Trump-era executive order that implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act as its authority to issue the sanctions. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the changes to Zimbabwes sanctions regime are intended to make clear what has always been true: our sanctions are not intended to target the people of Zimbabwe. Today we are refocusing our sanctions on clear and specific targets: President Mnangagwas criminal network of government officials and businesspeople who are most responsible for corruption or human rights abuse against the people of Zimbabwe. Advertisement Zimbabwes government spokesman Nick Mangwana tweeted in response to the sanctions that as long as senior leadership is under sanctions, we are all under sanctions. And as long as members of Corporate Zimbabwe are under Sanctions, we are under Sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the designations are part of a stronger, more targeted sanctions policy towards Zimbabwe the United States is implementing. Advertisement Key individuals, including members of the Government of Zimbabwe, bear responsibility for these actions, including the looting of government coffers that robs Zimbabweans of public resources, he said. Mnangagwa was sworn in for a second term as Zimbabwes president last September. The US president, who gave the order last week for the US to begin airdropping humanitarian supplies into the 2.4 million people under siege, also declared that he was pressuring Israel to permit additional aid to enter the region Biden warned Israel that there were "no excuses" for not allowing aid into the Palestinian area and stated that it was up to Hamas whether to accept an offer for a six-week ceasefire Image Courtesy AP If a truce between Israel and Hamas is not reached by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, US President Joe Biden issued a dire warning on Tuesday, describing the situation as very, very dangerous. In addition, Biden warned Israel that there were no excuses for not allowing aid into the Palestinian area and stated that it was up to Hamas whether to accept an offer for a six-week ceasefire. Advertisement Its in the hands of Hamas right now, the 81-year-old Biden told reporters as he prepared to fly back to the White House from the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. The Israelis have been cooperating, the offer (of a ceasefire) is rational. Well know in a couple of days. But we need the ceasefire, he added. Theres got to be a ceasefire because Ramadan if we get into circumstances where this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could be very, very dangerous. Ramadan will start on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar. Biden did not go into detail, but following a far-right ministers suggestion to exclude Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, the United States this week asked Israel to permit Muslims to worship at the strategically important Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem during Ramadan. Advertisement The US president, who gave the order last week for the US to begin airdropping humanitarian supplies into the 2.4 million people under siege, also declared that he was pressuring Israel to permit additional aid to enter the region. Im working with them very hard, he said. We must get more aid into Gaza. Theres no excuses, none. Advertisement As Washington confronts Israel for civilian casualties and after one of Netanyahus adversaries in the Israeli war cabinet paid a visit to the White House on Monday, Biden also played down reports of tensions between him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the forty years since their political paths intersected, Democratic Vice President Joe Biden and right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu have frequently disagreed, but Biden has stood firmly with Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Advertisement According to an AFP count based on Israeli official estimates, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7 that resulted in around 1,160 casualties, the majority of them civilians. This attack marked the beginning of the conflict. The health ministry reports that 30,631 individuals, primarily women and children, have died as a result of Israels retaliatory onslaught. Russia on Tuesday accused Western ambassadors in Moscow of meddling in Russias internal affairs and questioned how do they interpret their conduct on Russian territory if they do not perform their most important function Russia on Tuesday accused Western ambassadors in Moscow of meddling in Russias internal affairs and questioned how do they interpret their conduct on Russian territory if they do not perform their most important function. Russia was dismayed by what Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 4 was a refusal by European Union ambassadors to meet him for a conversation ahead of Russias 15-17 March presidential election. Advertisement According to a Reuters report, there was no immediate reaction to Lavrovs statement from the Western ambassadors. According to the report when Russian state television anchor Vladimir Solovyov asked if the EU ambassadors understood their function, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said their refusal to meet Lavrov raised questions about their role. The question indeed arises among everyone: what are they doing, and why, how do they interpret their conduct on the territory of our country if they do not perform their most important function? Zakharova asked. Solovyov noted that EU ambassadors attended the March 1 funeral of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, whom he cast as their agent. Navalny, whose death at an Arctic prison colony was announced on Feb. 16, always denied he was a Western agent. Advertisement Zakharova said such behaviour showed Western ambassadors in Moscow were meddling in Russias affairs and putting on performances rather than doing their diplomatic work. The banner headline on Solovyovs television show read: Should the EU ambassadors be sent out? The West is grappling with what support it will give to Kyiv after Russian forces regained the initiative on the battlefield after a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive last year. Advertisement Russian media last week published an audio recording of a meeting of senior German military officials held by Webex discussing weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kyiv on a bridge in Crimea. Russia summoned Germanys ambassador to the foreign ministry on Monday, demanding clarification of the conversations and the assistance given to Ukraine to strike Russian targets. Advertisement The ambassador, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, was also scolded over what Moscow said were attempts by Berlin to restrict the activities of Russian journalists in Germany, according to the Russian foreign ministry. If they touch Russian correspondents and bring their plans to conclusion, German journalists will leave Russia, Zakharova said. The war in Ukraine has triggered the deepest crisis in Russias relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and President Vladimir Putin has warned the West that it risks provoking a nuclear war if Western troops are sent to fight in Ukraine. Advertisement With inputs from agencies OKINAWA, Mar 05 (News On Japan) - An organizer of the "Itoman Hare", an annual dragon boat racing carnival in Okinawa, has been charged on suspicion of violating the Animal Welfare Act. As part of the festivities, a duck is released into the sea and then chased by a group of swimmers before being captured, sparking allegations of animal abuse. In July last year, an NPO based in Tokyo held a press conference regarding this duck-catching race. Chihiro Okada, Representative Director of the Animal Rights Center, said, "The duck may suffer from fractures, suffocation, or weakening." The NPO filed a complaint against the event's chairman and three participants. Hare is a ritual praying for a bountiful catch and safe voyages. The boat race and duck-catching are believed to have originated from China at least 450 years ago during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Should this be maintained as a tradition? Or should it be modified to fit the times? Opinions are divided in Okinawa Prefecture. Last year, the Umaiori ritual in Mie Prefecture also faced criticism for being animal cruelty. How should traditions involving animals be handled? We asked the Ministry of the Environment, which oversees the Animal Welfare Act. The official stated that if it is a tradition rooted in the community, using animals can be justified. However, if it is socially unacceptable, there is a possibility of being charged with animal cruelty. Source: ANN TOKYO, Mar 05 (News On Japan) - In the late-night broadcast of "Ariyoshi Quiz" (TV Asahi) on March 3rd, the female talent Orin's love for alcohol was revealed, surprising co-stars with her impressive drinking ability. The show, which closely follows the private lives of its participants and creates unique quizzes based on them, featured a segment titled "Liquor-Loving Orin's Strong Alcohol Quiz," where Orin enjoyed a variety of high-proof alcoholic beverages that she had never tried before. Comedian Hikorohie, one of the respondents, asked, "So you don't get drunk?" to which Orin replied, "I do get drunk, but I feel like I'm always up here," indicating that she doesn't pass out and stays conscious. "I drink almost every day, and I drink with many people, but I've never met anyone who can drink more than me," Orin confessed. The quiz posed the question of what would happen to Orin after the filming. The location shoot in Nishi-Azabu, Minato Ward, gathered Orin, Kumiko Kondo of the comedy duo Niche, and Natsu Ando of Maple Chogokin. At the first bar, they enjoyed a variety of rum drinks. Orin downed a 50-proof rum cocktail, commenting, "It's sweet," and "There's no burning sensation," drinking it with apparent pleasure. She continued to enjoy 45-proof rum straight with snacks, and tasted 59-proof rum, expressing delight, "It's strong but tasty," and "My mouth stays delicious." At the second location, a shochu bar, she drank 79-proof awamori, which could also be used for disinfection during the pandemic, and exclaimed, "Wow, it's so delicious." At the third location, a tequila specialty store, she enjoyed a 40-proof tequila with a hint of vanilla, saying, "I can't down this in one go. It's too good to waste." Despite her eyes looking slightly unfocused, Orin, who was tipsy but enjoying the alcohol, admitted, "I've come to love alcohol even more." Afterward, she left Kondo, who had passed out, and went to a club in Shibuya with Ando. Where did Orin head after the shoot? Despite drinking nine glasses of high-proof alcohol across three bars, Orin danced at the club without collapsing, surprising everyone with the unexpected answer to the quiz. "Did she end up dancing at the club?" Ariyoshi and others chuckled. Orin, who loves clubs, confessed, "I go often. I enjoy dancing to the music while feeling good from the alcohol," but Hikorohie dismissed it, saying, "I don't trust anyone who says they go to clubs 'to listen to music.'" Viewers were also shocked by Orin's ability to hold her liquor, with comments like "I'm envious of her ability to handle alcohol," "Orin might get a commercial for alcohol," "I can't believe Orin can drink 59-proof and 79-proof alcohol," and "My impression of Orin has improved." Source: MDPR NARA, Mar 05 (News On Japan) - Among countless solar panels, a lone burial mound can be seen, sparking controversy over the panels' impact on the landscape. A visit to the site revealed some surprising facts. In Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, there was a dispute over land planning for a mega solar project. A local resident of Gojo City expressed frustration, "Suddenly changing plans without explanation is disrespectful to the citizens of Gojo. What's this about a mega solar project? Can they just do whatever they want? I can't accept this." The prefecture initially planned to develop a disaster prevention base with a runway but later scrapped it. Instead, they announced a plan to install a mega solar facility of about 25 hectares, along with a heliport and storage warehouses. This led to strong opposition from the local community association that sold the land to the prefecture. Nowadays, troubles related to solar panel installations are frequent across the country. In Kumamoto Prefecture's Aso, the mountainside has become entirely covered with solar panels, ruining the scenic view. In Nara as well, solar panels have been installed in a way that encircles something. In the middle, there's a gap where a burial mound is located. Although the solar panels have been there for several years, social media has seen comments like "Mega solar is invading the burial mound..." and "Solar panels around a grave are just wrong." So, what exactly happened? A Nara City official explained, "That burial mound is not public land, nor is it owned by the city. Therefore, the city is not managing it." After discussions with the landowner, the city conducted investigations for several months, resulting in a setup that protects the burial mound. In Japan, there are said to be about 160,000 burial mounds, but only 899 are managed by the Imperial Household Agency, mainly imperial tombs. Most burial mounds are privately owned. There are other places where solar panels coexist with burial mounds. In Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, the Koshinzuka burial mound has solar panels placed directly on top of it. The program interviewed a man who owns a burial mound, revealing his desperate situation. "After inheriting the burial mound from my mother, the land was overgrown with weeds and trees. I received a notice from the fire department to remove them," said the owner. A few years ago, he faced complaints from neighbors and notices from the city and fire department to properly manage the overgrown site. He considered selling the land that had been passed down through generations but faced legal restrictions. "The Cultural Properties Protection Law prevents the sale of the land. I can't transfer it or do anything with it, even as the owner," he explained. Stuck in a difficult situation, the man consulted with the city and decided to level the land and install solar panels for management purposes. This decision brought significant benefits. "The burial mound was originally thought to be about 5 meters high, but now it measures only 3 meters. It's been eroded by rain and wind. To prevent erosion, we decided to place concrete. We discussed with the city that this would be good for the protection of cultural properties. It's a win-win situation," he said. Source: ANN GUNMA, Mar 05 (News On Japan) - Allegations of sexual harassment by the mayor of a town in Gifu Prefecture, including "head patting," has ruffled feathers, with many women in the streets expressing discomfort with such gestures in the workplace. Residents of Ginan Town shared their thoughts: Mayor Eiichiro Kojima (74) of Ginan Town said, "In our generation, it was common to pat the heads of children who did well or worked hard." The resignation of Mayor Kojima of Ginan Town, Gifu Prefecture, was prompted by allegations of sexual harassment. Among the 99 reported acts of harassment, the "head patting" stirred controversy. When asked whether head patting is perceived as harassment, responses varied: A 20-something student said, "It's scary and creepy if I were to be patted on the head at work in the future." A teenager said, "If there's mutual trust, experience, and years of interaction, it wouldn't bother me. But if it's someone I need to maintain distance from, I'd be put off." A 30-something self-employed individual said, "Whether it's considered harassment depends on the mayor's character. If he's seen as creepy, then he should be held accountable." Besides "head patting," other behaviors also raised questions about what constitutes harassment: A teenager said, "A friend's manager at her part-time job asked about her boyfriend. In today's society, I'd find that unacceptable." A 30-something employee said, "Calling a colleague by their first name in a joking manner is risky. We're at work, so that should be kept separate. Complimenting someone's appearance is definitely considered harassment at my company." A 40-something employee said, "There might be situations where it's okay to say someone looks cute after a haircut, but those in higher positions should be careful. I have subordinates, and I try to hold back and not say anything that might be taken the wrong way." Expert advice on avoiding harassment: Yoh Murasaki, Representative Director of the Japan Harassment Association, said, "Any sexual behavior against someone's will is harassment. To avoid it, be cautious about unnecessary physical contact and comments about appearance. Before speaking or acting, imagine how the other person might react. It's a step toward preventing harassment, even if perfection is difficult to achieve." Source: ANN Hong Kong: HK students meet CE in Beijing Chief Executive John Lee today attended a seminar for Hong Kong students in Beijing organised by the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities to better understand their learning and daily life. Addressing the event, Mr Lee encouraged the young people from Hong Kong to continue to give full play to their strengths under the wide scope for development provided by the country, serving as an essential bridge of co-operation between Hong Kong and the country to contribute to the country's high-quality development. Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong tonight. This story has been published on: 2024-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. CHIBA, Mar 06 (News On Japan) - Two rocks of different sizes nestled close to each other along Chiba's coastline in Isumi, known as the "Married Rocks," famous for creating a mystical scene with the sunrise and starry skies, are suffering considerable damage from the latest series of earthquakes to strike the region. The larger rock on the left has collapsed, significantly altering its appearance. Large cracks can be seen on the rock's surface, surrounded by countless fragments that have fallen off. A tourist, who has visited the site over 100 times, expressed shock, saying, "It's shocking. There have been so many earthquakes lately." The suspected cause of the collapse is the series of earthquakes that have been occurring off the coast of Chiba Prefecture since last week. A local resident commented, "It's probably due to the earthquakes. There wasn't any sign of it falling before. I just hope there won't be any big earthquakes." On the 5th, Chiba Prefecture recorded tremors with a seismic intensity of 1 or higher four times. The prefectural civil engineering office has installed fences due to the risk of further collapses, urging people not to go down to the coast. According to locals, the "Married Rocks" have undergone significant changes in shape over the years. Hideyoshi Otani, who has been photographing the rocks, shared, "A long time ago, they were connected. It was one big rock, and that's a story from the 1950s. Erosion caused a hole to form suddenly." Originally one large rock, it split into two over time. Despite continuous changes, the larger rock did not have a hole a decade ago. However, due to wave erosion, it started to form an arch, which took on a unique shape about three years ago. Otani said, "The shape has been changing rapidly, and I knew this day would come eventually." With the collapse of the arch, the "Married Rocks" are now split into two distinct pieces. On social media, there are suggestions like, "It's like the 'Married Rocks' have had a child," and "Maybe they should be renamed 'Family Rocks.'" The ever-changing "Married Rocks," featured in countless movies and commercials, can be seen to symbolize the evolving nature of marriage over time. Source: FNN If you have an immediate concern about your own or someone elses safety, call 911 immediately. An array of local organizations are offering increasingly thorough mental health resources to the community in an effort to reduce the regions higher-than-average rate of suicide. The 2022 Mesa County Suicide Report showed that the countys annual suicide death rate increased for a second year in a row and was notably higher than the rate of Colorado and the U.S. According to the Mesa County Coroners Office, however, the number of suicides in 2023 had dropped by nine. This is the largest annual decrease the county has seen in over nine years, but the total number is still slightly higher than it was in 2019. The 2023 suicide report has not yet been released. To reduce that number as much as possible, if not to zero, several non-profit, private and government organizations have implemented initiatives that address many aspects of suicide prevention. One of these initiatives, Suicide Prevention Mesa County (SPMC), has focused on prevention through education. Education is one of our biggest focuses, partly because our county positioned itself to build capacity around education and trainers that are local, Member of SPMC Jennifer Daniels said. Because we are in western Colorado, it is expensive to get trainers here, so we worked really hard on that. The coalition offers a variety of recurring, specialized training, such as the recently added suicide prevention training tailored toward faith communities. According to Daniels, course participants receive a certificate upon completion that vouches for their knowledge of suicide and prevention, including the ability to detect warning signs, have a conversation about suicide and connect with resources. Daniels added that these trainings have been free to county residents for more than seven years because the organization prioritized paying the associated costs through grant funding. Available courses can be viewed under the Resources tab on SPMCs website, suicidepreventionmc.org Just last year, we trained over 600 people in our community, Daniels said. 600 people that have some level of education around suicide, how to spot somebody in distress and where to go for support. I think thats a win. WORKPLACE PREVENTION A growing initiative within SPMC, and even Colorados state government, is to bring preventative education to the workplace. Daniels said that because employers typically have policies for the physical safety of their employees, it makes sense that they should have programs for their mental well-being as well. (We have been working) to make those connections and really challenge our employer groups to create some of those internal processes and procedures that can support their employees, not only just in physical safety, ergonomics and all those other things that you get when you go into office work, but psychological safety, Daniels said. On the state level, the Workplace Suicide Prevention Education bill was unanimously passed by the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee last January. The bill requires all employers to display posters that offer an overview of suicide prevention, resources for those with suicidal thoughts and information on reducing access to means of self-harm. The bill will not go into effect until July 1, 2025. The posters will be free to employers and manufactured by the Office of Suicide Prevention from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Although SPMC was not involved in this bill, Daniels referred to it as a serendipitous overlap with their recent focus on the workplace. She said that the bill is significant because it establishes a solid system across all occupations, rather than leaving the choice and work to employers. Suicide statistics Mesa County Suicide Rate (per 100,000 population): 2020 28.86 2021 34.3 2022 34.69 Colorado Suicide Rates: 2020 22.37 2021 23.58 2022 22.04 Number of suicide deaths in Mesa County per year: 2018 55 2019 47 2020 48 2021 52 2022 57 2023 48 Sources: The 2022 Mesa County Public Health Suicide Report; The Mesa County Coroner's Office; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data & Statistics Fatal Injury Report for 2021 Systems prevent suicide, but it takes time to build those and they dont typically exist in full capacity, Daniels said. Theres a lot of great stuff happening in workplaces around pushing whole health and support, but a lot of (employers) dont have policies, Daniels said. If somebody were to die by suicide on their team, what do they do? Or heaven forbid they die by suicide or attempt suicide in their building, what do they do? SPMC is currently in the process of expanding its education outreach to the elderly population through nursing homes and similar agencies. The organization is also in the early stages of creating a community postvention plan, which is an intervention strategy focused on supporting family and friends of suicide victims. Because those who lost a loved one to suicide are more susceptible to developing the same behaviors, postvention is aimed towards easing the impacts of their loss and helping them cope with the grief; one focus of this local postvention plan is standardizing the dissemination of information on suicide deaths. PROFESSIONAL PREVENTION Mind Springs Health is one of the Western Slopes primary providers of behavioral counseling and therapy; Chief Medical Officer at Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital Dr. David Conklin said that nearly all of the networks programs are equipped to treat suicidal ideation in one aspect or more. The health system includes the psychiatric hospital, West Springs, a psychiatric emergency department, outpatient crisis services, a post-inpatient transition program, outpatient programs (individual group therapy, peer support, case management) and substance use disorder programs. Conklin said because of the regional need for mental health services, improving access and timeliness has been a major goal. In the last year, we have prioritized access to care, Conklin said. We reduced the wait time for new patients from multiple weeks to same day or one week. He added that the average time to get an initial appointment with a therapist is around five days, but they can screen individuals and schedule them for the same day if theyre deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. Another prevention initiative, the Care Transitions Program, actually takes place after patients are discharged from an inpatient service to reduce the likelihood of suicidal thoughts returning during what is typically a stressful transitionary time. Care Transitions was set up for patients who are discharged from the emergency room, the psychiatric emergency department or the psychiatric hospital, knowing that peoples risk for dying from suicide is greatly increased after discharge from an inpatient psychiatric hospital, Conklin said. They are engaged at least weekly by the case manager. The patient is also enrolled in therapy and medication management with one of our psychiatric providers. Professional services like Mind Springs are critical resources for those experiencing mental health struggles, but Conklin added that suicide prevention can also be practiced at the individual level. Conklin said that it is important to engage with people in your daily life and check on their mental well-being in the same way you make sure your loved ones wear a seatbelt when driving. People who have a decreased risk for suicide usually have well-developed social support networks and have high degrees of social connection, Conklin said. Sometimes just reaching out and making a friend and checking in can really go a long way to save somebodys life. You dont have to be a trained therapist to do that. A frame grab released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the prows of the Chinese and Philippine vessels after they collided AUSTIN, Texas and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 5, 2024 -- The dedication of the new Ideal Scientology Church in Austin, Texas, was the first in a series of stunning new Scientology Churches to open in 2024, and it embodies the spirit of unabated growth that has become the hallmark of Scientology today. Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, welcomed Lone Star State Scientologists and the purpose and pride they embodied in accomplishing this milestone. The entrance to Trader Joe's Glastonbury store at 400 Hebron Ave. The store opened in February 2023. Glastonbury is one of eight Connecticut communities in which Trader Joe's has stores located in the same town as Whole Foods Market or where the two retailers have stores located near each other. Luther Turmelle/ Hearst Connecticut Media As retail chains have expanded across Connecticut over the years, there has been a tendency for rivals in different sectors to locate near each other often just blocks away and sometimes even across the street. In the pharmacy sector, it's Walgreens and CVS that frequently go head-to-head in close proximity. The two chains have stores less than a mile apart on Washington Avenue in North Haven, while the CVS in Coventry is located across Route 44 from Walgreens. In Manchester, CVS has two locations near the center of town, one on Middle Turnpike just a few blocks west from the Walgreens at the intersection of Middle Turnpike and Main Street, and another south of that location on the corner of Main and Charter Oak streets. In the construction industry shoppers will find along Route 5 in Wallingford near the Meriden border a Home Depot and Lowe's Home Improvement across the street from each other. Both stores also have similare sites in Manchester, sited on opposite sides of Buckland Hills Drive in the mall area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Grocery stores are no different. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have stores in close proximity in eight Connecticut communities. Along the Interstate 95 corridor, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's have stores less than a mile apart on the Boston Post Road near the Orange and Milford Border. And in The Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, the recently opened Whole Foods is less than a mile west on Buckland Street from a Trader Joe's store in Manchester's Plaza at Buckland Hills. West Hartford has two Whole Foods locations, in Blue Back Square and Bishops Corner, while across town, Trader Joe's has a store in the Corbin's Corner Shopping Center. But why would retailers in the same market build their stores so close to each other? While it may seem counterintuitive, analysts say it can make sense. Retail experts who spoke to Hearst Connecticut Media said now that Whole Foods announced it will open a store in the Cheshire Crossing retail center near the intersection of Route 10 and Interstate 691 in Cheshire, they fully expect Trader Joe's to follow suit with a store nearby. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It's as close as you can get to 100 percent certainty that you will see Trader Joe's follow Whole Foods into the Cheshire-Southington market," said Burt Flickinger, managing director of the New York City-based retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group. Flickinger said California-based Trader Joe's is looking to fill spaces between its existing Connecticut stores, and a new store in Cheshire or a neighboring community would be equidistant from the retailer's Danbury store and the one in West Hartford. Currently, the only store Trader Joe's has in New Haven is the Orange location. "Trader Joe's is committed to growth in this market," Flickinger said. Wayne Pesce, president of the Connecticut Food Association, said Trader Joe's and Whole Foods "chase the same customers, demographically speaking." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I could see Trader Joe's looking to build on West Street in Southington or in a neighboring community to Cheshire, like Wallingford," Pesce said. "There's a lot of consumers out there and the way retailers select sites has gotten a lot more sophisticated." Whole Foods is in a full blown expansion mode in Connecticut, industry experts say. The Texas-based grocery chain opened its South Windsor store in January and the opening of a Stamford location on High Ridge Road is expected to happen at some point this year. And in addition to the store planned for Cheshire, there are also plans for a store on the Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook. Retailers typically don't comment on their expansion criteria or why they choose certain locations. All but one of the retailers mentioned in this story were not immediately available for comment. A CVS spokeswoman said in a written statement on Friday that "many factors are considered when we decide where to open CVS Pharmacy stores, such as local market dynamics, a communitys population, store density and access to pharmacy services." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jed Backus, broker and owner of Backus Real Estate in Hamden, said retailers "do a market analysis of any potential site that includes a traffic count." "There are limited sites that meet a retailer's criteria and that have appropriate zoning," Backus said. "It's not necessarily surprising that competing retailers would look at the data and come to the same conclusion about a site." A preponderance of a certain type of retailers within the same geographic area actually expands the number of customers that stores can draw from, he said. "And in that kind of example, how does anyone do well?" Backus said rhetorically. "There are instances where giving customers more choice actually expands the population radius that you are drawing from. It's why you have car dealers along certain heavily traveled roads in some communities." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Angelica Gianchandani, a practitioner in residence at the University of New Haven's Pompea School of Business who specializes in marketing, said the clustering of popular retailers within a certain geographic area creates a "stability of foot traffic (that) is a positive outcome for competition." "These retailers have similar customers whose behavior is very similar around product choice, product brands, their own perceived needs, and price points," Gianchandani said. The way Trader Joe's and Whole Foods differentiate themselves from each other, she said is through "their product mix, store size, private label items and brand positioning." "That's what sets them apart," Gianchandani said. "Both brands share the same customer who will shop in both stores for different needs." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fruita residents may soon be able to stay in Fruita in order to use their City Market fuel points. Fruita City Council voted 6-0 at its Feb. 20 meeting to approve a conditional use permit for a drive-thru fuel facility operated by City Market. The fueling station will be located two blocks west of the City Market on Aspen Avenue. Fruitas planning commission denied City Market a conditional use permit for a drive-thru fueling station on Dec. 12, and the ruling was appealed to City Council. The appeal stated the planning commission didnt correctly apply Fruitas strategic plan, comprehensive plan and land use code criteria for conditional use permits in denying the application. Really it seemed like the basis for their decision was that they just did not want a fuel facility, Tarah Bailey, a land use attorney for the applicant, said. City Council found that despite some concerns with the location, the criteria for a conditional use permit had in fact been met. I think you all can see that the location is a struggle for all of us up here, but that doesnt mean the criteria has not been met, Council Member Jeannine Purser said. Were bound to what were bound to. Bailey said the planning commission felt the fueling station would not promote walkability in the area. This area is not the center of the downtown, its not the most walkable area, Bailey said. City Councils ruling included a condition that City Market include on-site pedestrian improvements in its development of the fueling station. Bailey said the project will still go through the site plan review process with city staff. Purser said councils concerns were not about adding a fueling station, but about the specific location. The concerns were not about that or against City Market at all, Purser said. We love our store. We see each other there all the time. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to ban the Republican former president over the Capitol riot. The justices ruled a day before the Super Tuesday primaries that states cannot invoke a post-Civil War constitutional provision to keep presidential candidates from appearing on ballots. That power resides with Congress, the court wrote in an unsigned opinion. Trump posted on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!! The outcome ends efforts in Colorado, Illinois, Maine and elsewhere to kick Trump, the front-runner for his partys nomination, off the ballot because of his attempts to undo his loss in the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold expressed disappointment in the courts decision, but acknowledged that Donald Trump is an eligible candidate on Colorados 2024 Presidential Primary. Trumps case was the first at the Supreme Court dealing with a provision of the 14th Amendment that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who engaged in insurrection from holding office again. Colorados Supreme Court, in a first-of-its-kind ruling, had decided that the provision, Section 3, could be applied to Trump, who that court found incited the Capitol attack. No court before had applied Section 3 to a presidential candidate. The justices sidestepped the politically fraught issue of insurrection in their opinions Monday. The court held that states may bar candidates from state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency, the court wrote. While the Colorado Republican Party ran a victory lap over the ruling, progressives in the state were none too happy. History was absolutely made, and your Colorado Republican Party was honored to fight alongside President Trump to safeguard the right of all voters to choose the candidate they support at the ballot box, party Chairman Dave Williams wrote in an email. The Supreme Court decided to ignore Donald Trumps role in the 2021 insurrection to prevent the peaceful transfer of power, added Sara Loflin, executive director of ProgressNow Colorado. The facts are clear. Donald Trump led an insurrection against the American people on Jan. 6, 2021, and has promised to pardon many of those who assaulted the U.S. Capital that day. While all nine justices agreed that Trump should be on the ballot, there was sharp disagreement from the three liberal members of the court and a milder disagreement from conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett that their colleagues went too far in determining what Congress must do to disqualify someone from federal office. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson said they agreed that allowing the Colorado decision to stand could create a chaotic state by state patchwork but said they disagreed with the majoritys finding a disqualification for insurrection can only happen when Congress enacts legislation. Today, the majority goes beyond the necessities of this case to limit how Section 3 can bar an oathbreaking insurrectionist from becoming President, the three justices wrote in a joint opinion. Its unclear whether the ruling leaves open the possibility that Congress could refuse to certify the election of Trump or any other presidential candidate it sees as having violated Section 3. Derek Muller, a law professor at Notre Dame University, said it seems no, noting that the liberals complained that the majority ruling forecloses any other ways for Congress to enforce the provision. Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California-Los Angeles, wrote that its frustratingly unclear what the bounds might be on Congress. Hasen was among those urging the court to settle the issue so there wasnt the risk of Congress rejecting Trump under Section 3 when it counts electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2025. We may well have a nasty, nasty post-election period in which Congress tries to disqualify Trump but the Supreme Court says Congress exceeded its powers, he wrote. Both sides had requested fast work by the court, which heard arguments less than a month ago, on Feb. 8. The justices seemed poised then to rule in Trumps favor. As clerks across Colorado always do, we will follow the letter of the law governing elections, said Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association. We appreciate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that will give voters clarity on Election Day. As we have previously explained, clerks have no control over which presidential candidates appear on the ballot. Trump had been kicked off the ballots in Colorado, Maine and Illinois, but all three rulings were on hold awaiting the Supreme Courts decision. The case is the courts most direct involvement in a presidential election since Bush v. Gore, a decision delivered a quarter-century ago that effectively handed the 2000 election to Republican George W. Bush. And its just one of several cases involving Trump directly or that could affect his chances of becoming president again, including a case scheduled for arguments in late April about whether he can be criminally prosecuted on election interference charges, including his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The timing of the high courts intervention has raised questions about whether Trump will be tried before the November election. The arguments in February were the first time the high court had heard a case involving Section 3. The two-sentence provision, intended to keep some Confederates from holding office again, says that those who violate oaths to support the Constitution are barred from various positions including congressional offices or serving as presidential electors. But it does not specifically mention the presidency. Conservative and liberal justices questioned the case against Trump. Their main concern was whether Congress must act before states can invoke the 14th Amendment. There also were questions about whether the president is covered by the provision. The lawyers for Republican and independent voters who sued to remove Trumps name from the Colorado ballot had argued that there is ample evidence that the events of Jan. 6 constituted an insurrection and that it was incited by Trump, who had exhorted a crowd of his supporters at a rally outside the White House to fight like hell. They said it would be absurd to apply Section 3 to everything but the presidency or that Trump is somehow exempt. And the provision needs no enabling legislation, they argued. Trumps lawyers mounted several arguments for why the amendment cant be used to keep him off the ballot. They contended the Jan. 6 riot wasnt an insurrection and, even if it was, Trump did not go to the Capitol or join the rioters. The wording of the amendment also excludes the presidency and candidates running for president, they said. Even if all those arguments failed, they said, Congress must pass legislation to reinvigorate Section 3. The case was decided by a court that includes three justices appointed by Trump when he was president. They have considered many Trump-related cases in recent years, declining to embrace his bogus claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refusing to shield tax records from Congress and prosecutors in New York. Associated Press writers Lindsay Whitehurst and Nicholas Riccardi and Daily Sentinel reporter Charles Ashby contributed to this report. Thu Thursday 70 /43 More sun than clouds. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 40s. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks on Guilty Plea by Air National Guardsman in National Security Case Monday, March 4, 2024 Location Boston, MA United States Remarks as Prepared for Delivery This morning, Jack Teixeira, a member of the U.S. Air National Guard, pleaded guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information relating to national defense a admitting his guilt in open court to every count he was charged with last June. This guilty plea brings accountability and a measure of closure to a chapter that created profound harms for our nation's security. Today's agreement paves the way for the government to seek a sentence commensurate with his crimes when he is sentenced later this year. Mr. Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in September 2019. And he was first entrusted with a Top Secret security clearance in July 2021. Mr. Teixeira was trained in the proper handling and storing of classified and sensitive information, including national defense information. He was instructed that the unauthorized disclosure of classified information could cause damage to U.S. national security, and he was warned that the designation of Top Secret information was reserved for information that "could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to our national security." As he admitted today, Mr. Teixeira repeatedly and flagrantly discarded those warnings. By the start of 2022, he was unlawfully removing, from a secure location, classified information information that was clearly marked as SECRET, TOP SECRET, and SCI. SCI a or sensitive compartmented information a is used to denote some of our nation's most closely guarded secrets. Having illegally taken the information from secure storage facilities, Mr. Teixeira went further and began posting classified material publicly on a social media platform. He continued this practice until just before his arrest in April of 2023. To those of us who have spent our careers seeing firsthand the sacrifice and dedication of our Intelligence Community and national security professionals and their efforts to keep the American people safe, it has been shocking to witness the public disclosures that resulted from Mr. Teixeria's crimes. By knowingly and improperly posting classified national defense information on a social media platform, Mr. Teixeira enabled hundreds of members of his online chat groups, including individuals it was clear to him were located abroad, to further disseminate national defense information across the internet. In so doing, Mr. Teixeira callously disregarded the national security of the United States. And Mr. Teixeira betrayed his solemn oath to defend his country and the trust of the American people he swore to protect. Being entrusted with a security clearance carries the responsibility to be a good steward of our nation's most sensitive information. Whether someone violates this duty by handing classified national defense information directly to our foreign adversaries or by willfully posting it online for all to see, the national security consequences are severe. This case highlights those consequences. As a result of Mr. Teixeira's actions, our nation's adversaries a all of them a were given access to sensitive national defense information. Such unlawful disclosure damages our intelligence capabilities, compromises our sources and methods, and blinds the United States to threats from hostile nations and terrorist groups. It strains relations with allies and partners who have entrusted us with their secrets to advance our common interests of global stability and peace. Most starkly, it risks the lives of our men and women in uniform and those in the intelligence community who work every day to defend our nation. A core mission of the National Security Division is to enforce the laws that protect classified and national defense information. We work in close partnership with U.S. Attorneys' Offices across the country, and other federal agencies, to hold accountable those who violate their obligations to safeguard our nation's secrets. With today's plea, the Department of Justice holds Mr. Teixeira accountable for his actions and makes clear the gravity of the responsibility to protect classified information. I'd like to thank acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, as well as the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, for their steadfast efforts to prosecute this case and bring it to a strong resolution. Thank you also to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia for assisting in this investigation. I also would like to recognize the dedicated agents of the FBI Washington, D.C. and Boston Field Offices, who have worked to deliver justice in this case. Finally, I want to acknowledge the important partnership with the Department of Defense, in particular the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Air Force's Office of General Counsel. Speaker: Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General Topics: Counterintelligence National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Massachusetts NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force Employee Indicted for Unlawful Disclosure of Classified National Defense Information Monday, March 4, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), at Offutt Air Force Base, was arrested Saturday, March 2, for allegedly conspiring to transmit and transmitting classified information relating to the national defense (National Defense Information or NDI) on a foreign online dating platform beginning in or around February 2022 until in or around April 2022. According to the indictment, David Franklin Slater, 63, of Nebraska, worked in a classified space at USSTRATCOM and held a Top Secret security clearance from in or around August 2021 until in or around April 2022, after retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army. It is alleged that Slater willfully, improperly, and unlawfully transmitted NDI classified as "SECRET," which he had reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation, on a foreign online dating platform to a person not authorized to receive such information. "As alleged, Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information." "Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to Top Secret information. The allegations against Mr. Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities," said U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska. "We look forward to continuing our work with the FBI and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations to ensure the safety of our country." "The FBI investigates those who choose to illegally use their access to classified information to put our national security at risk," said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. "When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation's intelligence, they put our country at risk. We will continue working shoulder to shoulder with our partners to protect the American people and uphold the constitution by safeguarding our country's classified information." According to the charging documents, Slater attended USSTRATCOM briefings regarding Russia's war against Ukraine that were classified up to TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS//SCI). Slater then transmitted classified NDI that he learned from those briefings via the foreign online dating website's messaging platform to his co-conspirator, who claimed to be a female living in Ukraine on the foreign dating website. The co-conspirator regularly asked Slater to provide her with sensitive, non-public, closely held and classified NDI and called Slater in their messages her "secret informant love" and her "secret agent." In response to these requests, Slater indeed provided classified NDI to her, including regarding military targets and Russian military capabilities relating to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Slater will make his initial court appearance tomorrow, March 5, in the District of Nebraska. If convicted, Slater faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Omaha Field Office and Air Force Office of Special Investigations are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Kleine for the District of Nebraska and Trial Attorney Emma Dinan Ellenrieder of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Slater Indictment Topics: Counterintelligence National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Nebraska Press Release Number: 24-244 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Berlin, Moscow Dispute Whether Ambassador Summoned Over Leaked Military Talks By RFE/RL March 04, 2024 German Ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorff spent about an hour at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow on March 4 amid a dispute between the two countries over the publication of a recording of a confidential discussion between German military officials about providing the long-range Taurus missile to Ukraine. Russan state media reported Lambsdorff had been summoned over leaked audio recordings of the German officers discussing the provision of advanced weapons to Ukraine. German Foreign Ministry said that it was "a long-planned meeting." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the same day that the leaked conversations "once again highlight the direct involvement of the collective West in the conflict in Ukraine" and that the recording shows Germany "is discussing substantively and specifically plans to strike Russian territory." The Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement that it had demanded during the meeting with Lambsdorff that Germany "provide explanations concerning the German top brass's conversation" over the weapons, adding that Berlin's assistance to Kyiv "vividly points to the collective West's involvement into the conflict around Ukraine." White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the leak of the recording was an attempt by Russia to split Western allies. "This is a bald attempt and a transparent attempt by the Russians to try to sow discord and to try to show division, to try to make it look like the West isn't unified," Kirby said. Kirby's comments echoed those of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who said the timing of the release of the recording was aimed at undermining Western resolve. "It is about using this recording to destabilize and unsettle us," Pistorius said at a news briefing in Berlin on March 3. The German Defense Ministry on March 3 confirmed that the leaked audio contained an intercepted conversation but could not tell whether it had been edited or doctored in any way. The 38-minute recording was posted on Russian social media on March 1, initially by Margarita Simonyan, editor in chief of state-controlled RT television, formerly known as Russia Today. She did not say how she obtained the recording. In the recording, Air Force Commander General Ingo Gerhartz, Brigadier General Frank Graefe, and other officers discussed the possible use by Ukraine of German-made Taurus missiles, which can strike targets up to 500 kilometers away. The recording included discussion of how Germany could provide the missiles if the government authorized the transfer and whether the Taurus would be capable of disabling the 18-kilometer Crimean Bridge, which links Russia with the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which Moscow occupied in 2014. Kyiv has been seeking the weapon to boost its defenses against Russia's invasion, which has now entered its third year. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to provide the missiles, fearing that doing so could lead to an escalation of the conflict. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev told a youth forum on March 4 that Moscow would respond to the recordings "with restraint" but would not forget about them. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-russia- ukraine-aid-taurus/32847205.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USCENTCOM Commander Visits Central Region U.S. Central Command Press Release | March 3, 2024 USCENTCOM March 3, 2024 Press Release Number 20240303-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- From Feb. 26 to Mar. 2, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander, visited Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Israel in the CENTCOM region to better understand the security and humanitarian situation and meet with U.S. service members and security partners. On Feb. 27, Gen. Kurilla traveled to Al Arish and Rafah Gate in Egypt where he met with representatives from several international and nongovernmental organizations, the Egyptian 2nd Field Army, and US embassy leadership to discuss the process of delivering humanitarian aid from Egypt into Gaza. The administrators described the challenges, opportunities, and level of support from the international community to increase the throughput of supplies into Gaza. On Feb. 28, Gen. Kurilla traveled to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan where he met with the Jordanian Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Maj. Gen. Yousef Alhnaity, his staff, and other leaders to discuss the Israel-Hamas War, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and regional security. The leaders also discussed opportunities to increase aid into Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis. On Feb. 28 and 29, Gen. Kurilla visited CENTCOM military facilities in Jordan and Syria, including Tower 22, Al Tanf Garrison, Rumalyn Landing Zone, MSS Euphrates, and MSS Green Village to assess continued improvements in force protection, meet with local leaders, and gain a firsthand understanding of the progress made in the Defeat-ISIS Campaign. While in Syria, Gen. Kurilla visited al Roj and al Hol displaced persons camps. At the camps, he met with administrators and dozens of inhabitants to discuss repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of both ISIS detainees and conflict-affected residents. More than 45,000 displaced persons are in both al Roj and al Hol, and over 9,000 ISIS detainees are in Syria. From Feb. 28 to Mar. 2., Gen. Kurilla traveled to Israel and met with Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, the Chief of the Israeli General Staff, Herzi Halevi, and members of the IDF staff. The three had wide-ranging discussions on security concerns both within and outside of Israel. The conversations also focused on opportunities to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Gen. Kurilla also met with the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Authority, which operates under the Coordinator of Government Activities and the Territories (COGAT) and is responsible for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gazan residents. Gen. Kurilla also met with the Commander of Northern Command and the Director of the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations. "This was my 27th trip to the CENTCOM region and every one of these trips allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the security challenges and opportunities as well as the unique perspectives that cannot be attained over the phone or through a video teleconference," said Gen. Kurilla. "These are challenging times in the CENTCOM region, and we rely on the professionalism, commitment and competence of our Service-members as well as the strength of our relationships with our partners to solve them." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IMF returns to Papua New Guinea after a stormy past Prime Minister James Marape says the IMF is working with PNG not dictating policy to it. By Harlyne Joku for BenarNews 2024.03.03 -- The International Monetary Fund has reestablished a resident mission in Papua New Guinea, ending a more than two-decade absence from a Pacific island country with which it had a stormy relationship. Prime Minister James Marape said the IMF, which is often a lender of last resort to developing nations, had been invited back and would help ensure an independent and transparent assessment of Papua New Guinea's economic policies and performance. "We told the IMF to come and assist, assess, look and advise us," Marape said in a statement on Sunday. The presence of the IMF alongside institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank "signifies a comprehensive support system for PNG's economic development," he said. The fund's office in Papua New Guinea was closed in the early 2000s after a backlash against policies, such as registration of customary land and the sale of state-owned companies, it attempted to impose on the country in return for providing a financial lifeline. According to civil society organizations and media reports, three student protestors were killed and 17 wounded when police opened fire on a protest in June 2001 against the IMF and World Bank in Port Moresby. The incident followed more than a decade of social convulsions and conflict between the IMF and Papua New Guinea's government over the fund's so-called structural adjustment policies. At a ceremony on Thursday, Marape and IMF deputy managing director Bo Li cut a red ribbon and a cake to mark the official opening of the fund's new office in Port Moresby and the first visit by a top-level IMF official in recent memory. The IMF's involvement with Papua New Guinea stepped up significantly last year when the fund approved a U.S.$918 loan to help the country's recovery from repeated economic shocks in the past decade, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Stability for Papua New Guinea, which gained its independence from Australia in 1975, has remained elusive as it grapples with tribal violence and challenges such as corruption and lack of roads and basic healthcare in many regions. The country, which is by far the most populous Pacific island nation with an estimated 12 million people, also has been a focus of the intensifying China-U.S. rivalry in the Pacific. Li said he was saddened by loss of life and damage to businesses in Port Moresby in January when the capital was hit by riots and looting. At least 16 died in the Jan. 10 chaos that erupted after police walked off the job in protest at a pay cut the government later said was caused by a payroll system glitch. The economic impact of the riots is not yet factored into the IMF's near-term forecasts for Papua New Guinea "but we still see a positive sign on the overall economy," said Li. "As Papua New Guinea continues to build a stronger and more resilient economy, the IMF is here to support you," Li said. "Papua New Guinea's new [economic policy] program, supported by the IMF, supports a structural reform agenda on which the authorities are already making remarkable progress," he said. According to the IMF's summary of the loan it approved last year, Papua New Guinea needs to make its government leaner without sacrificing social spending and strengthen anti-corruption efforts so it can attract more investment. To reduce foreign exchange shortages - that contribute to nationwide disruptions such as fuel rationing - Papua New Guinea needs to strengthen its central bank and gradually move to a market-decided exchange rate for its currency, the summary said. At the ceremony, Marape and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey were at pains to emphasize the IMF was not dictating policy to the government. "I want to inform the country that the reforms were not imposed on us. It was something that we knew we had to do," Marape said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An exterior photo of the Sam Ash Music Store in New Haven. Viktoria Sundqvist/ Hearst Connecticut Media The sign for Sam Ash Music at 95 Amity Road in New Haven. The store is slated to close in May. Viktoria Sundqvist/ Hearst Connecticut Media Signs in the store windows at the New Haven location of Sam Ash Music, say the store at 95 Amity Road is closing. Viktoria Sundqvist/ Hearst Connecticut Media Musical instruments retailer Sam Ash Music will close its New Haven location at 95 Amity Road later this spring, the store's manager said Tuesday. Eric D'Eugenio, the manager of the chain's only Connecticut store, said the closing will occur in late May. He said the store employs 11 people. Officials at the corporate headquarters of the Hicksville, N.Y.-based, family-owned company did not respond to multiple requests for comment from CT Insider. D'Eugenio did not provide a reason for the New Haven store closing, but said several other locations around the country will be closing as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The music store shares space in the 19,077 square foot building at 95 Amity Road with Amity Wine & Spirits. Sam Ash opened its first location in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1924. The privately-held company currently has 45 locations in 16 states. SECNAV Del Toro Engages Japanese Shipbuilding Execs US Navy - Press Release 03 March 2024 Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro met with leading Japanese shipbuilding industry executives and toured a shipyard undertaking maintenance and repair of a U.S. Navy oiler, Feb. 28-29. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro met with leading Japanese shipbuilding industry executives and toured a shipyard undertaking maintenance and repair of a U.S. Navy oiler, Feb. 28-29. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro met with leading Japanese shipbuilding industry executives and toured a shipyard undertaking maintenance and repair of a U.S. Navy oiler, Feb. 28-29. Discussions were productive and centered on attracting Japanese investment in integrated commercial and naval shipbuilding facilities in the United States. On Feb. 28, Secretary Del Toro met with Kensuke Namura, President of Namura Shipbuilding and Sasebo Heavy Industries, Masayuki Eguchi, Senior Vice President of Integrated Defense and Space Systems at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Atushi Etoh, Managing Officer of Japan Marine United, at a lunch hosted by Ambassador Rahm Emanuel in Tokyo. On Feb. 29, Secretary Del Toro and Ambassador Emanuel toured Mitsubishi's shipyard in Yokohama and spoke with the master of USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) as it undergoes repairs there. This is Secretary Del Toro's third visit to Japan as Secretary of the Navy. In addition to his discussions with industry, Secretary Del Toro met with the Japanese National Security Advisor, Minister of Defense, and Head of Navy. Secretary Del Toro reiterated, "The U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. I am here to reaffirm the Department of the Navy's long-standing partnership with the defense forces of Japan, and to strengthen that partnership even further." As part of his call for a new Maritime Statecraft in his speech to the Harvard Kennedy School on Sept. 26, 2023, Secretary Del Toro observed that the U.S. maritime industry "is ripe with opportunity to partner with a greater number of shipbuilders here in the U.S. and with our closest allies overseas, including Japan and South Korea." In the same speech, he announced his objective to "attract the most advanced shipbuilders in the world to open U.S.-owned subsidiaries and invest in commercial shipyards here in the U.S., modernizing and expanding our shipbuilding industrial capacity and creating a healthier, more competitive shipbuilding workforce." Secretary Del Toro visited Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Palau for engagements in the Indo-Pacific region. The trip was a key step in his Maritime Statecraft efforts to reinvigorate America's comprehensive maritime power and aligns closely with the Pentagon's National Defense Industrial Strategy, which calls for venture capital and new ideas to revive the U.S. industrial base. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. forces engage insurgents in support of the Federal Government of Somalia At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Mar. 2. By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Somalia Mar 04, 2024 At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Mar. 2. The collective self-defense airstrike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo. The initial post-strike assessment indicates that the U.S. airstrike killed two al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were harmed. U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this airstrike and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operational security. Al Shabaab has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks in the region, which disproportionately harms civilians. Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al Shabaab. U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 4, 2024 Release Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Concludes Visit to Cambodia, Thailand, and Brunei Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (PDASD) for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jed Royal concluded his visit to Cambodia, Thailand, and Brunei today after a series of productive defense engagements. PDASD Royal's trip began in Cambodia, where he joined Assistant Secretary of State (A/S) for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink to meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet and Ministry of Defense counterparts. The officials discussed how to deepen the U.S.-Cambodia bilateral relationship and address issues of concern. Next, he traveled with A/S Kritenbrink to Bangkok for the U.S.-Thailand 2+2 Strategic Defense Dialogue, where the two officials met with their Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterparts. PDASD Royal and A/S Kritenbrink reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the alliance, welcomed Thailand's leadership on regional issues, and discussed opportunities for future cooperation. During his time in Thailand, PDASD Royal also met with Minister of Defence Suthin Klungsang. PDASD Royal and A/S Kritenbrink's final stop was in Brunei, where they met with Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Erywan and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defense Dato Alirupendi to discuss ways to enhance U.S.-Brunei cooperation. PDASD Royal also toured two visiting U.S. F-35 aircraft with Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force Brigadier General Dato Sharif. "My engagements across Southeast Asia underscored the real momentum we're seeing between the United States and our partners in the region," PDASD Royal said. "Together, we're delivering a shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific." https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3694624/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Venezuelan Military Official Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme Monday, March 4, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A former Venezuelan National Guard major pleaded guilty today to a money laundering scheme involving bribes to foreign officials and defrauding foreign financial institutions. According to court documents, Nepmar Jesus Escalona Enriquez, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and formerly of Venezuela, participated in an illegal scheme, facilitated by bribery and false pretenses, that involved knowingly submitting fraudulent applications to the Venezuelan currency regulation authority, also known as CADIVI, to deceive Banesco Bank, the Central Bank of Venezuela, and the Venezuelan customs authorities into releasing U.S. dollars to Escalona and his co-conspirators outside of Venezuela. The fraudulent applications were submitted to purportedly finance food imports into Venezuela but in reality, were an artifice to enrich the conspirators. This conduct resulted in the transfer of nearly $1.7 million in U.S. dollars from Banesco Bank into an account controlled by the conspirators. Escalona further admitted that in at least one instance, the co-conspirators arranged for a series of bribes to be paid to officials in Venezuela to prevent the detection of their fraudulent scheme. Escalona also admitted in another instance to instructing a co-conspirator to wire transfer proceeds of the fraud, as well as funds constituting bribes, to four financial institutions in the United States. The five illicit wire transfers totaled approximately $420,847. Escalona pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Miami Field Division made the announcement. The DEA's Miami Field Division is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Emily Cohen and Deputy Chief Joseph Palazzo of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Goldbarg for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. Topic: Foreign Corruption Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) USAO - Florida, Southern Press Release Number: 24-240 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the escalation of hostilities in the eastern part of the country European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 4 March 2024 The EU is extremely concerned by the escalation of violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the worsening of the humanitarian situation exposing millions of people to human rights abuses including displacement, deprivation, and gender based violence. The military build-up as well as the use of advanced ground to air missiles and drones is a worrying escalation that further endangers the situation, in particular around Sake and Goma. The EU reaffirms its steadfast support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes. There is no military solution to this crisis, only a political one: this must be reached through an inclusive dialogue between DRC and Rwanda to address the root causes of conflict, aimed at implementing the decisions taken within the regional peace initiatives and ensuring the respect of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all the countries in the region. Existing roadmaps must be implemented; existing verification mechanisms must be reactivated. The EU condemns the latest offensive by M23 and reiterates its strong condemnation of the actions by armed groups in eastern DRC. These groups must cease all hostilities, withdraw from the areas they occupy and disarm in accordance with the decisions taken within the Luanda and Nairobi processes. The EU underscores the obligation for all States to stop any support to these armed groups. In particular the EU condemns Rwanda's support for M23 and military presence on Congolese territory. It strongly urges Rwanda to immediately withdraw all its military personnel from the DRC as well as to terminate all support to and cooperation with M23. It strongly urges the DRC and all regional players to terminate all support to and cooperation with the FDLR, who have their roots in the genocide against the Tutsi, and any other armed group. All parties must do their utmost to protect civilians, prevent violations of international law and ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to all those in need immediately and without preconditions. The EU reiterates in unequivocal terms its condemnation of hate speech and xenophobia, as well as ethnic-based politics. The EU urges all political and civil society actors to contribute to a peace-oriented dialogue and refrain from escalation. The EU calls upon all sides to refrain from confrontational and inflammatory rhetoric including threats of military escalation. The EU remains committed to support peace, stabilisation and sustainable development of Eastern DRC and the region as a whole. This includes addressing all the root causes of insecurity and regional instability including poor governance and corruption, lack of inclusive institutions, entrenched impunity and abuse of power, and violent competition for access to and control of land and other natural resources as well as the use of illicit networks for the trafficking of natural resources. The EU condemns the recent attacks as well as the dis- and misinformation targeting some EU Embassies and MONUSCO. The EU underscores the legal responsibility of all states to protect the security of foreign citizens, as well as of the personnel and assets of diplomatic missions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The World needs to stand by UNRWA Government of Norway Speech/statement | Date: 04/03/2024 By Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide (Guest Essay for The New York Times) After nearly four months of war, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic. More than 75 percent of the area's population of more than two million are displaced. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, many of them children. The United Nations warns that famine is imminent. Infectious diseases are spreading. The lack of health care is critical. The main lifeline for Gazans in this landscape is the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, the nearly 75-year-old agency that is almost entirely funded by voluntary contributions. Now at least 17 countries, including the United States, plus the European Union have halted payments to UNRWA, pending an investigation, because of Israeli intelligence reports that a dozen of its workers took part in the terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7. But now is exactly the wrong time to halt funding for UNRWA. Norway is standing fast to our commitment to continue funding this crucial agency and to the Palestinian people. As the Norwegian foreign minister, I urge fellow donor countries to reflect on the wider consequences of cutting UNRWA off. If these decisions are not reversed, we run a serious risk of worsening the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. And since UNRWA also supports millions of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, a stop to payments could further destabilize an already extremely volatile region. The world should keep funding UNRWA on more than practical grounds, however. We should not collectively punish millions of people for the alleged deeds of a few. Norway, like other donor countries, is appalled by the allegations that 12 of UNRWA's 13,000 staff in Gaza were involved in the terror attack against Israel, an attack that we have condemned in the strongest possible terms. There must be zero tolerance for any such actions. We therefore welcome UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini's response in dismissing the accused individuals and starting an investigation. Norway expects full transparency. If the allegations are verified, those involved in the attack must be held accountable. But suspending the funding to a key U.N. agency over the alleged conduct of 12 employees is not the answer. If some members of a police department committed a crime, one would hold those individuals to account, not disband the entire police force. We must distinguish between what individuals may have done and what UNRWA stands for. Since UNRWA was established in 1949, it has provided basic services, education, shelters, camp infrastructure and emergency assistance to people who fled or were expelled from their homes in the 1948 war that followed the establishment of Israel. At that time, the refugee population was about 750,000. Today, four generations later, some 5.9 million Palestine refugees are eligible for UNRWA services across the region. Since this war began, UNRWA's staff members in Gaza, who are mostly locally hired, have continued performing relief services under extreme conditions and at a daily risk to their own lives. They, like so many others, have paid a heavy price: Since Oct. 7, more than 150 UNRWA employees have been killed. A relatively small country, Norway is one of the top donors to UNRWA, last year committing $45 million an amount still far less than the United States. Norway has made the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians a priority since negotiations leading to the first Oslo Accord between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, which was signed in 1993. For the past 30 years, Norway has chaired an international donor group for Palestine focusing on supporting the establishment of Palestinian institutions, which is key for establishing a Palestinian state. Nearly six million Palestinians did not choose to live their lives as refugees. I am convinced that they, like the rest of us, would prefer a life in a country they could call their own. The question of the fate of Palestinian refugees is at the heart of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, yet 75 years later a political solution remains elusive. A fair and just resolution will be an essential prerequisite for peace and the two-state solution, for Israel as much as for the Palestinians. UNRWA is a lot more than a humanitarian organization. It represents a commitment by the international community to Palestinian refugees. Its operations are also critical for the presence of other humanitarian organizations in Gaza We need more, not less, humanitarian access to war-torn Gaza. In fact, in the ongoing conversations about a possible agreement to release remaining Israeli hostages combined with a sustained cessation of hostilities, improved humanitarian access is a key issue. For the latter to be successful, we need people on the ground who are able to deliver. Replacing UNRWA's extensive support infrastructure with alternative channels, as UNRWA's critics have suggested, would take too much time. Therefore, I say to my fellow donors: We need to demand transparency and accountability from UNRWA. But the people of Gaza and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East should not pay the price for the transgressions of individuals. We cannot abandon the Palestinian people now. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 4, 2024 IDF Press Release March 4, 2024 04.03.24 IDF The information that I am about to share is distressing and some people may find it triggering, but we have an obligation to share the truth about what happened on October 7th, 150 days ago. We have a duty to expose the truth about those who took part in this brutal massacre. Today, we are declassifying a call that we intercepted, made by Yusef Zidan Salimam Al-Khuairl, a Hamas terrorist who took part in the massacre of October 7th. But he is not just a Hamas terrorist, he is also an UNRWA employee working as a teacher in a UN elementary school in Gaza. The terrorist is heard speaking on the phone roughly 7 hours after Hamas began invading Israel: Murdering; mutilating; massacring; kidnapping; raping; and burning entire families alive. On the call, you can hear him bragging about the Sabaya is a female captive that he got his hands on. He's talking about one of our girls. He is talking about one of the women. The term "SABAYA" used by this UNRWA worker is an Arabic term, meaning 'female captive' with a possession, a possession of a captor. "Sabaya" is exactly the same word used by ISIS to describe the Yazidi women they captured,and did horrific things to. I want you to listen to the conversation, I want you to hear the tone... how they brag... how they laugh... how they talk about women... How they call her a "noble horse"... Listen. *Recording Plays* I'm a father of two girls. When I hear this conversation, I tremble. It's horrific. 150 days ago, on October 7th, Hamas terrorists abducted and violated young women-young girls. from the testimonies of hostages who have returned from captivity, we know that the women and girls in Hamas captivity are in danger. They are in danger. Our mission to rescue our hostages from the hands of these ruthless terrorists is urgent.Hamas and ISIS follow the same sick ideology and employ the same barbaric methods. Yusef Zidan Salimam Al-Khuajri was just one of several UN workers who took part in the Hamas massacre of October 7th. This evening, we are publishing the names of additional terrorists employed by UNRWA who participated in the October 7th massacre. Bakr Mahmoud 'Abdallah Darwish, A Hamas terrorist and a school counselor at an UNRWA school. Ghassan Nabil Mohammad Sh'hadda El Jabari: a Hamas terrorist who works in the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. Mamdouh Hussein Ahmad al-Qak: A Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist and a teacher at an UNRWA elementary school. Over 450 UNRWA employees are military operatives in terror groups in Gaza. Over 450. This is no mere coincidence, this is systematic. There is no claiming: "we didn't know." Hamas exploits humanitarian organizations and uses them to commit crimes against humanity. These terrorists are employed by UNRWA, they receive salaries that are paid for by the international community. Donations that were meant for humanitarian purposes, meant to benefit the people of Gaza- are funding mass murderers and rapists. We sent the information that I am sharing now, as well as further intelligence, to our international partnersincluding the U.N. The weaponization of sexual violence is a global problem. Hamas' weaponization of rape and sexual violence should be met with global outrage. It demands a global response. Hamas is holding 134 Israelis hostage, including our women, our girls. Bringing all our hostages home isn't just a mission. It's a moral obligation. One that IDF soldiers are risking their lives every day to fulfill. While we fulfill this sacred mission We will continue our efforts to distinguish between Hamas and the civilians in Gaza who are also suffering as a result of this war that Hamas started. Our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza. We acknowledge their suffering. On Sunday,the number of aid trucks that entered from Israel was the highest since the start of the war. Israel puts no limit on the amount of humanitarian aid that can enter Gaza. We will continue fulfilling our mission of dismantling Hamas and rescuing our hostages while expanding our efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza. Thank you. Full Press Briefing: Good evening, tonight we published recordings of conversations between Hamas terrorists who participated in the October 7th massacre. The content of the recordings is not simple, but we chose to bring them anyway because it is our duty - to remind and not forget. The massacre that Hamas carried out on the seventh of October is the most documented massacre in history. Hamas terrorists documented their brutality. As time passes, more and more evidence is revealed and new intelligence is discovered every day. In one of the recordings we uncovered, you hear how the terrorists entered the territory of Israel, participated in the massacres and terrorism and captured "Sabaya". "Sabaya" is a term in Islam that describes women and children as the property of a Muslim man. The interpretation also has the context of a slave. The most severe use of the term "Sabaya" is by ISIS terrorists, who referred that way to the Yazidi women they captured. Many Muslim countries in the world have condemned ISIS for its cruelty towards women. Later in the conversation, the terrorist on the other end of the phone calls a woman by the nickname "noble horse". On the seventh of October, Hamas terrorists treated young women, teenagers, cruelly and brutally, kidnapped them from their homes and treated them like animals. Listen to the tone of the conversation, to the way the terrorists express themselves. It is difficult to hear, the rule over women, evilness and laughter. The way in which they refer to the hostages as "Sabaya" or a "noble horse", keeps us awake at night, and calls for a great outrage from the world, like the same outrage that the world felt the need to shout for the Yazidi women. From the testimonies of hostages who returned from Gaza, we learn about the danger, the dangers to which the hostages are exposed, especially the women and children. The terrorist who speaks in the recording is a Hamas operative in the central camps who works as a teacher in an UNRWA elementary school. But he is not the only one - the findings show that there are a significant number of educators, administrators and teachers in UNRWA schools who are also terrorists. Today we published the names of three more: a Hamas terrorist who is an UNRWA school counselor, a Hamas terrorist who works in a UNRWA health center and an Islamic Jihad terrorist who is also a UNRWA elementary school teacher. And we will continue to publish, also in the coming days, Hamas terrorists and other terrorist operatives who work simultaneously at UNRWA, including in senior positions. Hamas has exploited UNRWA for years. Hamas knew that international organizations wanted to help Gaza recover, so they would transfer a lot of money and equipment for construction and rehabilitation. Hamas has exploited international organizations and donation funds for terrorist purposes, and there are no global oversight mechanisms that prevent this. Hamas takes positions in the UNRWA organization, and places its people in them, at the same time as they act as terrorist operatives - and in this way it wants to control and influence these organizations and their money. According to the intelligence information available to us, more than 450 operatives of the military wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad are employed as UNRWA employees. We pass on these intelligence findings, and many others, to our partners around the world, including the United Nations. Hamas launched a merciless attack on the 7th of October against the State of Israel and Israeli society, and attacked the helpless indiscriminately. 150 days that Hamas is holding 134 hostages, away from their families, without medical care and basic conditions. We are doing everything to bring them home, this is a supreme national mission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: Silence of Security Council gives license to kill, starve Palestinians IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani strongly criticized the US government for supporting the Israeli regime and preventing the adoption of Security Council resolutions to establish an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. "Unfortunately, the Security Council's silence is a license to kill and starve Giving to the Palestinian people has become," Iravani said on Monday addressing a UN session. The full text of Iravani's speech is as follows: In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues; Few days ago, the international community once again witnessed another unjust use of the veto power by the US during the voting on a draft resolution (S/2024/173) presented by Algeria, calling an immediate humanitarian ceasefire Despite receiving widespread support from Member States and nations globally, the US shamefully wielded its veto power against the resolution. The actions of the US administration in this regard will undoubtedly be scrutinized by both nations and history alike. Iran commends the valuable efforts and unwavering dedication of Algeria within the Security Council, particularly in addressing the ongoing situation in Gaza. We commend their initiative in presenting a robust draft resolution aimed at achieving the long-awaited ceasefire. We express our gratitude to the 13 Council members who supported the ceasefire in Gaza by voting in favor of the draft resolution. The gravity of the situation in Gaza has garnered widespread attention within the international community. The Israeli authorities are using starvation as a deliberate method of war against the civilian population in Gaza. Regrettably, the Council's silence has become a license to kill and starve the Palestinian population. Moreover, the international community is deeply alarmed by Israel's decision to invade Rafah, foreseeing dire consequences for the densely populated region. Additionally, the Israeli regime's actions in Lebanon and Syria, which contravene international law and the United Nations Charter, have further exacerbated tensions and raised concerns about destabilization in the region. We strongly condemn the most recent brutal attack of the Israeli forces against the Palestinian civilians seeking humanitarian aids; The deliberate fire attack by Israeli forces has resulted at death of 117 and about 750 wounded civilians. All this cruelty has been happening in the absence of a demanded cease -fire. We shall precisely address the obstacle that the world has witnessed and that prevented attempts by the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities and call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian Territory. It is regrettable that the United States has decided to turn a blind eye to the realities and vehemently supports the ongoing genocide by Israel. It even ignores loud calls from its own nation. A self-immolation incident happened in Washington last week, by a 25-year-old US active-duty airman, Aaron Bushnell, indicates that how the conscience of the people of the world has been deeply wounded by the amount of violence against Palestinians, and how American people are desperately ashamed of the policies of their own rulers. The obstruction by the United States of the Council's Charter duties starkly contrasts with global appeals for an end to the bloodshed, defies the inherent human nature to preserve life, and violates fundamental principles of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law. Even, inadmissible justification presented by the US authorities for harboring such wrongdoing acts in the guise of self-defense, regardless of their illegitimacy, exempts Israel from adhering to the most basic values of humanity, the principles of international law and the compelling rules of international humanitarian law that protect women, children, and unarmed civilians during war, and grantees the Israeli war machine impunity to continue its assault on Palestinian civilians. We once again reiterate our call for an urgent and sustainable ceasefire, which in its absence the tragedy worsens, and could lead to the loss of innocent lives, including children, and women. The paramount imperative is to swiftly implement a ceasefire to prevent widespread starvation in Gaza. We must reiterate the urgency of implementation of obligations under international humanitarian law and the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on 26 January 2024. These measures are imperative to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip. In conclusion Mr. President, considering the Security Council's current impasse, I wish to emphasize the obligations of the third parties under international law as well as outlined in provisional measures of the ICJ on 26 January 2024. All member states are not only required to refrain from recognizing or assisting the Israeli regime in its pursuit of genocide but are also obligated to take the required steps to prevent such war crimes and acts of genocide. Therefore, we urge the international community and all sovereign states to implement necessary measures to compel Israel to cease its genocidal war and aggression against the Palestinian people. These measures may include the imposition of collective and individual economic sanctions. Furthermore, the international community must pressure the Israeli regime into halting its violations and upholding its international obligations. I thank you. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An Israeli-owned ship was reportedly attacked in Gulf of Aden IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 New York, IRNA -- An Israeli-owned container ship was reportedly attacked in the Gulf of Aden, media sources have reported. Reuters reported citing the British maritime security company Embry on Monday that the Liberia-flagged and Israel-affiliated ship was targeted 88 miles away from Aden. Embry stated that it is not clear if this ship was directly targeted or if it was damaged by explosions nearby. Accordingly, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said that it had received a report of an incident 91 nautical miles southeast of the Yemeni city of Aden. Yemen's attacks against Zionist and Zionist-linked ships began several weeks ago in retaliation to the regime's crimes against Gazan people. The Arab country has pledged to keep its maritime siege against the Zionist regime as long as the war in Gaza continues. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FILE PHOTO A 21-year-old Guilford man was fatally injured in a motorcycle crash late Monday afternoon, according to local police. Guilford Police Department/Contributed photo Amarone Restaurant on Water Street in Guilford advertises their takeout and delivery options on their front window on March 21, 2020. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media GUILFORD The owner of a restaurant on Water Street has been arrested on charges of stalking and harassing one of his employees days after he was charged with possession of child pornography, officials say. In a release, the Guilford Police Department said Barna Lengyel, aka Bruno Banani, the 53-year-old owner of Amarone Restaurant, was arrested on Monday. Police said Lengyel was charged with two counts of voyeurism, eavesdropping, first-degree stalking, electronic stalking and risk of injury to a minor. They said he was arraigned at state Superior Court in New Haven on Monday and $250,000 was added to his bond, which was already set at $500,000 for his other charges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police said the charges are the result of an ongoing investigation into what was initially reported to be a harassment complaint against Lengyel by an employee. They said the victim reported that they were dating Lengyel in return for him supporting their family financially. Prior to filing a complaint, police said, the victim discovered that Lengyel had placed a camera inside their residence to secretly record their bedroom. They said the victim also found that Lengyel was in possession of an intimate photograph that had been taken at their place of employment without their knowledge. Police said the victim quit working for Lengyel after making the initial report to police, adding they obtained a full restraining order against him. They said Lengyel attempted to use other employees to facilitate contact with the victim while that restraining order was in effect. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those attempts included dropping off groceries, money and a cellphone, police said, adding Lengyel also met the victim near their residence to provide money for rent and to proposition the victim for sexual activity at a local motel. Yemen warns US, UK and Zionists about "surprises" IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 New York, IRNA -- A senior Yemeni official has warned the US, UK and the Zionist regime that surprising options are on the way. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, wrote on his personal account in X on Monday that different options are being considered and surprises are on the way to provide support for the oppressed people of Gaza. Noting that they have high patience, he however said that they attach no significance to "dwarfs". Yemen began a string of attacks against Zionist and Zionist-linked ships in the Red Sea several weeks ago in retaliation to the regime's crimes against Gazan people. The Arab country has pledged to keep its maritime siege against the Zionist regime as long as the war in Gaza continues. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran raises alarm about Israel's plan to forcibly displace Palestinians IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva has raised the alarm about a "deliberate policy" by the Israeli regime to wear down Palestinians and drive them from their homeland. "We are deeply concerned about the implementation of this policy and the deliberate actions of the occupiers, which are aimed at totally eliminating the resilience of the Palestinian people against the occupation," Ali Bahraini said on Monday while addressing the 55th meeting of the UN Human Rights Council. Referring to the ongoing war of genocide in the Gaza Strip, he said the world has not witnessed such a dire humanitarian situation in the eight decades of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The Iranian envoy condemned the killing by Israeli forces of more than 150 UN employees in Gaza since the war began early in October. "Making accusations against humanitarian agencies in Gaza and disrupting their activities ...is part of the agenda of the Israeli occupying forces to force people to leave their homes," he said. The Israeli regime has accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency of being involved in the Hamas-led attack against the occupying entity on October 7. The allegation has prompted a number of Israel's western allies to suspend funding for UNRWA, the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The UN and other international organizations have warned that Gaza is on the verge of famine as the Israeli regime has imposed a total siege on the enclave. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 1 Zionist killed, 7 injured in anti-tank missile strike from Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 New York, IRNA -- One Zionist settler has been killed and seven wounded after an anti-tank missile launched from Lebanon hit a settlement in northern occupied territories. Israeli media reported on Monday that the missile landed near the Margaliot settlement. Two of the injured were in serious condition, the reports said. It was not immediately known who was behind the cross-border strike. However, Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces have exchanged fire on a daily basis since the occupying regime launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In a statement on Monday, the Lebanese resistance movement said it had foiled an incursion attempt by Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade, who were trying to infiltrate into the Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has warned that the missile and rocket attacks will continue until the Israeli regime ceases its hostilities in Gaza, where more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. The Israeli army also carried out a missile attack on Tyre district in southern Lebanon. There was no information about casualties. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OIC failed to play role in supporting Palestine: Iran FM spox IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaan has said that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has not played its role in supporting Palestine as it was expected to do. Kanaani made the comment on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran. He said that the OIC will hold an emergency meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday about Gaza, the second such meeting since the Israeli regime waged its war on the besieged Palestinian territory five months ago. "We will witness an important event about Palestine at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah tomorrow, which will be the second emergency meeting by Islamic countries' foreign ministers. Both meetings are the result of diplomatic efforts by Iran and some other members of this organization", Kanaani said. The spokesman at the same time criticized the OIC for its failure to take action to stop Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza over the past months. "Regarding the key position and importance of this organization, and the fact that it was established mainly because of the Palestinian issue, the organization was expected to take effective action during these five months of the Zionist regime's crimes against the people of Gaza", Kanaani said about an arson attack against Al-Aqsa Mosque by an extremist Jew in August 1969, which led to the formation of the OIC a month later. "Unfortunately, we did not witness that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation plays its role in supporting Palestine as it should do", he added. "In the wake of warmongering by Zionist officials and the US's unlimited support for it, this cruel war is continuing, and the OIC now faces a test tomorrow to show how much it will use its potential to back Palestine", the Iranian diplomat told reporters. He added that the leaders of Islamic countries are expected to unanimously take a strong decision on taking effective steps aimed at supporting Palestine, which will immediately stop the war in Gaza. Arash joint gas field Speaking about some claims made by certain Persian Gulf littoral states about the use of the Arash joint gas field, the spokesman said Iran has already expressed its fundamental stance on the issue, which is relying on international laws, over and over. Unilaterally-made claims will establish no rights for the claimer, he asserted, adding, "We have stressed the continuation of legal and technical talks with the Kuwaiti officials." Iran follows a policy of establishing a positive and constructive atmosphere in its relations with neighbors, so citing such issues in unilateral statements is unacceptable, he noted. Arash is a gas field shared by Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Visit of Iranian President to Algeria About the recent travel of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Algeria, Kanaani said Algeria is among the important Islamic countries in Africa, and Tehran enjoys brotherly and friendly ties with Algiers in various areas. The two countries have common attitudes towards regional questions, the issue of Palestine, and the developments in Gaza, Kanaani underlined adding that the two countries' presidents have held good talks during Raisi's visit. He expressed hope that the level of trade relations between the two countries would upgrade. President Raisi departed for Algeria late on Friday (March 1) at the invitation of his Algerian counterpart to attend the 7th summit of heads of state and government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) had been slated for March 2 in the North African state. Iran's position regarding Ukrainian crisis We have stressed many times that war is not the solution and we welcome dialogue and a political solution to solve the crisis in Ukraine and are ready to mediate in this regard, Kanaani said. He rejected baseless allegations against Iran, saying that these accusations are made by those who themselves export large-scale weapons to Ukraine and fan the flame of war. Hirmand's water rights and issues related to Afghanistan Iran's position is clear and based on the 1973 treaty, which is a proven right, he said. The authorities of Afghanistan also expressed their adherence to this treaty and we expect the Afghan authorities to provide Iran's water rights, he noted. We do not consider the formation of imaginary and self-proclaimed coalitions as fundamentally helpful to the region, and we consider these to disrupt order and security, he stated. Issue of Palestine Based on its crisis-creating nature, the Zionist regime is promoting tension in the region, Kanaani said. All actions of the Israeli regime against countries is in line with insecurity and the spread of war to the region, and its responsibilities lie with this regime and its supporters, including the United States, which by playing a negative role and abusing the right of veto in the UN Security Council, has made the UNSC inefficient, he added. Rejecting GCC statement Kanaani also spoke about a statement which foreign ministers of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and their counterparts from Egypt, Morocco and Jordan issued in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. The spokesman criticized the statement for supporting the UAE's territorial claims over the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Mousa and The Lesser Tumb and Greater Tunb, saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized its sovereignty over the islands based on international law. "The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council is not in a position to make comments on this issue", Kanaani said, adding that issuing unilateral statements are against the positive environment in the relations between Iran and the Persian Gulf countries. "Iran expects its neighbors to take a realistic approach to avoid false remarks." Iran-Iraq security pact On the security agreement, which Iran and Iraq signed in 2023 and calls on the Arab country to disarm separatist terror groups operating at the border, Kanaani said that the deal is the result of the determination of the two countries to promote security. The agreement has largely been implemented and a joint committee is overseeing its implementation, he said, adding that the two countries are also engaged in negotiations and the Iraqi government is committed in that regard. Iran-Russia ties The Iranian diplomat also said that his country has relations with Russia in different fields, rejecting "unfounded allegations" by US officials over Tehran-Moscow cooperation on regional issues as well as the Ukraine war. Kanaani said that those allegations are attributed to a "political approach", and Iran will continue its bilateral cooperation with "friendly countries" based on its recognized rights. IP gas pipeline project About Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas cooperation, the spokesman said the Pakistani side was committed to implement the first phase of the project with 80 kilometers following the pursuit from the Iranian officials and the continued exchange of energy delegations between the two countries. Kanaani noted that implementation of the gas project is approved by Pakistani government's power division. Iran started its operation about a decade ago and Pakistan made a request about six years ago for completing the project by 2024, Kanaani added to his remarks. So, the related talks at the level of petroleum and energy ministers were held between the two countries, and Islamabad made its decision within the framework of those talks, the spokesman underlined. Israel's war in Gaza Commenting on the US airman self-immolation in protest of the Israeli regime's warmongering, Kanaani said the world received the right message from the move. He described such moves as expressive voices heard by all in the world, so it is impossible that the American officials would not have heard it. "If they respect their nation, they have to cease war in Gaza ... and stop supporting the Zionist regime." Taliban investment in Chabahar Iran's cooperation with the caretaker government of Afghanistan has clear goals and principles, Kanaani said. Helping the stability and development of Afghanistan is an important principle in regulating relations between Iran and the Afghan caretaker government, he added. Stability in Afghanistan contributes to stability and security in the region, he noted. Elections in the United States We consider the US elections as an internal issue. What is important for us is the behavior of the US administration towards Iran. The change of presidents in the US is the business of Americans, Kanaani said. The US administration unilaterally pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and the responsibility lies with the United States. He added that the main goal of Iran is to lift the oppressive sanctions and enjoy the nation's rights defined in the framework of this agreement. Diplomatic channels are still active through mediation, Kanaani stressed. We adhere to the negotiation table, and if the other party has goodwill, grounds will be paved for concluding the negotiations and the return of all parties to the table. 4194**1483**9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Hezbollah used only 5% of its power against Zionist regime' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A member of the Hezbollah-led bloc in the Lebanese parliament says the resistance movement has used only 5% of its combat power against the Zionist regime. The Zionist enemy's war minister says that the regime has used 10% of its power against Hezbollah, Al-Ahed news agency quoted Ali Fayyad as saying. "Our resistance has used merely 5% of its power to confront the Israeli enemy," he said in reaction to the claim. The Zionist enemy must calculate many times to spread the war and turn it into a full-scale war, he further noted. Fayyad also said that the Lebanese resistance targets the Zionist enemy's positions every day. "We have no choice but to be independent and fully prepared to defend ourselves, our land, our sovereignty and our country through resistance," he asserted. Since the beginning of the Israeli regime's genocidal war on Gaza, regional resistance groups, including Hezbollah, Yemen's Ansarullah, and Iraq's fighters, have been carrying out military operations against US and Israeli interests to exert pressure on the regime to end the war. 7129**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian resistance inflicts heavy blows on Israeli military IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Palestinian resistance groups carried out several operations in different areas of the Gaza Strip on Sunday night and early Monday, inflicting heavy losses on the Israeli regime's army. Palestinian media outlets reported on Monday that fighters of Al-Quds Brigades, Al-Aqsa Brigades, Palestinian Mujahideen Movement and Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades targeted gatherings of the Israeli forces with short-range missiles and heavy mortars overnight and early morning. The Palestinian fighters also shelled the logistics corridor of the Israeli army in the Al-Zaytun district situated in the southwestern areas of Gaza's Old City, and the Abu Mutaybeq district in the eastern side of central Gaza. Palestinians also destroyed the regime's vehicles during direct military conflict. According to the media reports, the resistance forces used guided missiles to target a building in southern Gaza, where some Israeli troops took refuge, and as a result, a number of the occupation forces were killed and injured. The Al-Aqsa Brigades and Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades also targeted Ashkelon, Be'eri and Re'im settlements in the occupied territories. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime's army acknowledged the death of one of its officers and the injury of some of its forces during clashes in Khan Younis city. 4208**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aid to Gaza not sufficient: US envoy to UN IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the American ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations has acknowledged, for the first time, that humanitarian aid reaching Gaza is not enough to meet the needs of people there. Thomas-Greenfield wrote on her X social network on Sunday night about the lack of aid delivery to Gaza but failed short of criticizing the Zionist regime for hampering humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in the besieged territory. In her post, she simply mentioned that the UN Security Council this week asked Israel to "keep the border crossings open in order to facilitate the delivery to meet humanitarian needs, and to ensure the fast and safe delivery of aid items." Greenfield's claim comes at a time when the United States has repeatedly vetoed Security Council resolutions to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and has backed the Zionist regime with financial and military aid to continue its genocidal war on Gaza. Responding to international bodies, the Security Council in a statement this week expressed concern about the conditions of the people in Gaza who have been facing acute food insecurity, and called on Israel to adhere to humanitarian laws and provide the necessary conditions to send them humanitarian aid. Israel has, so far, defied calls from the UN and international rights bodies and even a recent verdict by the International Court of Justice that asked the regime to take immediate and effective steps to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel disrupting any serious negotiations about ceasefire in Gaza ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 4 March 2024 / 10:28 Senior Resistance sources said Israeli media was spreading misinformation about the negotiations. Tehran-ISNA- According to a senior Palestinian Resistance source, ceasefire negotiations are being stalled by "Israel," and it is clear to mediators that Israelis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are intentionally disrupting any serious negotiations. The source told Al Mayadeen that Israeli media was spreading misinformation about the discussions, adding that promoting erroneous information is part of a larger narrative that favors Netanyahu's political interests. The source explained that Netanyahu opposes discussions that result in a deal that guarantees disengagement from the Gaza Strip, return of the displaced, reconstruction, and the lifting of the siege. Netanyahu is primarily concerned with protecting his political future at the price of Palestinian lives said the source. Sources in the leadership of the Palestinian Resistance revealed some of the key details in the ongoing mediated negotiations between the Resistance and the Israeli occupation on Sunday. The framework for a deal consists of three stages, where the details and clauses behind each stage will be negotiated separately. The duration of the proposed truce ranges between 40 and 45 days each, our sources confirmed. The revelation comes as a senior delegation from the Hamas movement is set to visit the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Sunday to move forward in the negotiation process. The new proposals will be presented to "bridge the gap between Hamas and Israel," sources from the leadership of the Palestinian Resistance. They added that Egypt and Qatar are attempting to introduce different approaches to the talks, but they are encountering Israeli intransigence. Sources affirmed that there has been slight progress in the negotiations and that Israelis have softened their approach to some issues, specifically regarding the issue of returning forcibly displaced Palestinians and the number of prisoners included in a possible exchange deal. They also revealed that "Israel" agreed to the return of forcibly displaced Palestinians to their homes under the condition that it is limited to women and children and those under 18 years old. Our sources emphasized that Hamas rejected this clause. Regarding the Resistance's demand that Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip, our sources said that "Israel" still insists on maintaining a military presence in the Gaza Strip during the first stage of the agreement. It is worth noting that France has hosted multiple meetings of mediators and Israeli, American, Egyptian, and Qatari intelligence officers on multiple occasions, attempting to craft a deal for a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire, which the Israeli side has deliberately obstructed by ignoring calls for a lasting ceasefire. Two major talks occurred this year, however, the latest resulted in what the Resistance described as Israeli "obstruction" of a breakthrough in talks. No deal has been reached as of this moment, however, the Resistance's representatives are expected to review the progress of efforts made by mediators in the past few weeks, during a crucial period, with the Holy month of Ramadan approaching. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah foils Israeli incursions into Lebanon ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 4 March 2024 / 10:15 The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has conducted a fresh reprisal attack against an Israeli military position in a show of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are subjected to a genocidal war by the occupying regime. Tehran-ISNA- In a statement released on Monday morning, Hezbollah said it had fired artillery toward the Zarit barracks and its vicinity in the occupied territories. It added that the operation was conducted in solidarity with the "steadfast Palestinian people" in the besieged Gaza and their "brave and honorable resistance." On Sunday, Hezbollah launched similar operations against several Israeli military sites, including Jal al-Alam and a-Malikiyah, as well as the surveillance system stationed at the Metulla base. The resistance group also said that it had foiled attempted Israeli military incursions into the villages of Rmeish and Ramia in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said that its fighters detonated a large explosive device against Israeli forces from the Golani Brigade, who had attempted to infiltrate into Ramia, and targeted them with several artillery shells. The fighters, it added, also targeted Israeli soldiers with rocket weapons near Rmeish. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire since early October, shortly after the occupying regime launched its genocidal war on Gaza following a surprise operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement. The resistance movement's constant rocket fire has prompted tens of thousands of Israeli settlers to flee from northern areas of the occupied territories. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister of National Defence A. Anusauskas conducts a formal visit to the U.S. Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-03-04 International cooperation | Minister's news | Security and defense policy On March 3-6 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas will be conducting a formal visit to Washington where he will meet with Secretary of Defense of the United States Lloyd Austin. A. Anusauskas and L. Austin are expected to discuss bilateral defence cooperation: presence of U.S. military personnel in Lithuania and acquisitions of arms from the U.S. The officials will also address assistance to Ukraine, NATO agenda, and the NATO Summit in Washington this summer. The United States is one of the key Allies in ensuring the European security and one of Lithuania's principal partners in defence equipment acquisition. Contracts on HIMARS and AMRAAM missiles were signed with the U.S. side in the recent years, while earlier defence acquisition contracts cover 500 armored Joint Light Tactical Vehicles JLTV, Black Hawk helicopters, Switchblade loitering ammunition. Apart from that, Lithuania has also been acquiring the Javelin antitank-rocket system and different communication equipment from the United States for years. Since 2019, Lithuania hosts uninterrupted rotational U.S. Army battalion presence. Military personnel from two U.S. Amy battalions are serving at Pabrade at the moment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pro-Palestinian activists hold their own "public hearing" demonstration outside New Haven City Hall as the Board of Alders meeting inside on March 4, 2024. Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media Pro-Palestinian activists hold their own "public hearing" demonstration outside New Haven City Hall as the Board of Alders meeting inside on March 4, 2024. Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media Two pro=Palestinian activists present "testimony" from a protest taking place on the City Hall outer steps to Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers, D-23, on March 4, 2024. Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Pro-Palestinian protesters who have been calling for three months for the Board of Alders to pass a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages will get a hearing. As more than 100 pro-Palestinian activists conducted a three-plus-hour "public hearing" of their own on the City Hall steps Monday night, Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers, D-23, said just prior to an alders meeting inside City Hall that she has assigned the measure to a committee. The Board of Alders' Committee of the Whole, chaired by President Pro Tempore Jeanette Morrison, D-22, will take up the request at a date that will be determined by Morrison and Walker-Myers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, protestors gathered outside for hours at a rally organized by a coalition of groups, blasting the Board of Alders for failing to respond, unaware a committee had been tasked with the resolution. "We have shamefully heard nothing from the Board of Alders," said one man on a portable bullhorn on City Hall's outer steps. "We need to continue applying mass pressure and take a confrontational approach." Protester Nick Fortunato urged the Board of Alders to stop stalling and act on the request as soon as possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The Board of Alders has a moral responsibility to call for an immediate cease fire," he said. Later, when told that Walker-Myers had assigned the request to a specific committee, rally organizers were happy to hear that the request had at least been acknowledged. "I think that the committee is an ideal solution," said one of the organizers, Francesca Maria, a native of Italy who lives in the city's Edgewood neighborhood and said she has "a dear friend" who is a medical student working in Gaza. She said Walker-Myers' decision to assign the ceasefire request to a committee was "a testament to the power of the grassroots movement that we built in New Haven." Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said it shouldn't take the destruction and killing happening in Gaza for a resolution to be passed. "It should not take five months of a genocide," Maria said. "It should not take every hospital in Gaza being destroyed ... It should not take a United States serviceman self-immolating to draw attention." Two protesters who came inside City Hall just after the Board of Alders meeting ended to drop off written "testimony" from the protesters outside also were pleased to hear the measure had been sent to a committee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The President: We are ready to step up our strategic partnership with Poland President of the Republic of Lithuania March 04, 2024 On Monday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The meeting focused on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, support for Ukraine, defense and security issues, as well as the situation on the Lithuanian-Polish border. "We are close allies and strategic partners. The security situation requires our consolidated efforts. Lithuania is ready to maintain and strengthen its strategic partnership with Poland in ensuring regional security, providing support for Ukraine, and implementing joint initiatives for the development of the security and defense industry," the President stated. The Lithuanian leader underlined his appreciation of Poland's contribution to the security of our region, its participation in the Baltic air policing mission, as well as its continued support for Ukraine and the leadership it demonstrates in defense spending. The Head of State expressed concern about the situation on the Lithuanian-Polish border. "We trust in the Polish authorities to find solutions that will continue to ensure proper movement of goods and persons in the internal market of the European Union," the President added. On support for Ukraine, Gitanas Nauseda underlined that the democratic world has to maintain its unity, focus and pace in supporting the country attacked by the aggressor Russia until victory. "Today, Ukraine needs reinforced and long-term military support more than ever. We must fulfil our commitments to deliver 1 million artillery rounds to Ukraine. We need to strengthen the EU defense industry and to create the necessary financial instruments for its development and for ensuring the supply of ammunition to Ukraine," President Gitanas Nauseda spoke. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO completes modernisation of major airbase in Albania NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 04 Mar. 2024 Albania officially re-opened Kucova airbase on Monday (4 March 2024), after transforming the decades-old base into a modern hub for NATO future air operations. Located around 80 kilometres south of Tirana, Kucova airbase will serve Albania and support Alliance logistics, air operations, training and exercises. NATO funded the base upgrade with around 50 million. "The airbase will serve as an important NATO air hub," said Acting Spokesperson Dylan White. "The makeover of Kucova airbase is a strategic investment and shows that NATO continues to strengthen its presence in the Western Balkans, an area of strategic importance to the Alliance." Monday's formal opening was attended by the Albanian President, Bajram Begaj, the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, the President of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, the Minister of Defence Niko Peleshi and the Chief of Defence, Major General Arben Kingji. The Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, Turkish Lieutenant General, Goksel Kahya and other high ranking officials also spoke at the ceremony. From NATO's side, the Commander of the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejon, Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez De Lara and the General Manager of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Stacy Cummings joined. After the speeches, aircraft from Allied Nations performed a flight show. The Kucova base is NATO's biggest project in Albania in the last decade. Renovation work began with a ground-breaking ceremony in 2019 and includes upgrades and renovations to the control tower, runways, hangars and storage facilities. The works were funded by NATO's Security Investment Programme (NSIP) which covers major defence construction projects in Allied countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyrgyz Republic strengthens capacities in combatting illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, ammunition and explosives proliferation with the support of the OSCE 4 March 2024 From February 26 to March 1, 2024, a training course on the 'Combatting Illicit Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), Conventional Ammunition (CA), and Explosives at the border' took place in Osh, Kyrgyz Republic, aiming to address the adverse impact of illicit trafficking on safety and security in the OSCE region. The uncontrolled spread of SALW, CA, and explosives, particularly to terrorists and criminal groups, has significantly impacted the safety of populations and the security of OSCE Participating States, increasing the intensity and duration of recent armed conflicts. The training provided Kyrgyz border guard officers with an in-depth understanding of their roles in combating illicit trafficking of SALW, ammunition, and explosives, the identification of sources and proliferation of illicit SALW, and enhanced expertise in risk management. Participants gained insights into international legal frameworks, national regulations, and effective post-seizure procedures. "This training is part of the OSCE regional approach for Central Asia in strengthening the capacities of the Border and Customs Services in detecting SALW, ammunition, and explosives at border crossing points based on international best practices," noted Nora Vanaga, Associate Project Officer at the Conflict Prevention Centre in the OSCE Secretariat. "The illicit trafficking of SALW and their proliferation across national borders affect the safety of the entire population. Border guard officers play a key role in intercepting this phenomenon as they are the first to screen persons and goods entering a country. This course was designed to build the capacity of the Border Service in combating the illicit trafficking of SALW, ammunition, and explosives, with particular attention to promoting international standards in Kyrgyzstan," shared Ewa Klimuk, Project Manager at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. This course was organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project project by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Supporting Unit, in collaboration with experts from INTERPOL, UNODC, and the German Verification Centre. The course was conducted as part of the ExB project of the POiB entitled 'Reducing the risk of the illicit proliferation of SALW, CA, and explosives across the border of Kyrgyz Republic,' funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America. By collaborating with international partners, the OSCE is committed to supporting the Kyrgyz Republic's efforts in addressing transnational threats and ensuring safety and security in the broader OSCE area. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Depriving Palestinians of aid amounts to 'death sentence': Arab League: Arab League chief Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 7:09 PM Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit says depriving the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip of basic life-saving aid is tantamount to a "death sentence and collective punishment." Aboul Gheit made the remarks in a meeting with Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag at the Arab League's headquarters in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. Aboul Gheit attributed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which has been under Israel's incessant bombardment over the past five months, to "the green light that some major powers gave to Israel to practice aggression in such a hideous and inhuman manner." The Arab League chief said the international community shares responsibility for the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, stressing that the top priority is to reach an immediate ceasefire, stop the bloodshed and prevent a possible famine in the besieged Palestinian territory. Kaag, for her part, gave a detailed overview of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and discussed with Aboul Gheit possible ways for delivering aid to the territory. Media reports announced on Sunday that representatives from the United States and Qatar had arrived in Cairo for mediation in the indirect talks between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and Israel. The Egyptian media cited an unnamed Hamas official as saying that if the Israeli regime agrees to meet the Palestinian resistance movement's demands, including the occupying entity's military withdrawal from Gaza and stepped-up humanitarian aid, the measure will "pave the way for an agreement within the next 24-48 hours." Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the its intensified violence against the Palestinians. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 71,920 others. The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million people living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Israel has created 'powder keg' in Gaza, war could further spill over Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 6:32 PM UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has warned that Israel's savage campaign in Gaza is a "powder keg" that could ignite a wider conflict. In an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Turk said he was deeply concerned the Israeli hostilities were already threatening neighboring countries. "The war in Gaza has already generated dangerous spillover in neighboring countries, and I am deeply concerned that in this powder keg, any spark could lead to a much broader conflagration." The UN official said the circumstances could "have implications for every country" in West Asia and beyond. Turk underscored using every means available to avoid a wider escalation. He said clashes between the regime and Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah were "extremely worrying." Since early October, many countries and international organizations have warned against the spillover. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging sporadic fire since October 8, a day after the regime started hostilities in the besieged Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah has repeatedly struck Israeli military bases on the border with the occupied territories over the past few months. The regime unleashed its war on October 7, 2023 with the stated goal of releasing all of its captives and eliminating the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Gaza. None of the goals have been achieved. Elsewhere in his remarks, Turk said the attacks by the Yemeni armed forces in the Red Sea had not only disrupted global maritime trade but also driven up the price of goods. "There is a serious risk of the conflict extending to Yemen itself, with potentially severe harm to Yemen's people, already suffering from the humanitarian crisis generated by a decade of war." The United States and Britain have conducted several airstrikes on Yemeni targets in the recent past. Yemen's military has been targeting Israeli ships and those bound for Israeli ports since November 2023 in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni armed forces say hit Israeli container ship in Arabian Sea Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 6:07 PM Yemeni armed forces say they have launched an attack on an Israeli ship sailing in the Arabian Sea as part of their campaign to force the occupying regime to end its aggression against Gaza. Spokesman of Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree said on Monday that a number of appropriate naval missiles had been used to hit the MSC SKY, a container ship he identified as Israeli. Saree said the missiles had hit the vessel in an accurate and direct manner, adding that the attack had come after Yemeni forces launched drone and ballistic missile attacks on US warships sailing in the Red Sea. The spokesman said the twin attacks had proven Yemen's ability to simultaneously target warships and cargo vessels sailing in waters off the Arab country. The statement came after media reports suggested there had been a new maritime incident in the Gulf of Aden. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British security firm Ambrey reported that a fire caused by nearby explosions had broken out onboard a vessel southeast of the Yemeni port city of Aden. Ambrey identified the vessel as an Israel-affiliated" ship that had been sailing under Liberia's flag from Singapore to Djibouti. However, there was no mention of the name of the vessel. However, maritime traffic monitoring websites identified the MSC SKY as a 183.71-meter Liberia-flagged ship that had been located in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. In his Monday statement to the media, Saree reiterated that Yemen will continue preventing ships linked to Israel from sailing in regional waters until the regime stops its aggression on Palestinians in Gaza and lifts its siege on the territory. He said Yemen will not hesitate to carry out more military operations in the Red Sea and in the Arabian Sea to defend Yemen against US and British attacks on the country and to support Palestine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN relief agency for Palestine refugees warns children in Gaza dying slowly before eyes of world Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 6:04 PM The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned about more child deaths in the Gaza Strip amid a widespread lack of food and access to safe water and medical services. In a post on its X account on Sunday, UNRWA said that "children in the Gaza Strip are dying slowly before the eyes of the world." The comment came following the deaths of 15 children as a result of dehydration and malnutrition in Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. In a statement released on Sunday, Ashraf al-Qidra, the health ministry spokesperson in Gaza, voiced concern over the "lives of 6 (other) children suffering from malnutrition and diarrhea at the hospital's intensive care unit as a result of the cessation of the electric generator and oxygen and the weakness of medical capabilities." Since October 7, at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 71,920 injured as a result of the Israeli regime forces' continuous onslaught in the Gaza Strip. Israel has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. Child deaths in Gaza to 'rapidly increase' amid obstacles to aid delivery: UNICEF The United Nations also warned on Sunday that child deaths will "rapidly increase" in Gaza if humanitarian aid deliveries do not immediately increase. Adele Khodr, regional director for the UN children's aid organization, said in a statement that numerous reported child deaths in Gaza are "man-made, predictable and entirely preventable." She added, "The widespread lack of nutritious food, safe water and medical services, a direct consequence of the impediments to access and multiple dangers facing UN humanitarian operations, is impacting children and mothers." She emphasized that people in Palestine are hungry, exhausted and traumatized and many of them are clinging to life. The UN official cautioned against the dire situation in northern Gaza, where fighting has gone on the longest and aid is less accessible. Khodr noted that about 16 percent of children showed signs of malnutrition in a study in January. Since the beginning of Israel's war in Gaza in October, she said, UNICEF has been warning that the death toll in the Strip would "increase exponentially" if a humanitarian crisis emerged and was left to fester. "The situation has only gotten worse, and as a result, last week, we warned that an explosion in child deaths was imminent if the burgeoning nutrition crisis wasn't resolved," she pointed out. "Now, the child deaths we feared are here and are likely to rapidly increase unless the war ends and obstacles to humanitarian relief are immediately resolved." Famine risk will increase as Israel continues to impede aid delivery: NGO The international charity organization "Save the Children" has sounded a strong alarm about the rising death toll and sufferings being exacted on children in the Gaza Strip. "Families can't find anything to feed their kids in #Gaza. They're being forced to forage for scraps of food left by rats & eating leaves out of desperation," the organization wrote on its X account. It warned that the risk of famine will increase so long as Israel continues to impede the entry of humanitarian aid. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian resistance will not yield to political pressure, machinations: Hamas Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 5:50 PM A senior Hamas official says the Palestinian resistance movement will not surrender to political pressure in ceasefire talks with the Israeli regime, stressing that Tel Aviv and Washington will not be able to compensate for their loss in the ongoing war on the besieged Gaza Strip through trickery and machinations. Osama Hamdan, the movement's representative in Lebanon, made the remarks at a ceremony in Beirut on Monday as negotiations are underway in the Egyptian capital of Cairo over a truce agreement seeking to put an end to five months of Israel's US-backed war on Gaza. Israel has reportedly imposed "many obstacles" on the path to reaching a truce deal, with the most contentious issue in the talks being the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern parts of the territory, and the lifting of the crippling siege on the territory. Hamdan said the Palestinian resistance is committed to its principles and warned Israel and the United States that Hamas would not yield to their political deception and pressure. "With the continued steadfastness and resistance in the field, we assure the Zionists and their American partner that what is not done in the field will not be fulfilled by political machinations," Hamdan said. "No matter what forms of deception and pressure are employed, the resistance will remain faithful to its sacrifices and adhere to the principles of its people and nation." The Hamas official stressed, "Any flexibility shown by the Palestinian resistance in negotiations out of concern for the blood of the Palestinian people and with the aim of putting an end to their great pain and sacrifices will be commensurate with its complete readiness to defend our people." Hamdan said the Palestinian resistance succeeded in thwarting the US administration's plans to "liquidate the Palestinian issue," adding, "The resistance, through its actions and sacrifices in the battlefield and support in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, has formed a solid structure in confronting the Zionist entity." Pointing to Israel's inhuman siege on Gaza, Hamdan called on the Arab and Islamic nations to take the initiative in breaking what he called the "starvation conspiracy" against the besieged Palestinian territory and its north, in particular. The Hamas official underlined the need for sustainable support of efforts aimed at ending the suffering of the people of Gaza and urged the Arab and Muslim world to "impose a siege on Israel." Hamdan said it is Muslim nations' duty to side with the Palestinian people and the resistance in their fight against the Israeli occupation. Media reports announced on Sunday that representatives from the United States and Qatar had arrived in Cairo for mediation in the indirect talks between Hamas and Israel. The Egyptian media cited an unnamed Hamas official as saying that if the Israeli regime agrees to meet the Palestinian resistance movement's demands, including the occupying entity's military withdrawal from Gaza and stepped-up humanitarian aid, the measure will "pave the way for an agreement within the next 24-48 hours." Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the its intensified violence against the Palestinians. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 71,920 others. The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million people living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel seeks to erode resilience of Palestinians against occupation, Iran diplomat Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 3:51 PM A senior Iranian diplomat says Tehran is deeply concerned about Israel's plots to deliberately target humanitarian infrastructure to destroy resilience of the people of Palestine in the face of the regime's occupation. Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, made the remark while addressing the 55th session of the Human Rights Council on Monday. He condemned the killing of 150 United Nations staff members since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza in October and said the world has not witnessed such a dire human rights situation over the past eight decades since Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. The Iranian diplomat added that the Israeli occupation forces are deliberately attacking hospitals and other facilities for the sick and wounded people, which has resulted in the collapse of the medical system in Gaza. The world has been shocked by the extent of the deliberate targeting of hospitals and medical and humanitarian staff in the Gaza Strip, he emphasized. Bahreini noted that the Israeli occupation forces have leveled accusations against some humanitarian agencies in Gaza and disrupted their activities, thus making the living conditions more difficult for the Palestinian people and forcing them to leave their homes. The Iranian ambassador called for the full implementation of an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which urges Israel to stop its genocide in Gaza. Since October 7, at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 71,920 injured as a result of the Israeli regime forces' continuous onslaught in the Gaza Strip. Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. In its interim ruling in January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to stop genocidal acts in Gaza and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in the besieged Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli attack on Lebanon will ignite new version of 2006 war: Hezbollah deputy chief Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 11:19 AM The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has warned that any Israeli act of aggression against the Arab country would ignite an advanced version of the 33-day war fought back in the summer of 2006, when the occupying regime suffered a humiliating defeat. "The Zionist enemy continues to threaten us with military aggression, and we respond by means of steadfastness, resistance, and retaliatory strikes," Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said at the sixth International Conference for the Union of Resistance Scholars in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Monday. "We, hereby, declare that if they commit a foolish act and attack our territories, there would then be a new version of the 2006 July war," Sheikh Qassem said. He added that scholars and thinkers from various Muslim countries have come together to raise their voices loudly in support of the heroic and honorable Axis of Resistance, stressing that resistance fighters will eventually emerge triumphant despite all the hardship and challenges they are enduring on the path to their final objectives. The top Hezbollah official described the surprise and large-scale Operation al-Aqsa Storm launched by Gaza-based resistance factions against Israel as the Palestinians' natural and legitimate reaction to the 75-years-long occupation of their land by the Zionist regime. "The Zionist regime is an aggressive and usurping entity that has been set up in the region in order to bring it under complete control and destroy it later on. The United States wants to be in charge of our region, as it can assert marked sway and influence in such a case," Sheikh Qassem said. He went on to say that Israel could not have managed to continue its relentless ground and aerial strikes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip without the US military and intelligence support, denouncing the ongoing atrocities as pre-planned and meant to decimate the entire population in the coastal area. Sheikh Qassem also cast doubts on Western calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, describing them as theatrical and deceitful. He underlined that Hezbollah conducts operations against Israeli military outposts in the 1948 occupied territories in retaliation for the bloody aggression against Gazans and all out of its humanitarian and religious duties towards the oppressed Palestinian nation. Hamas: Arab, Muslim nations duty-bound to foil starvation plot against Gaza For his part, Osama Hamdan, a senior representative of Hamas in Lebanon, stated that Arab and Muslim nations are duty-bound to join forces and frustrate the Israeli regime's policy of intentionally starving Palestinians in Gaza. "Our people have withstood the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza for the last 150 days through unwavering resilience and unshakable determination. Gaza-based resistance factions conducted Operation al-Aqsa Strom at the time when the occupying regime was about to liquidate the Palestinian cause and resistance front." He stressed that the Axis of Resistance reintroduced the Palestinian issue as the primary concern of the Muslim world, foiled fiendish US plots, and reiterated that it is impossible to coexist with the usurping Tel Aviv regime. "It is the duty of Arabs and Muslims worldwide to take the initiative and foil Israel's conspiracy of starvation. The countries neighboring the Gaza Strip must not stand idly by and should take a concrete measure, especially for Gazans in the north," Hamdan stated. He emphasized that Palestinian resistance forces will continue their armed struggle against Israel during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Islamic Jihad: Enemies seeking to liquidate Palestinian cause via successive wars Mohammad al-Hindi, deputy secretary general of the Islamic Jihad resistance movement, also noted that enemies are trying to annihilate the Palestinian cause and the resistance front through all-out blockades and successive wars. "The United States wants to fill the void in the region by means of the Zionist enemy, because it serves the West's interests. The Israeli regime has failed to crush the resistance front, and has not succeeded in releasing any of its captives," he said. Hindi underscored that Washington is deeply concerned about the spillover of the Gaza conflict, condemning the US airdrops of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. "It is ironic that the United States, which is supplying the Israeli enemy with various armament, is the party dropping food bundles for Gazans. That is chicken feed compared to what they need," the high-ranking Islamic Jihad official said. The Israeli regime's genocidal war in Gaza has killed at least 30,534 people, most of them children and women. Another 71,920 individuals have also been wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FILE PHOTO A North Haven doctor who defrauded Medicaid avoided prison time when he was sentenced Monday because he paid restitution. Bjoern Wylezich / TNS The owner of a dental practice in North Haven received a suspended prison sentence Monday in a Medicaid fraud case, state officials announced. Christian O'Connor, 54, appeared in Superior Court in Hartford before Judge David Gold and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge, which is similar to probation without the requirement of reporting to a probation officer. As part of the sentence, he was ordered to no longer act as a provider in the Medicaid program. In November O'Connor pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community and health insurance fraud. The plea bargain allowed prosecutors to argue for a prison term up to one year unless O'Connor paid the full restitution by his sentencing date. Advertisement Article continues below this ad O'Connor has since paid the full restitution amount of $200,484.52, officials said. Officials said O'Connor, the owner of Renew Dental in North Haven, routinely billed Medicaid for complete restorations on multiple teeth on the same date of service for multiple patients. That dental work couldn't be substantiated by dental records, and a number of patients interviewed by investigators denied that such work was ever done, according to officials. In addition, officials said they found that O'Connor billed Medicaid for work on the same patient, on the same teeth over a period of time, including some teeth that had already been extracted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Senior Israeli military officers step down as mass resignations rattle ranks Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 8:51 AM High-ranking members of the Israeli military's Spokesperson's Unit have reportedly resigned as the regime's devastating war on Gaza rages on, according to a report. Israel's Channel 14 reported on Monday that many officers tendered resignations from their positions. Among the resignees, the report said, are the second-in-command in the unit head Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari's team Colonel Butbul, as well as Colonel Moran Katz, and the International Spokesperson for the Israeli military Lieutenant Richard Hecht. The mass resignations are due to the officers' protest over operational and personal matters, the report said. The "unusual" move during wartime reflects a state of disturbance within the Israeli military's Spokesperson's Unit, it added. Earlier, a report in Al Jazeera said Hagari also submitted his resignation. However, the Doha-based news network later retracted the report. Channel 14 has also since removed the entire story from its website. Recently, Israeli minister for military affairs Yoav Gallant admitted that the regime's army is "paying a very high price" in its aggression against Gaza. Israel waged its US-backed genocidal war on the besieged Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. However, five months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its declared objectives and is getting bogged down deeper in the Gaza quagmire. Israel has so far killed at least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 71,700 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces on killing spree in Gaza as war reaches 150-day mark Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 8:06 AM Israel continues to commit genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip for the 150th consecutive day by launching dozens of air strikes, artillery shelling, and fire belts at the besieged territory. The Palestinian Information Center reported that the Israeli aircraft and artillery continued their raids and violent bombardment on Monday in various parts of the Gaza Strip, targeting homes and killing hundreds of civilians. Israeli jets bombed the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip overnight, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including children, according to initial reports. Seven people were killed and several others injured after the Israeli military targeted a house in Khirbet Al-Adas in Rafah. The search continues for a number of missing people under the rubble. The regime also targeted a house near Al-Awda Roundabout in central Rafah, which killed and wounded many people who were taken to Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital, and bombed another house located near a school in the city. Israeli warplanes, meanwhile, bombed a cemetery built by the Palestinian people in the Jabalia refugee camp and conducted a raid targeting the eastern areas of the camp in the north of Gaza. They also bombed a house sheltering displaced people in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip early Monday morning, killing at least 12 Palestinians and leaving 45 others injured. Local sources reported that many people were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house in al-Mawasi, situated west of the city of Khan Yunis. The Israeli aircraft bombed a house on Al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City in the wee hours of Monday and targeted the vicinity of the Sheikh Zayed and Tal al-Zaatar areas in the northern Gaza Strip and the headquarters of the Engineers Syndicate near Sheikh Zayed. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces killed a 16-year-old boy amid raids in several cities. The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement said it foiled two attempts by Israeli soldiers to infiltrate Lebanese late on Sunday. The Israeli military did not comment. According to Israeli media, senior members of the military's Spokesperson's Unit have resigned. Since October 7, at least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 71,700 injured as a result of the Israeli regime forces' continuous onslaught in the Gaza Strip. Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. In its interim ruling in January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to stop genocidal acts in Gaza and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in the besieged Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mar. 3: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 7:56 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 30,400 Palestinians so far, including at least 14,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Sunday, March 3, are as follows: Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Mar. 3: Targeted two Israeli military vehicles with RPGs and detonated a building where an Israeli force was hiding, resulting in casualties. Shelled a gathering of Israeli forces northwest of Beit Lahia with a barrage of mortar shells. Shelled positions of Israeli forces and their vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis south of Gaza City. Shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. Targeted a building in the Zaytoun neighborhood where an Israeli force had taken refuge, resulting in casualties. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 3: Targeted Israeli army concentrations with heavy caliber mortar shells, south of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. In a joint operation with the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, shelled the Be'eri settlement and the Israeli military headquarters in the Ra'im settlement with rockets. Targeted the route and supply line of Israeli forces south of the Zaytoun neighborhood with 107mm rockets. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Mar. 3: Shelled concentrations of Israeli army vehicles and soldiers with heavy caliber mortar shells, south of the Zaytoun neighborhood. Shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with mortar shells in the "Netzarim" axis south of Gaza City. Ambushed an Israeli force using machine guns and anti-personnel weapons in the Zaytoun neighborhood axis, resulting in casualties. Sniped an Israeli soldier in the southern Zaytoun neighborhood axis. Shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers positioned around the Abu Mitybaq site east of central Gaza with 82mm mortar shells. Shelled occupied Askalan with KN-103 rockets. Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades' operations on Mar. 3: Shelled the Ra'im military site and military concentrations east of central Gaza with a salvo of rockets. Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on Mar. 3: Targeted Israeli military concentrations with heavy caliber mortar shells, south of the Zaytoun neighborhood. Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 3: Eastern sector: At around 11:20 local time, the Israeli military's surveillance equipment at the Metulla site was targeted with missiles. At around 13:40 local time, an Israeli force near the village of Al-Wazzani was targeted with missiles. At around 14:30 local time, the Al-Sammaqa site in Kafr Shuba was targeted with missiles. At around 19:00 local time, Israeli soldiers in Mount Nader were targeted with missiles. Western sector: At around 06:45 local time, the Jal al-Alam site was targeted with a Burkan missile. At around 21:45 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted in the vicinity of the Al-Malikiyah site with artillery shells. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah strikes Israeli military site, foils incursions into Lebanon Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 6:17 AM The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has conducted a fresh reprisal attack against an Israeli military position in a show of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are subjected to a genocidal war by the occupying regime. In a statement released on Monday morning, Hezbollah said it had fired artillery toward the Zarit barracks and its vicinity in the occupied territories. It added that the operation was conducted in solidarity with the "steadfast Palestinian people" in the besieged Gaza and their "brave and honorable resistance." On Sunday, Hezbollah launched similar operations against several Israeli military sites, including Jal al-Alam and a-Malikiyah, as well as the surveillance system stationed at the Metulla base. Hezbollah thwarts Israeli incursions into Lebanon The resistance group also said that it had foiled attempted Israeli military incursions into the villages of Rmeish and Ramia in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said that its fighters detonated a large explosive device against Israeli forces from the Golani Brigade, who had attempted to infiltrate into Ramia, and targeted them with several artillery shells. The fighters, it added, also targeted Israeli soldiers with rocket weapons near Rmeish. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire since early October, shortly after the occupying regime launched its genocidal war on Gaza following a surprise operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement. The resistance movement's constant rocket fire has prompted tens of thousands of Israeli settlers to flee from northern areas of the occupied territories. Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the usurping entity continues its aggression against Gaza, which has so far killed at least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 71,700 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas: Israel attacks on aid convoys prove regime insisting on Gaza genocide Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 1:14 AM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly condemned Israel's frequent targeting of aid convoys, saying it proves the regime insists on pushing ahead with its genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip. The movement's Sunday statement came after earlier the same day, Israeli forces bombed another aid truck in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, killing and injuring scores of Palestinians waiting for aid. The attack, the second of its kind by the regime's forces in the last five days, came as thousands of starving people were collecting food from the aid truck. "The Nazi occupation army's attacks on aid convoys, the latest of which was the attack on an aid truck sent by a Kuwaiti charity in Deir al-Balah ... confirm that the criminal [Zionist] entity insists on moving forward with its genocidal and ethnic cleansing war," Hamas said in its statement. The movement also accused the Israeli regime of using starvation systematically to deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip and deprive its people of any aid. Hamas said Israel has no regard for the international law or a recent ruling issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that demanded the regime to stop all forms of genocide in Gaza. The ICJ issued provisional measures late last month in a case filed by South Africa, calling on the Tel Aviv regime to "take all measures possible to prevent acts of genocide." Elsewhere in its statement, Hamas urged the international community, the UN, as well as the Arab and Islamic countries to "break their unjustified silence and take action at all official and popular levels to force this Nazi entity to stop its barbaric war that aims to displace our people and obliterate the Palestinian cause." Islamic Jihad: Gaza massacres expose Israel's criminal nature The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, for its part, issued a statement on Israel's Sunday attack on Gaza aid convoy. The movement said, "What has happened and is happening in the Gaza Strip, with ongoing massacres, is further evidence of the criminal nature inherent in the behavior of the occupation army." It added that the Zionist regime's aggression against Gaza has exposed "the resounding failure of the so-called international community, which turns a blind eye to the ongoing genocide." The Islamic Jihad noted that while the international community gives "the occupation a license to kill" Palestinians, it is "prohibiting and criminalizing our people's resistance against this continuous aggression." It said, "The whole world, especially the Arab and Islamic regimes, must assume responsibility for stopping these massacres and delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip without waiting for permission from the occupation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US bill to avert government shutdown includes funding for key Pacific allies Legislative approval of the funding has become a test of U.S. commitment to the Pacific. By Stephen Wright for BenarNews 2024.03.04 -- Economic assistance for three Pacific island nations that are crucial to maintaining U.S. military strength in the Pacific has been included in a bill to fund the U.S. government following concerted lobbying. The leaders of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, the New Zealand and Australian ambassadors to the U.S. and dozens of U.S. politicians had recently rung alarm bells that delays in securing the funding had created an opening for China's government to further increase its influence in the region. "We are greatly encouraged by the recent developments," the office of Palau's president, Surangel J Whipps, said in a statement Tuesday. "We are heartened that the leaders of both houses of Congress and the White House have reached a consensus on the legislation slated for action this week." The bill published Sunday on the House of Representatives calendar would fund key parts of the U.S. government for the remainder of its fiscal year and the agreements between the U.S. and three island nations - known as compacts of free association. It follows protracted budget battles between Republican and Democrat legislators that have threatened to deprive the U.S. government of funding and culminate in a partial shutdown of government services from Friday. The Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau give the U.S. military access to their vast ocean territories in exchange for funding and the right for their citizens to live and work in the U.S. The agreements also allow the U.S. to deny other countries access to the waters between the Philippines and Hawaii. Amid increased U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific, the three island nations last year signed new economic assistance agreements with the U.S. that are significantly more generous and provide a total of US$7.1 billion over two decades. Renewal of the compacts and legislative approval of their funding has been regarded as a litmus test of U.S. commitment to the Pacific. Micronesia's government said it was optimistic about the "forward movement" of the legislation this week in the House of Representatives. The next steps would be a Senate vote and President Biden's signature. "This development reinforces our confidence in the strength of our partnership with the United States," Micronesia's President Wesley Simina said in a statement. He said the compact is vital to the well being of Micronesia's people and the stability of the region. Last month, Simina and the leaders of Palau and Marshall Islands had warned in a letter to senior U.S. legislators that uncertainty about funding had "resulted in undesirable opportunities for economic exploitation by competitive political actors active in the Pacific." The letter didn't name China but its inroads with Pacific island nations, including a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022, have recently galvanized renewed U.S. attention to the region. China's government has courted Pacific island nations as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, gain allies in international institutions and erode U.S. dominance. Beijing regards Taiwan, a democracy and globally important tech manufacturing center, as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland. U.S. analysts also have recently warned that failure to secure compact funding would be a blunder for Washington and an opportunity for China. Micronesia's previous president, David Panuelo, last year warned of aggressive efforts by China's diplomats to gain influence in the country, alleging use of bribes and other tactics that he characterized as "political warfare." The U.S. military is building an over-the-horizon radar station in Palau while the Marshall Islands hosts a U.S. ballistic missile testing and space surveillance range on Kwajalein Atoll. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wider Europe Briefing: What Sweden Joining NATO Means For The Alliance By Rikard Jozwiak March 04, 2024 Brief #1: What Will Sweden Bring To NATO? What You Need To Know: NATO has had to wait nearly 18 months for Turkey and Hungary to finally sign off on letting Sweden join the military alliance. Despite the long wait, there is a good deal of excitement in Brussels about the 32nd member. One NATO diplomat told me that Sweden's membership was the "missing piece of the jigsaw," completing the alliance's security architecture in the Nordic, Arctic, and Baltic regions. To understand, it's enough to just look at a map. Sweden is the fifth-largest country in Europe -- bigger than Germany -- stretching 1,600 kilometers north to south and with a coastline twice as long. From conversations with various NATO officials, it is clear that Sweden's role in the alliance will be focused on two major areas. First, it will be a hub for military activities in the northern part of Europe, linking Sweden with the other Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway -- all in the same military union for the first time in modern history. Back in 2009, the quintet agreed on the Nordic Defense Cooperation (Nordefco), which, while not a mutual-defense pact, does have some similar features -- for example, allowing participating states access to each other's airspace and military infrastructure. As Sweden joins, there is already a good deal of regional integration and cooperation. Secondly, Sweden will bolster the defense of the three Baltic states -- NATO members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania -- providing rapid maritime and air support and beefing up troop numbers -- for example, deploying 800 officers to the NATO brigade in Latvia from 2025. There was previously more emphasis on so-called "tripwire forces" in the Baltic states, with a strategy of slowing down the enemy and then counterattacking and retaking lost territory. But with Swedish support, the focus will instead be on not giving up an inch of territory. Deep Background: Perhaps the most obvious advantage of Sweden joining NATO is that the Baltic Sea will become something of a "NATO lake," with NATO member states essentially surrounding the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and also controlling the northern and southern shores of the Gulf of Finland that leads to Russia's second city of St. Petersburg. Gotland, the biggest island in the Baltic Sea, will suddenly be of key importance. Part of Sweden but only 300 kilometers from Kaliningrad, the island will benefit from new military facilities. The main military harbor on the island will be expanded, and a local regiment that was disbanded years ago will be brought back to life. Sweden will upgrade its railway network so it is capable of transporting larger military loads across the country. Sweden's second city and biggest port, Gothenburg, on the country's western coast, will see its military capacity increase as well, likely becoming a major hub and entry point for NATO military equipment and troops. Sweden is already well-acquainted with NATO and has been part of the alliance's Partnership for Peace (PfP) program since 1994, becoming an Enhanced Opportunity Partner (EOP) for the military alliance 20 years later. That has meant deeper cooperation, regular joint exercises, and more interoperability with the Western alliance, with the country's troops serving under NATO commanders in Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Sweden has already achieved the desired NATO target of spending at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, an achievement that many members of the alliance have yet to meet. Stockholm signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States in December 2023 that will allow U.S. military equipment and troops on Swedish soil. But just like the other Nordic NATO members, Sweden will not host nuclear weapons or permanent NATO bases. Drilling Down Another aspect that many NATO officials are pointing to as added value is the arms that Sweden will bring to the alliance. The country is considered to have two world-class military assets: submarines that can control large parts of the Baltic Sea, matching Russia's every move; and JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets produced by Sweden's SAAB. Sweden joining NATO will bring the entire Nordic fleet of fighter jets to over 250, and Stockholm is considering sending some to Ukraine. Sweden could become a very active participant in NATO's air-policing, not only over the Baltic Sea. It isn't just fighter jets. Sweden is one of the world's biggest arms exporters, notably to the United States, and is known for its guided weapons, infantry anti-tank weapons, and armored vehicles. There are some glaring weaknesses, though. At 38,000, Sweden's troop strength is relatively small, and expanding it could prove to be costly. The country also lacks bigger maritime assets, such as large battleships, relying more on smaller corvettes that have inferior air-defense capabilities. The Nordic/Baltic region will be divided into two different Joint Force Commands. Sweden will join Denmark, Finland, and the Baltic trio under the NATO command headquartered in Brunssum, Netherlands, whereas Norway is under the Norfolk, Virginia, command, which deals mainly with security issues and challenges in the Atlantic. From speaking to NATO officials familiar with the issue, it was symbolically important for the alliance to not "cut" the Baltic Sea in two, leaving Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on one side and Sweden on the other. Brief #2: Sweden's Uncomfortable Neutrality What You Need To Know: To many, Sweden joining NATO is a no-brainer. A strong and reliable democracy, menaced by an increasingly belligerent Russia, is joining a club in which its Nordic brethren -- Denmark, Iceland, and Norway -- have been a part since the alliance's inception in 1949. Finland joined in 2023.* That is all true, but Sweden joining is also a historic moment -- perhaps even more significant than Finland joining in 2023. With its long border with Russia, Finland's hands have always been somewhat tied in terms of foreign policy and defense. Whether it's in NATO or out of NATO, Finland's goal is clear: to defend itself against Russia. Because of that, the country has an impressive army and universal male conscription. For Finland, joining NATO was a bonus. As one Finnish diplomat conceded, speaking anonymously because they weren't authorized to speak on the record, Finland was "always ready to face a possible Russian attack alone." The diplomat then added: "But with NATO, we can suddenly count on others." The option of membership hadn't always been there for Helsinki, with NATO traditionally seeing the country's neutrality as a vital factor contributing to regional stability. That all changed in February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine, and the Kremlin warned that NATO could not accept new members, especially in what it saw as its backyard. Sweden, however, probably could have always been a NATO member. Historically, the official reason for not joining was so that it wouldn't abandon Finland, leaving the Nordic country as a lone buffer between the Western alliance and the Soviet Union. So, when Finland started banging on NATO's door in spring 2022, for Stockholm, the decision was as good as made. Being the lone non-NATO power around the Baltic Sea (excluding Russia, of course) would not have been an attractive prospect for Sweden. To understand how much of a Copernican shift this has been for Sweden, a country that, for two centuries, has stood outside every major European conflict, let me share a few personal observations from Sweden, the country where I grew up. Deep Background: For my generation -- I was born in 1982 -- and those preceding it, "Sweden being neutral" was as much a part of our DNA as giving children candy on Saturdays and getting absolutely smashed on schnapps and herring on Midsummer night. With its neutrality, Sweden was unique -- something that can be seen even in recent policy. Take the migration crisis of 2015-16 as an example. While most European countries either put up walls or rolled out the barbed wire, Sweden welcomed migrants with open arms and generous handouts. And while border checks and more restrictive measures were introduced later to cope with the hundreds of thousands of migrants who entered the country, Sweden remained open to family reunifications and was still welcoming political refugees, despite taking in almost twice as many migrants per capita than any other EU state. Or look at Sweden's approach to the coronavirus pandemic. When other countries locked down, Sweden kept most of its businesses open, with the world keenly following this Nordic experiment with one part curiosity, one part dread. The jury is still out on whether Sweden chose the correct path, although when looking at a couple of key metrics -- excess mortality rates and economic performance -- the country did well. Drilling Down Not having seen war, conflict, or revolutions on Swedish soil since Napoleonic times has helped forge this national identity of neutrality and independence. And, whisper it quietly, but guilt over Sweden's role in World War II has also contributed to the country's neutral stance, with the prevailing notion that the country shouldn't belong to any political or military blocs, as that only increases the chance of conflict. While Sweden was officially neutral during World War II, the country's iron ore and other exports fed the Nazi war machine. Jews fleeing the Holocaust were not welcome in Sweden before 1943, and the German army was given free passage for an attack on Sweden's neighbor, Norway. While the rest of the continent was in ruins after the war, Swedish infrastructure fared much better. The country capitalized on this by building up a welfare state that was envied across the world. Sweden has always had an odd relationship with patriotism. The National Day of Sweden didn't become a national holiday until 2005, and people are still unsure how to mark it. When I went to school, instead of our national day, we celebrated United Nations Day on October 24. Rather than belting out the Swedish national anthem, we locked hands and sang the 1980s hit We Are The World. At the end of high school, students don't even need a passing grade in history to graduate, because, much like patriotism, the study of history was thought to be a thing of the past. It was something for other countries -- countries not like Sweden. Instead of looking back to the past -- glorious or otherwise -- we could boast about the things we were doing for the world now: inventing Bluetooth, the pacemaker, the walking frame, and oat milk. Not to mention contributing to the furniture-industrial complex with the ubiquitous Ikea. Sweden has always been steeped in contradictions. How could it push for peace and reconciliation worldwide while also being a leading arms exporter? This has been a bit of a rude awakening for some Swedes, especially when traveling, because they aren't used to being told about the looting their ancestors did during the Thirty Years' War. Or finding out that Sweden's historical brutality even got a shout-out in Poland's national anthem. That naivete has also had more serious consequences. The fact that both a Swedish prime minister (Olof Palme in 1986) and foreign minister (Anna Lindh in 2003) were assassinated in the middle of Stockholm, after walking around without bodyguards, is mind-boggling for most foreigners. For many Swedes, though, it is entirely normal. Such things, after all, just don't happen in Sweden. Or they shouldn't happen. Yet now it seems that both history and reality are catching up fast with Sweden. Earlier this year, the country's commander in chief of the armed forces, Micael Byden, sent the country into a frenzy when he warned that all Swedes should prepare for war. People took it seriously, downloading maps of bomb shelters and an information packet titled If Crisis Or War Comes. Even my own mother, now approaching 80, rushed out to buy a portable gas stove and a flashlight that could run without a battery. Looking Ahead The biggest NATO exercise since the Cold War, Steadfast Defender, is under way, with the bulk of the troops currently in Poland. A team from RFE/RL is there on the ground, so look out for our coverage later this week. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will on March 5 present a new strategy for the European defense industry, which will include proposals for Brussels to step up defense spending in the near future and to encourage joint EU procurement in both the production of arms and ammunition. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak- sweden-nato-membership-analysis/32846897.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak meets Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III for talks at the Pentagon Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 04.03.2024 During his working trip to the United States, Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak met his American counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, for talks at the Department of Defense and visited the Department of State on Friday 1 March 2024. After his welcoming remarks at the Pentagon, Secretary Austin started the meeting by congratulating Slovakia on the 20th anniversary of its NATO membership. In his turn, Minister Kalinak reaffirmed Slovakia's determination to ensure the continued delivery of the Slovak Armed Forces' modernisation programmes and to enhance the competitiveness of the Slovak defence industry. The Secretary praised Slovakia's responsible approach and many contributions to the Alliance and systematic efforts to ensure the security of NATO's Eastern Flank. Among the issues on the agenda for today's discussion was assistance to Ukraine. Minister Kalinak repeated and elaborated on the Slovak Government's position on Ukraine, wherein Slovakia places special emphasis on compliance with international law and condemns any form of aggression. He emphasised that Slovakia does not see a military solution to the conflict at the moment. Only by stopping the fighting immediately can we prevent further bloodshed and restore Ukraine's sovereignty. It is, therefore, inevitable that the international community will contribute to the earliest possible start of peace talks. The United States respects Slovakia's position and appreciates Slovakia's non-lethal aid from Slovak defence manufacturers in the form of the state-of-the art BOZENA demining unmanned ground vehicles, the UDS 214 Multi-Purpose Excavators, and the Falcon 4G Long Range Chemical Reconnaissance Detectors. Both leaders reaffirmed their interest in working together to develop national defence industries as a necessary basis for building up defence capabilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Working to Establish Maritime Humanitarian Assistance Corridor for Gaza - State Dept. Sputnik News 20240304 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Biden administration is working to establish a maritime humanitarian assistance corridor for the Gaza Strip to augment the current aid mechanisms, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday. "We are also actively pursuing options to establish a maritime assistance corridor. We are in discussion with a number of partners about this initiative," Miller said during a press conference. The US government's plan to establish a corridor is still in the development phase but the United States is confident that it could potentially augment the current, insufficient aid supply mechanisms, Miller said. "We want to see aid come in through a maritime delivery route and we're exploring one," Miller said. To that end, the US government is in contact with commercial partners and allies in the region to find the most efficient way to enact the maritime corridor, Miller added. Over the weekend, the US Defense Department and the Jordanian Air Force worked together to airdrop 38,000 ready-to-eat meals into Gaza via Jordan's air space. The Gaza authorities and international organizations have called the situation in Gaza "catastrophic," as Israel's blockade and military invasion of the Palestinian enclave has left a significant portion of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians facing hunger and some starvation. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military operations in Gaza and well over 76,000 have been wounded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gulf Countries Condemn Israeli Threat to Launch Ground Operation in Rafah - Qatar UN Envoy Sputnik News 20240304 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Gulf countries condemn Israeli threats to launch a ground military operation in Rafah, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said on Monday. "We also strongly condemn the Israeli threats to launch a ground military operation in Rafah," Sheikha Alya, who spoke on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said during the UNGA, stressing that the threats have increased the levels of escalation and violence. On October 7, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 30,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address May V. Carrigan Intermediate School in West Haven. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media WEST HAVEN The city's school board approved a day off on next year's calendar for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, a decision Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro said was "long overdue." Currently, West Haven schools do not open for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and the district takes a holiday break at the end of December during Christmas. About a half dozen Muslim students, who gave only their first names, told the Board of Education on Monday that having the holiday of Eid al-Fitr off from school would be beneficial to their celebration of the end of the month-long Ramadan fast. "It's better to spend Eid and the last day of Ramadan with our family," said fifth grader Reem. We love family stuff, and also it's good for us so we can pray and learn more of our religion." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hamdan, a student at Carrigan Intermediate School, said a day off for Eid al-Fitr would prevent students from feeling they had to prioritize either their education or their personal lives. "I feel like we should take a day off on Eid because we have fun with our family, we pray and we learn about our religion, and so if we have a day off on Eid we dont have to stress about tests, exams and essays," he said. Hassan Awwad of CAIR-CT, the state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, coordinated Monday's student testimonies. Board of Education Chairwoman Cebi Waterfield said she thought the students' poise before the school board as they advocated for themselves was a testament to them and to the district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cavallaro said he had collaborated with Awwad and Waterfield on including March 31, 2025, as a day off for Eid al-Fitr on next year's calendar. "There's no reason why you should have to pick between coming to school and being at home with your family on a special occasion like that, he said. "Given our population, I think it's long overdue." Monday's decision was made about one month after New Britain's Board of Education made a similar decision to close schools for Eid al-Fitr. "We commend the West Haven and New Britain School Board of Education for their leadership in recognizing the importance of Eid-ul-Fitr to Muslim students and families in each district," said Farhan Memon, Chairman of CAIR-CT, in a statement. "By designating Eid as a district-wide holiday, the Boards have demonstrated their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although the current West Haven school year's calendar cannot be altered, Cavallaro presented a 2024-2025 calendar for the board's approval Monday. The day off was approved when the board voted unanimously to approve the 2024-2025 calendar. While the day off will fully accommodate the district's Muslim families recognizing the holiday, the district's bilingual education coordinator Raffaela Fronc said there are some existing accommodations: families can fill out a religious form that exempt students for the day and gives teachers information about which students are fasting for Ramadan. However, she said, the day off would be a benefit to the entire system. "It'll make life a lot easier for building administrators, teachers and students," she said. Neighboring New Haven adopted Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday in 2021 and nearby Hamden also has no school during the holiday. Russia Monitors Nordic Response Drills, Considers Them Provocative Sputnik News 20240304 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is monitoring NATO's Nordic Response military drills that kicked off on Monday in Finland, Sweden and Norway, and considers them to be provocative, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said. "The military is monitoring, we have all the necessary means for this. Our political position is well known. We believe that these exercises are demonstratively provocative. Any exercises, especially that are held geographically close to the contact line, increase the risk of military incidents. Therefore, all necessary measures have been taken in order to ensure the defense capabilities of Russia," the diplomat told reporters, adding that the NATO drills create additional risks in northern Europe. NATO's Nordic Response 2024 drills will take part in the northern parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden from March 4-15 with the participation of about 20,000 soldiers from 14 countries. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Five elements to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and lasting peace: UK statement at the UN General Assembly Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at UN General Assembly on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. 4 March 2024 President, the civilian suffering in Gaza cannot continue. Hunger has reached devastating levels. Disease is on the rise. People are crammed into ever smaller slivers of land, with nowhere left to go. Last week, the UK and Jordan air-dropped four tonnes of life-saving aid to the Tal Al-Hawa hospital in northern Gaza. We also announced an additional $5.4 million in aid to ensure UNFPA can continue to provide life-saving support to more than 100,000 vulnerable women and girls in Gaza. As my Prime Minister has told Prime Minister Netanyahu and regional leaders, we are deeply concerned about the prospect of a military offensive in Rafah. Over half of Gaza's population are sheltering in the area, and the Rafah crossing is vital to ensure aid can reach the people who so desperately need it. The deaths of people in Gaza waiting for an aid convoy last week were horrific. There must be an urgent investigation and accountability. This must not happen again. And we cannot separate what happened from the inadequate aid supplies. In February, only half the number of trucks crossed into Gaza that crossed in January. This is simply unconscionable. President, Israel has an obligation to ensure that significantly more humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza. We have identified a series of bottlenecks that need addressing: Israel must urgently open more crossings into Gaza; eliminate bureaucratic obstacles; enable aid operations in Gaza; and ensure there is a robust de-confliction mechanism in place to protect ordinary Palestinians, NGOs, medical staff and others providing aid. This latest tragedy serves only to underscore the importance of securing an immediate end in fighting, leading to a permanent and sustainable ceasefire. The negotiations led by Egypt, Qatar and the US are the only way to get lifesaving aid in at the scale needed and to free the hostages currently held by Hamas. Such a deal would offer the basis from which to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and lasting peace. The elements essential to achieving this are: first, the release of all hostages. Second, the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package. Third, removing Hamas's capability to launch attacks against Israel. Fourth, Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza. Fifth, and finally, a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution, with a clear commitment to grant Palestine recognition, including at the United Nations. I thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address General Assembly President condemns 'catastrophic, unconscionable, shameful' conditions in Gaza 4 March 2024 - Ambassadors in the UN General Assembly again discussed on Monday the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the critical work of the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which is facing an existential threat, hearing a briefing by its Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, and holding a heated debate on the US veto of the latest Security Council draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war-torn enclave. HIGHLIGHTS The General Assembly debated the use of veto by the United States on 20 February, with the world body's president saying "the situation in Gaza is catastrophic, unconscionable, shameful" The GA president, stressing that a ceasefire is urgently needed, said "it is essential that we rapidly and substantially increase the scale of humanitarian operations and ensure unrestricted access to all civilians in need" The US representative said his delegation is working on a new draft resolution Member States roundly decried the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza The 10 non-permanent Security Council members expressed regret at the US veto, saying the 15-member organ must shoulder its responsibilities In the afternoon, the General Assembly heard a briefing by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, who described the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the existential threat the agency is facing as it strives to deliver aid to desperate civilians Opening the meeting, Assembly President Francis highlighted the mandate and work of UNRWA, urging countries to to find a permanent resolution to the "senseless and brutal conflict" "We can only fear the worst is yet to come," UNRWA's chief tells reporters at a UN Headquarters press conference For summaries of UN meetings, visit our colleagues at the UN Meetings Coverage in English and French 6:00 PM UNRWA chief meets the press "We can only feel the worst is yet to come," Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestine refugees, told reporters at a press conference this evening at UN Headquarters. "We are in a situation where there is a political decision to eliminate UNRWA," he said, citing the Israeli Prime Minister's announcement that there is "no place" for UNRWA in Gaza as well as attempts to block and evict staff from its premises "with the aim to dismantle the agency". Reports of Israeli abuses Taking reporters' questions, he confirmed that a yet to be published UNRWA report documents experiences of those released from Israeli detention since October, including UNRWA staff, who "have been traumatized" by their "ordeal". "It's a very broad range of ill treatment, and we heard stories of people being systematically humiliated, obliged to be naked, subjected to verbal and psychological abuse," he said, providing a snapshot of the report's findings. Despite the ICJ's late January order on measures to prevent genocide that called on Israel to, among other things, increase humanitarian assistance delivery into Gaza, he said aid entry into the enclave has since decreased by 50 per cent alongside a rise in alarming indicators, from the killing and injury of hundreds of hungry Palestinians queuing for aid last week to a looming famine "unfolding before our eyes". Allegations against UNRWA Regarding Israel's fresh claims that 450 UNRWA staff are Hamas members, he noted that while the allegations are on social media, the agency has "never been informed about this". "Obviously, I'm frustrated," he said, regarding the dearth of evidence to all such allegations. Responding to a question about Israeli claims that UNRWA knew about Hamas-built tunnels under its premises, Mr. Lazzarini said that any information gathered by the agency "was shared with COGAT", Israel's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories. Deaths at UNRWA facilities must be investigated At the same time, more than 400 people have been killed while seeking shelter in UNRWA facilities in Gaza and thousands injured, he continued, calling for a board of inquiry. "We need to know what happened if a tunnel was discovered" under an agency building and also why so many people were killed when seeking shelter" and safety inside UNRWA buildings, he said. He reiterated that attempts to eliminate UNRWA are not just based on the behaviour of some of its staff, but is politically driven "to eliminate the status of refugees". 3:22 PM Lazzarini: 'UNRWA is at a breaking point' UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini started his briefing, noting that the agency "is at a breaking point". He said the suffering in Gaza is impossible to adequately describe. More than 30,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the war started and five per cent of the enclave's population is dead, injured or missing. There is also a dire shortage of critical lifesaving and medical supplies, and a famine is looming. "I shudder to think of what will still be revealed about the horrors that have taken place in this narrow strip of land," Mr. Lazzarini said. Allegations against staff He told Member States that on 18 January, one week before the order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), he was informed by Israeli authorities that 12 out of 30,000 UNRWA staff were allegedly involved in the horrific attacks of 7 October. "No further information has been provided to me since that day, but the gravity of the allegations necessitated swift action. I terminated the contracts of the staff concerned in the interest of the agency," he said, noting the ongoing investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). "Separately, the Secretary-General commissioned an independent review of our approach to risk management and neutrality," he added. In unchartered territory Mr. Lazzarini further noted that 16 countries paused their funding, totalling $450 million, despite the prompt and decisive actions and the unsubstantiated nature of the allegations. "UNRWA has no capacity to absorb financial shocks, especially while a war rages in Gaza," he said, noting that with funding from Member States and donors, UNRWA operations can continue and "remain a lifeline" for Palestine refugees across the region. However, he cautioned that without additional funding, UNRWA will be in "unchartered territory, with serious implications for global peace and security". 'Concerted campaign' He said UNRWA was facing a "deliberate and concerted campaign" to undermine its operations and ultimately end them. "Part of this campaign involves inundating donors with misinformation designed to foster distrust and tarnish the reputation of the agency," he said, with the Israeli Prime Minister "openly stating that UNRWA will not be a part of post-war Gaza". Three requests Concluding his briefing, Mr. Lazzarini urged Member States to commit to a political process for peace between Palestinians and Israelis and to chart the transition of UNRWA in this context only. In the immediate term, he appealed to the General Assembly to bridge the gap between UNRWA's mandate and funding, ensuring support for its operations. Mr. Lazzarini also urged Member States that are seeking alternatives to UNRWA to do so in a way that did not compromise Palestine refugees' right to self-determination. "The past 75 years have shown us that without a political solution, wars recur and generations of Palestinians and Israelis suffer. The international community has enabled this vicious cycle by failing to deliver peace for decades. This cannot continue," he said. 3:14 PM Assembly President: UNRWA 'faces imminent collapse' Taking the floor first, Assembly President Dennis Francis warned that UNRWA "faces imminent collapse". The General Assembly-mandated agency has been the only lifeline for the Palestinian people, Mr. Francis said, citing UNRWA services for almost six million refugees, including schools and healthcare, in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Indeed, UNRWA has been a powerful reflection of what the United Nations stands for, he stressed. Decisive action needed While the agency's mandate expires on 30 June 2026, UNRWA may not survive without immediate and decisive action, he said, noting that the agency was envisioned, at its inception in 1949, as a temporary measure awaiting the resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Highlighting ongoing investigations into Israel's allegations that a dozen UNRWA staff members were complicit in the Hamas attacks in October, he said that in the wake of recent scrutiny, the agency must continue to discharge its mandate. "Let us not through inertia and inaction forsake our responsibility to the Palestinian people nor dishonour the memory of the 160 UNRWA staff who have been killed in Gaza during this current crisis," he said, calling for an immediate end to the carnage and tragedy, which has claimed far too many lives. "Let us seize the urgency of this moment to not only support UNRWA to rebuild itself, but to find a permanent resolution to this senseless and brutal conflict," he concluded. 3:10 PM Dennis Francis, the President of the General Assembly, called to order an informal meeting of the plenary for a briefing on the UN agency assisting Palestine (UNRWA). Seated alongside Mr. Francis at the podium is UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini. Aid airdrops can't address 'real needs' of Gaza Earlier on Monday, our Arabic Unit colleagues here at UN News interviewed UNRWA's formerly Gaza-based media advisor in the region, Adnan Abu Hasna, who is currently in Cairo. Here are some edited highlights of what he told our colleague Ezzat El-Ferri. "Right now, the number of trucks that entered Gaza in the last few days, is about 98 trucks per day, but this is much less than hundreds of trucks needed," Mr. Hasna said. "Gaza used to get 500 trucks per day before the escalation in October. Unfortunately, the number of trucks that entered Gaza in February is nearly 50 percent of the number that entered in January," he explained. 12:50 PM Iran: Prevent genocide in Gaza Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani of Iran said the US veto will be judged by history. The gravity of the situation in Gaza has garnered the international community's attention as Israel uses starvation as a weapon of war. "The Council's silence has become a license to kill," he said, condemning the most recent attack on Palestinians seeking aid last Thursday near Gaza City, which killed more than 100 people. Calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he said the US obstruction of the Algerian draft resolution runs counter the global call for ending the hostilities. The principles of international law must protect civilians, he said, adding that a ceasefire must also prevent the starvation of Gaza's people. In the same vein, all provisional measures announced in late January by the world court, or ICJ, must be implemented. Considering the Council's ongoing impasse, he said Member States are required to take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza. 12:24 PM UK: Suffering in Gaza cannot continue The suffering in Gaza cannot continue, United Kingdom Ambassador Barbara Woodward said. Last week, the UK and Jordan airdropped tonnes of lifesaving aid to the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza and announced $5.4 million in additional financing to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to support more than 100,000 women and girls in the enclave, she said. Ms. Woodward called for an urgent investigation into the deaths of people waiting for aid at a convoy last week, which she said must not happen again. "We cannot separate what happened from the inadequate aid supplies in February," she added, noting that only half the number of trucks crossed into Gaza compared to January. She said this latest tragedy serves only to underscore the importance of securing an immediate end in fighting, leading to a permanent and sustainable ceasefire. "The negotiations led by Egypt, Qatar and the US are the only way to get lifesaving aid in at the scale needed and to free the hostages currently held by Hamas," she said. "Such a deal would offer the basis from which to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and lasting peace." 12:05 PM Elected Council members regret veto Speaking on behalf of "E-10", the 10 elected members of the Security Council, Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta said that the draft resolution that was vetoed on 20 February was a "carefully crafted" text addressing the situation on the ground in a comprehensive manner. "All E-10 countries voted in favour [...] and we deeply regret that the text was vetoed," she said. "As elected members, we firmly believe that the Council has the duty and the responsibility to act decisively when faced with such situation," she said, voicing the group's concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Ms. Frazier also noted that UNRWA - the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees - has a "central role" in ensuring an effective humanitarian response. "Its staff has continued to play that role, even under life-threatening conditions," she said, highlighting the impact of the conflict on civilians, in particular women and children. She also recalled recent Security Council resolutions on the crisis, and the 26 January order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "We emphasize the fact that the protection of civilians is of paramount importance," she added, stressing that all parties must comply with their obligations under international al law, including international humanitarian and human rights laws. In conclusion, she also emphasized the importance of the two-State solution. 11:30 AM EU supports ongoing negotiations Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU), said that ending the civilian suffering and preventing further loss of lives in Gaza is an "absolute priority". "Too many lives have been lost already, too many more are at stake," he said, expressing strong support for efforts by the US, Qatar and Egypt to work towards agreement on the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire to ensure a sustained end to hostilities. "We call on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any pre-conditions," he said. Ambassador Lambrinidis also voiced the regional bloc's deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and stressed the need for immediate improvement of aid access over land. He also highlighted concerns over a possible ground operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are sheltering from the fighting and underscored the need to ensure full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law, by all sides. "There must be accountability for violations of international law, on all sides," he said. 11:20 AM Arab Group condemns Security Council deadlock Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saadi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Yemen to the UN, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, said that the "repeated failure" of the Security Council to undertake its duties and obligations in safeguarding international peace and security and stopping the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip "is a stain on the conscience of the Council and of humanity as a whole". "The draft resolution had reflected a balanced position and gave priority to humanitarian dimensions to save hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, yet it was disappointing to see a member of the Security Council using the veto right," he said. "This has allowed the Israeli military machine to continue its massacres against Palestinians civilians," he added, enumerating the impact of the war on civilians, especially women and children, and the dire humanitarian situation. He said that the continuation of the "criminal practices" required the General Assembly and UN Member States to "seriously consider" practical steps to "stop this madness and stop the Palestinian bloodshed". "The Arab Group demands the international community and the Security Council to guarantee the protection of civilians ensure access and delivery of humanitarian aid at an expanded level without any obstruction, and implementing Security Council resolutions 2712 and 2720," he added. 11:13 AM Qatar: Vetoed draft flouts UN Charter Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani of Qatar spoke on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), noting that the failed draft resolution sought to respond to "the worst humanitarian disaster in modern history caused by the ongoing aggression launched by Israeli occupation forces". She said the number of victims continues to grow and has exceeded 30,000, with tens of thousands more wounded and missing under the rubble, according to UN reports. Women and children comprise the majority of victims while two million people are internally displaced. "The GCC member States reiterate their deep regret regarding the failure of the Security Council to adopt a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, despite the fact that this draft resolution garnered the support of 13 members of the Security Council," she said. "This was backing away from the historic commitment in the preamble of the UN Charter that called for saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war." 10:51 AM Israel: Ceasefire must have pre-conditions Gilad Menashe Erdan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN, said that it has been 150 days since Hamas committed "the most brutal and barbaric massacre since the Holocaust". "Once again, this body [General Assembly] has convened not to condemn Hamas, no. Not to condemn their atrocities, but to focus again only on the situation in Gaza, as if 7 October never happened, as if there are not 134 innocent hostages held and tortured in Gaza right now," he said. He noted that over the five months, "not one" discussion at the Assembly on the wellbeing of hostages or on the sexual violence perpetrated by the group. Mr. Erdan called on the Secretary-General and the Security Council to convene immediately to "finally condemn Hamas' heinous crimes". "Hamas must face unrelenting pressure to end their sexual violence and release all of the hostages immediately," he stressed. 10:22 AM Palestine: Israeli atrocities are 'unchecked, unhinged' Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, stated that there is no greater to international peace and security than the commission of atrocities, adding that for five months now, "Israel has been committing atrocities against the Palestinian people, unchecked and unhinged." "The Security Council has been prevented repeatedly from calling for an immediate ceasefire to put an end to these atrocities," he said, emphasizing the dire impact of the conflict on Palestinian civilians, especially children, and demanding that the "war of atrocities" must stop. "Israel must be told to ceasefire, to cease fire now," he said. Mr. Mansour stated that there were "reasons why ethnic cleansing" was possible in Palestine. "It is the certainty of the perpetrators that they will never be held accountable," he added, calling for an end to "Israeli impunity". "The era of Israeli impunity must come to an end, and we should enter a new era of accountability and sanctions," he stressed. 10:19 AM US: Working on new draft resolution The draft resolution at hand would not have achieved the goal of sustainable peace nor resulted in a ceasefire, said Robert A. Wood, United States Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN. Indeed, his delegation had cautioned the Security Council that doing so could disrupt the intensive efforts underway to release the hostages and achieve a temporary ceasefire. Instead, the US has circulated a draft that would achieve a temporary ceasefire which would allow hostages to go home to their families and would help get aid into the hands of Palestinian civilians, who so desperately need it. "The question before us is what is the most effective way to achieve these goals," he said. "In our judgment, it is the work of the United States, both here in New York and on the ground." Washington will continue working to get more aid in as well as engaging tirelessly in direct diplomacy and negotiations on the ground, he said. "We remain committed to engage constructively on our resolution in the days to come," he said. 10:15 AM General Assembly President calls for ceasefire General Assembly President Francis said that from the UN's inception in 1945, the world body and the Security Council have an overarching duty to save generations from the scourge of war, and called for the international community to act now to end Gaza crisis. "The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, unconscionable, shameful," he said. "I am shocked and horrified at the reported killing and injury of hundreds of people during disbursement of aid supplies, west of Gaza City last week." This comes with a rising death toll, babies dying of starvation, and 85 percent of Gaza's population - or 1.9 million people - are internally displaced. Extremely concerned about pending Israeli ground operations in Rafah, where nearly 1.5 million people now reside, he urgently call for maximum restraint to prevail in order to save innocent civilian lives. Israeli restrictions on humanitarian access have drastically reduced the flow of lifesaving aid to a mere trickle, with UNRWA reports a significant 50 per cent reduction in the number of trucks entering Gaza daily from January to February, he said. "It is therefore essential that we rapidly and substantially increase the scale of humanitarian operations and ensure unrestricted access to all civilians in need," he said. First and foremost, an immediate humanitarian ceasefire must be implemented and all parties must comply with their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, especially as it relates to the protection of civilians and civilian facilities. In addition, all hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released, and full and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance by those in need must be ensured. Debate on veto use The Assembly will debate the latest Council rejection of a draft resolution on a Gaza ceasefire under a mechanism that examines the use of veto in the Security Council, which can trigger an emergency special session on the matter. Read our explainer what happens when the Security Council fails to reach agreement here and on emergency special sessions here. Security Council deadlock For weeks, the Security Council has been deadlocked over adopting a resolution to end the war, which has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians and left hundreds of thousands facing severe hunger. The US has vetoed several drafts since the start of the war. The Council's five permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States) have the power to cast a veto. Over the weekend, the Security Council issued a statement calling for immediate action to swiftly ramp up aid delivery to the enclave, especially to the devastated northern region. That came after last Thursday's deadly attack on hungry Palestinians waiting for aid deliveries organized by Israel, according to media reports. In the 15-member organ's statement, the Council expressed deep concern over reports that "more than 100 individuals lost their lives, with several hundred others sustaining injuries, including gunshot wounds...in an incident involving Israeli forces at a large gathering surrounding a humanitarian assistance convoy southwest of Gaza City." According to media reports, on a Saturday, a similar Israeli attack on Gazans waiting for aid left many dead and many more injured. UNRWA to brief General Assembly Later in the day, the General Assembly will hear a briefing by Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, who is expected to brief following his letter to Assembly President Dennis Francis last week. In the letter, the UNRWA chief said the agency would soon be unable to fulfil its mandate because of funding cuts stemming from Israel's allegations that agency workers were complicit in Hamas's October attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Situation Report #85 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 29-2 March 2024, is valid as of 2 March 2024 at 22:30 UNRWA 4 Mar 2024 Days 146-148 of Hostilities Key points The Gaza Strip Intense Israeli bombardment from air, land and sea continued to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. According to UNICEF statement, "At least ten children have reportedly died because of dehydration and malnutrition in Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Northern Gaza Strip in recent days. There are likely more children fighting for their lives somewhere in one of Gaza's few remaining hospitals, and likely even more children in the north unable to obtain care at all. "These tragic and horrific deaths are man-made, predictable and entirely preventable. The widespread lack of nutritious food, safe water and medical services, a direct consequence of the impediments to access and multiple dangers facing UN humanitarian operations, is impacting children and mothers, hindering their ability to breastfeed their babies, especially in the Northern Gaza Strip. People are hungry, exhausted and traumatized. Many are clinging to life." The first two days of March have seen a marginal increase in the number of trucks entering with an average 120 trucks per day entering Gaza, well below the operational capacity of both border crossings. February saw a very low number of trucks entering Gaza with an average of nearly 99 trucks entering per day. The number of trucks entering Gaza remains well below the target of 500 per day, with challenges bringing supplies in through both Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah. UNRWA trucks have struggled to enter the Gaza Strip due to the war and the inconsistent opening of both crossings. Security to manage the crossing has been severely impacted due to the killing of several Palestinian policemen in Israeli airstrikes near the crossings in early February. As of 2 March, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is now 160 . . As of 2 March, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) ** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent weeks, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south. *This includes one million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of 12 October, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in UNRWA shelters in North Gaza and Gaza governorates. UNRWA currently estimates that the population of North Gaza and Gaza governorates to be up to 300,000 people. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by Israeli Security Forces (ISF), and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times. **UNRWA reported in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs were either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fghting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered. *** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fuid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NMCB 11 Seabees Complete Norwegian Cold Weather Survival Course US Navy 04 March 2024 From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James S. Hong, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Public Affairs U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 completed a cold weather survival training course in Srlia, Harstad in Norway, Feb. 22, 2024. During the four-day exercise, the Ramsund Naval Base's Force Protection Company instructed the Seabees of NMCB 11's Nordic Detail on the basic survival skills they would need to know during their deployment in the Arctic Circle. The cold-weather training focused on the essentials of basic survival in an arctic environment, training evolutions included artic terrain navigation, arctic camp setup, drinking water preparation, defensive position construction, and self-rescue from a simulated ice breakthrough. "Winter operations demand patience, discipline, and a focus on every individual in the team working as one unit," said Lt. Mason Mullins, the officer in charge of NMCB 11's Nordic Detail. "Unit effectiveness and morale are highest when every Sailor has a job and is accountable for their role in ensuring the group's success and survivability." The Nordic Detail Seabees will put their newly learned skills to use during their deployment to Ramsund Naval Base, Norway, where they will collaborate with their Norwegian counterparts on construction projects and support of NATO exercises. NMCB 11, assigned to the 22 Naval Construction Regiment, is forward deployed across the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet maritime operations to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests. For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. Naval forces in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS McCampbell Returns to Yokosuka to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 US Navy 04 March 2024 From Lt.j.g. Kathryn Cole The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) returned to its forward-deployed location of Yokosuka, Japan, to rejoin Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 March 2nd, 2024. "We are excited for the opportunity to rejoin 7th Fleet and the forward-deployed naval forces in Yokosuka, Japan" said Cmdr. James Pierce III, McCampbell's commanding officer. "Our Sailors have trained diligently over the past four years since our departure to prepare for our return to Japan. We are ready to support our allies and partners in the region in maintaining maritime security. Additionally, we are appreciative of the hospitality shown to our families who arrived in Japan earlier this year." McCampbell will make its return as one of the ten forward-deployed Areigh Burke-class destroyers. The ship is named after Capt. David S. McCampbell, a naval aviator who distinguished himself as the Navy's leading fighter pilot during World War II. The ship was commissioned in his honor on August 17, 2002. McCampbell was previously in Yokosuka for 13 years, from 2007-2020, before relocating to Portland, Oregon to undergo its midlife modernization, fortifying its warfighting capability. "The addition of USS McCampbell further strengthens Destroyer Squadron 15's fighting force," said Capt. Justin Harts, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15. "In this demanding and ever-changing theater, McCampbell's dedicated crew will be a key part of our mission to operate alongside our allies and partners and ensure we remain committed to maritime security in the region and uphold the promise of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are thrilled to have them back in Yokosuka." The United States values Japan's contributions to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet common strategic objectives and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. McCampbell is a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer that can deploy with two MH-60 variant helicopters. It also has ballistic missile defense, anti-air and surface warfare capabilities. The ship is 155 meters in length; displacing approximately 9,250 tons, with a crew size of over 300 Sailors. McCampbell is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy's largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Vice President Harris Meets With Israel's Gantz Amid Calls for 'Immediate Cease-Fire' in Gaza By VOA News March 04, 2024 U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the brutal October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas and the taking of hostages, including American citizens, during a meeting Monday with Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House. Harris, who met with Gantz in a push for a six-week cease-fire in Gaza and a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, expressed U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself in the face of ongoing Hamas terrorist threats and underscored Washington's unwavering commitment to Israel's security, a White House readout said. Harris urged Hamas to accept the terms of the agreement, in which the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week cease-fire and allow a surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. She addressed the recent tragedy in northern Gaza where civilians swarming an aid convoy for food supplies were killed by Israeli forces, calling it a "horrific tragedy." According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 16 children have died of malnutrition in recent days as "famine spreads" to the north of the enclave. Harris also discussed the urgency of achieving a hostage deal. "It is important that we all understand that we're in a window of time right now where we can actually get a hostage deal done," she told reporters before the meeting. "We all want this conflict to end as soon as possible, and how it does, matters." Harris and Gantz also discussed Israel's looming military operation in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where over a million people are sheltering. She said a viable humanitarian plan has to be implemented there before Israel decides to launch any major offensive against Hamas and expressed fears what such an operation would pose on civilians. The U.S. has said Israel has signed off on the parameters of the cease-fire, but details have yet to be worked out in Cairo negotiations with Hamas. Harris used a speech Sunday to issue her cease-fire call, one of the strongest appeals yet from the Biden administration to halt the war. "Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate cease-fire," Harris said to loud applause at a gathering to commemorate a major civil rights anniversary in Selma, Alabama. "The conditions are inhumane, and our common humanity compels us to act," she said. "The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses." Harris also told the crowd that the "threat that Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated." The administration has been working with Egypt and Qatar to mediate a six-week pause in the fighting to get the remaining hostages held by Hamas out and to get scaled-up aid into Gaza, where the United Nations has warned that famine is looming. 'Powder keg' U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said Monday it is "imperative" to do everything possible to avoid a wider war, as he cited cross-border fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. "I am deeply concerned that in this powder keg, any spark could lead to a much broader conflagration," Turk told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. "This would have implications for every country in the Middle East and many beyond it." Turk said the conflict in Gaza has "already generated dangerous spillover in neighboring countries." He also highlighted attacks by Yemen's Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea, which the Houthis have said are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Turk said the Houthi attacks have disrupted maritime trade and increased the prices of goods, which are having a significant impact on developing nations. "There is a serious risk of the conflict extending to Yemen itself, with potentially severe harm to Yemen's people, already suffering from the humanitarian crisis generated by a decade of war," Turk told the council. Cease-fire talks A delegation from Hamas was in Cairo on Sunday to discuss a possible weeks-long cease-fire in the nearly five-month war with Israel. But Israeli media reported that Israeli mediators boycotted the talks after Hamas rejected its demand for a full list of names of hostages who are still alive. The Biden administration said it hopes to have a cease-fire deal by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins around March 10. An agreement would bring about the first extended pause in the fighting since a week-long truce in late November. Under proposed terms, dozens of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by Hamas would be freed in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel. A U.S. official told reporters, "The path to a cease-fire right now literally at this hour is straightforward. And there's a deal on the table. There's a framework deal." Israel has vowed to end the threat of another Hamas assault like the October 7 terror attack on the Jewish state that killed 1,200 people according to Israeli tallies. Israel's counteroffensive since then has killed more than 30,500 people in Gaza, about 70% of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. If a truce is agreed, it would enable scaled up humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the situation is growing more desperate by the day. The health ministry says at least 16 children have died of malnutrition in recent days as "famine spreads" in the north. VOA's Jeff Seldin and Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel, Hezbollah Exchange Strikes on Israel-Lebanon Border; 4 Dead By VOA News March 04, 2024 An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed three paramedics from the militant group Hezbollah on Monday, state media in Lebanon reported, hours after a missile strike blamed on the militants killed at least one foreign worker in northern Israel. The attacks took place as U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein was arriving in Beirut for meetings with Lebanese officials. The U.S. envoy urged calm along Israel's border with its northern neighbor, Lebanon, as the ongoing war in Gaza sparks fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Hochstein cautioned that even if a truce were to be reached between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, it wouldn't necessarily mean a cessation of hostilities along Israel's border with Lebanon. He also warned about the risks of an escalation of tension between the two countries. Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah have traded fire across their border throughout the war. Hezbollah is a Hamas ally. "Escalation of violence is in no one's interest, and there is no such thing as a limited war," Hochstein told reporters after meeting Lebanon's parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, who is close to Hezbollah. The U.S. special envoy noted that friction on Lebanon's southern border had increased in recent weeks. It comes as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza approaches its fifth month. Earlier Monday, Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Kassem reiterated that the Iran-backed militia, which says it is acting in support of Palestinians and Hamas, would stop its attacks on Israel once the Gaza offensive ends. "Stop the assault on Gaza and war will end in the region," Kassem said Monday at a speech in Hezbollah's stronghold south of Beirut attended by Muslim clerics from several regional states. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said there will be no let-up in Israeli action against Hezbollah even if a Gaza cease-fire is secured. Hochstein was scheduled to meet other officials and politicians during his Beirut visit. "The United States remains committed to advancing lasting security solutions achieved through diplomatic process," he told reporters after he met Berri. He said such a move would allow tens of thousands of Lebanese and Israelis who were displaced by the conflict "to safely return" to their homes. Western diplomats have brought forward a series of proposals for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, most of which would depend on Hezbollah moving its forces seven to 10 kilometers away from the border. Lebanon's deputy parliament speaker, Elias Bou Saab, told the Reuters news agency he believed the timing of Hochstein's visit signaled progress in mediation efforts in Cairo over a Gaza truce. The United States has stepped up pressure for a cease-fire in Gaza and for more aid deliveries into the besieged Palestinian enclave. Kassem blamed the United States in his speech Monday for using its veto power three times to prevent resolutions at the U.N. Security Council to end the war in Gaza. "We have said it clearly that whoever wants to be a mediator should mediate to stop the aggression," Kassem said. He added that those who don't want the war to expand in the region should deal with the cause "which is the brutal and criminal aggression by America and Israel against Gaza." Israeli officials have threatened a wider war in Lebanon if Hezbollah does not withdraw its elite fighters north of Lebanon's Litani River as stipulated in a 2006 truce that ended a 34-day Israel-Hezbollah war. Since the Israel-Hamas war began in Gaza on October 7, more than 215 Hezbollah fighters and nearly 40 civilians have been killed on the Lebanese side, while nine soldiers and 10 civilians have died in the attacks in Israel. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conflict Spillovers Causing Surge of Human Rights Violations, UN Rights Chief Warns By Lisa Schlein March 04, 2024 U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warns the potential spillover of dozens of conflicts around the world is threatening global peace and causing human rights violations to surge in all regions. Turk, who presented an update about the situation of human rights around the world at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva Monday, painted a frightening picture of a world where proliferating conflicts are devastating the lives of millions of civilians. "Rarely has humanity faced so many rapidly spiraling crises," he said, noting that 55 conflicts around the world are "battering people's lives, destroying economies, and profoundly damaging human rights" by subjecting millions of people to widespread violations and "upending hopes for multilateral solutions." He said displacement and humanitarian crises have reached an unprecedented scale, legitimate governments are being toppled and those in power choose war to resolve national and international problems. Turk warned all these conflicts are having a serious regional and global impact. "Overlapping emergencies make the specter of spillover conflict very real," he said. "The war in Gaza has explosive impact across the Middle East. Conflicts in other regions including in the Horn of Africa, Sudan and the Sahel could also escalate sharply," adding that increasing militarization on the Korean Peninsula raises threat levels. He said, "The war in Gaza already has generated dangerous spillover in neighboring countries and I am deeply concerned that in this powder keg, any spark could lead to a much broader conflagration. This would have implications for every country in the Middle East, and many beyond it." In zipping through the existing situations of dozens of countries, Turk provided a grim snapshot of prevailing conditions on the African continent. He called the deteriorating security crisis in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo alarming. While commending Ethiopia for the steps it has taken in ending military operations against the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, he said the humanitarian situation in the northern region remained very serious and "persistent human rights violations in areas still under the control of Eritrean and Amhara forces, remain obstacles to durable peace." He called the human rights situation in both Mali and Burkina Faso very worrying, noting that military operations have intensified in these countries, with armed groups committing grave human rights violations against their civilian populations. Elections could entrench autocrats The High Commissioner reports more than 60 countries, where nearly half of the world's people live, are holding elections this year. Unfortunately, instead of being a landmark for democratic principles, he said many of these elections are cementing autocratic rule, licensing corrupt practices, and depriving "people who are poor and dispossessed of their rights to determine their future." "In many parts of the world, many politicians are deliberately inflaming antagonism and xenophobia to garner support, particularly in electoral period," he said. "In this headlong rush to abandon the common good for short-term personal benefit, they are tearing up the fundamental human rights principles that can unite us all." Turk also expressed concern by the prospect of intense disinformation campaigns in the context of elections, fueled by generative artificial intelligence. "There is an acute need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible use of generative AI, and my Office is doing its utmost to advance them," he said. He highlighted several countries that were holding elections to legitimize their authoritarian rule. "In the Russian Federation, the authorities have further intensified their repression of dissenting voices prior to this month's presidential election. Several candidates have been prevented from running, due to alleged administrative irregularities. The death in prison of opposition leader Alexei Navalny adds to my serious concerns about his persecution," he said. He added that since Russia invaded Ukraine, thousands of politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, and others have been criminally charged simply for speaking out against the war. He blasted Iran's legislative election three days ago which "took place in a country that has been deeply divided by the government's repression of the rights of women and girls. He said the election was Iranians' first opportunity to vote since country-wide protests broke out following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, while in police custody. She was arrested for allegedly wearing her veil improperly. "People who participated in the protests have been persecuted, imprisoned on long sentences and in some cases, put to death," he said. "I have urged immediate reforms to uphold the rights of all Iranians." He expressed concerns about deteriorating human rights related to elections in a bevy of other countries around the world including Chad, Rwanda, Somalia, India, Bangladesh, Mexico, Venezuela, and Poland. Turk criticized some practices in the United States of America and called on the U.S. government "to ensure that suffrage is non-discriminatory, equal and universal." "A 2021 presidential executive order acknowledges that disproportionate and discriminatory policies and other obstacles have restricted the right to vote for people of African descent and emphasizes the need to overturn them." Despite this, he noted at least 14 states passed laws last year making voting more difficult. "In a context of intense political polarization, it is important to emphasize equal rights, and the equal value of every citizen's vote," he said. The High Commissioner deplored escalating attacks against LGBTQ+ people and their rights, noting that discriminatory legislation and policies recently have been expanded, adopted, or are under consideration in several countries. Among those he called out for rebuke are Belarus, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Lebanon, Niger, Nigeria, the Russian Federation, Uganda, and several states within the United States. "Recognizing the rights of LGBTQ+ people goes to the meaning of equality, and the right of everyone to live free from violence and discrimination," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haitian PM's Whereabouts Unknown Since He Signed Bilateral Deal With Kenya By Mariama Diallo March 04, 2024 The whereabouts of Haiti's prime minister, Ariel Henry, were not known Monday, three days after he signed a bilateral accord in Kenya to pave the way for a possible multinational force to help restore security in the troubled Caribbean nation. A fierce battle between police and armed gangs took place in Haiti over the weekend, and a gang leader there has called for Henry's ouster. Haiti's government declared a 72-hour state of emergency after an intense battle between the country's police against powerful armed gangs over the weekend. Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at USIA-Africa in Nairobi, told VOA the upheaval is concerning. "With [gang leader] Barbecue and his team saying they want Prime Minister Henry out, it's a revolution," Munene said. "We don't know if they have been inspired by what is going on in the Sahel ... the government was already incapacitated in Haiti, but this makes it even worse. That they can go to a jail, open up everything and release almost 4,000 people [prisoners]." Barbecue, also known as Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer and the leader of a powerful gang alliance, says the goal is to block Henry from returning to the country. Henry traveled overseas last week to drum up support for an international security force to intervene in Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. In Kenya, he and President William Ruto signed a long-awaited bilateral accord that paves the way for 1,000 Kenyan police officers to lead a proposed multinational, U.N.-backed force that would help restore security in Haiti. Ruto said the urgency of the mission could not be overstated. "It is a mission for humanity," he said. "It is a mission for solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti." Henry thanked Ruto. "We did this appeal, and you stepped up," he said. "You said, we want to help Haiti ... thank you president, we appreciate it." Munene said the signing of the document doesn't legalize the deployment of Kenyan police given that a Kenyan court had deemed such a move unconstitutional in a recent ruling. Ekuru Aukot, a constitutional lawyer and one of the petitioners who brought the matter to the Kenyan court, said on social media that the signing was "very misleading," that Henry was imposed on the Haitian people and had no capacity to commit Haiti to any treaty." The Kenyan government has not commented on Henry's whereabouts since the Friday signing ceremony, even after repeated inquiries by VOA. Munene said the Haitian prime minister should try to go back to show he's in charge. "We don't know whether he is still in the country or has gone to another country," Munene said. "We don't know for now where he is but it's clear that in Port-au-Prince, the Barbecue has said he wants to barbecue the prime minister once he gets there. That may not be a good indicator." Munene said what happened this weekend in Haiti may complicate matters, not just for Kenya but for the other countries that have volunteered to participate in the intervention. "How they will be received ... they will not be given tea and coffee to welcome them; instead they might have to defend themselves in a very rough way," Munene said. "So, the developments are not very flattering for the countries that are supposed to send police officers to keep the peace." While some Kenyans support the mission in Haiti, Munene said there are many others who still wonder why their country wants to lead the multinational force given that other countries are more powerful and better equipped but have not been willing to step forward. Sandra Lemaire contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A election volunteer offers voters an "I Voted" sticker after casting their ballot on Super Tuesday, at the Ranchito Elementary School polling station in the Panorama City section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. Richard Vogel/AP Voters enter and exit a polling facility at the Seale Courthouse in Russell County during a primary election, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Seale, Ala. About 6,000 voters in a new congressional district, that includes Russell County, formed to boost Black representation, received postcards with incorrect voting information ahead of Tuesdays primary election. Mike Stewart/AP Voters enter the Ellis County Woman's Building during the state's primary election, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Waxahachie, Texas. (Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News via AP) Shafkat Anowar/AP Voters line up at a polling site to vote in the state's primary election at Allen Municipal Court, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Allen, Texas. (Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News via AP) Chitose Suzuki/AP Town Clerk Sandra Lacasse, places a sign outside the town office as polls opens Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Elmore, Vt. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. David Goldman/AP A voter marks a ballot at the polling station in Kennebunk, Maine, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. Michael Dwyer/AP Ron Worley, candidate for Gaston county commissioner, displays an I Voted Today sticker on Super Tuesday at the entrance to a polling location Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Belmont, N.C. Chris Carlson/AP Ballots are inspected at a ballot processing center Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the City of Industry, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP People check in at a counter before voting at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Voters in San Francisco will weigh in on a pair of public safety measures on Tuesday's ballot that reflect frustration over crime and drug use in the politically liberal city, including a proposal to compel treatment for adults using illegal drugs who receive cash welfare benefits. Eric Risberg/AP Paula Romanovsky carries her ballot to vote in a booth at the Columbarium in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The building dates to 1898 and contains over 8,500 niches. Eric Risberg/AP Amber Cutler casts her ballot as election official Monte Mason looks on during primary election voting Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the town hall in Morrisville, Vt. Robert F. Bukaty/AP Ballots are inspected at a ballot processing center Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the City of Industry, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Doug Scopel votes a ballot at a polling place, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. George Walker IV/AP A ballot is dropped off on Election Day at the Registrar of Voters office, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Norwalk, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Super Tuesday voters exit the Austin Recreation Center after casting their ballot on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Austin. Texas. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Mikala Compton/AP Ballots are inspected at a ballot processing center Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the City of Industry, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Super Tuesday voters leave a polling location Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Mount Holly, N.C. Chris Carlson/AP A overflow crowd signs in before attending a town meeting and voting in the primary election, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Stowe, Vt. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul for either party on a single day. Robert F. Bukaty/AP Visitors stand at the base of the Washington Monument as the dome of the Capitol is seen in the distance on a rainy morning, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Washington. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are poised to move much closer to winning their party's nominations during the biggest day of the primary campaign on Tuesday, setting up a historic rematch that many voters would rather not endure. Mark Schiefelbein/AP A woman votes alone among a large group of stations at the Cross Insurance Center during the state's presidential primary elections, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Bangor, Maine. (Linda Coan O'Kresik/The Bangor Daily News via AP) Linda Coan O'Kresik/AP Voters use umbrellas to beat the heat as they wait in line at a polling site, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio. Eric Gay/AP Ballots are inspected at a ballot processing center Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in the City of Industry, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Dressed as Superman and holding a "Vote!" flag, Artist David Alcantar jogs past a polling site, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio. The flag and costume are part of an art project to encourage voting. Eric Gay/AP Robert Ward leaves the volunteer fire station in Cusseta, Ala., after voting during a primary election, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Sixteen states and a U.S. territory hold their 2024 nominating contests on Super Tuesday. Mike Stewart/AP Paula Romanovsky votes in a booth at the Columbarium in San Francisco, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The building dates to 1898 and contains over 8,500 niches. Eric Risberg/AP The Super Tuesday primaries are the largest voting day of the year in the United States aside from the November general election. Voters in 16 states and one territory are choosing presidential nominees. Some states are also deciding who should run for governor, senator or district attorneys. Party primaries, caucuses or presidential preference votes are being held in Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Find APs full coverage of Super Tuesday 2024 at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024. Here's the latest: Former Trump presidential campaign adviser advances in Texas ROCKWALL, Texas Katrina Pierson, a former Trump presidential campaign adviser, has advanced to a Republican primary runoff in Texas for a legislative seat in the Dallas suburbs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Piersons opponent in the runoff set for May 28 for the Texas House seat is Rep. Justin Holland, who was one of dozens of Republicans who voted last year to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Trump ally. Its not the first time Pierson has run for office in Texas. She lost a run for Congress in 2014 before becoming a spokesperson for Trumps presidential campaign. Why are Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey advancing twice for the same California seat? Advertisement Article continues below this ad WASHINGTON Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican former baseball player Steve Garvey are headed for a November election in California to decide who will fill the U.S. Senate seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein. But its not just one term. The candidates are competing to serve out the remainder of Feinsteins term between the November election and the January inauguration of a new senator. But theyre also running for her full six-year term. The strange scenario came about because California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed someone to the seat after Feinsteins death. Election rules require a special election to fill the last bit of that term. Jason Palmer talks about his surprising win in American Samoa Advertisement Article continues below this ad WASHINGTON Jason Palmer said he knows hes a longshot for the Democratic presidential nomination. When I started this race, I knew there was a 99% chance that Joe Biden would win, he told The Associated Press. But the 52-year-old Baltimore investor still managed to win four delegates in American Samoa on Super Tuesday, denying President Joe Biden a victory there. Palmer was attending an education conference in Washington when the results came in. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I found out that I had won because my phone started blowing up with friends and campaign staffers texting me, he said. Haleys campaign is honored by the Super Tuesday support CHARLESTON, S.C. Nikki Haleys national campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said in a statement Tuesday that the Republican candidate was honored to be the first GOP woman to win two presidential primary contests. Today, in state after state, there remains a large block of Republican primary voters who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump," Perez-Cubas said. "That is not the unity our party needs for success. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite her win in Vermont on Tuesday and her primary win in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Trump was notching more victories. 2 Democrats advance to runoff in Alabamas redrawn 2nd District WASHINGTON Two Democrats advanced to a primary runoff election in Alabamas newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District. Anthony Daniels and Shomari Figures emerged from the crowded field Tuesday. The district is closely watched by Democrats as a potential pickup opportunity in the U.S. House. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because no candidate garnered more than 50% of the vote, the race now advances a runoff between Daniels and Figures, which is set for April 16. The new district was created after a federal court ordered Alabama redraw its congressional map to better represent Black voters, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. The redrawn district includes parts of Montgomery and Mobile, as well as much of the regions Black Belt, where a majority of the states Black population resides. Trump and Biden head toward 2024 rematch WASHINGTON President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump have all but cemented a November rematch, and its increasing the pressure on Nikki Haley Trumps last major rival to exit the Republican race. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Biden and Trump each won Texas, Alabama, California, Colorado, Maine, Oklahoma, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Biden also won the Democratic contests in Utah, Vermont and Iowa. Haley won Vermont, but Trump carried other states that might have been favorable to her, such as Virginia and Maine. Those states have large swaths of moderate voters like those who have backed her in previous primaries. Not enough states will have voted until later this month for Trump or Biden to formally become their parties presumptive nominees. Israel-Hamas war has some Democrats voting uncommitted in protest of Biden Advertisement Article continues below this ad LITTLETON, Colo. President Joe Biden still faces a protest vote as some people are casting their ballots on Tuesday for uncommitted because of his support of Israel. U.S. Air Force veteran Keira Havens, 40, said she backed uncommitted over Bidens response to the conflict. This is the only tool I have to put pressure on them right now, Im going to use it, Havens said. Marcus Casillas, 29, said the argument from other Democrats to vote for Biden because former President Donald Trump would be less supportive of Palestinians isnt convincing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I firmly believe that in order for me to vote for someone, they need to earn the vote, Casillas said. I want to have belief in what Im doing when I make that choice. Nikki Haley gets surprise win in Vermonts Republican presidential primary WASHINGTON Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley scored a surprise victory on Super Tuesday, upsetting Donald Trump to win Vermont. However, that victory will do little to dent Trumps primary dominance. The former president won 11 other states on Super Tuesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Haley is the last major rival to Trump standing in a once-crowded primary field. She increasingly has stepped up her attacks on the former president, arguing he will lose in November to President Joe Biden if he clinches the partys nomination. On the Democratic side, Biden also ran up the score with wins all around the country against only token primary opposition all but cementing the long-expected November rematch between him and Trump. Trump offers little celebration in victory speech at Mar-a-Lago In a speech Tuesday evening at a victory party in Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump condemned Joe Bidens handling of the economy, foreign policy and especially the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But he offered little in the way of prescriptions during his 20-minute speech and instead ticked through moments in his administration, several of them more than five years ago. Were going to make America great again, greater than ever before, he said. Bidens Super Tuesday focus is on Trump WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is choosing not to revel in his Super Tuesday nomination wins, instead releasing a statement telling Americans it is time to defend democracy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My message to the country is this, Biden said in a written statement from his campaign. Every generation of Americans will face a moment when it has to defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedom. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights. To every Democrat, Republican, and independent who believes in a free and fair America: This is our moment. This is our fight. Together, we will win. Biden is casting Republican Donald Trump as someone willing to reverse his policies on taxes and improved affordability for prescription drugs. But, mostly, the written statement was an admonition to voters about Trumps time in office and that the former president cares about revenge and retribution, not the American people. Haleys campaign pushed to the brink after Super Tuesday trouncing NEW YORK Nikki Haley has suffered a string of significant losses Tuesday, and it's prompting allies to believe the end of her 2024 presidential campaign may be near. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Haley didnt make any public statements as officials counted ballots coast-to-coast late into the night. Privately, her team expected Republican rival Donald Trump to win almost every one of the evenings contests, despite their best efforts to stop him. Haley spent the night huddled with staff watching returns near her South Carolina home. Trump is expected to win the necessary 1,215 delegates to become the GOPs presumptive nominee later this month. Trump is getting primary wins, but criminal cases still loom large WASHINGTON The criminal charges against former President Donald Trump have done nothing to hurt his appeal with most Republican voters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump is collecting wins that put him closer to the GOP nomination and a likely 2020 rematch against President Joe Biden. But hes still got an array of looming court cases, including one based on accusations he mishandled classified material and another on his false claims about winning the 2020 election. Jury selection in his New York hush-money trial will begin March 25. AP VoteCast found that 74% of South Carolina primary voters said the criminal charges are a political attempt to undermine Trump. Still, a third of Republican voters in that state also said they think he did something illegal in at least one of the cases against him. North Carolina governor nominees play up their differences in victory speeches RALEIGH, N.C. The Democratic and Republican nominees for North Carolina governor are playing up their differences in Tuesday speeches to supporters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Josh Stein is the Democrat and the states current attorney general. Mark Robinson, the states Republican lieutenant governor, is a former factory worker who has the endorsement of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. Today we took an important first step, but we must be clear-eyed about the stakes of this election, Stein said in a victory speech to supporters in Raleigh. Were at a crossroads, he said. He told supporters Robinsons vision for the state was bleak and divisive. Robinson described himself as an underdog. The differences could not be more clear, Robinson said at a Greensboro victory party. Im sure the people of North Carolina will make the right choice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Utah voters planning for a GOP caucus with polite discourse and food BOUNTIFUL, Utah As voters in other states across the Mountain West line up at the polls on Tuesday, Utah Republicans are doing things differently. Thousands of voters are flooding into Millcreek Junior High School, one of 2,300 neighborhood caucus locations around the state where residents will debate the candidates as a group before casting votes in a preference poll. Voters are bringing plates of food to eat during the coming debates. We want to have good, strong political discourse tonight, said Lisa Fifield, the Bountiful, Utah, caucus director. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Utahs 40 delegates will be distributed proportionally between the candidates unless one receives over 50% of the vote, which would earn them all of the states delegates. Biden loses in American Samoa, a US territory in the South Pacific WASHINGTON Jason Palmer defeated President Joe Biden in American Samoa, a tiny U.S. territory in the South Pacific. According to the local Democratic Party, Palmer won 51 votes and Biden won 40. There were only six delegates up for grabs there in a contest that requires nearly 2,000, but its still a notable setback for an incumbent president. Palmer is a Baltimore-based investor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This isnt the first time that American Samoa has turned up surprising results in a primary. During the 2020 Democratic race, it was the only contest won by billionaire Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor. Only elected challenger to Biden laughs off losses in states' Democratic primaries Tuesday WASHINGTON Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, the only elected Democrat to challenge President Joe Biden in their partys primary, isnt coming close to winning anywhere on Tuesday but hes trying not to let it get him down. Congratulations to Joe Biden, Uncommitted, Marianne Williamson, and Nikki Haley for demonstrating more appeal to Democratic Party loyalists than me, Phillips posted on X, formerly Twitter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Haiti Orders Nighttime Curfew After Prisoners Escape During Police-Gang Gunfight By Sandra Lemaire, Matiado Vilme March 04, 2024 Authorities in Haiti say they are enforcing a nighttime curfew following an eruption of weekend violence, including armed gangs fighting with police at the National Penitentiary. A 72-hour state of emergency has been declared in the wake of the violence. Thousands of prisoners fled Haiti's National Penitentiary, located in the capital, during a Saturday night gunbattle between national police and armed gangs, an official told VOA. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry is currently overseas. He traveled last week to Kenya, where he signed a bilateral accord to authorize 1,000 Kenyan police officers who will lead a multinational security force. The United Nations authorized the force to help Haiti combat gang violence and reestablish security. It was unclear where the prime minister was Sunday. Kenyan President William Ruto's office did not respond to a request by VOA for information on Henry's whereabouts. The Henry government has not officially commented on what is happening in Haiti. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti has not yet publicly commented on the weekend violence. VOA journalists who went Sunday to the penitentiary in downtown Port-au-Prince saw bodies inside and outside the building. An engineer, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of law enforcement officials, said he was working with the national police to survey the situation Sunday morning. The engineer said 99 prisoners remained inside the jail. He said the penitentiary previously held close to 4,000 prisoners. He said he was not prepared to give an estimate of how many prisoners died during the jailbreak. Among the bodies outside the building were civilians who had been caught in the crossfire, he said, adding that the police commissioner would publish official numbers later. "Those who remain [inside] are ill, prisoners who were being treated at the dispensary for various illnesses," the engineer told VOA. Haiti's National Penitentiary houses several high-profile prisoners. Among them: Cholzer Chancy, former president of the Chamber of Deputies who led the parliament between 2016 and 2018; Joseph Felix Badio, a key suspect in President Jovenel Moise's assassination; Clifford Brandt, a convicted drug dealer who is the son of one of the richest men in Haiti. The engineer told VOA that Brandt had been transferred out of the prison before the gun battle. "No, Brandt is not here. They took him out and brought him to another location," he said. He did not provide any other details. A video widely shared on social media shows Brandt being taken out of the prison, accompanied by armed policemen and transferred to a police armored vehicle. VOA could not verify when the video was recorded. Marcelin Myrthil, arrested in connection with the grassroots anti-gang Bwa Kale movement, was also imprisoned at the penitentiary. The Bwa Kale movement targeted suspected gang members, many being chased by citizens and lynched or executed in the streets. Myrthil distributed machetes to communities plagued by gang violence and encouraged civilians to execute suspected thugs. Myrthil had been relocated by the police, the engineer told VOA. "He is in a secure place. I can't tell you where he is," the engineer said. Eighteen former Colombian soldiers, accused in connection with the Moise assassination, were among the 99 prisoners who chose to remain in their jail cells. VOA spoke to a prisoner who identified himself as Francisco Eladio Uribe. Speaking in Spanish, the man told VOA: "I did not escape last night because I don't owe anyone anything. I am innocent. I came to this country to work toward a better future for my family. I ended up getting caught in the middle of a plot planned by an American company called CTV. It's because of their trap that I'm in this situation today." In a video post that was widely shared on Haitian social media Saturday, the soldiers pleaded with the Colombian government, their families and the international community for help. A 2022 Human Rights Watch report on Haiti's prisons cited overcrowding, lack of food and drinkable water, and unsanitary conditions that resulted in outbreaks of disease. World Prison Brief, a nongovernmental organization that monitors prisons worldwide, found that in 2020, Haiti's prisons were 302% over capacity. Jimmy Cherizier, known as "Barbecue," leader of Haiti's powerful G9 gang alliance, told journalists last week the rival gangs had "united" and launched a "revolution" to remove from power Prime Minister Henry. On Friday, he appealed to national police officers to join the gang effort. Cherizier is a former policeman who has been targeted by sanctions issued by the United Nations and the U.S. Department of Treasury. The U.S. accused him of complicity in the La Saline massacre that targeted a Port-au-Prince slum and resulted in at least 71 civilian deaths. The U.S. State Department condemned the violence in Haiti in a statement emailed to VOA Friday. "We are closely monitoring the situation and condemn destabilizing efforts in Haiti by those acting in their own self-interest," a spokesperson said. On Sunday, the State Department did not respond to a request from VOA for comment regarding the jailbreak. VOA's Mariama Diallo in Nairobi contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia Hosting Special ASEAN Regional Summit By Phil Mercer March 04, 2024 Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security. Analysts say Australia will also have to negotiate the region's intricate ties to China. The multimillion-dollar funding was announced Monday by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. Analysts have said the move is a response to China's growing assertiveness and its disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. Wong said in a statement that Australia was "working closely with Southeast Asian partners to respond to shared maritime challenges and uphold international law." Wong did not mention China by name when she later told the ASEAN meeting in Melbourne that the region faced "destabilizing, provocative and coercive actions including unsafe conduct at sea and in the air." ASEAN was set up in August 1967 and comprises 10 members, including Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Relations with China have a been divisive issue within the alliance. Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have strong ties to Beijing, while Singapore and the Philippines have had strained relations with China. There has also been friction between Australia and China in recent years over various geopolitical and trade disputes, although tensions have eased since the election of a left-leaning government in Canberra in May 2022. Nick Bisley, a professor of International Relations at Melbourne's La Trobe University, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the Canberra government's dealings with ASEAN require deft diplomacy. "Because we have been so full-throated in not only being on America's side, but from the previous government pointing fingers at China in various ways, and so that definitely complicates our relationship both with individual Southeast Asian countries and with ASEAN as a whole," he said. The special ASEAN summit in Melbourne marks 50 years since Australia became the grouping's first dialogue partner. The United States and China have similar partnership arrangements. Melbourne is hosting leaders and officials from the association from Monday to Wednesday. ASEAN member Myanmar was excluded from the summit because of the ongoing conflict in the country. Timor-Leste wants to become an ASEAN member and is attending the gathering in Australia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby March 04, 2024 National Security Council Via Teleconference 1:56 P.M. EST MR. KIRBY: Good afternoon, everybody. As you know, over the weekend the U.S. Department of Defense and the Jordanian Royal Air Force collaborated over the weekend to airdrop 38,000 ready-to-eat meals into Gaza. This operation saw 66 bundles of aid offloaded across three C-130 aircraft delivered to people in dire need of it. We remain the largest provider of aid to Gaza, having provided now more than $180 million in humanitarian assistance since the 7th of October. And we'll keep at that job. Responding to the humanitarian crisis and the needs of the Palestinian people has been a priority since day one, and as I said, it remains one today. But, look, the truth is and you heard the President talk about this that the aid flowing into Gaza is nowhere near enough, and it's not getting there fast enough. We all need to do more, and the United States will do more. There will be additional airdrops of humanitarian assistance from U.S. aircraft. I'm sure you all want to know exactly when that's going to be, where that's going to be, and what's going to be on those airplanes, and I am not in a position today to give you those sorts of operational details. But there will be more airdrops. We continue to work to increase the amount of aid that's flowing through existing border crossings as well, at Rafah and Kerem Shalom, and to press the government of Israel to open additional crossings and routes into Gaza. As the President said, we are also looking to develop a direct maritime route to facilitate the delivery of assistance, and we're confident that we'll have a number of international partners who will help us in that effort. We'll also continue to insist that Israel facilitate more trucks and more routes and more aid to get to more people. I think as you all know, Benny Gantz, from the Israeli war cabinet, will be meeting today with the Vice President and with Jake Sullivan and then tomorrow with Secretary Blinken. And I can assure you that the issue of humanitarian assistance will be top on that agenda. Of course, to really address the urgent needs of the civilian population in Gaza and to enable our humanitarian partners to more and to better distribute lifesaving aid, it's essential to see a temporary ceasefire as part of this hostage deal. We call on Hamas to accept the terms that are on the table right now, whereby the release of vulnerable hostages the sick, the wounded, the elderly, women would help result in an immediate six-week ceasefire and enable a surge of humanitarian assistance. Israel has agreed to this framework, and now the onus is on Hamas to do the same. And if I could switch to Haiti, if you don't mind. We are monitoring Haiti's rapidly deteriorating security situation with grave concern. Through the weekend, senior U.S. government officials remained in close contact with senior Haitian government officials and members of the international community to help stabilize the situation and to move quickly toward an enduring political solution. We're working with international partners to provide immediate support to the Haitian National Police and expedite the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission that will help restore security urgently. Violence serves only to delay a democratic transition while destroying and upending the lives of thousands. Ultimately, the path forward lies with democratic governance and free and fair elections, which continue to be a priority in our engagements with our Haitian partners. We remain committed to a peaceful transition of power from the current prime minister to a prime minister that the people select via those free and fair elections. Prime Minister Henry has said the same, and we're going to hold them to that. We urge all actors: Put the people of Haiti first to stop the violence and to make necessary concessions to allow for inclusive governance, free and fair elections, and the restoration of democracy. Thank you. MODERATOR: Awesome. And we think we had a sound issue at the beginning, so Kirby is going to read the first two or so paragraphs that we think we missed. We'll have a transcript at the end, in a few hours, out online. So, everyone should be able to reference that in case we missed anything else. Sorry for the inconvenience. MR. KIRBY: Gives me a chance to be more eloquent the second time around. As you all know, over the weekend the U.S. Department of Defense and the Jordanian Royal Air Force collaborated to airdrop some 38,000 ready-to-eat meals into Gaza. And this included 66 bundles of aid altogether, packed into three C-130 aircraft. We remain the largest provider of aid to the Gaza response, having provided more than $180 million in humanitarian assistance since the 7th of October. Responding to the humanitarian crisis and needs of the Palestinian people has been a priority since day one, and it remains one today. But the truth is that the aid flowing into Gaza is nowhere near enough and nowhere fast enough. And you heard that clearly from President Biden. We all need to do more, and the United States will do more. And I know there's a lot of interest in additional airdrops. I can assure you that there will be additional airdrops from U.S. aircraft, but I am not in a position today to tell you exactly when that's going to be, how many aircraft that's going to include, and what's going to be on those aircraft. But I can assure you that the airdrop over the weekend was only the first, and we will continue to do that in coming days to supplement the flow of humanitarian assistance that's coming in on the ground. And speaking of that, we're also going to continue to work with our Israeli counterparts to increase the amount of aid that's flowing through those existing border crossings at Rafah and Kerem Shalom and to press the government of Israel to actually open up additional crossings and routes into Gaza. I think that takes me right to where I left off. MODERATOR: Thank you. And thank you all for your patience again for that. Our first question will go to Steve with Reuters. Q Thank you, John. For a while there, you were doing 200 truck deliveries a day into Gaza. What happened to that? I mean, why isn't Israel allowing more truck deliveries in there? MR. KIRBY: Steve, the numbers of trucks getting in, I think you know, has fluctuated almost day to day. And at the high-water mark, we were up over 200 trucks for some matter of days. But it's not been a level we've been able to sustain in a reliable fashion since the beginning of the war. There's lots of reasons for that. I mean, it is a war zone. And the actual combat operations can combine to make it hard to get trucks in. There's an inspection regime that can at times slow that process down at both crossings. And as you I think you know, we saw in recent weeks some protest activity at Kerem Shalom, which actually shut down Kerem Shalom for a few days. We engaged our Israeli counterparts to do what they could to allow for peaceful protest but also locate the protesters in such a way that they were not a hindrance to the flow of aid. So there has been some obstacles to getting the aid in that are organic to the fact that we're talking about a war zone, but also, there have been some inorganic obstacles thrown up, in some cases by some members of the Israeli cabinet, that have made it hard to get that aid in. And that's why I think you heard the President so very clearly make certain on Friday, when he was meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, that this is not a time for excuses. We've got to get more aid in the ground routes. Although there are obstacles and it can be cumbersome, it's still the best way to get the most aid in in a quick fashion or the quickest fashion. And we've got to do everything we can to make sure that happens. Q And the Vice President yesterday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Is there any daylight between what she's saying and what the President's position is on this? MR. KIRBY: Not at all, Steve. Not at all. She made it clear that she was talking about a six-week ceasefire, a temporary ceasefire, which is exactly what the President has called for. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Aamer with the AP. Q Hey there. Can you hear me? MR. KIRBY: Yes, sir. Go ahead. Q Hey, sorry about that. On the Gantz bit meeting, how did this meeting come together? Was this a Gantz request, or did the White House invite him? And Israeli officials have made clear that Gantz doesn't represent the Israeli government during this visit, so why host him for such a high-level meeting when or meetings when it's obviously aggravating to the current government? Thank you. MR. KIRBY: Thanks, Aamer. This was a request by Mr. Gantz Minister Gantz to come to the United States and have meetings. And he's a member of the war cabinet. There is a war going on between Israel and Hamas. We have been dealing with all members of the war cabinet, including Minister Gantz, since the beginning of the war, certainly when he joined the war cabinet, which was shortly after the 7th of October. And we see this as a natural outgrowth of those discussions. If a member of the war cabinet from Israel wants to come to the United States, wants to talk to us about the progress of that war, giving us an opportunity to talk about the importance of getting humanitarian assistance increased and an opportunity to talk about the importance of this hostage deal, we're not going to turn away that sort of opportunity. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to MJ Lee with CNN. Q Hey, John. Thank you for doing this. I just wanted to clarify one thing, if you can, on the hostage talks. On the call with reporters yesterday, the senior administration official had said that Israel has basically accepted a six-week ceasefire proposal but that Hamas needs to clarify who exactly would be released in that first part of the vulnerable hostages category. CNN had reported yesterday that, you know, according to a Hamas source, that one of their sticking points was Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire or at least a path to a permanent ceasefire, and that without one of those, Hamas would not release the remaining Israeli hostages. Is that a Hamas sticking point, as far as the U.S. is concerned? I was just hoping you could help clarify that. MR. KIRBY: Yeah, I think, obviously, I'm going to be a little careful here in speaking about the specific details of the negotiation process. I would just say that Israel has put forward a forward-leaning offer, and that deal is on the table. And as I said in my opening statement, we urge Hamas to accept that deal so that we can move forward. But, obviously, there's still modalities here that need to be worked out, and that's why we're still engaged in these active conversations. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Andrea Mitchell with NBC. Q Hi, John. Thanks for doing this. Just to clarify, I know you can't talk about details, but was the offer that you call forward leaning from Israel, did that include the specificity of the list of hostages who are still alive? Or is that a new element that has been added to the mix? Does the White House still think it's possible to get a deal before Ramadan on or about March 10th? And has Hamas come forward with a deal that you also think is forward leaning? Or is Hamas the major sticking point, from your concern? MR. KIRBY: Yeah, Andrea, I'll try to take them in turn. As before when we did this before, the week-long pause where we got the first tranche of hostages out, obviously a big part of that is the list right? the list of hostages and a list of Palestinian prisoners that are going to be exchanged. That was part of the last deal, and you can certainly imagine that that's a part of this deal too. Now, in this case, we're talking about more more of both over a longer period of time. And they would be sequenced; you would see several tranches of exchanges over the course of what we hope will be six weeks. But the list of names is part of that. We obviously want all the hostages returned to their families, and we recognize that it's likely that not all of them are still alive, but that doesn't mean that they aren't still important to their loved ones. And so, we're working our way through all that with Hamas. Again, what I would draw you to is what I said at the opening, and that's that we certainly want an initial focus on the elderly, the sick, and the wounded, and women. That's what our immediate focus is on. But that's the goal, and that's the approach that we're taking to it. And you asked, you know, can we get this done before Ramadan. I can tell you we're certainly trying. I mean, we would have liked to have this done yesterday, last week, the week before. There's no shortage of effort that's being applied here to try to get this done as soon as possible. Q But let me just ask you whether is it can you confirm reports that Israel has not returned, has not sent their teams to Cairo in for whatever reasons, particularly because of objection to not knowing the accounting of the dead? But in any case, is it true that the technical teams, or the teams from Israel, are not in Cairo with the other teams right now? MR. KIRBY: I think I'll let the Israelis speak for their negotiating team and where they are. I would just remind two things. One, talks do continue, negotiations are ongoing, and that, as I said earlier, Israel has put a forward-leaning deal on the table. They have made an offer here, and the onus is on Hamas to accept it. But where their negotiators are, I'll let them speak to it. And again, back to your question on Ramadan: We certainly are hopeful. And that's the goal here is to get this done as soon as possible. And certainly, we'd like to see it done before Ramadan begins. Q Thank you, John. MR. KIRBY: I think you had I think I answered your third question about Hamas being the sticking point. Q Well, maybe you didn't. I'm sorry. Have they put forward, quote, a "forward-leaning" proposal as well? MR. KIRBY: They have not. Q And is it because of the numbers? MR. KIRBY: I'm not going to get into the details. I'm not going to negotiate in public, Andrea. I would just tell you that there is a framework deal on the table, a deal that Israel has put forward. We believe it's forward leaning. We believe that Hamas should take up that deal. And I think I really am going to have to leave it at that. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to JJ with Bloomberg. Q Hey there. On the apparent intelligence leak from Germany that Russia is shopping around, kind of claiming that there's direct Western involvement in the war in Ukraine, do you think that Berlin needs to do more to clarify that situation? And is there any reason to think that wiretaps are ongoing? Any evidence that they might be wiretapping other NATO members? And then, on a different topic: On Apple and the antitrust fine, is there anything you can share as far as comment on the Europeans lodging that fine against Apple? Thanks. MR. KIRBY: On Berlin, I think the Germans have already talked to this. They're investigating how that audio got leaked. I think I'd refer you to the German officials on that. And I won't speak to the content that was leaked into the public domain. That just plays right into the Russian hands. I'll just tell you that this is a bald attempt and a transparent attempt by the Russians to try to sow discord and to try to sow division and try to make it look like the West isn't unified and, hell, that even the German government is not unified on what they're doing. And we're just not going to we're not going to just bow down to that bald attempt. We're not going to accept the premise of it. That's what the Russians want. We're all working together to try to support Ukraine. And the Germans have been right there in it, absolutely. Every nation has to decide for itself what it's going to do. And the Germans have stepped up; they've stepped up in meaningful ways. And we look forward to continuing to work with Chancellor Scholz and his government as they continue to find ways to support Ukraine and as we, here at home, do everything we can to try to get that supplemental funding passed so we can continue to support Ukraine. You asked if there is evidence that they're wiretapping others in the Alliance or in Europe. I wouldn't have the answer to that for you. I can just tell you that we are certainly not unmindful of Russian efforts to conduct these kinds of activities. And we take seriously our responsibility to safeguard our own communications. On the Apple fine question, JJ, I'm afraid I'm just going to have to refer you to the EU on that. That's about the extent of the comment that we're going to be able to have today. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Vivian Salama with the Wall Street Journal. Q Thanks, Sam. Hey, John. I wanted to actually follow on Aamer's questions from earlier. With regard to the Gantz visit, you know, the Israeli press is reporting that Netanyahu is, quote, "enraged" over this. And so, I'm curious if the White House had attempted at the time, you know, before Gantz arrived, to reach out to Bibi, sort of a "Hey, I know you're enraged, but I just wanted you to hear it from us" kind of thing. Like, did you try to reach out to him ahead of the meeting just to let him know it was happening? And/or is POTUS or anyone else, Jake or someone, planning on calling Netanyahu after Gantz leaves just to kind of keep him apprised of the discussions, or are you just leaving that to Gantz himself to do? MR. KIRBY: I don't have any discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak to today on this. Again, Minister Gantz is a member of the war cabinet a member of the war cabinet in the middle of a war, a war in which we are trying to help Israel and will continue to help Israel and wanted to meet with U.S. officials. And it was an opportunity not only to hear from him but also to relay our continued concerns about humanitarian assistance, about the importance of getting this hostage deal over the finish line. And so, we're going to take advantage of that opportunity. Q Still rather unusual, though, for the Prime Minister to not approve of a meeting and for it to go ahead anyway. So can you just kind of speak to the decision to go ahead with it, regardless of whether, you know, Bibi's office kind of gave its blessings? MR. KIRBY: Well, I mean, I think I I mean, obviously, we certainly recognize Prime Minister Netanyahu as the elected prime minister of the government of Israel, and we will continue to deal with him and with his entire war cabinet. Mr. Gantz is a part of that war cabinet. I think I've kind of already answered that question. He asked for a set of meetings while he was here in Washington. A member of the war cabinet of a country at war, an ally and a partner. We weren't going to just overlook that opportunity to have that discussion. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Alex Ward of Politico. Q Yep. Thanks, John. One quick clarification on Vice President Harris's ceasefire comment. I want to make sure that her main target for that comment was Hamas when she was talking about the need to agree to a six-week ceasefire. And then, secondly, USAID Administrator Power said today, after talking to aid workers, that, quote, "There's a need for Israel to do much more to get aid to those who desperately need it." I know the administration has talked openly you know, said consistently that more aid needs to get in, but she's saying that this is mainly or this is on Israel. Is that the administration's assessment? Is she speaking for the administration on that? Thanks. MR. KIRBY: I'm sorry, Alex, can you repeat the second question? You were going really fast there. I was just trying to keep up with you. Q No, fair enough. The countdown clock had me a little worried there. So she said today, after speaking with aid workers, quote, "There's a need for Israel to do much more to get aid to those who desperately need it." So just making sure I know you guys have said more aid needs to get in; you said it today. But she's fingering Israel as the problem here. Just making sure that that is, you know, reflective of the administration's view that Israel needs to do more to get aid in. MR. KIRBY: Thanks, Alex. So, on your first question, I mean, the short answer to it is yes. I mean, she was very clear that there's a deal on the table and Hamas needs to take that deal. So, yes, she was definitely communicating to Hamas the importance of accepting this deal, a deal which I have described as forward leaning that the Israelis have put forward. So, yes, clearly, that was a strong message to Hamas to accept this deal and let's move forward. And I want to remind everybody again that the six-week ceasefire she was talking about, the temporary ceasefire she was talking about was in the context of this hostage deal. It's all a package. You get six weeks of peace with no fighting. That allows you to safely and effectively get all the hostages out. Again, we're talking about multiple tranches. And there's physical movement of people that has to be accomplished, and you can't do that if it's a combat zone. So it's all part of a package deal that would again, six weeks of no fighting: That will certainly help reduce civilian casualties and the damage to civilian infrastructure, give you the chance to do a multitiered approach of getting hostages out and not unimportantly and this kind of gets to your second question an increase of humanitarian assistance in. And, yes, you heard from the President, when he met with Prime Minister Meloni on Friday, that we believe Israel can and should do more to allow humanitarian assistance to get in unimpeded. This, kind of, gets back to Steve Holland's first question right at the beginning of the gaggle about whether Israel is holding things up and whether they're responsible for some delays or obstacles. And the answer is that there has been such there have been such incidents where they have not been either able or willing, or maybe both, to keep the trucks going at an increased level. I mean, clearly, there's a desperate need for this stuff. And that's why we have now taken on the role of dropping from the air, and we'll continue to do that too to supplement. But honestly, the way to do this in scale, true scale and scope, is on the ground, through trunk convoys. You just can't replicate the volume and the speed with which you can do this as you can on the ground. And that requires a lot of coordination between Israel, obviously other partners, but including and most especially aid organizations on the ground. And just more needs to be done. And we've been, yes, clear that Israel bears a responsibility here to do more. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Karen DeYoung with the Washington Post. Karen, you should be able to unmute yourself. Q You said that Israel has agreed to the framework, and the ball is in Hamas's court. When the initial framework came out after the Paris meetings, both sides responded with additional with changes and additional response. Is what's on the table now incorporating those changes in response from both sides, or is it Israel's side and you've given it to Hamas as a last offer in other words, take it or leave it? Just as one example, the Hamas response demanded more crossings be open, which is something that the United States has also demanded. Is that something that Israel has now agreed to? MR. KIRBY: Yeah, again, I'm going to be careful here, Karen, not to get into the specific details of the deal. Nothing is negotiated until everything is negotiated. And we're still, obviously, in that process right now. But the short answer to your question is: Yes, there was back-and-forth, as you know proposals and counterproposals between the two sides over recent weeks. And we believe that the deal that's on the table now reflects the give-and-take through those negotiations the back-and-forth, the proposals and counterproposals. We believe it's reflective of the concerns that both sides have voiced and hashed out. But again, there's still the details in front of us. We believe that the deal on the table does reflect all that negotiation, and Hamas should take it up. Q If I could just does that include opening more crossings for aid? MR. KIRBY: I won't get into the specifics of the deal, as I said, Karen, but I also said in my opening statements that we continue to call on Israel to open up additional ground crossings beyond just Kerem Shalom and Rafah or Kerem Shalom, because Rafah is obviously not in Israel. But, yes, we are calling on Israel to open up additional ground crossings. But that's not I don't want to get into the details of the deal itself. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Asma Khalid with NPR. Q Hi. Thanks, John, for doing this. I have two quick questions. One is around the meeting that Jake is having today with Benny Gantz. What is the message that Jake is trying to deliver to him? And relatedly, are you all concerned at all about agitating the current Israeli government? And then, secondly, what is your understanding of why Hamas has not agreed to the six-week temporary ceasefire deal? MR. KIRBY: Hang on. I'm just writing it all down here. So, on the meeting between Jake and Benny Gantz, again, we'll have a readout for you after that meeting is over. And as you know, he will also be meeting with the Vice President. I think it's safe to say, before we've done readouts in meetings, that both Jake and the Vice President will talk to Minister Gantz about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to increase aid. I think it's safe to say that they'll talk about progress of operations on the ground. Certainly they'll want to get a better sense from the Minister and the war cabinet where their thinking is with respect to operations in and around Rafah. And I think you can expect that they will also talk about the hostage deal itself. Separate and aside from humanitarian assistance writ large, he'll also want to talk to the Minister about getting this hostage deal implemented, getting it executed, getting it in place so that we can get that six weeks of no fighting, get all the hostages out, as well as, of course, getting opportunities to increase the aid. But those will be the main topics of discussion. And, again, we'll have a readout for you. I've already dealt with the issue of the Prime Minister stating concerns about Minister Gantz's travel. So I really don't have anything more to add on that question. And I simply won't negotiate here in public. You asked me why has Hamas not signed on to it. I think that's a terrific question for Mr. Sinwar. It is a forward-leaning proposal. We believe it's a solid proposal. And we believe that it is in everyone's best interest, including Hamas, for them to sign on on this and to move forward with it. MODERATOR: Thank you. I think we have time for one more question, so we'll go to Fraser Jackson with France 24. Q Hi, Sam. Thank you, Admiral. I was late to the call, so sorry if this has already been asked. But I wanted to ask about the tape the conversation that Russia leaked between top German military officials. Russia says that it's proof that Germany is seeking war with Russia. Germany has vehemently denied that. Is there any U.S. assessment of this leak and how it was obtained? MR. KIRBY: It's proof that the Russians want to sow division and discord and try to demonstrate that the West is divided. And that's what it's proof of. And obviously, none of that's true. I'm not going to speak to the content in this leak. The Germans are investigating it, and I think I'd refer you to them. But as I said earlier, they have been a key friend, ally, and partner in this effort. They have really stepped up to support Ukraine. We're grateful for that. We're grateful for Chancellor Scholz's leadership. And the last thing I'll say is: Any validity that anybody gives to this only makes it easier for Putin to sell this ridiculous narrative that this is some sort of war between the West and Russia, the U.S. and Russia, NATO and Russia, or any other way he wants to couch this. That's exactly what he wants people to think, instead of what really happened here, which is: In February, two years ago, he decided to attack and invade a neighboring nation that posed no threat to him or anybody else, for that matter. So nobody should buy into the rhetoric here. That's it. Q Is there any U.S. assessment that Putin is using the hesitancy of the U.S. to send more Ukraine aid? Is he trying to weaponize that to take advantage of it in the war? MR. KIRBY: Well, look, I mean, you don't have to look any further than the air attacks that he continues to conduct, whether it's cruise and/or ballistic missiles and/or drones. He's going after military targets in Ukraine, of course, and he's going after the defense industrial base. But he's also throwing a hell of a lot of metal into the air so that he can get the Ukrainians to fire back at it and defend themselves, because he knows they're working their way through inventory right now. So part of this is trying to get them to pare down their inventory because he knows that the United States is now not able to send a significant amount of support and aid to Ukraine. So he's certainly taking advantage of what he's seeing happen on Capitol Hill. And the dysfunction in our own system up there on Capitol Hill is definitely giving him an opportunity to place his own military positions at greater advantage. And I'll tell you, look I mean, again, I talked about this last week but still true today: He's not stopping, not on the ground either. He's got Avdiivka. And over the last few days, he's taken a couple other towns and villages to the west of Avdiivka. He's moving forward against Ukrainian defensive lines, defensive lines that they are having a harder time defending and holding because they're not getting the support from the United States that they have been counting on. So it's way past time for us to get that national security supplemental passed, way past time for us to start restocking Ukrainian shelves so that they can better defend themselves. MODERATOR: Thank you. And thank you, everyone, again for joining. Sorry again for the audio issue at the top. Again, we'll have a transcript out in a few hours. And if we weren't able to get to you, feel free to reach out to the NSC press distro and we'll try to get back as soon as we can. Thanks. 2:31 P.M. EST NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Iron Swords - Day 150 - 04 March 2024 The war in Gaza continues for its 150th day, leaving more than 30,000 dead so far, while Hamas and Israel may or may not be close to reaching a ceasefire agreement before the month of Ramadan. Israeli media reported that the Israeli authorities suspect that the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, does not intend to reach an agreement in the coming days and hopes to escalate the violence during the month of Ramadan. The final decision on whether to implement restrictions is anticipated to be made within the next day or so, with ongoing security assessments planned throughout Ramadan. The momentum of the operations and the strength of the strikes directed by the resistance and its factions to the Israeli forces, prompted the Israeli army and its leaders recently to adopt the first policy in which its operation began, and to return the battle to square one, along the geography of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army returned to targeting residential homes, and dropping bombs on residents, causing the death and injury of dozens of civilians, most of them women and children. By the end of 2023 there was less "air softening" than there was in the first weeks of the ground campaign, There were voices in Israel that call for the obliteration of all buildings in the Strip, not as revenge but as a tactical solution - after all, there is no need to endanger soldiers by searching houses if they are destroyed by fire from fighter jets . A senior Hamas official said, It is unlikely that an agreement will be reached before the expected start of Ramadan on March 10, and instead it may come to fruition by the end of the first weekend of the month. An Israeli official expressed concern about whether Hamas was sincere in reaching an agreement after the delegation in Cairo failed to provide a list of the names of the living hostages and their conditions, a request that mediators say Israel submitted last week. The official said that Israel believes it is negotiating the fate of about 40 sick, elderly and female hostages, but it does not know who among them is still alive. The head of the Mossad, Dedi Barnea, received a phone call from the Prime Minister of Qatar Al-Thani, who informed him that the answer received from Hamas was a "hollow answer", and that the terrorist organization insists on not giving answers to two acute issues for the progress of the negotiations: the transfer of the names of the abductees who are alive (as part of the talks on the humanitarian deal for the release of 40 abductees) and the keys to the deal - how many prisoners will be released in exchange for each abductee in the category. Officials in the War Cabinet made it clear to Israeli N12 TV that the condition for transferring the list of live hostages was not passed as an official decision of the Cabinet - but through Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the head of the Mossad in Barna . The new condition may harm contacts for a deal and was not agreed upon at an early stage in the previous abductee deal that was launched. A senior official privy to the details of the negotiations told News 12: "Without these two parameters (the list of living hostages and the "keys" to the deal) other things have no meaning. It is impossible to negotiate. There is a clear picture here: Sinwar made a decision that in Ramadan he wants chaos and bloodshed over humanitarian aid, peace and a ceasefire for his population." In an interview with the BBC, a Hamas political official revealed that the organization lacks the knowledge to provide Israel with a list of living hostages, as it remains uncertain about the status and whereabouts of all captives. Basim Naim, a member of Hamas's politburo, explained to the BBC from Istanbul that Hamas has refrained from submitting a list of hostages to Israel due to the complexities of the situation. "Technically and practically, it is now impossible to know exactly who is still alive and who has been killed," Naim stated, citing the impact of Israeli bombardments and the blockade on Gaza. According to Israeli media, the fears of the Israeli security authorities regarding the upcoming Ramadan season in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem are rising, amid warnings from the Israelis that Hamas may exploit the most important time for Muslims as an opportunity to ignite the scene. The biblical holidays for the Jews this year intersect with the second week of Ramadan and Tarawih prayers, which may open the door to a new battle in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Ramadan is celebrated Mar 10, 2024 Apr 9, 2024. Tarawih, also known as Taraweeh, is a voluntary (nafl) night prayer performed by Muslims during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Tarawih prayers are a sunnah of the Prophet, which means that it was his practice to perform them. Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the survival of the Jewish people from annihilation in the 5th century BCE. The story is told in the Book of Esther and is known as the Feast of Lots. Purim dates are March 2324, 2024. Hamas called on 28 February 2024 for Palestinians to march to Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque at the start of Ramadan, raising the stakes. This is a call on our people in Jerusalem and the West Bank to march to Al-Aqsa since the first day of Ramadan, said Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. It is the duty of the Arab and Islamic nations to take the initiative to break the starvation conspiracy in Gaza, Haniyeh said. The Chief of Staff of the army, Herzi Halevy, the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, and the Inspector General of Police, Yaakov Shabtai, conducted joint assessments of the situation as the month of Ramadan approaches, according to a report on Israeli Army Radio. The report indicated that the goal of the joint situation assessment is to enhance coordination between the three security services, and operational readiness to confront any scenario, in addition to the desire to allow freedom of worship in Al- Aqsa Mosque for Arab citizens in occupied Palestine and for a limited number of Palestinians in the West Bank and under security restrictions. The report added that the Israeli army and the Shin Bet insist on their position regarding the free entry of Arab citizens into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, and demand that deliberations be held on this issue with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and an attempt to make the latter change his position, after he approved determining the number of worshipers from Arab citizens at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, after pressure exerted by the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir. Netanyahu canceled the deliberations with the leaders of the security services, which were scheduled to be held this evening. During these deliberations, the security services were going to present reports stating that the possibility of a security deterioration in the West Bank is high, and if that happens, there is doubt as to whether we will be able to stop it in parallel with the fighting. And the deployment of forces on all fronts, that is, in the Gaza Strip and opposite the Lebanese border. According to the report, the security reports that will be presented to Netanyahu will include data about the increase in the number of armed operations in the West Bank and Jerusalem by 80% during the past year. Israeli Army Radio quoted a senior security official as saying that the eruption of the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem during Ramadan will affect the situation in Gaza and the northern borders of occupied Palestine, opposite Hezbollah, and that fighting will be stopped in them, and forces will be transferred from Gaza and the north to the West Bank. The same security official added that Ben Gvir does not realize the risks, and that during deliberations with Netanyahu this evening, the army and Shin Bet will demand that the decision regarding forces storming Al-Aqsa Mosque be confiscated from the hands of the police, which means neutralizing Ben Gvir from making such a decision or influencing him. War Termination The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth indicated that the Israeli government estimates the number of living prisoners held by Hamas at only 40 people, and for this reason it insists on obtaining a list of the names of the living. The newspaper said: Estimates in Israel indicate that the number of alive kidnapped persons held by Hamas is about 40, but the number remains inaccurate, so Israel is determined to obtain this information from Hamas. Last Friday, the Israeli Walla website reported that Tel Aviv informed Cairo and Doha of its refusal to start another round of ceasefire talks until Hamas provided a list of names of living prisoners. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation unveiled an audio recording of Israeli prisoners whom the army said it had mistakenly killed in Gaza last December. In a related context, Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Ubaida announced last Friday that 7 Israeli prisoners were killed, along with the groups assigned to protect them , as a result of the ongoing Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. Abu Ubaida stressed that "the number of enemy prisoners who were killed as a result of the military operations of the enemy army in the Gaza Strip may exceed seventy prisoners. We have been keen all along to preserve the lives of the prisoners, but it has become clear that the enemy leadership is deliberately killing its prisoners to get rid of this file." On February 6, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced that 31 people out of the remaining 136 Israeli prisoners in Gaza had died , without explaining the reason for their death. Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing Israeli officials, that the occupying entity asked Hamas for the number of detainees alive in Gaza as part of a possible truce deal, not a list of their names. The Israeli officials who spoke to the channel, which it did not name, claimed that Hamas made a decision not to advance the deal. They explained that "Israel did not request a list of the names of living Israeli detainees , but rather the number of those alive, in order to build a mechanism related to their release and the number of (Palestinian) prisoners who will be released." The new claim that Israel did not request the list of detainees may indicate Israeli evasion, in an attempt to hold Hamas responsible for the lack of progress in the truce negotiations in Gaza, as the Hebrew channel Kan 11 reported, yesterday evening, Sunday, that the Israeli War Council (Cabinet) War) refused to agree to the condition of the occupation Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to obtain a list of living detainees held by the Hamas movement , at the beginning of the talks, in order to advance the prisoner exchange deal negotiations. The channel pointed out that unnamed parties in the cabinet criticized Netanyahu, and considered that he should not have placed this request at the beginning of the talks, noting that the agreement on the list in the previous deal was made shortly before the end of the negotiations. The channel quoted an unnamed source familiar with the negotiations as saying, Talk about an unnecessary step makes it difficult to move the negotiations forward. The same source claimed that the main obstacles to the deal are related to Hamas refusal to provide a response to the Paris proposal, the issue of the return of residents of the northern Gaza Strip to their areas, and the volume of humanitarian aid entering the Strip. Despite Cairo's optimism that a ceasefire agreement will soon be reached before Ramadan, the talks are widely described as faltering, with wide gaps. Egyptian official Cairo News TV reported on Monday that remarkable progress had been recorded during the ongoing talks in the Egyptian capital to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The television said, quoting a high-level source, saying, Egypt is making unremitting efforts to reach a truce agreement before the month of Ramadan, and the source confirmed that there is noticeable progress in the truce negotiations in an effort to reach a fair agreement. The source denied to the Arab World News Agency that the discussions touched on specific names among the prisoners required to be released so far, but it presented criteria for these prisoners in exchange for the Israeli detainees held by the movement in Gaza. In a related context, the source revealed a serious and detailed discussion about the return of the displaced from the south to the north, where their homes are. Despite Hamas request for the return of all the displaced, this entails the risk of crowding and crowding, which forced everyone to research the technical details of the return of the displaced from the south to the north. Discussing a new path that leads to the return of entire families to their homes within a timetable throughout the expected period of calm, so that there will be a return of more than 500 families daily to the northern Gaza Strip, provided that their return is regular with the participation of international institutions such as the Red Cross and UNRWA, to whose headquarters they were displaced. More than 60 percent of citizens. He continued that there has been a large agreement on the standards required for the release of detainees in Gaza and the Palestinian prisoners in exchange for them, and there are no obstacles in this file, noting that the United States pledged to persuade Israel to agree to the standards that are very close to the Paris II framework, so that the final ratio becomes 1 to 15 at most, with different details according to the names and cases of detainees in Gaza among the mentioned numbers. He pointed out that at least 20 people will be sentenced to life imprisonment and high sentences, including sick and elderly Palestinian prisoners. Egyptian media reported that ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip resumed in Cairo on Monday after the end of the first day with the participation of Egypt, the United States, Qatar and the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). The Cairo News Channel quoted an unnamed high-level source as saying that the negotiations of the first day of the talks in Cairo, with the participation of the mediators and the Hamas movement, have ended, and are expected to resume on Monday, without mentioning further details. Israel did not send its negotiating team yesterday, Sunday, to participate in the Cairo negotiations. In the last moments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would not send a negotiating delegation to Cairo unless Hamas presented a list of the names of its living Israeli prisoners. While Hamas believes that providing any details or information regarding its prisoners will not be without a price that Israel must pay in terms of alleviating the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip and establishing a ceasefire. Netanyahu, who 53% of Israelis believe that political survival is pushing him to prolong the war, last evening again called on Hamas to make concessions before further negotiations. He said in a speech in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening, We are making great efforts to achieve success, but one thing is clear to you: we will not yield to the imaginary demands of Hamas, indicating that it is too early to say whether there will be a strong framework for reaching an agreement in the future in the next few days. Israeli Channel 12, citing sources in the War Council, revealed that Israels request for the names of living detainees is not official and was not approved by the Council. While Kan reported that the Council did not agree to submit this request to move forward with the negotiations. Kan TV also quoted an official involved in the negotiations as saying, This is an unnecessary step that makes it difficult to move the negotiations forward. Netanyahu's position on the negotiations was strengthened by the position of his partner in the ruling coalition, the extremist Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, when he revealed that he had halted a framework agreement to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli prisoners in Gaza. Ben Gvir considered that continuing to pressure Hamas through war and preventing the entry of aid would push it to release the Israelis detained in the Gaza Strip. Regarding the Israeli dispute over the negotiations and the attempt to obstruct them by Netanyahu and members of his government, former Prisoners and Missing Persons Coordinator Yaron Blum expressed it in his statements to the Israeli website Reshet Beit, as he considered that Hamas refusal to provide the names of the living kidnapped persons is expected and cannot be obtained. Blum pointed out that Israel's demands are an attempt to "shift attention from Gaza to Al-Aqsa ," calling on the government and its ministers to "reduce unnecessary statements about Al-Aqsa," because this affects the negotiations. The American CNN channel quoted a senior diplomatic official as saying that Hamas wants Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire. The source indicated that it is very unlikely to reach an agreement, as the Israeli Kan channel explained that Israel, after dialogue with the mediators, estimates that the Hamas leadership in Gaza is involved in negotiations on the deal, meaning that the answers given by senior Hamas officials in their meetings are also based on Hamas position in Gaza. In the same context, a leading Hamas source told Al Jazeera yesterday, Sunday, that the movement is working for the return of our people to the areas from which they were displaced, especially in the north, and for a complete withdrawal of the occupation. The source confirmed that the movements delegation in Cairo does not care about the arrival or non-arrival of the occupation delegation, noting that Israel is managing the field and negotiating battles with confusion and randomness. The French website Media Part opened an article by writer Rene Bachmann in which he tried to determine the reasons for the continued negotiations between Israel and Hamas, through Qatar, Egypt and the United States, so far without tangible results, indicating that the diplomatic climate has deteriorated to the point that the chances of rapid success of the discussions before... The beginning of the month of Ramadan remains humble. Hamas said, The negotiations are not an open process at the expense of the blood of our people, and if they fail to achieve a ceasefire and release the detainees, Israel will bear the responsibility alone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides also said that the conditions put forward by Hamas were unacceptable. But there are also other, more decisive explanations for the deterioration of the diplomatic climate - as Bachman sees it - related to the political positions or the projects, problems and personal calculations of the Israeli Prime Minister, to the complex and extremist character, the volatility of his parliamentary coalition as well, and to his inability to envision and prepare an acceptable and credible post-war phase. These matters are not easy for Netanyahu and his spokesmen to invoke, and he knows better than others that what is at stake now, beyond the fate of the detainees and the outcome of the war, and the transition to the post-war period and the search for a new regional balance, is his political and personal future. The problem is that no one can expect such an arrogant, spiteful, manipulative politician to behave properly as a statesman when leaving the stage of power, because the fate of his people, not to mention the fate of his enemies, is obscured from him during his final choices by his ideological inclinations and his stubborn desire to protect his interests. Personality, according to a former deputy who knows him well. It appeared during the meetings that took place in Paris that Hamas requested a cessation of fighting for 135 days in 3 phases of 45 days, and the release of 100 living detainees and about 30 bodies, in exchange for Israel releasing part of the 8,000 prisoners in its prisons and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from populated areas in the first phase of the truce, then complete withdrawal from the entire sector in the third phase. It seemed possible to reach an agreement on these proposals - as the writer says - but Netanyahu rejected them in general, and said that he was determined to continue military operations until what he calls final victory, which his generals do not know what it means. Is it the elimination of Hamas? Or the destruction of the political and administrative infrastructure? Or the expulsion of the Palestinian population and the return of the occupation, as some partners in the government coalition dream of? Netanyahu explained that any ceasefire agreement will not force Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza before victory, despite protests from the families of the detainees, and said that military pressure would give him better exchange terms, but he could not hide that he is not in a rush to conclude a deal. an agreement. The following negotiations in Cairo, in mid-February, seemed promising and more tense, especially in the presence of Jordanian, Saudi and Emirati delegations, in addition to Palestinian representation, which gave optimism that the discussions would go beyond humanitarian-military bargaining about consolidating the cessation of fighting and releasing detainees, until after a regional peace plan was put forward. Long-term, they want to announce it symbolically before the beginning of Ramadan. However, this peaceful intention seemed somewhat unrealistic, and even clearly imaginary, because Netanyahu, despite the requests of several friendly capitals, continues to reiterate what he constantly repeats, that neither negotiations nor external pressure will prevent him from launching a ground attack, on Rafah, according to the writer. As expected, the negotiations focused on stopping the fighting, releasing detainees, and developing a long-term Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, including the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is known that Netanyahu has always opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, is radically hostile to the peace process and firmly supports settlement development and simply annexing Palestinian lands. Today, he acts as if the Abraham Accords concluded in September 2020 meant normalization between Israel and the Arab world without having to... Offering the slightest concession to the Palestinians. So why, under these circumstances, should Netanyahu - as the writer wonders - enter into a deal to exchange detainees for prisoners, and give the Arab countries a means to blackmail concessions that he rejects, and for which his religious allies will make him pay the end of the alliance that allows him to retain power. Indeed, the post-war plan, which Netanyahu revealed two weeks ago after obtaining the approval of the War Cabinet, confirms that he is still adhering to his principles, and that he does not take into account the suggestions of Washington, the Arab partners, and the recommendations of the international community. Former diplomat Alon Pinkas, who became a political analyst, said This plan is not workable, and it is not a plan. In complete contradiction to the terms of reference accepted since the Oslo Accords, the position of the Israeli Prime Minister de facto prevents a negotiated outcome based on the establishment of the State of Palestine, but his erratic behavior in the war makes his political situation worse, and his popularity has reached an unprecedented level of decline. His Defense Minister threatens to blow up the coalition in protest against his prioritization of his personal political interests rather than the interests of the country. Operational Update There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza we have dismantled 18 of them, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign reporters. Now, Rafah is the next Hamas center of gravity. HAMAS medical sources announced on Monday that the number of children who died in the Gaza Strip due to malnutrition and lack of treatment had risen to 16 children, after the death of a child in Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital in the city of Rafah. The IDF has concluded an initial review of the unfortunate incident where Gazan civilians were trampled to death and injured as they charged to the aid convoy, IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement to international press. Our initial review has confirmed that no strike was carried out by the IDF towards the aid convoy. The majority of Palestinians were killed or injured as a result of the stampede, he explained. Nevertheless, there was an incident involving IDF soldiers. Hagari described it as following the warning shots fired to disperse the stampede, and after our forces had started retreating, several looters approached our forces and posed an immediate threat to them. According to the initial review, the soldiers responded towards several individuals. As a professional military committed to international law, we are committed to examining our operations thoroughly, he added, saying the probe will be undertaken by an independent body. Operational Update - Gaza Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations as well as heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups continue to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, particularly in Az Zaitoun area of Gaza city and in northwest Khan Younis, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure. Palestinian armed groups continued to fire rockets into Israel. The end of the fifth month of the Israeli aggression on Gaza was no better than the rest of its days, in light of the competition between the south and north of the Gaza Strip for the forefront of the field scene, through resistance operations that witnessed an increase in their intensity and quality, operations that forced the Israeli army to acknowledge the difficulty of operating in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City in the north, and Khan Yunis in the south of the Strip. In just forty-eight hours, the squares in Gaza witnessed about twenty-five combat operations, including ambushes, bomb explosions, and tank explosions, in addition to sniping operations, mortar shells, and rocket attacks, and the downing of Israeli marches. After the Israeli army announced weeks ago that its operation in Khan Yunis was nearing the end, the Israeli leadership was forced to expand the ground operation in Khan Yunis again, due to the ferocity of the battles there. The Israeli's escalation comes as an attempt to deter the escalation of resistance operations and restrict the resistance's flexibility and vitality in rebuilding its cells. This is what the entity's leaders consider the worst scenario they can accept at the beginning of the sixth month of operations, and to preserve the image of the Israeli military achievement. Israel is also betting that increasing popular pressure and the incubating environment turning against the resistance will play a role in forcing it to make more concessions at the negotiating table. In Gaza City, there is still the Al-Zaytoun Neighborhood , which is considered a cornerstone in the resistance to the Israeli forces. The IDFhas not been able to control it, as it withdraws and advances repeatedly, engaging in fierce fighting in the Al-Zaytoun Neighborhood. The major operations taking place currently and the raging fighting are represented in Gaza City, Bureij Camp, and the Al-Qarara area north of Khan Yunis, because Al-Qarara is considered resistant to the Israeli enemy, as commandos landed there in the north of Khan Yunis in an attempt to control it, believing that there are tunnels in this area. Israeli aircraft bombed a temporary mass grave in the Block 2 area of the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, which led to the scattering of bodies in the vicinity of the cemetery after they emerged from the ground. One of the paramedics said that the Israeli bombing created a large hole in the cemetery, and that they reburied the bodies. A raid on terrorist infrastructures, the arrest of dozens of terrorists and airstrikes: this is what the 98th Division's 'Crown of the West' operation looks like in Khan Yunis. The forces of Division 98 embarked on the 'Crown of the West' operation, this operation joins the sequence of operations led by the division in Khan Yunis. The forces arrived secretly during the night and surrounded the 'Hamad' neighborhood in the west of Khan Yunis. There are many terrorist infrastructures in the neighborhood and, according to an intelligence assessment, terrorists who escaped from the battle scenes in Khan Yunis are hiding there. The combat teams of Givati and the 7th Armored Brigade surrounded the neighborhood, and the commando fighters raided on foot during the night Hamas terrorist infrastructures in the neighborhood. Among them: weapons warehouses, hiding apartments and infrastructure used by senior Hamas officials. The divisional attack began with attack aircraft during which dozens of targets were attacked from the air and from the ground with ongoing air support. A humanitarian evacuation axis was established in the area through which it is possible for citizens to go to shelters. The forces prevent terrorists from leaving the neighborhood and so far dozens of terrorists who tried to escape have been arrested, the terrorists are interrogated by the forces and provide important information for the continuation of the fighting. Yesterday (Saturday), GAP terrorists launched rockets towards Hatzeri and Bari. Within less than 30 minutes of the launch, the divisional fire complex of the Nahal Brigade identified the terrorist squad and directed an aircraft that attacked and eliminated them. Combat team fighters of the Nahal Brigade eliminated 15 terrorists during the last day, with sniper fire, aircraft, and with the help of tanks. In one of the encounters, the fighters identified a squad of terrorists entering a Hamas military compound. An aircraft attacked and eliminated the terrorists. In the last day, the forces of Division 98 began an attack in the west of Khan Yunis, during which they surrounded the "Hamad" neighborhood and carried out raids in the area of the neighborhood. The combat teams of the Givati Brigade, the 7th Brigade and the commando formation attack terrorist targets and eliminate terrorists who operate from within the civilian space. Haaretz newspaper said that the Israeli army does not want to bring humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip itself, but rather proposes transferring responsibility to Palestinian businessmen. However, sources told the New York Times that the flour massacre was carried out by the Israeli forces despite coordination with Palestinian merchants, claiming to provide security. This comes after repeated Israeli targeting of aid trucks and the crowds waiting around them, coinciding with the continuation of complex negotiations in Cairo, where Israel refused to send its delegation unless the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) submitted to its conditions, in what appears to be an attempt by the Israeli to turn humanitarian aid into a pressure card. According to Haaretz newspaper, senior Israeli army officials believe that if the Israeli political level does not decide who is responsible for providing humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, incidents similar to those that occurred in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday will be repeated, in reference to the flour massacre at a roundabout. Nabulsi, north of the Gaza Strip. According to the officials quoted by the newspaper, the Israeli army proposes to bring in aid by sea, with Palestinian merchants in the Gaza Strip assuming responsibility, after imposing severe measures that prevent and hinder the entry of aid through the Rafah crossing, in addition to curtailing the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ), which was Responsible for the aid distribution file in Gaza. Senior Israeli army officials warned that the failure of the political level to determine who would bear responsibility for distributing aid could lead to damage to what they called international legitimacy for the continued fighting in the Gaza Strip by the United States and the international community as a whole, amid increasing international condemnation of the Israeli armys deliberate targeting of aid trucks. The Israeli army refuses to distribute humanitarian aid, saying that this will expose its soldiers to danger, demanding a civilian body to be responsible - among other things - for distributing aid. This is consistent with the vision of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed in the post-war document , which includes closing UNRWA, and having local elements with administrative experience responsible for civil administration and public order in Gaza. In this regard, the tribes in the Gaza Strip categorically refused to cooperate with Israel to govern the territories and manage the distribution of aid. For his part, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian caretaker government, Muhammad Shtayyeh, praised the refusal of the tribes in the Gaza Strip to cooperate with Israel to govern the territories and manage the distribution of aid. He stressed that Israel should allow international institutions to work throughout the Gaza Strip, especially in the north, and allow aid to be delivered through United Nations institutions and other relevant institutions. In the context of the Israeli demand that Palestinian businessmen bear responsibility for distributing aid in Gaza to avoid incidents similar to what happened at the Nabulsi Roundabout, the New York Times revealed that the Israeli army itself organized the aid convoys it targeted at the Nabulsi Roundabout, after it claimed - in communication with Palestinian merchants - that it would protect them. The newspaper quoted two Palestinian merchants as saying that Israeli officials contacted several businessmen in Gaza and asked them to help organize aid convoys to the north, while Israel would provide security. One Palestinian trader said he helped coordinate trucks in a convoy on Thursday, after an Israeli officer asked him about 10 days ago to organize aid trucks to northern Gaza. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and doctors confirmed that the Israeli army deliberately opened fire on the Palestinians who were trying to obtain food supplies at the Nabulsi roundabout, killing them and wounding a number of them, in a massacre that resulted in hundreds of martyrs and wounded. Israeli officials believe that preventing the entry of aid and imposing famine on the residents of the Gaza Strip will push Hamas to release the Israeli detainees , despite the US administrations demands for aid to enter Gaza and protect it, especially in the northern Gaza Strip. In this context, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted media reports that US President Joe Biden refused to speak with Netanyahu after targeting civilians waiting for aid at the Nabulsi roundabout. The newspaper considered that this indicates Biden's anger at Netanyahu, who is "not committed to protecting" the transit of aid. However, Netanyahu's office denied media reports that Biden refused to speak with the Israeli Prime Minister. While negotiations continue to reach a deal in which Hamas demands the entry of 500 aid trucks daily into the Gaza Strip, Israel allowed some countries to airdrop aid - some of which fell at sea and some of which was transported by the wind to settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip - in what appears to be an attempt by Israel to reduce the volume of international criticism of Tel Aviv by adopting a starvation policy. Operational Update - Judea-Samaria The Israeli occupation authorities tightened their siege on the West Bank since the start of the war on Gaza, as the Israeli army increased its military checkpoints and closed the roads linking villages and cities inside and around the West Bank. The Israeli siege has made the daily lives of Palestinians more difficult and complex. On 2 March, Israeli forces shot and killed a 13-year-old boy, and injured another, at the entrance of the Al Jalazoun Refugee Camp in Ramallah, where they were from. According to Israeli media, the two children were attempting to throw Molotov cocktails. On 2 March, Israeli forces shot and killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy during a search-and-arrest operation in Kafr Nima village in Ramallah. According to local sources, the boy was shot while watching the forces withdraw. On 2 March, an Israeli civilian was injured after being stabbed by a Palestinian man in Adh Dhahiriya community, Hebron. The man was transported to Israeli hospital and the suspected assailant later arrested. On the morning of 4 March, Israeli forces shot and killed a 16-year-old Palestinian boy and injured two others when the forces raided Al Amari refugee camp in Ramallah; there were no clashes at the time of the killing. Subsequently, an exchange of fire took place between Palestinians and Israeli forces, in which a member of Israeli forces was injured. The Israeli forces carried out at dawn today and during the past hours a number of raids into cities and towns in the West Bank, and carried out a massive campaign of raids and arrests. The Israeli forces stormed Nablus from several fronts and with a large number of military vehicles, and besieged the Al-Makhfiyah neighborhood in the north of the city, before raiding the house of the martyr Moaz Al-Masry and blowing up his house, amidst firing by resistance fighters towards the Israeli army. It is noteworthy that Moaz Al-Masry was martyred with two of his companions in an Israeli military operation inside the Old City last May. Israeli forces stormed the western axis in the city of Tulkarm in the northern West Bank with a number of military vehicles, and also blew up a house. The Israeli forces, accompanied by a number of military bulldozers, headed towards Nour Shams camp, east of the city, amid the sound of sirens in the camp. In another development, Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that Israeli forces stormed the town of Ya'bad, southwest of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, from its eastern entrance. Palestinian platforms also published scenes of the Israeli forces firing light bombs in the town of Arbouna in the Jenin district. A young Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces bullets during their raid this Monday morning on Al-Amari camp, south of Ramallah , while the campaign of raids continued in the city of Qalqilya and Nour Shams camp, east of Tulkarm, in addition to the bombing of the house of the martyr Moaz Al-Masry, south of Nablus. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the 16-year-old boy, Mustafa Abu Shalbak, was hit by occupation bullets in the neck and chest, leading to his death, while there were injuries among Palestinians. The Israeli forces stormed Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate from its northern and southern axes and besieged Al-Amari camp, south of Ramallah, where it carried out a raid on a number of homes with the aim of arresting those it described as its wanted persons. Violent clashes took place between Palestinian resistance fighters and the occupation forces, which also led to the injury of a female soldier. Pictures published on social media showed the soldiers injury, the attempt to evacuate her from the camp, and traces of blood at the site of her injury at the outskirts of the camp. The Israeli occupation forces continue their military operation inside Al-Amari camp after storming it since the dawn hours, where they deployed their military vehicles and soldiers from the infantry units in its neighborhoods, closed its entrances, raided a number of homes, arrested a number of citizens, and transferred them to detention centers for investigation. In a policy of escalation, the occupation forces also stormed the town of Habla, south of the city, and began a search operation in a number of homes, in addition to obstructing the work of medical teams on Street 22 in Qalqilya. Palestinian platforms also published scenes documenting the occupation forces storming the Nour Shams camp, east of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, while sounds of gunfire were heard. Scenes show the sounds of clashes being heard and smoke rising as a result of the occupation forces throwing smoke bombs into the camp. Israeli Army Radio reported that an exchange of fire was taking place between Palestinian resistance fighters and Israeli forces in the same camp. Settlers stormed what they believe is the tomb of the Prophet Joseph in Nablus, and attacked a number of citizens' homes. Because of this, armed clashes broke out with Palestinian resistance fighters, prompting the occupation forces to bring vehicles to the area to besiege the area of Josephs Tomb, to secure the entry of extremist settlers to perform Talmudic rituals. Palestinian platforms broadcast images of settlers storming the Joseph Tomb area in the eastern region of Nablus and attacking a number of Palestinian homes. This comes as former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich support violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Olmert added in statements to CNN that the Palestinians must have their own state and exercise their right to self-determination. The security forces operated tonight in the city of Nablus in Samaria to demolish the apartment of the terrorist Ehad Masri who took part in the shooting attack on April 7, 2023 at the Hamra intersection in which the daughters of the late Di family were murdered. During the night throughout Judea and Samaria and in the Bekaa and Emekim Division, 13 wanted persons were arrested. In an operation that lasted about six hours in Al-Amri in the Binyamin Brigade, the fighters acted under the direction of the Shin Bet and arrested two wanted persons. In addition, the forces interrogated many suspects and confiscated incendiary materials of Hamas. During the operation, a violent disorder developed in which suspects threw stones and threw Molotov cocktails at the fighters who responded by shooting, an injury was detected. As part of the exchange of fire in the area, an MP fighter was injured in her leg and was lightly evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital, her family was informed. During an engineering activity in Nor a Shams in the Menashe Brigade, the forces uncovered charges that had been buried under axles with the aim of damaging Israeli forces. In Hebron in Judea, two wanted men were arrested and many suspects will be interrogated. Four wanted persons were arrested in Deir Amar in Ephraim and two more wanted persons were arrested in Tubas in the Bekaa and Emekim division. The arrested wanted persons and the confiscated inciting materials were handed over to the security forces for further investigation. In the last day, the 7th Brigade Combat Team led the evacuation of the civilian population and arrested about 80 suspects of involvement in terrorist activity, including Hamas and GAP terrorists who tried to escape under the protection of the population. The battle team of the Bislah Brigade (828) continues its attacks on the Carrara area. According to data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Authority (governmental) in an annual report, settlers carried out 2,410 attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank during 2023, at a time when 25 Bedouin communities were displaced, including 22 communities after last October 7. Since the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, and the army has escalated its operations, leaving - in addition to the martyrs - about 4,650 wounded, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and approximately 7,335 detainees, according to institutions specialized in prisoner affairs. Operational Update - Lebanon For the first time since the beginning of the escalation, Lebanese Hezbollah announced that it had targeted an Israeli force while it was trying to infiltrate Lebanese territory, while the occupation announced that one person was killed and 10 others injured as a result of rocket shells falling on Margaliot in northern Israel. Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters detonated an explosive device with an Israeli force from the Golani Brigade at dawn on Monday, before targeting it with artillery shells while it was trying to infiltrate Lebanese territory from the direction of Khirbet Zarit, opposite the town of Ramia. The party also announced that it targeted the Israeli Zarit barracks and its surroundings with artillery. Yesterday, Sunday, Hezbollah announced that it had carried out 7 attacks against Israeli sites, off the southern border of Lebanon, and in the occupied Kfar Shuba hills. For its part, the Israeli Ambulance Authority said that one person was killed and 10 others were injured as a result of rocket shells falling on Margaliot in the Upper Galilee, near the border with Lebanon The authority indicated that the person who was killed as a result of rocket shells falling on Margaliot in northern Israel was a foreign worker. The Israeli army launched air and artillery bombardment on several villages and towns in southern Lebanon . The army said that it carried out raids on a Hezbollah military complex and infrastructure in Aita al-Shaab and Kafr Kila in southern Lebanon. Fighter jets attacked a Hizbullah military site in the Shekhin area, where the organization's terrorists were. Also, warplanes attacked a military structure of Hezbollah in the area of Eyta al-Sha'ab. In addition, a launch was detected that crossed from Lebanese territory towards the Margaliot area. As a result of the launch, several civilians were injured who were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital by air force attack helicopters and an MDA helicopter. IDF forces attacked the source of the shooting. US envoy Amos Hockstein arrived in Beirut today, Monday, to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at stopping the escalation of the conflict across the Lebanese-Israeli border and achieving stability. Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, said he believes the timing of Hockstein's visit indicates the progress made in efforts to reach a truce in Gaza "in the next few hours or days." He added, "If this happens, I think that Hochstein's visit this time will be of great importance to keep up with the truce on our southern borders, and to discuss what is required for stability and to end the possibility of expanding the war with Lebanon." The American officials involved in the negotiations agree that even the Israeli public and even more so the Lebanese public do not understand that Security Council Resolution 1701, which sealed the war in 2006, was simply never respected as a language by both sides. For example: the IDF paved roads and set up positions in various places even beyond the "blue line", to which the IDF withdrew and which was adopted by the UN. The Lebanese are now demanding that these violations be corrected, but in some places this means topographical inferiority to the IDF. to and to the settlements of the Upper Galilee. On the other hand, the sections of Resolution 1701, which imposed a total arms embargo on supplies to Hezbollah and the like, without the approval of the Beirut government, were never respected. Israeli Channel 12 reported that in Washington there was surprising optimism regarding the chance of reaching an understanding based on the assessment that Hezbollah and Nasrallah's patrons in Iran do not want a wide war under any circumstances. Therefore, Hochstein should make it clear both in Beirut and in Jerusalem that he has no intention of engaging in the old dispute over the "Sheba Farms" (Mount Dov), the same area 14 kilometers long and two kilometers wide that Syria claims ownership In Washington's, if Israel is encouraged to go for creative solutions, this will allow Nasrallah to boast of improving Lebanon's position along the border in order to justify withdrawing from the campaign. The bait that Hochstein will present will include the convening of a conference of donor countries to increase aid to the regular Lebanese army as well as the convening of an international conference for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon. This after in 2006 it was Iran alone that worked to restore damaged villages. One of the problems raised by Hassan Nasrallah is that a large part of the members of the Radwan force and the soldiers of his regional divisions south of Litani - Nasr and Aziz - are from the surrounding villages and cannot be displaced from their homes. Operational Update - Syria / Iraq The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that it had targeted the chemicals station in the occupied port of Haifa with drones on Friday evening, coinciding with the emergence of questions about the negotiations held in Baghdad regarding the possibility of the complete withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. Once again, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq "proved with fire" that it is still part of the fronts supporting the Gaza Strip in the face of the Israeli aggression and that the truce with the Americans during the withdrawal negotiations does not include the occupying entity. The Iraqi resistance announced in a statement that its mujahideen attacked, last Friday evening, by drone, the chemical materials station in the port of Haifa in the occupied territories. The resistance stressed in its statement that the targeting comes as part of its continuation of the approach of resisting the occupation and supporting the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and in response to the massacres that the occupying entity continues to commit against Palestinian civilians. It seems that the new resistance operation came to end a controversy over what is said about Iraqs exit from the battle to support Gaza after the truce with the Americans, which the resistance committed to while waiting for the outcome of the negotiations that the government has been conducting with Washington since last January. But what is noteworthy is that the resistance process coincided with the emergence of questions raised by the three rounds of negotiations held so far in Baghdad, which do not seem to include talk of a complete withdrawal of American forces, or even the possibility that the negotiations will end soon. The Baghdad government did not officially comment on the results of the discussions, except through the confirmation by the Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, in his capacity as head of the Iraqi side in the Joint Military Committee, that the committees meetings would continue. Government sources in Al-Sudani's office say that the discussions are proceeding towards arranging the relationship only, and that the United States has asked the Iraqi government for guarantees that the resistance factions will remain calm and not launch attacks on its forces. For its part, the coordination framework believes that the current dialogues, according to the messages sent by the government, have reached advanced stages regarding the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq, pointing out that the Islamic resistance is committed to agreeing with the government regarding its military operations, and therefore any delay or ambiguity regarding the discussions may repeat the scenario of military escalation. Operational Update - Yemen In solidarity with the Gaza Strip, the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) is targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea owned and operated by Israeli companies that transport goods to and from Israel, according to the groups statements. In response, the United States and its allies formed a military force to deal with the Houthi strikes, as American and British aircraft had previously launched numerous strikes on various areas in Yemen. The United States launches almost daily strikes to eliminate Houthi targets, while the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) targets cargo ships in the Red Sea owned and operated by Israeli companies that transport goods to and from Israel, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip. The Yemeni Ansar Allah group (Houthis) announced that it had targeted an Israeli ship in the Arabian Sea, hours after targeting American warships in the Red Sea. The military spokesman for Ansar Allah, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said in a statement: In victory for the oppression of the Palestinian people and within the response to the American-British aggression against our country, the naval forces of the Yemeni armed forces, with the help of God Almighty, carried out a targeting operation against an Israeli ship MSC SKY in the Arabian Sea. With a number of suitable naval missiles, the hit was accurate and direct, thanks to God. The statement added: "The targeting operation came only hours after carrying out a qualitative operation during which the missile force and the unmanned air force launched a number of ballistic missiles and drones at a number of enemy American warships in the Red Sea." The Houthi spokesman added: The Yemeni armed forces confirm that they will continue to prevent Israeli navigation or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine until the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted, and that they will not hesitate, with the help of God Almighty, to carry out more military operations in the Red and Arab Bahrain against All hostile targets in defense of dear Yemen and in confirmation of support for the oppressed Palestinian people, he continued: The Yemeni armed forces, through these two operations, confirm their ability to target warships and non-warships at the same time, and that their operations are escalating and continuing in the Red and Arab Bahrain, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab Al-Mandab, until the aggression stopped and the siege imposed on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip was lifted. Embrey Maritime Security Company announced that a fire broke out on board the Israeli ship that was targeted southeast of Aden, after it was exposed to two explosions, one of them remotely. The company said in a statement: A fire broke out on board the targeted Israeli ship flying the Liberian flag after it was exposed to two explosions, and no casualties were reported. The company announced earlier today that Houthis had targeted an Israeli container ship flying the Liberian flag 91 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen, and issued a distress signal. The company, "Embry", said in a statement, "The ship was flying the flag of Liberia and affiliated with Israel, and that it was heading from Singapore to Djibouti. The ship was listed as being managed by the Israeli company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, and this may have been an old affiliation, as no affiliation was listed." Ship to other public entities. According to the company, the ship issued a distress signal after it was reported to have been targeted, and continued to send an AIS (Automatic Identification System) signal after the incident. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency also reported that authorities were investigating an incident 91 nautical miles southeast of Aden. The Yemeni armed forces announced that they had targeted an Israeli ship in the Arabian Sea with a number of suitable naval missiles. The Armed Forces explained in a statement that the Naval Forces carried out the targeting operation against the Israeli ship (MSC SKY) in the Arabian Sea with a number of suitable naval missiles, and the hit was accurate and direct. This was a victory for the oppression of the Palestinian people and included a response to the American-British aggression against our country. It indicated that this operation came only hours after carrying out a qualitative operation during which the missile force and the unmanned air force launched a number of ballistic missiles and drones at a number of enemy American warships in the Red Sea. The Yemeni Armed Forces confirmed that they will continue to prevent Israeli navigation or navigation heading to the ports of occupied Palestine until the aggression is stopped and the siege is lifted on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and that they will not hesitate to carry out more military operations in the Red and Arab Bahrain against all hostile targets in defense of dear Yemen and in confirmation of their support. The oppressed Palestinian people. The statement indicated that the Yemeni armed forces, through these two operations, confirm their ability to target warships and non-warships simultaneously, and that their operations are escalating and continuing in the Red and Arab Bahrain, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab, until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted. The following is the text of the statement: In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Almighty said: {And they killed you in the way of God, and made known to them that God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.} God Almighty has spoken the truth about a victory for the oppression of the Palestinian people and guaranteed a response to the aggression. The British-American attack our country. The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces, with the help of God Almighty, carried out a targeting operation against an Israeli ship MSC SKY in the Arabian Sea with a number of suitable naval missiles, and the hit was accurate and direct, thanks to God. The targeting operation came only hours after carrying out a qualitative operation during which the missile force and the unmanned air force launched a number of ballistic missiles and drones at a number of enemy American warships in the Red Sea. The Yemeni armed forces confirm that they will continue to prevent Israeli navigation or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine until the aggression is stopped and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted, and that they will not hesitate, with the help of God Almighty, to carry out more military operations in the Red and Arab Seas against all hostile targets in defense of Yemen. Dear, and in confirmation of support for the oppressed Palestinian people. Through these two operations, the Yemeni Armed Forces confirm their ability to target warships and non-warships simultaneously, and that their operations are escalating and continuing in the Red and Arab Bahrain, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab, until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, the best protector, and the best helper Long live free, proud and independent Yemen. Victory belongs to Yemen and to all the free people of the nation. The British newspaper "The Independent" revealed that the UAE's transitional militia had submitted a request to the American and British administrations to provide it with support in exchange for providing protection for Israeli ships in the Red Sea. The newspaper explained that officials in the so-called Transitional Council in occupied Aden asked Britain and America to include them in the coalition to protect Zionist ships , and to arm their militias while providing air cover, in order to fight the Yemeni armed forces on the ground, and to stop their attacks on Israeli ships or those related to a statelet. Entity, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. The newspaper pointed out that the mercenary leader loyal to the UAE occupation, Omar Al-Baidh, confirmed that the United States and Britain do not have to carry out ground operations in Yemen themselves in order to stop the Red Sea attacks, but rather they only have to provide weapons to the transitional militia in Aden while providing air cover, and they will carry out any operation required. who are they. According to the British "Independent", the mercenary Omar Al-Beidh explained that the effective way for the United States and the United Kingdom to confront attacks by Sana'a forces in the Red Sea is to arm the "transitional" to participate in ground operations while providing air cover. The events in Gaza and the Red Sea shamed the Yemeni parties, and revealed the disdain of the mercenary forces and their involvement with the American-British-Zionist projects at the expense of the homeland and its territorial integrity, the most prominent of which are the mercenary forces affiliated with the UAE occupation in the occupied southern governorates. Maps All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness. Bystanders According to IDF intelligence, approximately 450 militants, predominantly affiliated with Hamas, hold positions within UNRWA. An investigation in the Financial Times shed light on the crisis that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ) is going through, and described this crisis as the worst in the agencys history, and that it threatens not only the residents of Gaza but also Palestinian refugees in the entire Middle East. According to the newspaper, the refugee camps in Lebanon appear to be the most fragile, and it quotes the official of the Lebanon branch as saying: For the Palestinians there, the agency is a lifeline with all its branches and complexities. The nutrition crisis in northern Gaza is rapidly deteriorating. As of 3 March, MoH in Gaza reported that 15 children had died of malnutrition and dehydration at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, and expressed fear for the lives of six other infants who are suffering from acute malnutrition. On 3 March, the UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodr, stated that the tragic and horrific child deaths in Gaza are unfolding despite being man-made, predictable and entirely preventable. According to Ms. Khodr, the lives of thousands more babies and children depend on urgent action being taken now to prevent famine, and for this we need multiple reliable entry points that would allow us to bring aid in from all possible crossings, including to northern Gaza; and security assurances and unimpeded passage to distribute aid, at scale, across Gaza, with no denials, delays and access impediments. Israeli airstrikes on Rafah continue to be reported. On 2 March, MoH in Gaza reported that 11 people were killed, and some 50 others were injured, when tents housing IDPs and people gathered in front of Al Emirati field hospital in Tall as Sultan area of Rafah were hit. Among the fatalities was a nurse and a member of the field hospitals ambulance crew. According to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), this MSF-supported field hospital is the primary maternal health facility in southern Gaza, and in recent weeks patients have voiced their fear of entering the hospital due to systematic attacks in and around healthcare facilities across Gaza. On 2 March, the Israeli army stated that it had carried out a precision strike in the area of the hospital, targeting militants from the Islamic Jihad group. The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus, described the incident as outrageous and unspeakable, and reiterated that health workers and civilians must be protected at all times. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned that the war in the Gaza Strip is a "powder keg" whose explosion could lead to a broader war in the Middle East. Turk said before the Human Rights Council in Geneva: "I am completely concerned that any spark from this 'powder keg' could lead to a broader conflagration. This will have repercussions on every country in the Middle East, and many other countries outside it." Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, said that about one million cases of infectious diseases have been detected in the Gaza Strip as a result of deteriorating living conditions, and the necessary medical capabilities are not available for them. Axis of Resistance The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, expressed his confidence in the decisive victory of the Palestinian people and the inevitable defeat of the Zionist entity and its protectors, and said: The International Court, by issuing a categorical condemnation ruling, must achieve a cessation of aggression, end the occupation, and punish and prosecute the Zionists and their protectors as quickly as possible. The President of the Republic referred to the common political positions between Iran and Algeria, especially defending the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people and rejecting crime and the Zionist occupation. He said: What is happening today in Gaza is genocide and a war crime, whose roots go back to 75 years of the history of the Zionist occupation. Raisi praised the valiant resistance of the Palestinian people, their men and women, and saw that American political, financial, armed and media support for the Zionists crimes represents a disgrace in the history of humanity. He criticized the inaction of international organizations that rant about human rights, and said: The hands of America and some Western countries that support the Zionist entity are stained today with the blood of innocent, oppressed people in Gaza. Raisi expressed his deep regret over the continuation of relations between some Islamic countries and the Zionist entity despite the continuation of criminal practices against the people of Gaza, and said: Cutting political and economic relations with this entity is one of the factors that will create a state of deterrence against the criminality of this entity. Raisi stated: We are confident of the decisive victory of the Palestinian people and the inevitable defeat of the Zionist entity and its protectors, and he praised the positions of the Algerian president in seeking to condemn the Zionist entity in the international court, adding: The international court, by issuing a decisive condemnation ruling, must achieve a cessation of the aggression, end the occupation, punish and prosecute. The Zionists and their entity's protectors as quickly as possible. He stressed: Defending the oppressed Palestinian people is one of the established principles of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We have never hesitated to support the rights of the Palestinian people, and we see that the way to guarantee the true rights of the Palestinians is to return to the voices of the Palestinian people, Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), Osama Hamdan, stressed the Palestinian resistances adherence to its positions and principles, and warned Israel and the United States that they would not yield to what he described as forms of deception and pressure. In his speech during the conference of the International Union of Resistance Scholars in Beirut, the Hamas leader said, With the continued steadfastness and resistance in the field, we assure the Zionists and their American partner that what is not done in the field will not be taken into account by the machinations of politics, adding that no matter what forms of deception and pressure are employed, The resistance will remain faithful to its sacrifices and adhere to the principles of its people and nation. Hamdan stressed, "Any flexibility shown by the Palestinian resistance in negotiations out of concern for the blood of the Palestinian people and to put an end to their great pain and sacrifices is matched by a complete readiness to defend our people." He believed that the Palestinian resistance succeeded in reimposing the Palestinian issue as a liberation issue as it always was, and that it exposed the flaw of the settlement with the Zionist entity and confirmed that it is not possible to coexist with this entity, and that the resistance thwarted the American administrations plans to liquidate the Palestinian issue in full partnership with the occupation. ". In the same context, Hamdan pointed out that the resistance forces are moving from the stage of cooperation and exchange of experiences to full participation in confronting the occupation, saying, The resistance, through its actions and sacrifices in the battlefields of support in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, has formed a solid structure in confronting the Zionist entity. Regarding the war of starvation to which the people of the Gaza Strip are being exposed, the leader of the Hamas movement called on the Arab and Islamic nation and the brothers in the ring countries to take the initiative in breaking what he called the starvation conspiracy against the Gaza Strip and its north in particular, stressing that this is their duty. He stressed the need to provide sustainable and successful support to end the suffering of the people of Gaza, calling on the nation to "impose a siege on Israel and cut off the roads it is trying to use to transport goods to the Palestinians, especially those that pass through the nation's ports and lands." On the occasion of the month of Ramadan, Hamdan called on the Palestinians in Jerusalem , the West Bank and the occupied interior to travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque from the first day of Ramadan and to turn every moment of Ramadan into a clash, confrontation and clash with the enemy. He said that it is also the nation's duty to contribute to the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood and to side with the Palestinian people and the resistance, which he said is still the choice of the nation and the people. Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestine Islamic Jihad Movement, Muhammad al-Hindi, confirmed that American policy in the Middle East aimed to liquidate the Palestinian cause, which is what Gaza rebelled against. In a press statement, Al-Hindi said that America is the first sponsor of terrorism in the world, considering that the Arab regime is wasting the nations components. He added, "Whoever avoids confronting Israel in the region will live as a slave to it and the United States," but everyone who confronts Israel today creates glory, history, pride, and victory for himself and the nation, and it is an enemy even to the normalizers. Pointing out that "at the end of this round, Israel's weight in the region and the world will diminish, and we will bury racism forever, along with the Arab impotence." The Deputy Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement indicated that Israel failed to crush the resistance, and did not succeed in recovering any prisoner, adding: It is ironic that America gives weapons to Israel, and throws crumbs of food to the Palestinians. Al-Hindi stated that Washington fears the expansion of the conflict in the region, and is seeking a truce to extract the prisoners, not to stop the battles, adding: This confrontation will increase the Palestinian peoples resilience, strength, and ability to face future challenges. Al-Hindi called on the occupation entity to look at its situation and its soldiers who are in crisis and fleeing, and whoever brags about the attack on Rafah should know that the resistance is surrounding you, stressing: Whether the truce deal passes or not, the political battle continues and parties in the region and abroad will intervene in it to try to subjugate the resistance. He added: The Arab regime has proven that it is worthless and is either helpless and silent, or complicit and sees resistance as a threat to its interests. The masks have fallen and the Arab regime has exposed its image by wasting the regions resources. Al-Hindi pointed out that what protects the people and the nation is the resistance that still dominates and controls the field after 150 days of massacres and bulldozing above and below the ground. Allied for Democracy Member of the Israeli war cabinet, Benny Gantz , began a visit to Washington to meet with American officials and discuss a temporary ceasefire and the need for a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza , according to a White House official. The visit comes at a time when the United States, Israel's main military and diplomatic backer , is seeking to reach a truce in the war that has been ongoing for about 5 months. Gantz is a minister without portfolio and a former defense minister, and a former rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his National Union party (centre) leads by a large margin of voting intentions, at a time when the Israeli coalition government appears rather fragile. The Wall Street Journal quoted an informed official as saying that Gantz informed Netanyahu of his visit to Washington after setting the agenda, and that Netanyahu was surprised by Gantzs visit and was extremely angry. She stressed that Gantz's visit to Washington reflects a sharp division in the Israeli political leadership. Tensions raged between the two sides following previous accusations by Netanyahu of Gantz of circumventing the Prime Minister, communicating with the Americans behind him, and coordinating positions with the administration regarding the war and prisoner exchange deals. Netanyahu had directed the Israeli embassy in Washington not to provide services to the minister in the War Council, leader of the State Camp party, Benny Gantz, or to accompany him on his visit to the United States. Israeli Army Radio, which reported the news, said that people close to Gantz arranged the visit independently and without seeking help from the embassy in Washington. Netanyahu and those close to him had previously accused Gantz of arranging travel to the United States to meet with senior officials without coordinating with the Prime Minister in accordance with the internal regulations and without obtaining prior permission from him. Maariv newspaper quoted Minister in the Mini-Ministerial Council Gideon Sa'ar as saying that Israel is still far from achieving the goals of the war in the Gaza Strip. Sa'ar pointed out that the army should have entered the city of Rafah a long time ago, explaining that this would have contributed to changing the balance of power in the war. Sa'ar's statements coincided with what the Israeli Channel 14 revealed about a number of officials in the department of Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari submitting their resignations, despite the continuation of the war in Gaza , as the channel indicated that the number of those who went into retirement during the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip is not natural. In recent months, Israeli reports have touched on the existence of deep differences between the political level (government) in Israel and the Israeli army, due to the governments management of the war and its post-war plan in the Gaza Strip. Sa'ar had previously stated that the battle in the Gaza Strip must be expanded to achieve its goals, as he considered that the matter would not be easy in the future. He is also an opponent of stopping the war on Gaza, as he believes that "stopping the war is surrender to Hamas, and this is the greatest strategic harm." He pointed out the need to put pressure on Hamas, considering that reducing army operations in Gaza and reducing the number of forces is "wrong." Researcher and political analyst Azzam Abu Adas points out that Israeli society is frustrated by this war, in which the army was unable to achieve any of its goals, as he put it. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid considered that extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir poses a "danger to Israeli national security and cannot be trusted on extremely sensitive issues." Lapid said in a blog post on his official page on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter,: Any normal prime minister would have expelled him (Ben Gvir) from the cabinet, adding: Ben Gvir leaked confidential and sensitive information from the cabinet sessions. He added: "The Americans have lost confidence in the Israeli government and in Netanyahu's ability to manage the war in Gaza." He continued: "The dream of Israel's enemies is for Netanyahu to continue to rule and lead this disastrous government," noting that this government is "a disaster for Israel's security and its economy." The Israeli opposition leader said: The Americans threw aid without us being able to pass it through the security check because they lost confidence in Netanyahu. He explained: The government is leading a confrontation against the security services, and the head of the Shin Bet service refrains from sharing information in the sessions, and he is right because irresponsible people are sitting in the cabinet. The White House official, who requested to remain anonymous, said that Gantz is scheduled to meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. He added, "This meeting is part of our ongoing efforts to speak with a wide range of Israeli officials about the war in Gaza and preparations for the next day." During his visit to the United States, Gantz is also scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The official explained that Harris will stress Israels right to defend itself in the face of continuing terrorist threats from Hamas, but she will also stress the urgent need to reach a hostage agreement that would allow for a temporary ceasefire, and the need for a significant increase in security. In aid to Gaza. The Vice President will also remind that "the United States is prepared to make further efforts to increase aid, especially through airdrops that began Saturday," in addition to "a possible sea corridor for transporting aid by sea." Hours before her meeting with Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war council involved in planning the aggression on the Gaza Strip, Kamala Harris, Vice President Biden, said, People are starving in Gaza, the conditions are inhumane, and our common humanity obligates us to act. She added, "The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. We will not accept any excuses." US Vice President Kamala Harris said that what we see daily in the Gaza Strip is devastating, and that a ceasefire must be declared immediately. She urged the Israeli government to make more efforts to increase the flow of aid to Gaza, saying that there were no excuses and that the residents of the Strip were suffering from a humanitarian catastrophe. In a speech during a visit to the state of Alabama, Harris said that there must be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that would ensure the release of detainees in Gaza while allowing more aid to enter the Strip. She said that many innocent Palestinians were killed, and that those who were searching for aid in Gaza were met with gunfire and chaos. She spoke about the presence of an agreement on the table, saying that the Hamas movement needs to approve it, and that a 6-week ceasefire will allow the release of hostages and the entry of a large amount of aid into Gaza, noting that what she described as the threat posed by Hamas must be ended, according to her. She stressed that the Israeli government must work to restore basic services and restore order in Gaza. Many American commentators expressed their anger at the administration of President Joe Biden's use of the airdrop mechanism for humanitarian and relief aid to hundreds of thousands of residents of the Gaza Strip , in light of the continuing tragic conditions that have reached the point of famine in the northern besieged Strip. Since Israel began its aggression against Gaza following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, Israel has controlled the process of bringing humanitarian aid into the Strip after a tripartite agreement with Egypt and the United States. Under the agreement, Israel only allows small quantities of food, water, medicine and other supplies to enter through the Rafah crossing on the southern Egyptian border, after undergoing procedures that include inspection of trucks. Much blame is placed on the Biden administration for its endless support for the Israeli position, militarily, politically, diplomatically, intelligence-wise, and financially. The United States dropped humanitarian aid into Gaza on Saturday, and the Israeli occupation army welcomed the airdrop of aid, while international relief organizations criticized this tactic, describing it as incomprehensible and completely insufficient to meet the needs of Gazas 2.2 million residents, many of whom are facing famine. Robert Ford, a veteran American diplomat, expressed his frustration with the way President Biden's administration dealt with Israel regarding its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip. On the X platform, Ford, who previously served as ambassador to Syria and before that to Algeria, tweeted and said, I have seen Israel insult previous American administrations, but with the exception of the deadly Israeli attack in 1967 against the US Navy destroyer Liberty, now forcing Washington to carry out an air drop is considered a threat. For aid to Gaza - as if America is not better than Egypt and Jordan - is the worst Israeli humiliation of the United States that I have ever seen in my life. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby pointed to the administration's plans to expand airdrop operations. "I can tell you that this is the first step, and it will not be the last, and this will be part of a larger, longer and sustainable effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid," he said. On the other hand, international relief agencies criticized the Biden administration's move to drop food aid to Gaza, describing it as ineffective. Commenting on the American move, Richard Gowan, Director of the International Crisis Group at the United Nations, said, Humanitarian workers always complain that airdrops are good opportunities to take pictures and publicity, but they are a poor way to provide aid. Scott Ball of Oxfam also wrote on the "X" website, attacking the Biden administration, saying, "The drop in aid serves mostly to ease the guilty consciences of senior American officials whose policies contribute to the ongoing atrocities and the threat of famine in Gaza." He added, "While the Palestinians in Gaza have been pushed to the absolute brink of the abyss, dropping a trivial, symbolic amount of aid without a plan for its safe distribution will not help the Palestinians, but is deeply insulting to them. Instead of indiscriminate airdrops in Gaza, the United States should cut off the flow of weapons to Israel." Which are used in indiscriminate attacks, pressing for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, and insisting that Israel fulfill its duty to provide humanitarian aid and other basic services. Likewise, Brian Finucane, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, tweeted that if the US government shirks any meaningful influence to properly end the conflict in Gaza, it is merely fringe, desperate and insufficient measures to attempt to address the humanitarian catastrophe that is already occurring. For his part, Justin Amash, a former congressman and candidate for a Senate seat in Michigan, described Biden's position as hypocritical and duplicity. He said, "President Biden is asking Congress to fund dropping bombs on civilians in Gaza. At the same time, he insists on dropping aid on civilians in Gaza as well! This is absolute madness in his foreign policy." American activist Talia Jean expressed her frustration with the Biden administrations behavior and its choice not to confront Israel, and said, Instead of intervening against those who opened fire on those gathered in front of aid trucks to prevent them from reaching the trucks, you just allow them to continue doing so and continue sending money and weapons. "For them to do so." Meanwhile, Daylon Williams, Vice President of the Center for Global Policy in Washington, sent an angry message, in response to Bidens announcement of the start of the aid airdrop operation, and his pledge to do more to bring aid into Gaza. Williamser said in a tweet on the X platform, addressing the president, Relief agencies told you that Israel is limiting US-supported aid to Gaza, and the mainstream media presented this. American lawmakers visiting the region confirmed this, and Netanyahu himself bragged about it. Apply American law. He suspended the provision of military aid to Israel. In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Ambassador David Mack, former Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs and currently an expert at the Atlantic Council, indicated that Bidens position of allowing Israel to dictate its conditions and control the entry of aid into Gaza will cost him a heavy price, whether toward the foreign policy of the United States, or towards his internal political support. Ambassador Mack expressed his disappointment that the Biden administration resorted to the option of air drops for aid. He said, "Air drops are a wasteful and insufficient way to provide humanitarian aid. In the short term, they are an opportunity for propaganda only, and reflect a failure to address the real and growing problems inside the Gaza Strip." In his participation in the Face the Nation program yesterday, Sunday, Democratic Representative in the House of Representatives, Ro Khanna, launched an attack on Bidens position. He said, "There must be consequences for Israel standing in the way of American humanitarian aid reaching Gaza. We must make it clear that we will not continue transferring weapons. The policy of hugging bears and pampering Netanyahu has not succeeded." American businessman of Palestinian origin, Mohammed Hadid, criticized President Joe Biden for his relations with Israel during the war, saying that Biden will be pursued like a Nazi war criminal. In response to a clip broadcast by TRT World by the director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Network, Jeffrey Sachs, in which he called on the United States to stop supplying Israel with ammunition, the father of models Gigi and Bella Hadid said : This is Bidens war on the Palestinian people... He will appear in court with "The rest of the Zionist criminals. We will pursue them as they did the Nazis." "WE DON'T NEED TO ask for a CEASEFIRE - WE DEMAND A CEASEFIRE. We are indigenous to the land. We demand an end to the occupation and an end to colonialism. In short Get the hell out of Palestine". Weeks earlier, he said "they created their Yiddish language with accent from Russia, eastern Europe, and God knows where they were thrown out of. Palestine was not in Germany or Eastern Europe. I dont know why theyre trying to take their frustrations and anger when we had nothing to do with Hitler or the holocaust or them being thrown out of America when they send 100,000 Jews to Palestine and their mass from around the world cannot be more than 75,000 Jews but they kept on dumping people on our backyards and robbing us of our home and land and culture." Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers 71,920 Gazans injured 40,000 Gazans killed, including buried under rubble 33,000 Gaza targets attacked 30,534 Gazans martyred 15,000 rocket launched from Gaza 14,492 Israelis were injured [i24 TV] 13,430 Gazan children martyred 13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [N12] 12,000 HAMAS combatants killed [IDF] 11,000 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank in 2023 9,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons 9,000 IDF psychological assistance 8,900 Gazan women martyred 8,000 Gazans missing 7,335 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th 6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS] 5,500 IDF wounded [reports] 4,650 West Bank Palestinians wounded 3,484 administrative detainees 3,400 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria 2,976 IDF wounded [IDF] 1,609 terrorists killed on the first day 1,500 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria affiliated with Hamas 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day 575 Israeli officers and soldiers killed 431 West Bank Palestinians martyred 246 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza 202 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Lebanon 126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody 50 civilians killed in Lebanon 29 IDF deaths were caused by "friendly fire" 15 Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel The Palestinian resistance says that the losses of the Israeli forces are much greater than what is announced. Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel cannot represent the truth, due to a discrepancy between the Israeli armys data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself. In an interview with RT, Military strategist retired Tunisian Brigadier General Tawfiq Didi said that the number of Israeli army deaths in the Gaza battles is much greater than what Israel announces. Didi explained in an interview with the Best Saying program on RT channel, The number of people killed in battles can be easily known, as the equation in wars is that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, and the numbers now in Israel hover around 12,500 wounded and disabled people, and when we divide by Three, we find that the death toll exceeds 4,000, especially after eliminating more than a thousand tanks and armored vehicles, and I know what happens when Kornet missiles hit a tank. Its ammunition explodes and no one is left alive. He added, "The Israelis announce their dead only of those of Jewish origin and of the first race, meaning all Arabs, Falash, and those who are among them. They are not counted because they are of the second category. So I am sure that the number exceeds 4 thousand dead, and this is a very easy military calculation." He pointed out, "The Palestinian resistance documented everything it did, unlike the Israelis. The resistance documented shooting at tanks and armored vehicles and destroying the houses in which the Israeli soldiers were holed up, and we saw them being killed... We saw the Kornet hitting the tanks, we saw Al-Yassin 105, so the difference is clear." Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed have been held as hostages in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, respectively. Unlike the roughly 240 people kidnapped in the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks, the campaign for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed has received little publicity. Mengistu is known to suffer from what HRW deemed "serious" mental health issues. "Avera crossed one of the safest borders in the world, under the eyes of the security services," recalled Gil Elias, a relative. "We're talking about a mentally ill person who got lost." The calls for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed have been barely audible during the many years they have been held captive in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 04 March 2024 - Day 739 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that throughout February 2024 Russia has undertaken a campaign of one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (OWA UAV) against Ukrainian infrastructure, including electrical power infrastructure. Ukrainian air defence forces have repeatedly engaged the OWA UAVs, but Russia's strikes have highly likely damaged Ukrainian power plants and electrical substations. These attacks have taken place across Ukraine with damage being inflicted on regional power infrastructure including in Donetsk, Dnipro, and as far west as Lviv. Russian attacks have highly likely been undertaken by a combination of OWA UAVs, surface-to-surface missile systems and conventional rocket artillery, rather than Russian long-range aviation assets as observed in 2022 and 2023. It is likely that Russia has sought to target regional power facilities to degrade industrial activities in Ukraine. Despite these attacks, Ukraine's power network is maintaining stable network operations. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russian forces launched a total of 5x missile and 44x air strikes, carried out 68x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in wounded civilians. Residential private and apartment buildings, as well as other infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Chuikivka (Sumy oblast), Lyptsi, Varvarivka, Nesterne, Kolodyazne (Kharkiv oblast). Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Tovstodubove, Seredyna-Buda (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Krasne, Neskuchne (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted 6x attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast), Tverdokhlibove Novojehorivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Zapadne, Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault near Terny (Donetsk oblast), where the adversary, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Makiivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Serebryanka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks in the vicinity of Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of New York and Druzhba (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 21x attacks in the vicinities of Novoselivka, Berdychi, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Semenivka, Netailove, Kalynove (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Prechystivka and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian invaders, with air support, made 16x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched an air strike near Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). Orikhiv axis: the adversary conducted no offensives. However, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), Novodarivka, Malynivka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers, despite significant losses, do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, Russian forces carried out 2x unsuccessful assaults. More than 20x settlements, including Kherson, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Krynky, Zmiivka (Kherson oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. During the day of March 4, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 8x concentrations of Russian troops, 1x UAVs ground control station. On top of that, Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 1x Kh-59 air-launched guided missile. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, 1x air defense system, 6x artillery systems of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 43rd and 66th mechanised, 57th motorised infantry, and 115th territorial defence brigades near Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Ivanovka, Chugunovka, and Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The enemy losses in this direction amounted to up to 160 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one Msta-B howitzer. In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces defeated the units of the 28th mechanised, 46th airmobile, 79th air assault, and 214th territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, Georgiyevka, and Maksimilyanovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 360 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, two motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS launcher, one UK-made FH-70 howitzer, and one Msta-B gun. In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted fire defeat on AFU manpower and hardware of the 24th and 110th mechanised, 71st jaeger brigades and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Novokalinovo, Mayorsk, Berdychi, and Rozovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost over 490 Ukrainian personnel, two tanks, including one U.S.-manufactured Abrams; four infantry fighting vehicles, including three U.S.-manufactured Bradley; three armoured fighting vehicles, and 12 motor vehicles. In counter-battery warfare, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one Msta-B howitzer, one Gvozdika gun, and three D-30 howitzers were hit. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye, Vladimirovka, and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Over 320 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles were neutralised. In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces hit the clusters of manpower and military hardware of the 65th, 118th mechanised and 128th Mountain Assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and 15th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, and Pyatikhatki (Zaporozhye region). The enemy's losses amounted to up to 85 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, two HIMARS MLRS launchers, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Group of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroyed two UAV command posts close to Novokalinovo (Donetsk People's Republic) and Antonovka (Kherson region), as well as manpower and military hardware in 128 areas. Air defence facilities have shot down 81 unmanned aerial vehicles near Orlinskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Chervonogorka and Samoylovka (Zaporozhye region), and Gladovka and Krynki (Kherson region). In total, 575 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 14,193 unmanned aerial vehicles, 476 air defence missile systems, 15,348 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,231 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,286 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,325 pieces of special military hardware have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CISA and Partners Coordinate on Security and Resilience for Super Tuesday Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Released: March 04, 2024 Related topics: Election Security WASHINGTON - Tomorrow, Super Tuesday, is one of the largest national-level election days of the year. Primary elections and caucuses are taking place across a number of states and one U.S. territory. As the federal agency responsible for supporting the efforts of state and local election officials to secure election infrastructure, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will host an Election Operations Center on Tuesday. This Elections Operations Center brings together federal, state and local election officials, and the private sector to share real-time threat information to election security. As always, CISA stands ready to provide technical security support to the election infrastructure community. "While millions of Americans head to the polls for Super Tuesday, election officials have been preparing all year round to ensure a safe and secure election, and CISA has been right there supporting them," said CISA Director Jen Easterly. "I want to express my gratitude for the state and local election officials and thousands of poll workers supporting elections across the country. They are public servants and heroes, and CISA is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. It's because of their efforts that the American people can have confidence in the security and resilience of the 2024 elections." Elections are administered at the state and local levels. CISA coordinates across the federal government and with the private sector to help ensure whole-of-nation support to those officials. CISA encourages all Americans to turn to their state and local election officials as the trusted sources of information about the election process in their state and for official election results. For more information on CISA's election security efforts, visit CISA.gov/Protect2024. About CISA As the nation's cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia pledges new funds for maritime cooperation as ASEAN summit begins The South China Sea and Myanmar crisis are likely to be high on the agenda at meetings in Melbourne. By Harry Pearl for BenarNews 2024.03.04 -- Canberra will invest $64 million Australian dollars (US$41.8 million) over the next four years, including A$40 million in new funding, to expand maritime cooperation with Southeast Asia, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday. Wong made the pledge at a forum on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne, which will celebrate 50 years of partnership between Australia and the regional bloc. The summit is being held against a backdrop of increasingly assertive posturing by China in the South China Sea and the intensifying civil war in Myanmar, both of which are likely to be high on the agenda. Wong said the new funds for maritime cooperation would contribute to security and prosperity within the region. "What happens in the South China Sea, in the Taiwan Strait, in the Mekong subregion, across the Indo-Pacific, affects us all," she said in her keynote address Monday. She said the "region's character" was under challenge and that no country must dominate. "We face destabilizing, provocative and coercive actions, including unsafe conduct at sea and in the air and militarisation of disputed features," Wong said, without singling out a specific nation. China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes each year, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Taiwan. In 2016, an international tribunal refuted the legal basis for nearly all of China's expansive maritime and territorial claims in the waterway. It said that Beijing's insistence on holding "historic rights" to the waters were inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS. Beijing has never recognized the 2016 arbitration or its outcome. Speaking at the same forum, Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo said the rule of law and especially UNCLOS was the fundamental starting point for maritime cooperation in the region. "The shared stewardship of the seas and oceans in the region behooves us to unite in preserving the primacy of international law so we can ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes for all," he said. "It also calls for us to stand firmly together in opposing actions that contradict or are inconsistent with international law." The Philippines under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a stronger stance in dealing with Beijing on the South China Sea. Marcos has also pursued warmer ties with the United States, a traditional ally, reversing the policies of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. In recent months, tensions between Manila and Beijing have led to numerous run-ins, including the China Coast Guard's alleged harassment of Filipino vessels delivering provisions to troops at its military outpost on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the South China Sea. On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard deployed a patrol vessel to Benham Rise, a huge resource-rich underwater plateau off the eastern coast of the archipelago, amid reports of Chinese research vessels there. The 83-meter (272 foot) long BRP Gabriela Silang will also visit the northern Batanes islands, near Taiwan, the coast guard said. Benham Rise, which is part of the Philippines' extended continental shelf, does not fall within Beijing's "nine-dash line" territorial claims in the South China Sea but that has not stopped China from conducting surveying missions in the area. Camille Elemia in Manila contributed to this report. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Updated to include Monday's developments in the South China Sea. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Do Not Sell My Personal Information US-based dissident conference seeks plan for a democratic China The conference aims to improve on the current US system, and comes ahead of Beijing's rubber-stamp parliament. By Jing Wei and Gu Ting for RFA Mandarin 2024.03.03 -- As China gears up to focus on stability at its National People's Congress, overseas activists will be holding a conference in Washington to plan for the country's future transition to democracy, they told Radio Free Asia. The ruling Chinese Communist Party's 24-member Politburo has already met to set the tone for the proceedings of the rubber-stamp body, where government business is usually nodded through unanimously, agreeing that the government's annual work report to delegates will focus on "pursuing progress while maintaining stability," state media reported. And as delegates get ready for the set-piece political event in Beijing, where police are busy clearing away anyone who might even think about criticizing the government, some of China's veteran pro-democracy activists will be debating how to ensure a democratic transition in the event of the collapse of Communist Party rule, which marks its 75th anniversary this year. Titled a "National Affairs Conference" in a nod to high-level policy-making conferences that sowed the seeds for Taiwan's democratic transition in the 1990s, the event is being run by exiled former political prisoner and 1979 "Democracy Wall" movement leader Wei Jingsheng, former 1989 Tiananmen Square student protest leader Wang Dan and Wang Juntao, who heads the U.S. branch of the China Democracy Party, which was banned in China after its members tried to register it through official channels. They will then be sharing their plan with the rest of the world -- including people living in China, Wei told reporters. In a closed-door seminar that runs from March 2-3, the activists will be hashing out a "blueprint for a democratic China" that seeks not to overthrow the current regime, but to hit the ground running to ensure a democratic future, in case of its collapse. "We're having this conference to come up with a programme to let everyone know what kind of democratic system we want to set up, and how it ties in with different people's interests," Wei told RFA Mandarin in an interview ahead of the conference. Wei said he believes that Chinese Communist Party rule is "on the verge of collapse," and that democracy advocates in exile need to be ready with a plan. "The one-party dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party must collapse, for it to be possible to start the democratization process," Wei said, adding that the blueprint wouldn't amount to a constitution, which could only be voted through by a democratically elected parliament. 'Blueprint for China's future' He said the organizers had spent the past 20 years gaining "a more in-depth understanding" of Western democracies, and they believe they can improve on them. "It's a blueprint for China's future, and also for a system that is a bit better than that of the United States and some European countries," Wei said. Fellow conference organizer Wang Dan said the conference would focus on "democratic nation-building." "We want the new China to be built on the basis of constitutional government and democracy, but it will need to be built from scratch," Wang said. "That's why this first session will aim to outline a basic blueprint for governance ... including the legal system, education, and the political and economic systems." For Wang Juntao, the conference is about building a republic in which the government has far less control over people's daily lives and activities than it does now. "The government we want to set up will be a limited government, regardless of the form that its democracy takes," he said. "The government will have limited responsibilities, and basically won't interfere with problems that have no impact on citizens' rights, and which can be solved or operated by the private sector." "It won't be allowed to intervene too much," he said. Back in Beijing, a recent meeting of the Politburo called on the one-party state to "seek progress while maintaining stability," in a meeting that commentators said would set the tone for the National People's Congress, which opens in Beijing on March 5. "Government work reports at the parliamentary sessions in recent years have been entirely based on the Politburo meeting that happens right before the sessions open," U.S.-based political commentator Ma Ju said. Lacking ideas He said Communist Party leader Xi Jinping appeared to be out of fresh ideas. "Judging from a condensed version of the ... government work report, we see that Xi Jinping is no longer capable of exploring new directions for [economic] development," he said. "It also shows us that the authorities are indifferent to the actual situation in China." Late last year, Chinese state media started pumping out positive propaganda about the state of the economy, and this week dismissed reports of an economic downturn as a "smear campaign" from Western media. According to an independent scholar in China, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, the fact that China is marking the 75th year of Communist Party rule this year means that it can only continue to pump out positive propaganda about the economy, despite a burst property bubble, crippling government debt and dwindling confidence. "The economy is on the verge of collapse ... huge amounts of foreign capital have pulled out, and social unrest is intensifying," the scholar said. "But the central government is focusing on political stability." "This year can only bring more intensified crises ... as people are just like they were back in 1976 [at the end of the Mao era], hoping for change," they said, adding that "stability" had been mentioned several times in Thursday's report on the Politburo meeting published by state news agency Xinhua. Australia-based writer Yuan Hongbing said there appeared to be little of substance in the Politburo that might help the economy. "The deteriorating economic situation isn't going to change -- it's caused by Xi Jinping's key policy, which is to advance the state sector at the expense of the private sector," Yuan said. "This has led to a steady economic decline ... they talk about opening up ... but that has no practical meaning." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NPC session to publish draft defense budget; figure maintains reasonable, steady growths in recent years: spokesperson Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Mar 04, 2024 04:31 PM China's Defense Budget 2019-2023. Graphic:Global Times China's Defense Budget 2019-2023. Graphic:Global Times The second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) will review the draft defense budget for 2024 and publish the figure, which has maintained reasonable, steady growth over recent years consistent with China's economic and social development to better safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, a spokesperson said on Monday. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th NPC, made the remarks at a press conference, a day ahead of the opening of the event on Tuesday, when asked about China's defense budget amid tensions in the South China Sea and East China Sea. According to the laws on national defense and on budget as well as other laws and regulations, the national defense budget is a part of the overall budget included in the draft government budget, which is to be reviewed and approved by the NPC and managed and utilized in accordance with the law, Lou said. According to the NPC session agenda, it will review the draft budget which will be published afterwards, Lou said. In recent years, to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, to meet the needs of military transformation with Chinese characteristics, and to better fulfill China's international responsibilities and obligations as a major country, China has maintained reasonable and steady growth of its defense spending consistent with its constant and healthy economic and social development, in a move to promote synchronized growth of defense capability and economic strength, the spokesperson added. China's defense budget for 2023 was set at 1.5537 trillion yuan ($224.79 billion), an increase of 7.2 percent compared with the figure of 2022. The country has maintained single-digit growth in its annual defense budget for eight consecutive years since 2016. Lou stressed that compared with major military powers such as the US, China's defense spending is quite low, whether as a percentage of GDP or in terms of per capita and per-serviceperson. China is committed to a path of peaceful development, stands ready to share development opportunities with other countries and foster a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make new contributions to the noble cause of peace and development, Lou said. Multiple Chinese military experts contacted by the Global Times over the past week said that it is likely that China sets a moderate, restrained growth for its defense budget in 2024. They cited needs in military modernization, the challenging security environment, and the recovering economic situation among reasons for the potential growth, noting that a strong Chinese military is a stabilizing factor that contributes to global and regional peace and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fire Chief Joseph Czentnar stands in front of Engine 2 at the Wallingford Fire Headquarters in this file photo. Czentnar recently worked with the town to lower the experience requirement for EMTs in response to a shortage of workers. Dave Zajac / Hearst Connecticut Media WALLINGFORD The fire department has reduced its work experience requirements for EMS workers in response to an ongoing employee shortage. Previously requiring at least a year of experience the town opted to change its qualifications in response to a sharp reduction in applications. The guidelines for EMS personnel were revised four years ago, when the department was looking to fill 16 positions, and had 38 people apply. But in 2023, the town received only two applicants for open positions during the year. The department currently has three EMT vacancies, as three members who were previously EMTs were hired as firefighters. Two of those members left for other departments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Human Resources Director James Hutt, he and Fire Chief Joseph Czentnar had discussions between themselves and with Mayor Vincent Cervoni and determined that the one-year experience requirement wasnt necessary. To meet the needs, the chief and I met, we discussed it with the mayor, the chief was confident that the one-year experience requirement was not necessary, Hutt said. This is part of an ongoing employee shortage across the fire department. Czentnar said recently that the department had five vacant full-time positions due to long-term injuries firefighters have sustained while on duty. As a result, many existing full-time members have had to put in more overtime to cover their shifts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The department has undertaken several initiatives to try to bolster its numbers and increase awareness in the community about the need for volunteers and full-time positions. In recent years theyve been more active at approaching students at job fairs, and have even opened an Instagram account to advertise openings. Were finding the pool of candidates for EMTs and paramedics is very small, and were competing statewide from a small pool of candidates, said Czentnar. EMS in the state of Connecticut and regionally is an impending failure. Theres a lack of people that want to get into public safety, and typically emergency services. Were having a difficult time recruiting firefighters, paramedics, EMTs. Councilor Craig Fishbein questioned the decision to reduce the experience requirement to bolster the numbers, when the lack of applicants could be attributed to other factors. When this division was started it needed to be stood up very quickly, and we needed experienced people to come in and one-year minimum was determined to be the minimum criteria for it at that time," Czentnar said in response at the meeting. "Since then weve implemented a field training evaluation program throughout the department where we have certified field training instructors and those people would go through an orientation with the new folks that come in. This brings it in line with all our other job descriptions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There was no minimum one-year requirement for any other position in the fire department. Despite the decrease in experience, due to contractual agreements, the pay for the EMT positions isnt being changed with an average salary of $78,000. EMTs would go through an orientation and training period where they accompany an existing team, and after an evaluation will be added to the rotating schedule once theyre deemed ready for duty. The training takes around four weeks. Base salary without overtime, according to the chief, is in the $40,000 range, which is lower compared to other towns. The distinction, said Czentnar, is most other EMT agencies are private and for-profit so while they will pay more, he said their department offers better working conditions and better work environment working with the municipality. Democratic Town Councilor Jesse Reynolds expressed concern about the amount of base pay without overtime, stating that given the current state of the market that people who wanted to do EMT work wouldnt be able to afford to live in town on that salary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats something we should consider if we want people to work here, and live here, and want to stay here they have to be able to afford that. Id like to hear more about what we could do in the future to improve that situation, Reynolds said. Czentnar said that they were currently developing plans in the future to react competitively to the market. I support this. I see this as a necessary reaction to the supply and demand of the market for staff, added Town Councilor Tom Laffin. NPC HK deputy proposes establishing permanent national security education and training base in Hong Kong Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Mar 04, 2024 03:57 PM Since the implementation of the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong, local authorities and schools in the city have placed increased importance on patriotic education including adding content concerning the Constitution, the Basic Law and national security into the curriculum, said Wong Kam-leung, a deputy of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region to the National People's Congress, who hoped that Hong Kong will establish a permanent national security education and training base. Wong, who is also the chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW), told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Sunday night that there is a stronger sense of promoting patriotic education, national education and national awareness in Hong Kong, and as an educator, he said he hopes that "the next generation we cultivate will have a strong sense of patriotism and national identity." They should be talents who love both our country and the HKSAR, Wong said, noting that he has come up with five suggestions to the two sessions after collecting about 100 opinions among local educators in Hong Kong from January to February. Among nearly a hundred opinions, some involve optimizing Hong Kong's education system, including increasing the content related to national education, enhancing support for sister schools in the Chinese mainland, and increasing the proportion of physical education in curriculum hours, according to a suggestion proposed by the HKFEW to the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC). Additionally, many respondents also put forward recommendations concerning the overall development of the country, such as accelerating the construction of an education powerhouse, boosting birth rate, and promoting the development of technology-driven agriculture. In strengthening the national security education in Hong Kong, Wong pointed out the importance of highlighting the content and connotation of the overall national security concept in national security promotion and education in Hong Kong. It is also suggested to establish a permanent national security education and training base in Hong Kong to enhance its appeal and dissemination among Hong Kong residents, especially students at all levels. Wong also emphasized the necessity of further improving the national security education system in Hong Kong by covering national security education in every educational stage and integrating it throughout the entire student development process. This is aimed at enhancing student awareness of national security, improving their ability to safeguard national security, and strengthening "the national security defense line." "We hope to establish and improve a national security education system in Hong Kong, especially given the implementation of the NSL for Hong Kong and the anticipated enactment of additional local laws after the Article 23 legislation takes effect this year," the NPC deputy said. The public consultation period for the Article 23 legislation has already ended. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th NPC, told a press conference on Monday that the NPC will fully support the HKSAR in carrying forward the relevant legislative work. This legislation effectively connects with the NSL for Hong Kong and integrates seamlessly with other Hong Kong laws, together forming a comprehensive legal system for safeguarding national security, Lou said. It is conducive to protecting national sovereignty, security and development interests, maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, benefiting the fundamental well-being of all residents in Hong Kong, safeguarding the interests of investors from around the world in Hong Kong, and ensuring the enduring peace and order of Hong Kong, thus ensuring the steady and sustained implementation of One Country, Two Systems, the spokesperson said. We believe it is necessary to develop suitable teaching materials for national security education and improve practical teaching activities in this area, aiming to enrich the resources for national security education both inside and outside the classroom. Unlike the mainland, where there are many patriotic education bases, Hong Kong currently lacks comparable facilities. Both the government and civil society are actively promoting to establish a permanent national security education base, Wong said. The HKFEW has established the first patriotic education resource center in Hong Kong, he said, noting that we hope that the government can provide more support to enhance such training bases, which will also greatly benefit schools in implementing national security education initiatives. Starting from January 1, the highly-anticipated Patriotic Education Law took effect, which especially focuses on conducting education among schools, families and civil servants and patriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Although the law has not been included into the Annex III of the Basic Law, the HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said in his policy address in October 2023 that patriotic education would be integrated into Hong Kong's education system, and will roll out patriot education to enhance national identity. A working group would also be set up to coordinate relevant work in promoting national education, and improve education on the country's history, culture and current affairs. "Although the Patriotic Education Law is not directly implemented in Hong Kong, both the HKSAR government and civil society are actively promoting patriotic education initiatives. We have observed some progress in various aspects of this work," Wong said. Therefore, in the future, we hope the country can provide support and utilize resources from the mainland, including patriotic education bases, to facilitate the development and advancement of patriotic education in Hong Kong, he added. The NPC deputy told in an interview earlier that the core content of patriotic education in Hong Kong should align with that of the mainland, which includes recognizing the national system and identifying with the Communist Party of China (CPC). "When educating our students, it is essential for them to at least acknowledge and affirm the main social system of the mainland. It is crucial for everyone to understand that the achievements of our country today, especially in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, are attributed to the leadership of our ruling party, CPC," Wong said. In the patriotic education process, when we talk about loving our country, it is also essential to acknowledge and affirm the work done by our ruling party, he said, noting that we should defend the efforts made by CPC. "I believe this is an indispensable aspect of patriotic education." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 4, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-03-04 18:53 Dragon TV: It was reported that the mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Thailand came into force last Friday. Data shows that the number of travel orders by Thai tourists to China on March 1 increased by three times than that of last year and by over 160 percent than that of 2019. As more and more foreign tourists travel to China, what will China do to facilitate their trips? Mao Ning: As China rolls out the visa-free policy for an increasingly larger number of countries, the number of foreign tourists to China has increased significantly. During the Spring Festival holiday, the number of inbound travelers reached 3.23 million. In particular, we have seen an obvious surge of travel orders from newly-added countries that enjoy the visa-free policy such as France, Germany, Malaysia and Singapore, with the total number doubling that of the same period in 2019.a The Foreign Ministry has rolled out six new measures to facilitate cross-border travel, including shortening visa application forms, lowering visa fees for the entire year, streamlining approval procedures for foreign students, exempting certain applicants from fingerprinting, providing walk-in without appointment visa application service and extending unilateral visa-free policy to France, Germany and some other countries on a trial basis. To address the difficulties foreigners face in mobile payment, the People's Bank of China has instructed payment institutions to improve the efficiency of linking mobile payment accounts with foreign bank cards, streamline identity authentication procedures and lift single mobile payment cap. In Beijing, facilities in CBDs, scenic spots, parks and hotels are being upgraded to enable the handling of foreign bank cards, and demonstration zones of payment service for overseas visitors were set up at Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. In Shanghai, POS machines that can handle foreign bank cards were installed in places such as hotels and scenic spots. China's leading telecom operators opened new shops at the airports of major cities to help foreigners get a mobile number easier upon arrival. We welcome more foreign friends to China and will continue working to provide a safe, enjoyable and convenient traveling environment for them. AFP: The second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is soon to be held in Beijing. The NPC spokesperson said that there will be no press conference by the Premier after the conclusion of the session and if there are no special circumstances, the Premier's press conference will not be held in the following sessions of the 14th NPC in the next few years. The press conference by the Premier provides a rare opportunity for us foreign journalists. What's the reason behind canceling the press conference by the Premier? Aren't you worried that this decision reflects China's attitude of turning inward from the rest of the world?aa Mao Ning: On the schedule of the press conferences held during the second session of the 14th NPC, the NPC spokesperson offered relevant information this morning. I have no additional information to share. Thank you for taking an interest in China's policiesaand hopingato learn about them, but your worry is unnecessary. During the two sessions, the plenary sessions of the NPC are open to Chinese and foreign friends from the press. Premier Li Qiang will deliver the report on the work of the government on behalf of the State Council at the opening of the second session of the 14th NPC. In addition to the press conference of the NPC today, the second session of the 14th NPC will hold various events, including press conferences, the deputies' and ministers' press briefings, and delegation meetings open to the press, to fully release information. The press center of the two sessions will provide news services to Chinese and foreign friends from the press in an open and transparent way.aa Reuters: I would also like to ask about "liang hui" and whether you can confirm if the Foreign Minister will hold his usual press conference this year. Mao Ning: Please stay tuned. Shenzhen TV: US Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark recently led a delegation to Beijing. She stressed many times in her speeches that China is a market greatly valued by US companies and that the Chamber is willing to continue to support US companies in doing business in China and to deepen US-China commercial ties and mutually beneficial cooperation. What's your comment? Mao Ning: We noticed that for some time, foreign companies from the US and other countries have been bullish about the development opportunities of the Chinese market and scaled up their investment in China. Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that China's actual utilized FDI exceeded RMB 1.1 trillion in 2023, remaining at the forefront in the world, and 4,588 foreign-funded companies were established in China this January with a year-on-year increase of 74.4 percent. Actual utilized FDI in high-tech manufacturing jumped by 40.6 percent and more and more multinational companies have chosen to establish R&D centers in China. Foreign businesses' investment structure in China is improving. The investments of some advanced economies in China grew at a relatively faster speed. France and Sweden witnessed 25 and 11 times of growth of their investments in China. Germany, Australia and Singapore had an increase of 211.8 percent, 186.1 percent and 77.1 percent in their actual investment in China. China, committed to high-standard opening-up, will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment, and provide more support and convenience to foreign companies investing and doing business in China. We welcome the business sectors from the US and other countries to continue advancing cooperation with China and sharing the opportunities and benefits brought by China's development. AFP: In an interview with AFP this morning, the Philippine Foreign Secretary called on China to stop harassing Philippine ships in the South China Sea. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this? Mao Ning: China's position on the issue of the South China Sea is consistent and clear. The reason behind the recent situation at sea is that the Philippines has frequently made provocative moves in the South China Sea, infringing on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China has taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to defend its own sovereignty, rights and interests. There is no such situation of China "harassing" the Philippines. RIA Novosti: On March 1, Russia Today editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said that she had a recording showing that senior officers from Germany's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, discussed a strike on the Crimean Bridge. She said that German officers also mentioned American and British servicemen in the recording, with a side discussion of the fact that they were already directly involved in the conflict. What is China's comment?a Mao Ning: China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We hope that all parties will work for a political settlement of the crisis and work together to alleviate the situation. TASS: The day before yesterday, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui held talks with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Galuzin Mikhail Yuryevich in Moscow, during which they had in-depth exchanges of views on China-Russia relations and the Ukraine crisis. How does the Foreign Ministry comment on the outcome of the meeting? Mao Ning: Russia is the first stop of Special Representative Li Hui's trip in this round of shuttle diplomacy. China has put out a readout which you may refer to. In the coming days, we will release relevant information in due course. Please check back for updates. The Paper: Former Prime Minister of Japan Murayama Tomiichi turned 100 on March 3. In a recent statement, he expressed the hope that Japan will always remain a peaceful country. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this? Mao Ning: March 3, 2024 marks the 100th birthday of Japan's former Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi. We would like to send our best wishes to Mr. Murayama. Mr. Murayama is an old friend of the Chinese people and has been committed to China-Japan friendship over the years. In May 1995, then Prime Minister Murayama visited Lugou Bridge and the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression during his visit to China, and wrote down the words "face up to history and pray for friendship and ever-lasting peace between Japan and China." On August 15 of the same year, which marked the 50th anniversary of Japan's announcement of unconditional surrender, then Prime Minister Murayama issued a statement on the historical issues, making a profound reflection on Japan's colonial rule and aggression and expressing apologies to the victim countries of the war. The "Murayama Statement" represents a solemn statement and commitment by the Japanese government to the people of victim countries in Asia with regard to the historical period of its aggression and colonial rule. It needs to be honored with good faith. We hope Japan will face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, keep to the path of peaceful development, and work with China in the same direction to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of the new era. Associated Press of Pakistan: On March 3, Shehbaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan for the next five years. How do you view the relations between Pakistan and China during his tenure? Mao Ning: China warmly congratulates Shahbaz Sharif on being elected as Pakistan's Prime Minister. On March 3, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang sent congratulatory messages to Prime Minister Shahbaz. China highly appreciates Prime Minister Shahbaz's positive statements on China-Pakistan relations and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). We stand ready to work with Pakistan to carry forward our traditional friendship, advance exchanges and cooperation across the board, upgrade the CPEC, deepen China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and bring more benefits to the two peoples. I believe that under the leadership of the new government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz and through the joint effort of all sectors in Pakistan, Pakistan will make new and greater achievements in national development and progress. CCTV: It's reported that US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an interview that today's cars are like iPhones on wheels collecting huge amount of information. She also said that imagine there are three million Chinese-made cars on US roads and they can be simultaneously disabled by Beijing. What's your comment? Mao Ning: Such remarks are not only false narratives but also a typical move of politicizing economic and trade issues and overstretching the concept of security. By this logic, should China be more worried about Washington sending Chinese users' information to the US via hundreds of millions of iPhones, or even disabling them simultaneously? CCTV: It was reported that US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns recently said in an interview with a US media outlet that China is the US' most significant competitor; ultimately, China wants to overtake the US as the dominant country globally, and the US doesn't want that to happen; the US doesn't want to live in a world where China is the dominant country. What is your comment? Mao Ning: The remarks by the US side are neither fact-based nor constructive. China firmly rejects these remarks. We oppose defining the China-US relations with competition. China does not engage in major-country competition, and has no intention to replace or challenge any country. We have advanced the China-US relations under the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping. We hope the US will work in the same direction with China and have a right perception of China. China always believes that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. China will not dominate the world and we do not think the world should be dominated by any country. Neither does China have the intention to overtake the US. What we do is aimed at self-improvement so as to deliver a better life for our people. China will, as always, firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, uphold world peace, promote common development, build a community with a shared future for mankind and act as a force for world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China cancels premier's annual news conference Held since 1993, the event offered a rare chance for journalists to question a Chinese leader. By Gigi Lee for RFA Cantonese, He Ping for RFA Mandarin 2024.03.04 -- China announced on Monday that it was canceling an annual news conference by Premier Li Qiang -- which for years offered journalists a rare opportunity to put questions to a senior Chinese leader, albeit at a carefully staged and edited event rounding off the National People's Congress. Li will not be holding the traditional news conference at the close of the annual parliamentary session, which opens in Beijing on Tuesday, something that has happened every year since 1993, National People's Congress spokesperson Lou Qinjian said. The move would shield Li from having to answer questions deemed too politically sensitive for a live televised event, current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said. "The cancellation of the premier's press conference naturally reduces Li Qiang's public exposure," Lau said. "Canceling it avoids a potentially embarrassing situation if foreign journalists start asking about sensitive topics." While most of the questions aimed at the heads of the Chinese government were carefully pre-screened by officials, the annual news conference has, from time to time provided the outside world with glimpses into the mindset of China's usually secretive leadership. In 1998, then-premier Zhu Rongji responded to a question about the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, saying that the authorities had taken "decisive measures" to stabilize the situation, describing the weeks-long student-led pro-democracy movement on Tiananmen Square as "political turmoil." And in 2020, then-Premier Li Keqiang made waves by telling the annual press conference that there were still 600 million people on an extremely low income in China, a comment that was seen as a veiled rebuke to President Xi Jinping's claim to have eliminated poverty. Li Keqiang's unexpected death in October 2023 prompted a mass outpouring of public grief across China, which commentators said was an expression of dissatisfaction with Xi's leadership and economic policy. A veteran Chinese journalist who gave only the surname Shi for fear of reprisals said Li Qiang is likely seeking to avoid searching questions on the economy from foreign journalists. "China's economic decline since the zero-COVID policy has been serious," Shi said. "Li Qiang doesn't really want to answer a bunch of questions from Western journalists on topics like the shifting of supply chains, or the collapse of real estate companies and private enterprises." Other unwanted topics might include unemployment and a rapidly aging population, Shi said. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declined to comment on the cancellation of the press conference at Monday's briefing, saying only that concerns about the move were "unnecessary." Dutch journalist blocked The move came as foreign correspondents in China called for better treatment of journalists after authorities in the southwestern city of Chengdu shoved a Dutch journalist to the ground and detained him and his cameraman as they tried to film a protest, in a move that foreign correspondents in the country said is becoming increasingly common across the country. The incident highlighted ongoing harassment of foreign journalists by the authorities across China as they try to do their jobs, according to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China. In a video report published by Dutch public broadcaster NOS, correspondent Sjoerd den Daas is approached by an unidentified man in a blue shirt, who shoves him to the ground and snatches away his microphone and backpack, as he approaches a group of protesting customers and investors outside the Sichuan Trust bank. The protesters, who number just a handful, appear pleased to see the camera, and call out "Give us back our money" as the crew approaches. "Sichuan Trust can no longer pay its bills; its coffers are empty," den Daas wrote in his report on the demonstration. "The investors can whistle for their money, but it seems talking about that isn't allowed." "The authorities have turned out in large numbers and intervene as soon as we get close," he wrote, adding that some 8,600 people have been left high and dry after placing their money in Sichuan Trust, an unofficial "shadow" bank which offered high returns but greater risks. "'Move on!' a plainclothes officer shouts as he drags us away from the crowd. Camera and smartphone are snatched from our hands and we are held at a nearby police station for two hours." Footage published by NOS shows unidentified personnel telling the journalists to "stop filming" as they are bundled into a car. On footage of them being taken away, a woman's voice is heard commenting: "They're taking the foreigners away." Increased harassment of journalists The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said in a statement on March 1 that it was "extremely disturbed" by the treatment of the Dutch journalists, who were on a reporting trip to Chengdu from their base in Beijing. "This incident comes amid widespread reports from [our] members of increasing harassment and obstruction across China, as they try ... to report on the country," the Club said in a March 1 statement. It said the journalists were "subsequently surrounded by both plainclothes and uniformed police," who pushed den Daas to the ground again and manhandled his cameraman, forcing him to stop filming. "The correspondent repeatedly identified himself as a foreign journalist and showed his government-issued press ID," the Club said, adding that its members have "reported numerous incidents of similar harassment and obstruction" while trying to report across China during the past year. It called on the Chinese government to protect foreign journalists better, and to allow them to do their jobs. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing on March 1 that she was unaware of the incident, but added that "foreign journalists working in China also need to abide by Chinese laws and regulations." Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China fires outspoken former Hong Kong envoy from top advisory role Zhang Xiaoming is remembered as a hardliner who may have taken the fall for the 2019 protest movement. By Tim Lee for RFA Cantonese 2024.03.04 -- Zhang Xiaoming, Beijing's outspoken former representative in Hong Kong at the time of the 2019 protest movement, has been removed from his post at a political advisory body. While state broadcaster CCTV reported that Zhang has been removed from the post of deputy secretary general of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, it was unclear whether he is accused of any wrongdoing. State media continued on Monday to refer to Zhang as "comrade," indicating that he remains a Communist Party member. CCTV gave no reason for Zhang's removal at the age of 61, four years short of the official retirement age of 65, and he remains a rank-and-file member of the Conference, appearing on the rostrum during Monday's opening ceremony. Several pro-China figures in Hong Kong declined to comment on Zhang's departure when contacted by RFA Cantonese on Sunday. However, political sources cited by the Singapore-based pro-China Lianhe Zaobao newspaper said Zhang could be on his way to another job, rather than being fired in some kind of disgrace. China's government has removed a number of ministerial-level officials from their posts in recent months without explanation, including former foreign minister Qin Gang and former defense minister Li Shangfu. Hardliner In Hong Kong, Zhang is largely remembered as a hardliner who flagged a number of repressive policies shortly before they were implemented. He was apparently sidelined in favor of Xia Baolong in 2020, possibly to take the fall for the 2019 protest movement. In 2013, Zhang said a march demanding fully democratic elections proved that the freedoms guaranteed under the handover agreement were still intact. He made local headlines during the Occupy Central pro-democracy movement of 2014 when he seemed to minimize the importance of the civil disobedience campaign for universal suffrage, by saying: "The sun is still going to rise." In September 2015, Zhang ruffled feathers with an early warning that the powers of the city's chief executive would always trump those of the legislature and judiciary and that the separation of powers "does not suit Hong Kong." Limits to free speech By 2016 he was condemning the "fishball revolution" protests in Mong Kok as being "close to terrorism," and warning that anyone who espoused independence for the city should be barred from running in elections -- a policy that was later implemented by city officials. He also warned in the same year that there were "limits" to the free speech that Hong Kong was promised under the terms of its 1997 handover to Chinese rule. By 2017, Zhang had been promoted to head the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Beijing, replacing Wang Guangya in the job. He was therefore the most senior Chinese government official in charge of Hong Kong affairs when the city was rocked by the anti-extradition movement, which broadened to include calls for fully democratic elections. In 2019, he characterized the anti-extradition movement as "chaos and violence," saying it was an attempt to foment a "color revolution," or regime change, in Hong Kong. Despite being demoted to deputy director with the appointment of Xia Baolong as director in 2020, Zhang continued to speak loudly against opposition politicians, saying they were "anti-China, disruptive elements" who should be excluded from public office, heralding changes to election rules that eliminated pro-democracy candidates from both legislative and district-level elections. "It is only natural to demand that those who govern Hong Kong must be patriots," Zhang said, adding: "Those who oppose China in order to create chaos in Hong Kong need to get out." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN right chief calls on China to protect human rights in Tibet and Xinjiang But activists blast TArk's comments as weak and not backed up by action. By Adile Abelet for RFA Uyghur 2024.03.04 -- The United Nations human rights chief on Monday urged China to carry out recommendations from his office to protect human rights in Tibet, Xinjiang and across the country - but activists criticized his comments as weak and not backed up by action. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TArk made the comments on China while delivering an address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, updating its members on an array of themes and country situations. TArk's predecessor, Michelle Bachelet, issued a report in August 2022 that found that China's detention of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity, though Beijing denies committing any abuses. "I also call on the government to implement the recommendations made by my office and other human rights bodies in relation to laws, policies and practices that violate fundamental rights, including in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions," TArk said. "I'm engaging with the Hong Kong authorities on continuing concerns about national security laws." Bachelet's report made 13 recommendations to the Chinese government, including promptly releasing those detained against their will in detention camps - but which Beijing calls vocational education and training centers. The report called on China to investigate allegations of human rights abuses at the facilities, including accusations of torture, sexual violence, forced labor and deaths in custody. China should also release details about the location of Uyghurs in Xinjiang who have been out of touch with relatives abroad, establish safe means of communication for them and allow travel so families can be reunited - something that is now forbidden. In the address, TArk said his office looked forward to engaging with China on plans it announced during its recent Universal Periodic Review to adopt 30 new measures for human rights protection, including amendments to the criminal law and revisions of the Criminal Procedure law. During China's Universal Periodic Review a a comprehensive review of its human rights record a at the Human Rights Council in January, Chinese government officials defended Beijing's policies in Xinjiang, while the U.S. representative to the United Nations condemned the country's ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity there. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to an RFA request for comment on TArk's address. Though China has denied rights violations in Xinjiang, Western states continue to raise alarms about continuing repression, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of Uyghurs and others. Western nations and human right groups have also condemned the Chinese government for policies undermining Tibetans' religion, culture and language as well as for its brutal treatment of dissidents and the implementation of harsh national security laws in Hong Kong. 'Weak performance' Sophie Richardson, former China director of Human Rights Watch, called TArk's address "a weak performance," saying he seemed "completely unmotivated by the agony and the pressure and the abuses that people across China are enduring." "I find it deeply worrying that he seems to be relying on tools and tactics that are, I think, well established to be ineffective, particularly dialogues," she told RFA. "I think it's also very worrying that he won't even refer to his own office's report on the Uyghur region and the conclusion that there may potentially be crimes against humanity committed by the Chinese government." "Thirty years of human rights dialogs have clearly enabled crimes against humanity, not prevented them," Richardson said. New York-based Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, took TArk to task for "staying shamefully silent on the Chinese government's crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang." Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said TArk's call was a step in the right direction, though not enough because the findings in Bachelet's report haven't yet been discussed at the Human Rights Council. "While TArk may be reluctant to take a stronger position on China because of China's powerful influence at the U.N., his latest statement stings China badly as China is attempting to cover up the Uyghur genocide," he said. Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Can Journalism Survive in Hong Kong? By Cindy Sui March 04, 2024 In a newsroom, editors tell reporters to not touch politically sensitive stories. Reporters are told to put stories on hold until China's foreign ministry comes out with its statement. Terminology that the government might frown upon is banned from news copy. Such is the state of journalism, not just in China, but increasingly in Hong Kong, after a national security law was adopted by Beijing for the former British colony in 2020, according to local journalists. "Sometimes we don't feel like we're journalists. We're simply a part of the propaganda machine. We feel all the things we learned from journalism school are wasted because it's not applicable anymore. The morale is really low," said one local journalist who did not want to be named, to avoid retribution. Once a model of press freedom in Asia, Hong Kong's journalism scene has deteriorated since Beijing enacted the national security law, outlawing secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, according to journalists and surveys. They also indicate that self-censorship is becoming common, opposition voices are becoming rare, and caution reigns. Prior to passage of the law in 2020, journalists could cover news largely as they liked, as if they were in a democratic country. Now, many fear it will become even more difficult to be a journalist in the city if a proposed new security law - known as Article 23 - is adopted, without safeguards, especially a public interest defense clause, for journalists. Article 23 would add treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage endangering national security, and external interference as offenses, and would expand the scope and penalties for existing crimes, including sedition. Ronson Chan, chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association - the city's oldest and largest association for local journalists - said many journalists are worried. He said since the Beijing-imposed national security law was passed, journalists constantly must consider the potential dangers of "crossing the redline," especially because the government has not clarified what that line is. "Every day, every moment, you have to consider when you speak anything about the government in some livestream program, what will happen to you," said Chan, who is also the multimedia manager for local news website Channel C. As of the end of last year, 156 people, including more than a dozen senior employees at newspapers including editors and editorial writers, have been arrested for security law or sedition offenses, although most are out on bail, according to online magazine ChinaFile.com, which tracks the arrests, charges and convictions. Two well-known news outlets - Apple Daily and Stand News - closed in 2021 following raids, arrests of senior employees, and freezing of their assets. Another - Citizen News - voluntarily closed soon after, to ensure the safety of its staff. Some journalists have reported experiencing digital or physical surveillance, or both. More recently, a reporter who has long covered China's defense beat for Hong Kong's English language newspaper, The South China Morning Post, became unreachable after a work trip to Beijing. Although her company later said her family confirmed that she was safe and needed to deal with a private matter, her disappearance has raised concerns that she might have been detained. The reporter, Minnie Chan, has not filed any stories since covering a defense forum in China in late October of last year. Many journalists have also either left Hong Kong or the profession, Chan said. The number of Hong Kong Journalists Association journalist members dropped from 800 in 2019 to just 300. While foreign media journalists, especially expatriates, have the protection of a foreign passport and backing from major world media organizations, including CNN and BBC, which have bureaus here, they risk losing their visa and right to continue reporting in Hong Kong if the authorities find problems with their reporting, said the Lee Williamson, president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club. An FCC survey on press freedom last year found 65% of responding journalists said they had engaged in self-censorship either in the content of their reporting or by avoiding certain subjects, and 27% said they had self-censored considerably. "I can't speak of the motivations, but these numbers do speak to the anecdotal evidence that we do see every day in Hong Kong - journalists who are holding back because they want to make sure they are here tomorrow to continue telling the story of Hong Kong and mainland China," Williamson said. The survey also found 88% of the respondents said sources in Hong Kong had become less willing to be quoted or to speak to reporters about sensitive topics. Perhaps affected on a greater level are local journalists, who may not have a foreign passport, whose long-term home is Hong Kong and who have seen local media organizations closed and their peers arrested. Nonetheless, they are finding ways to continue their work. "After the national security law was adopted, senior managers give you warm reminders about how our stories should be written. Certain terms cannot be used. For example, we could not use the words 'record low turnout' to describe the recent district council elections and could only say 'turnout rate was as expected,'" said the journalist who requested anonymity. "They even put out a list saying who you cannot interview - such as pro-democracy activists." "No one wants to be the next Stand News, Citizen News or Apple Daily," she said, referring to the three news outlets that have shut down. Self-censorship is not only for self-protection, but to protect sources and colleagues as well, she said. "It's always a struggle. You got a good [quote] and it's anti-government. You, your editor, your newsroom would have to make a decision: Do you want to put that person at risk? I don't think so. Our job is to report the truth but at the same time, you cannot do any harm to anyone," she said. "When colleagues write sensitive sentences, we censor them too. You don't want them to get in trouble. It's a struggle. You're practicing self-censorship but you're saving somebody." The result is that various media's reports are similar, with the same kind of opinion and voices, she said. There's still space to scrutinize government policies and actions, but the journalist who requested anonymity said that was only for politically nonsensitive issues. "It's OK to quote someone saying firework displays are a waste of money since even a lawmaker said it ... [but] all reporting on Article 23 has been very positive," she said. She said she plans to continue as a journalist despite the difficulties, pointing to the need for nonpolitical stories, and the appeal of "doing social impact stories such as those about NGOs working to help others," which, she said were rewarding to do because readers become more interested in the NGOs after reading the stories. "Society is not just about politics," she said. On the bright side, no more journalists have been arrested after the Apple Daily and Stand News arrests, Chan said. He and Williamson agreed that what is encouraging is that there are still passionate journalists trying to report on issues in Hong Kong in the current environment. "What I do believe in is the dedication and the talent of the journalists who are in Hong Kong, both those who were born here and those who have moved here, to continue to do their job in the face of hardship," Williamson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong's Journalist Associations Call for Protection Under New Security Law By Cindy Sui March 04, 2024 During the Hong Kong government's recently ended monthlong public consultation period on a controversial new security law, which wrapped up last week, the city's two main journalist associations voiced concerns that the law will have "profound" implications for journalists' ability to do their work. The proposed law, known locally as Article 23, will be an expansion of a national security law Beijing imposed on the city in 2020, outlawing secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. It would add treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets and espionage, sabotage endangering national security, and external interference as offenses, and would expand the scope and penalties for existing crimes, including sedition. In their submissions to the Security Bureau as part of the consultation process, both the Hong Kong Journalists Association or HKJA and the FCCHK or Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong , each of which has about 300 journalist members, urged the government to add a public interest defense clause in the new law to protect journalists, on the grounds that, without intending to break the law, they could do so inadvertently in reporting the news. The FCCHK, whose membership of more than 2,000 also includes diplomats, businesspeople, artists and others who support journalism, said it was "paramount" to do so, and urged the government to "keep press freedom front of mind and make it clear that journalists would not be targeted for doing their jobs." The Hong Kong Journalists Association urged the government to "provide sufficient protection for the press in its draft bill and avoid causing irrevocable damage to press freedom." The two associations said the definition and scope of offenses in the consultation document for the upcoming legislation such as theft of state secrets, foreign interference and sedition were too broad and would affect the legitimate work of journalists. The groups fear that journalists could be charged with stealing state secrets when obtaining leaked information from government sources, accused of abetting foreign interference when quoting overseas groups critical of the government, and construed as seditious when quoting government critics or running editorials critical of government policies. Although the government has said it will try to strike a balance between protecting national security and protection of freedoms, including freedom of the press, journalist associations worry this can be applied subjectively. The government "did not provide further explanation on what constitutes 'necessary for safeguarding national security,'" the Hong Kong Journalists Association wrote, saying it "worries that this would grant unchecked powers to the Security Bureau, giving them authority to curb the operations of local news organizations or industry groups, without the need to submit evidence to court or even make its reasons public." The association also suggested that the law only be applied if the government can prove a defendant's intention to endanger national security and actual material damage to national security. In a survey it conducted last month, all of the 160 journalists and other news media respondents said Article 23 would harm press freedom, with 90% believing the impact would be large. Most respondents also agreed the scope and terminology in the proposed law was too broad and vague, and expressed worries they would inadvertently break the law. Hong Kong's government credits the national security law Beijing imposed on the city in 2020 for restoring safety and order in the city, which was rocked by widespread, and sometimes violent, pro-democracy protests in 2019. It says it is also necessary to adopt the proposed additional home-grown security law because Hong Kong faces lingering national security threats and must prevent a recurrence of protests to ensure its safety and prosperity. The government issued a statement last Wednesday saying the vast majority of those commenting on the proposal supported it, adding that it was "pleased that society has reached consensus to complete the legislation as early as possible." It hopes to adopt the law later this year. The Security Bureau has not responded to VOA's request for comment about journalists' concerns, but in a previous response, it said "Hong Kong residents enjoy the freedoms of the press and speech" but that these freedoms "are not absolute, and can be restricted for reasons including protection of national security in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." Journalists, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws, it said. In its annual World Press Freedom Index last year, the media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, ranked Hong Kong 140th out of 180 countries and regions. Despite what many believe to be increasing restrictions on journalism in Hong Kong, those still in the profession persist in doing their work, including holding the government accountable, albeit with greater caution. At a press conference last week after Financial Secretary Paul Chan presented the new budget for the coming fiscal year, with a ballooning deficit and lower than hoped for projected government revenue, journalists asked him tough questions. One asked whether it was wise to put on monthly firework shows at Hong Kong's famed Victoria Harbour at a cost of about $128,000 each time. Chan said these would be a lot cheaper and smaller scale than the New Year's fireworks, and would entice tourists to stay overnight and spend more money. Other journalists asked why there wasn't more social welfare spending as well as financial subsidies for residents, since the economy has not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chan said it was more important to focus spending on stimulating economic growth so that everyone can benefit. Another journalist fired off two questions in succession and was about to ask a third, prompting Chan to request: "Could I first answer the first two?" The reporter insisted she had already informed him beforehand that she would ask three questions. He quietly let her ask the question. Independent media are also still able to publish reports on sensitive topics, including a roundup of events that occurred since the national security law was adopted, highlighting the jailing of a veteran activist for a protest that did not take place and artistic performances that were canceled over national security issues. It's crucial for Hong Kong's media to be able to do all of that and much more, according to the associations. In its submission, the Hong Kong Journalists Association emphasized that "the press is not a threat to national security. "Journalism serves to enhance transparency in public governance as well as promote good governance," it said. The Foreign Correspondents Club in its letter stated: "The freedom of press, publication and speech is one of the cornerstones contributing to the success of Hong Kong. ... Protecting those rights and freedoms ... is crucial for preserving Hong Kong's role as an international business and media centre." It remains to be seen whether the government will adopt their recommendations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Lobbyists Drop Chinese Clients Amid Tightened Scrutiny By Xiaoshan Xue March 04, 2024 Lobbying firms in Washington are reportedly rushing to drop clients from China as lawmakers look to tighten scrutiny. The push comes in the wake of a surge in Chinese lobbying in recent years and growing concerns about China's influence. U.S. lawmakers say they are promoting legislation that would provide more transparency into who is lobbying for Chinese companies. The legislators aim to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) from using gray areas to secretly advance policy agendas that harm the interests of the American people. Republican Senator John Cornyn told VOA's Mandarin Service last week that lawmakers are very close to completing work on legislation that aims to address the problem. Last year, lawmakers in the Senate passed the disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act and members of the House have introduced a similar bill. Cornyn was a co-sponsor of the Senate bill. "We've encountered some dissent but will continue to work because it's important to understand who is actually lobbying these policymakers," Cornyn said. "The primary focus has been on making sure people register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. As you know, there's been a lot of problems associated with people not disclosing their lobby contracts with foreign countries." Closing loopholes In pushing legislation, lawmakers are looking to close existing loopholes in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to demand more transparency regarding foreign governments and political parties that participate in the planning, supervision, direction or control of lobbying efforts regardless of whether they have made any financial contributions or not. China is a unique challenge, Cornyn noted. "The Chinese are unique in that there is no true solely private sector; they are forced to share information with the PLA and with their intelligence agencies," he said. "So, I would say anytime we're dealing with the Chinese-owned enterprise, it's a cause for concern." U.S. lobbying is regulated by the LDA, which requires disclosure of domestic lobbying, and FARA, which requires disclosure of lobbying and other forms of influence by foreign governments and political parties. However, in 1995, FARA was amended to exempt those who represent foreign companies or individuals if the work is not intended to benefit a foreign government or political party. As a result, lobbyists registered under the far less transparent LDA and the result was a dramatic drop in FARA registrations. Clients dropped The effort to tighten scrutiny of China's lobbying activities follows the U.S. Department of Defense's release in late January of a list of "Chinese military companies" operating directly or indirectly in the United States known as the 1260H list. Lawmakers subsequently said they were considering a measure prohibiting lobbyists who represent companies on the list from meeting with members of Congress, even to discuss matters on behalf of their American clients. Following the release of the 1260H list, a chart began circulating on Capitol Hill that named various Chinese companies, including some military firms, as well as the names of their lobbying firms and whether they appear on the 1260H list. Responding to the chart, at least five U.S. lobbying firms dropped Chinese clients as of late February. Steptoe LLP has terminated its contract with Shenzhen biotech company BGI. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld filed cease-and-desist documents to stop lobbying for Chinese LiDAR maker Hesai Group and terminated its cooperation with Xiaomi, a Chinese electronics company not on the 1260H list. The Vogel Group has also dropped lobbying services for Chinese drone company DJI and Complete Genomics, a subsidiary of genetic technology company BGI. DJI and Hesai are both on the 1260H list. Complete Genomics is not on the list, but its previous parent company, BGI, is on it. Boycotting meetings Republican Senator Marco Rubio told VOA that while it is difficult to pass a law prohibiting members of Congress from meeting with anyone, some congressional offices have decided not to meet with lobbying firms representing Chinese military companies. "There are just certain entities we won't meet with because we understand that while they may be doing it for commercial reasons, the interests that they're representing are linked to Chinese goals, military goals and aspirations," he said. "And so ... we've made that decision unilaterally." Robert Sutter, professor of practice of international affairs at the Elliott School of George Washington University, said historically, Chinese military entities' lobbying activities have been an ambiguous area, and the enforcement has been weak. "These [companies] lobbying for these firms ... it's probably legal in some way. But there is a reputational cost, and I think that's what the Congresspeople are calling attention to in saying they will boycott these firms," he said. According to Open Secrets, a political money website, China's lobbying has surged in recent years. China spent more than $330 million on lobbying between 2019 and 2023. That stands in sharp contrast to the $60 million it spent between 2015 and 2018. China's lobbying roster Craig Singleton, a senior researcher with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, notes up until a few years ago, Chinese corporate lobbying in Washington was almost non-existent but that changed when the U.S. government went after Huawei. After that, "Chinese firms switched gears and quickly scaled up, deploying lobbyists to protect their bottom lines in the face of increasing scrutiny from Democrats and Republicans alike," he said. "Today, China's lobbying roster reads like a 'who's who' of Washington insiders, from retired Pentagon brass to former high-ranking congressional aides. The goal of these lobbying operations is simple: disrupting any actions that could negatively impact their clients' market share, deflecting regulatory scrutiny and defending against sanctions." Singleton said the Department of Justice - which is responsible for administering and enforcing FARA - could play a bigger role in curbing the CCP's malign lobbying influence on Capitol Hill. "The U.S. Department of Justice currently mandates only two Chinese companies, Huawei and Hikvision, to disclose their lobbying activities under FARA, offering a comprehensive overview of their engagements," he said. "Despite additional Chinese firms being flagged as national security risks by the Defense Department and FCC, the Justice Department has not extended FARA filing requirements to these problematic entities. The only apparent obstacle to such action is a lack of political will within the Justice Department itself." VOA Mandarin reached out to the Department of Justice, but it declined to comment. Yi-hua Lee and Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China raises defense budget by 7.2% for 2024, 'conducive to peace, stability' Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Mar 05, 2024 10:26 AM Updated: Mar 05, 2024 10:32 AM Graphic: Global Times Graphic: Global Times China on Tuesday announced a defense budget draft for 2024 worth 1.66554 trillion yuan ($231.36 billion), an increase of 7.2 percent from the previous year. The moderate figure reflects China's reasonable, restrained and steady steps in national defense development, which takes factors including military modernization, external security environments and economic development into account, experts said. The proposed defense budget was released in a draft budget report issued at the opening of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, on Tuesday. China's defense budget has maintained single-digit growth for nine consecutive years since 2016. The growth rate was also set at 7.2 percent in 2023, while stably moved between six and eight percent in recent years. Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that China's defense expenditure has been stable in recent years, and the consecutive single-digit growth showed that the increase is moderate and reasonable. Many countries have hiked their military expenditures in recent years, Zhang said, citing the aggressive defense spending hike by countries like the US and Japan. According to a Reuters report, US President Joe Biden in December 2023 reportedly authorized a record $886 billion annual military spending for fiscal 2024, nearly four times China's figure. Japan's Cabinet in December 2023 approved a hefty 16 percent increase in military spending in 2024, in addition to easing its postwar ban on lethal weapons exports, underscoring a shift away from the country's self-defense-only principle, AP reported. Zhang continued to note that, compared with other major military powers like the US, China's defense expenditure in share of its GDP is also at a low level. In recent years, China's defense spending has generally accounted only about 1.3 percent of the country's GDP, while according to publicly available data, this figure for the US is about 3.5 percent, and the guideline figure for NATO members is 2 percent. China can easily raise its military expenditure more radically thanks to the country's comprehensive development, and the fact that it is not doing so reflects the restraint in the setting of defense budget, analysts said. From a policy perspective, China's national defense strategy is defensive in nature, China will not participate in an arms race with any country, and China takes a path of peaceful development, which is different from the approaches of some Western countries, particularly the US that pursues global hegemony, Zhang said. Western media often misinterpret and smear China's defense budget, and these hypes are of double standards and bear malicious intentions, Zhang said. Lou Qinjian, the spokesperson for the second session of the 14th NPC, said at a press conference on Monday that in recent years, to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, to meet the needs of military transformation with Chinese characteristics, and to better fulfill China's international responsibilities and obligations as a major country, China has maintained reasonable and steady growth of its defense spending consistent with its sound and steady economic and social development, in a move to promote synchronized growth of defense capability and economic strength. Lou stressed that, compared with major military powers such as the US, China's defense spending is quite low, whether as a percentage of GDP, or in terms of per capita and per-serviceperson. China is committed to a path of peaceful development, stands ready to share development opportunities with other countries and foster a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make new contributions to the noble cause of peace and development, the spokesperson said. Stabilizing factor China's military expenditure is mainly used in training missions, the development and production of modern weapons and development, the support of military reform and the welfare of military personnel, observers said. The mission of any military force should be the ability to fight and win, and based on this concept, the Chinese military holds regular, combat-oriented exercises as realistic as possible, which are costly, another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times. With technological development, China needs to develop more advanced weapons and equipment and produce them in large quantity so the Chinese military can maintain its capability in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, the expert said, noting that while China has developed advanced weapons and equipment like the J-20 stealth fighter jet, the electromagnetic catapults-equipped aircraft carrier Fujian and the DF-17 hypersonic missile, their numbers are far from enough facing the grim security environment in the Asia-Pacific region. In recent years, the US has continued to conduct frequent, highly intensive close-in reconnaissance operations and hold targeted, provocative military exercises at China's doorstep, in addition to rallying its allies and partners like the Philippines, Australia and Japan in forming a military encirclement to contain China. Instigated by the US, the Philippines started in 2023 to repeatedly provoke China over Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea including Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) and Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island), granted the US access to additional military bases close to the Taiwan Straits, and held joint exercises and patrols with the US. Taking advantage of the US' strategy in containing China, Japan also showed worrying signs of a revival of its right-wing militarism by breaking away from its post-war self-defense-only principle and boosting its offensive capabilities. The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program by Australia, the UK and the US continues to raise concerns of nuclear proliferation by the international community besides its geopolitical and military significance targeting China. The global security environment overall also faces great instabilities under the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Under these circumstances, a strong Chinese military supported by a sufficient defense budget serves as a stabilizing factor, as it contributes to peace and stability by deterring security threats in the Asia-Pacific region and contributing to the global balance of power, experts said, noting that the Chinese military is a solid provider of public security goods to the international community, as it regularly conducts UN peacekeeping missions, naval escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, as well as disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations. Sufficient defense funding also enables the Chinese military to fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations, analysts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's top political advisory body starts annual session People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:27, March 05, 2024 BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, opened its annual session on Monday in Beijing. The second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee kicked off at the Great Hall of the People, where more than 2,000 national political advisors gathered. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng took their seats on the rostrum. At the opening meeting, the agenda for the session was reviewed and approved. Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session. Reviewing the past year's work of the CPPCC, Wang highlighted the new achievements made by the 14th CPPCC National Committee and its Standing Committee, and their contributions in serving the development of the cause of the Communist Party of China and the state. The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and stands as a pivotal year for achieving the goals and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Wang said. It also marks the 75th anniversary of the CPPCC's establishment, he added. In 2024, the CPPCC will focus on advancing Chinese modernization, actively offer suggestions, foster broad consensus, and pool wisdom and strength for the country to achieve the economic and social development objectives for the entire year, Wang said. According to a report on the handling of political advisors' proposals since the previous session, a total of 5,621 proposals have been submitted since the 2023 session, and of the 4,791 proposals filed, 99.9 percent have been processed with feedback. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Haven County Courthouse. A Branford doctor accused of sexually assaulting a patient is now facing a lawsuit related to the accusations as well. Chatwan Mongkol/Hearst Connecticut Media A Branford doctor accused of inappropriately touching a patient and lying on medical forms for the visit is facing a lawsuit over the incident. The lawsuit was filed Feb. 20 in New Haven Judicial District courthouse and accuses the doctor, Michael Sheehan, of deviating from the standard of care during the visit and causing the patient emotional and psychological distress. The lawsuit also is filed against Branford Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, where Sheehan used to work. In the criminal case, Sheehan has pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual assault. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The plaintiff is not identified by name in the lawsuit or the criminal allegations, however, the dates and allegations in both are the same. Sheehan was arrested last July after police investigated allegations that he had touched a 20-year-old patient's intimate parts without gloves under the auspices of examining those areas. The patient reported that Sheehan had touched her in those areas during a routine yearly physical even though she had never voiced any concerns or problems with those parts of her body, according to police. According to the lawsuit, Sheehan asked the patient if she was sexually active and then said he would need to check her intimate parts. He first had her lay down and then lifted up her shirt to touch her breasts, the lawsuit says. He then helped her remove her pants and touched her genital area, according to the lawsuit. At one point when she was unclothed, Sheehan made a non-medical comment about her body, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As part of the criminal investigation, police spoke with other doctors who worked in the same office. One said they would only examine the intimate areas of a person the victim's age if they complained of an issue. Another doctor said they would always wear gloves and would bring a chaperone into the room, according to police. Additionally, police found that Sheehan had marked on the patient's medical records from the visit that examinations of the breasts and genitalia were deferred, according to police. MoD inks MoU with BEML Limited, BEL & MIDHANI for indigenous development of Advanced Fuelling & Control System for Engines for heavy duty applications India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 04 MAR 2024 5:14PM by PIB Delhi Ministry of Defence has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BEML Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for indigenous development of Advanced Fuelling and Control System for Engines for heavy duty applications. The MoU was inked with Chairman & Managing Director, BEML Limited Shri Shantanu Roy; CMD, MIDHANI Dr SK Jha; and CMD, BEL Shri Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi on March 04, 2024. This collaborative initiative will focus on leveraging indigenous capabilities to design, test, and manufacture an Advanced Fuelling and Control System that offers enhanced efficiency, performance, and reliability. By harnessing the latest advancements in engine technology and control systems, the companies aim to extend their domain expertise for development of engine systems which will ensure self-reliance in the field of Combat vehicles. The MoU corroborates the resolve of the Government to develop complex technologies within the country under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. ****** ABB/Savvy (Release ID: 2011274) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran parliament polls: Results for 231 seats finalized IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The results of parliamentary elections for 231 seats out of 290 have been finalized three days after the polls, according to the spokesman for Iran's election headquarters. Out of 208 constituencies of the Iranian parliament, 207 constituencies have been finalized, Mohsen Eslami said on Monday. He also said the results of the Assembly of Experts elections for 72 seats in the 88-member assembly have been finalized. Iranians aged 18 or above cast their ballots in the Parliament and Assembly of Experts elections on March 1, 2024. 290 seats are up for grabs while five seats in the Iranian parliament are reserved for religious minorities. The last election was held in 2020 in the backdrop of anti-West sentiments following the US assassination of anti-terror icon and top military commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, in January 2020. 9376**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudanese FM: Iran never asked for building naval base in Sudan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Sudan's Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali says his country has never received a request from Iran to build a base in the African country, rejecting American media reports on that issue as "incorrect". The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior Sudanese intelligence official, claimed on Sunday that Iran had pledged to give Sudan a warship in exchange for allowing it to "build a permanent naval base on the African country's Red Sea coast". The New York-based newspaper also claimed that Sudan turned down Iran's request to avoid cutting ties with the US and the Israeli regime. Later in the day, Sudan's top diplomat rejected the "incorrect" report in an interview with Russian Sputnik news agency on the sidelines of the 2024 Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye. "I read The Wall Street Journal article today, this report is incorrect ... Iran has never asked Sudan to build an Iranian base. I recently visited Iran, and this was not discussed," Sadiq said. Tehran and Khartoum resumed their diplomatic relations in October 2023 after seven years and decided to re-open embassies in their respective capitals. Sudan cut ties with Iran in 2016 in line with the same move by Saudi Arabia over protests in Iran against Riyadh's execution of top Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Tehran and Riyadh restored their diplomatic relations in March 2023 under a China-brokered deal. In early February this year, Sudan's foreign minister visited Iran where he lamented the discontinuation of diplomatic relations between the two countries and expressed Khartoum's serious will to restore and expand bilateral ties. 4194**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: OIC facing 'litmus test' on raging Israeli warmongering, US support Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 11:09 AM Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has highlighted the importance of the upcoming emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), saying the 57-member bloc is "facing a test" on Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Nasser Kan'ani made the remarks at a weekly press briefing on Monday, one day before an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the Gaza war in the Saudi city of Jeddah. It is the second such meeting in Saudi Arabia as the country hosted a similar event last year. "This cruel war continues in the shadow of warmongering by the Zionist regime's officials and the unlimited support of the United States. The OIC is facing a test tomorrow to show how much of its capacity it will use in support of Palestine," he said. "The leaders of Muslim countries are expected to take a strong and unanimous decision that requires an effective step to defend Palestine, with an urgency of stopping the war." Israel waged the brutal war on the besieged Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the occupying regime in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 71,920 others. 'GCC in no position to comment on Persian Gulf islands' Also in his remarks, Kan'ani commented on an anti-Iran statement issued by the Ministerial Council of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after its meeting in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The statement repeated the UAE's claim on the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs. The top diplomat said that Iran has always emphasized its sovereignty over the islands based on international law. "The GCC is not in a position to comment on this matter. Issuing unilateral statements negates the positive atmosphere in relations between Iran and the countries in this region. Iran expects its neighbors to adopt a realistic approach and avoid false comments." The three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands. The islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored. Iran rejects 'unilateral' GCC statement on Arash gas field Also in its statement, the GCC Ministerial Council made claims about the Persian Gulf Arash natural gas field, which Iran shares with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It alleged that only the two Arab countries have the right to exploit natural resources from the field. Kan'ani said that Iran has repeatedly announced its principled position on the matter based on international law. "Making one-sided claims will not create any rights for the claimant. We have emphasized the continuation of technical and legal negotiations with the Kuwaiti authorities," he added. "Raising such issues in unilateral statements is not acceptable at all." 'Intl. community accountable for Israel's provocations in Lebanon' Regarding Israel's ground invasion of southern Lebanon and possibility of escalating tensions, the spokesman said the Israeli regime, due to its terrorist nature, is seeking to fuel tension and spread insecurity in the region. "Any action taken by Israel against other parties is an action aimed at jeopardizing regional peace and security." Kan'ani asserted that the accountability lies with the Tel Aviv regime and the governments that support it, in particular the United States, which has fully supported the regime and rendered ineffectual the UN Security Council through the abuse of its veto power. He noted that the international community is fully responsible for "provocative actions" against Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's best chance to become energy hub Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 10:58 AM President Ebrahim Raeisi told the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit in Algiers on Saturday that Iran is ready to become an energy hub and a safe route for distribution and transit of natural gas between producers and consumer markets. With its vast natural gas reserves, technologies and geographic location, Iran plans to develop bilateral and multilateral relations with gas market countries, the president said, adding that Tehran is particularly interested in countries from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf, and its eastern and western neighbors. According to President Raeisi, Iran's strategic approach is based on increasing the production and export of natural gas and providing access to this type of energy to as many people in the region as possible. Iran is currently best placed to become the gas hub of the region, given the challenges and restrictions which Russia faces for exports of its gas due to the Ukraine war. It sits on the second biggest proven gas reserves in the world, where its upstream blueprint requires the country to play a role in the global gas trade. The 1404 vision document of the oil industry has set a goal for Iran to achieve 8-10% of the share of gas trade in the world by 2025. To achieve this, the country has to use gas export markets. The regional market, Europe and the East are the three main gas export destinations for Iran, but the first has more priority as regard politics, security and economy. Given the geographical location of Iran, there is a good capacity for export in neighboring countries. In addition, Iran can use the capacity of buying gas from the regional producers and selling it to customers to become the gas hub of the region. Buying gas from Russia and selling it to other countries has no effect on the country's net exports, but turning Iran into a regional gas hub will have positive political and economic consequences. Most of the countries around Iran, such as Turkey and Iraq, are importers of gas from Iran. For example, Turkey imports 10 billion cubic meters of gas from the Islamic Republic. On the other hand, Russia, Qatar and Turkmenistan, which are adjacent to Iran, are among the three largest gas holders in the world. Once the primary export market for Gazprom, Europe has seen a sharp decline in Russian gas supplies due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, creating a gas surplus in Russia. Likewise, Turkmenistan needs a market for its gas exports under its new development plans, but it faces a litany of challenges common to landlocked developing countries. Iran can take advantage of the situation where it can buy gas from the extensive regional hydrocarbon reserves and sell it to potential clients and thus establish itself as a strong gas hub of the region. By importing gas from Russia, Turkmenistan and Qatar, Iran can receive some 100 billion cubic meters a year of gas and sell it to such countries as Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Last October in his address to the specialized "Global Oil and Gas Market" forum in Moscow, Iran's Minister of Petroleum Javad Owji touched on the massive oil and gas reserves of Iran and its neighbors, underling Iran's geopolitical position at the junction of Asia and Europe, and the only integrated land route between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. "Today, Iran is the safest and easiest way to exchange and transfer energy to open waters," he said. The global energy market, Owji said, cannot ignore Iran's key role in energy exchanges and its capacities. "Some of the countries around Iran are oil and gas exporters and some are importers. This has made it easier for Iran to play the role of an energy hub," he added. Iran, by taking advantage of its natural resources and northern neighbors, can be the main player in energy trade in the world and become the main gas hub, according to Owji. Currently, Iran exports gas to Turkey and Iraq. Pakistan, India and Oman are also potential customers of Iranian gas. In addition to gas trade, the potential swap of other energy carriers such as crude oil, oil products and the export of petrochemical products has created a special advantage for Iran in the regional energy race. Iran's sprawling export and import terminals and its extensive oil, gas and oil products transmission pipelines attest to the country's huge capacity to become the energy hub of the region. The burgeoning cooperation between Iran and Russia and mutual understanding between them gives Tehran an unprecedented opportunity to realize this dream, which should not be missed. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said last June that his country welcomes initiatives aimed at addressing energy security after Owji said that Iran was looking to set up a natural gas hub in the Persian Gulf in cooperation with Russia, Qatar, and Turkmenistan. "We welcome initiatives that help deal with the energy security problem in a broad sense and contribute to continued development of Russian-Iranian relations, and in general, we are open to constructive ideas," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran self-reliant in ensuring national security, needs no global power like others: Raeisi Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 10:42 AM President Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran's security is "endogenous" and the Islamic Republic does not rely on any global power to ensure its national security. Raeisi made the remarks in an address to the graduation ceremony for the cadets studying in the academies of Iran's Armed Forces which was held in Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba University of Officer and Police Training in Tehran on Monday. He said Iran's security stems from the presence of people in various scenes and from awareness, awakening, and vigilance and presence of the armed forces. "Our security does not depend on other countries and conventional powers in the world," the president asserted. He argued that security is Iran's most vital need as he pledged to strengthen the defense prowess of the country. "Defense power, economic stability and cultural capability are three important components of national strength," Raeisi emphasized. He added that the enemy is hell-bent on hindering the Iranian nation's progress through acts of sabotage, sanctions and threats but Iranians are resolute on moving in the path of development. "In this war of wills, the will of the great Iranian nation has achieved victory so far and it will continue to be victorious in the future," the president stated. He said the Iranian nation's presence in various scenes and its accountability have foiled all the enemies' plots over the past 45 years. 'US army, most hated in the world' Elsewhere in his address, Raeisi noted that the United States and the Israeli regime have the most despised armed forces in the world, emphasizing that Palestine and Gaza are now the leading issues of humanity. The Iranian president expressed confidence that the firm resistance of the Palestinian people would will the Israeli regime and achieve a final victory. Israel waged its US-backed genocidal war on the besieged Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. However, five months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its declared objectives and is getting bogged down deeper in the Gaza quagmire. Israel has so far killed at least 30,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 71, 920 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan rebuffs WSJ claim about Iran seeking naval base on Red Sea coast Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 8:13 AM Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali al-Sadiq Ali has dismissed Western media allegations about Iran's attempt to establish a permanent naval base on the Northeast African country's Red Sea coast. "I have read the article published in American daily newspaper The Wall Street Journal. The news story is false and fabricated," Ali told the Arabic service of Russia's Sputnik news agency on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2024 in the southwestern Turkish city of Antalya on Sunday. He made clear that Iran has "never asked Sudan to establish a base there. I paid a visit to Iran lately, and the issue was never raised during my stay." Earlier in the day, The Wall Street Journal claimed that Iran had sought permission from Sudanese authorities to set up a permanent naval base on its Red Sea coast. The newspaper quoted a senior Sudanese intelligence official as saying that Iran offered Sudan advanced weaponry, including a helicopter-carrying warship, in exchange for consent to build the base. The official, Ahmed Hassan Mohamed, alleged that the base would have allowed Iran to "gather intelligence" and "station warships" near the vital Suez Canal and the Israeli-occupied territories. Last October, Iran and Sudan agreed to restore diplomatic relations after seven years. The two sides agreed to deepen their ties in different areas that would serve the interests of both Muslim nations and would be conducive to regional stability. Sudan cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 following the storming of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran. Meanwhile, an ongoing power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has plunged the African country into chaos since the fighting started on April 15, 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Sudan Reject Report Claiming Tehran Seeks Red Sea Base By RFE/RL March 04, 2024 Tehran has rejected a media report claiming that Iran had unsuccessfully asked Sudan to allow it to set up a naval base on its Red Sea coast, a day after Khartoum also called it into question. Citing an unnamed Sudanese intelligence official, The Wall Street Journal on March 3 reported that Iran had offered advanced weapons to Sudan in return for permission to build a naval base on its Red Sea shore. The Wall Street Journal added that Sudan rejected Iran's offer out of concern for alienating the United States and Israel. Iran has supplied the Sudanese military with drones used to fight rebels. The Iranian Navy has maintained a presence in the Red Sea for years but does not have a naval base in the strategic waters. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said on March 4 during a weekly press briefing that the report was "baseless and politically motivated." A day earlier, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq denied the article, calling it "false and fabricated." Commercial shipping in the Red Sea has been crippled since November, when Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels started targeting ships with ties to Israel. Analysts say Tehran has used its so-called "spy ship" Behshad in the Gulf of Aden to provide intelligence to the Huthis. The Huthis' targeting of ships in the key global trade route has triggered retaliatory U.S. and U.K. air strikes, though questions remain about whether the attacks will deter the Yemeni rebels. The Rubymar, a cargo vessel struck by the Huthis in late February, sunk in the Red Sea on March 3, becoming the first ship lost in the conflict. The Huthis say they are striking Israeli-linked ships in support of Palestinians following the October outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sudan- red-sea-base/32847248.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan Denies Receiving Request From Iran to Build Naval Base in Country - Foreign Minister Sputnik News 20240304 ANTALYA (Sputnik) - Sudan has never received any requests from Iran to build its naval base in the country, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq told Sputnik on Sunday, adding that the relevant article by The Wall Street Journal was not accurate. Earlier in the day, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a senior Sudanese intelligence official, that Iran had allegedly sought Sudan's permission to build a permanent naval base on its Red Sea coast in exchange for military equipment, but Khartoum rejected Tehran's proposal to avoid cutting ties with the US and Israel. "I read The Wall Street Journal article today, this report is incorrect ... Iran has never asked Sudan to build an Iranian base. I recently visited Iran, and this was not discussed," Sadiq said on the sidelines of the 2024 Antalya Diplomacy Forum. In October 2023, Sudan and Iran resumed their diplomatic ties, seven years after Sudan severed them in line with the same move by Saudi Arabia when Saudi Arabian diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked following the execution of Shiite cleric Ayatollah Nimr al-Nimr, who questioned the Gulf monarchy's authority. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Analysts: Iran Using Gaza War to Consolidate Regional Influence By Dale Gavlak March 04, 2024 Iran has tried to use the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza to consolidate its influence in the Middle East through its sway over proxy militias in the region, say analysts. The analysts, however, question what, if anything, Tehran would stand to gain by helping the nearly five-month-old conflict to spread and intensify. Lebanese analyst Patricia Karam says Iran sees the conflict as an opportunity to exert more of its influence over its Shiite proxies in the Middle East. Iran is part of a so-called Axis of Resistance, referring to groups in the region with varying levels of military and political proximity to Tehran. She notes the increased anti-Israel sentiment in the Middle East because of the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas, sparked by the militant group's surprise attack October 7 on southern Israel, and Israel's military response. She says it is now harder for signatories to the Abraham Accords with Israel, like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, to cooperate with Israel, given the staggering scale of death and destruction in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave. The accords were designed to normalize ties between Israel and some Arab nations. In addition, she notes that the conflict has put a snag in efforts to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Karam adds that Iran will suffer badly should the conflict worsen, especially with respect to Israel's northern neighbor, Lebanon. Iran-backed Hezbollah is based in Lebanon. "This attack has re-energized the regime's resistance narrative throughout the region, but it's unclear how much Iran would gain from the conflict worsening, especially that (Lebanon's) Hezbollah is an important asset for it which it does not want weakened," she said. "Exchanges on the Lebanon-Israel border continue. But there is always the danger that this balancing act could collapse, whether by miscalculation or deliberate decision. The existing tit-for-tat could really escalate." Michael Young, writing in the Carnegie Middle East Center's online Diwan publication says, "Yet for all the recognition of Iran's growing regional sway, one thing is equally evident. Wherever the Iranians have asserted their power, the results have been catastrophic. Observers have described the pro-Iran network of regional political-military actors as an 'axis of resistance,' but the reality is that everywhere it is primarily an axis of ruin." He also says, "The Iranian model has bolstered Iran's power but left Arab societies in misery." He points to devastating Iran-backed wars in Syria and Yemen, while Iraq is now dominated by pro-Iran militias that "have prevented the emergence of a functional state and undermined elections." Young, who is based in Beirut, adds, "In Lebanon, Hezbollah has protected a political class that brought on an economic collapse while derailing economic reforms; and in Gaza, Iran's allies have caused a war that has ravaged the territory." Young questions whether Iran will ever agree to ultimately disarming its Arab allies, like Hezbollah. David Hale, a Global Fellow with the Wilson Center in Washington and former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, said during a recent webinar the United States should confront Iran directly. He stopped short of calling for an active toppling of the regime in Tehran. "Typically, in Lebanon and this now as well in Gaza and the rest of the region, is that we in our strong desire to avoid escalation into a regional war, we tend to focus on the proxies of our enemies," he said. "Today it's Hezbollah, the proxy of Iran. So, if you don't have a strategy that addresses the mastermind - Tehran - then your strategies to deal with proxies are only going to get you so far." Meanwhile, Iran has warned that a direct confrontation between it and the U.S. is becoming likelier as long as the Israel-Hamas war continues. U.S. diplomat Amos Hochstein visited Beirut Monday, hoping to de-escalate hostilities along the Lebanese-Israel border in a bid to stop an even bigger confrontation from happening. VOA's Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The deputy Chairman of Libya's Presidential Council, Moussa al-Kouni, has said that in light of the country's political division, it is difficult to combat illegal migration without a unified strategy to ensure border security and limit the phenomenon Iraqi PM: Iran stood by us during anti-terrorism war ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Mon / 4 March 2024 / 10:13 The prime minister of Iraq has lauded Iran's role in helping the Arab country's fight against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, saying the two neighbors have many common grounds. Tehran-ISNA- According to Iraq's Al-Ahed news agency, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani made the comments in an interview with al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue, which was published on Sunday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran is our neighbor and we have many religious and social commonalities. During the fight against Daesh, Iran stood by us," Sudani said. He added that the government of Iraq is trying to get the viewpoints of different parties present in the country close together. The Takfiri terrorist group began a campaign of terror in Iraq in 2014 and then took control of vast swathes in lightning attacks across the region. Iraq declared victory over the terrorist group in December 2017 after a three-year counter-terrorism military campaign, in which Hashd al-Sha'abi, also known as Popular Mobilization Units, played a major role. Last December, Iraq's former prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, admitted that late commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, played a pivotal role in the anti-terrorism fight in his country, saying Iraq would have failed to defeat Daesh terrorists if it was not for General Soleimani's assistance. Elsewhere in his interview, Sudani reflected on the presence of foreign forces in Iraq within the framework of a so-called US-led international coalition. "All conditions and issues, which had caused the international coalition to be present in Iraq are now gone," the Iraqi prime minister said. He added that his government will continue efforts to end the presence of foreign troops in Iraq. Sudani noted, "The mission of foreign [military] advisors will come to an end according to a timetable to be drawn up by the Higher Military Committee." The committee was established in January to set a timetable for a phased withdrawal of foreign troops and ending the US-led coalition's presence in Iraq. The Iraqi prime minister also criticized the international community's failure to put an end to the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip. "The issue of Palestine is a fundamental issue for the people of Iraq," Sudani said, adding, "The [Iraqi] government's position is that the aggression against Gaza must stop and the scope of [the Israeli] war [on the territory] should not expand." End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Infamous column of Myanmar junta troops killed 11 in weeklong rampage Residents of a township in Sagaing region said the Ogre Column decapitated nine of the 11 victims. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.04 -- The military junta's notorious Ogre Column cut off body parts - including heads - during a weeklong rampage through a Sagaing region township that left 11 men dead, residents and members of local People's Defense Forces told Radio Free Asia. The victims were from nine different villages in Taze township and were all males between the ages of 25 and 70, a member of the anti-junta Taze People's Defense Force told RFA. Nine of the 11 victims were found decapitated, he said. "Almost all of the corpses had their male organs cut off, their bellies sliced open, their arms, legs, heads and other parts brutally removed," he said. "In the case of one of the deceased bodies, they cut off the head, applied make-up, adorned it with glasses and even put on cigarettes." The Ogre Column, officially part of the Myanmar military's 99th Light Infantry Battalion, is a unit of killers notorious for their cruelty in a military already known for its brutality. They're part of a psychological warfare approach developed by the country's generals that's known as "Sit Oo Bi Lu," the "First wave of brutal attack," or "Yakkha Byu Har" - "The Ogre Strategy," according to a former military captain who defected to the rebel side since the junta's Feb. 1, 2021 coup d'etat. Ogre Column troops also raided Taze township and several other nearby townships in March and April of 2023, cutting off limbs and beheading people across Sagaing, which has seen some of the fiercest resistance against the military junta. In January, five villagers from Sagaing's Tabayin township were arrested by the Ogre Column, local residents said. They were also subjected to mutilation of their body parts, they said. Arrested on his motorcycle In their most recent appearance in Taze township, the column arrived in Kan Htu Ma village and began burning houses on Feb. 23 - hours after local defense forces had attacked a police station, according to residents. Over the next week, they attacked villages to the west of Kan Htu Ma village, residents said. They finally left the township on Saturday. The Taze People's Defense Force member told RFA that some of the bodies of the 11 men were found on the edges of forested land and in adjacent villages. One of the victims - a 45-year-old man named San Po - was arrested on Feb. 29 while trying to flee the area on his motorcycle, a resident of Ywar Thit Kone village, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFA. "He said he was afraid of the approaching column and fled to avoid it," the village resident said. "He can't run on foot because of his gout disease." San Po's body was found on March 1 on the outskirts of Ywar Thit Kone village, the resident said. RFA attempted to contact the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Sai Naing Naing Kyaw, who is the junta's spokesman for Sagaing region, but he didn't answer a telephone call. Former naval Capt. Zay Thu Aung, who now advises resistance forces as part of the country's anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement, said junta soldiers are killing civilians and fighters and mutilating some of their bodies because the People's Defense Forces has prolonged a conflict they expected would be over quickly. "In such situations where they are unable to think clearly," he said. "They haven't seen their families for years, and the ongoing conflict further intensifies their feelings of animosity." Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Matt Reed. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Arakan Army vows to fight for total control of Myanmar's Rakhine state The group said a ceasefire with the military in Shan state has no bearing on its activities in Rakhine. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.04 -- The ethnic Arakan Army won't lay down arms until it has liberated all of western Myanmar's Rakhine state from military rule, an official said Monday. The Arakan Army, or AA, has captured six townships in Rakhine, and a seventh in neighboring Chin state, since it ended a ceasefire agreement in November that had been in place since the military seized power in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat. Its fighters are in the midst of an offensive against junta troops in five other Rakhine townships. Speaking at an online news conference on Monday, AA spokesman Khaing Thu Kha said his group will continue to fight until it has taken over the entirety of the state for the ethnic Rakhine people. "The goal of the Arakan Army is to fight for the liberation of the entirety of Rakhine state," he said. "We [ethnic Rakhines] will establish the future of Arakan state through full self-determination." Khaing Thu Kha said that the AA is not seeking independence and instead will allow the Rakhine people to "create their own future within Myanmar," adding that they won't accept a political status for the state "lower than confederate." The AA, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army together make up the ethnic Three Brotherhood Alliance, which in October launched an offensive known as Operation 1027 against the military in northern Shan state, which borders China. The alliance captured 16 cities in Shan state, including Muse and Chinshwehaw, before agreeing to a ceasefire in China-brokered talks with junta representatives on Jan. 11. An ex-military official later said it was not sustainable and less than a week after the agreement, both sides were accused of violating it in a skirmish. Last week, the two sides met again in the Chinese city of Kunming for talks that focused on reopening parts of the border with China that had been shut down during the fighting and preserving the ceasefire. On Monday, AA Deputy Chief Nyo Tun Aung made clear that the ceasefire in northern Shan state, known as the Haigeng agreement, has no bearing on his group's activities in Rakhine state. "At the moment, we are only discussing the Haigeng agreement, which is concerned only with the AA in northern Shan state, not with our troops in Rakhine state," he said. Attempts by RFA Burmese to contact junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the AA statements went unanswered Monday. 'They won't get another chance' Since ending the ceasefire in Rakhine state, the AA has captured the townships of Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Myaybon, and Taungpyo, as well as Paletwa township in Chin state. The group is fighting for control of Ponnagyun, Ramree, Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships in Rakhine. A former military officer said that if the AA agrees to stop fighting in Rakhine, it won't be able to capture Kyaukphyu township's strategic sea coast or the state capital, Sittwe. "They won't get another chance to control these areas ... so the AA has vowed to continue its offensives," said the former officer, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. "The junta will work hard to keep these areas, so the AA in northern Shan state will likely join the fighting in Rakhine." In the three months of fighting in Rakhine state, junta artillery attacks and small arms fire has killed 111 civilians and injured another 357, according to the AA. The group said that nearly 300,000 people have fled their homes due to the conflict. A resident of the state told RFA that ethnic Rakhines are willing to make sacrifices for a chance at true autonomy in Myanmar. "The AA will win the conflict, but there will be loss of life," he acknowledged. "[Ethnic Rakhines] have high expectations for the AA. There is a sense that we now have the best chance to determine our own future for our people." At a ceremony in the capital Naypyidaw on Feb. 13, junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said he will only pursue peace in Myanmar according to the 2008 military-drafted constitution and would never acquiesce to demands made by the armed resistance. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta, resistance officials attend China-brokered peace talks Representatives discussed strengthening a ceasefire and reopening the border with China, an Arakan Army official said. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.04 -- A Myanmar rebel alliance and junta officials discussed reopening the border and preserving a ceasefire at peace talks brokered by China, an Arakan Army official said Monday. The talks last week between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the military in the Chinese city of Kunming addressed the reopening of trade gates, deputy commander Nyo Tun Aung said in an online press conference. "We continue to discuss the previous Haigeng Agreement at every meeting," he said, referring to the alliance's name for a ceasefire agreed during a previous round of talks in January. "We are continuing to strengthen the ceasefire, [addressing] the China-Myanmar border issue, how to wipe out the online scamming business and how the border exits should be reopened." Junta forces agreed to let the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army manage Shan state's Kokang city, according to local media reports. The reports said junta officials asked the ethnic armed group to avoid harming China's interests in order to allow them to reopen the border gates. Radio Free Asia contacted the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army to learn more about the topics discussed, but they did not respond by the time of publication. Junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun did not return RFA's calls trying to confirm the details. The talks in China's Yunnan province took place last Thursday and Friday, according to a member of an ethnic armed group who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons. Three Brotherhood Alliance and junta representatives agreed to a ceasefire in the previous round of talks on Jan. 11. An ex-military official later said it was not sustainable and less than a week after the agreement, both sides were accused of violating it in a skirmish. The latest discussions focused on the ceasefire in northern Shan state since the Arakan Army has continued fighting junta forces in Rakhine state, Nyo Tun Aung said. Since the Arakan Army, Ta'ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army launched their 1027 attack in October, the three allied forces have captured at least six townships in Rakhine and Chin states. In northern Shan state, the Three Brotherhood Alliance captured 16 cities, including Muse and Chinshwehaw, which are vital for Chinese border trade. Although fighting between the alliance and junta in Shan state has largely gone quiet since the ceasefire, non-alliance member the Kachin Independence Army launched an offensive only days later and has since attacked multiple cities. Peace talks still need to address the fighting in Rakhine state where the Arakan Army attacked a junta naval base and took control of parts of a China-funded special economic zone, causing construction delays. Political analyst and former regime army officer Hla Kyaw Zaw told RFA that the current ceasefire talks are solely due to pressure from China and are not a satisfactory situation for both sides. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Warmonger at the gates: S Korea, US launch war games near North Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 7:08 AM South Korea and the United States have kicked off joint spring military drills, doubling the number of participating troops compared to last year. The exercises, dubbed Freedom Shield, are being held on March 4-14. The drills come as the two allies' air forces also launched their annual, battalion-level Ssangmae exercises for a five-day run, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Freedom Shield will involve twice the number of troops from both sides compared with last year. They will conduct 48 rounds of combined field training, including air assaults and air strikes. American strategic assets such as an aircraft carrier and bombers could participate, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. The term "Strategic" is often used to describe nuclear forces. The allies claim that the exercises are aimed at countering North Korea's alleged nuclear and missile threats. Pyongyang, however, says such military maneuvers amount to a rehearsal for invasion. North Korea, which has been under harsh sanctions by the United States and the United Nations Security Council for years over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, launched an unprecedented number of missiles in 2022, including its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile ever. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has repeatedly said his government is building up its defensive military arsenal in preparation for war by the West that could "break out at any time" on the peninsula. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: NATO war games 'provocative', our 'defensive capabilities' ready Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 11:15 AM Russia raps strongly NATO war games launched by the US-led military alliance on the country's doorstep. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko made the remarks on Monday, when the alliance began the Nordic Response exercises that are scheduled to take place across Finland, Sweden, and Norway. "The military is monitoring, we have all the necessary means for this. Our political position is well known. We believe that these exercises are demonstratively provocative," he said. "Any exercises, especially [those] that are held geographically close to the contact line, increase the risk of military incidents. Therefore, all necessary measures have been taken in order to ensure the defense capabilities of Russia," the diplomat added. The 11-day drills enlist around 20,000 troops from 14 NATO countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, France, and Spain. They also deploy more than 100 warplanes, military transport planes, naval surveillance aircraft, and helicopters as well as upwards of 50 vessels, including destroyers. The drills are part of the alliance's Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises that began on January 22 and are slated to last until May 31, as the biggest war games to be staged by the alliance since the Cold War. The Nordic Response drills also boast integration into NATO by Finland, which joined the alliance last year, and the treaty's close relations with Sweden, which is expected to join it by the yearend. Moscow has explicitly warned the Scandinavian countries that they have fallen victim to "the Russophobic frenzy" that followed the initiation of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine in 2022. In January, President Vladimir Putin described NATO's eastward expansion as "a problem that is being created...quite artificially in the foreign policy interests of the United States," stressing that the actions of the Scandinavian states could aggravate "an already difficult situation in the sphere of international security." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Rights Chief Slams Russia's 'Repression' Of Dissent Ahead Of Election By RFE/RL March 04, 2024 The head of human rights for the United Nations has chided Russia for its throttling of "dissenting voices" prior to this month's presidential election, adding that the death of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny added to concerns over the state of human rights in the country. Speaking at a meeting of the UN's Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 4, Volker Turk pointed to the absence of opposition candidates over administrative technicalities in the March 15-17 election, which incumbent Vladimir Putin is expected to easily win, as fostering "serious concerns" about the election. "The authorities have further intensified their repression of dissenting voices prior to this month's presidential election," he said. "Several candidates have been prevented from running, due to alleged administrative irregularities. The death in prison of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny adds to my serious concerns about his persecution," he added. Russian elections are tightly controlled by the Kremlin and are neither free nor fair but are viewed by the government as necessary to convey a sense of legitimacy. They are mangled by the exclusion of opposition candidates, voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and other means of manipulation. Meanwhile, the Kremlin's tight grip on politics, media, law enforcement, and other levers means Putin, who has ruled Russia as president or prime minister since 1999, is certain to win, barring a very big, unexpected development. Earlier on March 4, the Supreme Court in Moscow rejected for the third time an appeal by Boris Nadezhdin, the one candidate seen as a legitimate opponent to Putin, over his exclusion from the election due to a technicality pertaining to the signatures submitted from supporters to back his candidacy. Nadezhdin has said the invasion of Ukraine was a "fatal mistake" and accused Putin of dragging Russia into the past instead of building a sustainable future. His candidacy would have complicated the Kremlin's more aggressive ambition of boosting the perception of legitimacy for Putin. Navalny was once a leading opposition voice who attempted to run against Putin in 2018, only to be barred by the Central Election Commission (TsIK) over a conviction in a fraud case in what is widely seen as a politically motivated conviction. The 47-year-old lawyer, who was Putin's most vocal critic, died on February 16 in an Arctic prison. The circumstances of his death have not been clarified. "I urge a swift and comprehensive review of all cases of deprivation of liberty that result from the exercise of fundamental freedoms; as well as an immediate end to the repression of independent voices and the legal professionals who represent them," Volker said in his speech. "The future of the country depends on an open space," he added. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-un-election- repression-dissent/32847367.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prosecutors Seek Harsher Sentence For Jailed Former Leader Of Navalny's Team By RFE/RL's Idel.Realities March 04, 2024 A court in Russia's Volga city of Samara ruled on March 4 to send the case of Lilia Chanysheva, the imprisoned former chief of late opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's team in Ufa, to the Appeal Board of the Supreme Court of Bashkortostan after prosecutors said a 7 1/2 year prison sentence handed to the activist last year for extremism charges was too lenient. Chanysheva and her co-defendant, Rustem Mulyukov, took part in the hearing via video link from prison while the courtroom was open to the public. A prosecutor at the hearing claimed Chanysheva "deserves a 10-year prison term," while Chanysheva again rejected all the charges. Mulyukov also reiterated his not-guilty plea and stressed that he has a serious kidney disease. Chanysheva was handed the sentence in June 2023 after a court in Bashkortostan's capital, Ufa, found her guilty of creating an extremist community, inciting extremism, and establishing an organization that violates citizens' rights. Mulyukov was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on charges of taking part in the activities of an extremist organization -- mainly organizing events, including educational seminars, investigative programs, rallies, and demonstrations in Ufa. Chanysheva headed the local unit of Navalny's network of regional campaign groups until his team disbanded them after a Moscow prosecutor went to court to have them branded "extremist." The request was accepted, effectively outlawing the group. Chanysheva's defense team said at the time that her arrest was the first since the movement was banned. The charges appear to be retroactive since the organization she worked for disbanded before it had been legally classified as extremist. Navalny died on February 16 in an Arctic correctional colony while serving a 19-year prison term on extremism and other charges. Several opposition leaders and associates of Navalny have been charged with establishing an extremist group. Many have fled the country amid pressure from the Russian authorities. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/prosecutors-seek-harsher-sentence-for- jailed-former-leader-of-navalny-s-team/32847192.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Rejecting Anti-War Candidate From Running For President By RFE/RL March 04, 2024 The Appeal Board of the Russian Supreme Court on March 4 rejected anti-war presidential hopeful Boris Nadezhdin's latest appeal of a Central Election Commission (TsIK) decision to bar him from being registered to run in the March 15-17 presidential election. The Uzbekistan-born 60-year-old academic and former lawmaker, the only potential candidate who has openly criticized Russia's war against Ukraine, said on Telegram he will appeal the latest court decision as well. Ruling out Nadezhdin leaves President Vladimir Putin without any significant challengers in the vote. "I do not agree with the board's decision, and therefore, I will file a supervisory complaint with the Supreme Court's Presidium. I am not going to stop. I will fight to the end," Nadezhdin said in a statement on Telegram. Last month, the Supreme Court rejected two other appeals Nadezhdin lodged over the TsIK's decision to bar him from the vote. He then filed cases over TsIK decisions related to the collection of signatures on petitions to register his candidacy. The court said that, with its latest ruling, the TsIK's decisions now come into force. TsIK, which routinely refuses to register would-be opposition candidates on the pretext that they submitted an insufficient number of valid signatures, disqualified thousands of signatures that Nadezhdin's representatives had gathered across the country to reach the 100,000-signature threshold needed to be registered as a candidate. Nadezhdin, who was proposed as a presidential candidate by the Civic Platform party, is the only politician with presidential ambitions who has publicly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and criticized Putin. Russian elections are tightly controlled by the Kremlin and are neither free nor fair but are viewed by the government as necessary to convey a sense of legitimacy. They are marred by the exclusion of opposition candidates, voter intimidation, ballot-stuffing, and other means of manipulation. Meanwhile, the Kremlin's tight grip on politics, media, law enforcement, and other levers means Putin, who has ruled Russia as president or prime minister since 1999, is certain to win. But the surprising show of support for the little-known Nadezhdin, whose platform calls the invasion of Ukraine a "fatal mistake" and who accuses Putin of dragging Russia into the past instead of building a sustainable future, is complicating the Kremlin's more aggressive ambition of boosting the perception of Putin's legitimacy. Those who were expected to be Putin's main challengers currently are either incarcerated or fled the country, fearing for their safety. The late Aleksei Navalny was once a leading opposition voice who attempted to run against Putin in 2018, only to be barred by the TsIK over his conviction in a fraud case that was widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny died in prison on February 16 after he reportedly collapsed while on a daily walk. No official cause of death has been given by the authorities. Navalny was buried in Moscow on March 1 after authorities refused for almost two weeks to release his body to his family. The move heightened suspicions that the anti-corruption crusader was killed while in prison. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-nadezhdin-appeal- rejected-putin-presidency/32847060.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Always Open to Serious and Equal Dialogue, Lavrov Affirms Sputnik News 20240304 On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at a session of the World Youth Festival. The World Youth Festival is running from March 1 to 7 in the Krasnodar Region's Sirius Federal Territory, located in Russia's south on the Black Sea coast. During a session of the World Youth Festival, Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasized that Moscow is always willing to engage in dialogue, especially when it is offered sincerely and on a basis of equality "We have no negative feelings towards the American people, I have a great deal of very good associates in the United States," the Russian top diplomat noted. "We are always open to dialogue if it is offered seriously and on equal terms," he added. Speaking about the bombshell leak of the conversation between the German top generals, Lavrov told festival participants that it is surprising that Germany is not concerned about discussions about a possible attack on the Crimean Bridge, but about the fact of the conversation of its senior military was leaked. The tape of an audio recording of a conversation between high-ranking German military officers on security topics concerning Russia and Ukraine was published on Friday. Later, the German-based news agency, DPA, revealed that the tape was authentic. On Saturday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that a thorough, intensive and swift investigation was underway over the leaked conversation. "The reaction of German politicians is interesting, some of whom are concerned that there has been a leak in the networks ensuring the security of negotiations. That is, the very fact of the preparation of German weapons, the German specialists who service these weapons, attacks on Russia, including the Crimean Bridge, including warehouses with ammunition, how they discuss among themselves, it does not come as a surprise ... This says a lot," Lavrov said. When touching upon how EU embassies in Moscow were getting set for the upcoming presidential elections in Russia, the top diplomat mentioned that Moscow had gathered extensive evidence of them participating in unauthorized activities. "Having collected such information, we invited all the ambassadors of the European Union, probably a week and a half ago, to a meeting with me, at which I simply ... wanted to tell the ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions that we advise, with the best intentions, not to do this," Lavrov said, adding that "two days before the scheduled event, before the meeting, they sent us a note saying, 'We decided not to come.'" The World Youth Festival is running from March 1-7 by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sputnik is an official media partner of the event. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The entrance to Trader Joe's Glastonbury store at 400 Hebron Ave. The store opened in February 2023. Glastonbury is one of eight Connecticut communities in which Trader Joe's has stores located in the same town as Whole Foods Market or where the two retailers have stores located near each other. Luther Turmelle/ Hearst Connecticut Media As retail chains have expanded across Connecticut over the years, there has been a tendency for rivals in different sectors to locate near each other often just blocks away and sometimes even across the street. In the pharmacy sector, it's Walgreens and CVS that frequently go head-to-head in close proximity. The two chains have stores less than a mile apart on Washington Avenue in North Haven, while the CVS in Coventry is located across Route 44 from Walgreens. In Manchester, CVS has two locations near the center of town, one on Middle Turnpike just a few blocks west from the Walgreens at the intersection of Middle Turnpike and Main Street, and another south of that location on the corner of Main and Charter Oak streets. In the construction industry shoppers will find along Route 5 in Wallingford near the Meriden border a Home Depot and Lowe's Home Improvement across the street from each other. Both stores also have similare sites in Manchester, sited on opposite sides of Buckland Hills Drive in the mall area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Grocery stores are no different. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have stores in close proximity in eight Connecticut communities. Along the Interstate 95 corridor, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's have stores less than a mile apart on the Boston Post Road near the Orange and Milford Border. And in The Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, the recently opened Whole Foods is less than a mile west on Buckland Street from a Trader Joe's store in Manchester's Plaza at Buckland Hills. West Hartford has two Whole Foods locations, in Blue Back Square and Bishops Corner, while across town, Trader Joe's has a store in the Corbin's Corner Shopping Center. But why would retailers in the same market build their stores so close to each other? While it may seem counterintuitive, analysts say it can make sense. Retail experts who spoke to Hearst Connecticut Media said now that Whole Foods announced it will open a store in the Cheshire Crossing retail center near the intersection of Route 10 and Interstate 691 in Cheshire, they fully expect Trader Joe's to follow suit with a store nearby. "It's as close as you can get to 100 percent certainty that you will see Trader Joe's follow Whole Foods into the Cheshire-Southington market," said Burt Flickinger, managing director of the New York City-based retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Flickinger said California-based Trader Joe's is looking to fill spaces between its existing Connecticut stores, and a new store in Cheshire or a neighboring community would be equidistant from the retailer's Danbury store and the one in West Hartford. Currently, the only store Trader Joe's has in New Haven is the Orange location. "Trader Joe's is committed to growth in this market," Flickinger said. Wayne Pesce, president of the Connecticut Food Association, said Trader Joe's and Whole Foods "chase the same customers, demographically speaking." "I could see Trader Joe's looking to build on West Street in Southington or in a neighboring community to Cheshire, like Wallingford," Pesce said. "There's a lot of consumers out there and the way retailers select sites has gotten a lot more sophisticated." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whole Foods is in a full blown expansion mode in Connecticut, industry experts say. The Texas-based grocery chain opened its South Windsor store in January and the opening of a Stamford location on High Ridge Road is expected to happen at some point this year. And in addition to the store planned for Cheshire, there are also plans for a store on the Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook. Retailers typically don't comment on their expansion criteria or why they choose certain locations. All but one of the retailers mentioned in this story were not immediately available for comment. A CVS spokeswoman said in a written statement on Friday that "many factors are considered when we decide where to open CVS Pharmacy stores, such as local market dynamics, a communitys population, store density and access to pharmacy services." Jed Backus, broker and owner of Backus Real Estate in Hamden, said retailers "do a market analysis of any potential site that includes a traffic count." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "There are limited sites that meet a retailer's criteria and that have appropriate zoning," Backus said. "It's not necessarily surprising that competing retailers would look at the data and come to the same conclusion about a site." A preponderance of a certain type of retailers within the same geographic area actually expands the number of customers that stores can draw from, he said. "And in that kind of example, how does anyone do well?" Backus said rhetorically. "There are instances where giving customers more choice actually expands the population radius that you are drawing from. It's why you have car dealers along certain heavily traveled roads in some communities." Angelica Gianchandani, a practitioner in residence at the University of New Haven's Pompea School of Business who specializes in marketing, said the clustering of popular retailers within a certain geographic area creates a "stability of foot traffic (that) is a positive outcome for competition." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "These retailers have similar customers whose behavior is very similar around product choice, product brands, their own perceived needs, and price points," Gianchandani said. The way Trader Joe's and Whole Foods differentiate themselves from each other, she said is through "their product mix, store size, private label items and brand positioning." "That's what sets them apart," Gianchandani said. "Both brands share the same customer who will shop in both stores for different needs." Flickinger said Trader Joe's and Whole Foods "have complementary customer counts and a competitive crossover." Envoy: Iran supports constructive dialogue between Syria, OPCW IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 4, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the continuation of constructive dialogue between Syria and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to address the remaining issues and bring the case to a final and definitive solution. Amir Saeed Iravani made the remarks on Monday in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the Middle East (Syria-Chemical). "The Islamic Republic of Iran once again condemns the use of chemical weapons in any place and time by anyone and under any circumstances in the strongest possible way," Iravani added. The full text of Iravani's speech is as follows: Mr. President, I congratulate Japan on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. I acknowledge Guyana for its successful conclusion of the presidency in February. We welcome the presence of Mr. Adedeji Ebo, Deputy to the UN high representative for disarmament affairs at today's briefing. Mr. President, Iran once again condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, at any time, and under any circumstances. We underscore once more that any investigation into the use of chemical weapons must be impartial, professional, credible, and objective, and must fully comply with the requirements and procedures of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Equally crucial, the OPCW must be able to perform its duties in an impartial, professional, and objective manner to establish facts and develop evidence-based conclusions. We reiterate our call that the Convention must be implemented fully, effectively, and without discrimination. We believe that politicizing the application of the Convention and exploiting the OPCW for political reasons endangers the credibility of both the Organization and the Convention. Mr. President, As a committed party to the Convention, the Syrian Arab Republic continues to uphold its commitments and cooperate closely with the OPCW. The Syrian National Authority not only submitted monthly reports detailing activities within Syria but also actively facilitated the 26th round of consultations for the Declaration Assessment Team, held from January 23rd to February 1st, 2024, by providing necessary facilities for the team's mission to succeed. Additionally, the Syrian National Authority facilitated the tenth round of inspections of the Scientific Studies and Research Center in December 2023. The reports of the Technical Secretariat confirm that Syria provided the required assistance, access, and support, including administrative and logistical matters as requested by the inspection team to implement its objectives. This is another piece of evidence that underscores Syria's ongoing cooperation with the Technical Secretariat. As such, on 27 February 2024, the OPCW Technical Secretariat informed the Syrian National Authority about the closing of three outstanding issues concerning Syria's initial declaration, with the remaining issues that could be closed. This significant development underlines the importance of keeping a non-political approach to this matter. We call on certain countries to refrain from making baseless political accusations against Syria or premature judgments before the conclusion of such consultations. Mr. President, We support the continued constructive dialogue between Syria and the OPCW to address any remaining issues and bring the file to a final and conclusive resolution. This approach is pivotal for ensuring transparency, accountability, and the satisfactory resolution of all outstanding issues. We regret that certain Western countries have pursued the adoption of a contentious and politicized resolution during the 28th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention. This resolution, unfortunately, seeks to further the political agenda of certain states and comes at a crucial juncture when the Syrian government is diligently working towards improving humanitarian conditions and the provision of essential services. We call on constructive efforts of the Security Council and expect a positive role from the Council members. Thank you 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's annual live-fire drills to increase in frequency: Source ROC Central News Agency 03/04/2024 09:06 PM Taipei, March 4 (CNA) Taiwan's annual air and maritime live-fire drills in Pingtung County would be held more frequently in the future and not only be concentrated during certain periods of the year, a military source told CNA on Monday. The purpose would be to strengthen the military's live ammunition training and capability in defense, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. This type of training involving precision weaponry has traditionally been conducted between August and September every year in Pingtung's Jiupeng area, the source said. As part of this new measure, the 21st Artillery Command of the 6th Army Corps is expected to carry out a live ammunition drill in Jiupeng next month using anti-air missiles developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the source added. Commenting on the issue, the Ministry of National Defense responded briefly saying the annual live-fire drills would adopt a multifrequency approach and that they would be executed in according to plan, without elaborating. Separately on Monday, a Navy official revealed that the branch is planning to establish a coastal combat command to strengthen its defensive capabilities in waters around Taiwan. The plan also comes as the Navy expands its Hai Feng shore-based anti-ship missile group, according to the official. The exact timetable for its establishment, however, has not yet been finalized, he added. (By Matt Yu and Ko Lin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Audio of Kinmen boat collision turned over to prosecutors: Coast Guard ROC Central News Agency 03/04/2024 08:30 PM Taipei, March 4 (CNA) Taiwan's Coast Guard said Monday it has given prosecutors audio recordings of the fatal capsizing of a Chinese speedboat that fled and collided with a Coast Guard patrol boat last month near Kinmen. Coast Guard Director-General Chou Mei-wu () made the revelation at a legislative hearing, in which he faced questioning and criticism from some lawmakers about his agency's muted public response to the accident. Chou said the capsizing incident occurred within the context of large numbers of unnamed, unregistered boats operating around Kinmen -- a problem that Chinese authorities had requested law enforcement help with on 49 occasions in 2023. On Feb. 12, the Coast Guard received a report from a resident about Chinese boat incursions in prohibited waters off Kinmen's east coast, Chou said. When its radar detected a vessel in the area on Feb. 14, it dispatched a nearby patrol boat to intercept it, setting off a chase that ended in a collision when the fleeing Chinese vessel made a sudden right turn, he said. The collision and subsequent capsizing of the Chinese boat caused the deaths of two of the four sailors on board. It also prompted a furious response from Beijing and raised tensions around Kinmen, which is located less than 10 kilometers off the coast of the Chinese city of Xiamen. At Monday's hearing, Chou said his agency had given Kinmen prosecutors audio records of the incident, as well as radar information showing the vessels' exact movements, but had been asked not to make them public. Chou did not specify when the audio records were handed over. The Coast Guard previously said it does not have video footage of the incident. Chou also pushed back Monday on the perception that a larger Coast Guard vessel had "rammed and overturned a smaller fishing boat." Holding a picture of the collision scene, he said the Chinese speedboat was 11.6 meters long and 2.7 meters wide, while the Coast Guard patrol boat was 9.6 meters long and 2.8 meters wide. The incident is being investigated by the Kinmen District Prosecutors Office. (By Huang Li-yun and Matthew Mazzetta) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonian parliamentary group visits Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 03/04/2024 12:06 PM Taipei, March 4 (CNA) A delegation of Estonian parliamentarians arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a five-day visit, which will include meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen () and other top-level government officials, to enhance bilateral exchanges, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The eight-member cross-party delegation, led by Estonia-Taiwan Friendship Group Chairman Kristo Enn Vaga, is also scheduled to meet with Premier Chen Chien-jen () and visit the Hsinchu Science Park, as well as multiple government agencies, to explore opportunities for cooperation, MOFA said in a press release. These include the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Digital Affairs, National Science and Technology Council, International Trade Administration, and National Health Insurance Administration, according to MOFA. In addition to their meetings with Tsai and Chen, the Estonian parliamentarians will attend two banquets hosted by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu () and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (), respectively, MOFA said. The five-day visit, which concludes on March 8, comes amid growing ties between Taiwan and Estonia for the past year. Last November, Foreign Minister Wu gave a rare public speech in Estonia, praising the country's government for its courage in allowing him that opportunity, despite China's protests. At the 2023 World Health Assembly, Estonia Health Minister Riina Sikkut called for Taiwan's inclusion in the international body. Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna also said last year that his government was open to discussions on the possibility of Taiwan establishing an economic or cultural office in his country's capital Tallinn. At the time, MOFA thanked the Estonian government for its willingness to talk with Taiwan about the proposal but said a final decision had not yet been made. Taiwan has representative offices in the neighboring Baltic countries of Lithuania and Lativa, but does not have diplomatic relations with either of them, or with Estonia. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 5, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/03/05 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, Mar. 4-5 2.PLA activitiesis 12 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 4, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov to discuss the latest on the situation on the ground in Ukraine. Secretary Austin reiterated that the United States and our coalition of some 50 Allies and partners will continue to support Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russian aggression. The two leaders agreed on the urgent need to pass President Biden's bipartisan National Security Supplemental and pledged to remain in close contact. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3694569/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint op-ed of Foreign Ministers Tsahkna and Kuleba: A powerful untapped resource that would help Ukraine Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04.03.2024 Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been ongoing for two years now and Russia's plans have not changed. With Ukraine's resolute resistance and the support of the helping countries so far, Ukraine has managed to push back terrorist Russia and make it impossible for Putin to achieve his goals. However, it is not enough; we must and can do more because Russia's goals have not changed. The world stands at a critical juncture. The battle for Ukraine's sovereignty against Russia's unrelenting aggression is not just a regional conflict; it is a test of the international community's commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. Our freedom and way of life are at stake here. Putin is now hoping to exhaust Ukraine and weaken international support for the country. Doubts, delays and dragging feet are feeding Putin's hopes that he may succeed. Estonia has been a great help for Ukraine to stand against Russia's terror. Estonia has always been among the first to give help to Ukrainian people, provide Ukraine with weapons and support Ukraine politically. Generations of Ukrainians will remember Estonia's strong and sincere support during these most challenging times. Yet is it fair that Estonian people and people in the West have to pay for damages made by Russia? Would it not be logical, and just for the aggressor Russia itself to pay for it? We have a solution for it. Once again, Estonia is the first to show others how it can be done. We have to make Russia pay by using the aggressor's frozen assets. There exists a powerful, untapped resource that could significantly bolster Ukraine's standing: over $300 billion of Russian assets currently frozen by Western nations. The $300 billion in frozen Russian assets presents an opportunity; these are not mere numbers on a ledger. They symbolize the power of democratic nations to right the wrongs inflicted upon Ukraine. Estonia's initiative to use Russia's frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine is a role model for all of the world. The law, which the Estonian parliament is deliberating, has a significant symbolic value. Once Estonia proves that frozen assets can be delivered to Ukraine lawfully, there is no reason for anybody to say that it cannot be done. What better way to uphold the rule of law than to channel these assets to rebuild Ukraine? This act would not undermine the rule of law but rather fortify it, demonstrating to the world that the principles we hold dear are enforceable. The seizure of Russian assets is a necessary step in the face of flagrant violations of international norms. It is a step that, with careful legal and economic consideration, can reinforce the rule of law, support the stability of the global financial system, and ultimately contribute to a safer, more just international order. As we navigate these challenging times, our actions must be guided by a commitment to upholding these principles, ensuring that we do not just respond to the immediate crisis but also set a precedent for the future that aligns with our shared values and the long-term interests of the global community. For Ukraine, that money is necessary to rebuild and to defend. We support using the windfall profits of frozen Russian assets to jointly purchase military equipment for Ukraine as the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen recently urged in her speech to the European Parliament. For Russia and all the possible aggressors in the future, it sends a signal that action will not go without reaction - they will be held accountable. If you do not pay, you will be made to pay. The European Union's recent regulatory stance against the immobilization of Russian assets solidifies the legal groundwork for potential contributions to Ukraine's recovery. This initiative, coupled with Estonia's pioneering efforts to legislate the use of Russian assets for compensation, marks a decisive step towards justice. Actions speak louder than words. Our actions must show that time is running out for the aggressor, not for Ukraine, for Europe or for the free democratic world. Estonia and Ukraine know Russia too well as a repeat offender. We know the terrors of Soviet times and the dangers the West faces today. We know how the story goes if Russia is signalled that their actions may go unchallenged and they are not held accountable. Let us work together to not let history repeat itself. The world is watching. Let us not falter. The aggressor must pay - this is the just choice, the only choice, for a world that believes in the rule of law and the sanctity of sovereign nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leaked audio indicates Germany's intention to strike Russia, Kremlin says Iran Press TV Monday, 04 March 2024 4:11 PM Russia says leaked talks within the German military on the Ukraine war about potential strikes on Russian targets raises questions regarding Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz being in "control of the situation." "The recording itself says that within the Bundeswehr, plans to launch strikes on Russian territory are being discussed substantively and concretely," the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said to reporters at a news briefing on Monday, in reference to the armed forces of Germany. "Here we have to find out whether the Bundeswehr is doing this on its own initiative. Then the question is: how controllable is the Bundeswehr and how much does Scholz control the situation? Or is it part of German government policy?" Peskov said. Russian media first published the audio recording last week of the meeting of senior German military officials discussing weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kiev on a bridge in Crimea. On the leak, military officials spoke about ways German officers could supply Ukrainians with targeting information without appearing to be directly involved in the conflict. Earlier this week, the German chancellor said sending German Taurus missiles and troops to operate them was problematic. The Kremlin spokesman said both scenarios were "very bad. Both once again emphasize the direct involvement of the countries of the collective West in the conflict around Ukraine." Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has demanded that Germany "promptly" provide an explanation over the leaked audio. She says it proves the West plans to wage a "hybrid war" against Russia. The Kremlin on Monday summoned Germany's ambassador to demand an explanation over the matter, Russian media reported. But a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry denied the ambassador had been summoned, saying he had a prior meeting in the Russian Foreign Ministry that had been scheduled before. The German envoy, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, left the foreign ministry without speaking to reporters after the meeting. This is the second instance in a week that Russia has raised the issue of the West's intention to attack Russian targets. President Emmanuel Macron of France has also suggested the possibility of deploying French troops to Ukraine to fight alongside Kiev forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said sending Western troops to fight in Ukraine risks provoking a nuclear war. Germany's Scholz has vowed a swift probe into the leaked audio recording. He said the leak, which the Bundeswehr has confirmed to be real, is "a very serious matter." "It will now be investigated very carefully, very intensively, and very quickly." A Germany military official has said that assessment shows "a conversation in the air force division was intercepted. We are currently unable to say for certain whether changes were made to the recorded or transcribed version that is circulating on social media." The leaked audio also contains reference to the British having "a few people on the ground" in connection with the deployment of their Storm Shadow cruise missiles delivered to Ukraine. The leaked virtual meeting did not take place via a secure line, but the Webex platform, according to the German news magazine Der Spiegel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine military official: half of all North Korean shells are duds North Korean artillery shells cannot be accurately aimed, South Korean military expert says. By Cho Jinwoo for RFA Korean 2024.03.04 -- Russia has imported more than 1.5 million artillery shells from North Korea to cover its insufficient arms production as the war with Ukraine rages on, but about half of the shells are duds, a Ukrainian military official said. South Korean military analysts also told Radio Free Asia that the shells that do fire cannot be aimed precisely, and sometimes even cause casualties among the Russian ranks. "As of today, based on available statistical data, the Russians have already imported one and a half million shells from North Korea," Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, told news outlet Interfax-Ukraine. "But these munitions are from the 1970s and 1980s," he said. "Half of them do not function, and the rest require refurbishment or verification before use." South Korea said last week that the number of artillery shells North Korea has sent to Russia could be as high as 3 million. Kyiv has also alleged that North Korea has sent missiles to Russia and these have been used against Ukraine, which Pyongyang and Moscow deny. The transfer of North Korean arms to Russia has been condemned by the U.S. and almost 40 other countries. Skibitskyi said that in exchange for the dated Soviet-era ammunition, North Korea is getting missile and submarine tech from Moscow. "And the most important thing here for the international community is that North Korea is definitely asking for technologies related to nuclear weapons," he said. "It is necessary to call Russia to responsibility, because the whole world is fighting for non-proliferation, and Russia is openly starting to work in this direction in exchange for receiving additional ammunition, missiles and other types of weapons." The poor quality of North Korean ammunition used by Russia in Ukraine has been widely discussed. In December, the Ukrainian Armed Forces Chief of Staff said on Facebook that the shells were so shoddy that often they exploded in the barrels of Russian cannons and mortars. Lee Il-woo, secretary-general of the Seoul-based Korea Defense Network, told RFA Korean that the North Korean shells cannot be fired accurately. If you look at the craters where the shells [fired by the Russian military] landed, they are spread out in a circular pattern with no consistent impact group," Lee said. "The fact that the shells are spread out like this means that the accuracy of the shells is very low," he said. "Low precision means that when the shells are fired, they may even fall on the heads of their allies." Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'I Realize I May Never Come Back': Moldovan Mercenaries Join Russian Units In Ukraine By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service and Tony Wesolowsky March 04, 2024 Just a few bureaucratic hurdles to clear and Andrei can quit his factory job in Transdniester, a pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova, pick up a gun, and join like-minded countrymen fighting with invading Russian forces in neighboring Ukraine. Andrei, who declined to give his last name, recently told RFE/RL's Moldovan Service that he was waiting for the Russian Consulate in Tiraspol, the de facto capital of Transdniester, to renew an expired Russian passport he also holds along with his Moldovan one. With that document, he said, he will travel to Moscow, where online postings luring foreigners to fight in Russia's unprovoked attack instruct them to finish the formalities at a recruitment office. There are an estimated 220,000 Russian citizens in Transdniester, which broke away from Moldova in the early 1990s and hosts around 1,500 Russian soldiers. Andrei said he hopes to join the so-called Dniester detachment, a mercenary unit of Moldovans reportedly formed by Alexandr Kalinin, a shady figure who's been blacklisted by the EU and United States for his pro-Russian activities. Kalinin has had his citizenship stripped by Moldova for much the same reasons and some more sinister, including recent threats to lead a group of fighters on a march to the capital, Chisinau, to depose the pro-Western government of President Maia Sandu. The Kremlin has relied on both its regular armed forces and private military companies to fight in Ukraine, and the lines of command and recruitment are often blurred. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, has eased the paperwork and offered other incentives to swell the ranks of his military forces with foreigners. In January, Putin issued a decree allowing foreign nationals who serve in the Russian military or in "military formations" to obtain Russian citizenship for themselves and their families. And more fighters are apparently something Putin needs as losses continue to mount despite recent advances by Russian invading forces in some spots along the thousands-kilometer-long front line in eastern Ukraine. Russia rarely, if ever, releases casualty figures. The most recent data from the Defense Ministry, published in January 2023, pointed to just over 6,000 deaths, although a recent U.S. assessment put the number much higher, at over 300,000. Kyiv has also been reluctant to release figures on its military losses, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy did say on February 25 that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action in the two years since Putin launched his country's full-scale invasion. Andrei, who works for a window manufacturer in Bender, a town just west of Tiraspol, said joining the Dniester fighting unit would allow him to join "our brothers," who "share the same ideas" as him. The messaging apps Telegram and Viber are used to target men in Transdniester and in Gagauzia, another autonomous region of Moldova where, like Trandniester, pro-Russian sentiment is pervasive and stoked by Kremlin-friendly locals. Recently, that pressure has intensified. In Transdniester, where Russia has nearly 2,000 troops it describes as peacekeepers, the local parliament on February 28 appealed to Russia for unspecified "protection," complaining about "pressure" from Chisinau. How Do I Join The Special Military Operation? "Hello! I am from Transdniester, I am 55 years old. Do I have a chance of getting into the SVO (special military operation)?" asks a user named AnD on a Russian-language Telegram recruitment channel, using Putin's term for the invasion. Responding to him and other men from Transdniester, the administrator of the Moscow Recruiter channel tells them it is important for them to arrive in Moscow and have a Russian passport and a Russian military passbook. He also says they can be accommodated in a hostel and will be helped to acquire the needed military document if they don't have it. The administrator appears to promise to reimburse some of their travel expenses, while others are advised to borrow money from relatives and "repay the debt when the first payments (for their mercenary service) come." Getting to Moscow is tricky and costly, as much of Europe has closed its airspace and airports to Russian commercial flights, with air routes usually going through Istanbul or Dubai. Bus trips to Russia are even more circuitous, now circumventing neighboring Ukraine. While it's unclear what connections these Viber and Telegram channels have to Kalinin, he is also active on social media, promoting and recruiting men from Moldova to his mercenary force. Kalinin had his Moldovan citizenship stripped in November 2023 by Sandu for "recruitment into the armed forces of a foreign state." In September 2022, the president declared that individuals with Russian and Moldovan citizenship who enlisted in the Russian Army to fight in Ukraine would have their Moldovan citizenship revoked. On his Telegram channel at the time, Kalinin dismissed Sandu's move as an attempt to "remove political figures who could compete against her in the 2024 presidential election." Days after Sandu's action, Kalinin threatened to oust her with a foreign force marching on Chisinau and printed comments that led to opening a second criminal probe into the fringe figure. The Dniester detachment is the only military formation actively and openly recruiting Moldovan citizens. Kalinin, who has posted photos of himself garbed in fatigues amid the fighting in Ukraine, has not divulged the numbers of his unit. He does promise those who join a monthly payment of 2,100 euros ($2,278), following a one-time payment of 4,800 euros to the new recruit for signing up. How this is all being financed is unclear. The Dniester fighters of Kalinin may be part of a wider network of mercenaries and other fighting units with links to the Kremlin. In an interview on January 16 with Russia's Vzglyad news site, Kalinin claimed his unit was embedded with the Skif Battalion, a mercenary group that is subordinated to the Terek Brigade, which, in turn, is part of the Union of Cossack Warriors of Russia and Abroad. A recent investigation by RFE/RL investigative units Schemes and Systema found that a purported private military company called Redut is in reality a recruitment system for combat units that is coordinated and funded by Russia's armed forces and their intelligence agency. One of the units allegedly funded by Redut, the investigation found, was Skif. Kalinin has so far not divulged where his units have or are deployed. In October 2023, pro-Kremlin media reported that the Skif Battalion had ambushed a Ukrainian military convoy near the town of Soledar in Donetsk, a region of eastern Ukraine partially controlled by pro-Russian forces since 2014. Both sides have foreign fighters in their ranks, with Kyiv openly recruiting to their international legion, whose numbers have reportedly dropped after initial enthusiasm. Foreign conscripts fighting for Russian mercenary groups can receive thousands of euros a month, eclipsing anything they are likely to earn at home. CNN recently reported that 15,000 Nepalese men have joined the Russian military, after the Russian government last year announced a lucrative package for foreign fighters. Figuring out how many foreigners are fighting in Ukraine for Russia is tricky, as many have served both in mercenary groups (mainly in the Wagner Group before it was dissolved) and in regular units of the Russian armed forces. Foreign conscript casualties are also unclear. The BBC Russian Service recently reported that, by the end of December 2023, at least 254 foreigners who had served in the Russian Army had been killed. Those figures, of course, are likely just a fraction of the Russian casualties, despite official pronouncements from Kremlin officials. A U.S. intelligence report declassified in mid-December 2023 estimated that 315,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded in Ukraine. If accurate, the figure would represent 87 percent of the roughly 360,000 troops Russia had before the war, according to the report. The independent Russian news outlet, Mediazona, reported on February 24 that about 75,000 Russian men died in 2022 and 2023 fighting in the war. A joint investigation published by Mediazona and Meduza, another independent Russian news site, indicates that the rate of Russia's losses in Ukraine is not slowing and that Moscow is losing about 120 men a day. The risk of death -- let alone whether or not the war is just -- is not a matter that concerns Andrei. "I feel like I have to be there [on the battlefield]," he told RFE/RL. "I realize I may never come back. Well, that's fate." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-mercenaries- join-russian-units-ukraine/32847497.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach, leader of the Chabad in Litchfield, is leading a trip to Israel in April. Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach LITCHFIELD Since the October 2023 Hamas attack in Gaza, the fight between Palestinians and Israelis has continued, with leaders seeking a resolution to the violence. The U.S. Department of State has warned against traveling to Israel. "The security situation remains unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning," the department said in a Jan. 3 advisory. Conversely, Tourist Israel, a travel site, doesn't discourage traveling to Israel: "Can I travel to Israel right now? The short answer to this question is yes. While many governments worldwide have recommended only essential travel to Israel, it is possible and feasible to fly to Israel. In fact, tourists continue traveling to Israel every day," the site said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach, leader of Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut, says areas of Israel are safe, and he's leading a trip there in April to show solidarity and support. "First and foremost, I would say we live in a fantastic world," he said. "Empty drums make a lot of noise, but Israel is, as a state, as safe as Litchfield. You have challenges everywhere. We border large cities in Litchfield and Southbury, and we are safe." The travel group will join others in Jerusalem for the national Chabad's Land and Spirit event April 1-7. "It's a national Chabad program, with people arriving from every part of the country," he said. "I don't know how many are coming, but we're finding that people want to go more than ever to show support for Israel. I think people who have lost so many and who have witnessed this greatest tragedy since the Holocaust, it's just important to be there." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The itinerary offers a chance to "connect with key figures such as chief rabbis, military leaders, and prominent political figures, gaining an insiders perspective on modern-day Israel, including its challenges and triumphs," the rabbi said. "Usually, political leaders come to our events, so we'll have a luncheon or a dinner, and they come and meet the travelers," Eisenbach said, stressing that the trip was "apolitical." The Chabad of NW CT will also deliver donations for people impacted by the war in Israel. "We'll bring needed (personal care and other) items, particularly for people who have been dispersed," the rabbi said. "Sadly, so many people's belongings were burned, and they're living in hotels in different parts of the country with very little." The rabbi said his group will also volunteer. "There's a challenge right now for harvesting because there are no workers there," he said. "So, we'll roll up our sleeves and pick ripening fruit and collect tons and tons of fruits and vegetables." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Litchfield group, he said, is about half Jewish people and half gentile. "It's open to all, no matter what creed, color or faith, and it's a child-friendly trip. Some of our professionals in the area wanted to come, and it's really inspiring. I thought it would be exclusively Jewish, but so many people are so broken by what's happened that they want to go." The trip is important, he said, to show Israel that people care about the future. "We can put out fires or light candles," he said. "We don't want to focus on the loss of life; we want to do good deeds. Every good deed has an impact beyond our wildest imagination. It's about appreciating the gifts God gives us every day." For more information, visit chabadnw.org. Russia Issues Warrant For Ukraine's Ex-Ambassador To Kazakhstan By RFE/RL's Russian Service March 04, 2024 A court in Moscow has issued an arrest warrant for Petro Vrublevskiy, the former Ukrainian ambassador to Kazakhstan, on a charge of inciting hatred. The court also ruled on March 4 to add Vrublevskiy to Russia's wanted list. Earlier, Vrublevskiy was placed on Russia's registry of terrorists and extremists. Vrublevskiy found himself at the center of a scandal in August 2022 -- about six months after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- after he said in an interview with noted Kazakh blogger Dias Kuzairov that "the more Russians we kill now, the fewer of them our children will have to kill in the future." Moscow and Russian organizations in Kazakhstan then demanded Astana expel the diplomat for his controversial statement, but the Kazakh authorities refused, though they did ask Kyiv to replace him. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in early October 2022 that Moscow was "outraged" by the fact that Vrublevskiy remained in Kazakhstan, adding that the Kazakh ambassador to Russia had been summoned over the issue. In response, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said that the tone of Moscow's request to expel the Ukrainian ambassador was "dissonant to the character of the allied mutual ties between Kazakhstan and Russia as equal strategic partners." The Kazakh side also said at the time that Astana and Kyiv had a "full understanding" of the situation and that a decision on the diplomat leaving Kazakhstan would be made solely by Kyiv. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry also said at the time it had summoned the Russian ambassador to Kazakhstan over the situation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fired Vrublevskiy in mid-October 2022. The Kazakh government under President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has been trying to maintain cooperation with Ukraine, its Western allies, and Russia since Moscow launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While not openly condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Toqaev has publicly stated that his country would not recognize Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Kazakh businesses last year set up so called "invincibility" yurts (traditional nomadic felt tents) in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and several other Ukrainian cities to provide local residents with food, tea, warmth, and the possibility to charge electronic devices. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-russia-ukraine- ambassador/32847284.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defense Ministry Confirms US-Made Abrams Tank Wiped Out Near Avdeyevka Sputnik News 20240304 In February, Russian forces destroyed the first Abrams tank used by Ukraine in the special military operation zone near Avdeyevka. The Russian military has obliterated another Abrams tank belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Avdeyevka region over the past 24 hours, Russia's MoD revealed. "The enemy lost more than 490 soldiers, two tanks, including a US-made Abrams tank, four infantry fighting vehicles, including three US-made Bradley vehicles, three armored combat vehicles and 12 vehicles," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Ukraine also lost as many as 160 soldiers in the area of Kupyansk . According to the ministry, the Russian Armed Forces defeated Ukraine's troops and crippled the enemy's equipment in the Novokalinov, Mayorsk, Berdychy and Rozovka areas of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Russian military brass also mentioned that its forces have occupied better positions in the area of Avdeyevka. Ukraine also lost as many as 360 soldiers on the Donetsk line and over 320 soldiers in the area of South Donetsk in the past 24 hours, the ministry added. The destruction of the first Abrams tank occurred on February 26 near the village of Berdychi. Russian soldiers wiped out multiple pieces of Ukrainian military equipment that day, one of which was a US-made Abrams tank. Commenting on the day's events, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the destruction of the first Abrams tank delivered to Kiev points to the determination of Russian soldiers to demilitarize Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conflict Observatory Reporting: Bombardment of Ukraine's Power Generation and Transmission Infrastructure US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson March 4, 2024 In its latest report as part of the Conflict Observatory, the Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab (Yale HRL) documented 223 incidents of damage to power generation and transmission infrastructure across 17 oblasts in Ukraine. In the majority of these incidents, the damaged infrastructure was far from the front lines of conflict, calling into question whether the strikes were directed at legitimate military objectives. This pattern of attacks indicates widespread and targeted efforts to cripple vital power generation and transmission infrastructure across Ukraine during a time of increased need for heating, which is consistent with patterns documented in previous Conflict Observatory reporting. If an attack does not target a legitimate military objective, or if it inflicts harm on the civilian population that is excessive in relation to the military advantage gained, it is contrary to international law and may constitute a war crime. The threat to civilian lives and livelihoods in Ukraine is entirely of Russia's making. Vladimir Putin began this war, and he can end it by withdrawing Russian forces from Ukraine's territory. Until then, the United States will continue supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression and its pursuit of accountability for the atrocities Russian forces have committed against the people of Ukraine. The Conflict Observatory is a consortium of researchers including Yale HRL documenting war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, supported by the Department of State's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. View the latest report at https://hub.conflictobservatory.org/portal/apps/sites/#/home/pages/power-1; for more information, contact CSOPublicAffairs1@state.gov or visit https://contactus.conflictobservatory.org/. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine has started negotiations with Spain on the conclusion of a bilateral security agreement President of Ukraine 4 March 2024 - 20:47 On the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and in pursuance of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva has started negotiations with Spain on a bilateral security agreement. The two sides discussed the structure of the future agreement and agreed on a schedule for further negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We understand what the enemy's next plan is, and we will counteract it - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 4 March 2024 - 19:32 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Briefly about this day. Most of the time was dedicated to the military. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Anatoliy Barhylevych. The lengthy meeting was focused on frontline issues and tasks. Our operations and prospects. Despite all the deficits, the capabilities of our warriors to destroy the occupiers cannot be decreased. The Commander-in-Chief is regularly on the front line. Real battlefield commanders from the frontline, from the brigades are involved in decision-making. Today, I agreed and signed a number of necessary new appointments for the Defense Forces. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. I held a separate meeting with him. Supply of weapons, fair and proper provision of brigades. Each combat brigade, each frontline unit should receive more of the available modern weapons. A separate conversation concerned drones. The content was good. In particular, regarding our long-range drones. A report from the Defence Intelligence, Budanov. Our special operations. We need a clear result in the destruction of Russian military infrastructure and logistics. A greater result. And it will be achieved. A report from the Security Service of Ukraine, Maliuk. He reported on our counteraction to Russian subversive reconnaissance groups - these murderers who terrorize our border areas. Maliuk also reported on countering collaborators. There are good results in neutralizing these people. There was a report by the Foreign Intelligence Service, by Lytvynenko. It concerned sensitive international areas and Russia's current plans. We understand what documents are on the enemy's desk, what his next plan is. We will counteract. There was also a separate report today by Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov. First of all, it was about the functioning of our maritime export corridor. Almost 30 million tons of cargo have already been transported by sea. This is very significant for such war times. And I am grateful to everyone who works in our ports, on the ships, and to everyone who ensures the operation of the sea corridor and its security. Today, after a report from the regions on the consequences of Russian shelling, I gave separate instructions regarding Odesa, regarding people who lost their homes as a result of the Russian attack with "Shahed" drones. I instructed to help with new housing to replace the lost one as soon as possible - the local authorities have to resolve the issue. One more thing. I signed a decree on the Shevchenko Prize, on the awarding of this year's prize. The winners are worthy. On March 9, the decree will be published. I thank everyone who cares about Ukraine and Ukrainians! I thank everyone who fights and works for our country and people! I thank everyone in the world who helps and believes in us. Thank you! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Ukraine Is Russia,' Says Putin Ally Dmitry Medvedev By VOA News March 04, 2024 Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and an ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Monday that Ukraine is part of Russia and that what he called historical parts of Russia needed to "come home." During a speech at a youth forum in Sochi, Medvedev said, "One of Ukraine's former leaders said at some point that Ukraine is not Russia ... that concept needs to disappear forever. Ukraine is definitely Russia," he said. Medvedev, who was Russia's president from 2008-2012, praised the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union and said Moscow would continue its "special military operation" until the Ukrainian leadership capitulated. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv. Medvedev's opinions carry weight in the Kremlin and his comments could be indicative of Russia's expansive military goals in Ukraine, according to the Reuters news agency. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Medvedev and other top Russian officials of waging an illegal war of conquest and say Ukraine and its people are distinct from Russia and Russians. Medvedev ruled out peace talks with the current Ukrainian leadership, saying that any future Ukrainian government that wanted talks would need to recognize what he called the new reality. Medvedev also said ties between Russia and the United States were now worse than during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when the two countries came to the brink of nuclear conflict. "I will say one bitter thing," he said. "The current situation is much worse than the one in 1962. This is a fully fledged war against Russia with American weapons and with the participation of American special forces and American advisers. That's how it is." Russian railway Ukraine said Monday it blew up a rail bridge in the Samara region in southwestern Russia. Ukraine's military intelligence said the attack targeted the supports of a bridge over the Chapaevka River. The agency said Russia had used the bridge to transport military cargo. Russia's railway operator reported an incident in the Samara region, saying it had been forced to cancel and re-route some trains in the area after an explosion at a rail bridge. There were no casualties. Located on the Volga River, the Samara region is one of Russia's heavy industry hubs. $17.4 billion in unfulfilled pledges Ukraine said Monday that it had not received $17.4 billion in proceeds from two donor conferences held in Poland in 2022, early in Russia's invasion. The two events in 2022, organized by Poland together with the European Commission, had raised $10.8 billion and $6.5 billion, respectively, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal told a press conference. "Where did they go? What did they support ... Ukraine has received nothing," he added. In April 2022, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced that a global pledging event for Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw had raised nearly $11 billion. A separate event held in the Polish capital the following month raised $6.8 billion, also with the European Union's backing, the Polish government said at the time, AFP reports. The announcement comes amid Kyiv's desperate need for military and financial support, with the war with Russia now in its third year. Zelenskyy appeal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an appeal Sunday to Western nations to supply delayed aid to Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russian onslaughts despite a shortage of ammunition. "If this does not happen, it will become one of the most disgraceful pages in history - if America or Europe are defeated by Iranian 'Shahed' drones or Russian fighter jets. Russian evil should not be encouraged by weak decisions, delays in deliveries or hesitation," he said, referring to the stalled U.S. aid package for Ukraine due to political wrangling in the U.S. Congress. "It is simply impossible to explain how the hardships of a bleeding country can be used in domestic political struggles," Zelenskyy added during his Sunday night video address. Zelenskyy's strident tone in his address revealed his frustration as the death toll in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa rose to 12 people, including five children, Sunday, after a Russian drone struck an apartment block there Saturday. "Russia has made Ukrainian children its military targets," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, earlier Sunday, after the bodies of three children were pulled from the rubble. It has now been more than two months since the U.S. last sent military supplies to Ukraine. In Washington, officials are viewing the shortage of weapons and ammunition in Ukraine and the drop off in U.S. supply shipments with increasing alarm. House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring to a vote the $95 billion foreign aid package passed by the Senate that includes a crucial $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. That decision could stall the package for weeks after an already months-long wait in Congress. Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Release: Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Ukraine March 04, 2024 On March 6, 2014, by Executive Order 13660, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets. On March 16, 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13661, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660, and found that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets. On March 20, 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13662, which further expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660, as expanded in scope in Executive Order 13661, and found that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation, including its purported annexation of Crimea and its use of force in Ukraine, continue to undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets. On December 19, 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13685, to take additional steps to address the Russian occupation of the Crimea region of Ukraine. On September 20, 2018, the President issued Executive Order 13849, to take additional steps to implement certain statutory sanctions with respect to the Russian Federation. On February 21, 2022, the President issued Executive Order 14065, which further expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660, as expanded in scope in Executive Orders 13661 and 13662, and relied on for additional steps taken in Executive Orders 13685 and 13849, and found that the Russian Federation's purported recognition of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic or Luhansk People's Republic regions of Ukraine contradicts Russia's commitments under the Minsk agreements and further threatens the peace, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and thereby constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. The actions and policies addressed in these Executive Orders continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660, which was expanded in scope in Executive Order 13661, Executive Order 13662, and Executive Order 14065, and under which additional steps were taken in Executive Order 13685 and Executive Order 13849, must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2024. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. THE WHITE HOUSE, March 4, 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leak scandal sends further shockwave, complicating Ukraine crisis: experts Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Mar 05, 2024 12:41 AM Russia and Germany have recently been stuck in "eavesdropping" dispute over an audio recording of a meeting of senior German military officials. If it is confirmed that German military officers were involved in the attack on a bridge in Crimea, or even if it is proven that German officers trained Ukrainian missile forces, it would pose great pressure on Germany, experts warned on Monday. Russia's foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador on Monday, the TASS news agency reported, citing an unidentified source, after Russian media published an audio recording of a meeting of senior German military officials. Russian media on Friday published a 38-minute recording of a call in which German officers were heard discussing weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kiev on a bridge in Crimea, and how to clear Germany of direct involvement in the conflict. The recording includes a detailed discussion of how the German military can technically support the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in the event of a decision by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to allow them to be sent. The discussion also addressed whether Ukraine could carry out the strike without the involvement of German armed forces. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. It is hoped that all parties will be committed to a political settlement of the crisis and work together to ease the situation, Mao said. If the recording is confirmed to be fact, which means it offers clear evidence of the direct involvement of Germany in the conflict, it will certainly result in an escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Cui Heng, a scholar from the China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday. On Saturday, Germany called it "an apparent act of eavesdropping" and said it was investigating. "The incident is much more than just the interception and publication of a conversation ..." German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Sunday. "It is a hybrid disinformation attack. It is about division. It is about undermining our unity." Participants in the call discussed the possible delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly so far firmly rejected. They also talk about the training of Ukrainian soldiers, and possible military targets, according to Reuters. Cui believed that Germany could also firmly reject audio recording as it will not be willing to engage in any direct conflict with Russia. Escalating the conflict to direct confrontation with Russia also doesn't conform to the interests of the US and the West, Cui noted. Analysts believed that it could refer to the previous attack on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and judge the reactions of the parties involved in the incident. Both the UK and Norway vehemently denied any involvement in the attack on the pipeline and blamed it all on Ukraine, not wanting to be further involved in the matter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Downs 18 Russian Drones By VOA News March 05, 2024 Ukraine said Tuesday its air defenses destroyed 18 drones that Russia launched in overnight attacks. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a total of 22 drones, with the 18 intercepts taking place above Odesa. Oleh Kiper, the regional governor of Odesa, said no one was hurt. Kiper said on Telegram several buildings were damaged as a result of the Russian attacks, including a recreational facility and a house. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Monday that Ukrainian officials know what Russia's "next plan is" and that Ukraine "will counteract." The statement came as he recounted a series of meetings with top military and intelligence officials. Also Monday, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed the situation on the ground in a telephone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Pentagon said in a statement that Austin reiterated the ongoing support of the United States and other allies that have contributed support for Ukraine's military. Austin and Umerov also agreed on the "urgent need" for the U.S. Congress to approve new security aid for Ukraine. 'Ukraine is definitely Russia' Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and an ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Monday that Ukraine is part of Russia and that what he called historical parts of Russia needed to "come home." During a speech at a youth forum in Sochi, Medvedev said, "One of Ukraine's former leaders said at some point that Ukraine is not Russia ... that concept needs to disappear forever. Ukraine is definitely Russia," he said. Medvedev, who was Russia's president from 2008-2012, praised the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union and said Moscow would continue its "special military operation" until the Ukrainian leadership capitulated. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv. Medvedev's opinions carry weight in the Kremlin and his comments could be indicative of Russia's expansive military goals in Ukraine, according to the Reuters news agency. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Medvedev and other top Russian officials of waging an illegal war of conquest and say Ukraine and its people are distinct from Russia and Russians. Medvedev ruled out peace talks with the current Ukrainian leadership, saying that any future Ukrainian government that wanted talks would need to recognize what he called the new reality. Medvedev also said ties between Russia and the United States were now worse than during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when the two countries came to the brink of nuclear conflict. "I will say one bitter thing," he said. "The current situation is much worse than the one in 1962. This is a fully fledged war against Russia with American weapons and with the participation of American special forces and American advisers. That's how it is." $17.4B in unfulfilled pledges Ukraine said Monday that it had not received $17.4 billion in proceeds from two donor conferences held in Poland in 2022, early in Russia's invasion. The two events in 2022, organized by Poland together with the European Commission, had raised $10.8 billion and $6.5 billion, respectively, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal told a press conference. "Where did they go? What did they support ... Ukraine has received nothing," he added. In April 2022, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced that a global pledging event for Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw had raised nearly $11 billion. A separate event held in the Polish capital the following month raised $6.8 billion, also with the European Union's backing, the Polish government said at the time, AFP reports. The announcement comes amid Kyiv's desperate need for military and financial support, with the war with Russia now in its third year. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shelton, CT, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hubbell Incorporated Recognized as One of the 2024 World's Most Ethical Companies Shelton, CT, March 4, 2024 Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB) has been recognized as one of the 2024 Worlds Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This is the fourth time Hubbell has achieved this recognition. Hubbells Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gerben Bakker stated, We are honored to have been recognized among the Worlds Most Ethical Companies for the fourth consecutive year. Being recognized is a direct reflection of the strong culture of integrity that Hubbell employees globally demonstrate every day. Its always inspiring to recognize the Worlds Most Ethical Companies. Through the rigorous review process, we see the dedication of these organizations to continually improving their ethics, compliance, and governance practices to the benefit of all stakeholders, said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethispheres Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair. Companies that elevate best-in-class cultures of ethics and integrity set a standard for corporate citizenship for their peers and competitors to follow. Congratulations to Hubbell for achieving this honor and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business. In 2024, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 20 countries and 44 industries. The World's Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere's proprietary Ethics Quotient, an extensive questionnaire that requires companies to provide over 240 different proof points on their culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; ethics and compliance program; diversity, equity, & inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year's group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify truly best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world. To view the full list of this years honorees, please visit the Worlds Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees. About Hubbell Hubbell Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of utility and electrical solutions enabling customers to operate critical infrastructure safely, reliably and efficiently. With 2023 revenues of $5.4 billion, Hubbell solutions electrify economies and energize communities. The corporate headquarters is located in Shelton, CT. Contact: Dan Innamorato Hubbell Incorporated 40 Waterview Drive P.O. Box 1000 Shelton, CT 06484 (475) 882-4000 About Ethisphere Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, and deliver business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies build strong cultures of ethics and integrity. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its Worlds Most Ethical Companies recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also advances business performance through data-driven assessments, guidance, and benchmarking against its unparalleled data: the Culture Quotient dataset reflecting the ethical business practices of 3+ million employees around the world; and the Ethics Quotient dataset, featuring 240+ data points on the ethics, compliance, social, and governance practices of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com. A file photo of a New Britain police vehicle. New Britain Police Officer Connor Reinsch was speeding when he fatally struck Katherine Colon, who was under influence of drugs and wearing dark clothes when the crash occurred in September, report says. Lisa Backus/Hearst Connecticut Media Group This is what the front of New Britain Officer Connor Reinsch's patrol vehicle looked like after the collision that killed Katherine Colon, according to a 132-page report. State of Connecticut/contributed NEW BRITAIN An investigation into how a speeding New Britain police vehicle without its emergency lights or siren on struck and killed a woman while she was crossing the street lays much of the blame on the pedestrian, saying she was under the influence of drugs, wearing dark clothes and walking slowly into its path, a report shows. As a result, Maureen Platt, Waterbury States Attorney, concluded that she would not pursue charges against New Britain Police Officer Connor Reinsch in the September death of Katherine Colon, according to the report posted Thursday on the state Division of Justice website. The 132-page report stated that Reinsch was traveling nearly twice the speed limit in a police SUV and admitted he was not looking at the road when he struck the woman shortly after 1:10 a.m. on Sept. 21. Colon died on impact, the report stated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But investigators reviewed city surveillance camera footage and could see that Colon was wearing dark clothes and did not use sidewalks or marked crosswalks, the report said. She also was in the middle of the lane for westbound traffic on West Main Street when she was struck, the report said. Troopers with the Connecticut State Police, which conducted the investigation, also reviewed the police vehicles dashboard camera video. Colon spent more time in the travel lane than she had to by not taking the shortest path across the road, according to the report, and she walked more slowly than she did earlier when she was captured by a different surveillance camera. The dash cam video shows that Colon appeared suddenly and out of nowhere in the middle of the street," the report said. She was in a better position to notice a police vehicle was headed toward her than Reinsch was to see her, the report concluded. The report described the oncoming 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle as readily visible, sufficiently visible and as having a high-degree of visibility for 14 seconds as it approached the woman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite that, Colon didnt show any sign of evasive or reactionary type actions, the report said. The pedestrian, Katherine Colon, was determined to make a series of unsafe, improper, and less than optimal movements within the paved portion of West Main Street. The accumulation of these movements combined to result in a pattern of reckless usage of the highway, in violation of Connecticut General Statute 53-182, and resulted in Katherine Colon intentionally placing herself in unnecessary danger, the report stated. She also was under the influence of drugs that could have resulted in poor decision-making and lowered alertness, the report said. The drugs included ethanol, or alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl, the report said. In December, a friend of Colons buttressed the finding when she told police that Colon was high out of her mind that night and she declined to give Colon a ride because the friend was going on a date and was afraid that Katherine would OD in the car," according to the report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A slight change in the grade of the road also hindered the ability of the officer to see Ms. Colon beyond a distance of approximately 200 feet, the report said, as did backlighting from overhead lights, traffic signals and commercial lighting, the report said. Officer speeding, distracted The report also noted that Reinsch was driving nearly twice the 25 mph speed limit with no emergency lights or siren activated. The westbound SUV only had its headlights on, according to the report. At the time of the collision, Reinsch was headed to an address in the city where he was to look for a red pickup that may have been involved in an earlier residential burglary. Because it wasnt an urgent situation, he determined that the incident should be classified as a Level 2 incident and did not activate his emergency siren or strobe lights, although his headlights and other non-emergency vehicle lights were activated and working, the report stated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In New Britain, a Code 2 response is considered a non-emergency response that does not involve lights and sirens, according to the report and Rachel Zaniewski, spokesperson for Mayor Erin Stewart. The report said that right before impact, the police SUV was traveling between 50 and 60 mph. Reinsch braked, and the SUV was estimated to be traveling 48 mph at the time of impact, the report said. While emergency vehicles are given greater latitude than those that are privately owned, the exemptions for first responders shall apply only when an emergency vehicle is making use of an audible warning, the report stated. Still, based on Reinschs speed alone, Platt said she would not be able to prove he committed manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle or even reckless driving, the report said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Speed wasnt the only factor in the collision, however. According to the report, Reinsch said he was distracted by a man on the side of the road who was leaning over and momentarily looked away from the road. I turned my head to the right to get better look at the male, he told a detective in his statement. As I glanced at the male, I believe I slowed before striking an unknown object in the middle of the road. He also said he was doing his GPS at the time of the collision, although investigators later determined that was incorrect and he was not entering information into his GPS unit, according to the report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After he struck Colon, Reinsch immediately stopped and worked to save her life, the report said. After other police officers arrived and took over the chest compressions, a witness saw an officer later identified as Reinsch sitting on nearby steps obviously upset and crying, according to the report. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIGG Digital Assets Inc. ("BIGG" or the "Company") (CSE: BIGG; OTCQX: BBKCF; WKN: A2PS9W), owner of Netcoins , Blockchain Intelligence Group , and TerraZero is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC (A.G.P. Canada), who have agreed to sell, on a commercially reasonable efforts private placement basis, up to a maximum of 20,833,333 units of the Company (Units) at a price of C$0.24 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000 (the Offering). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the authorized share structure of the Company (a Share) plus one Share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of C$0.30 for 60 months following the completion of the Offering. The Units to be issued under the Offering will be offered to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE Exemption) under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106), in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec. The Units offered under the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units may also be offered to persons in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) and all applicable U.S. state securities laws, as well as outside Canada and the United States on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration of any of the Companys securities or require the Company to be subject to any ongoing disclosure requirements under any domestic securities laws. There is an offering document related to the LIFE Exemption portion of the Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Companys website at www.biggdigitalassets.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering for advertising and marketing activities for each of its business divisions, expansion of the TerraZero development team, Netcoins Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) application, expansion of the Netcoins sales team, increase in Netcoins float for operational purposes, general working capital requirements for Netcoins, BIG and TerraZero and for general corporate purposes. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about March 12, 2024 the (Closing Date), and is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals. The Company has agreed to pay A.G.P. Canada a cash fee equal to 7% of the gross proceeds from the Offering and 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Offering from purchasers on a presidents list provided by the Company (the Presidents List). In addition, upon closing of the Offering, the Company has agreed to issue A.G.P. Canada non-transferable broker warrants (each, a Broker Warrant) equal to 7% of the total number of Units sold pursuant to the Offering and 2% of the total number of Units sold to purchasers on the Presidents List. Each Broker Warrant will be exercisable for one Share at a price of C$0.30 per Broker Warrant, and is exercisable for a period of 60 months following the completion of the Offering. The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. On behalf of the Board Dan Reitzik Interim CEO ir@biggdigitalassets.com About BIGG Digital Assets Inc. BIGG Digital Assets Inc. (BIGG) believes the future of crypto is a safe, compliant, and regulated environment. BIGG invests in products and companies to support this vision. BIGG has three portfolio companies: Netcoins (netcoins.com), Blockchain Intelligence Group (blockchaingroup.io), and TerraZero (terrazero.com). Blockchain Intelligence Group is an industry leading digital asset forensics, anti-money laundering detection, and cryptocurrency investigations company. At the heart of our operations is a deep-rooted expertise in visualizing digital assets and market related activities. This expertise is leveraged to monitor transactional data with a constant eye to assisting our customers with risk management, due diligence, and forensic services for digital assets. Netcoins offers safe and secure crypto trading in Canada and the USA, with a mission to make cryptocurrency easily accessible to the mass consumer and investor with a focus on fast, simple and transparent trading. Netcoins has a robust product offering with Crypto Trading, Netcoins Pay Mastercard and Netcoins Staking. Netcoins utilizes BitRank Verified software at the heart of its platform and facilitates crypto trading via its cutting-edge Mobile and Web applications. For more information please visit our website www.netcoins.com. TerraZero Technologies Inc. is a vertically integrated Metaverse development group and leading Web3 technology company specializing in helping brands create immersive experiences. TerraZeros Metaverse-agnostic vision is to develop and implement products and services with scalable commercial applications to flourish engagement across gamified experiences where enterprise-level businesses, metaverse platforms, and Web3 creators can seamlessly bridge and actionably grow their virtual world and the physical world endeavors together as one. TerraZero owns digital real estate for brands to establish presence in existing virtual worlds and can also offer brands their own private worlds to provide offices and services to those interested in the metaverse. Furthermore, TerraZero acquires, designs, builds, and operates virtual assets and solutions to monetize the metaverse ecosystem. TerraZeros businesses are segmented into five (5) divisions which include: (1) immersive experience creation in existing or private virtual worlds; (2) advertising; (3) data analytics; (4) events and marketing; and (5) development of the Intraverse. TerraZero aims to support the community, foster innovation, and drive adoption. For more information, please visit https://terrazero.com/ or contact hello@terrazero.com. For more information and to register for BIGGs mailing list, please visit our website at https://www.biggdigitalassets.com. Or visit SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Future operating results could also be materially affected by the price of cryptocurrency and the demand (or lack thereof) for cryptocurrency. In addition, BIGGs past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance. Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which include the size of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, and the anticipated Closing Date. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as may, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, believe and continue or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Companys financial condition, the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products, volatility in the trading price of the Shares, the demand and pricing of cryptocurrency, the Companys ability to successfully define, design and release new products in a timely manner that meet customers needs; the ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of BIGG. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because BIGG can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The securities of BIGG are considered highly speculative due to the nature of BIGGs business. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Companys website and filings on www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, BIGGs past performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from BIGGs expectations include consumer sentiment towards BIGGs products and Cryptocurrency and Blockchain technology generally, technology failures, the lack of demand for the Companys products and services, fluctuations in the price of cryptocurrency, the ability to successfully define, design, and release new products in a timely manner that meet customers needs; the ability to attract, retain, and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel; competition; the demand and pricing of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (including digital assets); litigation; security threats, including a loss/theft of NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and other assets; and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, BIGG disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, BIGG undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release. Philadelphia, PA, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since its inception, Creditor Law Group has been on a mission to defend consumers against creditors engaging in wrongful collection practices and to educate debtors about their rights. Despite the protections provided by the law, borrowers are not always guaranteed fair and ethical treatment by debt collection agencies, often falling victim to unscrupulous creditors who flout the rules. Operating through a team of highly experienced attorneys, Creditor Law Group brings the fight to any debt collector resorting to practices that violate the rights of consumers and undermine their financial well-being. "Dealing with debt collectors tends to be an extremely stressful experience, especially when they engage in abusive or illegal practices, for example, aggressive and harassing communication, misrepresentation of the amounts owed, and deceptive tactics aimed at coercing payment, Creditor Law Group notes. Our team has successfully challenged such injustices, helping debtors stand up for their rights and put an end to wrongful collection practices. Apart from providing legal representation, we offer educational resources that demystify the debt collection process and empower individuals to fight back. As stipulated in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) , creditors cannot employ abusive or deceptive practices when attempting to collect a debt. Unfortunately, some of them still engage in such practices, which can lead to significant financial and emotional distress for debtors. Typical examples of wrongful actions include making threatening phone calls, harassing people at work or at home, misrepresenting the amount owed, and adding unauthorized fees or charges to the debt. Besides being illegal, these practices can damage a person's credit score and reputation. Creditor Law Group relentlessly fights on behalf of debtors, harnessing the experience of its attorneys to help clients stop harassment, dispute false claims, and negotiate fair repayment plans. Our teams commitment to protecting debtors has earned our company a reputation as a trusted advocate to people struggling with debt. We have defended countless individuals against wrongful debt collection practices, standing firmly by their side to ensure that they resolve their debt issues and regain control of their finances, Creditor Law Group says. Any person experiencing harassment or unfair treatment by a debt collector can contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn how our attorneys can help them fight back and get the debt relief they deserve. We pride ourselves on the work we do to hold creditors accountable for violating the FDCPA and protect consumers from undue pressure and manipulation. Creditor Law Group is an award-winning legal services provider focused on defending consumers who face debt-related lawsuits. The Philadelphia, PA-based company assists individuals in or out of court, ensuring that their rights are protected. Creditor Law Group specializes in the areas of garnishment reversal and relief, legal representation of individuals in lawsuits filed by creditors, and defense against debt collector harassment. Creditor Law Group: https://clglaw.com Creditor Law Group Leads the Charge to Protect Consumers Against Their Creditors: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/creditor-law-group-leads-charge-015400275.html Exclusive license agreement secured with Erganeo for EVerGel, EVerZom's first drug candidate, a breakthrough treatment for fistulas and fibrosis of the digestive tract. This new worldwide license marks a significant step forward in EVerZom's mission to bring innovative exosome-based therapeutic solutions to patients suffering from serious digestive diseases. EVerGel has demonstrated promising efficacy in 8 animal models, paving the way for entry into regulatory preclinical studies by the end of 2024 and clinical trials in early 2026. EVerZom participated in the 19th ECCO (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization) Congress, held in Stockholm in February 2024, and presented its advances to clinicians and experts in the field. Paris, March 5, 2024 - EVerZom, a CNRS/Universite Paris Cite spin-off specializing in exosomes, has announced the signature of a second exclusive license agreement with Erganeo for the development of EVerGel , a drug candidate tailored for the healing of digestive tissues. EVerGel is the first therapeutic program developed by EVerZom in collaboration with Professor Gabriel Rahmi, hepato-gastroenterologist and endoscopist at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris, and Amanda Silva Brun, winner of the 2021 CNRS innovation medal and director of research at the CNRS Matter and Complex Systems Laboratory at Universite Paris Cite. EVerZom initially focused its efforts on the development of an innovative platform, protected by several patents, covering the entire value chain: cell selection, production of high-yield exosomes, their modification and formulation. With the invaluable support of Erganeo, which oversaw the final developments required for these new production methods, the intellectual property was transferred to EVerZom in 2019 and a second exclusive license agreement was signed today. Leveraging these innovative technologies, EVerZom's goal is to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of its exosome platform to address a variety of diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The credibility of this platform has been further strengthened by validation from both national and European innovation ecosystems, in particular through the i-lab innovation contest and the EIC Accelerator program. EVerZom's first clinical application focuses on digestive tissue regeneration using naive exosomes derived from stem cells encapsulated in a gel called EVerGel . EVerGel's lead indication is the healing of complex ano-perianal fistulas induced by Crohn's disease. In addition, EVerZom has identified several other indications in its pipeline, all of which have demonstrated proof of concept in vivo. These include stenosis, the healing of surgical anastomoses following tumor resection of the digestive tract, including the investigation of post-operative adhesions (esophageal, rectal and colon cancers). EVerGel can be delivered endoscopically or injected directly into the fistula. "Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of EVerGel in 8 animal models, including three porcine models. The results are very encouraging, with over 85% complete closure of fistulas treated by endoscopic injection, compared to only 12% in the control group. These results are particularly promising for patients suffering from complex digestive fistulas or stenosis, who require innovative treatments to improve their quality of life. I am convinced that EVerGel will meet this need", says Prof Gabriel Rahmi, clinical hepato-gastroenterologist at the HEGP and co-inventor of EVerGel . In February 2024, EVerZom participated in the 19th Congress of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) in Stockholm to share with clinicians and innovation experts the latest preclinical data on its exosomes-based therapies, in particular EVerGel , and their clinical prospects. *** About exosomes Exosomes are one of the main communication pathways between the body's cells, via lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, among others. The size of these biological nanoparticles is about 150 nm, and these particles are found everywhere in our body and fluids (blood, urine, saliva) by 10 times more in the body compared to cells. Acting as FedEx for cells, exosomes have amazing properties: they have a low immunogenicity (i.e. they don't trigger immune system reactions) and have a strong natural capacity for cell uptake enabling strong targeting. The high interest in exosomes research and applications is leading to an explosion in the number of publications, with more than 8500 in 2022, and an increase in the number of clinical trials in which their safety, and first signals of efficacy have been demonstrated. Last but not least, over the last 5 years, exosomes have been the focus of a sharp increase in partnerships between Big Pharma and innovative biotechs. Leveraging its innovation platform, EVerZoms ambition is to develop its pipeline of proprietary biotherapies in regenerative medicine, while building partnerships in several other indications. About EVerGel EVerGel combines exosomes derived from stem cells with a heat-sensitive gel, enabling targeted and precise delivery. Preclinical studies have demonstrated promising efficacy in 8 animal models, paving the way for regulatory preclinical entry scheduled for the end of 2024 and entry into clinical trials at the end of 2026. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that affects approximately 2 million people worldwide. More than 50% of these patients will develop ano-perianal fistulas during the course of their disease, and in more than one-third of patients, ano-perianal lesions will be at the origin of the diagnosis. The persistence of fistulas tracts is a marker of the severity of Crohn's disease and has a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life and functional prognosis. This complication requires complex, multidisciplinary treatment (surgery and biological drugs), the results of which are still unsatisfactory, with only 40% of patients achieving complete healing of the complex fistula. EVerGel is expected to enter regulatory preclinical trials by the end of 2024, with first-in-man administration within 2 years. About EVerZom everzom.com EVerZom, a CNRS/ Universite Paris Cite spin-off dedicated to exosomes, was created in 2019 with the aim of becoming a leader in exosome biotherapies. To this end, the company has developed a proprietary platform that covers the entire technological value chain: cell sourcing, exosome generation, engineering, and formulation. Winner of numerous awards and programs, including the i-Lab program and the prestigious EIC Accelerator for its technological innovation platform, EVerZom is developing a pipeline of proprietary drug candidates in regenerative medicine, while leveraging on partnerships in many other indications. Press contact: Marie Puvieux, presse@atcg-partners.com, +33 6 10 54 36 72 About Erganeo - www.erganeo.com Erganeo is a French technology transfer company specializing in disruptive innovations (DeepTech) with a high societal impact. We invest as early as possible to secure researchers' new inventions, before they are transferred to industry or start-ups are created, in a wide range of scientific fields: Biotech (health, agrifood, environment, cosmetics), Infotech (telecoms, internet of things, big data, AI), Enertech (green energies, chemistry, materials), and so on. Our mission is to accelerate and simplify the links between research and industry, in the interests of societal progress. To do this, we fund and support the next generation of French researcher-entrepreneurs, helping them to achieve success and international recognition. As a member of the SATT network, Erganeo is laying the foundations for a desirable future in the Paris Region ecosystem, a breeding ground for innovation with 20,000 researchers in over 350 cutting-edge research laboratories. Since its creation, Erganeo has invested nearly 44m, helping to sign 120 licenses with companies of all sizes and to create 34 start-ups. Press contact : Caroline Pontifice - caroline.pontifice@erganeo.com Attachment Dublin, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "AZD-1775 Market Size, Forecast, and Emerging Insight - 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides comprehensive insights about AZD-1775 for ovarian cancer in the six major markets. A detailed picture of the AZD-1775 for ovarian cancer in the 6MM, i.e., the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom for the study period 2019 -2032 is provided in this report along with a detailed description of the AZD-1775 for ovarian cancer. The report provides insights about mechanism of action, dosage and administration, as well as research and development including regulatory milestones, along with other developmental activities. Further, it also consists of future market assessments inclusive of the AZD-1775 market forecast analysis for ovarian cancer in the 6MM, SWOT, analysts' views, comprehensive overview of market competitors, and brief about other emerging therapies in ovarian cancer. Drug Summary AZD-1775 (Adavosertib) is a small molecule inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase WEE1 with potential antineoplastic sensitizing activity. It selectively targets and inhibits the WEE1, a tyrosine kinase that phosphorylates cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1, CDC2) to inactivate the CDC2/cyclin B complex. Inhibition of WEE1 activity prevents the phosphorylation of CDC2 and impairs the G2 DNA damage checkpoint, and this may lead to apoptosis upon treatment with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents. Unlike normal cells, most p53 deficient or mutated human cancers lack the G1 checkpoint as p53 is the key regulator of the G1 checkpoint, and these cells rely on the G2 checkpoint for DNA repair to damaged cells. Annulment of the G2 checkpoint may therefore make p53 deficient tumor cells more vulnerable to antineoplastic agents and enhance their cytotoxic effect. Currently, the drug is being developed in different Phase II clinical studies in combination with standard of care therapies for the treatment of certain types of ovarian cancer. The drug has also previously shown activities in ovarian cancer but has not secured regulatory approval for any indications. Now, researchers are working to identify advanced ovarian cancer patients who could benefit from the targeted therapy with the help of biomarkers. AZD-1775 Analytical Perspective In-depth AZD-1775 Market Assessment This report provides a detailed market assessment of AZD-1775 for ovarian cancer in the six major markets, i.e., the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom. This segment of the report provides forecasted sales data from 2027 to 2032. AZD-1775 Clinical Assessment The report provides the clinical trials information of AZD-1775 for ovarian cancer covering trial interventions, trial conditions, trial status, start and completion dates. Report Highlights In the coming years, the market scenario for ovarian cancer is set to change due to the extensive research and incremental healthcare spending across the world; which would expand the size of the market to enable the drug manufacturers to penetrate more into the market. The companies are developing therapies that focus on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition, assess challenges, and seek opportunities that could influence AZD-1775 dominance. Other emerging products for ovarian cancer are expected to give tough market competition to AZD-1775 and launch of late-stage emerging therapies in the near future will significantly impact the market. A detailed description of regulatory milestones, and developmental activities, provide the current development scenario of AZD-1775 in ovarian cancer. Our in-depth analysis of the forecasted sales data of AZD-1775 from 2027 to 2032 will support the clients in the decision-making process regarding their therapeutic portfolio by identifying the overall scenario of the AZD-1775 in ovarian cancer. Scope of the Report A comprehensive product overview including the AZD-1775 description, mechanism of action, dosage and administration, research and development activities in ovarian cancer. Elaborated details on AZD-1775 regulatory milestones and other development activities have been provided in this report. The report also highlights the AZD-1775 research and development activities in ovarian cancer across the United States and Europe. The report also covers the patents information with expiry timeline around AZD-1775. The report contains forecasted sales of AZD-1775 for ovarian cancer till 2032. Comprehensive coverage of the late-stage emerging therapies for ovarian cancer. The report also features the SWOT analysis with analyst views for AZD-1775 in ovarian cancer. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Introduction 2. AZD-1775 Overview in ovarian cancer 2.1. Product Detail 2.2. Clinical Development 2.2.1. Clinical studies 2.2.2. Clinical trials information 2.2.3. Safety and efficacy 2.3. Other Developmental Activities 2.4. Product Profile 3. Competitive Landscape (Marketed Therapies) 4. Competitive Landscape (Late-stage Emerging Therapies) 5. AZD-1775 Market Assessment 5.1. Market Outlook of AZD-1775 in ovarian cancer 5.2. 6MM Analysis 5.2.1. Market Size of AZD-1775 in the 6MM for ovarian cancer 5.3. Country-wise Market Analysis 5.3.1. Market Size of AZD-1775 in the United States for ovarian cancer 5.3.2. Market Size of AZD-1775 in Germany for ovarian cancer 5.3.3. Market Size of AZD-1775 in France for ovarian cancer 5.3.4. Market Size of AZD-1775 in Italy for ovarian cancer 5.3.5. Market Size of AZD-1775 in Spain for ovarian cancer 5.3.6. Market Size of AZD-1775 in the United Kingdom for ovarian cancer 6. SWOT Analysis 7. Analysts' Views 8. Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rznhwq About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Enterprise Resource Planning - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2019 - 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The North America Enterprise Resource Planning Market size is estimated at USD 20.30 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 31.98 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.51% during the forecast period (2024-2029). The ERP software market is expected to grow the most in the United States because more cloud-based and hybrid ERP systems are being used to improve operational efficiency. Key Highlights In larger enterprises, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain databases for all the departments and consolidate them for generating reports. The lead times are also longer as the data is sometimes duplicated across the business or there may be a lack of consistency in the reported information. ERP tools help enterprises overcome these hurdles and provide an integrated platform for all the processes so that the data can be actively accessed within departments, reducing lead times and duplication. This advantage of ERP systems would drive the market upward. While the overall ERP segment is expected to grow, factors such as the cost of business-specific customization and the cost of upgrading ERP tools are expected to stymie growth.Though medium-scale businesses and large enterprises are employing it, small businesses would not find much application as they may need more clearly defined departments to be managed. Market growth would also be slowed down by how hard it would be to combine several existing ERP systems into one legacy system. ERP is one of the major applications managed by business technology professionals. It also indicates the growth in market adoption in the region. The regional vendors are also utilizing this shift to digital with new business models for promoting ERP. This year, Infor announced a "Three for Free" program for smaller distributors in North America. For a limited time, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in North America can receive a subscription for three free user licenses of Infor CloudSuite Distribution, a cloud platform powered by the Infor Distribution SX.e ERP system with an optional fixed-fee service engagement. The growing adoption of a two-tier ERP strategy in the region in line with Industry 4.0 is also pushing the market's growth. In September this year, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation gave 49 small enterprises in Michigan a total of USD 1.15 million to assist them in implementing Industry 4.0 technologies. The money comes from the second and third rounds of grants made as a part of the Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant program, which has a budget of USD 3 million. The pandemic scenario significantly impacted the expansion of the US ERP market in recent years. Further growth was anticipated as a result of the expanding use of ERP in the healthcare sector and businesses offering healthcare-related goods and services. Cloud-based services were successfully used by numerous healthcare organizations to create a reliable system that controlled patient counts, handled requests for pharmaceutical and therapeutic items, and distributed vaccines across international borders. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes SAP SE Oracle Corporation Microsoft Corporation Workday, Inc. Plex Systems Inc. (Rockwell Automation Inc.) FinancialForce.com Inc. Infor Inc. Epicor Software Corporation IBM Corporation The Sage Group PLC Unit4 NV Deacom Inc. Deltek Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2i5blm About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Controlled Release Fertilizer - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2016 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The North America Controlled Release Fertilizer Market size is estimated at USD 570.15 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 900.40 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.91% during the forecast period (2024-2030). Key Highlights Largest Segment by Type - Straight : CRF Urea releases nitrogen in a gradual manner. As nitrogen is the most applied fertilizer, CRF urea can prevent nitrogen mineralization that degrades the soil quality. Largest Segment by Coating Type - Polymer Coated : These fertilizers effectively supply all the essential primary and secondary nutrients, coupled with micronutrients, reducing the need for multiple fertilizer applications. Largest Segment by Crop Type - Field Crops : Field crops dominate the North American fertilizers market due to the large cultivation area in the region. Field crops account for more than 95% of the total crop area. Largest segment by Country - United States : The United States accounts for about 69% of the total agricultural crop area in the region. The country is one of the major producers of fertilizers in North America. Polymer Coated is the largest segment by Coating Type. The North American controlled-release fertilizer market grew by 70.6% during the study period. Precision farming is widely practiced in North America. An important component of precision farming is the provision of the right dosage of nutrients to crops at the right time. Thus, controlled-release fertilizers serve as important inputs in precision farming. Field crops occupy 82.4% of the overall market, followed by turfs and ornamentals, which constitute 13.9% of the market share. These types of coated controlled-release fertilizers are commonly used in specialty, high-value crops like cereals, grains, and vegetables, as well as in areas like orchards and nurseries. Although the use of specialty chemicals is limited in row crops, their usage is increasing due to higher grain prices, environmental concerns, and other regulations. The United States is the largest market for controlled-release fertilizers. It accounted for 81.9% of the market in 2021, registering a growth of 70.43% during the study period. With the growing technological advancements in the fertilizer industry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnered with various stakeholders, such as The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), to boost awareness about controlled-release fertilizers among farmers. These factors are anticipated to boost the country's field crop production. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Agro Liquid Compo Expert GMbh Florikan Haifa Group Ltd ICL Speciality Fertilizers Nutrien Ltd. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wsxpf About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Veterinary Disposables Global Market Report 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The veterinary disposables market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $0.43 billion in 2023 to $0.49 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%. The growth in the historical period can be credited to the adoption of environmentally conscious solutions, improvements in veterinary facilities, an increase in pet ownership, the expansion of veterinary healthcare, and the adoption of e-commerce. The projected expansion of the veterinary disposables market is expected to be influenced by the increasing trend of pet ownership. Pet ownership involves the responsibility of owning and tending to a domesticated animal, including meeting its needs for food, water, shelter, healthcare, and companionship. The market growth is facilitated by the rising adoption of pets, leading to increased demand for advanced veterinary equipment and disposables, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness and safety of these products. For example, in 2021, Chewy, Inc., an online retailer of pet products in the US, reported approximately 977,202 pet adoptions, marking the highest adoption rate of 61% in the past six years. Consequently, the surge in pet ownership contributes to the positive trajectory of the veterinary disposables market. The burgeoning population of livestock is anticipated to be a driving force behind the growth of the veterinary disposables market. Livestock population refers to the overall count of domesticated animals raised in agricultural settings for commercial purposes. Veterinary disposables, such as syringes and needles, play a crucial role in animal production by facilitating vaccination. These disposables are essential for the safe and efficient administration of vaccines to livestock, contributing to disease prevention and overall improvement in animal health. For instance, as of September 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture reported an expected increase of 1.2 million head in India's national herd of cattle, reaching a total of 306.7 million animals. Hence, the rising population of livestock propels the veterinary disposables market forward. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Cardinalhealth Inc. Pfizer Inc. Abbott Laboratories Medtronic plc Becton Dickinson and Company Henry Schein Inc. B. Braun Melsungen AG Covetrus Inc. Mindray Medical International Limited Smiths Group plc IDEXX Laboratories Inc. Varian Medical Systems Inc. Midmark Corporation Heska Corporation Abaxis Inc. Nonin Medical Inc. Digicare Biomedical Technology Inc. ACON Laboratories Inc. Jorgensen Laboratories Inc. DRE Veterinary Inc. Vetland Medical Sales and Services Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. Synedgen Inc. Patterson Companies Inc. Piavita AG TriviumVet Inc. ITL Biomedical Ltd. Central Biomedia Inc. Vetronic Services Ltd. Optomed Oyj Dextronix Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7a6ha7 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Wilmington, Delaware, United States, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The global generator rental market is projected to flourish at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2031. As per the report published by TMR, a valuation of US$ 7.4 billion is anticipated for the market in 2031. As of 2023, the demand for generator rental is expected to close at US$ 4.9 billion . Industries such as healthcare, telecommunications, data centers, and manufacturing rely heavily on continuous power supply to maintain operations. Generator rentals provide a reliable backup solution during grid outages or fluctuations, driving demand. Growing urbanization and infrastructure development projects worldwide require temporary power solutions for construction sites, roadwork, and building projects. Generator rentals offer flexibility and scalability to meet varying power needs, fueling market growth. Download sample PDF copy of report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=74616 The proliferation of music festivals, sporting events, corporate gatherings, and outdoor exhibitions necessitates temporary power solutions. Generator rentals cater to the power requirements of these events, contributing significantly to market expansion. Despite the shift towards renewable energy sources, intermittent generation from solar and wind power necessitates backup power solutions. Generator rentals complement renewable energy systems, ensuring a reliable power supply during periods of low or no renewable generation. Companies are increasingly turning to rental solutions to avoid the high upfront costs associated with purchasing generators. Rental options offer flexibility in terms of scalability, maintenance, and upgrades, appealing to businesses seeking cost-effective power solutions. Key Takeaways from the Market Study As of 2022, the generator rental market was valued at US$ 4.7 billion Based on fuel type, the diesel segment is expected to dominate the global market during the forecast period. Based on power rating above 1000 KVA segment to generate high revenue in the market. Competitive Landscape Generator rental suppliers are presenting an extensive selection of generator sizes and models, tailored to meet the varied requirements of their clientele. They're ensuring round-the-clock customer assistance to promptly resolve any equipment-related concerns. With a focus on competitive pricing strategies, these vendors aim to enhance their market presence in the generator rental industry. The following players are active in the global generator rental industry landscape: Cummins Inc. Caterpillar Inc. Himoinsa S.L. AKSA Power Generation Atlas Copco AB Aggreko PLC Kohler Co. United Rentals, Inc. AGCO Corporation APR Energy Herc Rentals Inc. Ashtead Group plc Wartsila Generac Holdings Inc. Cooper Equipment Rentals Key Developments Caterpillar introduced the Cat XQ330 portable diesel generator set in February 2023, offering a cutting-edge power solution compliant with the stringent U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards. This generator serves both standby and prime power applications, addressing the need for reliable and environmentally friendly power solutions. portable diesel generator set in February 2023, offering a cutting-edge power solution compliant with the stringent U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards. This generator serves both standby and prime power applications, addressing the need for reliable and environmentally friendly power solutions. In October 2022, POWR2 launched the POWRBANK MAX, a high-capacity portable power solution designed specifically for construction sites. With a rating of 500 kVA or higher, this generator caters to extended use cases and provides ample power to support heavy-duty equipment and operations at construction sites. Generator Rental Market: Key Trends and Opportunistic Frontiers With increasing environmental concerns, there is a growing demand for sustainable power solutions in the generator rental market. The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies is revolutionizing the generator rental industry. Hybrid generators, combining traditional fuel-powered generators with renewable energy sources like solar or wind, are gaining traction in the market. Rental companies are increasingly focused on optimizing their fleet management processes to maximize utilization rates, minimize idle time, and improve overall efficiency. Unlock Growth Potential in Your Industry! Download PDF Brochure: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=74616 Generator Rental Market Regional Analysis North American region is witnessing significant growth in the generator rental market. Ongoing infrastructure projects, including construction, roadworks, and utilities maintenance, are driving the demand for generator rentals across the region. The need for reliable power solutions to support these projects in both urban and remote areas is fueling market growth. is witnessing significant growth in the generator rental market. Ongoing infrastructure projects, including construction, roadworks, and utilities maintenance, are driving the demand for generator rentals across the region. The need for reliable power solutions to support these projects in both urban and remote areas is fueling market growth. The Asia Pacific region is projected to dominate the generator rental market from 2023 to 2031, driven primarily by growth in the mining, construction, and utilities sectors. China stands out as a significant center for mining activities, hosting substantial reserves of metals and minerals. is projected to dominate the generator rental market from 2023 to 2031, driven primarily by growth in the mining, construction, and utilities sectors. China stands out as a significant center for mining activities, hosting substantial reserves of metals and minerals. Consequently, there's a growing demand for power solutions, particularly in remote mining sites, to support operations. This trend underscores the increasing need for reliable and portable power generation solutions to meet the energy demands of mining activities across the country. Generator Rental Market Key Segments By Power Rating Below 100 kVA 100 kVA -500 kVA 501 kVA -1000 kVA Above 1000 kVA By Fuel Type Diesel Natural Gas Others By Application Continuous Load Standby Load Peak Load Shaving By End Use Utilities Oil & Gas Mining Construction Events Others By Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Buy this Premium Research Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=74616